Family pictures

We got our family pictures taken a few weeks ago and they turned out really nice.  I don't think I could ever do the traditional pictures in a studio anymore.  I love the way the pictures look outside.  We went to a local park and the boys had fun playing in between shots.

It was really windy this day and the fires that were North of us made it really smokey.  

A daddy and his boys.  This picture describes Thad and Ollie very well! Thad is just a nut and Ollie is silly.  You never know what you're going to get with these two boys!

I love Thad's smile if you can call it that! He doesn't like to smile "normal" but instead his silly grin.

Oliver wanted to wave to everyone in this picture.  

I love this one of Oliver.  He is such a sweet little boy.

This one is my absolute favorite :) I love the brick in the background.  Both boys were looking at the camera and giving a nice smile.

Because of the wind and smokey background we didn't get all the shots we wanted.  We are going to do a few more of the boys together a few of Thad.

Rock and Walk

This past weekend was the Colorado Rock and Walk.  It is a walk through the Tears Foundation which is a non profit group who assists bereaved parents with the financial expenses they face in making final arrangements for their baby who passed away.

This is Colorado's second year of having a walk.  I saw information advertised and wanted to walk in Memory of Emma.  They make these butterfly keepsakes for each baby who has passed away.  As you start out on the walk they have the butterfly's lined.

I have met a very dear friend, Adie through my heart group.  Her husband Chuck was born with a congenital heart defect and is currently waiting for a heart transplant.  Adie has two children and her first son Tyler passed away 12 years ago.  After we met we had an instant connection and could talk for hours about Tyler and Emma.  

Something so terrible as loosing a child has brought Adie and I this wonderful friendship.  We get along very well and have a special bond through Tyler and Emma.  We know they both had a hand in bringing us together.  Adie is so strong and her family is such a blessing in my life!

 It was so HOT the day of the walk. It got close to 100 degrees and we were exhausted by the end of it! It was a 5K so it was just over 3 miles.  

Another person I have met along this journey is Liz.  She had twins last summer Parker and Brayden.   Brayden passed away from Hypo Plastic Left Heart when he was just 3 months old.  My heart aches for all these families who have just lost a baby and going through all the emotions.  I know we are almost 6 years since Emma passed away and it never gets easier but for these families starting this journey I feel so sad for them and the heartache they are facing.

 Adie, Liz and I

Before the walk we wrote a message on the balloons and after it we released them.  It was so beautiful seeing these balloons released in memory of the babies gone to soon. 

Summer Swimming

We found a new pool! I can't believe we haven't been there before but I'm glad we found it now.  We are members at the Y and they recently took over a few of the pools in town.  The Cottonwood creek recreation center was one of them.  It has three parts to the pool.  

This is the wave pool.  Every 15 minutes they turn on the waves and it feels like you are in the ocean! It throws you around and Thad absolutely loves it.  It has the zero depth where you can walk into the pool.  

Oliver likes it too.  He likes to walk along the waves. 

The other parts of the pool which I didn't get pictures of are a lazy river with a whirl pool and a big slide.  The lazy river is really neat because it sort of pulls you through it with the current.  There is a whirl pool in the center of it that spins you around like crazy! It feels like you are being flushed down the toilet! I was nervous about Thad going in it by himself and now he is a pro in there! 

Thad asks about every day if we can go to the pool that goes "whoosh, whoosh." I'm glad we have a membership there so we can go anytime we want!

Congenital Heart Walk

The Congenital Heart Walk is an ongoing national effort between the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) andThe Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF). We walk to honor and remember the millions who have been impacted by congenital heart disease (CHD). 

The Congenital Heart Walk shows the nation how a team of inspired individuals can join together to make a difference. Funds raised will support the missions of both these national nonprofit organizations who are uniting to fight CHD!

This year, thousands of individuals and hundreds of teams will unite at over 25 nationwide locations! Register today to show the world it is time to fight CHD.

Please consider joining our team and walking with Mended Little Hearts of Colorado Springs on August 25th or donating to our team goal.  Please click on the link to join our team!

If you would like to make a donation please visit my page at http://congenitalheartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1025988&lis=1&kntae1025988=260E569C48E6478BBA368011955B4706&supId=360409466

The walk will take place on August 25th at General's Park in Aurora, CO.  Registration opens at 8:30 am with the walk kicking off at 9:30 am.  

Oliver 1 year checkup

 Oliver had his one year checkup yesterday.  He is such a little ham! He was very occupied with the flavor stick the nurse gave him.  He weighed 20 lbs 1 oz.  and is 29 3/4 inches long.  He has only gained 1/2 an ounce since his 9 month check up.  His pediatrician said she is a little worried he hasn't gained more.  Our next checkup is in 3 months and if he hasn't gained much by then she said we may have to do something about it.  I can't believe he hasn't gained more weight- he eats like crazy! He is eating anything and everything he can find.  It must be all the crawling he is doing :)

 I am still nursing and I have a feeling he isn't weaning anytime soon! I started giving him whole milk in a sippy cup and he takes one sip and then he's done.  It might be hard to transition him over! He got two shots at his checkup and did great with them. 

My two sweet boys! 

Photo Book

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Happy Birthday Oliver!

Our baby boy turned one last Saturday! This year flew by so fast.  He is such a handsome little guy.  He got his first haircut on his birthday and it took away his baby look :( His hair was out of control so we trimmed it for our family pictures. 

He didn't like his birthday hat! It made him look like the pope!

I couldn't get a good picture of the two boys together. Oliver was more interested in the comb and Thad didn't want to look at the camera.

We had lots of family and friends over for his party.  My mom brought Thad back to us on Wednesday and stayed for the party on Saturday.  She brought Hannah, Macie and Dawson with her.  We still had Shayna out here and so she brought her back to Kansas with her.

Mommy and birthday boy

We had a BBQ and a Elmo birthday party.  I found this cute idea on Pinterest and made our own veggie Elmo.  

Daddy and birthday boy!

Oliver, Landon and Parker playing with his new drum set we got him.  They can start their own band together.  It came with 4 instruments and they have fun shaking them all.

Ollie got so many cool toys! He got a bubble machine that plays music for the bath, a ride on bouncy toy, bath toys, trucks, and balls.  He has had so much fun playing with his new toys.  

He loves his new bouncy ride.  It has a ball so when he sits it gives it a little bounce and plays music.  He can get on and off by himself which is nice.

He also got a new swing set! He loves his baby swing! Thad also likes it and thinks he is the one who got it! 

Elmo cake! It turned out really cute. 

I painted this plate at a pottery place in town. 

Ollie was very nice about eating his cake.  He was very excited he got his own piece instead of little bites!

He finally took a big chunk of cake and put it in his mouth.

Yummy!

I love this picture of his big blue eyes.  

When he was opening his presents his friend Parker was very anxious to see what he got.  Parker got in Oliver's way and Ollie yelled at him and pulled him down! Everyone else thought it was funny except Parker! 

This little boy is so special.  He has been such a blessing in our lives.  We thank God for him everyday.  He is such a little sweetheart.  He is still crawling everywhere, walking around furniture and standing a little more on his own.  He loves walking when we hold his hands.  He is going to be an outdoor baby and cries when we bring him back inside.  He loves throwing the rocks outside and crawling in the grass.  

Happy birthday to our baby boy! 

Thad likes it when Uncle Tony throws him high in the air.  I caught this shot at the perfect time! He wanted more and more but Tony was tired! 

Oliver's 1st Haircut

We gave Ollie his first hair cut on his birthday! Adam has been wanting to cut it for awhile and I just couldn't do it before he turned one! His hair was getting a little out-of-control! 

Before pictures

Adam cuts his own hair and Thad's hair (when he lets us).  Now we will be adding one more to the list!

He didn't cry at all.  He wanted to see what daddy was doing to him.  He did great for his first cut.

He looks so grown up now! He lost his baby curls which is bitter sweet.  I liked his curls but they will grow back.  

He really looks like he is 18 months instead of just turning 1.  It changed his look completely! He is so handsome :)