NICU Reunion

Bronson got to finish his evening with a lick from his 1st ice cream cone
Me, Bronson, Snow & unknown baby

Sheila and Bronson

Dr. Hoffmeister and Bronson

Snow and Bronson (he remembered her, so sweet)

Snow, unknown baby, Bronson and Bob

Lily amd Bronson

Alex, Lily (twins) and Bronson

Alex, Lily, and Bronson again

Daddy and Bronson with 1st balloon given by Dr. Gladstone

Dr. Gladstone, Bronson, Kyle, and Amber (don't tell Kyle his eyes are closed)

Kyle, Amber, Bronson and Dr. Bent

Kyle and I took Bronson to his 1st NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) reunion today. They hold an annual party every year the weekend before Halloween. They ask that kids get dressed up and that the parents bring their kids to show how much they have changed. Bronson was in awe of all the kids wearing costumes. He wasn't able to wear his for very long because it is so warm and he was getting way too hot. The party was a little different than we thought it would be, but we still had fun. We were really happy to get to visit with one of our favorite nurses, Snow and to finally meet her husband Bob. Bronson was excited to see some of his friends that he shared a pod with during his time in the NICU. We finished up our day in Eugene by meeting our other favorite nurse, Sheila for dinner at PF Chang's. We also got to meet her wonderful husband, Jim. The day was very full and our little guy did wonderful. No serious meltdowns and perfect behavior at dinner. Sorry for the quickly rushed post, but baby boy is now deciding to have meltdowns.

Our little pumpkin

Bronson and Ayden eating Cheerios
The Deets' Family carving pumpkins

Too big to fit into the pumpkin

His feet stuck out the mouth

Our cute little pumpkin

He kind of liked this pose

Yummy

He loved all the pumpkins

I am not that into the Halloween holiday, but I can't help but get into the pumpkin spirit. I love Fall and enjoy doing traditional things with my family. Kyle on the other hand loves Halloween, especially watching all the little children dressed up in their costumes. This weekend has been full of traditional happenings. Friday night Bronson had his best buddy, Ayden, come over and play. They had tons of fun, except for Bronson's hesitancy of letting Ayden touch him. Saturday we had family come up from Klamath Falls to visit and Auntie Christen came over to watch Bronson while we went to dinner. During the day we spent some time carving some pumpkins. I think Bronson ate more pumpkin that he should have, but oh well. Well, here is the pictures, can't write more at the moment, because Bronson is beckoning me from his crib...

Wonderful things coming my way...

Today the mail was full of wonderful surprises. Our dear friend, Snow sent us some beautiful hats to sell in our upcoming fundraiser. We were SUPER excited and Bronson decided to do a Little modeling of his own. I had to kindly remind him that Snow's hats are for other babies and his head is a bit too big, but oh well. I also finished a project that I have been thinking about since I began this fundraiser idea. I didn't end up exactly how I planned; but I think that it turned out well. To make a long story short I was going to make candles in baby food jars, but when I saw the price for all the candle making stuff I had to rethink the plan. My sister and I decided to dress up the jars a bit more and put votives in the bottom. Tell me what you think...

Something to bring a smile to your face...

My friend, Amber writes blogs about the cute things that her kids say. This emai that I got from a friend today reminded me of that and made me laugh. Hope that you enjoy...

JACK (age 3) was watching his Mom breast-feeding his new baby sister. After a while he asked: 'Mom why have you got two? Is one for hot and one for cold milk?'

MELANIE (age 5) asked her Granny how old she was. Granny replied she was so old she didn't remember any more. Melanie said, 'If you don't remember you must look in the back of your panties. Mine say five to six.'

STEVEN (age 3) hugged and kissed his Mom good night. 'I love you so much that when you die I'm going to bury you outside my bedroom window.'

BRITTANY (age 4) had an earache and wanted a pain killer. She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'

SUSAN (age 4) was drinking juice when she got the hiccups. 'Please don't give me this juice again,' she said. 'It makes my teeth cough.'

DJ (age 4) stepped onto the bathroom scale and asked: 'How much do I cost?'

MARC (age 4) was engrossed in a young couple that were hugging and kissing in a restaurant. Without taking his eyes off them, he asked his dad: 'Why is he whispering in her mouth?'

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'

JAMES (age 4) was listening to a Bible story. His dad read: 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.' Concerned, James asked:''What happened to the flea?'

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her Mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'

The sermon I think this Mom will never forget: this particular Sunday sermon...

'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face, 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'

Make sure you pass this one on and spread the smiles....

Kissed by an Angel

I started this blog to keep track of my babies. I have noticed lately that lots of my posts have maybe been a little too gloomy, hence the reason that I need to write about something super cute. Bronson has been amazing lately. He is changing so quickly and I am starting to have visions of him as toddler and beyond. Just months ago I was so worried about him all the time that I wouldn't allow myself to wish for the future. He is so amazing. His newest perfected trick is kissing. He has always leaned into my face and given what we call kisses, but lately he has become the best kisser in our family. He is constantly grabbing the sides of my face and laying one on me. This includes him making the big smacking sound accompanied by lots more of hugs and kisses. He is super affectionate. Kyle and I have so much fun going over all of his amazing tricks every night. No, we aren't comparing him to a puppy; we are just so proud.

We also noticed this week that Bronson is getting better every day with playing happily by himself. He is really into sitting down on the floor and playing with all of his toys. Kyle was noticing last night that he likes to play little games with himself. He will purposely hide toys from himself and then reach as far as possible to grab them again. It is way too much fun to watch.

Also, an exciting new item of news. BRONSON SLEEPS IN HIS OWN CRIB!!!! I decided after talking to one of our best friends, Heather, that it was time. Keith is almost 5 months old and is now sleeping in his own crib, so I decided to take the plunge. So far so good. It hasn't been every night, but it is so wonderful to know that he is able to be by himself at night. It makes me a little sad, but overall it is for the best. Afterall, he can't sleep in his cradle forever.

A different kind of post...

I don't normally do these, but Traci's put me in the mood...

8 Things I am PASSIONATE About...
1. Jesus
2. family/friends
3. being a good mommy
4. journaling
5. helping others
6. taking pictures
7. babies
8. reading

8 "words" or "phrases" I say way to often...
1. please Bronson stop fussing
2. i need to pump
3. apparently
4. please forgive my forgetfulness
5. i am so tired
6. guess what Bronson can do?
7. look at this
8. little mister

8 Things I want to do before I die...
1. raise my son
2. visit an orphanage
3. go on a cruise
4. tour the white house
5. see all 50 states
6. see the cure for cancer found
7. learn to play the piano
8. be married for more than 60+ years

8 Things I have learned From my past...
1. prayers are always answered
2. some people don't think before they speak
3. you can always forgive, but it is hard to forget
4. laugh often
5. never say never
6. having a faithful and strong partner is the best thing on Earth
7. there is always someone that has it worse than you
8. sometimes friends become closer than family

8 Places I would love to see...
1. New York
2. Israel
3. Washington DC
4. Boston
5. Colorado
6. Paris
7. Scotland
8. Kona

8 Things I Currently Need or Want...
1. sleep
2. a vacation with my two boys
3. the last book in my Karen Kingsbury series
4. a new table and chairs
5. my tv hung on the wall
6. new clothes that fit
7. groceries...i hate shopping
8. a new spice rack

8 More People I Tag!
1. Traci
2. Sarah
3. Kelleigh
4. Snow
5. Michelle
6. Christina
7. Amber
8. Ashley


Hope you enjoy!!!!

A little to share...

This month has began in sadness, I don't know why, but it feels very lonely. I hesitate to share too much on my blog because I don't want to sound like I am whining, but October is going to be a hard month. October of 2007 was such a month of celebration. It also marked the beginning of a journey that we never thought we would travel. A week from today, October 10, 2007 was when we found out we were having twin boys. Kyle and I could not settle on a name until after we knew that our little baby "b" had went home to be with his heavenly father. Last October I remember being so excited to find out the sexes of our babies. I never imagined that I would be the mommy of one boy let alone two boys.

Let me explain. In our family the first born generation has always been girls and only one first born woman has had a son. I am the 1st to have a firstborn son, let alone two beautiful baby boys. I am so thankful for Bronson. It has been such a rough last couple of weeks. He and I have been sick off and on and it is not fun dealing with him being sick, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love how he snuggles up to me and when he is super tired loves to smother me with kisses. He is even making the kissing sounds now. It melts my heart when he grabs my face and lays a big kiss on me. He is such an affectionate baby. I know that this blog is all over the place. It is almost midnight on a Friday night and I am trying to do a lot of personal reflection. My mind is all over the place. I just don't know how to deal with these next couple of months. I am realizing that I need to completely grasp onto Jesus and not let go. I need Him always, but I realize that in these times of sadness it is truely only Him that can help get me through this. Here is a poem that I found on another mom's website. I like the way that it was written.

How thin the veil between the worlds
On the day of birth
And the day of death.
One moment your spirit resided
Within a sweet, perfect body
Cradled within mine.
The next it had fled
Back to where we all long to be.

A sacred gift it was
To be so close to Father in Heaven
As we welcomed you from His presence
And bid you farewell as you returned.
A holy privilege it is
To be your mother.
The only time you knew away from Him
Was the time you spent next to my heart.