What's up?!?!?!

I have a laundry list of reasons that I have not been blogging. Fortunately, "we just haven't been having any fun" isn't one of them!! My reasons have more to do with being busy, broken camera, blown motherboard and just too tired. My current excuse is that we are on vacation in Ocean City and the charitable internet that I pick up from the neighbor only works sporatically. Since it is working this afternoon, I thought I would upload some pictures....assuming my internet connection lasts.

Ok, got it. And, in the process found a bunch more pictures that deserve their own post and story. So, stay tuned...

Thank you....Really!!

The boys have been working on "thank you notes" for the gifts that they received for their First Communion. Their thank you notes have been sincere, sweet and honest...sometimes, a little too honest. And, "too honest" makes great a great blog post.

If you gave the boys a gift for their First Communion, you might want to stop reading this now so that you can be surprised when you go to your mailbox. The notes are actually better to read in real life, with their actual handwriting, and pictures when appropriate. I questioned whether it would be appropriate to send a few of them, but I decided that the sincerity that came through would be more appreciated than a generic note. I hope the recipients feel the same way.

Dear .....,
Thank you for the watch. It's too big for me right now. But, I'll Grow. Thanks.
Love, Jack

The boys received a few savings bonds. Apparently, they are very confused about the whole concept.

Dear .....,
Thank you for the $100 savings bond! I haven't used it yet, but I'm going to soon!
Love, Drew

Dear....,
Thank you for the Bibble (Bibble)! I love reading the Bibble!! I like the Savings Bond. I like to buy toys.
Love, Ben

Dear....,
Thank you for the savings bond. When will it bump up to $100? I can't wait to use it.
Love, Jack

Dear ....,
Thank you so much for the $25. I could buy a lot for 25 bucks!
Love, Ben

The boys received a bunch of $2, which was so cool because my Grandma used to give them to us all the time. She would hand us one and say "here's a $2 bill....if you never spend it you'll never be broke". I thought it was so cool that a thoughtful relative carried on the tradition.

Dear....,
Thank you for the 20 dollars that you gave me. Well, really, 10 2 dollar bills, but 10x2=20. So, that makes it better!
Love, Drew

Dear....,
Thanks for the 20 dollars out of twos. I never got that many twos. It is better to get 10 twos than just a $20.

We did "nix" one of the notes. Here is that one...

Dear ....,
I love your 30 bucks. Most people gave 20's and 25's, but you gave me a $30 DOLLAR BILL!
Love, Ben

Thanks. :)

A Proud Day...

The boys made their First Holy Communion yesterday. It was a fabulous day. It was such a special day and we couldn't have been more proud.
Benjamin Patrick
Jack Michael

Andrew Walter

Jack did a professional job with the 2 of the Intentions and Ben and Drew helped to bring up the Gifts.

Flashback Friday/Preemie Pride...

April 15th always brings me back to 2002. April 15, 2002 was the day that the boys were *almost* born. I was 27 weeks pregnant and went for a regular checkup when it was discovered that I was 3.5 cm. dialated and contracting regularly...well, more regularly than my normal 6-8 contractions an hour. I was sent immediately over to the hospital where I spent 5 days in "magnesiums sufate hell" (which don't get me wrong, is way better than "NICU/Preemie Hell"). After that, I was "stabalized" and transferred to a real room where I stayed until the boys were born on May 28, 2002 at 33 weeks and 6 days.

About a week after I was admitted, Jen brought us these 3 little Mickeys.

My doctor saw them and mentioned that they were about the size of the babies at that time...except the babies would have bigger heads. Nice. ;)

I think about those 6 "extra" weeks all the time. There is no good reason that our boys were not born on that day. The hospital was sure they were coming, even called in the extra NICU doctors. But, they weren't born that day. We scored SIX more weeks!!


I feel like we have dealt with a lot of "preemie issues"....and my kids were barely preemies. I always wonder what would have happened if they were born at 27 weeks? Who would they be now? What sort of extra struggles would they be having? Drew had major surgery at 1 week old. He would have needed the surgery regardless of when he was born. How would he have done with major surgery if he was born 6 weeks earlier?!?! Jack didn't walk until he was 22 months old. In fact, I has his IEP meeting today and it was mentioned that he *still* has muscle and strength issues. I can't help but wonder what additional challenges he would have if he would have been born 13 weeks early instead of just over 6 weeks early.


Thinking about those things gives me goosebumps. I thank God all of the time for the extra 6 weeks that he gave to our boys. We are very blessed and I will never forget it.

Ben, on his birthday. 3 pounds, 9 ounces.

Ben was a model patient in the NICU.

He had one minor surgery while in the NICU, but was mostly just a feeder and grower.

He spent 17 days in the NICU.

Drew on his birthday. 3 pounds 11 ounces.

Drew started out well, but after a few days went downhill quickly.

His NICU stay was very scary and a lot of tears were shed worrying about Drew. But, inspite of all of that, even then, he showed us his easy-going, peaceful spirit.

Drew had 2 surgeries and spent 28 days in the NICU.

Jack on his birthday. 3 pounds, 4 ounces.

Jack had the roughest start to life. His lungs were not fully developed when he was born. Fortunately, even at a day old, he was already a determined little boy and knew what he wanted and what he didn't want. That breathing machine was definitely something that he DIDN'T want! He hated it!!

Because of his breathing issues, Jack dropped to 2 pounds 10 ounces at about a week old. He was so pitiful looking, but at the same time, he looked so content to be done with all of those breathing machines. He has had no breathing problems since.

Jack went home after 23 days in the NICU.

Our lucky family.

May 28, 2002

No wonder night potty training was so easy...

The truth comes out in a silly conversation before bed...

"Mom, you don't ever have to worry about me wetting the bed because whenever I have to go potty in the middle of the night, GOD wakes me up."

...and just for clarification, the "silly conversation" that I referred to is the conversation leading up to Drew's statement. Of course, his statement wasn't "silly". He was very honest and sincere and was a very cool thing to say, IMO.

Makes My Monday...

"Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I found a really pretty fwower!!!"

...said the excited little boy with the squished up dandelion. And, said with all of the innocence and pride that only a 3 year old can pull off while walking his brothers to school wearing his polar bear pajama pants and Scooby Crocs.

And, a close 2nd for "Makes my Monday"

"Hey, Mom!! Take my picture too!!"
Lovely.

Easter 2010

Me: "Boy, you guys sure looked nice today".

Drew: "Yup Mom.....even nicer than you".

Well, ok then.

Drew really ought to consider being nicer to the person that picks out his clothes and buys them. Wait 'til he sees what I pick out for him to wear next Easter. He might have to admit that I look better. ;-)

Other than that little exchange, Easter was really a lot of fun!!!

Ready, Set.....

.....GO!!!!

Ummm....Liam, you are not actually supposed to eat the paper.

Who needs candy when you can eat potato chips, right Connor?!?!

Happy Easter!!