Easter

I am loving watching my boys do their "firsts".

This year we've had so many!!!

This weekend it was time to dye eggs.

Found lots of great ideas on-line.

This was a great source for inspiration and we ended up 

inviting our friends over and trying it out: 

Drip Dot Eggs 

I think it was a hit!!!

a side note but our occupational therapist

would LOVE that we were doing this fine motor stuff :)

We ended up dunking them later to get more uniform color

but if I had to do it again, I think I preferred the unique

look of the drip dot method alone. 

although they all turned out really pretty!!

............................................................................................................................................

Easter Morning.

The Easter Bunny sure delivered. 

He remembered that the boys can't have 

the typical chocolate bunnies because of their

food allergies but he sure spoiled them 

with all the other goodies instead. 

The boys were excited to find their baskets

Nicholas was comparing his loot with Alex's. 

Then it was time to find the eggs

We had a practice run with our good friends the night before

so the boys really got into the swing of things this morning

They found stamps

jelly beans that they quickly ate

and Alex liked the sound that all those pennies made. 

After breakfast they got to open even more 

treats from good friends

Nicholas could not put this down.

He even "borrowed" Alex's because you know,

two IS better than one.

Thank you Grandma O!!!!!

Yep: totally spoiled!!!!!!

Our miracles

Remember them then?











Here they are already two months old!

4 1/2 months old

As you know almost three years ago not one but TWO miracles were born. Our boys were fighters from the very beginning but it was with the EXTRAORDINARY care of all the NICU providers and access to state of the art life saving treatment and monitoring that they are thriving today. 

If you are local, please consider walking with us on June 2nd to celebrate with us as well as to thank Golisano Children's hospital for all the work that they do day in and day out. We are forever indebted to them!!!! (no seriously, they are million dollar babies).

We have always said how grateful we are that "Strong" hospital is in our backyard with all the critical care services that our boys were able to receive.

Over 100 days each in the NICU and countless appointments, surgeries, procedures and consultations later, I shudder to think where we would have been without them. 

We have donated every year prior and walked with friends for their "stroll for strong" before but this year its time for us to do it in our boys names. It would mean a lot to us if you were able to join us. 

The details:

The walk is at 10:30am on Saturday June 2nd. Its a very relaxed one mile pace.

It doesn't matter to me if you give one dollar for donation or 100. Whatever you are comfortable with and knowing it goes to an amazing cause.

We ear mark ours specifically for the NICU because thats where our story could have turned out so differently. But you don't have to earmark yours. You can earmark yours to any part of the hospital or it automatically goes to the places of greatest need. 

Oh and whatever you give is tax deductible.

If you've never been before: lunch is provided to all participants by Subway and Zweigle's. 

There is a ton of things for kids to do afterwards such as bounce houses, games, crafts and a concert by Gary the Happy Pirate. 

We hope to see you there!!!

Help make miracles continue

Just Pictures

Professional photo day:

Even though Alex is not sharing his smile here,

it was honestly the BEST one taken of the family photos. 

I didn't realize until AFTER the photos were done,

When we had planned our outfits

we were supposed to be holding the opposite kid.

Argh. 

Here is the ONLY one we managed to get 

of BOTH boys.

Another ARGH for mommy

Any one who has ever met Alex

or has heard me talk about him

knows that he has the most awesome smiles

BUT........

you have to earn them!

Nope

this poor photographer

didn't have a chance. 

As Alex's Uncle Alan says:

"this kid doesn't mess around."

But on another note,

doesn't he look so.....

gulp.....

grown up here?

Meet Nicholas

Here's the boy that DOES like

to mess around.......

This is his FAVORITE hat

He decided to put Alex's lovey on his head

all by himself.

Such a ham!!!!

Needless to say 

Mommy was very disappointed that we didn't get to capture

any of Alex's sweet expressions

So part two session by wannabe photographer (mommy)

commenced as soon as we got home:

Alex holding his lovey

in his mouth...

He usually only needs his lovey

at nap and bedtime

OR

traumatizing events

(like above photography session)

Here he comes.....

The Alex WE know and love so well

and since this has turned into a picture-fest,

here's a few more I just have to share:

Getting ready for Easter

Who is that Bucketed boot wearing boy?

Silly Nicholas ofcourse

We have tried to meet the Easter Bunny twice now

This is as close as we get

only puts on a smile

when he waves "bye-bye"