May 02, 2009

March for Babies 2009

Team Miracle Monsters had a record year!!!

We had beautiful weather and a huge team this year! We also raised over $6000 for the March of Dimes! We have never raised so much in one year! We never dreamed that this year would be the year - but once again our family and friends (and people we have never met) came through and helped us 'Save Babies'.

Our hearts are full of appreciation to each and every one of you who helped us smash our goal! We have 2 beautiful miracle monsters who we will forever be grateful for...the March of Dimes had a huge hand in allowing us to be the family that we were meant to be!!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!!!

Team Miracle Monsters 2009

Front Row (L-R): Angie, Ethan, Anne, Cael, Dennis

Middle and Back row (L-R): Braden, Carissa, Loretta, Chris, Kahala (holding Sophie the dog!), Stephen, Terri, John, Pop Pop Dirk, Aidan, Brenna, Adam, Matt, Katie, Matt R., Pat, Kaitlyn, Mia, Meghan, Pop Pop Joe, Eric, Nathan, Emily, Keegan, Meena C

Team Miracle Monsters cont'd: Jill and Blake :)

Pictures from our beautiful day...

May 01, 2009

Everyone started arriving today for our big March of Dimes 'March for Babies' tomorrow! They all took a few minutes to come and say hi and meet Mr. Blake!

Angie, Ethan and her mom came to walk with us this year! Angie was a Godsend and took Braden and Ethan to the Science Center for the afternoon so I could get some last minute things done!!! I think they had a blast!

Keegan came to meet his baby cousin too! He came to say hi for a second and then went to find all of Braden's toys in his room - he was in heaven!!

Uncle John also finally got to hold his nephew! He hadn't seen him since he was one week old!! We were very happy to Uncle John walk with us this year - it was his first...we hope he had fun so he'll come back in the future :)

April 30, 2009

Everything is looking so pretty and green...and purple :)

April 29, 2009

No More Mommy!
This is the sign that Blake gave me after he had a painful eating experience - it is no fun when you puke up your milk through your nose! We are going in for an upper GI test tomorrow to see if we can tell how bad his reflux is and if he is aspirating his milk!

April 28, 2009 - Parents Day @ Preschool

I had to add this picture. They were doing a song about a bunny rabbit and they all jumped around and showed us their tails -- this is how Braden did it :) He was yelling at us through his legs! Gotta love the class clown!

April 27, 2009

Blake learning all about the Transformers!

April 26, 2009

Meena K came up with KT this weekend and got to snuggle with Blake for the first time at home!

April 25, 2009

Aunt KT came to visit today! She hasn't seen Blake since he was 1 week old - so she thought he'd grown a little too :)

Watching the Cardinals game together!!

April 24, 2009

Braden loves waking up to Blake in his bed! He really does love the little guy!

April 23, 2009

Looks like today wore everyone out!!

Blake had to go in for his last RSV shot and got a heel stick also to check his oxygen and iron levels in his blood - that is why his poor left leg is covered in bandaids :)

Braden must have played really hard at school and all day long - this is how Chris found him when he checked on him before coming to bed!

April 22, 2009

Happy Due Date Blake!! Instead of being born today, you are 82 days old, just shy of 12 weeks. You are such a strong little boy and we love you so much! We are so happy that you are home with us and thriving!!

April 21, 2009

The NICU was having these shirts made up while we were there this time with Blake! I got one for me and the boys - I think it's so true :)
"Mercy NICU - Where tiny heroes grow"

April 20, 2009

Oh how this boy loves his OREOs - he gets it from his dad! He always takes 3 out of the package and asks for milk - perfect snack!

Braden asked to hold Blake before he went to bed! He seriously loves his little brother - the love and excitement of having him home has not worn off - and I am really happy for that!

After puking all over his clothes (and dad's pillow and mom) Blake hung out in his diaper with us as we watched 24! He loves his binky - way more than his big brother ever did! He also got diagnosed with reflux today - and was put on Prevacid - miracle drug I tell ya! He was in pain when he ate and not eating hardly enough, but after one dose, it was much better!!! So we will continue with that and hope it all gets better!!

April 19, 2009

Auntie Emily was finally able to visit! She hasn't seen Blake since he was 2 days old! I think she thought he'd changed a little bit :) This picture was right before he puked all over her ;) good times! We really enjoyed her visit though and were so happy she came to keep us company while the other boys were gone!

April 18, 2009

As a diehard Go Big Red Fan, these pictures are a little hard to post...but I'll do it to make my husband and in-laws happy :)
Braden got to go to the MIZZOU spring game with his daddy, PopPop Dirk, Uncle John, Bapaw (great-grandpa) and Meena K. He came home with more Mizzou stuff than anyone needs ;) but I hear he had a great time! Bapaw was being honored as a former player and they got some perks for being his guests...food, entry into the practice field, weight room etc.

Trying to bulk Braden up!!

April 17, 2009

Meena C came for a few days to visit and help out!! Today is my brother Adam's 18th Birthday - man that makes me feel old! So before she left, she and Braden baked him a cake and decorated it!

What 18 year old wouldn't love a cake with Dinosaurs all over it and a piece missing out of the corner :) I hear he loved it!!

Meena and the Boys!

April 16, 2009

Sweet Sleeping Angel