Saying good-bye

It's a sad day today... & tomorrow too.. I'm sad for Grace

& i'm sad for Vevoo.. (grandfather in Portuguese)

Vevoo has been sick & has finally gone to his home in heaven..

the good news is he's with Maxwell.. I hope they know how much they are loved.

Grace had her own unique relationship with Vevoo..and was even able to visit with

him last week.. & before that at the nursing home.. 

We would visit Vevo & Vavo weekly, she would sit on his lap & bite his oxygen wire.. (lol)

he would nod his head "no-no" & she would repeat it.. shaking her own head. "no-no"

He was so proud of her!!

When he heard he was dying, I was there.. & he cried.. saying he was going to miss his baby! (Grace)..

along with his other grandchildren who he loved dearly!

My dad was alot of things in life.. some good, bad & even ugly sometimes..

but he did what he could when he could..

in his later years, he was kind, he was loving & emotional!

He was afraid of dying.  He didn't want to leave my mother or his babies!!

Keep my families in your good thoughts & prayers as we say good bye to Vevoo!

 Our little musician!

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & Maxwell

Back in Maine..

We've been away in NH for the last 2 days..

today we were at Maine Medical Center..the first time we've been back since

we left with Grace on 12/5/11.

We met up with our little friend, Will (who was Grace's little friend in the next room over when she was in the NICU)..it was SOO nice to see Will & his mom, Kelley..we hadn't seen them since

August of 2012 - at Grace's first birthday!

Here are some pictures from today:

 with Grace's Doc from the NICU.. 'Peter'..

Sticking out her tongue!!

  Many of the nurses from the NICU came out to say 'HI" to Grace..they were amazed by her very Curly hair!!  her outgoing personality.. and she said "hi" to all of them & waved!!  This is Susan, who was a  HUGE part of Grace's life when she was in the NICU..

felt like a life time ago..but also emotionally I think we were more overwhelmed than she was.

It was soo nice to see the respitory therapists, & the nurses.. Sue, Susan, Andrea, soooo many came out to visit with us & Will.. soo many familiar faces.. but unfortunately can't remember all the names..

THANK YOU, MMC!!!

Will & Grace back together again!!

 Grace hugging Will..

Topped off with a lunch in the cafeteria..where Will offered Grace his mashed potatoes

& told her to eat some of his yummy Green Beans!!

It was a nice visit! 

thank you!

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

Pictures.. Snow & Coldy ..

Walking the mall.. Grace also has the same walker at school & she is doing AWESOME with it.. I've been pleasantly surprised watching her walk from classroom to office the last few times I've had to pick her up at school.. yay!!

Trying out Snow.. 

Our Snowday was IN side..  :)

Wearing big girl jeans.. this is actually from this week.. that's her best friend, Ally near her :)

Love you all,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

January Check-in.

Sorry..it's been awhile.. things are busy..but I am committed to this blog..

so I'm going to commit to at least writing monthly!!

Grace had a bout of a fever virus last week, it was the first week since being in school 

that she was home for a week!  Good thing we have SUPER NANNY..who was able to stay with 

her while we worked.

January has been a good month for Grace..

as a family, we went away for 3 days a few weeks ago to the cape.. & had a good time..

here's some pictures..(YES, she is getting big!)

On a carousel!!

Fishing with Dada at the Children's Museum.. 

And her favorite.. in the hotel pool!!!!  We had a really nice time!!

Today.. was the BEST day in January for us..

We had to pick up Grace at school for an appointment & feeding clinic..

& I go in.. chit chat with the nurse.. waiting for Grace to come to the office with her teacher..

(Gary was waiting in the car)..

Well, I see her.. WALKING in her walker from her classroom..

(which if I had to say is a very long corridor!)

It was sooooooo awesome.. so I ran out to the car to get Gary & we watched..

She walked all the way up.. almost speedy in that walker..

(she has her own walker (finally) at school.. so instead of being transported in the wagon (sitting)..

she has been utilizing the walker more & more.. 

We were soo proud of her!!!

When she saw us, her face was priceless.. She gave Mama big hugs!!

Of course on her way up, a little girl (probly 2nd grader) stopped to say 'hi'.. & the 2nd

grade teacher was walking by & stopped to say hi to Grace & Grace blew her a kiss!!

Honestly.. Ms. Social Butterfly..

The 2nd grade teacher told me that her class saw her walking in the walker today & were so

happy... they were all waving at her & her back!!

(I know.. she should be running for office!)

Anyway.. in the words of Grandpa Pacella..

"She's getting there!"

Love you love bug!!!

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell (our guardian angel forever)

Mosh Posh!

A mix of things that have happened... as we enter the most exciting time of the year

with a little one...

  Christmas concert at school.. this year, Grace "walked" in with her teacher ..rather than sit in the wagon & be in it the whole concert.. & she sat on her teacher's lap...

She actually signed some of the song.. "You better watch out".. :)

  Grace with Christmas at an event!

Seeing the Christmas Tree for the first time... she LOVES it this year!!

Pacella Tree!!

  just giving some love!

And after a Warm December day of shopping.. Grace gets to go to the swing!!

She absolutely LOVES the swing!!

Thanks for reading!!

Love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

Happy homecoming day!

It's been 4 years that Grace has been home from the NICU! 

125 days was a long time back then.. she came home at 6lbs 4oz..

of course as a Preemie Mom, you remember weights & dates like this one.. 

it sure was a CELEBRATION!!

I remember exactly what she was wearing.. this newborn "Rock Princess" dress..

it was a 4 hour drive home..(I drove!). with her pulse ox & 02.. I remember it was a nice drive home!

There she was!!

And today has been a great day.. it's been a great 4 years with Grace..

& as every day passes, she's getting stronger, more loveable & beautiful!

This week, finally, Grace started weekly feeding therapy.. it must be already working..

today she 'bit' & swallowed 3 veggie sticks.. with every swallow I applauded & gave

her a 'good job high five'.. she was so proud of herself too!!

It's working & all starting to come together..

  and here she is 4 years later...  telling her Mama to be quiet!

This week at her speech therapy..  sitting up like a big girl..

She has come soo far!! I think the Christmas Season is going to be tougher this year with the tree & lights..

she's already touching the tree!

Thanks for reading about us for 4 years!! 

couldn't do it without all of you.. 

'it takes a village'.. silent prayers are the best!

love,

pattie & gary, Grace & maxwell

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