Sisters

Emma loves to watch Cloey. We are thankful that Emma has such a wonderful big sister to look up to.

The girls cuddling in their pjs before bed.

Our beautiful girls after church.

Cloey is such a proud big sister!!!

The time has come now that Emma has left the NICU and been home for over a month. We have started a blog to celebrate how wonderful both our girls are and the accomplishments that they will make. Please continue to follow the new blog and watch Emma grow and progress and watch Cloey continue to be an amazing big sister. Again God Bless All of You and all your prayer and support. Again PLEASE continue to follow us at www.4mazingos.blogspot.com

P.S. Emma is getting baptised in August (we believe it will be August 8th) and we are planning a cookout celebration for all who have followed her blog and supported and prayed for her after her baptism. More details will come once it gets closer.

Funny

I found this on a shirt today and thought it was both cute and funny. I am thinking Emma might just need this one.
Top 10 Reasons to start out in the NICU
10.) One on One nursing makes me feel special
9.) A little extra attention never hurt anyone
8.) The regular nursery is for WIMPS
7.) Being wireless is overrated
6.) TPN is like fine wine for babies
5.) Not just ANYONE gets to go to the NICU
4.) My medical file is BIGGER than yours
3.) I know how to spend money - have you seen MY insurance bills?
2.) I'll only get better with age
1.) A drama fueled entrance into the world starts in the NICU!!!

Intervention Services

The Virginia Department of Health sent us a letter in the mail the other day. The letter talked about Emma's diagnosis of CDH and they sent a fact sheet with the letter. They also sent us a brochure that was for "Families of Infants and Toddlers with Special Health Care Needs". In that brochure it talked about Early Intervention Services. We have known that CDH and the simple fact that Emma was on a ventilator for so long could cause her to have some developmental delays. Once we got the brochure we decided to go ahead and do a self-referral for Emma. This way if she does needs services, we can get them started right away. The nurse is coming to the house for her evaluation on Monday afternoon and we will see if she qualifies for services. If she does qualify then we will write up a plan for Emma with goals that are family focused and someone will also come into our home to offer services. This has been a bit of a surreal experience since I am usually on the other side of the process. Our goal is to always get our baby girl the services and help that she needs to live a healthy and productive life. We did find it interesting from the CDH fact sheet that approximately 25 babies are born with CDH in the state of Virginia - it is hard to believe Emma falls in this tiny group. Please pray that her evaluation goes well on Monday and that the nurse is able to determine the help and services that Emma needs if they are needed.

A Bedtime Story

The other night Cloey read Emma a bedtime story and it was just precious. She is such a wonderful big sister and loves Emma so much!

Busy Transitioning

We haven't blogged lately because we are in the process of transitioning. I finished up work on Friday and summer vacation officially began. Yeah, I only worked one week before summer vacation started. Jason has started up his summer classes. He has two classes this summer and they both require a lot of reading and writing. Cloey is now here for the summer. We got her last night and her summer with us has begun. So needless to say there have been a lot of changes going on. We got a couple cute pictures of the girls this morning after church. I will try and upload a video and some pictures tomorrow. The number one priority tomorrow is to get the house cleaned up and organized. Well the number one priority is actually always to enjoy time with Cloey and Emma. Good Night and God Bless All of You!!!

Overdue Video

Sorry

Sorry there haven't been many posts, pictures, or videos the last few days. I had to go back to work on Monday so I am busy all day and when I get home I like to spend time with Emma since I have been gone all day. Then I am super tired. I cried all the way to work Monday and only part of the way on Tuesday. I think it was only part of the way Tuesday because I knew Jason was bringing her down for the afternoon. Today was the last day with students and the next 2 and 1/2 days are teacher workdays. I will try and get a video up tomorrow since I shouldn't be as tired.

Sisterly Love

I was able to catch Cloey giving Emma a kiss. It was just precious. While they are 7 and 1/2 years apart they both love each other so much. I can't wait to see the relationship they have as they grow up. Emma will definitely have a wonderful big sister to look up to.

The girls just hanging out.

Cloey made this bed for Emma and was very proud that she was laying in it.

If you look at Emma's hand she is holding the flower that Cloey picked for her. I am pretty sure it isn't a flower, rather it is a weed. It is the thought that counts.

NICU Reunion

These pictures are out of order, but they have captions and a recap of the event is at the bottom of the post. Cloey enjoying the bubble table.

Below: Emma and Mommy. Emma taking a break to eat.

Emma fighting sleep - there was just too much going on and she didn't want to miss any of it.

Daddy, Cloey, and Emma

Cloey playing with the bubble blower. She really enjoyed this toy.

This picture was taken right before we left the picnic. Mommy and Emma have one big thing in common - we DON'T like to be hot. At this point Emma had had enough of the heat.

Emma relaxing in the shade at the picnic.

Emma taking the reunion all in. They have the reunion every other year - at the next one she will be 2 and all over the place compared to this year at 9 weeks old.

Cloey and Emma enjoying themselves.

Emma's name tag - too cute!!!!

Cloey's butterfly

Cloey getting her face painted.

Emma trying to figure out where in the earth we have her

Below: Emma getting a little bit more sleep before leaving for the reunion
Below: The picture of Emma that was put into the 2010 Reunion Scrapbook

The NICU Reunion was lots of fun today. Although it was VERY hot - at one point someone commented that it was 94 degrees. We all had a good time - Cloey enjoyed playing the games and Jason and I got to see some of Emma's nurses from her stay in the NICU and even one of her doctors. It was a wonderful reminder of how far Emma has came from March 31st when she was born and our world changed. It was a reminder of the blessings that we recieved that Emma was able to leave the NICU in a month, while some think that is a LONG time to parents of NICU babies that is a short stay. A family at the RMH while we were there had a baby with CDH and when they were leaving their little boy had been there 11 weeks makes our 4 weeks seem like nothing. It was an amazing feeling to see the LARGE UVA NICU family that we now belong to. While it isn't the route I would want for anyone, they are an amazing and loving group of people who love to see the progress that all the babies make.

Pictures!

Don't mind the snowman pjs in June - I picked them up at a yard sale last Saturday and the fit her perfect. This is a picture of Emma's crazy hair after her bath tonight. She was getting sick of me taking pictures of her by this point as you can tell by the look on her face.

Emma's hair was in sort of a curly mowhawk after her bath. When she gets done with her baths her hair is always so curly.

Happy baby after Mommy put the lotion on her body. She is starting to love her baths in her bath tub. She enjoys to have the water poured over her body, but not over her head. Her favorite part of her bath time routine is getting her lotion on. She just smiles and smiles.Emma even spit her mimi (pacifier) out she was so happy about her lotion.

Just thinking about life!

Daddy and I just melt when she smiles away at us.

Another picture of happy Miss Emma.

Sadly it is time to retire the flip flop outfit which is my favorite outfit. The happy part of retiring the outfit is that it means our baby girl is growing away.

Emma's LEAST favorite thing - Tummy Time

Grammy and Pop Pop

Grammy and Pop Pop,
Mommy and Daddy have told me that you are on a boat cruising your way to Alaska. I sure hope you are having fun on your trip, but I do miss you. I am getting bigger each day!!! Mommy will keep putting videos and pictures up frequently until you get back to Virginia. I had my two really big eating days - over 600 mls - and you know that is a TON for me to eat. Then I had an okay day, and yesterday I had 599mls. Also Mommy and Daddy told me yesterday was your birthday - so happy birthday from Cloey and me Grammy!. A few other things that have happened since you left. On Tuesday night I woke up at 2:00 am to eat. Daddy fed me and like always I spit up all over him, and the bed, and the floor. When Daddy got ready to change my pjs and my diaper I had quite the surprise for him. I had had a massive blow out all the way up my back almost to my hair. So Mommy and Daddy tackled it together and I just laughed and smiled about it. They don't think that parties like that are funny at 2:00 am. Last night I went to bed at 11:oo pm after my last feeding and slept all the way until 7:00am. Mommy and Daddy were still up all night checking on me because I kept sleeping and sleeping. They think I might be growing because I am taking long naps during the day now instead of trying to stay awake all day. I have also gone back to enjoying time in my swing the past few days. This makes it easier for Mommy and Daddy to get stuff done around the house. They also say it is helping me adjust because Mommy goes back to work on Monday and Daddy will have to do some homework while Mommy is gone for the day. Guess we will see what I think about the swing on Monday. Cloey comes this weekend and we are headed to my 2010 NICU graduate reunion. I can't wait and hope that I get to see some of my nurses from my stay in the NICU. Like I said I hope you are having a good time on your trip and I can't wait for you to get back on June 14th - Cloey and I will be waiting to see you!!!!
Lots of Love,
Emma
P.S. Enjoy the videos and the pictures!!!!

Sleepy Baby

Emma Today