Due Date

World's Most Precious Picture (despite my appearance) Holding Bronson the 1st time 12-28-07

Bronson arrives home 2-26-08

The past few days have went by in a whirlwind. The dates haven't gone unnoticed, but we did manage to pass Bronson's homecoming anniversary without much fanfare. Bronson has officially been home for 3 years. It seems forever ago that we celebrated his 3rd birthday. This feeling of forever is a fraction of how it felt when he spent 60 days in the NICU after being born. I am so thankful today that I have a healthy and thriving little boy. I know that there are many families today that aren't able to celebrate their successful NICU stories. I walk for March for Babies because I believe in their mission. I want EVERY baby to be born healthy. No parent should have to leave the hospital empty handed. February 29, 2008 was my original due date. After discovering that I was pregnant with twins they changed the due date to March 3, 2008. These dates still bring a little smile to my face because it was a day that I looked forward to. While I was pregnant I pictured Kyle and I carrying two infant seats out the hospital. No mom intends or imagines having a preemie, but once you do it is hard to imagine the dream of a healthy baby being born. Help me with my March for Babies on April 30, 2011 by donating online at: www.marchforbabies.org/amberdeets or www.marchforbabies.org/bronsondeets

Photograph Friday

 

Family Beach Trip

Bronson got a big boy bed

Bronson riding his bike with someone's sunglasses

1st time helping Daddy with the Corvette

Inside sleepover to celebrate potty training

1st ribs...yummy

I love our Saturday family trips

Bronson and Ayden at Papa's Pizza

Homemade...trying out at least 2 new recipes per month

Posing with She She at 24 weeks

March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chaper - March for Babies (2011)

Operation Facebook

I am like millions of other users of facebook and make nearly daily updates to my facebook page. I try as much as possible not to post things that would embarrass my son at later dates, but sometimes I can't help myself from posting things that really crack me up. This past week I posted an update about being woken up at 3am in the morning proceeded by an update that stated, "After thinking that we were raising a child with secret genius skills, Bronson decided to poop on the floor." This comment caused some major laughs and very funny comments. The very next day Bronson decided that he needed to make some life changes. His She She had talked to him about the importance of being a big boy and that big boys did not poop or pee in diapers. He left for school the next morning and stayed dry all day. When I came to pick him up he decided it was finally time to earn his remote control "helitalker" and poop in the toilet. He has been dry ever since including night time.

I asked Bronson if telling hundreds of people that he had pooped on the floor had embarrassed him and he appropriate 3 year old was response was, "I just leaked all over the floor." I guess that in my mind the putting it out there might have caused some prayers which led to Bronson's stubborn behavior about potty training turning a new leaf. Potty training has been the most stressful parenting task so far. Sometimes it feels easier to just change a diaper, but I am so excited for this new chapter in my life.

The night that Bronson earned his new "helitalker," he said some of the funniest things:

• Mommy, do I just drive you crazy?
• Mommy, you just made me laugh so hard. (After I crashed his plane.)
• Good things are happening to me.
• I am doing this for She She.

This kid says the funniest things to me. It might not be as funny out of context, but when you hear his sweet little voice say these things it just cracks me up. Last night we had our first outing since going dry and it was a big success. His only issue is that he refuses to use a public toilet to sit down. He requested that I drive him all the way back to Dallas so that he could use the toilet. He needs to get past this, but overall I am beyond proud of my very big boy!

Babbles of Bronson

Recent conversations with Bronson:

After eating at the buffet and devouring several pieces of shrimp: "I am so tired of eating shrimp. I can't even eat one more."

Fashion advice: "Mommy don't wear your hair that way. I love it down and long."

Praise: "You are the best mommy. I am so happy that you wore your soft pants tonight." He also said that I was wearing pj's just like Uncle Ian on the Chipmunks. I have to admit they did look like his.

Referring to his friends at school: "All my kids were doing so good today. I had a good day too."

Listening to a conversation that Kyle and I were having about an upcoming party: "Mommy, babies don't shower. That is our shower. Don't put the baby in the shower."

His idea for the best day: "I just want to go home snuggle, have you change my diaper, and watch a movie." My response was what part of me changing your diaper makes this a good day. "I really have to poop and don't want to use the toilet." There goes the efforts of him being completely potty trained by 3.

Worst timing moment at the Superbowl party: As we all sat around explaining how much we dislike the bars and other establishments of Corvallis because of their raunchy and inappropriate behavior Bronson chimes in with perfect expression and eyebrows raised, "I want to go there." Soooo not good. He wrapped up this statement with telling us that when he grows up he wants to be just like Uncle Jim because he has really cool vacuums. I don't know why he associates Jim with vacuums, but apparently owning a Dyson makes you very cool.

Life Happens...

Using the newest technology to see what Bronson would look like if he kept eating too many chicken nuggets.

I realized the other day that my life is going so well and I really have nothing to complain about. Sure there are always some kind of problem going on in one relationship or another, but really God is letting me have a vacation of troubles. This does not hold true for several of my friends right now that are battling the biggest trials of their lives. As I was walking around campus today I realized that God has put me in this vacation mode to complete a big task...PRAYER. I used to be a very strong prayer warrior and could be counted on to spend hours checking off every last prayer request on my list. It is my son Bronson that has recently made me realize that my prayer life is not as strong as it should be. It was his sweet little hand that extended to me the other night and said, "Let us thank Him for this food."

It is so easy to go about life and forget the important things. It is easy to remember Him when we are going through the hard times because we are fully relying on Him. It is a different story when life is just happening and we don't have anything to complain about. When I came to this place during my walk this afternoon I was very humbled. I slowly began to recall all the prayer requests of my friends and distant acquaintances and realized that God wanted me to come to Him in prayer. I needed to take the time to lift each of these requests to Him. Again my son has been such an example to me. Every night after "bork" (his weird way of saying book) time Bronson prayers for everyone on his list. He has recently added a "thank you for Jesus." This little boy would really make his Great Grandma smile. He has such a heart for God. I truly believe what my friend Jamie says that preemies are born with this special attachment to heaven. My little boy has brought this small piece of heaven to me.

I am so thankful that God knows just what I need and exactly how much I can handle. Nearly 4 years after my biggest trial began I can be thankful that it has brought me a new meaning to the reality that God does not give you more than you can handle. I feel at peace that I am at a place in my life right now that I love my job, my little family, and have nothing to complain about.