LEGOS!

Dude! That was my lego...

Building nicely...sharing is such a wonderful concept!

This exhibit was nothing but legos - all sizes for everyone to use, castles and dragons out of legos, and ladders with slides. Who doesn't love slides!

Getting ready for the trip to Indy

Kaitrin was so excited to go to Indy...she kept yelling "Museum" and "Swimming Pool" mixed in with a random "Apple Juice".

So much snow...

Finally, after days and days of snow, Jacob went outside and played with Daddy. They made a snow fort with the block maker from Uncle Michael. Then they knocked it down with snowballs. One snowball mysteriously came through the window at Mommy, but neither of the two gentlemen outside will own up to throwing it!

Ah...Sibling Love

Hair Pictures

At the beginning, she did a lot better than Jacob on his first hair cut. But as the stylist continued to comb her hair, she started to say "snuggle momma". Saying turned quickly into yelling "snuggle" and holding my hands. Thank goodness I only had them trim an inch off or I would have left with half her head a lot shorter than the other!

Kaitrin's Hair Cut Jabber

This is a video of Kaitrin jabbering about her hair cut (no worries, her hair is in a pony tail and not chopped off). This was her first hair cut - yes, her first - she is 2 1/2 years old. I guess I have issues with the whole hair cut thing. I can't really explain why I connect these two thoughts, but the thought is strong enough to keep me from cutting her hair for 2 years. Every time I think of taking her somewhere to have her hair cut, I can't help but remember the day I went to the NICU and without a nurse's warning, saw a transfusion IV sticking out of the top of her purple head. Now, this memory really has nothing to do with cutting hair, hair styling, or really anything about hair but in my irrational head...it has put off hair cuts for 2 years.

More Cookie Decorating

Kids & Cookies

In honor of the Steelers playing in the championship game tonight, I had the kids decorate sugar cookies in black and gold. And in true kid fashion...they made a mess. I think all Kaitrin actually did was eat the black icing...nice black teeth and probably leading to a funky colored poop. Jacob managed to decorate 7 cookies and the whole floor with colorful sprinkles. Oh well, they had a blast! Go Steelers!

Dora Superstar Sun Glasses

Kaitrin found her sun glasses in the toys that we were cleaning out. She refused to wear them on her face because of the little finger prints on the lens. She also refused to let me wash the little fingerprints off. So, the little fashionista decided to wear them on her head. When I asked her who wears them on their head..."gam-ma does".

Christmas at Great Grandpa Max's House

Kaitrin and Grandma. I don't think Kaitrin has ever had the pleasure of hanging from a tree! This was her first visit to Great Grandpa Max's house. And as her usually jabber-jaw self, she talked up a storm, was friendly to everyone and got a princess tea set that she LOVES!

Infinite wisdom...a five year old and a Spiderman Web Gun!

New McFall Verbage

Today Kaitrin tried a pickle for the first time. After 3 seconds, she spit it out and gave it back to me. She said, "Yuck, pee pee." Now, she can say the word pickle so we can only assume that she thought it tasted like pee.

Jacob has a new habit of yelling, "Fire in the hole!" before he proudly farts. Lovely.

Gotta try out the toys!

Santa brought Kaitrin a musical mat and I had to show her how to use it...really, it was all about me educating her and nothing to do with the fact that I felt like Tom Hanks in BIG.

Christmas Morning

Kaitrin's New Fashion

Kaitrin's therapist has given her a new fashion statement...the vest! Kaitrin is wearing this every day to improve her core strength to hopefully improve her balance and overall strength. Surprisingly, she doesn't mind it that much!

Christmas Eve Fun

Every year Mike and I open our presents on Christmas Eve. So after watching Santa fly over the Atlantic and putting the kids to bed, all we had left to do was put Kaitrin's kitchenette together and open our presents. Just a question - do they have people that I can pay to put these things together? Cause I will start saving for next year's toys. Holy 5000 pieces! Two hours and two glasses of wine later, Kaitrin had a kitchen. Geesh!

Cookies Everywhere!

While I was in the midst of Krazy Kraynek Kristmas Kookie baking...I offered Kaitrin some animal crackers to keep her out of the kitchen. And this is what Kaitrin felt I meant by, "Here, have some." At least it kept her busy - filling them up and dumping them out - and all of the Christmas cookies are finished!

Audition II

...and another fine song choice. Whenever Kaitrin can't go outside, whether it's because it's dark, cold, windy, or when it is actually raining, she sings this song.

American Idol Audition I

Kaitrin has started to sing songs...in her own little munchkin language of course. I'm not sure what the judges would have a bigger issue with: her unmatching PJs, her hair, and her song choice!

The 'Turkey Butt' Hat Strikes....again

Leaves, Leaves Everywhere

Pretty Kitty

Well, we have some bad news. Kitty, our oldest cat, has mouth cancer. I was just informed this morning that even with radiation and removing her bottom jaw bone that she only has a 10% chance of living another year. Kitty has been a great pet. Her loud meow, her playful wrestle, her "licking of the eyebrows" alarm clock and the way she would attack my ponytail will always remain wonderful memories with us. And while I am sure that Nichee will not miss the way she would slam him on the floor and come up with a mouthful of his hair, he will miss her company in their 'snuggle in the sun' ritual every Sunday morning.

Kaitrin has also become fond of Kitty. She follows her around the kitchen until Kitty whines to be let over the baby gate in hopes of escaping the constant poking and squealing of Kaitrin.

And Grant, who gave Kitty her full name of Irene Kitty McFall, always found comfort in brushing her when we lived in Dayton. He also found comfort in putting her in the garage when she meowed so loudly that it kept him awake!

We will continue to watch our girl for any additional issues from this cancer and continue to love her and keep her comfortable.

Kaitrin's the Good Witch

Kaitrin had more fun eating cookies and looking for Ms. Kim than finding candy!

Swimming at CoCoKey

Halloween 2008

Jacob as spiderman next to a toy ghost (no, it's not Kaitrin).

Toof-less

Jacob lost his first tooth in true Kraynek style...while sitting on the toilet! He was a little upset that he missed the sound of the toothfairy's wings, but the money and the fact that he can fit a straw through it made it all better.

NY Marathon 2008

Congrats to my brother for finishing the NY marathon in 3:16.

Really? If you watch my kids for the next 8 months, I'll train that hard too!

Columbus Marathon 2008

I am waiting for pictures to come in, but the news on the Columbus Marathon is great!

Mike trained. Mike ran. Mike finished! He finished in 2 hours and 13 minutes. Preliminary numbers show that we raised $500 for Kaitrin's Klub. Since we are going into the RSV season, where most families with preemies need help, $500 will go a long way to help pay for medications.

Thanks to everyone who donated (even the ones that were betting against Mike).

(oh, I finished in 2 hours and 3 minutes)

In the News - Preemies & Autism

Study: 25% of very premature babies show autism signs - USATODAY.com
Of toddlers finds that about one-quarter of babies born very prematurely had signs of autism

www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-04-02-autism-premature_N.htm?csp=34

In the News - Computers to Help Preemies

Computer program to help premature babies - ABC News
Computer program to help premature babies. Source: ABC News. Published: Friday, September 5, 2008

www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/09/05/2357023.htm

In the News - Higher Death Rates & Fertility

Study: Premature Babies Have Higher Death Rate And Fertility Problems ...
Study: Premature Babies Have Higher Death Rate And Fertility Problems October 5, 2008

www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010439693

In the News - Sound Monitors

Sound Monitors Protect Premature Babies
Article:Sound Monitors Protect Premature Babies

In the News - NY Program for Preemies

NY1 24 Hour Local News Top Stories City Launches New Program For ...
04/23/2008 City Launches New Program For Premature Babies.

www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?SecID=1000&ArID=80825

In the News - Overall Preemie Info

MedlinePlus: Premature Babies
Latest News. Hard Decisions for the Littlest Lives(10/01/2008, HealthDay)


www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prematurebabies.html

In the News - KY Premature Deaths

The Premature Baby Battle
Sep 22, 2008 - High rate of premature deaths in KY

www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/17987459.html

Pretty in Pink at the Pumpkin Patch

And down they go...

Jacob went down the slide about 100 times...and took a few tons of straw home with him in his clothes.

Kaitrin loves, loves, loves the slide!

Jacob's Pumpkin

The "hugest pumpkin ever, in like one hundred years"!

Well, maybe I'll take this other one too...

Pumpkin Pickin'

No Kaitrin, that one is too small!

That's better! Now find Daddy to carry it back to the wagon.

And so it begins...

The first ear infection of the season! Kaitrin has been tugging at her right ear for a few days. Since she was stuffy, I figured and it was just pressure and what not. Yeah, not so much since the fever came on. The beginning to a long season!

Pretty Girl

Jacob in the Box

Rockin in Dora Shades...and PJs

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!