Fight For Preemies

I just found out that today is Fight for Preemies Day to raise awareness along with the whole month of November being Prematurity Awareness Month. How fitting as we are about to celebrate our own preemies' first birthday. Bloggers have been asked to unite so please read the following article: http://www.bloggersunite.org/event/fight-for-preemies

The number of premature births has increased by 31% since 1981 and as in our case, many are inexplainable. Eden came in this world at 35 weeks but could've come a lot sooner had I not been on strict bedrest, had the appropriate medication and the doctor's in our group. Even though she was a whopping 6 lbs. 10 oz. her lungs we not strong enough and initially she was unable to suck. Her 8 days in the NICU were the longest and hardest of our lives. We celebrate her everyday but want to bring awareness to everyone on this day.

This was the first time I got to see Eden after they wheeled her away. Fortunately we got to hold her for a little bit in the delivery room (Tuesday) but I was unable to hold her again until Thursday morning before we left her at the hospital.

My angel - it's hard to see her hooked up to everything but it was just what she needed to come home so soon! Praise God!

You know you're a mama when.....

I'd like to contribute the following to sharing my brain with two little ones, one big one and a lack of sleep.

You know you're a mama when....

- you're in such a rush to shower that as you are drying off you realize you've only shaved one leg (and it needed to be shaved pretty badly!)

- you put toothpaste on your hands to use as soap

- after you get the kids in the car you have to go in and out of the house four more times because you forgot just one more thing

- you eat a lot of meals standing up or after everyone else. In result your food is always luke warm or cold (I need to use the microwave more!)

- your purse looks like a toy box and snack dispenser

- you always have your hair up (I really need to get it chopped off)

- you can never find your phone because it's in some random toy bag

And the best of all....

- you always get tight hugs from the three year old, open mouth kisses from the baby and a husband who's in it for the long haul!

And because I love these pictures, here are some from Eden on Sunday wearing a dress that Claire wore as a baby.

"Your Hands"

Today is Mikey's birthday. She would've been 30 years old today. It's weird to know she will always be 19 in our mind's eye. Neil and I wonder what she would've looked like now, where she'd be living, what she'd be doing, etc. I know she's in a better place and I can't wait to see her again but sometimes I wish we could have just had one more birthday together.

I've fallen in love with a new song on K-LOVE called "Your Hands" by JJ Heller and it's awesome. The simple text, sparce chords of the guitar, hint of piano and ease of her voice. The chorus is such a great reminder that even when we are shaken, we never leave His hands.

"When my world is shaking, Heaven stands.....
When my heart is breaking, I never leave your hands."

I think about the time in my life when Mikey left and even though I strayed and turned my back on Him, He never once left me. Thank God He is such a forgiving, faithful Father who welcomed me back with open arms.

Miracle on Lansdowne Street

This past weekend we went to Austin for a combined rehearsal for a Spurs game performance happening on Nov. 23rd We decided to make a weekend of it to spend time with my brother and Heather who live on Lansdowne. My parents and Billy also drove up so it was a wonderful time together. Can you believe I didn't take one picture? Anyway, a miracle occurred - Eden slept through the whole night for the very first time on Saturday night (7 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. I fed her and then she went right back to sleep till 8:15 a.m.) Unfortunately, Claire was in a different place sleeping on the floor in our room so she was up for an hour. But the next night Eden did it again and Claire was out like a rock so we all slept the whole night!!! HALLELUJAH! It hasn't happened since but two nights in a row was such a nice little gift. Hopefully there will be more now that she is coming up on her first birthday. Only two weeks from today....

Finally...Trick or Treat!

So after dressing up like Sleeping Beauty for a week and a half, Claire decided she was going to be Cinderella. Good thing we had a Cinderella costume in our dress up box! She wanted to be the same thing as sweet Abbey. These girls have been friends since birth and are so wonderful with each other. After we ate dinner and trick or treated with Neil's mom, Kate and Abbey came over to my parent's house for more trick or treat. Neil and his dad went to a football game so it was just the girls!

Eden actually wearing her ears
"Look Mimi! Let's go there!"
My bunny

Mimi with her baby girls (and Sydney)

Are they excited or what?!

Stopping for a group shot in front of my parent's neighbor's house. I watched their kids for years and years and now the oldest is in college!

My favorite! More posing in front of the Semones house

We finally got to the door....

Trick or treat!

Eden was such a good girl snacking on her bread and being passed around.

Group shot of all 6 of us looking at the camera! It's amazing!

Hanging out on Beaux's doggie bed and eating some good candy

Eden was in heaven digging through the candy bowl. She loved the crinkle sound of all the wrappers!

More candy digging in matching froggie PJ's! How cute are those? Thanks mom!

We had a great time over all but I got sick that night so I was in bed as soon as the girl's were tucked in (Neil got it the next night). It was a great first experience of door to door trick or treating and I know the girl's are already looking forward to next year!

Halloween Marathon

So we dressed up 6 times this year meaning we did a lot and were busy having a lot of fun! Here is our Halloween marathon:

First it was a fun Halloween Playgroup at Jenny's house. We had a great lunch, a group photo and painted pumpkins. Thanks Jenny for a great time and for sending along some pictures because I forgot my camera. Thanks also to Stef for sending me some of hers.

Here is our princess Sleeping Beauty who was borrowing Cinderella's crown! She wouldn't wear her costume without clothes underneath so we also wore our white tshirt. Gotta love the bag!
My princess and bunny - Eden was pulling Claire's hair so it's kind of a funny one =)

A group shot with 17 kiddos (we were missing Baby Riley) - Claire was being funny about the camera flashes by shielding her eyes like it was sunny. This was the best one I saw of her!

Eden was such a great sport and after the group shot she just sat there while everyone dispersed. When I finally went to get her she burst into tears and I got this pic quickly - I think she looks so cute!

Next it was the Fall Party at the Garden Center with Braun Station Playgroup! I'm trying to meet more moms in the area so Claire will know some classmates. Our neighborhood PG met at the Garden Center for cookie decorating (eating), coloring and story time. We LOVED the garden center and will go back for their other activities!

I didn't dress Eden up but she was sporting her sweet ballerina sweatshirt!

The cookie is done and that smile is priceless!

Sunday it was life group dress up!! The group was HUGE that night and we managed to get pics of most everyone. Eden wouldn't wear her ears and wasn't much in the mood for everything but Claire had a great time with her friend.

Eden with her friend Lily Kate - the cutest strawberry around!

Eden's bunny bottom =) She was watching football

All the babies - Adam, Lily Kate, Reese, Eden, Lachlan, Liam and Isaiah

Here is everyone! 17 in all and we were still missing some that evening! Our group has grown a ton the past two years.

Most of the big kids - we didn't get everyone but we tried! Leyna the banana, Jacy, Claire, Carly, Jonas, Ethan and the back of Shawn's head (we were missing Reef, Jayden and Silas)

Here was Claire the following Thursday at her school's fall fest. I worked the bean bag toss and Claire had a blast!

Coloring with her teacher Ms. Beverly

Bean Bag Toss

She loves getting her face painted

The following night, our church hosted truck or treat and our life group decorated two cars. They turned out super cute - Country theme and Luau theme. There was a great turn out for safe trick or treating and free food! (I forgot my camera so here are a couple pics of the cars from Casey)

Finally, Halloween was here!! The church down the road had an awesome fall fest and when I saw they were having pony rides I said "We'll be there!" Just Claire and I went and had a great time.... well.... Claire freaked out once it was our turn to ride but she calmed down right before we got off and even pet Pete's mane. I LOVED it! I could ride horses all day

They had a petting zoo too and some really cool animals - a cow, chicken, rabbit, goose, goat, etc. Claire loved the bunny

I'd never pet a duck and it was so cool! The guy had to catch him though because he was a little too fast for us.

Cotton Candy and watching the Native American dancing by the Boy Scouts

What? More sweets? This kid was wired =) She decorated her cupcake and enjoyed every last bite.

Whew!! I'm tired!!! I can't believe we did all of that and now it's time for trick or treating! Next year we will pick and choose and not do everything because it was a little overkill for mommy! Stay tuned for our first night out to traick or treat door to door.....

One year ago

One year ago today (Halloween) we had a bit of a scare thinking Miss Eden was going to be coming 9.5 weeks early. After being admitted to the hospital for five days, I was sent home on strict bedrest and made it 4.5 more weeks. 4.5 looooooong weeks but the most important of my life because Eden grew stronger everyday.

This week has been very emotional for me when thinking about everything that happened around this time of year. The best thing was seeing how much love and support was poured out on our family. All the meals, company, magazines, pumpkin spice lattes, Claire-sitting, emails and phone calls were so wonderful and overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who helped us through such a tough time! Your friendship means the world to me.