Check Ups

So Nicholas and Brooklyn had well baby check ups in the last couple of weeks. I'll start with Brooklyn. She is doing well and growing great. She can roll tummy to back, started cereal but not a huge fan, plays with her rattles and toys all the time. She got her 4 month shots and took them like a champ. She weights 15.8 oz and 25 1/4 inches long! She is growing so fast. She is getting to be such a good baby and such a blessing to our family.

Nicholas on the other hand is not growing so well. He only grew 1 inch in the last 6 months which only brings him to 31" and he is 24.6 pounds. Not even on the charts. So after discussing Nicholas past medical problems our pedi decided to do a follow up MRI to make sure nothing was going on that were not aware of since he still is not talking at all, only baby babble and not really growing. So today was the day for that MRI. I think it was worst on me then him but we all survived. Actually it broke my heart when the nurses came to get him and had us wait in the waiting room. He had to be sedated and spent all morning at the hospital. The whole sedation thing scares me to no end. He recovered well as he flirted with all the nurses and ran laps around the hall with Daddy.

He also lapsed with therapy. He was re-evaluated and back at the level of a 12 month old in some areas and 15 months in other areas. He also does not talk a solid word either. So back on developmental therapy once a week while we are on a waiting list for speech and physical therapy once a week.

Late but never forgotten!

Breanna turned 4 in heaven on November 5th. I have found that this year was just as hard as the first. We did our annual tradition and we released 4 balloons each and sent them to heaven for her. I hope she knows how incredibly missed and loved she will always be. Today I look at Brooklyn and wonder a lot about Breanna, not the same as I did with Nicholas. I thanked God for giving me another daughter but it comes with a lot of different emotions, and memories. Words can not explain. As I get to experince new beginings with Brookee I wonder how it would of been with Breanna. I can only hope that one day we with be together again and until then all I can do is keep Breanna's memories alive. I love you and will always miss you sweetheart! RIP.....

I would also like to thank everyone that took the time to think of my baby girl. All the calls, emails and messages from close family and friends and a special blog wrote by Jordan's mommy! It truly touched my heart. And a special thanks to my mom and brother for going to the cemetery with me and being my support system. I love you all!

Halloween with my monsters!!!

My 3 monsters! Brandon decided to be a warewolf, Im surprised he didn't scare the little ones. Nicholas loved Brandon's costume. Nicholas was the cutest littlest Bear and Brooklyn was a butterfly princess. Halloween was fun this year for Nicholas especially once he realized what he was actually getting. Candy are you kidding me he was so excited! Brooklyn suprised us all and sleep through most of trick or treating. If you knew her you would understand why. The girl gives us a challenge whenever she can, and we still feel incredibly blessed to have her! The love you have for your children in amazing!

precious times

Fresh air!!!

Having a newborn we have tried staying inside but with 2 older kids there is only so much we can take of inside time! So we ventured outside and took a walk to the park. The boys loved getting out and playing and Brooklyn just slept the whole time. A little fresh air does us all some good once in awhile.

We took a break for some outside pictures but Nicholas was not in for it! He wanted to run.

Already a week old!

We seem to keep very busy these days! There is always something to do, someone to feed, diapers to change, laundry, dishes, chasing Nicholas around telling him NO, Bonding with Brooklyn, trying to get Brandon to do chores or at least keep his room clean, thank yous to get done, there is no break! I wonder some days how we are going to survive. Brad still works crazy hours and leaves before we awake in the mornings and don't come home until at the earliest 8pm. However as hectic as it is I wouldn't trade it for the world. Brooklyn is such a blessing to our family and her brothers love her to pieces!! Nicholas is getting a little better, he gives her millions of hugs and kisses a day. His hugs are a little tight but he is working on it. At least he is giving lovings and not trying to hurt her. One day it will get better I hope!

Were home!!!!

We are home and adjusting well. It seems weird to have someone so small to take care of again. Brooklyn is a really good baby so far, eats every four hours and pretty much just sleeps. Nicholas hasn't bothered a whole lot with her yet. He gave her a big welcome home kiss and hug though. I think he will do just fine with his new sister.

She's Here!!!

Stats: Brooklyn Faith
July 16th, 2008
3:07 pm by c-section
7.11 oz and 19.5 inches long!!


Miss Brooklyn had plans of her own and decided to come 3 days before our scheduled c-section. I started contracting every 2-5 minutes yesterday morning. So off to the hospital we went.
I had the c-section from hell! Not really that bad but had a twinge that ran down my leg so while he was trying to find the right spot for the spinal, so he says. It scared me more then anything and I lost it crying! Then if things couldn't get worse I was given morphine in my spinal and literally by time surgery was over could not keep my eyes open. I was so doped up I couldn't even focus on Brooklyn or hold her! Anybody that knows me knows I don't like medicine like that and had no clue it would effect me like that! I was useless all night until after 9 pm I could hold my eyes open for more then 5 minutes at a time.

So after all that got over we were told that baby had to stay in nursery for monitoring because she was grunting when trying to breath. So labs were ordered and a chest x ray. Everything looked okay but they started her on antibiotics to treat an infection just in case. So today we were told we should have her in between her meds.

Im so glad that she is here and my pregnant days are over. Our family is finally complete and I love having a princess again.

Brandon Birthday gift

As a part of Brandon birthday we went to a Sox's game and he was allowed to bring a friend. He choose my lil' brother his uncle Tyler that is only 18 months older then him. We all had a good time and of course it was even better that the Sox won! It was fun to have some alone time with Brandon it seems like forever since we have been able to have some special time with him since Nicholas has came along and now with Brooklyn any day!

Happy birthday Brandon! We love you!!!

Beach Bums

We took Nicholas for his for trip to the beach! At first he did not like it at all. He wanted no part of it but he loosened up the longer we were there. I think his favorite part was mommy trying to stop him from eating the rocks and sand. He must of thought it tasted good or liked playing that game with me!
Brandon took a break from the water to play with Nicholas for a few!

Nicholas enjoyed splish splashing!
Time to dry off and go home!!

A day at the park

We decided to go have some play time at the park and since my camera is broke I was only able to get a few pictures. What a time for a broken camera, as were about to welcome a new baby into the family. It never fails.

We have a date

That's right our baby girl should be here very soon. We are scheduled for a repeat c-section on July 19th that is if we make until then. The baby has dropped really low in the last week and I have cramping, contractions, and every other kind of ache and pain pretty much daily. But we are still hanging on. We have a lot going on in the next two weeks so I'm hoping it goes by fast but at the same time trying to enjoy this time with the boys!! I will be posting an update and pics from the hospital.

Our trip to Milwaukee Zoo

It was a very long exhausting day to say the least. It stormed and we got drenched from the rain the whole morning running from exhibit to exhibit! We finally decided to head to the van for lunch and low and behold the sun came out and everyone was happy. Nicholas seemed to enjoys his first trip to the zoo. He stared with amazement.

The lions was Brad's favorite!!

We tried to keep the kids away from these dirty creatures!

But sometimes it was hard to avoid.

These were the coolest trees I've ever seen!

Brandon and Nicholas enjoyed the Monkey exhibit!

Here are some of our nieces and nephews on Brads

side of the family, including our own boys!

Lydia, Nicholas, Kaleb, Brandon and Koleman

Our lil' family! I felt miserable by this point and was

wondering what the hell was I thinking to go to the

zoo 8 months pregnant with a 18 month old that don't

want much to do with you if your not his Mommy.

By the end of the day I wished this was me!!

Brad and Brandon's birthday celebration!

Nicholas playing with Brandon!!

The birthday boys!!

My neices, Elle, Bella, Abbi, and of course Brandon and Nicholas!!

First I must admit I suck at this blogging thing. I update more on myspace that I could ever think about on here.

Anyway we celebrated Brad turning 31 and Brandon turning 10 last Sunday. This year we went completely out of the norm for us and just did a small get together at our house. Just with immediate family and still had about 20 people over. It wasnt the big birthday bash that we usually have 50 plus people, a crazy amount of kids running crazy and adults acting like kids themselfs, but we still had fun!! Instead of a big party we are taking Brandon to a White Sox game soon, he is just as thrilled! He is growing out of the big party deal anyway and has had a big party every year until now. So I think we are going to make this routine from now on!

Come on now me being 8 months pregnant with a 18 month old you cant get a whole lot of out me these days. Im freakin exhausted and can not wait to have this baby!! Only 24 more days!!

Baseball season

So Brandon officially started baseball! Here is my lil baseball star. He loves his baseball and new rules this year as he as moved up in the league. Brandon is thinking about switching it up and trying soccer in the fall. I love that my lil man is getting involved with sports.

Look what I can do!!!

Its been awhile since Ive posted and a lot has happened! Nicholas finally can walk! It took a little longer and a lot of work but look at him go now. He was a little over 16 months when he took his first steps and everyday it seems like he is getting a little faster.

Graduated!

That's right Nicholas graduated therapy. This was another big mile stone for us. We have been doing therapy since he was 6 months old. He needed a little extra boost after his rough start and hemorrhage on his brain at birth. But he passed the testing is no longer officially needing therapy. He is becoming a little tot! We truly have been blessed to have this little guy in our family!


Nicholas was happy to graduate therapy. Although we are gonna miss our therapists. Above is Lori our physical therapist. We miss her the most. We have been seeing her since Nicholas was 6 months old once a week. She helped Nicholas come so far! We couldn't have done it without her. The sap I am I cried when Lori left our house for our last weekly session. We will defiantly have to visit her on occasion. She has a special place in our hearts!

As you can see Nicholas loved all the attention his therapist gives him. Above is Terri our developmental therapist. She came to do therapy with us once a week as well since last November. She kinda worked on whatever needed worked on from week to week.

And last this is our speech therapist Chris. We seen her the least. We only had 2 visits with her. But Nicholas' has no problem expressing his self! We miss you all! Thank you for all you've done for our family.

Where a kid can be a kid

We had the pleasure of attending a Chris' birthday party at ChuckeCheese! We haven't been since Nicholas was a few months old. So naturally we were curious if he would like the games/rides and the scary looking robots on stage!

He loved it!!!

Growing up

I don't post very much on Brandon because not a lot changes with him. He is your typical 9 year old boy! Here is whats new, he is doing extremely well in 4th grade and his teacher says "he is a very funny boy and we all love having him in our class". Innocent as that sounds Brandon comes home from time to time talking about being the class clown. She also said that the only problem that he socializes too much. We have been hearing this since Kindergarten. I'm guessing its not going to stop anytime soon. Somethings never change. He has perfect attendance and he is very proud of that!

He loves playing with his little brother and is right there to give him anything he wants! Brandon loves the fact that Nicholas can't say Mama but says Nanon all the time wanting Brandon. I must admit it is pretty darn cute.

Brandon still loves his video games, computer time, and baseball! He is super excited that baseball practice starts in a couple weeks and all ready for it. He is starting to show a tad bit of interest in girls but still tries to hide it from us. Gotta love when his classmates/neighbors bust him out!! But he is right there to give back to them. I'm not ready for girls and hope they stay away for many more years!!! Brandon has been wanting to do more with friends like go to the movies and talking on the phone. They never have much to say on the phone but he makes it a big deal to call his friends. Some of his friends already have cell phones and he wants one. That's not going to happen anytime soon.

Well that about sums it up on Brandon. He is growing up on me and I'm not ready.

Family Events

That's right we love American Idol. We are evening training Nicholas' to love it too. Tonight with us all glued to see the results Nicholas' joined in. After all he loves being next to bro bro. I don't have no favorites yet but its only a matter of time. I don't watch very much TV but this is one program that I have been hooked on since the first season. Even had the opportunity recently to see Kelly Clarkson in concert with Reba. It was awesome. We will be tuned in for the rest of the season!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!