Reminiscing

The other morning I was trying to compare my memories of what Lincoln looked like back then and what he is today. It almost seems like a different life-time, a different baby. He has a few set-backs, but for the most part he is doing really well. I can hardly imagine the child who was struggling and clinging to precious life. When we're in these trying, desparate, dark moments we think we may never survive. We don't know how they will ever pass and each moment...smell...sound becomes so deeply etched into our minds. I heard the perfect description before, but don't remember where I heard it from. They said "the pain I felt was as though my heart was literally breaking in half." I felt my chest caving in and I saw and felt so much darkness. Although, through the darkness there was always a ray of light. Things change, that is life, it's ever changing. And although I remember quite a few things vividly, the pain has lessened and we're in an awesome place right now.
I took Scottie to baseball practice tonight. The field they played on was right across the street from the hospital. I sent a text to one of Lincoln's primary nurses to see if she was working. The last time she took care of him was right before he got transfered BACK to PCMC due to his infection from his shunt. He spent the last month of his hospital stay at PCMC. It had been probably six months since she had seen him. She was one of our favorites too!
She was amazed at him. She couldn't stop drooling. When he was in her care, she would tease about taking him home in her purse. Tonight she commented that none of her purses were big enough for him to fit in anymore!

Our sweet respiratory therapist also bumped into us. Ryan teared up when he saw Lincoln. I truly believe these little spirits come to teach us a lesson. Whatever that may be for whomever may need it. It was very rewarding for me, to show those who worked so very hard to keep Lincoln here, the fruits of their labors.

We had SO many warm people who cared for not only Lincoln, but for us as well. That's why it was so easy to call UVRMC our 'home'. I walked into the parents lounge, the smell smacked me in the face like I walked into a brick wall. A flood of feelings, emotions and memories came back. I didn't cry though, I could smile. What a journey!

Seeing Double

Little miss Kitty spent the night with Savana a few weeks ago. When they had their backs to me, I had a hard time telling who was who. They always have so much fun together!

Really...Nine?

Ah-hem.....six months adjusted. I often get the statement, "He's nine months old??? He's so TEENY!" Then in my mind I think, "hello...he was a preemie and technically he's only supposed to be six months old!" But then I remember it's only natural to point out the obvious and it's not being said in a negative way. I could tell people he's only six months old, but I have a hard time with that because I know that he's not...!

This was his first time trying rice cereal.....ummm not so sure about this mom!

He's getting so BIG

Some of the funnest times we have with him are when we're all in the car together and the kids make him laugh hysterically.

All of his therapy is coming along well. They are wanting to see more from him, but feel he is still making great progress. The nurse was hoping he would have beefed up a little more. He only weighs 13 pounds 2 ounces which puts him up 8 ounces from her visit three weeks earlier. Also, he is now 26 inches tall. From his physical appearance, she has no concerns about his weight. So, now I have to figure out how to plump him up some more. I guess there isn't any vitamin D milk coming from this Dairy Queen.

Bubbles

Ohhhh and how he was LOVING them!!

He wasn't too sure at first.



He had to test the waters and really discover something so new and different.


But it didn't take long to figure out how much he really liked them!

Silly Lincoln!!

Thanks Aunt Sarah!

The Tenth

there was a young girl who believed in falling in love. She wanted nothing more than to find her happily ever after. She looked high and low. But somehow she let fear creep into her mind, convincing her maybe she would never find what she longed for. Her fate was unknown, but she went on hoping, dreaming, desiring, and trusting that she would watch and see her future unfold before her.




there was a young man full of spirit, ambition, and energy. He filled his life with work, friends, sports, school, and his religion. He too believed in love and knew one day it would find him, but didn't know how or when.



The fear I once had of never being able to find my true love was quickly distinguished. As I look back and see our fates inter-twine, I am amazed. If I only knew back then what I know now. Ten years have come and gone since we joined our lives forever. So much has come from it .... our five beautiful children is one of the first things that come to mind. I am so grateful for each event that took place to put the two of us in the place we needed to be in the time we needed to be to meet each other and create our very own Once Upon A Time.....

Scott was such an amazing person when I met him....he's even more amazing to me now. He is so very selfless. His children are the light of his life. He does whatever possible to make me happy and often puts my feelings above his own. There are so many memories we've shared that seem so distant, but that I hold so close to my heart.

The ending of this story? Well, it continues to flourish. Each day, each anniversary, each memory continues to create OUR story. Thank you Scott, for being my rock, my love, the father of my children, but most of all MY husband!

I love you SO very much......Happy tenth Anniversary!!

To Infinity

And Beyond!! Luke decided he loves everything Toy Story, Buzz Lightyear in particular. The awesome thing about this.....Toy Story 3 just recently came out and it wasn't too hard to grant his birthday wishes!
We had a family birthday party at the waterpark. He had so much fun last year, he wanted to relive it. We had cake, ice cream and presents at our house then headed over to swim. This time it was a little unorganized compared to last years party, but everything turned out great.

This was the front of his invitation

and this was the back.

I wonder who had more fun on these slides, the grown-ups or the kids??

Luke was LOVIN' his presents!!

He had a memorable birthday....we'll do it again next year!

Past and Present

Lincoln is such a little love. I've had SO much joy in watching him grow and blossom!

His itty-bitty feet compared to his cute piggies now!

He was NOT happy when we gave him his first bath at home. The second bath picture he wasn't necessarily smiling, but it sure beats him screaming.

Onesie on the left size 3-6 months. Onesie on the right size preemie

Here's the infamous preemie diaper next to a one dollar bill and his now size 2 diaper


And last but not least, he's comfortable doing our day to day tasks. We find lots of time to play and giggle!