My Helper

I was babysitting one afternoon and had just started dinner when the babies were ready to eat. I asked Tyler and Rachel to feed them. Tyler said no thank and Rachel swore she could feed both of them herself. And, you know what? She did!

Kealie (l) Rachel and Jozie (r)
10/5/09

These picture is from a while ago, but I love how eager Rachel was to help and I wanted to show off her skills!

Kealie (l) Rachel and Jozie (r)
10/5/09

Happy Birthday Tyler!

On Friday, October 30, Tyler turned 14.

He was very happy I didn't force him to choose a cake this year. You see, Tyler is a weird child. He doesn't much care for cake. This year I made him something I knew he would enjoy...a donut and Rice Krispie treats tower!



Here he is with his new MacBook. He was so happy and surprised!

Fight for Preemies!

Do you know a baby that was born too soon, too small, unable to suck, unable to breathe on his own? Premature birth is a health crisis that jeopardizes the lives and health of nearly half-million babies each year. It is the #1 killer of newborns and can lead to lifelong disabilities. Worse: the number has increased 31 percent since 1981. It can happen without warning and for no known reason. Until we have more answers, anyone’s baby, could be born too soon.

I have always known that the March of Dimes was an amazing organization, but their services hit close to home this year.

On July 21, 2009, my beautiful nieces Jozie and Kealie were born one month early.

Jozie entered the world at a "strapping" 5 pounds 6 ounces.

While Miss Kealie chose to sport a more petite 4 pounds 2 ounces.

They were so tiny. Unreal! The girls spent 9 (J) and 11 (K) days in the NICU.

Seeing the girls for the first time. It was so hard not to be able to hold them!


The next day.
The twins and their mama.
I got to hold and feed the babies this day!


Bed sharing in the NICU.
"We are headed in the right direction, Sis!"

I made many visits to the NICU during their stay. Jozie and Kealie received amazing care and came home rather quickly. We were so happy to welcome them home so soon and truly relieved that they were such strong and healthy girls!

Today, Jozie and Kealie are almost 4 months old! They are stubborn still strong and healthy girls. They have big personalities and wear this old aunt of theirs out! I love them so much!

Jozie 10/14/09

Kealie 10/14/09

Sadly, not all preemies are so lucky. They are born much smaller and with many more special needs. Thanks to the March of Dimes and medical advances, even the tiniest of these babies are given a chance of survival. Yet for many babies premature birth is still a life or death condition. It’s the #1 cause of death during the first month of life. And babies who survive face serious health challenges and risk lifelong disabilities.

The rate of premature birth has never been higher. In half the cases, we simply don’t understand what went wrong. We need to fight for answers. And, ultimately, preventions.

November 17 is dedicated to raising awareness of the crisis of premature birth. The March of Dimes invited bloggers like me to get involved. You can help too!

• Learn about premature birth at marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies
• Put a badge on your blog during November, Prematurity Awareness Month®
• On November 17, blog for a baby you love and to help others

We need to fight ― because babies shouldn’t have to.

Scenes from 2009 Cross Country season

The Runnin' Colenels

The boys starting line

The girls' team pre-race ritual

Tyler, my superstar!


Ra-ra, my bulldog!

Tyler, always ready to run!

Rachel, always ready for fun!

Tattoos before the race....

Hanging with her girls after the race!

This girl gives her ALL every time!

Probably the most exciting finish of the season!
Tyler and one of his good friends, Holden battle it out for 5th place.
There was a ONE SECOND difference between them!

Washing off in a puddle! This was the muddiest season we have ever endured. Every race was muddy. This one was especially dirty and the coach asked them all to wash off before boarding the bus.
G-R-O-S-S!!!

Rachel and Mallory's birthday!

I can upload pictures today! :)
Time to do some catching up!


Mallory (l) and Rachel (r) at their birthday party.

Why yes! I did make the cake. Thank you!
I used a bear cake pan and iced it to look like a dog.
I added the "woof!" just in case it was hard to tell!

Proud dad of 4 teenagers now!

Tyler gave the girls a ridiculously sappy card. It was funny because, we're just not that type of family. The girls were reading it like...."what is going on here!"

Yummy! Slumber party breakfast!

Rachel (l) Mallory (r)
14 years old
October 8, 2009