Always room for a little fun...

So it was kinda tricky to balance time between Maddex and Jordan & Wallace, but we did. Kelly often brought the kids in to the city to visit with me as well as the baby. During that time we made a point of doing something together outside of the hospital and doing something fun. So here are some pictures of some of the different things we did.

We were introduced to this amazing play structure through our friends Angela and Geoff. It is freaking amazing and I highly recommend going there. Cheap and the kids never tire of it. So after our visits this past summer, every time we hit the city, we take the kids there.

The ever exciting Winnipeg Zoo...

So above you'll notice the kids checking out the peacock. Below, you'll notice the kids running away from the peacock. Funny!

Course you can't go to the zoo and not get a pony ride, kids loved it. If I actually liked horses, I might think about getting them both involved in that world. Fortunately for me...I don't hee hee!

My little posers...best friends forever!

This was a very cool exhibit, likely the kids favorite part of the whole kids science museum. Weight controlled pulley systems, super funny to watch them try and hoist themselves up.

We really enjoyed the race track/build your own car display. Kids started by learning how the track and controls worked. Then moved on to the fabrication portion!

Kelly really enjoyed helping the kids build their cars. He started with Wallace and soon found out...

Jordan built her entire car herself...and it ran. Amazing little brain she has.

Racing the cars was by far the best part of the whole process!

Course the kids couldn't leave without giving it one more go!

Visits

During our stay in the hospital we were very fortunate to get many a visit from many a friend. Angela...very pregnant came to see my little man. We were only supposed to have our babies two weeks apart...leave it to me to spoil that one! She has since gone on to become the mother of her little boy Matthew (super cutie!). Of course I was too overwhelmed by the visit that I forgot to take a picture of her...grrr.

My "auntie" Nina came for a visit, well first she hit a different hospital...took a page from my directional book...then she came(sorry had to be said, it's always me bah ha ha). It was dark and she braved the ghetto for me, you're such a good aunt! (she told the nurses at the front she was my aunt incase they wouldn't let her in so late hee hee, so funny).

Thanks for being my bandaid.

Of course, as I've said, my brother and sister-in law Tim and Shelley were there countless times, my folks came lots as well as Kellys folks. Kelly called them right away and they hit the road a couple days later. Bob and Diane (aka Grandma and Grandpa) stayed at our house so Kelly could commute back and forth to the hospital. He would spend his days with me and nights with the kids at home. Often he would bring in the whole family and we'd all go do something fun together. As well, the kids and Kelly stayed the odd night with me at the Ronald McDonald House where I took up residency during this whole event. Very difficult thing to have to balance your time between all your children when one is sick and is in need of constant companionship. I was fortunate to have amazing support both with my family and the hospital and was able to leave regularly to spend time with Jordan and Wallace. (that'll be the next post!)

So thank you to everyone who took the time and made the effort to come and support us during our time of need.

Also, a special thanks to my husband Kelly. Without him being the man he is...I would have NEVER made it through this. He was everywhere, all the time and didn't complain once. He is an amazing person and I am very blessed to have him in my life.

(but don't tell him I said that or it'll go to his head bah ha ha ha ha!)

Uncle Doodle and Auntie Coconut

Well Uncle Doodle (Tim) and Auntie Coconut (Shelley) pretty much stood by me through the whole ordeal. They gave me sanity and strength when I thought I was done for!

Through the labour, birth, NICU and Intermediate care...they were there.

Shelley bought by child clothes to wear when we had none. Searched high and low all across Winnipeg for preemie sizes and managed to get a bag full without ever asking for anything in return (still owe you for the clothes Missy!). They brought me Wendy's and a Slurpee...two of my favorites...gawd that was so, so enjoyed by the way. Watched as I fought with my husband over said food and drink bah ha ha!

They were the ones who were there every day, called every day and worried along side us the whole time.

I'll never be able to thank you both enough.

Kay enough of the sucky stuff, Tim...you suck.

Ahhhh, much better! (smiling!)

You have to know my brother to appreciate that this is his happy face!

Hee hee!

Day 3,4,5 + Maddex gets fed his first bottle!!!

Well Maddex did so well that they moved us to the intermediate care nursery...better known as the "feed and grow" nursery. So we were clear of the ICU and one step closer to going home!

Day three brought high levels of bilirubin in Maddex's blood tests. Often referred to as neonatal jaundice which is a yellowing of the skin and other tissues but is very common in newborn infants. So he had to go through two treatments of phototherapy which is a super safe and effective way of treatment.

Check out his cool shades...

Course his friends were now living with Maddex...the kids were so excited when they came in and saw the toys actually in the incubator with their little brother!

Lots of encouragement for cuddle time in this unit...um, ya...I kinda liked it...a lot!

Big sister gets a turn!

Big brother gets his turn too!

My wonderful family!

I had to share...guess Dad should be allowed to hold his boy too...I guess.

I love this shot...

Um, I'm thinking Dad was eating this snuggle time up just as much as me!

Kinda weird but when we made the move to the intermediate care unit...we got bed ten again...kinda cool!

Maddex, growing and changing every day!

HUGE MOMENT!!!

Maddex takes his first bottle.

The requirments for going home is bottle feeding and continually gaining weight...along with a couple other tests he had to pass but this was HUGE!!!

(I kept the bottle)

One of my favorite pictures of Maddex, eyes open and sucking on a bottle!

Ya, the nurses said not to expect him to take any of the bottle. Not my boy, he did so amazing. He still had to be gavage fed but with each feed, he took the bottle for a bit. He's a bit of a show off hee hee!

Getting his first burping...wow, that was scary as he was so small!