New pics... cowboy day

Just a quick post.  I have info. to share but have to get B to school.  So just pics for now... :-)

Remembering my Dad

On this day just 5 years ago we lost my Dad.   I miss him and Kaleigh each and every day but wanted to post this picture in rememberance.  One of my favorite photos of him. :-)

March of Dimes 2012

Today we celebrated Braden's life and remembered Kaleigh Grace by walking for the March of Dimes.  We actually only walked back to the car because well when you have little one's a walk during nap time isn't always a great idea. :-)  But we did enjoy seeing some of our NICU friends and spent some quality time with one of Braden's special nurses Patty.  Who took all those really wonderful pics of Braden while he was so small.  She made sure we had plenty of pics without tape on his face or a vent in his mouth and for that we will forever be grateful. 

We want to thank our friends who supported us today either by donation or by attending the walk or both.  We had a great time and look forward to doing it again next year.  Maybe the boys will be able to last the whole time but if not that's ok. 

Here are a few pics from today and although the boys are in the stroller for most of these they did run around plenty.  We just couldn't keep up with them. lol  Stephen wasn't in the pics because he was taking them. :-) 

Friends together again

No pictures please

We really want out of the stroller. :-)

Saying Hi to another preemie friend Mary Farris

Busy busy busy.....

I must say ever since school started we have been going non-stop.  It's been a huge adjustment for myself and the kids.  I have also been cooking alot.  You know how hard it is to have any time to yourself and I am so thankful to be able to do something for all of us that I actually enjoy.  It's alot of work but it is fun.  Now all I have to do is get brave enough to let the kids help. :-)  I also need a safe stool so they can reach the island. 

We had a wonderful 3 day weekend with Stephen.  The boys so enjoyed having their Daddy home and we did several fun activities.  We have shared a few pics. :-)  We went to the zoo for a bit on Sunday but it was really crowded so we didn't stay long.  We are really spoiled to our weekday visits.  It's been so nice to have a season pass.  The boys love it and we have several playdate friends who have memberships too. 

Braden is loving school.  However, he is not the best behaved. lol  He is such a clown.  He loves to throw things and he has a habit of picking the kid who likes to be touched or left alone and pushing himself on them.  He doesn't care if they are bigger than him either.  So we are a little worried that he could get hurt if he pushes into the wrong kids personal space.  Today Braden's speech therapist worked on communication involving play with other children.  It was really great.  We are going to continue with this approach so that Braden can learn how to play with others without throwing their toys and invading their personal space.  I have to say though several kids are fine with all the attention from Braden and he does have several friends.  So that is wonderful.  He really is friendly and well intended.  He just needs some social skills that haven't been developed being isolated so much.  Braden also had a urology appt. this week.  It was his follow up to surgery.  He is doing excellent and the Dr. said he wants to see him next year.  If all is good on that next visit then Braden will be discharged from Urology. :-)  It would be great to check another Dr. off our list.  Progress is so good.

Grayson is growing and can now walk up the stairs.  He is really starting to challenge his brother and Braden is having to step up.  It's nice to see G progress and motivate his brother at the same time.  Grayson is very chatty but still only has a hand full of words.  If he doesn't have more language in July we may have to call in TEIS for some early intervention.  Now that G has more one on one time with Mommy we have been working on words and sounds.  G is slowly opening up to more foods which is awesome.  He actually likes to sit at the dinner table with us most of the time.  That's another plus to cooking every nite.  We can all eat at the same time and as soon as Stephen gets home.  It makes for a better schedule and helps get the kids to bed on time.  We are in a really good routine and Stephen gets to enjoy at least an hour if not two every nite playing with the boys.  They love it and they miss him so much when he has to work late. 

The March of Dimes walk is almost here.  I cannot believe it is so close.  If you haven't made a donation and would like to please click the link to the right of our blog.  You can make a donation fast and easy on our own personal MOD web page.  Thanks so much to everyone who has already donated.  It's such a great cause and Braden is definitely proof of it as well as Grayson.  The shots I took to keep Grayson from coming early were because of March of Dimes research.  They help mothers and babies in so many ways.

March of Dimes and an update

Last week we had our IEP meeting with Braden's school.  It went really well and I am very pleased that the therapist and teachers noticed right away the changes and growth that Braden has experienced over the winter.  We have not made a bunch of changes to his goals as he may do completely different in a school environment versus home.  Lately Braden has been going back to some of his old ways.  It comes in waves.  Although he is getting better about not chewing on things, getting frustrated and wanting to smack you, going to the floor with spaghetti legs when he doesn't want to do things, and a few other behavorial issues it now comes and goes instead of being an ongoing battle.  So all in all you can see some maturing on his part and hopefully it will only get better.  However, you never know what bad habits or good ones will develop being socialized with other kids.  Obviously the good will out weigh the bad but it is a give and take.  I have several other Mom friends who have micro preemie kiddos and most of us have similiar behavorial issues when it comes to eating and getting our kids to do any kind of learning activity.  These kiddos are all typically as stubborn as they come...  you have to know though that this is why they are STILL HERE. :-)  Braden starts school on Monday. 

With all the beautiful weather we have been going places and having such a nice time outdoors.  Grayson is changing so much and although he doesn't have alot of words he has increased in his vocabulary.  He has an issue with eating chalk so although we love to see our little artist create we have to stick with crayons.  Next month G turns 2.  Cannot believe he will be 2 already.  Time is flying by so quickly.  I'm sure G will be excited to finally have his carseat facing forward.  We have waited till now because we had heard that the laws were going to change.  Apparently that did not happen.  However, I felt like there was a reason someone wanted it changed and with Grayson being so small it couldn't hurt to keep him backwards as long as possible.  We even bought a really nice carseat to make him more comfortable in this position.  I'm glad we waited especially since G is only 23 lbs. 

Don't forget to donate to the March of Dimes using our badge to the right of our blog.  We are only a few short weeks away from our deadline.  We are so excited to have received some mailed in donations that are not reflected on the website.  All donations made outside the web I believe will show in our totals after the walk.  So  please don't forget to donate to this very worthy cause in memory of Kaleigh and in honor of our Super Hero Braden. :-)