Happy New Years Eve!!

A few updates on Madison:

She went 2 weeks without biting at daycare, but then she bit once yesterday. The worker watching her at the time didn't know about the vinegar, so it didn't get used. So we had an evening with no TV and she wasn't happy about that.

We haven't had to take Madison to the Dr in a few weeks. She has had a very runny nose & a bad cough at night, but Benadryl and the breathing machine seem to help. We're hoping it's a normal cold that will run it's course.

We had a great Christmas this year! We were able to spend Christmas Eve & Christmas morning at home and then went to Quincy to see my family that weekend. Madison really likes all of her new toys! We are enjoying our new Wii, Wii Fit and Guitar Hero guitar, drums & microphone. We got Madison a toy mic & guitar so she can play along with us.

Christmas morning.

Madison knows what to do with the breathing machine! I caught her in her room like this yesterday.

No biting (knock on wood)!

I debated on posting this report, but am pleased to report that Madison has not bit anyone since Tuesday! Daycare has vinegar & is prepared to use it, but she has been good so far! (Hopefully I will not jinx her good behavior by posting this!)

My sister gave us/Karma a Christmas ornament with a black lab a few years ago. Without being prompted, Madison pointed to that ornament yesterday & said "Karma". I'm really surprised that she remembers Karma. It's cute & sad at the same time.

My Christmas shopping & baking is officially done. Now I get to relax & enjoy the rest of the holiday season. Madison is going to be so much fun this year - we're really looking forward to it! She got to open a few presents early this week. Grandpa McArtor & Andrea sent us gifts & we let Madison open them.

Madison is 19 months, going on 13

WOW! Willie and I are exhausted from the attitude Madison had today. She is still biting & scratching other kids at daycare and loves to tell us "NO". We have tried biting her back (she just laughs), time-out (she also thinks this is hilarious), no TV in the evenings (this might actually work - she was unhappy about not watching the Backyardigans tonight). Tomorrow I'm going to see if daycare will put vinegar on her tongue if she bites. (Don't think I'm cruel, it was my mother's idea!)

We have even tried to praise her good behavior by giving treats (M&M's & stickers) throughout the day if she is good. We're out of ideas & open to any suggestions! Even the Dr says that it is just a phase that she will grow out of, I just hope it's soon!

I feel the need to post a cute pic since I've told you how bad she has been lately.

Thanksgiving weekend

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend with family & friends. Visited the entire Ulm/Hull family in Quincy then headed north to see my Colorado friend & her family in Moline. It was the first time that Madison & her son Logan met - they had so much fun together!

18 Month Stats

Madison had her 18-month Dr. appointment yesterday. 23 lbs .05 oz and 32 inches long. (She has gained 3 lbs & grown 3 1/2 inches since her 1 year appointment!) She is right on the 50% line for both height & weight - which the Dr was impressed with since she has been sick so much. Madison doesn't miss a meal though & usually has plenty of snacks in between. This week at daycare a little boy brought in a granola bar for breakfast. When he took his coat off he must have left a few crumbs behind. Daycare found Madison digging around in his coat on the coat rack - looking for some left over granola crumbs!

We are so amazed & proud of all the new things Madison is learning these days! I bought her a potty last week and she has used it several times. Even without being prompted, she'll tell us that she needs to go potty & will go in & use it. Such a big girl! She is picking up on more words everyday. Yesterday she said ketchup and remote. (If she doesn't like what we're watching on TV, she will either turn if off or pick up the remote & point it at the TV.)

We're headed up north this evening & looking forward to spending the weekend with friends & family. We'll stop at my Dad's tonight then spend Thursday night with my Mom. Then leave early Friday morning for Moline to see my Colorado friend Kelly & her family who are in Moline for Thanksgiving. We've got the car packed & a Backyardigans DVD ready for Madison in the back seat!

Madison update

Madison is doing much better this weekend. No fever since Friday morning & she played outside for awhile today. Poor girl was sick of being inside & it was 70 degrees today! Other than the cough, you would never know that she was sick.

On a side note - it is so hard not to buy her everything for Christmas this year! Last year she could care less if it was an empty box, but this year is going to be so much fun! We've already put together her play kitchen, drawing easel & mini table & chairs. I'm not allowing myself to buy anymore b/c we're out of room!

Madison is 18 Months today!

And what a little warrior she is! Poor baby has bi-lateral bacterial pneumonia (both lungs) and a sinus infection on top of that. She had a cough/runny nose for about a week, but the fever just started yesterday morning. By 4pm yesterday her fever was 105.6 with Motrin, Tylenol & antibiotic. Ended up taking her to the ER at Children's Hospital in St. Louis. They were so nice & QUICK. They gave Madison an IV for fluids (she hadn't eaten or drank since 8am) and gave her an antibiotic thru the IV. That made a drastic improvement & we were home by 10pm. She is doing much better today. Eating & drinking & wanting to play this morning. She wore herself out though & is sleeping now. Still has a slight fever, which is to be expected. I'm so glad we have the weekend to relax & re-cooperate at home.