Lake Wenatchee and Leavenworth

Our summer has been off to a great start...or rather my summer has been off to a great start.  I feel like I have been on summer break since Will has been here, but school isn't officially out for another week and one day.  (One day.  One day of going to school for 2 hours.  This is pointless, but whatever it takes I guess.)

Memorial Day somewhat kicks off our summer where BBQ's, warmer weather (or wishful thinking of warmer weather) and much traveling to see family and friends begins.  Rasar State Park has been a camping tradition for the past 6-7 years. Some parts are a little fuzzy, which I equate to the good times we have had.  This year's trip was a little different...we had Will and we only made it a day trip because he wasn't quite sleeping through the night, or at least consistently sleeping through the night.

Our little family at Rasar State Park.

This past week Will and I took a trip to Lake Wenatchee to see Granny and Papa and hang out for a few days.  While we were there we took a day trip into Leavenworth and hiked part of Lake Wenatchee shore side trail.  Granny also taught Will, or at least introduced him to the steps to making sangria.  We had a great time.

Smiling with Granny.

A day in Leavenworth.

Mom and I...after wine tasting.  We had so much fun!

Sangria lesson...

...introducing Will to wine.  

Hike around Lake Wenatchee. Will was not cooperative for the camera.

Today we enjoyed and laughed hysterically (I was crying I was laughing so hard) at Aidan's preschool graduation.  This little boy means the world to us.  He is like a nephew to us and we would do anything for him.  He is smart.  Very smart.  And he loves to read, especially about Star Wars.  He is funny and always makes us laugh.  He also has a loving heart, but is often shy about showing it.  My favorite is when he secretly approaches and wants to give a hug or quietly says, "I love you, Monin."  He truly is an incredible little boy and I'm so thankful that Molly and Ryan share him with us.  Congratulations buddy on finishing preschool.  We are so proud of you, Aidan.

After Aidan's preschool ceremony.

There are many other "things to do, places to see and people to be with" for our summer...this will be another post.

Until then...welcome summer and hurry up warmer weather.

Little Arms Welcoming into Heaven

It's not even our loss, but my heart aches incredibly.  I've cried all night thinking about it and trying to imagine what our friends are going through.  I can't.  I'm completely taken aback by this and continue to ask God why.  And then I go into complete feelings of guilt for us not staying in better contact with them, for not calling when we are in the area, for not getting together more often when we lived closer.

I pray for the Demings and their extended family that is going through this loss. I ask that God wrap his loving arms around them, comfort them and surround them with loved ones.  Lord allow them to grieve and give them the time to work their way through this loss.  I pray, Lord, that you comfort the little hearts of Henry, Morgan and Max as they grieve in their own little way.  Allow them to have answers to their questions about their little brother, Andrew Michael.  Lord, in due time, give them piece of mind knowing that Andrew Michael is with You in Heaven.  God I also pray that your healing hands are upon Sarah.  Give her the strength and courage to face each day and a quick recovery to what her body has gone through.  God, please bless their family.

I can only hope that our three little ones in Heaven opened their arms wide to Michael Andrew and they are running through the woods, building forts, sword fighting with sticks, eating s'mores around the campfire, playing in the dirt and muddy from head to toe...freely playing as little kids do with huge imaginations.  Most importantly, that they have welcomed him and asked him to play and be friends.

God, I thank you so much for our little Will.  Although extremely difficult and still in question, I thank you Lord for the losses that I have experienced, only to be able to comfort and support others that have similar aches in their heart.  Today I'm grateful for life.

Throughout our losses, words of encouragement have been shared with us.  I share these same words of encouragement to the Demmings...

Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. -Psalm 31:24

The Lord is near to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him (her) out of them all.  -Psalm 34: 18-19

I will turn their mourning into joy and comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow. -Jer. 31:13

We love you Demings.  Our extended arms are here and we will continue to pray for you.

First M's Home Opener

Will went to his first M's home opener.  I foresee this being just one of many more home openers to come, beings that this was Chad and mine's ninth home opener.  

Will was fantastic.  We were hoping to make it to the 4th inning and we ended up leaving in the 8th because we had to catch our bus.  We have definitely lucked out with a mellow little boy.  

Will got a certificate from guest services that shows he came to the game with mommy and daddy.  He also got a Mariner Moose playing card.  I might just be an overly excited new mommy, but I thought that it was pretty cute and cool.

On our walk out of the stadium and to the bus tunnel, both Chad and I commented on the fact that neither of our parents were there this year.  We missed them.  Maybe next year. 

Here are a couple of pictures from that night...

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Yes, it's that time of year.  The Mariner's season starts tomorrow and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I love baseball and believe it or not, I love the Mariners.  It's hard to be an M's fan, but at the beginning of every season the loyal M's fans hope for the best.  And we have high hopes for the best.  So right now, our season looks good and anything is possible.

The home opener is April 13th and for the past 8 years I have been to the home opener.  It's now a tradition and one that I hope we can continue...with Will.  I'm pretty excited that this year will be Will's first home opener.

Here's a couple of pictures from last year's home opener.

Chad's parents were in town for the game.  

Before the game, hanging out in the beer garden at Pyramid across the street from the stadium.

Traditional picture with the field in the background.

There will be 3 of us in the picture this year.

We always dominate the standing space behind home plate.

Two of my favorite fans, Becca and Molls.

The boys...Will, Anthony, Luke and Chad.

Luke and I have been to the last 8 home openers together.

Looking forward to the game in a couple of weeks.  Let's go Mariners!

Life Changes--A Little Over Two Week In

Time has passed by quickly.  I looked at my last post and realized it was in the end of January.  My writing time has been more preoccupied on Will's blog, (http://weebabymoon.blogspot.com/).  Our little miracle has arrived and what an adventure it has been so far.

Will was born three weeks early and at first I thought that three weeks really couldn't make that much of a difference, but it has.  The biggest challenge, at least for me, has been with breast feeding.  Everybody talks about the benefits to breastfeeding (which I completely agree), but the conversations of how difficult, exhausting (emotionally and physically) and painful it can be is rarely discussed.  But don't get me wrong, it is indescribably rewarding and satisfying in a nurturing way at the same time.

For the first few days Will was tube fed from the breast and in doing so I felt helpless.  My milk hadn't come in completely and knowing how valuable the nutrient-rich colostrum was for Will to get, but not fully receiving was emotionally exhausting.  Looking down at him as he was trying to nurse, learning to suck from a breast shield, receiving food from a tube while at the same time him looking up at his mommy and daddy probably wondering why we were not adequately providing for him.  Recalling the desperate look in his eyes brings me to tears.  Little Will went through a 24-hour period where he did not want to eat, but just sleep and significantly dropped weight.  His brain was still programmed to be sleeping and receiving food without effort.  He wasn't ready for the real world and Chad and I had to teach him and try to reassure him that what we were doing was for the good.  Again, just thinking about it breaks my heart.

The next morning Chad called Will's pediatrician and she wanted to see him right away.  That afternoon we saw Dr. Chaput, who absolutely loves Will, and she reassured the both of us that he was going to be okay.  I almost think we needed the doctor's visit more than Will did.  While waiting for my milk to come in Will's pediatrician told us to do formula supplements and keep a detailed log of Will's feedings and pooping and peeing schedule.  When we returned home I had an emotional breakdown...feeling less than adequate as a new mommy.  Chad continued to be solid and support me, Will and our new life changes as we dove in head first.

Once Will started eating, he began to come alive and become a little person.  His cheeks started to fill out, his bottom lip puckered up and his coloring changed drastically.  Within a week the tube feeding ended (thank God) and we were able to bottle feed him breast milk.  Now the little guy is nursing and being bottle fed like a champ and gaining weight as he should.

Other life changes...lack of sleep.  Although this is expected with a newborn, but I guess we weren't fully prepared for what that meant.  It amazes me how little sleep our bodies can continue to function...well, sort of.  We are regularly in bed by 8:00 now because we are so tired.  Although, Will has a different story in mind and enjoys staying awake from about 8:30-midnight.

I know it's only been two weeks, but I feel like our social life has also taken a huge step back.  We left our house for a social outing on St. Patrick's Day, but inside I was a basket case and not sure if I even wanted to go.  I was glad we went, but also glad when we came home.  Our second social outing was to our weekly Survivor night.  I was a little more relaxed, but we are still trying to figure out Will's schedule...if he has one...and where we fit in to all of it too.

Nonetheless, with these little life changes my heart is overflowing with love for our little miracle baby boy, Will.  We've brought a gift from God into this world and he is precious, peaceful and absolutely perfect.