The New Year already finds us quite busy in the lack of sleep department. We seem to be teething- well, at least 3 of the 6 of us are and yet all of us are suffering from growing pains. On the 29th of December we celebrated our 1 year home from the NICU anniversary. Riley and Mommy made cupcakes to mark the milestone and everyone enjoyed a taste. Eighty days in NICU seems like a lifetime ago, as does the 7 weeks of hospitalized bed rest. Every once in awhile I have a flashback that brings me to my knees. I thank God everyday for the many blessings that He has bestowed upon this family. We are so BLESSED!
Riley- almost 4 1/2 years old going on 50! You are growing up before our eyes. You go to school 5 days a week with Miss. Jenny at Crown Valley Elementary School (mommy went to school there too). Most days, you tell us you "cannot go to school" for whatever reason (today, it was because it was rainy and you can "only go to school when it is sunny"). Once you get to school you love it, you love Miss. Jenny, you love playing with your friends, and riding the bus. You come home most days with a sticker that you have earned for good behavior and you love to add it to your "sticker patch". We are so proud of you! You are a smartypants and you know it! Your best friend is Papa- you play trains together. Austin, Michaela, and Caden love watching you play and love playing with you too! You are a fabulous big brother. You currently enjoy "cabinet food" which consists mostly of croutons. You enjoy Thomas the Train, Chuggington, and the Chipmunks. You want to drive a red bullet train when you grow up. When asked what you learned in school for the day, you have answered in the past that you learned about "metrolink schedules". I sure do love you my son.
Austin- almost 15 months old. Approx. 25 lbs. You are rock solid! Like Riley, you are a mama's boy. You love to be held and snuggle. You have the sweetest little smile that can light up a room. Right now you aren't feeling so hot as you have FOUR molars coming in at once! That in addition to the 4 top teeth and 4 bottom teeth you already have accounted for. You attend Beach Kids Therapy for PT 1x week and OT 2x week. Mommy has to leave the room so you will "work" and not get too distracted. With Miss Lori and Miss Stephanie's help, you are are walking, running, and eating like a pro. You still hate the trampoline, hanging upside down, and for the life of you- you cannot figure out how to drink from a sippy cup! Food however, does not seem to be much of a problem as you manage to find crumbs on the carpet, food off of Riley's table, food off the trays on the kitchen floor, etc. When you get caught, you smile really big and offer a bite to whomever found you foraging in the first place. You like to walk around the house saying, "No" and "Don't". Your other words- Mama, Dada, Mimi (Grammie Girl), Thomas (the train), "I did it" (learned that one from Caden), hi, bye . . .
Your favorite song- "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"
I love you so much Austy Bear! You are my snuggle puppy!
Michaela- almost 15 months old. Tomboy. You loath dresses- they appear to get in your way. Nobody gets in Mick's way! You are our boss lady. The boys do not stand a chance when you are nearby. You mastered walking early (12 months) and have moved on to running, climbing, and mischief making- and you are soooo good at it. You scream and cry when a door, any door, is closed and throw the biggest hissy fit that grows exponentially when Austin chimes in. Caden is afraid of you as you often "pat" his head or steal his toys. Riley is your biggest fan ("Mom! Just look at what your daughter is doing!"), followed closely by Austin who loves to shadow you. Just the other day you climbed in the dishwasher while Grammie was trying to load it, we had to stop you when you started after the silverware. You are a funny and feisty little girl. Papa is also your best bud. You and Ry try to monopolize his time. Right now you are also growing 4 MOLARS, which will be an interesting addition to your 2 top teeth and 2 bottom teeth- the boys have "outgrown" you in the teething department. Your words that we currently abide by- No, Don't, Mama, Dada, Mimi, Papa, RyRy, Mary, puffs, duck, quack, dog, woof, moo, oink (snorting), hi, bye, baby . . .
Your favorite song- "Michaela is here today"
I love you so much my beautiful girl! You make me smile!
Caden- almost 15 months old. Lover of life and a good belly laugh. You are a soul searcher. With your long eyelashes and adoring grin, you mesmerize everyone that meets you and they instantly become your friend. DETERMINED is the one word that I would use to describe you right now. While the others seem to have learned to roll, sit, crawl, walk, etc almost seamlessly, you have had to work for everything. Despite your lack of muscle tone, or "floppiness" as I like to call it, you are bound and determined to catch up. You have just mastered crawling and are pulling to stand. You also attend Beach Kids Therapy, 2x week for PT/OT with Miss Lori and Miss Stephanie. In addition, you get another hour of PT at home with Miss Mindy and Miss Mona. We could not be happier of how far you have come. The days of NICU are behind us and while I will never forget the days we were given the results of your brain scans, I celebrate each of your achievements knowing just how far you have really come. You are our miracle. I am so glad you stayed with us and didn't leave your mommy. I love you so much! Right now you are also teething- a bottom tooth to go with the 3 that you already have on the bottom and the 4 on the top. Your gums are starting to feel a little swollen where the molars will be growing in! This household is operating on Tylenol and Motrin!
You are our talker- "I did it!", Mama, Dada, Mimi, Papa, Hiya, Bye Bye, ball, bubble . .
Your favorite song- "Old MacDonald"
Mommy, Daddy, Grammie, & Papa love you all so much. Thank you for making each day worth waking up for, not that we really ever got to go to bed in the first place . . . well except for Papa- he goes home after we get you down to sleep for the FIRST time every night!
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