Paige Madelaine's Page

Tell me about other people's planets

2011-03-21T17:50:00.001-07:00

Tonight before bed you asked me to "Tell me about other people's planets." You have been asking a lot about the sun and outer space lately. You are so curious! I think there are only 8 official planets now. Scientists kicked Pluto out several years ago. Don't ask me why! I've started to teach you the planet song I learned in second grade from Mrs. Gartner, my teacher who drew her eyebrows on and taught me cursive. Anyway, the song goes like this:
Mercury, Venus, the earth and Mars
These are the planets that dwell near the stars
Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus, too
Neptune and Pluto,
I know them do you?

I guess we'll have to change the end to that one...

Never Grow Up

2011-03-07T18:44:00.000-08:00

Daddy got me the latest Taylor Swift CD for Christmas this year. Actually, I saw it on sale at Target when we were Christmas shopping, and I said, "Hey, you should get that for me." So he did. Now I have all three of her albums. There are a couple of songs that are really getting to me lately. One of them is "Never Grow Up." Last night on our way home from church, we were listening to it, and I told you that it was a song about you. Here are some of the lyrics:

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

Now, don't get me wrong. I do want you to grow up, Paige. I just don't know how it's happening so fast. I'm just trying to soak it all in, but it seems like the days and weeks and months are just slipping by. Can't you just stay little for a bit longer?

$117,867

2011-02-17T12:33:00.000-08:00

So, according to salary.com I'm worth $117,867 a year. That's right. If we were to hire someone to cook, clean and take care of our two little girls, we'd have to pay her quite a bit. I don't contribute financially to our family's income nowadays. I was reminded of that last night as Ben and I were going over our financial information before taking it to our CPA. I don't get paid in dollars; I get paid in snuggles and winks. I get to be here when you sing silly songs about holes in your underwear. I get to be the one who takes care of you when your fever's running at 103.6. I don't have to go off to work and worry all day long. I can sneak into your room to check on you any time I want. So keep your 117,867 dollars, salary.com. I'll keep my girls with me right here at home. Even if my house would be cleaner for 117 grand.

Alabama

2011-02-16T13:43:00.000-08:00

We're outside on the deck soaking up some rare February warmth (You were sick all last night and this morning with the stomach flu.) when we hear a motorcycle drive through our neighborhood. You say, "I wonder where that came from." I say nothing. Then you say, "Probably Alabama." Yea, probably.....

Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

2011-02-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

Three years have gone so quickly, or should I say three years and nine months, for that is how long you have been with me. I still remember feeling you wiggle and move within my womb. I remember your kicks, faint at first and then quite uncomfortable come January 2008. The day you were born there was snow on the ground because we had just had a winter storm (the time at which Karen went into labor with Nora). On the day Daddy drove us home he was extra careful. I don't ever remember him driving so slowly. I think he even used his blinker! ;)

Today was your first birthday party with your friends. Nora and Cailyn (Karen & Drue, Carie & Cooper and Amy too) arrived around 10 AM in high style. Nora dressed as Cinderella and Cailyn wore a lovely golden Aurora gown. You were decked out in a lovely yellow Belle dress--your favorite right now. At your party we painted each girl's fingernails. Carie attempted to give each of you a princess hairstyle. You screamed and had a fit and took yours out. Nora let Carie do half of her head! Oh, what fun.. Next you all made your own individual pizzas for lunch. While they baked you decorated crowns. After lunch, it was time for presents. Each girl had several goodies. Then we ate cake! It was a HUGE castle that Mommy worked on for several days. It wouldn't have won any cake decorating awards, but you loved it, and that's what I was going for!

More important than the dresses, presents or cakes is the fact that you have friends, Paige. You have friends that will be friends for life if you all stay in the Lord's care. I'm glad there are so many girls at Riverside Road for you to be friends with. That's something I didn't have growing up. I had a few people at church that were friends, but we didn't live close to them or get together very often. You are blessed with Nora, Cailyn, Drue and Reese, all of whom are very close to you in age and distance. You are also blessed with Logan, Lakyn, Lexi, Carley and Kenzie. I'm sure these girls will be closer friends as you all grow older.

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, BABY!
I can't believe how time has flown.
Before we know it you will have grown
into a loving, generous, kind young woman
who will probably not remember the hours and days your mother has given
to cleaning up spills and baking birthday cakes
to doing dishes and asking you to use napkins.
But because you will be kind and gentle and loving
your mother will know that it was worth every last tear.

Really?

2011-02-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

So, I had quite the lengthy post started entitled "So, It's Been a Loooong Time." And then, our power went out. I was just thinking how cathartic writing is and wondering why I rarely do it (after all, I was an English major, English teacher and librarian), then ZAP! Our power goes out while I was pouring out my heart on this electronic screen. Makes me wonder why I don't just write in ink in Paige's baby book. Now I'm going to attempt to find a draft to see what can be salvaged!

So, it's been a looong time

2011-02-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Ha! I found (some of) it:

Well, I last blogged on Paige's page when I was pregnant with Reese. Let's just say that was a rough nine months. And then it took a while to get adjusted to having two little girls in the house. Now, FINALLY, my girls are taking simultaneous naps. We shall see how long this phase lasts. I am going to attempt to blog again to keep this thing current for Paige's sake. I like to think of it as her digital baby book. Yes, she does have a traditional baby book, but we're living in the information age, right? Shouldn't every girl have an e-baby book? (Okay, Reese, I will do one for you!)

The past three years I have been blessed to have a wonderful, spunky, challenging, creative, and kind girl. (Oh, and she's beautiful on the outside too!) We've been to the beach, been to the fair, been to a rodeo, but the most special trip we took this year was to Skaggs Regional Medical Center when I delivered a baby sister for you, Paige. We had some rough moments after Reese came home. I especially remember one day in particular. It was a few days after Mother's Day in May. You and Daddy had planted impatients (oh, the irony of the name in this story) in the flower bed as a gift for me on Mother's Day, and to distract you from the little fit you were having, I took you outside. You proceeded to flail upon the sidewalk, and as soon as I turned my back, you started ripping the impatients from their beds of earth. You knew EXACTLY what you were doing even though you were only 2 yrs and 3 months old. No sister of yours was going to take all of my attention. You WOULD have some too. That day you had already been "corrected" about three times before your little fit on the sidewalk, so I had no idea what to do. Swats were apparently not going to work for you on this particular day. I sent you to your room for a time-out. After 5 minutes I crept upstairs and you were asleep. Ahhhh! Sleep! A mother's best friend. I don't remember much more about that day, but so far, since that one, you have accepted your sister. Now each night at bedtime, you and Reese and Daddy and I all stand together and pray. You often thank God for Reesie-Baby in your prayers and kiss her on the forehead or cheek before we lay her in the crib. You are a kind and loving sister and I pray almost every night that the two of you will stay best friends during your lifetimes.

2011-02-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

Personalize a digital slideshow

August 2009 Pics

2009-09-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Watching Sesame Street on Mom & Dad's bed

Buckethead

Eating candy after pee-peeing on the potty

Making Play-Doh "ginger-girls" and "ginger-boys"

Wearing the bucket was more fun than playing with the blocks

Are you my prince?

2009-08-20T19:27:00.001-07:00

While I was cleaning out the garden today, Paige was hunting for toads. She caught this fairly good-sized one and held onto him until I made her let him go in one of our herb pots.

Later that night, Ben took her out on the deck and she said, "Toad, where are you?" while looking in the pot of basil.

17 Months

2009-08-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

"I see a cow." "Paige is holding Daddy's hand." "Mommy, get the binky." "Paige is hiding." "Where did Paige go?"

"Oklahoma, orthodontist, peanut butter, bean burrito..." And on it goes....

Paige is moving on to speaking in sentences and singing. She can sing her ABCs, and yesterday at breakfast she counted to 13 by herself. She also sings J-O-Y, the B-I-B-L-E, and a few Sesame Street songs -- "I Love Words" by Abby Cadabby and "Imagine That" by Ernie.

Over the summer all four of her 12-month molars erupted, and now she's working on her eye teeth. To ease the pain she often asks for a pop-a-sicle. Another distraction that works well is swinging on the new swing set or sliding down the slide.

16 Month Photos

2009-06-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Summer Update

2009-06-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

We've started reading Paige's beginner picture Bible every night to her before she goes to bed. (Thanks Dan & Rita!) She now recognizes Eve, Noah and Jesus. She really loves to say "Bible" and "Jesus." It's great that she's already developing a love for the Lord! :)

Paige is amazing us with the new phrases she seems to spit out every day. Some of her favorites...

"Hug a mommy"

"Ride the tractor"

"Kiss money pig" (aka her piggy bank)

"Happy/Silly/Funny Daddy"

"Eat bagel/noodles" (depending on whether it's breakfast or lunch)

"Read a book"

"Grandma Dixie"

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*Grandma Dixie - Here are the lily pictures I told you I'd take. They are now gone, but they were beautiful when in bloom. Thanks!*

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We've had a pretty busy summer so far, so Paige's play house has taken us a little longer to finish that we thought it would. Now it is very near completion. Paige likes looking out the window of our house at her house. She says, "Paige house, pretty!"

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At the beginning of June, Ben had the opportunity to speak at an international x-ray conference in Canda. Paige had a good time in Vancouver, but traveling with her seems to get harder as she gets older. She was excellent on the flights and entertained the flight attendants and the people sitting behind us saying, "Hi, People!" and playing peek-a-boo. Her vocabulary increased by several words on the trip. She now says CANADA!, hotel, money, peanut butter and cone (for pine cone). Of course, she got some new teeth on the trip - molars! It never seems to fail. Each time we've flown somewhere, Paige has gotten new teeth.

First trip to SDC

2009-05-19T07:06:00.001-07:00

SDC offers several free admission days to Skaggs employees. We took advantage of one of those free days yesterday. After Paige's morning nap, we met Ben at SDC for a GREAT day. I didn't ride a single ride, but I think I had more fun watching Paige than I ever did before. She had tons of fun and was able to ride a few of the kid rides in the Grand Exposition. Paige also enjoyed petting the goats, squishing the bunnies and watching the chickens. Over by the new barn swing there is a fiberglass cow that kids can milk. She loved it. We usually get a funnel cake on our way out, and yesterday was no exception. We hadn't planned on sharing it with Paige, but she helped herself. Cake! is one of her favorite words now. :)

Hugging a bunny

Yum!

More Playhouse

2009-05-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

Building a Playhouse

2009-05-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

She's pretty good with the hammer!

2009-04-28T14:49:00.000-07:00

First Chocolate Chip Cookie

Paige has the word cookie down pat, so when I took some out of the oven today while she was eating her lunch, she asked ever so politely for a cookie. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first homemade chocolate chip cookie she's had, but who knows what happened at Meme and Papa's last Sunday afternoon....

PS - It's moments like these that help me know I am going to LOVE staying at home
with Paige next year!

Spring Break

2009-04-07T14:13:00.000-07:00

Naples, Florida

March 2009

Party Time!

2009-02-21T11:54:00.000-08:00

Paige celebrated her first birthday with over 30 guests at her house on February 14, 2009. Guests managed to make it to the party even though many were invited to come to the party in 2008. Oops! There was a typo on the party invitations. On the guest list were Bill & Dixie Rogers, Herb & Wilma Cozort, Milford & Jean Morris, Mike & Linda Rogers, Cindy Morris, Jeremy & Michelle Morris, Sarah, Ashton, Natalie, Danny & Gina, Josh & Tyla, Trista & Kyle, Erica & Darren, Kiley & Craig, Tad & Joanna, Joel & Aubrey, Tim, Susan, Becky, Ashely, Eric & Amanda, and Mommy & Daddy. Paige was blessed to have 10 of her 11 grandparents come to see her for her birthday. What a lucky girl!

We all had fun watching Paige pick at the icing on her cake. She really started to dig in once we gave her a spoon. She also enjoyed feeding Papa Herb some of her cake since his birthday was the day after hers.

More Snow!!

2009-01-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

She's a snow bunny!

It's a little blurry, but we were catching snowflakes with our tongues.

Family Snow Day

2009-01-27T11:41:00.000-08:00

Ben stayed home today due to our ice/sleet/snow storm. It took him over two hours to get home from work last night, so he figured he'd just stay in today. We took Paige outside for a few mintes so she could get some of her "wiggles" out....

2009-01-13T18:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas Photos with Grandpa Morris

Emily's college roommates & husbands

11 Month Photos

Bath at 11 months

Feeding myself with a spoon at 11 months

I like cottage cheese!

It's Been A While!

2009-01-13T17:51:00.001-08:00

Paige is eleven months old, and we haven't posted for a long, long time. Paige has grown and learned much since our last posting at Halloween. Her vocabulary seems to grow by at least one or two words every day. She now knows duck, woof, ca-ca (cat), nana (banana), moo, dad, mom, papa, ball, and milk. There are probably other words that we're forgetting, and says the beginning sounds of many words like Na-na for Nora. She also imitates many animal sounds, and she especially likes a screeching bird sound that Ben makes. Last week we decided to see how much she understood, so we gave her some simple commands, like bring mommy the ball. She proceeded to walk across the room to pick up the ball and bring it to Emily. Pretty amazing!

In addition to talking, Paige started to take several steps together on Christmas day. Now she's almost running! She even wants to walk up the stairs to her bedroom instead of crawling, but her legs need to grow several inches before that's going to happen.

Last night we had our quarterly visit from the Parents-As-Teachers representative from Clever. She suggested that we let Paige attempt to feed herself with her spoon. You'll have to watch the video to see how's she's done with that task!

Banana!

More Halloween Pictures

2008-11-06T17:35:00.001-08:00

Trick - or -Treating

Halloween

Jim & LuAnna Baysinger

Great-Grandma & Grandpa Cozort

Great-Great Aunt Nancy
Great-Great-Great Aunt Dolly

Bonnie Preston

Shorty Preston

Erica & Darren's Halloween Party

Our Little Pumpkin (8 Months)

2008-10-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Our little pumpkin is ready for Halloween. She's going to be a monster when we go Trick-or-Treating and The Cat in the Hat this weekend at Darren and Erica's annual Halloween party.

Paige's 8 Month Vocabulary: woof = Mable and any other dog, kee = kitty, book = book, (She says it pretty clearly when we are reading. She is also able to turn pages when asked to.) mama and dada = ??? She doesn't say these when she's looking at us but says them quite often. She's also into imitating almost all of the silly sounds we make. Our Parents as Teachers teacher is very impressed with her vocabulary and motor skills. We're pretty sure she's a genius! :) What else would you expect with parents like us? ;)

All photos here are by Ashley Southard. Thanks Ashley!

Boston in the Fall

2008-09-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

We're on Paige's first BIG adventure! Ben has a conferece in Cambridge Sunday - Wednesday of this week. Paige is an excellent traveller. We've taken planes, taxis, and trains so far.
Paul Revere's House

Taking a nap with Daddy on Monday morning

On the plane with Mommy

On a train from Providence to Boston

A very BIG library at Harvard

Seven Months aka Sitting is Boring!

2008-09-18T18:40:00.001-07:00

At 6 1/2 months, I decided that sitting was boring. I'd much rather stand up and see the world or at least what's on the couch. Here are some 7 month photos and videos that Mom and Dad took. BTW, I weigh 18 lbs. 7 oz. and I'm 27 1/4 inches tall. (75th percentile in both areas!)

Visit to Great-Grandparents

2008-09-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since we've posted, and as usual we've been busy! Tad graduated from x-ray school and we got to see the Morris side of the family. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I went to see my Great-Grandma Ingle, Great-Grandpa Bill and Great-Grandma Dixie. We also got to see cousins Sarah, Ashton, Natalie, Blake, and Alexandria.

In addition to seeing all of these new people, I have started to stand up with the assistance of whatever furniture is nearby. Pictures and videos to follow this post....

Great- Grandma Dixie feeding me

At church with Great-Grandma Dixie and Grandpa Bill

Driving home from church

This sign is all that's left of the town from which Mom & Dad took my middle name - Some of my ancestors lived here long ago.......

In Grandpa Mike's high chair

Great-Granma & Grandpa Morris at Tad's X-Ray graduation

Paige, Alexandria, and Grandma Ingle

Blake didn't want to sit by the girls for this pic

Four Generations!

with Great-Grandma Ingle

Six Months

2008-08-15T06:29:00.001-07:00

Who would've thought six months could go by so quickly? Paige sure has changed since February 14th! Paige sits alone, crawls (army-style), rocks back and forth on her hands and knees, laughs when we tickle her or blow on her food to cool it down, drinks water from a cup, spits water from a cup, sits in her big-girl high chair, makes ka-ka-ka sounds when she sees a kitty, and eats everything we offer her (avocadoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce, super rice porridge, yellow squash, zucchini, rice & oatmeal cereal). I'm sure I'm forgetting some things, but one thing I know for sure . . . . God has blessed us with a wonderful girl!

These pictures were taken in a homemade shirt by Mom made from Grandma Linda's scrap fabric. Once again, the bear is desperately trying to make an appearance, but somehow Paige seems to get all of the camera time.

Starting to Crawl

2008-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Paige had only been moving around by way of rolling until last night. While we were folding laundry, Ben put Paige on the floor with her butterflies out in front of her as motivation. Here's the result:

Kiley's Wedding

2008-08-06T08:31:00.001-07:00

Paige is taking a looong nap now, so I have time to catch up on posting some older pictures.

We made a trip to Carthage with Sheila on July 25th for Kiley & Craig's wedding. Paige was so cute that even Darren wanted to hold her! (This was Paige's second wedding to attend.)

Darren is singing "Loosen up My Buttons" in this shot

A visit with the Trees

2008-08-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

Paige and Mom went to see an old friend from high school on Tuesday. (Christy isn't old, but I guess I can say "old friend" now that we've been out of high school for 10 years!) Ellie is three and Eli is six weeks younger than Paige. Ellie provided lots of entertainment for both babies!

Ma Ma Ma ~ First Word

2008-08-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

This video makes Mom & Dad smile!

Corn on the Cob ... without the corn

2008-08-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

Summer Fun

2008-07-23T15:17:00.001-07:00

At Clayton & Mary's annual pool party & BBQ with Bonnie Preston

With Jan Asbell

Shooting hoops in the pool with Mommy

Cousins Laura and Brayden stayed with us Sunday - Tuesday

Brayden trying to teach Paige to read

Five Months!

2008-07-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Paige is now five months old. She's growing and changing every day. At our last doctor's appointment, she weighed 16 pounds 2 1/2 ounces and was 25 1/2 inches long. She's been eating cereal for a month, and we recently added squash from Grandpa Herb & Grandma Wilma's garden to her diet. Over the last few days Paige has begun to "sit" unassisted for up to 30 seconds or so. She puts her hands down by her feet and steadies herself that way. As usual, we've taken some pictures of Paige with her teddy bear from the hospital to show her growth. It's getting harder and harder for her to sit still with the bear, but we did the best we could. Enjoy!

June/July

2008-07-08T09:36:00.000-07:00

Paige made it to her first Eminence campout last week. We stayed in a house with Dan & Rita, but before we know it, she'll want to sleep in her own tent with her friends....

Paige & Eric

On the river with Mom & Dad... Like my shades?

Paige finally got to meet Casey!

Grabbing a fish Eric caught in the Jack's Fork

Trying on Grandpa's hat

Asleep on Daddy's chest during Tom Woody's class on Tuesday

Ben & Paige with cousins Kelly & Alexandria

This is Paige trying to escape from her Boppy chair. We have to buckle her in now.

Catching Up

2008-06-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

We've been busy the last week or so. Paige, Nora, Karen and Mom went to Mountain Home, AR to visit a friend from Hungary on Monday. On Tuesday Paige visited Nora while Mom had her hair cut. Paige went to Branson to visit Daddy Thursday, and Paige and Mommy went to Joplin for a 5K race on Friday. Mommy did pretty well considering she had a baby only a bit over three months ago! We've also been taking care of a friend's pool in Clever. Paige loves the water.

Caleb (fom Hungary), Nora & Paige

Playing with Nora

Swimming in Clever

Kiley, Erica & Mom after the 5K

First Solids & Laughs

2008-05-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Grandma Linda brought a box of rice ceral to church last night for Paige. We've been talking about starting her on cereal for a while now, so we thought we'd give it a try. Here are some pictures and videos from Paige's first experience with solid foods. In a couple of videos we caught some of her first laughs as well!

At home with Daddy

2008-05-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

Today Mommy had to go back to work. I was sad when she left but Daddy is staying home with me today and tomorrow and we are having a lot of fun.

First, we ate breakfast.

Then we watched TV and Daddy let me play with the remote. Did you know that Daddy can watch three Tv shows all at the same time?

After the fourth episode of Law & Order, I decided to take nap.

Three Months

2008-05-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

I turned three months old on the 14th of May, and I'm growing so fast! Here's what I've been up to....

I can sit up by myself in my Bebe Pod while Mom and Dad are eating at the table. I roll from my tummy to my back (and once or twice, I've rolled the other way). I smile and try to laugh. Right now all Mom and Dad hear is a huh huh. I've been sleeping upstairs in my own room for three weeks. (I've slept through the night for well over a month now.) I grab rings and blankets and eat them. I go on walks/runs almost every day with mom and dad or Karen and Nora in my big girl jogging stroller. I also like to stand up with some help. I love pushing up on my legs and kicking!

Here are some pictures Mom and Dad took of me at three months old....

First Mother's Day

2008-05-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Daddy brought Paige downstairs to snggle in bed with Mom on Mother's Day. Doesn't she look comfy?

We took these after our Mother's Day lunch. It was a pretty cool day for May~about 60 degrees. Paige helped Mom and Dad make lunch for Grandma Linda. We had T-bones from Grandpa Mike's farm and the best strawberry pie Mom has ever made. Just ask Tad and Eric how good it was!

Last Friday night we went to Nora's house to watch her while her mom and dad went to Nixa's graduation. Both of us were really good girls!

Spring Pictures

2008-05-01T17:23:00.000-07:00

Ashley came by again last week to take pictures of Paige at two months. We had some pretty redbuds and dogwoods in bloom across the street, so we took Pagie there for her spring photo shoot.

Cute Photos

2008-04-28T18:17:00.001-07:00

Roll Over! I'm Crowded!

2008-04-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

Paige achieved a baby milestone yesterday (Sunday, April 27). After her mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, Tad, Eric & Amanda enjoyed a lunch of wild turkey (courtesy of Grandpa Mike), she rolled from her tummy to her back. She did it several times while Grandma, Amanda and Mom were watching. Then she did it again for her dad. Here's a video of some of the action.

Daddy's Big Day

2008-04-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ben was named to the Springfield-Business Journal's 40 under 40. (If it had been a few months ago, he could have been in the 30 under 30 if such a thing existed.) The celebration and photo shoot were held at Hammons Field. Here are a few pictures from Paige's first Springfield Cardinals ball game. She cheered when she saw her dad's picture on the megatron!

This is a shot of one of Tad's big mushrooms. We made him give some to us since he found them on our property.

Road Trip

2008-04-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

In mid-April Pagie took a trip to Lee's Summit to visit Grandpa & Grandpa Morris & Co and the Stretch family minus cousin Cole. We had a good visit. Pagie slept the entire way there and back home. Here are some pictures from Paige's first extended road trip:

Great-Aunt Rita holding Paige - Our first stop

Grandpa And Grandpa Morris with all of their girls

Uncle Joel's first encounter with Paige

Natalie with her real-life baby doll

Great-Grandma Jean Morris and Pagie

So Big!

2008-04-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

After Itsy Bisty Yoga on Thursday, Karen & Mom took Nora & me on our first lunch date to Big Fat Burrito. Yum!

Here I'm posing like I did at the hospital. Look how much I've grown!

Almost Two Months!

2008-04-07T12:18:00.001-07:00

I'm almost two months old, and my mom and dad haven't had much time to post to the blog. We've been busy over the last month. I had Ashley Southard take my pictures (the black & whites). We visited Great-Great Aunt Nancy & Great-Great-Great Aunt Dolly at the nursing home. I went to my first day of high school to visit mommy's friends. We went to Itsy Bitsy Yoga with Nora & Karen. We planted a garden. We spent the night at Grandma Linda & Grandpa Mike's. We went to Nora's house for the afternoon, and we've done much, much more! Have fun looking at my pictures from March and early April.

Dad gave me a bath while Mom took pictures.

Bull Creek is still running on Grandma & Grandpa's property.

I'm One Month Old!

2008-03-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Karen, Nora, Carie, Carley, and Cailyn came over today. We all had a good time--there wasn't much crying! Both Carley and Cailyn liked playing with Paige and Nora. I'm sure all of these girls will be great friends!

Cailyn, Carlie & Paige

Carie & Cailyn

Carley & Paige

Karen, Nora & Carley

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Grandma Dixie sent Paige some cute bows in the mail for her one month birthday. Here's one of Paige wearing the yellow bow from her great-grandma. It was hard to get Paige to open her eyes for this photo because she was sunggled up in the new sling her mommy made for her yesterday..... (Mommy also had a hard time taking these pictures of herself holding Paige.)

Slow Day

2008-03-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

Today we practiced going to sleep without crying. We're trying to follow the book On Becoming Baby Wise. So far, it's worked pretty well. Last week Pagie slept continuously from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m for four nights! It has been nice to catch some much needed zzzzzzzz's.

Here are some pictures and videos from our eventful day. Enjoy!

Daddy's Open House

2008-03-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

Paige made her longest road trip to date on Friday. She went to Branson to see Daddy at work. His cancer center hosted an open house because they are going to open for radiation treatments very soon. Lots of Ben's co-workers were excited to meet Paige.

Paige tried out her daddy's big office chair. Grandpa Mike helped her stay in her seat. Later, Paige went out to eat in Branson with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma Linda, Grandpa Mike, Eric and Amanda. It was her first experience with dining out. Like most of Paige's "firsts," she slept through the entire evening!

First Snow

2008-03-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

We had about five inches of snow on Monday night. Since Paige is still a bit too little to go outside to build a snowman, Daddy brought snow in to her. He took yesterday off to spend time with his girls. Paige wishes her daddy could stay home every day!

Lunch at the Farm

2008-03-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Paige went to visit Grandma Linda and Grandpa Mike after church. Grandpa Mike had a bull calf born when we were there. He also had a heifer born the week Paige was born. He named the new heifer Paige. :)

Play Date with Nora

2008-03-05T09:16:00.000-08:00

Paige and Nora had their first play date on Monday before the big snow!

Visitors from North Missouri

2008-03-05T09:10:00.000-08:00

Great-Grandma Dixie and Great-Grandpa Bill came down to see Paige this past weekend.

Paige's First Day Out

2008-02-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday was Paige's first day out. She attended church services at Riverside Road Church of Christ and then went to her cousin Josh's wedding. Paige got to meet her new friends at church including Nora, who was born just three days before she was. (She was a very good baby -- She slept through both church and the wedding!)

Daddy buckling Paige in. She is wearing at beautiful white dress that Grandma Morris smocked just for her!

Mark, Karen & Nora with Ben, Emily & Paige

Most of the kids at Riverside Road - Christian, Lexi, Sydney, Anna, Paige, Lakyn, Carley, Logan & Nora

Great-Grandma Wilma Rose holding Paige at Josh & Tyla's wedding (Notice the wardrobe change? Paige is now wearing a dress that Great-Grandma Rose bought her for Christmas.)

Paige's cousins Abby & Dawson

This is a picture from last week when Paige was in the NICU. Mommy really likes it!

Appointment with Surgeon

2008-02-26T18:02:00.001-08:00

Today Paige saw Dr. Ford, the pediatric surgeon. He believes that she does not have an antral web as was first suspected. The x-rays after the barium study didn't look like webs normally look. He thinks she has or had some tissue pushing on her stomach (about which he was not very concerned). He did not want to scope her because of the risks associated with the procedure. Instead of a scope, we are going to wait about three months and then take Paige in for another barium study.

We are very excited and thankful that Paige did not have to have any procedures, and we thank everyone for prayers on Paige's behalf. Most of all we thank the Lord for blessing us with such a wonderful and beautiful daughter!

Home Sweet Home

2008-02-19T19:32:00.001-08:00

Today Paige finally got to go home! She will still need to see the surgeon next week, but it was determined that since she had been eating so well that she could go home. We are so thankful for everyone's prayers.

My first car ride - I slept through most of it but I knew I was safe because my daddy used the blinker!

I'm Going Home

2008-02-18T18:14:00.000-08:00

Like my hat? Kiley made it!

Today we got word from Dr. Ford, the surgeon, that we can go home on Tuesday. Yeah! Paige did so well in the NICU that she was moved out this afternoon around 3:45. We are now in a hotel-style room across the hallway from the unit. Paige gets to stay in our room all of the time except for once a day when she goes to the unit to have her vitals taken.

Before we leave tomorrow, we are supposed to schedule an outpatient appointment for a scope of Paige's stomach. It will most likely take place next week.

We feel very, very blessed to get to leave the NICU so soon. We know many of you have been praying for us, and we know that God has blessed us because of all of the petitions on Paige's behalf.

Visitors

2008-02-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

Paige has had a number of visitors (mostly before she was admitted to the NICU). Here are some of Paige's friends.

Grandma and Grandpa Cozort. Paige missed Herb's birthday by one day. Next year Dad, Grandma Linda, Great-Grandpa Herb and Paige will all cebrate birthdays in the same week!

Jana Thomas came by to see Paige on Thursday, as did Gail Martin. Both Jana and Gail work with Emily.

Amanda Wilson (Eric's girlfriend) came by on Thursday to see Paige.

On Friday, Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Michelle brought Paige's cousins, Sarah, Ashton, and Natalie by to see her. By this time Paige was in the NICU but the nurses allowed us to open the doors and to take her to see them. Later, Uncle Joel and Aubrey St. John came.

NBICU Feeding with Daddy

2008-02-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

First Video

2008-02-17T12:42:00.000-08:00

I'm rotten

2008-02-17T09:31:00.000-08:00

This morning Paige decided she no longer wanted the NG tube. After her 7:00 am feeding, she grabbed onto the tube and yanked it out. She tried to do it yesterday as well but was stopped before it came all the way out. Since the NG tube was out already, the neonatologist decided to let it stay out for now and see how she does without it.

It's a little dark but here is a picture of Paige pouting. She is probably thinking, "I hate this tube in my nose, maybe they will take it out if I look sad."

This is a picture of a picture taken by one of the night shift nurses. We now know what was going on when the picture was taken. Paige is thinking about the best way to get rid of the NG tube.

No NG tube - I'm happy now!!!!

More Pictures

2008-02-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Mike

Grandma & Grandpa Morris

Uncle Tad

Uncle Eric

Grandma Linda

Paige's Condition

2008-02-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

We were blessed with a beautiful girl on Febuary 14 at 8:01 am. Paige weighed in at 9 lbs. 12 oz and was 21 inches long. After we were wheeled to our room, we were visited by Mom & Dad, Eric, Amanda Wilson (Eric's girlfriend), Tad, Mark & Cindy, Grandma and Grandpa Cozort, Amy VanGorden, Gail Martin, and Jana Thomas.

When all of our visitors left for the evening, we continued to try to breastfeed Paige, but she began to spit up. The nursing staff became suspicious when she spit up bile, and she underwent a barium study around 4 am. After seeing the x-rays, it has been determined that Pagie has an antral web located in the pylorus (the connection between the stomach and small intestine). Since very early Friday morning, Pagie has been in the NICU here at St. John's. We (and grandmas & grandpas) are allowed to see her 24/7 unless there is a nursing shift change or doctors are rounding.

We've been able to feed her for most of her daytime feedings every three hours. She seems very content and free of pain, but she needs to be monitored to ensure proper nutriton. Right now she has an IV, NG tube and is eating formula. Before each feeding the nurses suction the residual from from her NG tube and measure it. Today all of her residuals have been within the normal amount. Right now we're praying that she doesn't need surgery and that the webbing will break down; however, we have to wait until the surgeon can do a scope on Monday or Tuesday to determine what course of action will be taken. From what we know now, the most common treatment if food is not readily absorbed is for an incision to be made and for the doctors to surgically remove the webbing.

Saturday, February 16

2008-02-16T12:21:00.000-08:00

Paige is still in the NICU today, and we anticipate that she'll be there until the neonatal surgeon, Dr. Ford, performs a scope on her either Tuesday or Wednesday.

She's doing a good job of eating, even though it took her a couple of days to catch on to the idea of sucking. She's on a lactose-free formula for now, but it looks like the doctors are going to switch her back to a regular formula with breast milk mixed in soon.