Cake!!!

Chocolate Cake! He dug right in without any hesitation! He even grabbed his sister's ice cream and cake too! He is having his first birthday bash on Halloween because that was the day I got to hold him for the first time.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Brayden!

Almost one year later.

It's almost one year since my life completely changed.I am not the same person I used to be. I look at things differently and appreciate more than I ever did. When you have a baby, you expect to take that baby home with you. It is such a happy time period. My 6 weeks post partum was the most stress I have ever had in my life. I lost my son, and gave birth to his brother who had to fight for his life. I held on to my baby that passed away in utero before I got to hold my son in the incubator.

What an experience. Wow, I have learned a lot. When doctors told us that the first 72 hours are the most critical time period for my 27 weeker and that he could possibly die. I knew he wouldn't die. I just knew. I knew when I looked at him in the OR during my C-Section he would be fine. I didn't know about disabilities but I knew he would be with me. I didn't care if he had any disabilities. I told God that I will do whatever it takes and to "Keep him with me." I remember crying and shaking before my C-Section and telling Brady, "I'm so sorry buddy, I'm not that strong, I can't stop crying." I was afraid of the unknown. Well,

what do I know now? I know that Brayden is the most amazing little boy I have ever met. He smiles at me all the time and he even gives me the cute "cute, wet, open mouth kisses." I have learned to take nothing for granted. I have learned not to dwell on Brady's milestones, he will get there. I am so grateful he is here. God is good! He claps, eats like a horse, sits up and plays, and is so close to crawling. We love him! I know his brother Joshua Aaron is close by and watching him.

Praying

I'm at a loss of words. I am suscribed to another blog about a preemie born with a chronic lung disease. This baby was named Natalie Evelyn and she was beautiful. She was born in Febuary, I believe at 33 weeks gestation. Natalie fought for her life and had many ups and downs. Natalie passed away a couple of days ago unexpectedly.

My heart aches. I am so saddened hearing about this. I have been thinking about Natalie's Mother all day long.

Natalies blog is www.babygirltee-jennifer.blogspot.com

Jennifer I am praying for you and your family! I'm so sorry for your loss!

Loving life.

We have been having fun with this fantastic weather, I would call this year's fall a"Fantastic Fall." I can't believe he is going to be one year old soon. Where does the time go?

My chunker

Blogging is hard because I am so busy with nursing school. I only have 12 weeks left until this crazy semester is over. I am having some difficulties juggling, school, work and my beautiful babies. My kids are worth it. I want to become an RN and I am so close to being done with my degree. I am going to continue to keep doing what I am doing and study like crazy.

Lizzie is doing well, she is a princess as always and makes me laugh. I never know what she is going to say and she sometimes makes me laugh so hard that I cry. She is really likes to count now. If I only could get her better with her saying her R's and L's. Oh well, she'll get there.

My husband is amazing, he is supporting me through this and is helping around the house and making sure he supports me during this crazy journey of school. He takes Brady to PT on Tuesdays for me which makes things easy for me.

Brayden really really wants to crawl. He is trying so hard. I think we might be crawling in a couple months. I call him my "Bottom less Pit," He eats everything I give him. It's so funny to watch. He even loves mashed up avocado. He is so chunky in the middle it cracks me up. Brayden wants to get into everything. He is at that age now, everything that is in front of him is fair game now. I am so happy to see him smile at me everyday. He is such a happy boy. His PT wanted to give him a break, but I really want him to stay in PT. They say he is caught up, but I want him to stay there so they can get him to crawl. They teach me the exercises and we practice at home. I love you little man!

I had an emotional weekend. I went to the NICU grad reunion ice cream social and it was nice. I went to see the doctors and NURSES that held me together in the toughest time of my life. I saw so many 26 weekers and so many preemies that were in Brayden's pod. I broke down and cried a couple of times. I thought to myself that Joshua should be here too, and that I wish he was here. I haven't been to this hospital because of all the memories I had here. Some are good, some are a bad dream. I hugged so many nurses that held my hand and said, "He is going to be alright." The doctor that was there the night he was born was so happy to see him. She told my husband when I was in recovery puking, " I don't know about this little boy, he's sick." All I could think was, "Look at him now!" He sits up and eats like a horse. He plays and loves people. He's amazing! I had to tell one nurse "Thank you," because when Brady was a month old, she said, "He's so beautiful, Congrats!" I thanked her for saying Congrats to me because no one ever said that to me when he was born. Everyone was so happy we went. Brayden was so tired because I woke him up when he was sleeping when we arrived. One Nurse came up to and said,"I remember him, there was something about his face, he looks so wise."

Oh, my favorite time of year is here! Fall! Bring on the chili, apples, and football!

How time flies!

New Post soon!

A three year old birthday, two new teeth for Brady, Brady sits up on his own now, andMommy is back in school. We have been so busy!

Here's one of my favorite pics!