Overheard

Overheard while Isaac volunteered in Jack’s class today...

Jack was in his small reading group with the teacher. She asked Jack a question at the end of his reading group session (which was also the end of the school day) about a book they read yesterday. She wanted to know what the lesson they learned from yesterday’s book was. Jack replied, "The lesson was that we can do this later." as the bell rang. The teacher chuckled. She looked at Isaac and said, “I think he is done for the day.”

Yep, our boy calls it like he sees ‘me! Lol

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

He came out of the kitchen and declared he now had "cheeks."

He apparently used a marker to give himself smile lines at the corners of his mouth. LOL. He was quite pleased with the results, too!

Riddle Me This

Jack: What happens once in a second, twice in a week, and three times in one hundred years?

Jason: Um...

Jack: The letter 'e'

Jason: I don't get it.

LOL. Not too shabby for a six year old!

In case you're wondering: once in a second, twice in a week, and three times in one hundred years

Sometimes

Sometimes, even mom and dad get their picture taken. :)

Morning Selfies

They were hanging out in bed with me and gave me a glimpse of some brotherly love.

Cute Big Boy Saturday

Style

Got to love this kid's sense of style...

Happy Thanksgiving

From our house to yours...Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Jason set the table for us!

Our table decorations

Uh Oh

I think he may like soccer or something. Dad caught him doing this during his recent Target run. Lol

What are you doing there, kiddo?

Oh! That's what you're doing!

(Good thing Isaac was there to block the kick. Yikes!)

A Messy Dessert

Want to find the messiest way to eat a dessert? Just Call Jason.

Tonight Jason had what he thought was going to be one of his greatest dessert creations ever. 

A Triple Layer Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie and French Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich! 

His ingredients: 
2 chocolate chunk cookies
ice cream

Unfortunately, 2/3 of the way to building his creation, he realized that before he actually had the idea, he had already eaten one of the cookies.  Not being deterred, despite the top layer consisting of quickly melting ice cream, he proceeded to pick it up and eat it like a sandwich anyway. Notice his spoon sat there unused!

(I meant to tell him that the use of cutlery is one of the few things that separate us from animals, but he was simply enjoying his dessert too much.)

Now That's Better

Jack thought our pumpkins needed a little sprucing up. Here are his creations!

I agree. The pumpkins look so much better. :)

Oh my goodness, how they laughed and laughed!

Cute Big Boy Saturday

Their dad made them some kazoos. Comedy ensued. :)

World Prematurity Day

This post was first published November 17, 2011...

~~~

Today we are purple.

Purple to honor all of the millions of babies worldwide who were born too soon.

Purple to honor the fight of those babies and their families for survival.

Purple to honor those babies who can fight no more.

Today we are purple to honor those we love who have been touched by prematurity.

Today I was purple to honor our super boys, Shawn and Jason.

I will forever be amazed by the strength and determination our two boys showed in the early days of their lives (and continue to show today). They endured more in those months than many people ever experience in their entire lives. It seemed like every complication possible was thrown their way, but together they conquered the NICU.

They captured the hearts of everyone who worked with them. (I think they still do. :) )

Our guys survived and thrive.

We are the lucky ones.

---

Born at 28 weeks and 3 days, our guys were not even 3 pounds and about as long as a Barbie doll. (As tiny as they were, they were huge for their gestation.)

Shortly after the boys were born. This is Isaac's ring.
It would have easily slid all the way up to their armpits.

Isaac's ring on a foot.



A little hand barely able to hold daddy's thumb.

A small round band aid to protect a delicate knee 
(their knees were so delicate that the skin would
get raw when they'd lay on their bellies)

Our guys were tiny but mighty.

Shawn, Baby A:

The first time I was able to see Shawn.
I didn't even get to see him in the delivery room.

Shawn - not even a week old.

Holding Shawn for the first time. I am so grateful to
our respiratory therapist who made this happen.

Shawn in his first clothes.
They were preemie size and still swam on him for weeks.

Mommy and daddy with Shawn.

Shawn in December 2007

Jason, Baby B:

Meeting Jason for the first time. I was given a brief glimpse
of Jason in the operating room, but they held him up for me for literally a second.

Mommy and daddy with Jason

Jason under the Billi lights for jaundice.

 

Holding Jason for the first time.
He was on a ventilator to help him breathe.

Daddy with Jason

Jason in December 2007

Our first picture as a family of 4 (and the first time I'd held both boys together). 
December 2007

 ---

They had a rough start, but our super boys are strong, smart, determined, and funny.

We are the lucky ones -- I hold that knowledge in my heart -- because our boys are here with us.