I've Been Tagged...I think.

This is a funny little blog "tag" game....I was tagged and now you are it!

Self Portrait: Can you say cheesy???

What are your kids doing right now? Christian is napping on the floor after tummy time wore him out. Yes, he sometimes sleeps with his eyes open. :)

Your kitchen sink:

Your favorite room: My favorite room would have to be my bedroom. I love my bedroom set and I think it has a really "romantic" feel to it.

Your favorite pair of shoes: I LOVE my black flip flops. I wear them all the time and they are so comfy! As you can see my footprints are permanently embedded in them.

Your refridgerator door:

What's inside your fridge?

Your laundry room:

How Preemie Moms Are Chosen

I found this excerpt today and thought it was lovely.

The Special Mother

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year thousands of mothers will give birth to a premature baby. Did you ever wonder how mothers of preemies are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron saint, Matthew."
“Forest, Majorie, daughter. Patron saint, Ceceila."
“Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron saint... give her Gerard. He’s used to profanity."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, “Give her a premature baby.”

The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”

"Exactly, " smiles God. “Could I give a premature baby a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.”

“But does she have patience?” asks the angel.

“I don’t want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence that are so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make it live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”

“But, Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you.”

God smiles, “No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.”

The angel gasps, “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”

God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child who comes in a less than perfect way. She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says ‘Mommy’ for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see - ignorance, cruelty, prejudice - and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side.”

“And what about her patron saint?” asks the angel, the pen poised in mid-air.

God smiles. “A mirror will suffice.”

-Adapted fromErma Bombeck
Motherhood The Second Oldest Profession

Nursery Time

We brought Christian home from the hospital on March 11, 2008. At that time he was 4 and 1/2 months old and weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces. My family had been working so diligently, while Christian and I were in Portland , putting together the nursery. They knew how important it was to me to have the nursery ready for Christian to come home to. Decorating the nursery was one of the things I was really excited about. With Christian arriving so early all of MY plans went out the window and life as I knew it became a whirlwind. The hospital was our home for 5 months.

We have had Christian's bassinet set up in the living room, along with his medical equipment since we have been home. He only uses the equipment during the night. Every night, either Jason or I, would sleep on the sofa in the living room in case Christian needed suctioning or O2. Tami would come over and spend Sunday nights with Christian so that Jason and I would have one night to go to sleep together in our bed. This was such a blessing because it was one night that I could get a good rest without waking up. Over the past few weeks Christian has been sleeping pretty much through the entire night. He wakes up one time to eat and then goes right back to sleep. So this weekend we bought a baby monitor and set up Christian's equipment in his nursery. I am proud to say that Christian has slept the last 3 nights in his nursery and I have slept in my bed!! This may seem like no big deal to some of you but trust me, it is HUGE. We took pictures before bedtime of Christian in his crib to mark the occasion.

Happiness...

Emry & Cleo

I just love these pictures of Emry and Cleo. Emry is taking an afternoon nap with his paws over his eyes and Cleo is standing guard on the sofa. These two are quite the pair. Emry likes to hide down the hall and bop Cleo on the head as she runs by. It is so cute how they play together. We love our pets!

Our little Turkey

I started calling Christian my "little turkey" right after he was born. He is also my "turkey-lurky", "turkey-love", "turkey-bug", "turkish", "sweet potato", "little chachi-boom-bachi", "luvabug".........the list goes on and on. Isn't it amazing how the love and joy of having a child changes you in so many wonderful ways? It makes you say silly things and make weird faces, just to see that beautiful smile once more. We are blessed to see Christian's smile countless times everyday. Each time he smiles our hearts melt all over again. What a wonderful process!

Our Trip to OHSU

Christian waiting for the Doc.....what a good patient!

Christian was able to visit with his nurse Cynthia. They share a special bond.

We had to stop on the way to Portland so Christian could eat. One of his MOST favorite things to do. I love this picture. His bib says "Got Milk?"

The Lord Works In Mysterious Ways

Have you ever had a moment when it becomes evident, plain as day, that a teeny-tiny portion of God's plan for your life is realized? You ended up at the RIGHT place, at the RIGHT time, in front of the RIGHT person, etc..... Today I had that moment. I traveled to OHSU to take Christian for a follow-up appointment with his ENT Specialist who performed his tracheostomy. His appointment went well and we are due to have a scope of his airway done at the beginning of Sept. to see how it has developed. Of course we had to stop by the NICU to say "hello" to all of Christian's girlfriends (and take them chocolate). It was then that I had my "moment". I was informed that there was a mother of a baby in the NICU who was from Boardman and that her baby was scheduled to have a tracheostomy today. They asked if I would be willing to meet with her. Of course I said yes. I met with this lovely mom and was able to look her in the eyes and tell her that I knew what she was going through. I was able to introduce her to my smiling son and show her what a baby looks like with a trach. I gave her my number and told her she could call me anytime to talk. I was able to hug this women, whom I had just met, with sincere compassion and understanding. I whisper in her ear "you can do this". As we finished our conversation they wheeled her baby past us....on his way to surgery. God put me in her path today. I only pray that my words offered some comfort to her and that she will decide to call me. Please send out a prayer for her and her son~his name is Gage.

First Time Blogger.........

I decided to start a blog after my friend, Lisa, sent me her blog link. It was so awesome that I wanted to start my own family blog right away. Who knows, maybe my blog will inspire someone else to start their own.