Not much to say....

We haven't posted in a while and that's mostly because life has been pretty quiet for us. We've kept busy but mostly just swimming at Tante Nen-Nen's pool and swim lessons. We play A LOT of trains and mommy tends to want to stay inside during these super hot days.

We haven't said much on the blog about the situation with the baby, mostly because I've wanted to keep this just for all the happy news. There really isn't much new to tell in that area. We have gone back to see another specialist to ask some more questions and get a better understanding of what is in store for us. We don't have any good news, just some more answers. My doctor has said that she would induce a few weeks early, which would put us right around the first of September. So at most, we have about 6 weeks left.

Based on our meeting with the specialist, we are going to try to meet with the neonatal department at the hospital where we will deliver to try to understand some of the very difficult decisions we will be asked to make at delivery. We will also go ahead and have the amnio done, just to confirm exactly what the issue is with the baby, to confirm that it is Trisomy 13. It's one less thing we will have to test after she arrives. Finally, we may go to a pediatric cardiologist to have him look at the heart defect to determine how severe it is. This is something we are still discussing.

I realize posting in a blog about this may seem a bit.... cold? But we also know how many of you care and in some ways it's easier to distribute the information this way rather than repeat the story so often. We have come to realize that this will be even harder than we thought it was going to be.... and it's really not something we ever even imagined having to face.

Thank you all again so much for your love and support. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we are certainly going to need them. We love to see and hear from all of you. All our love.

Lots of updates!!

I've been a bit behind in posting. I've added several fun updates below and have one or two more to add over the next few days. We've been having lots of fun, especially now that the weather is warm. Please keep visiting and posting comments, it keeps me motivated to post when I know people are actually out there reading!

I do want to say a special thank you to all our family and friends who have been so supportive over the last few weeks. Thank you so much for the phone calls, cards, emails and visits. It may not seem like much, but it means the world to us and we can't tell you all how much we appreciate it.

Thank you everyone!

SWIM LESSONS!

On Tuesday Connor started swim lessons. At first he was a little hesitant to put his face in the water, but on the 2nd day he warmed right up and had a great time. He loves the lessons and really seems to be getting the hang of it. Here are some pictures that I took tonight. He will continue the lessons for the next 3 weeks.


Practicing the "motorboat"

Going for a swim with the teacher.

Warming up to putting our heads under water.. we start with an ear

This is fun!

Jumping in 1...

2... weeeeeee

and 3! SPLASH! Who's afraid of the water? Not me!

And my favorite part is all the cool toys!

Tante Nen-Nen's Cool Pool

Uncle Bob and Tante Nen-Nen put in a swimming pool and on Father's Day, they invited us over to go swimming. I had so so so much fun, Mommy and Daddy couldn't get me out of the pool.

Dirt Pile -- Best Toy Ever!!!

Our friends Steve & Kristie, just moved into a new house and are working on their yard. There is a nice big dirt pile in the back, and of course, the kids were drawn to it like it was the world's coolest, most expensive swing set. Why do we even buy toys? I think a box and a dirt pile (and some trains) would definitely cover it! Here are some pictures of the kids in the dirt pile (yes he went straight home to the tubby....there is only so much dirt a mommy can take).


Getting a little help to get to the top! Thanks Lexi!

Almost there!

We did it!!!

Family Reunion 2008

After our fun Thomas adventure we headed up to Great Falls, MT for a family reunion. We had a wonderful time and were lucky enough to get to spend time with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Mike, Aunt "Great" Sam, and Aunt Mandy (among MANY others). Mat met a lot of family he didn't even know he had. It was really great to be able to spend time with family we don't get to see very often. Connor still makes great funny faces (thanks so much Uncle Mike) and keeps asking for "great" Sam and Aunt Mandy. We can't wait to see all of you again very soon, thank you so much for a wonderful weekend. I'll send copies of these pictures to everyone. Lots of love, we had a great time!

By the way, Connor also had a wonderful time playing the memory game and especially the Cooties game (thank you Aunt Sam and Uncle Mike). We will always fondly remember Great Falls bug.... And the duckies go in the tubby with us every night. They don't fly as well full of water (thanks a lot Grandpa and Uncle Mike).

Thomas 2008!!

We began our fun and busy Memorial Day weekend with a visit to Thomas the Tank engine before we started our trip to Great Falls. As expected, Connor had a wonderful time! He was so excited and had a wonderful time. The weather wasn't very good and we had to start our drive to Montana, so we didn't get to stay too long...just long enough to ride Thomas, get a "sticker" (tatoo) and buy a cool new train. Here are some pictures of our adventures!


I love riding Thomas!

This is fun!

I can't look now Mommy, THERE'S THOMAS!

Getting a sticker, I picked Rosie!


Hey, look, Mommy was there too!