World Prematurity Awareness Day!

It's World Prematurity Awareness Day...

Hard to believe Grace is 4 & thriving, when in the first 72 hours they were afraid we

were going to lose her too.. as a matter of fact, I remember it as if it was yesterday..we

had spoken to the hospital chaplain in much of a daze talking about a baptism & last rights..

Who were we? Why were making this decision only days after our babies were born..

it was suppossed to happen like this!

But it does.. fortunately, after a long road, we were able to take Grace home..

& she is thriving..truly Amazing!

But Maxwell went to a better resting place. 

1 in 8 babies are born prematurely, and alot of times there is no rhyme or reason!

I don't say it often enough..but I'v been in a group of MOMS that all have premature babies..

I've been able to meet a few of them through out '1 x year' get togethers..

They are the strongest moms I know.

And the children..just WOW!!

Wear purple today.. consider donating to your local March of Dimes..

we will do another individually wrapped snack drive for the moms in NICU in December..

It's our little "Bless you, Mom" in memory of Maxwell & in honor of Grace.

****************************************

I'm a crazy lady when it comes to moving furniture.. I have a small house, but I like

to move the furniture around all the time. So with a friend's help..we created a little nook for

Grace in her room with toys & books; and I moved the living room furniture around.

Grace LOVES it..She has more rolling room..and last night she was all over the place,

putting her claws up & making vocalizations.. as she was the tickle monster!

As the person playing with her..you're suppossed to roll to chase her..then tickle her..

which she then abrupts in laughter.. it's the cutest!!

She's Amazing.. Amazing Grace.

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & Maxwell

November check-in.

Here's our monthly check-in.. Grace continues to make some great strides!

We had to do a Modified Barium Swallow Study last week (basically because the school 

are nervous nellies & weren't feeding her what we were sending in.. COMMUNICATION is key here!!)

Anyway, we didn't learn anything new..other than she is cleared of 

thin liquids & eating purees & some solids.

The problem isn't the food or water, but that she needs someone to guide her & remind

her "SIP-DOWN".. the way Gary & I and her feeding clinic person does it..

Grace is a very independant 4 year old!!

Well today, Veterans Day.. Thank you to the Brave for serving our country in the past & present!!

We think about those overseas that continue to keep America safe!

Grace went to a birthday party for a friend from school on Sunday (the only girl from his class that went)

at the local roller skating rink & it was her first time there.. so first time on a scooter & roller skates!!

She did AWESOME.. and absolutely loved it!!

She loved the loud music, seeing her friends..and was laughing the whole time..

(& it was clearly a work out for Mom & Dad!!)

 I think someone might be asking Santa for these kinds of roller skates for Christmas!! And the roller skating rink is about a 1/2 mile from our house..

I see this new adventure in our immediate future!!

I hope you can see this 2nd video..if not, let me know & I'll try again!

It was definitely a PROUD mom & dad moment!!

And onto just one more proud moment.. Grace has reached the 50% percentile on her growth chart..

she is 33 lbs 36.5" tall.. even while wheaning her gtube.. 

she's gaining weight, her belly/gtube area looks good..

stronger every day!

Thanks for reading & keeping up with our family!

Grace is deifnitely an inspiration!

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell