Prayers Requested...With Updates on Fun in the Sun Sun Summer!

PRAYER REQUEST:
Maddison continues to do exceptionally well...which we PRAISE GOD daily for His remarkable work!
We want to take a moment to ask you once again to pray for Maddie. Thursday morning we are taking Maddie to have a follow-up blood test. We are asking God, once again, to provide us with great news and all normal results. This is the last blood test Maddie will need as a "precaution" from the bleed that she had post-op from her open heart surgery. They had to wait until Maddie was bigger as they have to take more blood to run this test. They want to close the door on any bleeding issues...and we certainly do to! Please God...we ask you to let everything be normal with this.

This test will be a challenge for us, but more importantly, Maddie. We are not able to feed her from 2:00 am until her test, which is "scheduled" for 8:00 am. Maddie is still up several times a night (to eat), so this will be stressful for her, which we are not looking forward to. We are looking forward to closing this chapter of the book though, and putting it on the shelf...FOREVER!

So...Please Pray!

Okay...onto the update on the fun and exciting stuff we've been up to. Miss Maddie & our family have been quite busy. It is hard to believe that it is August already and summer is nearing a close.

This past weekend we attended the Herma Heart Center Picnic at the Zoo. We had a great time, the best part being able to finally meet some of the amazing families that have been there for us that we met & found through this site. And I must say...all the kids looked even cuter in person than on the sites...
We even got to see the big guy himself, Maddie's surgeon. You are truly at a loss of words when you see him, as it is hard to come up with anything that seems to justify your gratitude for what he has done...given your child their LIFE!
We also got to see some of our favorite PA's...Mike & Mike and Maddie's special guardian angel, Maura. Okay, so she was disguised once again, this time as a sausage of some sort, but nonetheless, we were grateful to see her.

There were over 3,000 people at the Herma Heart Center Picnic!!!

Let's see...Maddie had her first pony ride at the Zoo (not that same day). To my surprise she really enjoyed it. She was very intrigued by the pony.


We had a famiy picnic with Jeff's side of the family. Maddie & her brothers got to spend some time with their cousins that we don't see nearly enough...wow...there are so many so close in age!
We went to State Fair...the Greendale Village Days Parade & Festival, have visited a few parks, and taken a few bikerides. We've been busy!


Maddie has several teeth coming in; I think 3 to be exact. I am hoping this is what is contributing to her overly fussy eating habits. She has pretty much said NO to all spoon fed foods, which rules out quite a bit. But, she's also developed quite the high maintenance diet. She needs some foods with iron, and she isn't having it. Not that all of these have high iron counts, but I've tried spinach, carrots, green beans, other beans, yogurt, egg yolk, avacado, cheese, and some others, all to which she clearly is NOT interested

in. Any suggestions anyone???

Remember the Als Run & Walk is coming up September 20th. It isn't too late to participate, either by walking with us, or donating. This event helps a truly remarkable place...Children's Hospital of Wisconsin..the place that saves childrens' lives...one of which was Maddison's!
If you want to participate on September 20th and join Team Maddie, go to:
http://www.alsrun.com/

Click on 'Register Now'
Click on 'Register Online'
Select 'Register on a Team'
Enter Team Name - TEAM MADDIE
Select TEAM MADDIE when it comes up
Enter Password - maddiewatson
Enter Your Personal Information & Join!!!
________________________________________
If you are interested in sponsoring TEAM MADDIE, please visit Maddie's very own fundraising page that has been set up for this event at:
www.firstgiving.com/maddiewatson
After you join our Team, you can set up your own http://www.firstgiving.com/ page if you are intereted to raise more money.
Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might want to help us. If anyone has questions, please email me!
==============================================
Once again...thank you for all of your thoughts & prayers and for continually checking in on our little girl and our family. It means so much to us, and never goes unnoticed!
I am trying to update the blog as well to include some additional pictures so check that out too...it might take me a little bit though;
http://www.maddisonisabella.blogspot.com/


Remember to keep all the other children who are in need of God's healing hand in your thoughts as well.

Love,
The Watson's
Jeff, Nicole, Devin, Jacob, & Maddie

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Check out these photos. Okay, one is a duplicate, as I couldn't get it to delete. But then we have Jacob at the VERY TOP of the rock wall; he is such a daredevil, and Devin, doing a flip on the trampoline!

Mommy & Her First Born, Devin!

31st Annual Briggs Als Run & Walk

The 31st Annual Brigg's Als Run & Walk to benefit Children's Hosptial of Wisconsin is coming up on September 20th! We are excited to announce that we will be participating in this event!
This is a very special event to us, because it benefits a place that is very special to us! Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is the place that mended Maddie's little heart; the place that gave our daughter, our little girl, her life!
No words, no activity, no dollar amount can ever do enough justice for all the facility, the doctors, nurses, surgeon, and other staff have done for our family. Participating in the Als Run & Walk in one way we can give back to the place that has given us so much!
Every penny earned goes to the children, which is why this event is so wonderful. So, we are here to ask you to consider joining us in participating in this special event!
There are a few options out there for you...
1. You can participate the day of the event. Als Run & Walk offers an 8K Run, 3 or 5 Mile Walk, and Wheelchair as options. Our family will be walking so that Maddie's brothers can share in this with their little sister. We haven't finalized if we'll do the 3 or 5 mile...It will depend on who all joins us and what we all want to do. The more the merrier!!!
2. You can sponsor Maddie by making a donation. Remember, the great thing of this event is 100% of the money raised goes directly to helping the children.
Okay...here are the details...
If you want to participate on September 20th and join Team Maddie, go to:
www.alsrun.com
Click on 'Register Now'
Click on 'Register Online'
Select 'Register on a Team'
Enter Team Name - TEAM MADDIE
Select TEAM MADDIE when it comes up
Enter Password - maddiewatson
Enter Your Personal Information & Join!!!
________________________________________
If you are interested in sponsoring TEAM MADDIE, please visit Maddie's very own fundraising page that has been set up for this event at:
www.firstgiving.com/maddiewatson
After you join our Team, you can set up your own www.firstgiving.com page if you are intereted to raise more money.
Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might want to help us. If anyone has questions, please email me!
We are really looking forward to this event. It will be our first year, and it is very emotional just thinking of doing it. Maddie has come so very far, and we know how very lucky we are! She is such a blessing to us...such a MIRACLE!
We are eternally grateful to you all! For the prayers, support, kind words, and love you have all given our family! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Love,
The Watson Family
Jeff, Nicole, Devin, Jacob, and our little Miracle, Maddie!
"Live. Laugh. Love."

Busy, Busy, Busy...

It is crazy to think that Maddie is "officially" over a year old!  I don't think it has sank in yet how fast time has flown by.  The other day while I was at the mall, I was in the elevator and I heard someone behind me say how precious the little baby was.  Of course, I thought they were referring to Maddie, so I turned around to thank them only to recognize another precious little baby sleeping in an adjacent stroller.  That 'baby' was only 3 weeks old.  It was then I realized that to most people, Maddie isn't a "baby" anymore...It made me very sad! 

The past few weeks have been CRAZY BUSY!  It seems like summer just began and it is over half over!  We have been doing so much and enjoying the time, weather, and activities.  Devin & Jacob are rounding up the baseball season.  Tomorrow night is Devin's last game, and last Friday was Jacob's last one.  They did so well and Jeff & I are so very proud of them.  

We enjoyed going to Festa Italiana this year as a family.  It is pretty much a tradition for our family (we are Italian) and we skipped last year as Maddie was quite small.  Maddie is so observant and loved watching everything going on around her.  She loves listening to music and, to my surprise, liked the fireworks!  

Enjoying the Music w/ Mommy & Nana

 Dancing with Daddy at Festa!

We also enjoyed a Milwaukee Zoo trip with our friends and their sister's family.  We had lots of kids and they had a lot of fun!  It is great to see all the kids enjoying each other so much!

Best Brothers!

The whole Gang of Kids!  Count them...

Let's see what else...we've enjoyed celebrating a birthday for the kids cousin, a graduation for my cousin, spending time with family in from out of town, a family reunion, some dinners with friends, bonfires, and just hanging out.  We've been going and going for sure!  

Thankfully, and thanking God each and every day, Maddie is doing very well.  She is developing quite the little personality and I love EACH moment of it!  She's really starting to wave bye-bye now, says "DADA" all the time (I think maybe she thinks I am DADA???), BABA, NANA, VAVA, and is experimenting with lots of other new sounds.  She isn't walking yet, but will in her time!  She enjoys walking around on the furniture and getting into everything.  Above all that smile of hers just continues to melt the hearts of all those she comes in contact with, especially Mommy's, Daddy's, and her big brothers.  I KNOW how very lucky we are!  

Maddie rolling around in the grass...

There are a few events coming up.  We are looking forward to the Herma Heart Center Picnic in August.  We hope to meet many of the heart families that we follow but have never had the opportunity to meet in person.  The Brigg's Al Run & Walk which benefits Children's Hospital is also coming up...September 20th!  We will be forming a team for Maddie and participating as a family in the walk.  Details for the event will come soon, but please think about supporting Maddie's team for this.  Children's Hospital is the reason Maddie is with us today.  There is nothing that can be said to thank the doctors, nurses, staff, and facility enough for that.  Please email me if you are interested in running / walking with your family or yourself and I can provide you details.  I hope to have her team set up this week and I will post more details then.

Please continue to keep all those who are in need of prayers in your thoughts.  There are always too many, but I try to keep reminding myself that God makes no mistakes and He has a Great Plan.  

Love,

The Watson's

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Enjoy some photos!!!

Kisses for Mommy

Fishing w/ Our Papa

Devin and His Cousin, "Mr. Jeff" from South Dakota...Wish you lived closer!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!!

Little Miss Maddie!

MADDIE IS ONE!!!!  

Her party on Saturday was a blast. Over 100 people came to celebrate this ever so special day with us (115 to be exact...but who's counting). The overwhelming turnout was amazing and just another sign to us of how fortunate we are. Thank you to you all!!! It meant the world to us to have you share in our special day, and it is certainly one that will be forever remembered.  Thank you to all of you who helped make this day possible...You know who you are!!  A extra special thank you to our parents.  You amaze us every day!  We Love you! 

We couldn't have asked for anything more. Maddie and our family were surrounded by family & friends that I truly feel in my heart were just as happy for Maddie as we are.

The day started out storming and I clearly remember asking God to shed some sunshine upon us for the day. The very next time I looked outside the sun was shining. He is present...always.

Maddie enjoyed her day...smiling at familiar faces & not so familiar ones. And yes...for those of you who are wondering, I did allow her to have her own little birthday cake! She devowered it, I think had a few tastes, but mainly played in it. 

We had an awesome cake decorator who did the cakes exactly the way we wanted...

It is hard to believe Maddie is one year old already. Time flies, and I know it will continue to do so. So...we are living up every moment, taking in every second of every day, and enjoying life as best we know how.

We put a video together for Maddie for her birthday. Please feel free to watch it if you have a chance. The link is at the top of the blog.

We'd also like to share our birthday wish that we read for her...

A Birthday Wish to our Daughter, Our Sister,

Dear Maddie,

We Wish You Many Year of Laughter, Joy, & Fun

We Wish You Happiness, Love, & Harmony that can Never Be Undone.

We Wish You Many Years of Cheerful Hugs & Kisses

We Wish You Many Years of Great News from All Your Doctor Visits.

We Wish that God's Hand Continues to Guide You as Your Life Begins to Start

We Wish You Wellness, Strength, & Healing With Matters of Your Heart.

We Wish You No Scrapes As You Learn to Walk Your Long First Mile

But Most of All that You Always Remember to show Your Incredibly Beautiful Smile.

We Hope You Feel Deep In Your Heart As Birthdays Come & Go

How Very Much You Mean to Us...Much More than You'll Ever Know!

And Finally Maddie...If there is something Mommy & Daddy can teach you to live by, the way you have taught us to Live. Laugh. Love....It is to HOPE, DREAM, WISH = Infinite Possibility!!!!

We Love You Maddie!

Happy Birthday Priness...Yes...she is our "Princess"

Mommy & Daddy,

Devin & Jacob

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Watson/Warren Brookfield Zoo Get Away

This past weekend was the first of hopefully many Watson / Warren Family Get-Aways.  This past weekend my cousin's family and ours took a little trip to the Chicago area and spent a night in a hotel and then visited the Brookfield Zoo.  It was a wonderful weekend.  

There are a lot of "firsts" for our family to report.  First, it was our first little get-away with Maddison where I can honestly say NOBODY would have ever guessed or known what that little girl of ours has been through.  And, I think it was the first time that both Jeff & I did not feel compelled to have to share a little bit of her history.  We can't figure out why, but for some reason everytime we go somewhere or start talking to people, her heart somehow comes up.  Part of it I think is the motherly / fatherly instinct of protecting her kicking in, as it always makes people take a little step back, hence, the germ thing is much more controlled, and another part of me thinks we are just so appreciative of all God has provided us and all the miracles He has worked, and we want to share that with others.  Anyways, this weekend we were a "normal" family, on a family outing to the Zoo, and to the eyes of all those around us, it was nothing more, nothing less.  

To us however it was amazement.  It was yet another one of those moments that most people don't think twice about (not for any other reason than they just don't have to) and here we were taking in every little moment.  

Saturday evening Maddie WENT SWIMMING!!!!  At first, she wasn't so sure, but when she got into Mommy's arms (just as she finally warmed up) she began to really like it.  She was all smiles!  Devin especially was so proud of her.  He is such a wonderful big brother to her.  I know as she gets older she will certainly be protected by him. 

Maddie w/ David Swimming Chillin on the Side of the Pool

The Whole Gang in the Pool, Less Daddy, the Photographer

Devin w/ Cousin David, Getting His Hair Pulled.  He never minds!

Our Jacob...Being Jacob!

Sunday we visited the Brookfield Zoo.  It was nice to visit a different zoo.  They had some great exhibit buildings and we saw a Dolphin Show that Maddie was very inthralled with.  

The Kids!

Can You Envision this Weekend Yet??

Daddy w/ His Boys!  

Nicole & Cousin Michael w/ the Kiddies!

Maddie also got to go on her first CAROUSAL RIDE!  She wasn't hesitant at all, and was smiles again from ear to ear.  If you haven't picked up on this yet, Maddie ALWAYS seems to be smiles!!  

Mommy & Maddie 

Loving the Carousal 

Jacob & Nina (the kids' cousin) had a blast together and got into more trouble than you can ever think possible!  Just full of mischief for sure, probably a payback from my childhood I guess. But wow...they sure keep Mommies & Daddies on our toes!!  

We are truly fortunate to have such wonderful family to share times and make memories with!  

Enjoy the photos!  

Best Brothers!!!

Live. Laugh. Love....ALWAYS!!!

Love,

The Watson's

Jeff, Nicole, Devin, Jacob, & Maddie

Go Brewers Go!

July 16th, 2008...Maddie's first baseball game at Miller Park.  She was so observant of everything going on, and enjoyed, as she always does, the company of her two big brothers, Devin & Jacob!  

Maddie just couldn't get enough of everything going on.  

Devin is really exploring sports now, and is really into them.  He loved being at the game, and talking to all the fans around him about stats, players, etc.  He puts me to shame for sure!

Jacob got lucky once again and got to take home a baseball from the game!  I think he's off to a pretty good collection!!

Not directly related to the game last night, but still baseball related, are my boys who are off to a great season of Little League.  Look at this catcher!  Any recruits looking???  

And then we have Jacob...batting average over 500 I think!  The offers I'm sure will be storming in!

Both of those photos are courtesy of my father-in-law and his clever camera skills.  Thanks.

Here's to some wonderful summer days ahead!!

Love,

The Watson Family

"Living. Loving. Laughing."

Mischief Maddie!

Well, today is a good day to share a little bit of my little girl and the mischief she manages to get herself in to!!!  Now, don't get me wrong.  This was just another "incident" that made me laugh and yet another happening that brought the biggest smile to my face in appreciation of being her and how far she has come in life already!  Another thing to sit back and just enjoy our children!  

Okay...ready...

Yup...this sure looked fun for her.  POWDERED SUGAR!!!  

NOW, I REALLY WAS THE ONE WHO LEFT THE CABINET OPEN, SO I GUESS I AM THE ONE TO BLAME FOR THE FUN SHE GOT HERSELF IN TO!

IT REALLY WAS ALL TOO CUTE THOUGH, AND SO WORTH THE MESS!!!

Soon after she enjoyed indulging into the powdered sugar, she helped me by rearranging my tupperware drawer.  Thanks Maddie!!!  The smile, or rather, expression, says it all!

Everything else has been great.  Devin had his first baseball game last week.  Check out my little stud!

Devin had a great first game and did really well.  We are so very proud of him.  To support him, brother Jacob & little sister Maddie were there to cheer him on!!

That's it at the Watson's Household.  Maddie continues to do well and we continue to be thankful each and every day for the countless blessings God has granted us with our three amazing children!!

Don't forget to Live. Laugh. Love....each & every day!!

The Watson Family