The Life of 4 Joynerz: Daddy's girl...Mommy's princess!

Wow! Time has flown. Today we are celebrating Madelyn Riley's 9th birthday. I just can't believe my baby is 9 yrs. old! What a blessing to have been chosen to be the mommy of such a wonderful little girl.

As I remember back when I was pregnant with Madi, I almost start to shake with fear of that ever happening to me again. What I experienced for those 34 weeks was a nightmare. The first time I went into labor with Madi, I was only 24wks along. The labor was stopped but I was put on complete bedrest. I had contractions throughout my preganancy and I was hospitalized several times. The last time I was hospitalized, I was 30wks along and the labor could not be stopped. I was rushed from SMH to Norfolk Sentara in an ambulance given the max. amount of Mag. sulfate. I was vomiting from the meds, but almost completely paralized as well. It was the most horrific thing that I've ever had to experience. When I got to Norfolk, my labor was stopped and I was dilated 5cm. I stayed that way, in the hospital for four weeks!! Um...yeah FOUR weeks in Norfolk!! Jacob was 2 and he was home with Travis and was shifted from place to place when Travis was at work. Again....NIGHTMARE!

On Monday August 21st 2000, the Drs told me that I was able to go back home if I could walk around the hospital all day without going into labor. At this time I was 34wks preganant. I get up that morning and begin to walk. Of course after a few hours, I was seriously contracting AGAIN. This time I dialated to 7cm. Labor stopped on its own, but the drs said that I couldn't go home:( So the next morning August 22, 2000 the Dr. came in at 5am. I told her that I just couldn't take it anymore and began to cry. She said that she'd be right back. A little while later she came in and told me that she would be taking me down and breaking my water at 10am! That news couldn't have been better. I was big as a cow and dialated 7cm. I felt like Madi was going to fall out for 4 wks. I called everyone and sure enough my water was broken, and little Madi was born at 4:03pm. Weighing in at 6lbs12oz!! She would've been 10lbs if I had gone 40 weeks. THANK YOU LORD!

Madi is a miracle baby, just as Jacob is! Both born premature but turned out fine. Madi is a very happy, amazing child. Very smart with an awesome imagination. She's more than a mother could ever ask for in a daughter. She has a heart of gold, always concerned about others and their feelings. I'm so proud to be Madelyn Riley's Mom!

So today I want to wish my baby girl a very happy 9th birthday. Reach for the stars....dream big!! You are amazing Miss Madi, and I love you very much!!

Enjoy the photos...I laughed until my cheeks hurt. Madi was always soooo happy as a baby. She was and still is a joy!