See you when?!

A quick post about our day today... we had a few appointments, and as usual got lots of feedback and info to process... but something happened today that has never happened before.  After seeing one of our 'ologists, we did NOT schedule a follow up appointment.  AGH!  We're finished with one specialist, mark it off the list!

Of course, as I was smiling a mile wide I told the doctor I would probably have a mini panic attack some time in the next week :)  He humored me, laughed, and said of course I could always call if I needed to.  I think his tactic worked, no panic yet!

As you can see in the picture below, Samuel was obviously quite at ease at the hospital that day... ha ha!  The receptionist said that a child sleeping in the waiting room was a first!  Then, he slept through most of the exam, too... but still won't take a nap when it's time.  Stinker.

Speaking of the hospital, below are a few photos from another recent trip to Charleston when we took the whole family to a few of Samuel's appointments.  DB and I have always talked about wanting to walk over this bridge with the kiddos, it was one of our theraputic activities when things were pretty bad in the NICU.  We always said we couldn't wait until they were big enough, and healthy enough, to go with us :)  That day is here - hooray!

Time to March!

The March of Dimes was last weekend, and once again an incredible success!  Huge thanks to everyone who donated, forwarded our video, and offered encouragement.  Once again, our family felt such overwhelming support for the March!

For three years running, our family has marched... the first year was kind of last minute, but no matter :)  I mention it for two reasons:

• The first, looking back at photos from years one and two is pretty incredible!  You can click here for Year One, and here for Year Two.  Our pulmonologist always told us not to count progress by days, or even weeks, but by months and years... all I can say is, wow.

• The second is that it continues to amaze me how many people get involved each year.  Not only are there new people giving to the march every year, but we have new teammates actually walking every year, too!  As you may have seen if you clicked on the links above, year one was a team effort with supporters at home and those walking with us.  Year two our team grew to include my girls and a group of students from school, among others.  Year three, once again things change... and families from our children's school join us both in making donations and walking that day.  So incredible!

Like I said above, it was once again an awesome day.  For the third year we were recognized with some type of fundraising recognition... this year being the second highest fundraising team.  What a thought... WE (every person who gave a gift, walked, or forwarded our info on) are making a difference in the lives of babies.  What an overwhelming feeling!

Of course, some fun photos from the day :)

First thing, come on guys, cheese!

George: Ok!

Samuel: Why?

Olivia: It's too early, mom, give me a break. 

The crew!

Well, part of it... I have some great photos of our big team, with some teachers, parents, and kiddos from Little Brown School, but I forgot to ask all the mama's permission to put their little ones online... drat. 

Olivia and George in the butterfly garden... Samuel was off entertaining the crowd :)

This was really sweet, each butterfly had the name of a child being celebrated and/or remembered that day.  There were butterflies celebrating children born healthy, in support of preemies, and in memory of children who did not make it.  Took your breath away just a little... 

Away we go!

Check out the background, one of my favorite parts of the walk is the scenery... we walk along the marsh for a bit and to a little beach, which is the turnaround point.

Olivia and one of her best buds, Sterling, leading the pack :) 

And with energy to burn! 

 George eventually walked a bit too...

but overall he and Samuel were quite content in the stroller :)

After the walk, nothing better than a snack with another one their best buds, Paige! 

 Olivia made sure to find a comfy spot... with Madison :)

 Samuel found a great spot too, with Katie :)  

She is his shadow at LBS and they are great friends!

 George also found a spot... with a few of his heroes :)

The dad of the Ambassador Family this year is a fireman, so a bunch of the guys came out and actually wore all their gear for the walk, I was seriously impressed.  The kids were seriously thrilled!

Another highlight, George got to try on the suit!  

Well, the boots and hat, but they were so big that would probably be all he needs, ha!

He was beaming :)

I love how kids tell you "I need to go home now" ;)

Easter Weekend... Part 2!

Then came Easter morning!  Like Christmas, the kids didn't know to expect all the hoopla that morning... which meant they slept well and were in no rush to get down stairs :)  But, they sure did enjoy it!

Everyone enjoyed hunting for eggs! 

Olivia had the collect-as-many-as-possible-go-go-go strategy :)

George had the savor-each-egg-as-soon-as-you-find-it strategy!

Samuel checked out the eggs to humor us, 

but was much more interested in the crazy grass :)

Another classic...

... of course, try explaining to 3-year olds that once you put the egg in the dye you're just supposed to sit there and watch it for a while... ha!

The guitar was a surprising favorite... we weren't surprised they loved it, but it was just awesome to see Samuel's fascination.

The crew joined in immediately...

... and while Olivia and George danced, Samuel was mostly amazed at where the noise was coming from.

Couldn't get all dressed up and not take some family photos!

Can't I just wear it to bed?!  

Mo, Olivia loved her dress... thank you :)

Easter Weekend... Part 1!

We had a wonderful Easter weekend!  Holidays are becoming more and more fun as the kids get excited about them.  Plus, we got to take a little family vacation!  Olivia and George were a bit concerned when we started packing and talking about this mystical place called "vacation," but ever since they arrived at the beach, it's been their new favorite word :)  Well, that and "beach house," which is one of my personal favorite's, too.

DB's brother rented a house at a beach about 90 minutes away, and invited us to come and stay for a few days... it was absolutely awesome!  We arrived at the house and all three children went nuts!  Rushing from room to room, excitedly telling us all about each room... and then repeating the rounds and finding all new things to be excited about.  It was hysterical.  One of my personal favorites was the thrilling "holes in the ceiling," which most of us refer to as skylights :)  Oh to see through the eyes of a child!

We probably could have stayed inside the entire trip and the kids would have been perfectly content.  There were very few toys and a fabulous view they were partially interested in, but regardless, they were in heaven.  But no, the beach was calling!

Easier to tell the story in photos... that's where the Part 1 comes in, I took quite a few photos :)  Which is funny now that I'm looking back at it, because there were so many things I missed!  Now that they can all run in different directions (including the ocean) I feel like it's definitely harder to catch things on film.  Here's the trip before Easter Sunday...

 There is a little maritime museum on the beach, and the kids loved it!  In fact, they felt right at home when one of the first things they saw were hermit crabs... which they have in their classroom.

 In the same tank were stingray's, which of course were fascinating :)

 Olivia: Cool fish!

George: I think he's looking at me...

 Alligator teeth!

 Samuel wasn't terribly interested... until this guy!

He laughed with delight, chasing it around the tank...

 ... and even offered a smooch :)

Of course the beach was a favorite :)

Everyone was even up for photos :)

First Samuel...

 ... then George joined in the fun...
(Best buds!)

 ... before I knew it, all three cheesin' it up!
(No wonder Olivia considers herself the big sister, ha!)

 A little time to soak in the warm sunshine :)

 A little time to play with a kite :)

It was hysterical... all three kids loved Uncle Jay's over sized kite, but Samuel was absolutely thrilled.  Laughing and running all over the place!  Of course, they also thought it was pretty cool when Uncle Jay helped them each fly it!

 In fact, the kids had so much fun that nap time wasn't a struggle :)

 George, leave your brother alone... ha ha!

An Easter morning preview :)

 Kids first Peeps!  George and Olivia dove right in!

 Samuel on the other hand... checked it out...

 ... gave it a squeeze and a little closer look...

 ... and decided, no thanks!  Ha!

 George treated everyone to a story :)