Thankfully, Maddox has been able to squeeze in a few "zzzz's" during the daylight hours. Nights are not her friend. Or ours. However, we are thankful for her healing everyday.

On Sunday, our little girl began to emerge and was ready to tackle the playset, the trampoline, the game of catch....our discharge papers clearly stated "no strenuous activity or sport playing" so, after the snapping of a few pictures, we lured our little explorer to the front yard - far less to get into.

Because sports are out for the next six weeks, and she is not allowed to lift anything over the weight of 10lbs per her discharge papers, she has taken on the hobby of watering plants. Poor plants.

Swinging is probably too "strenuouos" but it sure did bring back the smile we have all missed.

One week post-op and Maddox is doing well. Cured? No. Better? Yes. Her palate remains intact yet the dr. stated today that this next week is the "tell tell" week. He explained that this week is when the sutures begin to weaken and the probability of a fistula developing is greater. Our dr. also stated that her palate was "a tough repair....very wide....not even in the same zip code." He was impressed with her desire to eat only milkshakes - chocolate ones no doubt - and she has been holding her weight. We will see him again in four weeks and we are crossing our fingers for yet another good report.

From the home, we are all adjusting. To be quite frank, we are all over the place, no real schedule to grasp. The surgery took place, the big kids visited grandparents, school has been put on hold while the boys are doing standardized testing, and Maddox is in need of a lot of attention. Maddox was crying today and I said, "Oh you poor neglected one. You are in such need!" I said this with a lot of sarcasm in my tone. Colin looked at me and said, "No, mom, she is not the neglected one. She is the one who gets all of your attention." He said this matter-of-factly yet it is so true. So, without a thought, I responded to him, "Well, Colin, you are right. She does get all of my attention. There was a day when YOU got all of my attention." He smiled and said, "Yes, and then Pryce came along and stole my celebrity status." At least he has a sense of humor :)

In MK land, Ryan was saying prayers with her the other night and he said, ".....and we pray that Mason-Kate is feeling better very soon...." When the prayer ended, MK looked at him and said, "Don't you mean you hope Maddox feels better soon?" Ryan answered, "Oh, yes, sorry, I got that mixed up." MK said, "I thought so. You weren't even close. That is a big difference, I mean, Maddox has an o-x."