Happy Anniversary!

I can't believe it's been 12 years since this picture when Chris and I got married. We look so young. We've been through so much in the past 12 years. I'm sure as with most marriages we've had our ups and downs. I think it shows a true love that can make it through difficult times and rejoice in the good times. We've grown so much as people, partners and parents through the years. Our family has grown from just the 2 starting our life together in Virginia , to a family of 5. My life is exactly what I wanted when I said "I do" on July 31, 1999. We are parents to 3 beautiful children and we have family that love and support us. I look forward to what the next 12 years of our life will become.

Julian's surgery

Last Thursday we finally went forward with having Julian's surgery. It was something that had been on our back burner for 3 years and I was not looking forward to it. We had even had it scheduled once in Canada, and then complications arose with my pregnancy so we had to cancel. Julian had a hernia/hydrocele that needed to be repaired. This is a defect in the muscle in the groin that allows bowel/abdominal fluid to dip out of the abdomen. We found a really nice pediatric urologist in the area and scheduled it for this summer. We were trying to work around the doctor's limited surgical times, vacations, and fall sports starting in August. The date was July 21st. We lined up Aunt Anne to come up the night before to be here with the babies all day. I knew it would be a longer day because we decided to have the surgery done at the children's hospital in Philadelphia. The doctor highly recommended it, and the date worked well for us. Julian did great waking up early and not having anything to eat or drink. We made it to the hospital in good time, and he seemed ok. The minute we walked in the front doors, Julian got an upset stomach. He was worried he was sick and wanted to go home. Chris and I tried to comfort him and tell him he just had a nervous stomach. We had some tears for about the next hour. A nurse practitioner talked to him and explained everything and he seemed to be better. With Stanford luck on our side, the doctor was running about 3 hours behind which made the wait a little hard for him and us. We tried playing as much as we could and watched tv. Finally, they came to get us around 12:30 for his surgery. The versed they give helps with the separation and he went off. About 2, the doctor came out and said he did great and everything went well. I went back shortly to the PACU to see him. He was crying again, but quickly calmed down when he saw me. We made sure he was good and comfortable before they sent us home due to a longer ride home. Glad we did because we left right at rush hour and it took 3 1/2 hours to get home. Poor baby slept in the back seat and would wake up occasionally with a bad sore throat. Thank goodness Anne was home with the babies and I didn't have to worry about needing to get home quick for someone to have to leave. The day was out of our control, but finally we got home and put in bed near us.

Recovery for him went really well. The doctor said kids recover much better than adults do with the same surgery. ( I was a little worried since we've been through this with chris and he was in a lot of discomfort). Julian didn't complain of any pain hardly at all. I gave him a couple doses of the good pain medicine to ensure the first 2 days but then he really didn't need anything.

I think he's ready to be up and going again. I'm so happy this is now behind us. Hopefully, it will be a long time before any of my kids will need surgery again. It has to be one of the worst things for parents to go through, even though you know it is necessary. Being a nurse, I do have a control issue when it comes to my kids healthcare and trusting others isn't that easy for me. Unfortunately, with the babies prematurity I have had to do this way too much. It still doesn't get any easier.

sitting in our pre-op room. Feeling a little better at this point about everything.

In the car, on the way home. You can tell he doesn't feel great.

Day 2 post-op. Feeling much better.

GI appt for Lilly

Last week, Lilly had her GI follow up appointment. Overall, it was a good appt. She weighed 22.2 lbs. She gained 5 gms/day since the last. Normal weight gain for this age and a very active 2 year old is 5-8 gms/day. So, she actually gained the minimum of a normal amount. We will take normal for my little peanut. We still aren't doing anything to "catch up" from being born a 2 lb baby, but she is following still a 2 lb baby growth curve. We had hoped that by 2 she would start to jump up a curve or two. I try really hard not to obsess over her weight because she is a perfectly normal 2 year old by every other standard. And she has gained 20 lbs in 2 years. If she had been born 7 lbs, and gained 20 lbs that would be a very average child. So we still just have the difference to gain from being born so small. So, we left with just keep on keeping on. Which is better than the alternative.

Last of vacation

I had a few more pictures to add from our summer vacation. Our last day in Seabrook, we took a boat ride to a little island to find seashells. The kids all really loved it. We were a little worried how the babies would do, but they did great. I think it is a requirement for a member of this family to like the water and boats. So glad they didn't disappoint us.

Alex having a great time and big smile

Dee Dee and Julian

Lilly searching for seashells.

Alex helping PaPa drive the boat.

After our boat ride and a nap for the babies, we went to the beach club for our last dinner at the beach. We had a great dinner sitting overlooking the ocean and watching a storm roll in.

Julian , Alex, and Lilly looking at the ocean during dinner.

We hated leaving but we had a wonderful family vacation together. Chris and I think it's important to make great memories for our children to look back on and to spend special time away together. We couldn't have asked for a better trip. Then back home to reality.

summer vacation- part 2

After a wonderful trip to Atlanta, we were off to Charleston to finish the rest of our vacation. We left Atlanta and stopped in Lexington to hang out with my best friend and her family for the evening. The kids had a great time swimming in the lake and playing with more kids. I enjoyed some girl time with Mandy. Wish we had more time together. We left that night to finish the drive to Charleston.

The kids handled the trip really well and did well with the different places and transitions. I didn't think they would do that well, but proved me wrong. Lilly even was eating like a champ while we were gone. ( I don't say that often)

We had the best time in Charleston. It was a much needed get away after being in Pennsylvania all winter. It's no secret I don't care for PA, and feel so much more at home in the south. I do think I have more southern kids than northern. They much prefer to put on flip-flops and bathing suits to snow suits and boots. (As do I).

We enjoyed the first few days with Jess. She got some great bonding time with the kids and I know myself and the kids enjoyed being with her.

Lilly was fearless in the ocean. I don't think there is much that slows down my little peanut.

Jess and Julian enjoying some ocean time

Alex took some warming up to the water, but he quickly learned how fun it was.

My water child

Jess hanging out with Lilly in the baby pool

This truck was the highlight for many kids at the pool. Who knew it would be so popular.

A nice moment. Julian giving his baby sister a kiss.

Julian getting some bike riding in. Taking advantage of the flat streets.

Taking in the views

The boys waiting on lunch to arrive at the beach.

Lilly's famous "cheese" face.

Daddy and Alex taking in the 4th of July parade

The kids favorite spot was the pool. We spent a lot of time there.

Dinner at the marina one night. The kids loved the sights of the boats.
On our way to see the fireworks on Seabrook. The babies ended up not being too fond of the loud noises and Chris ended up back in the car with them.

Mommy and Alex
Alex showing us he has warmed up to the water and going under the water falls. So happy he was enjoying himself.



Family picture in the pool.

Julian on the boat with papa and Daddy.
Julian looking for dolphins
The babies wanted to go out on the boat too, so had to get them life jackets. Trying them on. Hope they like to wear them.
Dee Dee and the babies

Chris took the kids fishing. It was the prettiest background.

Checking out all the crabs on the banks

Looking at the ocean

Julian and Papa

Very hard to get everyone looking and smiling, but a good attempt.

Believe it or not, I have more pictures to post. We just had the best vacation and time together I tried to capture as many moments as I could.