Here We Go...

The parade of holiday parties has begun.

Last weekend, we went to one of our "must attends"...

the annual NICU (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) Christmas Party.

Usually, we see Kean's doctors, nurses etc. there...

but this year, they had a whole slew of therapy dogs.

They were quite the hit.

As was, the big guy and his little lady.

I do believe this is one of the few pictures we have

where one of our kids isn't screaming bloody murder while

sitting on Santa's lap. 

 One of the main reasons we went was to hook up with this little cutie and her mum.

Emily "lived" next door to Kean in NICU.

Let's just say Emily's mom and Kean's mom bonded through the trauma.

If we have our way, these two kiddos will be fast friends forever.

 It just might take a few years to get them there.

Kean was much more enamored with the Christmas ornaments than with

Emily in her cute little snowflake dress.

We will try again next year!

The Big Birthday Countdown

I cannot believe Kean is only a few days from turning the big one! This past year has gone by so incredibly slow in some ways and in other ways, it has whizzed by. The other night we took the entire family to the St. Luke's NICU "Graduates" picnic. And everyone I had hoped to see-- was there! Remember, during Kean's 1 1/2 month stay in intensive care, he had about 5 roommates-- mostly sad stories with parents who rarely visited. He hit the jackpot with his final roommate, Izzy. She was adopted by the cutest couple from Provo, Utah. Izzy was born very early, had started thriving and gaining weight until she got pneumonia. She was one sick little baby when she was rooming with Kean.

Look at her now. They don't get much cuter. As for Kean, he slept through much of the big reunion.

That is, until his favorite nurse, Pam (in the green) woke him up to give him loves. She's the nurse who took care of him the most-- and she's the one who helped name him Nathan. Remember, she's the one who had to stop herself from calling him Nathan... before we had named him! Next to her is another one of our favorite nurses, Molly. Molly's holding Emily, Kean's little friend from Hailey, Idaho. Emily's mom and I became quite close during and following our NICU experience. By the way, Greer thinks Kean and Emily make "such a cute couple".

And finally, here's my other favorite nurse from NICU, Dan. When we were having major problems getting Kean to latch on-- Dan is the nurse who showed me (using his own body) how to self express my milk. He's the coolest! He and his wife are trying so hard to adopt a baby. So keep your ears open everyone.

I have to admit, I was a little nervous at how I'd feel at the NICU reunion because that whole experience was so traumatic for me. The children loved every minute of it-- St. Luke's had those big bouncing contraptions, face painting and all kinds of activities and games. On top of seeing the few nurses I really cared about, it was actually quite nice to see the doctors, other nurses, therapists and administrators. It seemed like any time one of the doctors wanted to talk to me while Kean was in NICU... they'd be the bearers of bad news. I used to dread any conversation I had to have with them. This time around, it was quite a different story. I'm glad we all went.

P.S. Three days until Kean's birthday! A while back, I wasn't sure we'd ever get this far.

Reunion

Just look at where I caught Reesey yesterday morn-- in bed with Kean. I think she was very excited about his soon to be big day. We went to the park to meet up with some very important friends.

This is my dear, dear friend, Kelly (who drove down to meet us from the Sun Valley area). Her daughter, Emily was a micro-premie. She weighed only one pound something and spent 80 days in the NICU. Her twin sister only lived 10 days. Emily was in the room next to Kean. And Kelly has been my sounding board, my soul sister, my email psychiatrist as we've both found our way through quarantines, therapy and hospital bills. I just wish she lived next door. (Emily has a mouthful of chompers and smiles perfectly anytime a camera is near. She's adorable-- she and Kean were due only one day apart. I think we were all destined to be friends).

And if you are a long time "Girl World" reader, you'll recognize this angelic face-- my all time favorite nurse-- Liz. She was the one who kept me sane during my staycation at St. Luke's and she's also the nurse who helped bring Kean into the world. I love this woman!!! Aren't her boys dashing?

We had the best time... you know, eating, talking, talking, talking. And most of it was even adult conversation. The kids had quite the time playing in the park and splashing in the water. (And eating snow cones-- a right of summer)!

All was well and right with the world until Reese said her eye hurt. Within a half hour or so, it started oozing and swelling up. Yup, you guessed it. PINK EYE!

So much for the partying. Poor Reesey. I just pray little Emily (or the boys) don't get it!

Kelly says we need to get shirts printed up that say "It's always something!" Who wants one?