NICU - Day 17

Date: December 9th
Gestational Date: 30 weeks 4 days

So, tomorrow is a big day for us. Madelyn will be having surgery again. They will be taking off the cover on her stomach and looking around inside. Our hope is that they will find her bowel pink and healthy and will be able to put in the ostomy and sew her back up to heal. Maddie and I had another one of our conversations tonight and she asked that I post this video to show you all how much she loves and appreciates every one of her family members, friends, fans and loyal readers. Right after I shot the video, I started crying. This is the most active I have seen her since the surgeries on Saturday and obviously she is giving us a sign that she is not done changing our lives and giving us hope. She is a fighter!

(Sorry that it is sideways.)

This morning, the priest at the hospital came by and dropped of Madelyn's baptismal certificate. She was baptized Saturday, between her two surgeries. She was able to get the Sacrament of the Sick at that time too. The priest stuck around and talked to us for awhile and brought her a prayer shawl as well.

First Ibeling Family Photo

Madelyn's main goal for the last couple days has been to pee a lot. She has been excelling at this. A lot of the fluid that was left in her chest as a result of the surgery was gone when they did the x-ray of her chest this morning. We were very relieved. 

Look at all that urine. Proud Mommy here!

We saw the fellow that we met on Saturday as well as Maddie's primary doctor here (who happens to be the head of the entire NICU), and the surgeon. Everyone seems to be very optimistic for tomorrow and Madelyn's numbers on her labs are looking very promising. 

"I'm sexy and I know it!"