Tree Trimming

See? He was very convincing yesterday. :) Needless to say, the boys were quite happy with the whole Christmas decorating thing. lol

How About It?

He's trying to convince me to put out Christmas decorations. "How about it?" he kept saying.

He did a very good job. How could I say no to that face? lol

Pool Time

Jason and I are playing Lego Pool...

I was talking to him with a Lego character voice, trash talking to him after I would make each shot. "Woohoo! I'm the best pool player in the world!"

He asked, "Why do you keep saying that?"

"Because it's true. I'm the best pool player in the world! Woohoo!"

He finally said, "But why do you keep saying that you are the best poop layer in the world then?"

LOL! (Seems like middle child is mastering his own trash talking!) 

Cute Big Boy Saturday

He says he was trying to help...

but something makes me feel otherwise. LOL

(Not that Jack was upset about what they were doing!)

Conversations With 9 Year Olds

So tonight, the big boys wanted to play Truth or Dare...

Me: Truth or Dare, Jay?

J: Truth

Me: Do you pass gas on mom on purpose?

J: Uh...maybe 1 time I did...

Me: Jay...?

J: Okay, maybe a few times...

Me: Jason...

J: Fine. Yes! I do sometimes.

Me: And you, Shawn? Do you pass gas on mommy on purpose?

S: (laughing) Uh huh. Only sometimes.

Then he proceeds to lean over and pass gas on me. Sigh. The life with all boys is FAR from glamorous, I have to tell you. LOL

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.

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

He's rejoined the living!