Merry Christmas

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas. We sure did and are still trying to put the house pack together!

Isn't the tissue always the most fun?

This is the Christmas present Ava made for us at preschool. It is an angel made from a pine cone. She was so excited and proud to give it to us. She had us open it before she even opened up any of her own from Santa (although she did inspect the doll house that he left unwrapped first)

Cousin Delcia

We are soo excited to welcome little Delcia Marie to the family. She was born December 27 in the very early hours of the morning. We are just sad the she is so far away in Utah and we have to wait to see her. Delcia is the very first cousin for Ava and Elizabeth - and also our very first niece. I am so excited to be an aunt! Congratulations John and Janessa, we love you!

Again???

Again, so soon? Really can't we just get a break?

Elizabeth is sick again!!! It just started, runny nose yesterday, cough starting today. I can hope that this will just be an easy cough that will go away. I am so tired of taking her in to the doctor or worse to the ER (three trips so far this cold season). I am starting the breathing treatments and I guess will see what happens.

Elizabeth has a pattern that she follows: crabby at night for a few nights, we think it could be teeth or her ears- it never is. Then a runny nose followed up with a nasty cough that lasts for about two weeks. Here's hoping that we don't spend Christmas Eve in the ER!

Light a candle Sunday

Worldwide Candle Lighting

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting®, held annually the second Sunday in December, this year December 14, unites family and friends around the globe as they light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memories of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries.
Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting, a gift from TCF to the bereavement community, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died, but will never be forgotten.

We will be lighting a ours in memory of our friend's son Jack, almost 3, who died in October.

Really?

We had a nice Thanksgiving. Then it comes. First we thought, its just Elizabeth's reflux. Nothing new, we are used to vomit here! Then. . . it keeps coming. A stomach bug as hit us. Elizabeth was up vomiting all night long on Saturday. Matt, wonderful husband and father that he is, stayed up with her. I was felt sick (probably from the smell of being thrown-up on three times)and stayed in bed trying to sleep. Sunday is mostly normal (huge thanks to my mother-in-law who helped spray the whole house with lysol and bleach spray to ward off further spread), we had a great visit with our family here for a belated Thanksgiving. Later that night Matt is the second victim and Elizabeth's diarrhea starts. Matt is sick all night and I start to feel really sick around 5am. I spend Monday sick and in bed, just really really nauseous. Late Monday we notice that Ava has pink eye and her eye is all crusty! As of now, Matt is recovered, I feel mostly better, Elizabeth still has diarrhea, and Ava's eye has cleared up with some drops the doctor called in (no office visit requied!) she reamins untouched by the nasty bug. The worst must be over???

Prematurity Awareness Month

November is prematurity awareness month. Every day 1,400 babies are born prematurely. These babies face days to months in the NICU, some will have life long complications as a result, and for a few; they will not be able to be saved. Despite research the rate of premature births is increasing. As a nation we score a D in premature birth rates. So how can you help? The March of Dimes is sending out a Petition for Preemies. Please take a moment to sign the petition and see what grade your state makes. Want to help some more? Right now MasterCard is DOUBLING your donation to the March of Dimes when you use you MasterCard (of course) click HERE to donate.

Babies should not have to start their lives out like this -hooked to machines and tubes. Parents should not have to see their babies from behind plastic isolet walls and wondering if their child would be the one to beat all the odds and survive. Toddlers should not have feet full of scars from the hundreds of heel sticks that were required during their NICU stay.

Elizabeth - Her first day. Eyes fused closed, dependent on machines for survival.

Elizabeth about three weeks old wearing Matt's wedding ring. She was VERY sick when this picture was taken, we were afraid she wouldn't be able to fight the infection.

Elizabeth last week

Calandar Girl

Time to get ready for 2009 and what better way than a fabulous calendar?

The very first St. Joseph Mercy NICU calendar Heroes of Hope is now available. This calendar is a fundraiser for the NICU where Elizabeth and the rest of the family was given amazing and loving care for four months. It is 12 months of beautifully photographed children who are NICU graduates. 100% of the proceeds will go to support NICU families as they navigate the rough and scary path of being a NICU parent. Elizabeth is one of the models and where else would our little sweetheart be but February? The calendars are $20 each plus shipping. Click HERE to order your copy today! If you want to save on shipping and will see me soon let me know and I can get one (or two) for you.