Introducing Madison Noelle

Beautiful Madison
What an amazing family!
A Mother's Love

As some of you know, Stacie and I both fought infertility. Jason and Stacie have been praying for a child for many years. Their story is an example of God's goodness and the miracle of adoption.

Once there were two women who met one another.

One, my darling, is your birthmom and the other is your mother.

Two different lives, shaped to make yours one.

One became your guiding star; the other became your sun.

The first gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.

The first gave you a need for love, and the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality; the other gave you a name.

One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you aim.

One chose adoption. It was all that she could do.

The other prayed for a child, and God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,

The age-old question through the years.

Heredity or environment, which are you the product of?

Neither, my darling, neither. Just two different kinds of love.

-Unknown author

I'm sure they'll be more pictures to come in the future on Stacie's blog. It may be awhile, however, as I'm sure Madison is keeping her plenty busy.

Saturday, October 18, 2008 - Update

I'm supergirl!

If you look closely, you can see one of my teeth!

Not too much going on this weekend. Olivia continues to believe that she could live on only macaroni and cheese. Now, we're not talking about the delicious macaroni and cheese that some of us have come to adore. We're talking about Gerber Stage 2 Cheese with maybe a few speckles of macaroni. She used to eat veggies and fruits, but now she's learned that if she holds out long enough, mom will open the can of macaroni and cheese. She will also eat cereal (mixed grain, oatmeal and barley are her favorites) but, she only wants them mixed with water. . .not juice, not formula, not milk, etc. At least she's getting the nutrients she needs from her bottle. I'm hesitant about switching her over to whole milk. When all else fails, however, at least I know she'll eat macaroni and cheese.

Exciting news Hint #2: MNW

The Language of Olivia Paige

Sorry that the video is sideways. My declining brain cells and I couldn't figure out how to flip it. Also, did you catch Olivia sharing the exciting news? No? Well, check back this weekend to hear what it is!

The really funny thing about this video is watching Olivia watch it. She gets a kick out of herself and smiles and talks back.

Exciting News Hint# 1: Stacie

Memories

You look closely at the picture and then a movie plays in your head. - Rebekah Glunt, age 6.

I've been thinking a lot lately about memories, so when Laura referred to this comment that Rebekah had made, I had to include it. People always say, "You'll always have the memories," but what does that really mean?

When we were driving out to the pumpkin patch over the weekend, we drove through Andover where I lived for two years. Those were some of the happiest times of my life. I had my own apartment, I met Ryan, I got engaged, I planned my wedding, etc. While driving past my old apartment, a lot of those memories came back. Memories are truly something that no one can ever take away from you.

I'm thankful for the memories that I have of Logan. I look at his pictures and it brings me back to his little corner in the NICU. I'm so glad that we have the pictures of him that we do. The other night I realized that many of the memories that I have of him are not happy memories. How could they be when I watched him struggle so? That was the most difficult time of my life. But yet, there are still happy memories that bring a smile to my face. I remember seeing his little heart beat for the first time. I remember watching him and Olivia jump around at my 12 week ultrasound. I remember when they told us that he was a boy and we instantly knew that he was our Logan. I remember patting the left side of my belly to tell Logan that I loved him and the right side to tell Olivia that I loved her. I remember thinking how handsome of a little boy he was. I remember reading to him in the NICU and falling more in love with him every day. All I have left are the pictures and the memories. Thank you, my sweet boy, for those precious memories. They truly do play like a movie in my head and one that I want to watch over and over.

Look At Me Now!

Yep, I can stand up by myself now.
My mom and dad are pretty proud.
Planning my next move. . .
Hey mom, could you bring me some of my toys?
Ooooh, my sing-along stage. . .that'll do.

Thanks mom!

Hmmm. . .what else can I do?

Hey mom? How about my alphabet roller?

Besides jumping, one of Olivia's favorite things to do is stand. She loves to hold on to my fingers and stand. I was very excited to see that she could stand up by the couch. As much as I'd like to say that she can pull to a standing position. . .she can't. I had to place her there, but she did a fantastic job supporting herself. She is not too interested in learning to crawl, but walking would be right up her alley. From a mommy standpoint, that's great. . .nothing like crawling around on your hands and then putting them in your mouth. From a teacher standpoint, I really want to encourage crawling. Crawling is a cross lateral movement which strengthens both the left and right side of the brain. So, if you're wondering. . .that's why crawling is always pushed so much in early childhood development. I'm so proud of all Olivia's accomplishments!

Remembering Our Babies - October 15th

Today, we remember not only the babies mentioned, but ALL who are no longer with us. I have only included those who specifically requested it from my previous post on Sat. Oct 11th. Let us also remember the moms and dads struggling with infertility. That pain is real and the sense of loss is overwhelming. God Bless!

Addyson Layne Barret - July 30, 2007 to November 2, 2007

Baby "Girl" Rust - Miscarried at 8 weeks

Gabriella Faith - June 9, 2006 to June 11, 2006

Reagan Dawn Burge - August 2, 2007 9:13 pm - 10:40 pm
Baby C Burge - Miscarried at 7 weeks
Their sister, Addison Maria was born at 29w2d and is now 14.5 months old.

Heather and Cody Snyder have two beautiful children, but they have also suffered two miscarriages.
Baby 1 Snyder - Miscarried at 6.5 weeks on November 24, 2004
Baby 2 Snyder - Miscarried at 4.5 weeks on January 23, 2007

Baby Parker - Miscarried at 13w6d on October 10, 2008

Kalib Alan - March 14, 2007

Brandy Danielle Stanfill - September 4, 2003 to February 14, 2005

Baby Etling-Jones - Miscarried at 7 weeks

Baby Runyan - Miscarried at 9 weeks on January 21, 2007

Blake Lucas - March 5, 2008 to March 8, 2008
Ethan Derek - March 5, 2008 to March 7, 2008

Adam Allan Southern - July 30, 2007 to July 31, 2007

Johnrey McGrew - September 4, 2007 to September 20, 2007 (Logan's NICU neighbor)

Logan William Glunt - August 27, 2007 to September 28, 2007
Baby B Glunt - Miscarried at 8 weeks

Brant Thomas Burton

BRANT THOMAS BURTON

Brant T. Burton, age 4, died Sunday, October 12, 2008, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, October 17, 2008, at 11:00 A.M. at First Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., Cottonwood Falls. Co-Officiants will be Pastor David Gass of the Cedar Point Community Church and The Rev. Pat Ireland of the First Presbyterian Church. Inurnment will be at a later date.
The son of Thomas William “T.W.” and Rachelle Gale Poston Burton, Brant Thomas Burton was born April 17, 2004, in Wichita, KS. He was a member of the Chase County Bears Soccer Team and attended pre-school at the Chase County Childrens’ Services Pre-School in Cottonwood Falls. He liked helping his dad and grandpa feed cattle and move cattle. He enjoyed riding his horse.
He is survived by his parents of Matfield Green, KS. a sister, Sophia Rose Burton of Matfield Green; his maternal grandparents, Tom and Lynda Poston of Council Grove; and his paternal grandparents, Tom and Linda Burton of Matfield Green. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Rose Burton.
There will be no visitation. Please wear casual/western apparel to the service. Messages to the family may be left at www.brown-bennett-alexander.com. Memorial contributions to the Chase County Childrens’ Services may be sent to the Brown-Bennett-Alexander Funeral Home, 201 Cherry, Cottonwood Falls, KS. 66845.

**Please continue to keep this family in your prayers.

Too Healthy!?!

I'm incredibly frustrated today. I called Olivia's doctor's office regarding her upcoming Synagis shots. It seems that our insurance company doesn't want to approve them. Olivia has been deemed "too healthy!" Too healthy? Apparently there is such a thing. Olivia has been healthy because we've done everything that we possibly can to keep her that way. I didn't know that by keeping her healthy, we were failing to protect her. She was a 23-weeker!! I thought she would get them until age 2 without any problems. Our city was one of the hardest hit in the nation last year. There are already RSV cases immerging. My husband was able to work from home last winter. He can't do that this winter. Thank you, BCBS, for keeping my stress level well above average. It seems our hibernation is going to have to be just as strict as it was last year.

So, I called the insurance company. I don't normally have to turn on my "angry voice," but it's reserved for times such as these. I'm not good at being mean. . .although I tried very hard today. They are blaming my doctor's office for not getting a written request in sooner. I asked if there was anything that I needed to do to speed up the process and our insurance company said it all had to come from the doctor's office. Can anyone offer any advice? Please help.

Monday, October 13, 2008 - Update

I continue to feel enormously blessed to have my sweet Olivia. Those of us with children are so lucky to have them in our lives. Please give them a big hug tonight and tell them how much you love them.

Prayer Request

I just received some devastating news this afternoon.

After college, I worked at American Family's district manager's office for Rachelle Burton. I enjoyed getting to know her. I still remember spending the whole day talking about my wedding and taking pictures of my ring after I got engaged. We were too excited to get much work done.

Her 4 year old son, Brant, passed away yesterday from e-coli. I am completely heart-broken. My thoughts and prayers go out to Rachelle, her husband, T.W. and family.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Olivia Glunt!

We had a fabulous time today at the Applejack Pumpkin Patch. Thank you to Crystal Hanson for the suggestion. It was just what we were looking for. What a great tradition it will become.

"So, you're not mad at mama and you don't wear red pajamas? I don't think you're a real llama!"

Hangin out with my dad.

I even met the three little pigs!

We braved the corn maze!

I rode a bus with daddy. . .kind of.

Here I am with my mommy.

This was the pumpkin patch!

Here are our two pumpkins. . .one for me and one for Logan. It was a great day! Check out the video to see what else I did with my dad.