Happy Birthday Jack

Jack turned two last week. Sorry we haven't posted lately, but our computer is down. We'll be purchasing a new one shortly, glad to help the economy. I have brief access on Tom's computer.

We celebrated Jack's birthday very low key. Just a fire truck cake at home. Jack was sick for his birthday so he had a really rough day. He is usually a happy and fun boy. He likes to do everthing by himself---ME DOES. That is his favorite saying. He loves milk, his daddy, his brother, cookies, cake, all babies and his froggy!!! He lost his froggy a few months back and I replaced it with a new one and loves it just as much. He is just so blonde. I think his hair just keeps getting more white. As soon as you pull out a camera he squints his eyes and says cheese. This includes video cameras, we will have great footage someday. He talks all the time. Sometimes he speaks so clear and sometimes I have no idea what he is saying.

We are so blessed to have him in our lives.

We'll have pictures when our computer is back up and running.

Happy 4th Birthday Drew!

I can't believe my baby is 4. Time has gone by so fast. Here are a few things to know about Drew at 4. He is happy. Happy from the moment he wakes up. He usually enters our room at about 7 am giggling. Even when we have to wake him early to travel he just giggles when we get him up. The little boy who was always upset when I left is no confident I will come back whenever I leave him. We have some many people helping us out, he always just asks me, who will watch me? He always tells Jack it will be ok. He loves his friends and loves to talk. I have no idea where he gets these qualities from... He loves broccoli, he may have also gotten that from me :) He loves his brother. He now likes dogs. That was a long time coming, but he will finally pet our neighbor's dog. The other day he did a puzzle and told me, "I did not know I was so good at that." He loves his grandparents and going to visit them. And those grandparents spoil him. Happy Birthday Drew! When Tom told him he would never be three again, Drew asked him if he could still have the whole vitamin!

Camp Lieder

One of our powerless days we headed down to Houston to Camp Lieder. The Liders, Holly's parents, welcomed us with open arms and a camp!! They had crafts, activities and jobs planned. Drew enjoyed helping fix a bike tire and a sprinkler head. Jack LOVED painting. I was also able to do some laundry and check my e-mail. Thanks for the great day!

First Day of School and Fun During Ike

Drew had his first day of school last month. He is at a new school and he really enjoys it. His teachers are wonderful! Jack is sad to leave when we drop of Drew. When the babysitters take Drew he is always careful to remind me to leave them a map!

The scene from the potty I call "The scene of the crime." Potty training Jack with no power was interesting. He is ready to poop when he asks for a book. We would sit with book and flash light!

The picture of the boys watching a movie was during the storm. We rode it out in our closet which actually stayed quiet.

The last picture was from the zoo in Fort Worth.

Two ends of the spectrum

So this weekend I was able to go to a first birthday party of a baby I cared for in the NICU. It is always such a pleasure to see the babies I have cared for doing so well. It is a small testament to our care and a large testament to the care the family provides as these children grow. It is special when Tom can share these moments so he can have a small glimpse into my world of the NICU.

Then today I was able to go the memorial service for all of the babies that have passed away in our unit during the past year. As I was listening to the reading of the names I could not help but think about ALL of the babies that I have taken care over the years who are now angels. Those babies and families have all left a little stamp on my heart.

Sometimes I feel like I have a split personality as I role from NNP to mom to wife. Most people here in Texas only know me as a mom or a wife, but the NICU has always been and will continue to be a huge part of me.

This post is dedicated to Faith. She was one of the first angels who took a little bit of my heart with her, the anniversary of her death is this month.

Sweet, sweet, power!!!!!

After nearly two weeks without power it has finally returned. I honestly thought it would never come back. Thank you to all those who helped us. Thanks to Marie for feeding us. Thanks to Lesley and Amanda for folding my laundry. Thanks to Kim for feeding me at work. Thanks to Amanda and Stephanie who provided me a bed and power on the days I worked. Thanks to anyone who had to deal with Crabby Kelley!!!!! Jack spoke his first phrase during the black out, it was "Lights On, Can't See!"

Here are some pictures of our neighborhood and park.

unplugged-but not very green

Yes, we continue without power. We are coming upon the two week mark.
Drew cheers me on when I start the generator. We have a room air conditioner so we are ALL sleeping in our bedroom. It has all been an adjustment. As Drew says every day, Mama, when will we have power again?????

Ike

Well we weatherd hurricane Ike quite well. The storm hasn't been the problem for us as much as the aftermath has. We lost power on Friday night and it hasn't been restored. They tell us that we are very low on the priority list for power restornation and it could be 2-4 weeks. We took off for Dallas with three other families and have become refugees, or as Tom likes to call us "fugees." In Houston things are rough, little food, questionable water, and little gas. We drove about 100 miles from town before we even found gas or power. You should have heard Drew's amazement when we saw lights! Mom they have power!!!

This has been an adventure. At one rest stop Drew stepped in fire ants and we ended up with them in our car and car seats. Jack's potty training has been a little bit off since our life is upside down. Today he pooped in the hotel bath tub, fun. Trying to communicate with the cleaning lady was interesting as she kept telling me the spray I wanted was bad for babies. I assured her I wouldn't use it on the baby. Today on a nice little trip to the zoo we were stopped in traffic for almost one hour. Is someone playing a joke on us???

Not sure what our next step is. I have to work this weekend so we will be heading home for that and then who knows. At least we have our friends to laugh with here.

Tonight Jack was having a hard time going to sleep at the hotel and Drew told him that he would keep him safe :)

clorox wipes

I would love to meet the person who invented clorox wipes. I would give he or she a hug and a kiss. For these wipes have made potty training bearable. I have been potty training Jack for the last 48 hours. We went cold turkey to undies as we did with Drew. He is doing well, at least the last part of day two. We made it to the potty without any pee on the floor today, but we did have a nice old poop in the undies. Jack promptly told me, poop mama, poop mama. I was excited until he said in there and pointed to his undies! He is much more stubborn than Drew ever was. It was fun to play with him these past two days since I did nothing else except that and clean up potty accidents-didn't even change out of my pjs. No pictures to adorn this post :)

Nicholas

Cousin Nicholas was a very popular baby when we were home. Drew and Jack just LOVE him and will not leave him alone. Drew just wants to give him kisses and Jack thinks he is a ride on toy when he crawls. It is so much fun to see them all together. Doesn't he have the BEST hair!!!!

Wisconsin State Fair

We enjoyed the State Fair while in WI. Jack loved the cream puff, but Drew didn't like it. Seriously??? Who doesn't love a cream puff! We went down the slide many times. Although, the best part of the fair continues to be the sport of people watching. It is funny and sad all at the same time. When Tom and Evan are together the commentary is very entertaining!

Grandparents

Drew and Jack might be two of the luckiest kids for they are blessed with three sets of grandparents who love them! It is fun to watch how Drew knows what each grandparent enjoys to do with him.

The Village

I continue to be so thankful for the village of people that help me take care of my children in Texas.  Working and having a husband who travels provides many child care challenges, but I am blessed.  Blessed by so many people who take wonderful care of my children AND love them.  To Mona, Lana, Cassandra, Christina, Lauren and all of the rest, thank you, thank you, thank you...  And thanks to my wonderful circle of friends who help me pinch hit when all else fails.

Summer Part 2

We have been having lots of fun in the tub these days. Now that Jack can stay stable in the "big" tub is quite entertaining between the jets and the bubbles they both love it. Do you like the hair?
Jack has started using the big boy potty. He might be ready to potty train, but I am not! He insisted to go poop on the airplane potty! Not enough soap to clean him after that.

Summer Part 1

Where has the summer gone? I should say where have the summer months gone, as the summer really continues well into fall here in Texas. Right now we wonder if it will EVER stop raining here. Prior to the rain we enjoyed the rain. Drew had another successful dentist visit and he got his toy camera. When I went to the dentist he wanted to know what kind of toy I got! Drew is cracking us these days as his vocabulary and language is growing. He told me yesterday that he was tired and his bed was calling his name! Everything that we say is coming right back to us.

Silly Boys

Drew has his very silly moments, but he is becoming an articulate talker. The latest addition to his speaking is his use of the word also.