Madisons Diary

Madison's Diary

August 15, 2003 - I was born today, and what a scary day this was. You can't imagine how traumatizing being born is. I was nice, warm and safe in mama's tummy and then boom, The Dr. is pulling and tugging on me and dragging me out into the real world where everything changes. I was born at 5:06 by emergency C- section. Mommy was having a normal delivery but my heart rate suddenly dropped so the doctors took mommy in for emergency surgery. Daddy was there when I was born, at first he thought I was a boy.

Since Daddy saw me before Mommy, Mommy asked Daddy what I looked like and he said "I think she looks like me". It's true I look a lot like my Daddy, I have brown hair, big cheeks and I am cute as I can be. I weighed 7 lbs, 12 ozs and was 18.5 inches long. The Dr's said I was healthy and gave me an Apgar score of 9.

I did not get to see my Mama for over 2 hours after I was born. She was asking for me. When I finally saw her for the first time, she cried and said I was beautiful. I was very hungry when I met Mama so she fed me, I can tell I am going to like her.

August 22, 2003 - Mommy has been very worried about me this week. I have little shakes that she is concerned about. Today she took me to the Mommy and Me clinic in Loma Linda for a check up and I started to have my little shakes. Mommy took me to see a nurse who said I should go to the hospital.

Mommy took me to Loma Linda emergency and they decided to keep me for while because I was not breathing correctly and because they want to find out what is causing my shakes. Daddy and Mommy are very sad to leave me. They are sticking me with all sorts of needles and doing all sorts of tests, I don't really like this.

September 1, 2003 - Daddy and Mommy brought me home from the hospital today and Mommy says I am never going back. I hope she's right. The Doctor says I should outgrow my little shakes and could not find the cause of the shakes. They said my breathing problems were caused by reflux, this is where my food comes back up and gets stuck in my air passages causing me breathing problems. The Doctor gave me medicine for all my problems and said I should outgrow them all.

Already I am a happy baby, I love to smile at Daddy. People say it's not a real smile and that it's only gas, but they are wrong, I love my Daddy.

October 18th, 2003 - I am 2 months old already. Today I went to my first family reunion. Each year Mommy's family has a reunion. Mommy plans the reunions for the family now so she was really busy. I was such a good girl, I slept through almost the whole reunion and when I woke up I was sweet and charming.

I smile and coo all the time now. I am a healthy, happy baby. I even let mom sleep through the night. I have even started to chuckle, I am adorable. I am getting big, I weigh over 11 lbs already. I have outgrown many of my newborn clothes. Mommy gets sad when something doesn't fit me, she wants me to stay little forever.

I got a Nanny this week, her name is Kimberly, she is going to come a few days to help watch me so Mommy can go back to work. Mommy is sad to leave me, but... we will survive.

November 22nd, 2003 - I am just over 3 months old now, I am getting so big !! I weigh over 13 lbs already !! I laugh with mommy and daddy (and sometimes at them, but don't tell). I smile all the time, I am very happy.

I am starting to reach for things and hold my toys in my hands. I have lots of toys that I enjoy , my favorite is my piano that lites up when I hit it , Daddy bought it for me!! Daddy likes to buy me toys, mommy likes to buy me clothes, I am a lucky girl !!

I was a clown for Halloween and I was adorable (or at least everyone said so). Mommy and daddy took me trick or treating to see my grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles. They all loved my costume !!

Mommy and Daddy went to Vegas overnight with their office and Grandma & Grandpa Drake stayed the night at my house. They had so much fun, they told Mommy I was perfect !! Mommy called several times to make sure I was a happy baby, and I was !! The Next Day Grandma Balarezo came and stayed with me too, we played!! Mama didn't want to be away from me too long so she flew back after one night . She missed me and kept kissing me when she came back (I don't mind too much).

November 30, 2003 - Wow, What an exciting week for me, my first Thanksgiving !!

We had Thanksgiving at our house and all our relatives came over at lunch time. Boy do I have a big family, it is a little overwhelming for a little gal like me, so much noise. There was a ton of yummy food (or at least it looked pretty good).

It was a nice day, I got lots of attention, I think I am spoiled, everyone loves to talk to me and hold me. Sometimes I would just like to be left alone though. Finally I just needed a little nappy so Daddy put a big sign on my swing that told everyone to leave me alone so I could sleep, that was thoughtful of him.

After everyone left Mommy gave me lots of love and food (I like food). That week-end Mommy, Daddy and I went shopping and I was an angel, I did not cry even once for three hours straight. I am looking forward to Christmas !!

January 4, 2004 - I had my first Christmas. Santa brought me a bunch of gifts but Mommy and Daddy opened them for me because I am still too little to open gifts. I got an activity center , a highchair, a lightweight stroller, tons of clothes, a stuffed bear that Aunt Sharon had made for me, toys, a glo-worm, and a ton of other stuff.

On Christmas Eve the Balarezo side of my family came over to our house and we had dinner, dessert and exchanged gifts. I was tired so I fell asleep early while the family opened presents.

Then on Christmas Day, Mommy's family and Daddy's family got together for a big dinner at Grandma Balarezo's. Everyone really likes me and I got passed around all day long from one family member to another. I got really sleepy and bit cranky so mommy rocked me to sleep in the bedroom. While I was sleeping the family opened gifts (including mine, what's up with that??).

On New Years Eve Mommy and Daddy had friends over. My Auntie Nicolette came from Hawaii (she's fun !!) and my Aunt Michelle came over too. I was a good baby and went to sleep early so Mommy and Daddy could relax.

Big News !!! I can roll over now from my back to my tummy. But... I hate it on my tummy!! I get stuck and cry for Mommy to come save me and turn me over. Also, I started sucking my little thumb. Mommy can always tell when I am sleepy cause I start sucking my thumb. I am 15 lbs now !! My mommy says I am an exceptionally good baby. My hair drives Mommy crazy though , I have so much of it Mommy can't keep it straight. My nickname is Maddy Paddy crazy hair !!

By the way, I still look a lot like my Daddy !! Big cheeks, brown hair, but... I have dark blue eyes like Mommy !

The Doctor's think I am 100% fixed now and they took me off 2 out of three of my medications. Next month I will be off the third medication - Yea !!

Well, I guess that's most of my news for now !! I need a little nap !!

March 18, 2004 - Boy I guess I have a lot of catching up to do. The last three months have been busy for me. I had my first cold in late January and I did not like it. I was very sick and could not sleep very well. Mommy stayed up with me and slept by my bed.

I can turn over both ways now and I can sit up all by myself. I like to sit up and then ease myself onto my tummy and move around. I can scoot to get to my favorite toys and I really want to crawl but I just can't yet. Mommy says I will be crawling soon !!

I am not on medication any more and we got rid of my apnea monitor this month - Yea !! No more sleeping with all those wires attached to me.

I went through a faze where I did not like strangers but I am more friendly now. I just did not like all those strange people pinching my cheeks and getting in my face so I would start crying until they went away.

Now I am a very happy, smiling baby !! Mommy and Daddy think I am adorable, isn't that cool?? I love to go on walks in my stroller. Mommy and Daddy take me to a lot of fun places. We play at the park (I love the swings), we go on hikes, we went to the mountains, to Castle Park. Daddy bought me an Elmo Balloon and I REALLY liked.

I am eating baby food now, I really like fruit !! I hum when I eat, everyone gets a kick out of this so I do it over and over. I am 7 months now. What a big girl I am, I am over 18 lbs now !!

Well..... that's it for now, I have to go play !!

April 25th, 2004 - Well - lots is going on in my young life. I am a busy, busy girl. Mama and Daddy have found that I love to go places and see people. I am very curious. They take me lots of fun places. They took me to Castle Park, San Francisco, to the mall, out to eat, to an Easter Faire and Everywhere. My favorite place to go is Gymboree !! Mama, Daddy and Kimberly (my nanny, that I love) take me to play and music classes 3 times a week, we sing and play with other babies and I love it !! I like to see other babies my age, it's fun !!

Mama and Daddy took me on vacation, we went up North to Clearlake and San Francisco. I got to go in my first airplane ride, I was a good girl. We stayed right by the lake and Mama and Daddy took my on lots of walks, on a boat trip, on hikes and to Golden Gate State Park where we had fun on the best playground mama had ever seen.

I had my first Easter too. Mama and Daddy took me on two Easter egg hunts and to the Easter fair at our church. I had my picture taken with some fake bunny ( I am too smart to fall for this Easter bunny stuff). Mama said it was Peter Cottontail and I went a long with it.

I am getting big, I am over 21 lbs now. My hair is getting very long too and the color is getting a little lighter. Mama can put it in little pigtails now. I am a very happy baby and I am learning to crawl. I try really hard to crawl but I can only make a few little moves before I tire out. My favorite thing is when Mama and Daddy help me walk. I want to move around so bad. I am very active and I grab everything (especially things I shouldn't). Everything I grab I like to taste. Mama and Daddy have to watch me carefully because I am fast !!

Well, I need to catch a little shut eye so I can awake and terrorize mommy some more.

See Ya Later - Maddy

May 2004 - Well, so much is happening in my young life. My Aunt Jennifer got married this month. Mommy bought me a special dress and a tiara for the wedding. I looked precious (at least this is what everyone tells me). I am crawling now, I like my freedom. I also like to pull myself up to the furniture. I am such a happy baby.

June 2004 - Well, I am quite the traveler. Mommy and Daddy took me to Vegas with their office. We rode up in a bus and everyone was impressed with how good I was. I did not cry the whole bus ride. I am walking all around the furniture now and I took a few steps while I was in Vegas even. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of me.

July 2004 - Once again, we went on vacation. Mommy, Daddy, Kimberly, Summer and of course me (little Maddy) went on a plane to San Francisco. We saw lots of fun things, we went to an aquarium and to a museum, we walked up and down big huge hills (I got pushed up and down the hills, thank heavens!). I am walking much better now, I still like to hold on to things but I can walk across the room now with out help. I love to walk. I am oh soooo happy all the time, what did my mommy do to deserve such a happy girl??

August 5th, 2004 - Wow, I am almost one year already. Mommy is planning my first birthday party. It sounds like fun, mommy says I get to eat cake and people will bring me toys.

My new favorite thing is to watch DVD's on TV. I love Miss Patty Cake and Sesame Street. I know where my nose and eyes are and I have learned how to bark like a dog when people ask me what the doggy says. Mommy and Daddy are proud that I can bark like a dog so I do it a lot. I love to clap my hands, especially when I do something good and other people clap with me. I love to dance too. You should see me dance. Anytime I hear music I feel the rhythm and I start dancing. Mommy and Daddy like to dance with me. I still suck my thumb all the time, I just love my thumb.

Mommy and Daddy took me on a really long trip to Pennsylvania. My daddy's friend, Louie got married. We were gone for a whole week !! The plane trip was five hours, how boring, but.... I was a good girl. Uncle Carlos and Aunt Sharon went with us, I like them !! Auntie Sharon held me during the wedding cause daddy was a groomsman and mommy had to sing. I got too hot and was feeling cranky during the reception but Aunt Sharon and Mommy said they were feeling hot too so maybe I was not so bad. I really tried to be good. Well, must go, I feel sleepy.

August 15th, 2004 - Mommy was right, I like birthday parties especially when they are for me. Today was my first birthday. Mommy had a lot of family and friends over to celebrate. I had my very own cake which I enjoyed. I got lots of toys and some cool clothes too. Sammy and Noah, my friends came over and played with me. Mommy made a picture video of my first year that she played for everyone.

October 31, 2004 - Today is Halloween, Mommy dressed me up like a big white Bunny. I look adorable. She even painted my nose and gave me whiskers. I had a party at Gymboree and there was another bunny dressed just like me (copycat). Later Mama and Daddy took me to trunk or treat at our church, what fun I had. I really was not too fond of my ears though, a bit of a pain. Mommy and Daddy took me to a pumpkin patch too. I loved sitting on the pumpkins and trying to lift them. Halloween is fun !!

November, 30, 2004 - Well Thanksgiving came and went. I am walking very well now but mommy still watches me closely as I sometimes tip over (what do they put in that bottle?). I am a very happy girl. I love my blankie and I suck my thumb still. I am shy of a lot of people and I cry when anyone but Mommy, Daddy and Kimberly babysit me. I kinda like Aunt Jodi and Summer but they better watch their P's and Q's.

January 30th, 2005 - Happy New Year, Merry Christmas and all that cool stuff. Well, I really loved my 2nd Christmas, I got so many cool things and I loved them all. I think Mommy and Daddy had a fun time buying me stuff and playing with me. Perhaps they are living vicariously through me??!! Mommy and Daddy bought me a super cool slide, a shopping basket set, some cool electronic books, puzzles, and a bunch of fun stuff. We went to Grandmas on Christmas Eve with both sides of the family, it was fun !!

On New Years Eve Mommy and Daddy left me with Grandma and Grandpa and went out and had fun with out me. I really think that is wrong but at least I had fun with Papa and Grandma Drake.

We went on a Cruise to Mexico and I was sick the whole trip, it was miserable. I was throwing up and a cold kicked it. I was not happy and Mommy was not either. But...I was still a good girl.

May 2005 - Well, I am talking now, I have quite a few words in my vocabulary. Mama and Daddy are my favorite and first words. Mommy still takes me to Gymboree and Kimberly my nanny takes me to the Library for story time, that is really fun. Mommy and Daddy took me to Cabo San Lucas Mexico for a week and we had a blast. I was an angel. We rode on boats, waverunners, horses and we played in the sand a lot. Daddy and I dug a super big hole in the sand. I like my Daddy, we are best friends. Daddy plays with me and Mommy takes good care of me. Aunt Jodi and Uncle Ray went to Cabo with us, they were pretty cool. Uncle Ray took me on the horse cause he was good at riding horses, I think I may end up liking him.

July 2005 - More fun for Maddy. Mommy and Daddy took me to the Wild Animal Park and to Lego land. I enjoyed both. I really liked seeing Dora the Explorer and Boots made out of Legos. Mommy and Daddy bought me some lego blocks, they are cool . I walk and run very well, I also talk very well. I know my ABC's and I can count to 20 already. I know my colors fairly well and some of my shapes but I am very shy when mommy wants me to say them in front of people. Mommy started potty training me in June and I am 70% potty trained already. My nanny Kimberly has been sick for almost 2 months now. I miss her but Mommy is really enjoying staying home with me. I think she is proud that she potty trained me. I am starting preschool soon so Mommy takes me to visit my pre-school. I like eating out of my lunch box with the other kids. I have my own cubby hole already. Very cool.

I love the Disney Princesses, Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Barney and more. I sing all the time, my favorite songs are the ABC's, Twinkle Little Star, The Barney song, and I Know you from Sleeping Beauty. I also love the song "Fly to Jesus" and whenever Mommy plays it in the car I sing a long.

I am also starting to say "No" very very well and "Mine" alot. Mommy is not thrilled about this. I want my way alot so I get put on time outs in the naughty chair occasionally. But Mommy and Daddy still think I am a good girl, they say so all the time.

I am a pretty good eater, I will try anything even though sometimes I am too busy and don't want to eat. My favorites are Oatmeal (aka oatmuck) and Ice Cream. I love Ice Cream.

Well, I am sleepy so........me and blankie are going to go suck our thumbs and be off to bed.

March 2006 - Well, so much has happened since I last wrote. I will quickly update you. I am now a big 2.5 year old and I am talking away. My mommy says I am adorable (personally I think she's right). My favorite thing is to play princess. I have 3 princess dresses and every day I ask mommy "Can I be a princess?" and of course Mommy says "Yes". I am 95% potty trained, I am such a big girl !! We moved in December and now I sleep in a big girl bed, no more crib for me !! My new bedroom is a Disney princess room as I LOVE everything princess. I have Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White and Belle on my walls. I love my new house !! I am in preschool now at our church school and I am learning so much constantly. I love to sing and I sing well. I go to school 4 days a week but two days I am only there for 3 hours and then Grandma Drake picks me up and we go out and have fun.

I still have my blankie which I can't be parted from and I still suck my thumb. I am a good girl most of the time. Occasionally mommy puts me in the naughty chair but really I am a good girl. I love all kinds of food now, I eat everything. I love Gogurt (a kind of yogurt in a tube) and I love applesauce, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and of course, ice cream !!

I know all my colors, shapes, and I count very well. I know lots of sign language too. I know a lot of stuff and I am learning more daily. I keep mommy and daddy on their toes.

Well, must hop off the computer now (yes I type, he he). Gotta go watch a princess video (very important you know). See ya!