Little Kaitrin at Development Clinic

This is an old picture from Kaitrin's first trip to the development clinic. I thought that she was so adorable in her hospital gown...she didn't fit into a gown or any clothes when she was in the NICU!

Pizza! Pizza!

We have found that if we cut Kaitrin's pizza into bite sized pieces (even though she shoves 10 pieces in her mouth at once) that she refuses to eat. Who knew that she just wanted to be a big girl!

Idlewild Park

We took the kids to Idlewild Park on Sunday. For a boy that hates water, my son sure didn't mind dragging me onto the log jammer ride. Since the State Fair, he has wanted to continue riding rollercoaster type rides...and I was chosen as his "co-pilot".

Smiling for Grandpa

Kaitrin is smiling for Grandpa. She loved asking, "Where's Grandpa?" She had so much fun playing with everyone...walking, puzzles, and hiding in the closet were some of her favorites!

Miss Messy

Jacob's First Day

With a big cheesy smile, Jacob has his new Ben 10 backpack and his Cars umbrella and is headed to class. Amazingly enough, Mom did not cry...how could I? Jacob kept yelling back at me to go home because he was a big boy and could find his classroom all by himself. He only made two wrong turns before he got there. Luckily, his new "girlfriend" is in all day kindergarten and will be able to show him where the bus is for the ride home!

Black Wednesday

Jacob's school has a color system for their disciplinary action. Green is the best, then yellow, then some other couple colors until you get to black. Black is a note home...and a walk of shame to the director's office.

Well after a great first day at kindergarten, we decided to take Jacob out to dinner to celebrate. We came home like usual and began to wind down for bed time. I unloaded the backpacks, only to find a note to the attention of : Parents of Jacob McFall. This doesn't sound good...it goes on the describe that Jacob was put on black today because of his "potty" mouth. An instant terror came over me. The terror was not because Jacob used potty words, but which potty words did he use?

I yell, "JACOB MCFALL": He then looked and saw that I had his backpack...he knew.
I asked some questions, such as: what did you do to get on black?
Jacob said, "potty words"
I asked, "what potty words did you say, Jacob? (as I cringe waiting for some four letter word to come out of his mouth)"
Jacob said, "poo poo, pee pee and toilet" (so she was literal when she said "potty' words)
I then asked, "why did you not listen when your teacher said to stop saying them?"
Jacob paused, thought quickly and responded. "Well, Daddy didn't clean my ears well enough last night and I have cucky in them, so I couldn't hear my teacher.

Really? He came up with 'my ears were full of wax'? How proud!

Another First

No, Kaitrin didn't start doing anything new...Mom did. Mom learned, if only for three hours, to trust a babysitter! Today was Kaitrin's first day with a babysitter (outside of daycare) in our house while Mike took Jacob to a birthday party and I went into work. I stayed pretty cool...I think!

I remember when I was the neighborhood babysitter...parents close by, babysitting class certificate in hand, and a shared love for fruit roll ups!

Rainy Day Fun

After the surprise of the rain set in, after the Scooby-Doo vs Diego battle, and after eating every Ritz Bitz in the box...the kids resort to hiding (and giggling) under the blankets.

Remote Princess

Control of the Remote

This is Kaitrin attempting to recover the stolen remote in the middle of the Scooby-Doo vs Diego battle.

SPOILER ALERT: Kaitrin wins!

WHAT? It's raining outside!

This is a video of Kaitrin and I having dessert. Since she did not know the camera was on her, I tried my hardest to have her say things. She has been doing well with recognizing faces and placing them with names. Grandma made a photo book for Jacob when he was younger and we lived further away...Kaitrin loves it!

In the News - Later in Life Problems

http://www.healthnews.com/family-health/pregnancy-childbirth-parenting/could-premature-babies-face-problems-later-life-1445.html

In the News - New Heart Monitor for Preemies

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/7505158.stm

In the News - First IVF Baby Turns 30

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iqs7hQfKFma-avGEqVGUGbLJ5xXQ

In the News - Longer SIDS Risk

http://rmgh.net/news-room/63-patient-education/754-longer-sids-risk-for-premature-babies.html

In the News - Better Diagnosis for Preeclampsia

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/blpr/617807.html

Go Orange!

Jacob is in the middle...punching and kicking his heart out. He broke two boards: one with his elbow and one with his foot. Forget those team sports. Who needs 'em? Jacob sure can't handle them, but seems to be kicking butt at individual sports. He tested today and received his orange belt (and got an 'orange belt present' of a Ben 10 backpack) and is so thrilled with himself. Speaking on individual sports, he is loving tennis too (and not just because his 'love' is playing!).

Ready for the Poker Tour

I think I have said before that Jacob can play some serious poker, but every time I watch him play I feel this weird sense of pride. No, it probably isn't the best thing for him to be doing...betting 'money' and all. No, I hope he doesn't go into Kindergarten and teach his friends how to play. But really, how strategic is it for him to play poker on my phone in the dentist waiting room and win 2K or play at the kitchen table and beat his dad! And he doesn't ask for help!

In the News - Life Support Pouch

http://warehousenews.co.uk/?p=519

This is a new pouch, that they are using over seas, to help hold babies body temperature and allowing docs to see baby through the clear plastic.

In the News - Shy Preemies

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-07-16-shy-premature-babies_N.htm

Shy because you were a preemie? Kaitrin sure does not fit into this majority!

In the News - About Preemies

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/newbornsandbabies/ig/Premature-Babies/

This is a good link if you have never seen pictures of a preemie. Almost all but the helicopter picture come back to my mind when thinking of our experience.

Jacob and His Bird

If it's Sunday and 10:00, Jacob is feeding the birds at the zoo. Every Sunday we have been going to the zoo to see a different section, except the birds. Each Sunday, as this exhibit opens, we are there paying our dollar for coconut milk. Jacob has done very well holding still as these loud, but beautiful birds slurp down the milk. I have limited him to just two cups per visit...Kaitrin thinks they are too loud and we would be there all day...or at least until I ran out of ones!

Yum Strawberries

Kaitrin and I were trotting around the yard while Jacob was riding his bike. Kaitrin noticed the small berry patch by the deck. She went running over and picked some red strawberries. "Yum Strawberries" She began to cry because I made her go to the hose to wash them off. The tears vanished as she piled all three into her mouth, juice running down her chin, saying YUM. When she finished, she went running back to pick more...

Zoo Trip

For those of you who really know our family, the kids and I go to the zoo on Sunday morning while Mike goes fishing. Well, today at the zoo, we went to the Australian section. Jacob bought a cup of food and went into the bird cage. He was very calm as two birds flew over and landed on his arms. He even held still as the birds sat and ate. We are just going to have to remember the camera next Sunday!

Summer 2007

I took this picture last year when we moved into our new house. Kaitrin's hair was so short and she had such chubby cheeks! She also wasn't walking or talking yet...how things have changed!

In the News - Heparin Overdose

CORPUS CHRISTI, Tex., July 10 -- Twin premature babies, a brother andsister, have died in the wake of a heparin overdose at a Level III neonatalintensive care unit here.

http://www.medpaget oday.com/ PublicHealthPoli cy/PublicHealth/ tb/10081

You Got to Move It Move It

Jacob - in his tye-dyed fourth of July shirt - went to his first movie, Kung Fu Panda. I'm not sure what he liked better...going out to lunch (and picking the restaurant all by himself), going to his first movie, or eating an entire bag of popcorn!

Kaitrin's 2nd Birthday

I wanted to thank everyone that called or emailed me yesterday to check on me. I have been pretty worried about Kaitrin's 2nd birthday...sadness and bad memories. I have been remembering that horrible drug that made every inch of me hot and my eyes cross. I recall the way Dr Morales (the doc of all that is wonderful and in Dayton Ohio if anyone is looking for a fabulous gyn) asked me, "Are you crying because you are in pain or because you are scared?" Which inadvertently sent my brain back to soccer camp where our coach would yell, "Are you a player or a quitter? There's just two, now CHOOSE!" I tried so hard to dig deep and fight off the pain, but in the end, the contractions won...despite every shot in the ass I could take. After she was born I faintly remember the NNP coming to my room in the middle of the night with my nurse. The fear from down deep that told me that they were there with the most horrible of news...only to tell me that Kaitrin had to go back on the vent. I think they had to tell me twice because the first time I only heard a bunch of blah blah blah. The endless times that we attended rounds (with no different news, we would just hound the docs), the weight sheet that we seemed to be glued to, the mass amount of breastmilk stored in the freezer, and that hideous alarm from the monitors.

Now putting all of these memories aside ( because they will never fully disappear) I have a new memory from today. I woke Kaitrin up on her 2nd birthday and dressed her in a pretty pink birthday outfit. I put her long hair into ponytails and packed her into the car. Off to school we go. At the entrance to her classroom, she kissed me goodbye and ran over to her friends to play. Really? How can I be sad? I just saw my little girl run over to play with her friends. Two years ago I would have never guessed it. I would have never been able to see past the isolette, the tubes, the vent, or even the fact that Kaitrins was no bigger than a beanie baby. But today, today is a new day. Today Kaitrin can use sign language, walk on her own, feed herself, splash in the pool...pretty much do whatever she wants to do. And an even better end to her birthday? Kaitrin is moving up to the early preschool room because she has "COMPLETED THE TODDLER PROGRAM". How proud to see that on her daily report! No tears today...just pride in my little pumpkin butt!

Little Miss Water Baby

We haven't had the water issues with Kaitrin that we had with Jacob. Kaitrin must have been a mermaid in a former life. She loves the bath, she loves the hose, and she loves the pool! She could be fully clothed and wants to climb into the pool. She just absolutely loves the water!

Jacob is Getting so Big

I don't know how it happened, but Jacob has finally gotten over his fear of water. He loves his new pool - splashing, sliding in the water, and jumping in. We have even gone as far as showering! Jacob is so very proud to be showering, getting his hair wet, and washing his own face. He also has his big boy bike from Grandma and Grandpa...and his black Razor helmet!

Kaitrin's 2nd Birthday

In her pretty pink birthday outfit, Kaitrin loved her Diego birthday party, her jungle cake, and Max's birthday card.

Kaitrin's Jungle Cake

In the News - High-Tech Wombs

... Associated Press April 24, 2008 New York City's public hospitals are launching a $3 million effort to simulate high-tech wombs for premature babies. The initiative includes low lights and special sound monitors that flash when a neonatal unit gets too noisy for its tiny ...

http://www.nysun.com/new-york/hospitals-launch-3m-plan-for-simulated-wombs/75229/

In the News - A New Model for Care

... A New Model for the Care of Premature Babies By RACHEL SHANNON-SOLOMON, Special to the Sun June 9, 2008 Stephanie Sorrentino developed a close relationship with her ...

http://www.nysun.com/health-fitness/a-new-model-for-the-care-of-premature-babies/79590/

In the News - Alzheimer's Drug

Alzheimer's Drug May Reduce Preemie Brain Injury Memantine could protect newborns with compromised blood, oxygen supply,study suggests.

http://healthfinder .gov/news/ newsstory. asp?Docid= 616779

In the News - Pain Score

How Pain Scores In Babies Article Date: 24 Jun 2008 - 2:00 PDT

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112514.php

CP Information

http://www.ninds. nih.gov/disorder s/cerebral_ palsy/detail_ cerebral_ palsy.htm

In the News

Preemie puzzle HEALTH Federal study probes spike in early births -- pre-term babies canface lifelong challenges June 17, 2008

http://www.suntimes .com/news/ 1009064,CST- NWS-preemie17. article

In the News

What's Behind The Preemie Trend? As Premature Birth Numbers Soar, Experts Look For Ways To Stop It NEW YORK, June 16, 2008

http://www.cbsnews. com/stories/ 2008/06/16/ eveningnews/ main4185482. shtml

In the News

Surgeon General's Conference Aims To Develop National Strategy To PreventPremature Births Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health Article Date: 18 Jun 2008 - 5:00 PDT

http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 111713.php

In the News

New Test Could Aid Children Suffering From Reflux Disease Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health Also Included In: Acid Reflux/GERD; Radiology / Nuclear Medicine; Respiratory / Asthma Article Date: 18 Jun 2008 - 7:00 PDT

http://www.medicaln ewstoday. com/articles/ 111802.php

Kinkle Kinkle Wittle Stah

Yes. This is how she sings it. Kinkle Kinkle Wittle Stah. Freakin adorable!

In the News

Nursing Newborns to Health

Children's Hospital doctor is honored for urging premature babies' mothersto breast-feed. Numbers are growing.

http://www.ohio. com/news/ top_stories/ 19706324. html

In the News

Oxygen-Rich Lifesaving Efforts Pose Risk for Respiratory Infections

Each year, thousands of premature infants battle to breathe. Thanks to life-saving interventions developed in the past couple decades, steroids given to their mothers to stall pre-term labor, mechanical ventilation, air enriched with extra oxygen, and surfactant, a crucial wetting agent that makes breathing less work - most of these newborns survive with enough lungfunction to grow and go home.

https://urmc. edu/pr/news/ story.cfm? id=2032

In the News

Mothers give the (breast) milk of human kindness Raleigh hospital seeks donations as milk bank supply drops during summervacations.

http://www.charlott e.com/local/ story/671769. html

The IV Incident

I blame it on the fact that Kaitrin's birthday is coming up...the weird memories. Every once in a while I will drift into a day dream or pull a memory from deep in my brain. And every once in a while it is a weird memory from our NICU experience. In the last week or so, this one continues to come and haunt me. My mom, Jacob and I went to see Kaitrin in the hospital...well, mom took Jacob to Wendy's while I went in to see Kaitrin. As I was leaving, she pulled her IV out. Kaitrin was always very against her tubing, whether it was her vent, her IV, or her feeding tube...she felt that she could do without them. The nurse, busy or not thinking, asked me to calm her as she inserted another IV. Sure, I'm the mom. Sure, I would do that for Jacob (heck, I'd calm Mike if I needed to). Have you ever seen a baby, with no breathing function and no voice cry? Well it is heart breaking. Her arms are stretched out, her back is arched, and her mouth is open to scream and cry with no sound coming out. The nurse finally gets it on the third try. The worst part? There was a wall of plastic between my child and me. I couldn't even calm her with a hug or a cuddle.

In the News

Parents of sextuplets given blood lose their religious court fight Module body
Fri Jun 13, 9:10 PM

http://ca.news. yahoo.com/ s/capress/ 080613/national/ sextuplets_ seized

In the News

Born too soon: Can tiny fighters make it home?
By JAIME ARON, Associated Press Writer
Sun Jun 15, 12:25 PM ET DALLAS - Seventeen weeks premature, our twin sons were so small, so fragile.And already they'd been through so much.

http://news. yahoo.com/ s/ap/20080615/ ap_on_re_ us/born_too_ soon_ii

Yellow Belt

Jacob in his yellow belt. He had to 'break a board' to get the belt. When he hit the board with his elbow, he said, "Ouch. Are you serious?" He hit it two more time and it 'broke'. He loves karate!

First Field Trip of Summer Camp

Jacob went to a fruit farm for his first field trip of summer camp. He was so excited to ride the bus! He said that he had his teacher pick most of the strawberries because the leaves were too scratchy. In the picture, he is showing "the biggest strawberry EVER!"

In the News

Increase in late preterm births worries physiciansTHOMAS H. MAUGH II; Los Angeles Times Published: May 29th, 2008 01:00 AM

http://www.thenewst ribune.com/ news/nationworld /story/375265. html

In the News

CDC Study Ties Low-Birth Weight to Increased Autism Risk Tuesday, June 03, 2008 http://www.foxnews. com/story/ 0,2933,362143, 00.html

O*R*E*O

Yes - she pulls them apart and eats the cream from the middle.

Water Baby

Even if she is just walking past, she has to stop and see if the hose has water. And good LORD if there is water...Kaitrin will be soaked from head to toe for the next hour. She gets her hands wet. She sits in the water. She will even stand under the water flow. Crazy little water baby!

Now, this is a huge change from Jacob...for those of you who don't know him, there is terror in the water! He doesn't want water on his clothes, his shoes, his hair, or his face. During splash days at school, he plays in the sand box and stays as far as he possibly can from any water (even the drinking fountain).

BIG GIRL CAR SEAT!

No she isn't exactly 22 pounds yet, but she'll only about 8 ounces away from it!
She LOVES watching Nemo on the DVD (which totally saved us on the way to Indiana).
Yes mom, I will change the straps to the opening below so they fit her better.

Founder's Day

I want a spider!
A small spider on your cheek?
No! A big spider all over my face!

Bad Mom?

I know that under any other circumstances I would be a horrible mom if I forgot my child's birthday. Who forgets the day that their only daughter was born? Who can't remember one day? One simple date in a year? Well, a mom who had a horrible pregnancy. A mom who was terrified the day that her daughter was born. A mom who wasn't sure if her only daughter was going to live through the night. It's not the happiest a days...almost, easy to forget. The date I do remember? October 12th. The day that she was supposed to be born. September 19th. The day I finally got to bring her home. Home. That is a day to celebrate.

So when the 4th of July rolls around, I first think about the kids being home from school. Then my mind wonders about the 4th in 2006 when I had to go back to the hospital. Then I remember it's Kaitrin's birthday on the 7th. And the 'bad mom' feeling comes over me...how do I think of my daughters day after all of those things...almost forgetting it.

Gab Gab Gab

Well, Miss Jabber Jaws loves to talk to everyone in the grocery store! Hi...Hi...Hi...

She also enjoys pointing out colors and foods...a fun mini game of I-spy which always ends in, "There it is!" Pretty cute coming out of her too..."There it is!"

She is counting to 10 (but forgetting the number eight). And she has been singing Old MacDonald...well just the EEI, EEI, O...but it's still pretty funny!

And for her grand finale, she was looking at a color book and saying butterfly...which she does often...but then turns to Katie and says "Miss Katie". You just never know what is going to come out of her mouth!

My Second Child

I have heard many people say that preemies have stronger personalities than full termers because they have had more obstacles, more challenges, and more to prove. Kaitrin - check.

Nothing like being fearless. We have found a new hobby that I can only refer to as climbing. We like to climb stairs standing up (mind you that she only started walking about a month ago). We like to climb onto step stools to reach items on the counters. We like to try and climb into the bathtub alone. We even (with the shortest legs ever) like to climb up and jump on the couch.

And for the adventurous...Kaitrin loves to explore. Digging in dirt, burying her shoes in the dirt, covering her skirt in dirt, thank goodness she hasn't eaten the dirt. And in the same breath, she found the hose...a turned on hose. She sat right down in the water. She rolled in it. She splashed in it. She successfully made mud with it. She even found the end of the hose and decided to have the flowing water soak her shirt. Bath time baby!

Indiana or Bust

This weekend, well just Friday, we drove to Indiana for a Vow Renewal. I was a little nervous about the drive - two kids and all. Thinking that Kaitrin would be more relaxed, we turned her car seat around so that she could see everyone and the DVD player. Wouldn't ya know the little stinker slept the whole way out on Friday and the whole way back on Saturday!

The Vow Renewal was just beautiful. Mike's brother and wife have been married for 20 years. My father-in-law performed the service, their kids were a part of the ceremony, old pictures and new pictures were everywhere...just a perfect evening to celebrate their marriage. And as most of you that know me...I am a total cry baby, so my helpful daughter escaped many times to let mom work around the tears.

Kaitrin was almost infatuated with the stairs in the Hall that we were in. She just couldn't get enough of climbing up and down the stairs...to the tune of about 23! And this was no crawling matter...oh, no...we went total big girl! There was handrail holding, mommy hand holding, and announcing every step with a "sep, sep". She was just a little stair climbing fool...which also had her sleeping by 8:00, but who was really paying attention?

Jacob was most thrilled about the hotel having a pool and going out to IHOP for breakfast. Issue number 1 - pool was outside. Now, had Mike's family lived in Florida...no issue, but Indiana was a big 'not so much'. Issues number 2 - all he wanted was pancakes. After some convincing, he decided that going to Uncle Gary's party might be cool, and the mass amount of Jelly Bellys didn't hurt either...thanks Gary!

Go Diego Go

We attempted to take both children to the GO DIEGO GO show at the theater. Surprisingly, Kaitrin did a pretty good job at holding still through the first act. The second act? She conned daddy into buying her an over priced DORA doll!

Jacob said that he was nervous at first because he wasn't sure what DIEGO was going to look like. He wasn't really thrilled with how loud all of the kids were. But a big positive - he conned daddy into buying some light up toys! All in all, a good time had by the kids...which is all that matters anyway!

Founder's Day

Jacob saw his first parade on Saturday. He and his friend were pretty confused as to why they were allowed to run into the street for candy. "But, I'm not allowed to run into the street Mommy." After explaining the concept of a parade, Jacob was on his A-game and ready to take all the candy that he could get. He even had the garbage truck honk the horn at him because he couldn't leave any one piece of candy on the ground!

He went to the fair afterwards and got his face painted as a spider. And not any little spider, but a spider that took up his whole face (and a lovely time cleaning that off!).

So many words, no enough time

Kaitrin just keeps saying more and more words. When I went to pick her up from school today, the teacher was showing Kaitrin flashcards. Little bugger said "Cow", "Soft", "Sand", "Flag", "Hi", "Blue", and "Green". She used sign language as she spoke.

Last night at dinner she mumbled "all done" as she signed it too. And of course everything is in her cute little munchkin voice...

FINALLY!

On Friday, Kaitrin finally said "Ma-Ma!" I had to keep asking her just to make sure that is what she said.

Jabber Jaws

More words just keep coming! She proudly points out the color 'boo' and 'grn'. She yells 'too' at the TV when Mickey Mouse counts. She announces that she wants to watch Dora the Explorer by pointing to the TV and saying 'doooor-a'. And I even heard a 'all dun' yesterday at dinner.

But she refuses to say Ma-Ma.

Toilets

Yes, he is sitting on the toilet. Yes, he is reading a book on the toilet. And yes, the book is the story of Jesus.

Jacob and I are driving to Gordon's last weekend. For those of you who don't know, Gordon's is a food service store that sells bulk items for those of us who completely forget to order it for work. I ask Jacob if he wants to get anything from Gordon's for the house. He says that he has something in mind that we need. Cookies? Nope. Pretzels? Nope. "I think that we need some new toilet seats, Mom" Really Jacob, because they only sell food there. "But what about the things on the sink that give us water?" A faucet? "Yes, we need some new ones of those, too."

Talkity, Talk, Talk, Talk!

Please pardon the fact that Kaitrin has food EVERYWHERE and her hair is trashed, but I finally have her on camera saying some things. She is very quiet on the video (although Jacob and I are incredibly loud), so please turn up the volume.

Gift of Gab

Kaitrin just continues to babble! She was playing with one of her toys the other day that has a car, train and duck. She grabs the car and says, "Beep Beep". Then she grabs the train and says, "Choo-Choo". It took her a minute with the duck, but eventually was able to quietly say, "Kack Kack. So proud of herself, she claps and squeals...

Jacob's birthday was this past weekend. Kaitrin always seems to show off something new when company is around. So my mom was walking her around (and around) the house when she said, "Bye Bye". My mom, surprised, looked at me not knowing that she said this...me either! So add 'bye-bye' to the list of babbling cute-ness.

"APPLE" of my eye...

At 4:00 this morning, Kaitrin got sick so I went in to clean her up and change her sheets. I sat her on the floor with a book while I fixed her bed. She pointed to a pumpkin and mumbled something. After turning the page, she pointed to the green apple and said, "AHH-PPLE". Her first two syllable word is Apple. Then, in true Cute Kaitrin style, she had to say it four times in a row and clap her hands. Too darn cute!

Chicken Dance

Easter Present from our SC Family.

as promised...

Kaitrin walking on Easter morning.

OOOPS

A bit ago I posted about my serious earring fetish...but like a dingus, I posted the wrong website, well not really a website at all. So, if you liked the earrings that I posted, please visit www.anneholman.com instead of the email address that I originally posted. (and the rest of her stuff is pretty cool too)

Chocolate Addiction Starts Early

Kaitrin's first chocolate oreo!

...and she walks

Kaitrin loves to cruise around the furniture. She has even taken to cruising around the walls. Her favorite is grabbing your hands and walking anywhere. After the awkward, stiff leg walk, she actually gets pretty good at balancing from one foot to another. You would think that she doesn't even need the hand that she is holding, because her balance is just that good. So, Mike and I have been trying to slowly remove our hand and let her walk...but the little stinker feels the slightest movement and drops to one knee!

Last night we were in the playroom and Mike was walking with her, towards me, with the same game plan...she took three freakin steps by herself! Mike let go and I was reaching for her but continued to back up and three whole steps came out of her!

Snow Bunny

She hated her hat.
She wasn't sure what the scarf was.
She didn't understand why the white stuff was cold and wet.
She wasn't even sure why it was so bright out.
Overall, it was a pretty confusing experience, but she sure did not want to go back inside!

Snow Man

Jacob has been waiting "like, 100 days" for it to snow! Bundled in any clothes we could find, Jacob got to help shovel, use his snow paints, and play with the neighbor kids. He is a little worried that there may not be enough snow for a snowman, though.

Winter Wonderland

For those of you with no TV or windows, this is what the mid-west looks like right now. That's a whole lot of white!

Big Chair

Kaitrin and Jacob have started a new school. Kaitrin is in an early intervention program for OT and PT. So, in the spirit of change, we decided to put her in a booster chair at the table with us. This picture is Kaitrin at the table for the first time. She was using her spoon, which she does for the first few bites, and then decided that her hand was much faster.

Besides trying to take my food off of my plate and throwing her own food when she decides she is done, it has been working out pretty well.

Into Everything

Kaitrin has learned how to open doors...all doors. It's actually an activity of hers. Open. Close. Open. Close. The pantry door, Daddy's office door, the cabinet doors...

After Kaitrin was done banging the stainless bowls together, she decided to explore the cabinets. I think that she just loves being small...she fits anywhere!

Time to Make the Donuts

As some may know, I was a Dunkin Donut girl back in the day. I filled 'em, I iced 'em and I sold 'em...and ate a bunch too. This is Kaitrin's first cream filled donut (or Pittsburgh Creme as they are known in PA). She managed to eat most of it even though it's as big as her face!

Earring Fetish

Are these not the cutest earrings that you have ever seen! I found them as I was searching for jewelry one night. They are hand made by a local artist here in Columbus...Anne Holman. Check out her website at www.anneholman.com She has some really neat items!

SHE SPEAKS!

Kaitrin said her first meaningful phrase! It has been a long week with Kaitrin being sick and Jacob being attention starved and us working...crazy week! After the trip to the hospital and getting Jacob, Mike and I sunk into the couch in the family room and watched the kids play. Kaitrin was playing with Jacob's Rock em Sock em game. Jacob was running around...probably ready to break something as usual. As Kaitrin was playing the game, she was sliding it closer and closer to the edge of the table...and pushed it off and onto the floor. What came out of her mouth, in perfect timing, and perfectly sounded out? "UH-OH" After a moment of 'did that come out of our child?', we just laughed and laughed.

And my mom thought my tatoos were bad...

It's a tatoo craze! Jacob used to be into stickers. Stickers were everywhere in our house: walls, carpet, all the way up the stairs...
We have now evolved into tatoos, and TONS of them! It all started with a trip to the Reading Festival where he was lucky enough to get a Columbus Police Badge tatoo. Then, his new friend Jake C had some. These two events have led to two armfuls of tatoos - spiderman, spiderweb, police badge, cars, batman, spongebob, and a mask. He is so very colorful...and really needs a bath!

The Toughest Job - Being a Father

And Mike found out this week that the toughest job isn't running the largest region in the mid-west! Poor Kaitrin had a 104 fever all week. Fever's are scary to begin with, but on top of not knowing why and for five days AND dealing with Jacob too...bless the man's heart for still being sane. Kaitrin had blood work and urine cultures only for her fever to break Friday night. But Mike hung in there like a trooper!

Texas Hold What?

I'm not really sure how I missed the beginings of this, but here goes my recollection. I was putting Kaitrin to bed and heard Jacob and Mike playing a game. I figured it was Clue Jr or Candyland...to which Jacob is a fabulous cheater. As I came down the stairs, I hear Mike saying, "No, it goes Jack, Queen, King." Huh? "Hey guys, what are you playing", I ask as I round the corner. "Texas Holdem, Mommy", Jacob says proudly, "And I have all of Daddy's chips." Yeesh, he can read, he can add, and he can play Texas Holdem and Five Card Stud. He will be the hit of Kindergarten!

Are you ready for some football?

Well, Kaitrin sure is! She has two phrases ready to yell at the TV during the Super Bowl. For the bad plays, she has a version of Uh-Oh which really comes out It-Oo. For the good plays, she raises her arms straight up in the air and says Touch for Touchdown...and then she claps. Too bad the Steelers aren't playing cause she has the wear and everything. Oh well, kickoff is past her bedtime anyway!

There is a sick one among us.

When the phone rings and it's the daycare, I usually assume that something is wrong with Jacob. He is the one with the phantom fevers and ongoing ear infections. But this time it was Kaitrin. Is she wheezing? No, she just has a fever of 102 and is acting uncomfortable. Well, this was lovely enough to last for four days...high fever, green boogers, not sleeping...all the fun things that come along with a call from the daycare. So Mike, being the fab hubby that he is, played stay-at-home-dad for four days (including a long drive home from Kentucky). And following suite, it was a reoccurring ear infection with a well needed but totally unwanted shot of antibiotic.

FINALLY! After four days of being red, hot, and crying, Kaitrin is happy, laughing, and back to her old self.

Kaitrin Roo Update

Kaitrin is just growing like a weed! She has hit the big 20 pounds. She has started to finally mumble a resemblance of ma-ma, although it isn't directed towards me at all. She will point to objects if you ask her where they are: Mickey Mouse, Kaitrin's juice, Kaitrin's nose, Kaitrin's hair, Jacob, Kitty, and food. She is even putting together some puzzles that Santa brought her...she either points or puts the shapes/animals back where they belong. And of course she loves her books!

Her strange thing right now...she bites my toes. Yes, she bites. And yes, my toes. Not really sure, but I hope it stops soon!

And the walking thing...she is getting the hang of it but still holds onto one hand. She loves her little walker. I think she likes it more because of the lion on the front than actually walking around with it though.

A Whole New Education

I love, love, love taking Jacob to Whole Foods! He learns so much at the usual grocery store: reading words, colors, etc. But at Whole Foods - we learn really cool stuff! So I decide to pick out a salmon pinwheel for dinner and as we are waiting for them to package it up, Jacob asks what is that Mommy? Well Jacob, it's a stuffed chicken. Well, where the heck is it's head!, he yells. You can't eat the head of the chicken, so they cut it off. He responds...to me and all of the other customers awaiting his hysterical 4 year old response...'that sucks'. We also checked out the whole fish and crabs...I thinking that he won't be eating seafood anytime soon. Then the big question of the day...what about beef mommy? Well, beef comes from cows. We eat cows! Gross!

If you ever need a giggle, just come food shopping with us.

The Joy of Christmas Pictures

This was the best picture out of the 25 that I took! If Kaitrin wasn't crawling off the chair, then Jacob wasn't looking or making a face. How exhausting! Everyone is getting a Fall Pumpkin picture of the kids in the Christmas cards this year...cause I'm not wrestling two kids again for a Ho Ho Ho picture.

Little Roo

I was searching files of pictures that Dad had on his computer and came across this one. I don't have a picture of her this young. My earliest picture is Kaitrin at 3 weeks old. This picture is shortly after she was born. The blue light is a 'bili-light' that helps her bilirubin become more normal...and help her be less orange! The plastic tube around her face is a CPAP which is helping her breath. Shortly afterwards, Kaitrin failed on the CPAP and was fully ventilated because her lungs were not fully developed/working. The tubes are IV's giving her fluids and nourishment. Later during her stay, she had an IV in her head that gave her blood...not the best thing to walk into! The wrap around her arm is to protect the IV. Even though she was only 2 pounds, she would rip out the IV and bleed everywhere. If you look really close to the picture, you can see her mini pacifier...cute now, but not at the time. Not only do the pictures of her being so small bring tears, but also how far she has come. She amazes me everyday...including the day she decided to mountain climb out of her high chair and onto the tray!

A Tad Depressing, But It'll Be Alright

Now that Thanksgiving is over and Kaitrin has done some fabulous things I am feeling a little better, but last week was hard. Kaitrin received her 'report card' from school. She is in a class from 8 to 14 months. And for those of you who are keeping up, Kaitrin is 16 months old...so she is behind in the class already. Beside the fact that she is the only one in her class that crawls to me when I arrive...all of her class mates walk, she isn't doing some simple gross/fine motor movements. Now, up until this 'report card', I was flowing with things just fine...she has until 3 years of age to catch up say the medical journals...and we will cross that bridge when we get there. But as I read through the items that she is not doing: stacking blocks (she knocks them down), doesn't verbally respond to music nor does she dance, not making many noises or letter sounds, or even walking on flat feet...it gets me a little. From one end of the spectrum to the other though...she was 2 pounds and unable to breathe on her own when she was born to being a little behind at 16 months...she is doing fine whatever she is doing!

Show Off

Everyone was here for Thanksgiving, giving Kaitrin ample opportunity to show off. She took some leaps and impressed all of us.

While reading 'One Little Duck', she showed Grandma how she can now say 'Quack'. And it's the cutiest little 'quack'...high pitched and of course with a toothy smile.

A few days ago, Mike got Kaitrin to stand/balance on her own for about 30 seconds. Well this fine holiday weekend, Kaitrin decided to walk along holding only one persons' hand.

And to top it all off, she has had only whole milk and juice in a sippy cup since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving! Such a fabulous big girl!

Splish, Splash

Kaitrin tried out her swimming/bath/pool tonight. Have you ever seen a baby splash in the tub? The kind of splash where they are surprised by the water in their face, but look at you like it was your fault? It took two splashes for Kaitrin to finally understand that she in fact was splashing herself. She was also un-impressed with the bubbles touching her feet. She continued to kick at them until they had all splashed out. Overall, she had fun and was just adorable doing so!

Hurry, Hurry Drive That Fire Truck

Oh the joys of having a boy! Passing the bathroom on my way up the stairs, I see Jacob going to the bathroom. And not just any session of going to the bathroom, but a full fire fighter scene. As he was so joyfully relieving himself, he was turning back and forth, spraying everything in front of him like a champ. JACOB, I yelled. And just as in a comedy act, he turned to look at me...continuing to pee...all over the floor. Of all times to play fire fighter, now would not be one of them. Aim better please!

Stand Up and Shout Hooray

We have been working with Kaitrin to stand and walk with her feet flat on the ground. I think that she is going to be a ballerina and is practicing now by walking on her toes! But daddy had to put her to the test when she stood up the other day. He actually let go of her...staying close of course. That little bugger balanced for a good 45 seconds...45 seconds! And even though she started climbing the stairs a while back, she started to slack at it. Now, today I think that she has climbed the full stairwell at least 4 times. Nothing can stop her now!

Front Page Story

Today's Columbus Dispatch had an interesting front page story...Born Too Early. Well, how hard does that hit home? The pictures of the NICU, the isolettes, the small & fragile baby...it all brought back tears that I thought I had gotten past. It's one thing to remember the journey, but to see the pictures of the nurses, the tubes, the machines, and even the latex gloves - it all came back as fresh as what I had for lunch yesterday. Today I can poo-poo the question "will she make it through the night?", but after reading this article and seeing the pictures, I can feel the nervousness and fear of last year. Every time the phone rang, my stomach would drop. Every time the alarms would beep, my heart would race. Every night before I fell asleep, I'd hope and pray that I could still see her in the morning.

When I was through reading the article and wiping my tears, I looked up to her...sitting in her high chair. With her 'bam-bam' pony tail on top of her head and peaches smashed all over her tray, it was such a sight. Such a happy, fabulous sight! From 990 grams to 19 pounds or even the inability to breathe on her own to screeching when she sees Mickey Mouse...such a happy, fabulous sight!

The Columbus Dispatch : From joy to fear http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/11/11/riley1.ART_ART_11-11-07_A1_I78DS62.html?sid=101

Tis the Season

...and no, I don't mean the holiday season. It's RSV season! And it's not the best season for preemies. Generally, healthy children can fight off this disease easily, but because premature babies have under developed lungs, being infect by RSV is much more serious.

RSV or Respiratory Syncytial Virus is a major cause or respiratory illness in young children. RSV causes infections of the lungs and breathing passages. RSV infections can lead to more serious illnesses in premature babies and kids with diseases that affect the lungs, heart or immune system. RSV is highly contagious and can be spread through sneezing and coughing. RSV can easily be spread through schools and day care centers (which is why doctors recommend that preemies do not go to day care centers until they have gotten bigger and stronger to fight off this infection).

Antibiotics aren't used because RSV is a virus and antibiotics are only effective against bacteria. Medication may sometimes be given to help open airways. In an infant, however, an RSV infection can be more serious and may require hospitalization so that the baby can be watched closely, receive fluids, and, if necessary, be treated for breathing problems.

To everyone with an infant in the family - get your flu shot, cover your mouth when you sneeze, and wash your hands. Stay healthy this season!