Christmas

Last Christmas.......

soooooo so adorable. I want to crawl into the photo and snuggle right in with them.

I love that they used to cuddle all up together

But this year brings a whole new kind of wonderful.

The boys weren't too sure about this whole unwrapping presents thing. 

They weren't even that interested through much of it, 

and when they did get curious, it was pretty tentative. 

Nicholas: Its really okay I just ripped through this thing?

 
Alex: easily distracted, but happy to find something new to 'eat'

 After he opened his first present on Christmas morning, Nicholas seriously went over to his chair and signed that it was time to eat. Really.

 He figured out after breakfast that were actually 

some really neat things in all of those "boxes" just waiting for him. 

Nicholas: YES, this is the book I wanted!!!!!!!!

and the best part: all the loving on and from our family and friends!!!!!

There's absolutely NOTHING like seeing the smiles from your little ones faces!!!!!!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

photo out-takes

Photo outtakes:

Any one knows that taking your child to get their pictures done is a process. 

It SHOULD be simple. 

Pick outfit, bring child 

or so thought the person who obviously didn't have children.

I thought I had it pretty well figured out. I would schedule the photos for right after the boys had their "well rested" nap and after they've had a hearty breakfast and bottle so they wouldn't be hungry and cranky. I also scheduled it for mid morning which tends to their "happy" time. I picked out cute coordinating outfits, brushed their teeth, their hair and brought their favorite snack "just in case."

The reality is: 

kids have their own agenda

and they don't so much care about yours.

 any one with more than one child will tell you,
getting a picture of ONE child smiling is a gift

 getting the same picture with two or more children smiling

 well, thats just a dream
at least at this age.

 ummm...guys...did you know nothing is in here?

 really, they want us to smile over a couple empty boxes.

 and a lousy ornament. well could have stayed home for this

 hmmm but I've got my eye on all of those cords....both boys in their ready to take off position.

mom and dad got their exercise just constantly putting them back 

and saying just hurry up and take a picture. now. fast

 before they are off again.

 pulling the ear must be "the" sign that you better give up at least one smile 

or we'll have to be here forever.

 Alex finally smiled on his way to get those cords

and luckily that camera click was fast because, phew, they got it on film!!!

 and one for Nicholas too!!!

these last two shots though

sure made up for the chaos of it all!!!

Amazing

I have been really slacking on the updates and there's definitely news to update!!!!

Alex had his follow up sleep study more than a week ago. Check here for information from his first sleep study. Hubby definitely felt it went way better than his first study several months before since they didn't charge in the room with oxygen the entire night but we didn't want to get our hopes up. Even the surgeon who took out his tonsils and adenoids out wasn't that optimistic that they were enlarged enough to make that much of a difference in the severity of his apnea. Well Alex amazes the "experts" again, I don't know why I bother to be surprised anymore. He's been lovingly referred to as a rockstar since his wee NICU days and he continues to be one in my eyes.

We met with his pulmonary doctor and he said his obstructive sleep apnea went from severe to mild. His oxygen sats never dipped below 92% during the most recent overnight study. Can you say amazing???? Want better? He is now on his second night of sleeping at home without oxygen tubes all taped to his face. yep!!! This is only the 3rd time in his 18 months of life that he's been able to be without oxygen. Two of those times he's only been able to be without it for a week or two before getting sick and needing it again; so be forewarned the mama with the purell is back in charge during this winter cold/flu season!!!!

His pulmonary doctor agreed to let us hold onto the oxygen and apnea monitor for awhile longer since it was just in August that Alex had pneumonia and the only way he didn't have to be hospitalized was because we had all the oxygen, monitors and nebulizer machines at home. The doctor hopes that as he gets closer to two or three years of age if we can minimize his respiratory illnesses and give his lungs a chance to heal and grow healthy lung tissue, he'll be able to fight off colds, etc without needing the heavy artillery.

and Nicholas? Yeah he is pretty fabulous too!!! He started taking independent steps almost two weeks ago. He is so cute about it too. He flys around pushing anything he can find around the room and then stops about two feet in front of me and raises his hand above his head like he's in class with a question. I've learned this is my split second warning that he's coming for you, ready or not. At first he was lunging himself full steam ahead and pretty wobbly but in a very short time he's working it out and his coy little smile tells me he's pretty proud of himself too!

Those are just a couple of examples of our really fabulous days. But I'm a HUGE fan of the ordinary days more and more lately too. It feels like we've had a long journey to get back to ordinary. Just thinking back to everything that has happened over the last couple of years. The time and energy it took for us to start our family, then all of the complications beginning so early in our pregnancy, the premature birth, the three months in the NICU, the nine surgeries between the two boys in 18 months, illnesses, hospitalizations, new diagnoses, yadayadayada. I am more than happy to get back to the regular, ordinary day to day of life.

With no more anticipated surgeries (knock wood lots of times), and Alex coming off of his long time need for additional oxygen, there is this sense of calm that is just starting to settle in that I haven't felt in what feels like a very LONG time. I feel like we are coming off a turbulent road and rounding the corner at last. Its an amazing feeling. Am I using that word too much? oh well. I've tried other words on and thats the word that fits!

We've gotten a chance at some ordinary lately and I love it.

Goofing around at home:

spending time with family

The first hair cut

 Alex: I don't know about this

 hmmmm.....

 Okay, I approve!

And Nicholas?

 he was supervising

 and flirting.

now he says he has to grow some more hair quick

 so he can come back soon!!!

the Christmas pictures...okay well the header is just a teaser, will be back with more soon :)