Twins Game

Sleepy Leah

Twins dugout...

On August 1st we were able to go to the Twins Game. We were lucky enough to be able to walk on the field in support of the March of Dimes. There were hundreds of us, it was very cool. We were also on the big screen! Ryan, myself, Brooke, Leah and my mom went and had a great time. It was a hot day and right at naptime, but the girls were troopers and did great!

It has been awhile since I have posted. I'm not sure I am cut out for this! I thought I would update since the last time I posted. We have been having a lot of fun this summer, but really, where has it gone? The 4th of July has come and gone and it is almost mid July- half way through the summer.

In the last few weeks the girls and I have gone to the MN Zoo. We went with two of my friends from college (Leigh and Stacie) and their kids. We had a lot of fun, but wow, it is much harder with two kids! On the 4th we went to Aitkin. We have gone up to our friends house there a couple times before for the 4th, but this is the first time with kids. Brooke liked playing in the sand and if she was in the mood, playing in the lake. We took a nice pontoon ride and had fun hanging out with friends and eating good food!

The sad news since my last post is my grandpa Milo passed away. I feel lucky enough to have had made it to his last birthday party. It was sad to see him go. When Brooke says her prayers at night she says, "God Bless Grandpa Milo in Heaven." It is so cute.

Hopefully I'll start posting more again, we'll see!

Lutsen Vacation

This last week we took a family vacation up north. Ryan, Brooke, Leah and I went to Brainerd for one night and Brooke went swimming. The next day we met my parents and my brother's family in Lutsen. We spent 2 nights there swimming, visiting Grand Marais, throwing rocks in Lake Superior, going down the alpine slides and enjoying nature. Ryan and Dan even got to go golfing at Superior National golf course, in the rain! We had such a good time despite the cold, wet weather. The next day the 4 of us went to Duluth and stayed at Edgewater Water Park. Brooke wasn't so sure at first, but she found a little pool that wasn't too intimidating! Duluth was super windy and cold, but we managed to get to Canal Park and throw a few more rocks in the lake! Ryan and I decided to take a detour home from Duluth and went to the cities to go to our first Twins game at Target Field! We loved it and can't wait to go back!

Updates/Misc. stuff

I haven't written for awhile, so I thought I would just do an update of the last week or so. Last week I went to my parents for a few days. While there I took the girls to the Como Zoo along with my parents and aunt Barb. The zoo is a great, inexpensive place to go. Brooke loves going there, or any zoo actually. She is a big animal fan. Last weekend I took the girls to my cousin Lauren's graduation party in Granite Falls. Many of my cousins were there who I don't get to see very often. They are from my mom's side of the family and are a lot of fun. It was great to catch up with everyone. Brooke and Leah were a hit with the younger girl cousins (although they are in their teens and twenties!). They blew bubbles with her, took her on the swingset, and just plain made her day! The next day Brooke got to go to her first "friend" birthday party! Her friend Roxy, who used to go to daycare with her turned 4 and invited Brooke to her "princess party." Brooke had a lot of fun playing and getting party favors. It's hard to believe she is old enough to be getting invited to "non-family" parties. My little girl is growing up too fast. This week Ryan and I went and bought a new bike trailer (a gift from my parents). Already Ryan has taken Brooke on two little bike rides and I have used it as a stroller and taken the girls to the park a couple times. This weekend we are going to Lutsen with my family and then the 4 of us are going to the water park in Duluth for a night. So, more pictures to come later!

Pool fun

Well, it's the first day of summer vacation (even though it's still May and summer technically hasn't started yet). It has been so warm this last week, May has just been beautiful. Today the girls were able to enjoy the warm weather and spend some time in their kiddie pool. At about 9:30 this morning I asked Ryan to fill up the pool so the water could warm up before we went outside to use it. Well, Brooke just couldn't wait. She had to go out right away!! So, Brooke got to play in her pool this morning while Leah watched, and then later in the day Leah got to join her. Both girls really like the water and have a lot of fun today! I am sure there will be many more hot summer days spent in the little kiddie pool!

Last Day of School!

Today is my last day of school for the year. Yeah! It has been a tough year. First, Leah interrupted the beginning of my school year by coming 2 months early. Because she was in the hospital I ended up taking extra time off and not going back to school until the beginning of December. When I returned to school I had some challenging students that were new. So, I was basically starting back to school, trying to get into the swing of things, trying to get to know a couple new students and missing my baby terribly. But, I made it! I am sure ready for the year to be over! My contract was non renewed this year, but we're hoping I get hired back and that I won't have to look for new jobs over the summer.

Ryan still has a few days left of school, I am sure he is extremely jealous!!

We are looking forward to the summer and a family of 4 this year! In June we are going to Lutsen with my side of the family and then spending a couple days in Duluth with just us and the girls. It should be a fun time. We can't wait!

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Last night we celebrated my Grandpa Milo's 89th birthday! After work I drove down to Dan and Kelly's house for the celebration. Many relatives from my dad's side were there. It was nice to be able to join them for this, usually I can't make it because I live so far away and can't get down there during the week. But, I decided that I should be there this time!

My Grandpa was diagnosed with a brain tumor after months of tests and doctors visits. It is an unfortunate diagnosis. We have seen a decrease in the last few months in his ability to accomplish tasks that he used to have no problem doing. Not long ago he and Milly were going dancing a few days a week. He had more energy than I did!

So, it was a nice dinner and I am happy I got a chance to visit with everybody.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! I love you!

Mother's Day

I had a great Mother's Day! The girls and I (Ryan was home sick) went to the cities on Saturday. We first stopped at my parents house in Coon Rapids to see their new kitchen. What a difference! The had the whole thing redone and new flooring, it looks like a new house! Because their house was a construction site we stayed at my brother's house in Otsego. Brooke loved playing with her cousin Alida. They helped Kelly bake cookies, did some water color painting, took a bath together and attempted to sleep in the same room. After giggling for about 20 minutes straight, Brooke ended up sleeping with me!

On Mother's Day we did the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 5k at the Mall of America. This is our 3rd year doing it and it has become a great tradition. We met my mom, cousins Barb, Jim and Judy down there too. After the walk we had lunch at Dan and Kelly's and had a great time.

Mother's Day was a wonderful day, both with spending it with family and great weather! I am so lucky!

A girl after my own heart- unfortunately

Well, Leah has been eating solids for a few weeks now. I have been trying to get her to eat her veggies...peas, squash, etc. She wants nothing to do with it. She either purses her lips or gags. Now, when I feed her pears she gets all excited and eats it all up. Hopefully, she changes her mind and will become a veggie eater, but I can't really blame her. Squash....YUCK!

Yesterday we did the March of Dimes- Walk for Babies. It is such a great organization, and after the early birth of Leah, one we feel strongly about. The walk was in St. Cloud, it started out by the Mississippi, a really pretty area. Before the walk they had music by KCLD, activities for kids, and food. We even saw a few nurses from the NICU and got to show off how well Leah is doing. We were dissapointed that the weather was supposed to be so icky, but the rain held off for the walk! How lucky! We all had a good time, despite me getting sick, and will do it again next year. Thanks to everyone who supported the March of Dimes, our family, and baby Leah!

Baby Leah

Leah is now almost 8 months old. She was born August 22nd after 5 days of contractions, a lot of worry, and many visits to Labor and Delivery. Because I was so far into labor the last time I went into the hospital they were unable to get me to St. Cloud in time to deliver. They originally wanted me to deliver there if I went early because St. Cloud has a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) and the hospital in Alexandria is just not equipped for such a preterm baby. So, a team from the NICU came by ambulance up to Alexandria for the delivery. Right after Leah was born they checked her out, then I got to hold her for about 2 minutes before she was whisked away by ambulance to St. Cloud. Ryan went down to St. Cloud right away to be with her, while I spent the night in the hospital. At 8 o'clock the next morning I was discharged so I could join them in St. Cloud. So much for recovery after childbirth!

Leah spent the next 30 days in the NICU. Ryan, Brooke and I shuttled between home and my parents house in Coon Rapids. It was such a crazy time. I was supposed to start school, but just couldn't. I felt the need to spend most of my day at the hospital with Leah. I just couldn't part with her. My parents were kind enough to watch Brooke a great deal. It really took some of the stress off. Leah was a model patient. She never had to be on oxygen, and after about a week was taken out of her isolette because she could hold her own body temperature. All she had to do was learn to eat and grow. We were so happy the day Leah came home from the hospital, it had felt like that day would never come.

Two days after we brought Leah home from the hospital she stopped breathing. I was home alone with her and had checked on her while she was in her swing. When I checked she was not breathing, she was completely limp. I immediately tried giving her a breath and called 911. They helped walk me through CPR and I was able to get her breathing. The ambulance came, checked her out and took her to the ER. After numerous tests they could not determine what was wrong and admitted her. Later that evening she had another episode and was then sent to St. Cloud and admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Leah spent another 6 days in the hospital trying to breath. She had to be hooked up to oxygen and had many very scary moments. It was determined that she had a virus that her little body just had a hard time handling.

Leah's birth and the experience afterwards has to be the most traumatic and stressful time of my life.

Because we are so thankful for the care she received we are walking in the March of Dimes- Walk for Babies next week. The March of Dimes supports and raises money for research and education on preventing infant loss, diseases, and premature births. We are hoping to see some of the nurses who cared for Leah in the hospital too!

Leah was born at 30 weeks, was 4 lbs. 1 oz. and 16 1/2 inches long.

Beautiful Weekend

What a nice weekend it was! We were so lucky to have such beautiful weather this weekend and to be able to spend so much time outside. Saturday Ryan and Brooke spent most of the day outside playing ball, playing in the sandbox and swinging. We went for a few walks and got to go to the park twice! Brooke loves the park and has so much fun going down the slides by herself- her favorite!

Leah had a weekend of firsts. She went on the swing at home for the first time and down the slide. She really seems to like it outside. This is the first time she has really spent time outside at home. She was born in August, but because she spent a month in the hospital she missed most of the nice weather last fall. She also tried oatmeal for the fist time and seemed to like it (she has done rice and peas so far)!

We also had a few visitors this weekend. Grandma Kiki and Papa Bob (my parents) came for the night on Saturday and spent the night at a hotel. So, on Sunday, Brooke got to go swimming in the pool! It took her a little bit to warm up to it, but ended up having a lot of fun. She loves wearing her princess life vest! Also, a few ducks visited our yard. When I was taking a picture of them Brooke yelled, "mom, don't scare them!"

All in all it was a great weekend. Above are a few pictures from our weekend.

Sick Kids

My poor little girls have been sick for a while now. Leah has her third ear infection in a month and Brooke has pneumonia. I feel so bad for them. Both were up last night either crying or coughing. They are so helpless and can't tell you what's wrong, but you know they are in pain. Oh, how I can't wait until summer!

Pictures

Here are a few recent pictures of our family. We spent Easter with my family in Coon Rapids and also with Ryan's in Sauk Centre. The Easter pictures on the top are from my mom's house. Brooke had so much fun hunting for Easter eggs with her cousin Alida!

Well, this is my first blog. I never thought I would do this, too much writing. I hate writing. But, I thought it would be fun to share with family and friends how and what our family is doing. Hopefully, it works!

Here is a snapshot of the last few years!

Ryan and I have been married almost 5 years, will be in November. We have Brooke, who is two and a half. She is a spitfire with the hair to match. Last year at this time Brooke was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Luckily, she has been clear of any symptoms for almost as long! At 2.5 Brooke loves to talk, watch cartoons, play with her baby sister, and pretend she is the boss of the house. We love her to death!

7 months ago we welcomed Leah into our family. Leah was born 10 weeks premature. It was very unexpected as my pregnancy was fairly uneventful. After a month long NICU stay in St. Cloud ( over an hour away from our home in Alexandria) and a week long stay 2 days later in the ICU, Leah is home and thriving. She is such a happy baby and loves her big sister. We are so blessed to have her and reflect on that every day.

Now that it is April, Ryan and I are anxiously awaiting the end of the school year. Summer is our favorite time of year as a family. We are excited to go to Twins games in the new stadium, visit Lake Superior and take the girls to the zoo.