Happy Halifax Halloween!

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I usually love to host parties with friends, and get decked out in costume. This year was a bit different since Jo Jo is not quite 2 weeks old yet, and I did not really prepare for any major get togethers before he was born. Even though we did not do much partying, we still tried to make it a special day, especially for Miley since she is old enough to enjoy it.

Her day started out getting to play in the backyard with Dad,

Then she came inside, had some delicious homemade chili and bread, and spent the afternoon playing with baby brother.

Jo Jo enjoyed his swing, and spent most of the day snoozing.

Later that evening Miley got all dressed up as a bumble bee,

and got to go out trick-or-treating with Mom, Dad, and brother.

I think this little Queen Bee had a good time.

I know for sure she LOVED the treats.

She finished up with a nice warm bath, and then she was off to bed.

Halloween in Halifax is different from where we grew up, but it was just right for this little one. Happy Halloween!

The Little Man

Today I took Scotlin downtown for the tenth time in the past twelve days. He had a bit of jaundice after birth and I have had to travel back and forth between the hospital and health clinic almost everyday until his bilirubin levels dropped. I was so, so glad when the nurse called and told me I do not have to take him in to get his blood drawn again, and the two of us can stay home, finally.

--But not for long.--

After very little weight gain in the past week the Doc wants him back again on Monday. Oh, how I love finding a sitter for Miley, loading up my newborn baby, and driving into town each day.

Luckily, it means I get more one on one time with this little man.

Learning

I Hate Goodbyes

My Mom left today. Oh, man it hurts. I hated seeing her go. I cried well into the evening. And I'll start up again any minute I'm sure of it. She stayed with us for 12 days helping me with everything while I recovered. I loved every second of having her help, and her company. I was so sad to have to say goodbye and be reminded of how far apart we live, and how much I miss her and my family.

Watching her say goodbye to my kids was almost more than I could bare.

We were so spoiled during her stay. She cooked us amazing meals and treats, stocked our fridge and freezer full of food dinners for the next month, cleaned our house, did our laundry, and helped us with Miley and Scotlin. We told her it felt like we have a personal chef, maid, and nanny. We were so grateful to have her here, and she will be so missed!

Justin's White Coat Ceremony

Justin had his White Coat Ceremony last Thursday night. The White Coat Ceremony is a symbolic welcome into the dentistry profession. It was an important night that I didn't want to miss, so this is proof that I actually got dressed and made it out to support. I'm so glad my mom was here to watch the kids for us, or else I highly doubt I would have been able to make it.

Here's Just dawning his professional White Coat. Handsome Dental Student, and Future Dentist. It was fun to see him with his whole class, it's an opportunity I had not had yet. We had the opportunity to listen to a couple speakers talk about reaching for and achieving great things. I felt so proud of Justin for all of his hard work to get us here.

Signing his pledge to ethics and professionalism. Doesn't he just look so professional?? He is the man. Seriously, Justin is near perfect at everything he does, and I know Dal is lucky to have him represent the school of Dentistry. There is no one who will honor the 'Code of Ethics and Professionalism' like he will.

Here he is with the Dean of the School of Dentistry Dr. Tom Boran. We think rather highly of him. He is the nicest guy, and there is no one better to run the Dentistry Program. We get the feeling when we are around him that he is sincerely interested in each one of the students and is cheering them on. It's a privilege to associate with him.

What a night. It's just such a honor to be married to someone who believes in making dreams become reality.

The JJ and JO JO Show

This is what has been going on at our house this week...

Jo Jo has been so sleepy.

We have been on serious diaper duty.

Even double diaper duty.

JJ gets a kick out of Jo Jo's cries. It makes her burst into fits of laughter.

Jo Jo has been practicing stretching, and looking around, eating, and then catching up on more sleep.

JJ gets to chose one item of clothing out of the laundry basket while we are folding clothes. This time, as embarrassing as it is, she chose the fancy maternity underpants mom's get after having a baby, slipped them right over her head,

and then ran around the house with them on. Stopping just long enough to give Jo Jo a kiss.

Jo Jo loves to get his feet rubbed,

and watch Elmo's ducks with JJ.

Special Delivery

When we moved to Halifax I had a feeling I needed to start developing a whole new level of courage to prepare myself for Scotlin's birth. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what I went through to bring this little guy into the world.

It's incredible how Scotlin's labor and delivery was the most complicated, painful, and traumatic experience, and then in an instant it became the most miraculous and powerful blessing of my life.

The experience was overwhelming in so many ways. We found out Scotlin was posterior, and after laboring for many long hours it became clear he was not going to be able to turn. There was not many options for us at that point and we ended up having to take a trip to the operating room. I was terrified. The entire ordeal was intense, and insanely painful in every way there is much of it I'd rather not think about. My body has been left broken and bruised, and I have endured more than I ever imagined possible. I am sure I will get over it soon, but right now I am haunted by the memories.

In the same breath, I felt the added courage needed at that time, and I knew it came from my Father in Heaven. I was blessed to have a terrific nurse and doctor who were helpful, patient and encouraging to me at the times I needed it most. Having Justin by my side was another reminder of how enormously blessed I am to have him as my spouse. His strength and faith is what pulled me through. It was only after he laid his hands on my head and gave me a priesthood blessing that Scotlin turned just enough for me to deliver without a c-section.

It was a miracle.

The very instant Scotlin arrived every ounce of my body rejoiced with gratitude, and my heart filled with unconditional love. When I held my newborn son in my arms it no longer mattered what I had gone through. It no longer mattered what I had to endure, or the pain I had to bare. He is worth all that my body can give. He is beautiful, and perfect.

We are still marveling over the miracle that was his birth. We are grateful to Heavenly Father on the deepest level for sending us this sweet angel.

Recovery is slow but steady. My mom is here right now, and I could not be more grateful for her help. It is tremendous. I cry to her everyday, and thank her for being here with me through all of this. Even though the experience has been extremely difficult for me, I have thought many times, even during the very worst moments at the hospital, what am I supposed to be learning from this? How will what I am experiencing help me to be there for someone else? What good can I do from what I am learning? I do know that my knowledge of things spiritual has increased over the past few days. My faith has been strengthened. I have been humbled to the core. And I am eternally grateful for it. Every bit.

Our Perfect Prince

Please join us in Welcoming

SCOTLIN PRINCE MADSEN

October 18, 2009

3:42 am

6 lbs. 14 oz. 20 in.

Angels in Nova Scotia

I have been nervous. I have probably complained too much. I was scared with all that was changing and happening in my life so fast. I should have taken a moment to realize and be grateful that the Lord was always by my side. I was never alone. He has been watching over me all along, and continues to use his children to help me and bless my life.

To all of you who have eased my mind, had us in your prayers, and lended a helping hand, may I just simply say, Thank you.

To the Relief Society sisters who have already brought meals BEFORE the baby has even arrived, and who have watched my daughter, and who continue to offer to watch her, or offer to do my shopping, or call to see how I am doing, or help me find my way around the hospital, Your help and thoughtfulness is out of this world, and so appreciated.

To the complete strangers who help load my groceries, buckle in Miley, take my shopping cart for me, and then ask if I need help getting home, You have made me feel like a million bucks, and taught me a whole new lesson on kindness and going the extra mile in a matter of minutes.

And of course to my spouse who's endless efforts to make life more comfortable, and be there for me every minute make me feel like I have my own personal guardian angel on Earth. Thank you. I treasure you.

The service, love, and outpouring of support is no doubt the work of the Almighty. These angels have been there to lift me, and buoy me up, and helped me so that my burdens could become light. I am truly grateful, and will pray that the Lord bless your lives as you have blessed mine.

Just Because He's So Darn Cute!

This is what a Dental School Student does on the weekend...

Sweet Loops! Nice Chompers too!

Only AFTER he has spent the entire day scrubbing walls, baseboards, windows, and vents to help me get the house ready for baby Jo Jo, of course. And, to top it all off, he even offered to go to the store for me tonight with a LIST! He stocked us up with household supplies so I don't have to go out and shop for a couple weeks. What a guy! Now I can relax (between contractions) knowing that everything is ready to go. I swear I married the best man in the world.

Oh, How I Love Him!

Just Because She's So Darn Cute!

Justin and I just can't believe how much Miley has grown up and changed these past few months. She is a riot. We have been having so much fun with her, and just crack up all the time over the funny things she is doing. She has so many new tricks up her sleeves these days. It's getting hard to remember everything she is doing, so we need to jot them down in attempts to keep up.

Miley loves to carry around the phone and push all the buttons until the operator comes on and tells her to 'hang up this call, and please try again.' Just this past week she started putting the phone up to her ear, and saying "Hi." She will then walk around the house speaking her toddler jargon into the receiver. It's a crack up. Her vocabulary is expanding each week. Lately she has been saying things like "yes, yeah, no, eye, light, and hot." There are a lot of words she can't say yet, but her grunts and points say it loud and clear.

She's good to play on the floor in the kitchen while I cook and clean. She usually makes her way over to the fridge and will play with the magnets. If I need to get something out of the fridge while she is playing there I'll say "excuse me, Miley" and crack open the fridge, and she will slam the door shut over and over until I finally move her so I can get something out. Funny girl.

If it's the weekend she won't let Dad out of her sight. She has to go everywhere he goes, eat with him by her side, pull on his pants when she walks, show him her toys, and watch at eye level everything he is doing. If I even comes close when dad is getting Miley ready for bed I get intense reprimanding from her. I'm learning not to interfere with 'daddy/daughter' time.

Lately she has been such a hoot rocking out on her cow. She loves to get on the footstool of her glider chair too and rock till she almost falls off. If I pull the cow out onto the wood floor Miley points, kicks, and yells in pure excitement. You would think we have an amusement park in our kitchen. She reacts the same way if you pull out a toothbrush and put a tiny bit of toothpaste on the bristles. Justin brought her home a small pink toothbrush from school. It might as well have been Christmas. She was the happiest girl in the world. She even eagerly hands us the toothbrush and lets us brush her teeth, gums, and tongue. She gets giddy with excitement if you offer her some of her fluoride droops. I guess she was just meant to be a Dentist daughter.

If you look close you will notice the chap stick she is holding in her hand. She loves to take it everywhere, and wants me to constantly rub it on her lips. Then she will go and kiss her cow, and then come back to me and ask for more chap stick. After I put it on her lips, she wants me to put some on cow, and then on myself. Silly, and so funny.

This is the smile we see constantly in the rear view mirror. Especially if she gets out of church early for being a little on the naughty side. She is such a ham!

More talking. (Loud, Loud, Talking.)

She is ALWAYS talking. If she's quiet, I am wondering what she's gotten herself into that she knows is off limits.

This is the smile that melts a mother's heart. And it's a good shot of ALL the teeth that seemed to come in all at once. Four on top, and three on the bottom. My number one favorite thing to hear is Miley's hysterical giggle when Justin tickles her. There is nothing better than that sound. I'll have to do another post to tell about all the funny things she does and places she goes now that she is walking. We just love this girl so much, and wish she would stay little!!