Parenting is not a one person job

This is something that Chris and I are working on. We are both very independant people and I personally have trouble working as a team. Trey needs us to do this and so we are trying, very hard. I grew up in a single parent home and most of the women in my life have take the world on by themselves and don't ask for help. This is not how I want to raise our family but I do not know how to operate anyother way. I have a terrible habit of taking on to many task and never haveing enough time, couple this with an inability to ask for help and a limited support system and this becomes a recipies for disater.

Trey is now walking and learning to talk and I/we need to work as a team because a walking, talking toddler is not a one person job. I now understand why they say " it takes a village to raise a child" and depending on that child it may also take small army.

This Memorial Day weekend we spent most time at home and with the Butlers. (C works with R.Butler they share a sick love of Madden and I really like R wife and Daughter J) Sunday was J's 2nd birthday and on Monday we went with the Butlers to the Cincinnati Musuem Center's Childrens wing and let the kids run themselves ragged. It was great to spend time with another couple while spending time with the kids. Secreatly I hope that J grows up and marries T because she is so cute and I want beautiful grand babies!

T starts day care on the 9/23 and beleive it or not I am not the least bit worried. I am kind of looking forward to it. It will be nice to have designated time to myself for school and anything else I need to get done. J is also in daycare at the same place in the 2 year old room and she is very intelegent and definatly well adjusted and her mommy trust the daycare and I really like and trust J's mom so it is a done deal in my mind.

Under Weight Preemie and Mommy

We have a very unique problem my DS and I. We are both struggling to keep or put weight on. I know many women have trouble loosing weight but there are those of us who have the opposite problem and that is exactly where T and I are.

You may be thinking " Well, just eat something! " but it just is not that easy. I do not want T or me to just gain any kind of weight. We need to gain a healthy amount of muscle and fat. This typically requires adding protein. The pediatrician recommended Carnation instant breakfast shakes with whole milk and bananas and so did my family doctor. We do not use them as a meal replacement but actually to add a meal into the day. The only problem is that these amazingly tasty shakes will wreck T's appetite if given at the wrong time of day and he will not want to eat dinner. We have both been taking in these tasty treats after his nap usually around 1:30pm as our snack with some fruit. I am very pleased to report that in just two weeks T has gained 1lbs and I have gained 3lbs. T has also began to walk better and started talking better. I have started having more energy which leads to more exercising. More exercising means that we both are becoming stronger! YEAH! I am not sure what other people do to help their preemies gain weight and muscle but this is working perfectly for us.


One prepared serving is an excellent source of 21 vitamins and minerals and provides:

13 Grams of Protein to help build and maintain muscle
Vitamin A 45% of your daily requirement, a natural antioxidant
Calcium 50% of your daily need to help build strong bones
Vitamin C 50% of your daily requirement to help maintain your immune system
Iron 25% of your daily requirement
B Vitamins essential for converting food to energy

Trying to upload atleast 1 video

Finally, I have successfully uploaded one video to blogger. It sucks but I promise I have more coming! This is T's first trip to the Cincy Museum Center

He is walking among other things!

Wow, times does fly. The week before we went on our AMAZING vacation T started walking. He was successfully taking anywhere between 6-10 steps on his own before either giving up or falling down. I was beyond happy that he decided to start doing this amazing thing called walking before we left. While our vacation was relaxing and soothing for the soul, I could not wait to get back to see how much better the little man was doing.

Grandma S kept T for the week and they bonded so much. He was actually looking for her the day she left. He would look up at me and put his hands up like " Huh, I know someone else was here? " She is missing him equally if not more.

Back from vacation I stepped right back into mommy mode and first thing in the morning T walked from the balcony door all the way to his room! Now he is following me all over the house and it is quit funny to see this little midget monkey walking all over the house. He actually walked with his hands in the air just like monkeys do. It is so cute!

T is trying to talk now and by that I mean actually English. He has been baby talking for weeks now but nothing I understand. I find it amazing to see the wheels turning in his head when I point to the cat and say " cat " a million times or "dog" or whatever he is pointing too. Then he really tried to mimic what I am saying. I does my heart really good to see that he is doing well and that the grade 1 brain bleed doesn't seem to be affecting him. I can remember it like yesterday when the doctor told us about it. My heart sank and all I did was worry about how bad it was going to be in the long run. Being a preemie mom seems to be a licence to worry and with good reason. I always seem to be wondering what will be his big hurdle. ADHD, ADD, Asthma, learning problems and so far nothing except the lazy eye, thank God. But I still worry.

T is also talking back and he has started to take things and hide them from me! While cute and all it is very annoying. I have to keep telling myself that this is a good thing and that it means his brain defiantly working just fine. He also shakes his head no and if I could actually get Blogger to upload a video I would show you but for now you just have to take my word for it.

T is completely on table food and he loves it. Oranges, Chicken, Yogurt, Cheese, Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, any kind of casserole...actually you name it he will eat it! My little baby is becoming a little boy. Thanks to www.wholesometoddlefood.com he will be a healthy little boy and man some day.

Taking his first steps

Vacation get away....

Chris and I are taking a vacation and no it is not with T. He is entirely too young and let's face it...Mommy and Daddy need a break. I must say that even though I get a slew of guilt trips from the Mommies on the bump boards I don't feel the least bit bad. Chris and I really need this and I am sure it will make us better parents when we come home. We need to recharge the ol' batteries. These last 15 months have been very trying for us as new parents. Trey being born early and all the stuff that goes with that added in with school for me has worn me down. So, off we go on Sunday to the Bahamas and T will be with Grandma S. I know she is looking forward to it and I couldn't appreciate it more. I will miss my little man but he will be here happy and healthy when we return.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.9

Today, was surgery day for Trey's Strabismus

Stamismus is a common disorder of the eye where one or more of the six muscles of the eye are not working properly. This causes they eyes to not be symmetrical and requires surgery to correct. Here is a website that explains some common eye disorder and some information on them http://www.allaboutvision.com/ ( It's under Children's Vision )

So, Trey had surgery today and while the surgery alone was stressful there was an additional component that made it a bit harder for me. Today is also the same day one year ago that we brought him home from the hospital. I haven't shared that with anyone yet, not even Chris. I have been having flashes in my head of what he looked like in the NICU one year ago. My tiny barely 2 pound baby. I remember how thankful I for every second God allowed me to watch him breath and be with him for just one more second. I remember how hopeless and scared I was. I remember how lost and out of control I felt and today I relieved all those emotions again. Bringing him to the hospital the same day one year ago that I brought him home last year made me feel like I was tempting fate and I was terrified that I wouldn't be walking back out the doors with him. I stayed up all night long cleaning because I was sure that there was some germ or piece of dust that was going to irritate his eyes so I cleaned the vents, dusted, did laundry, cleaned the floors, packed the diaper bag and cried. I feel like I let him down by having him early and now I couldn't protect him, again. Once they put him to sleep it was in God's hands, not mine. I had no control.

Once at the hospital Trey was greeted with the usual Oohs and Ahas and "oh he is such a happy baby" " Oh, he is too cute " " what color are his eyes, beautiful! ( BTW he really sucks this up and LOVES the ladies ) We checked in and I could think about was how germy hospitals were and that I had to go to the restroom. We got to our room and I changed Trey in to his hospital gown ( yep I have picts ) and we did all the pre surgery consents and questioning. The whole time the doctors kept telling Chris and I how healthy he was even though his is only 2o lbs = 0% on the weight chart and 29 inches long =42% on the height chart and they were surprised because when you look at his stats and stuff on paper it look a bit ominous. You could actually see the relief on their faces after they saw him.

They let me hold him while they put him to sleep by using a gas mask. They thought it would be a struggle but when they gave him the first gas ( nitrous "laughing gas") he was perfectly content licking the inside of the mask and once it hit him his already smiley face became even more smiley and he had the funniest " I am messed " up smile on his face. He giggled a few times then they turned on the sleeping gas and he giggled some more and with a smile on his face fell peacefully asleep. When I helped place him on the table he still was smiling, but I felt like I placed my heart and soul on that table and allowed them to walk away with it. We walked out to the waiting area and I started crying but I held it off long enough to get to a bathroom. Once I got in the stall I sobbed for a good 5 minutes fixed my make-up and walked back out to Chris to wait.

About and hour and a half later they called our name and about 10-15 minutes later they brought me back to my baby. His eyes were a bit swollen but he was still sleeping so they were closed and I couldn't see much. They let me pick him up and he began to cry because he seemed confused that when he went to sleep he felt great and now he wasn't feeling so hot. After a few minutes, his cry changed tone and I asked the nurse if she could give him something because he was getting uncomfortable. She did and I just held him and sang the "Johnny Appleseed Song" to him. The words go like this....The Lord is good to me and so I thank the Lord. For giving me the things I need like the sun and the rain and my little baby baby the Lord is good to me "

Now, Trey and Chris are sleeping peacefully in the bedroom. One is sleeping off the meds and the other is sleeping off the stress and I am blogging. Tomorrow I will post picts of his eyes. The nurse said they will be a bit bruised but I want to document this for him.

A great start to a great summer!

I LOVE being home with Trey and just being mommy. We have are trying to acclimate him to the pool and yesterday was our first time at the big scary public pool. It took him a few minutes but once he saw some pretty girls in bikinis he was fine! He loves the ladies and the ladies love him :)

I do wish he looked more like Chris and me because no one thinks he is my son. A lady came up to me and said that if she hadn't been watching me with him she would have thought I was babysitting. I get that I should take it as a complement but it is hard he is MY baby and other then his olive skin tone and natural rhythm ( Yep, he is a dancer...likes shaking booty )

We go to the park or pool almost everyday and I think I have worn him out. Trey slept till 10am this morning and then went to bed at 1pm. HAHAH little man...I win! Just kidding, not really :) We have gone to the Cincinnati Zoo and I am waiting for the aquarium till a rainy weekend.

So here are some pictures from the summer of fun so far. Enjoy!

What an amazing weekend!

I wish I words were enough to explain how amazing this weekend has been. As every amazing day has passed this weekend I can't help but remember what we were doing last year. Then I would think about us now and where we were at that very moment. how far we have come. How extremely perfect and simple it was. Hanging out with my boys at Taste of Cincinnati. I tear up as I think about it. A year ago, I couldn't even think about doing this. The future was so unsure but now, in these perfect moments....well, I don't have words to describe how I feel. Only another mother will understand, only a preemie mom. My perfectly healthy little guy eating his first raspberry ice cream cake and bit of fried Twinkies. I can't describe how wonderfully simple and amazing these moments were. We took Trey to the pool and he was hanging on for dear life to Chris but he liked it. I just think he felt very small in the big pool, kind of like the first time you go in the ocean.

We had a very typically Cincinnati style memorial weekend and I loved it! I couldn't have dreamed a more perfect weekend. We went met my mom at the Taste and ate some great food. It was Trey's first time and that means alot to me. Chris and I go every year, rain or shine. We have been there as it was thunder storming...seriously! ( not that I would do that with Trey, I just saying Chris is a true Cincinnati boy, orange and black blood too! ) We used the BBQ everyday this weekend in true American fashion and you know we hit up the pool and it was Chris's idea! Those of you that know him have probably heard me complain about him not wanting to go to the pool because he won't take his shirt off. I guess the Trey changed that and that is great! No, complaints at all. Actually, I am proud of them both. Trey for getting in the pool even though he was obviously a tiny bit freaked out and Chris for going to the pool and being such and amazing Daddy this weekend. We kick A$$as parents! LOL Just kidding :). Trey had his first taste of bbq'd chicken and loved it. This summer is going to be amazing. Everyday with my boys is the best day of my life!

Well,here are some picts of the boys and some weekend fun!

Not so sure off this big bath tub. Might take some getting use to

Floating with Daddy's help, checking everything out. Maybe he isn't as big as a daredevil as I thought,

First time in the pool

Just being cute~

playing with mommy

Summer and Trey he just loves her but won't stay still for the camera :)

So busy!

So things have been crazy the last few months, between school, my mother staying with us for a month, Trey's first birthday and all that it has been pretty hectic.

Trey is 1 and I can't hardly beleive it! He is doing so many things that I didn't think he would be doing by now. He understands "yes" and "no", he screams, sings and says "mama" and "dada" he is crawling everywhere, pulling himself to a stand and walking with assistance. Yep! I said it...walking. He has come so very far since his rough start 1 year ago. It is hard to beleive that my 2lb 10oz preemie is 18 lbs and walking and crawling.

I did his party in a monkey theme and ordered the invites from an amazing woman who personalizes things. I made the cake myself and can't wait to do another. I keep offering but that is another conversation for another day. I loved doing it and it turned out really well. I felt so happy on Trey's birthday but it has been hard. Everyday, I remember what I was doing 1 year ago on that particullar day. But here are some pictures and vidios of the little guy.

Above the Party

Below just random favs

We hit a 10 Month milestone EARLY!!!

Trey has been pulling himself to his knees for the last few days and on occasion he will stop army crawling long enough to get himself up on all fours. Today, He pulled himself to a stand and attempted to "cruise" from a blue canvas tote, to the couch. All of this just to get the remote! I almost did not get the picture because I was afraid that he would fall and bop his head. I ran got the camera, snapped the picture and he tipped backwards with the remote. He whacked his head and I held my breath. Then he laughed and started chewing on the remote. So much for my delicate little preemie!

So, this is a 10 month milestone! Yippie! Definatly looks like Trey is going to skip the milestones of crawling and sitting up (before walking ) and go straight to bust my butt and hit my head walking. He just does not have the trunk control for these dare devil baby moves. I just know that we will be headed to a ER visit for stictches in the next year, or less. Maybe I should get one of those " _?_ days since our last accident signs"!

I don't have pictures because I have temporally misplaced the cord to my camera but I will post them soon as I find it!

Pulling to his knees!

Aw! look how big Trey is getting. He has started pulling himself up to a his knees! I am wondering if he will go from army crawling to walking?? I don't know, we will just have to wait and see!

it's my MAD face!!!

Just wanted to share! LOL!!!

I know I am way behind but....I have pictures!!!!

Finally, I have got some picts on this new laptop! so here they are!!!

We are ready for spring!

Trey is doing amazingly well and I am so ready to break out of the house and FINALLY share the world with him. Due to the RSV and flu season we (like many other preemie mommies) have been on lock down. Spring is just around the bend and now that the little man is mobile I can't wait to start trolling the parks and what-not. Oh Yeah! he is mobile! army crawling his way around the house. He is saying mama and baba...dada doesn't seem to be an easy one for him.

Food: I am making Trey's baby food and to be honest I thought that it would be hard but it isn't actually, I find it pretty easy and OMG so much cheaper then store bought food. Money was my first reason for wanting to make his food and nutrition was second. I can't believe that Gerber is poisoning my baby or anyone else's child but some people think 'crazy' things like that...oh well, to each their own. But he loves squash of any kind, peas, carrots, bananas, apples and pears. I have an avocado and we will see about that but I have high hopes. To be honest, this kid will eat ANYTHING! Even if he makes a "ewww" face he will still eat what ever it is till it is gone.

I use the website www.wholesomebabyfood.com. It has so much info on baby food, how to make it and even family friendly menus with foods for everyone. I refuse to make separate meals for everyone in the future. I also have a book by Jessica Seinfeld called "deceptively delicious". I got it at first for Chris and I. The book basically is a way to sneak good foods into other foods to add nutrition to what you eat. For example, I hate zucchini but she has a ton of recipes that you add a puree of zucchini to the recipe and you can't taste it but you get the good nutrition of that particular food. More on that later.

So many new tricks!

First of all, I have to apologize that I don't have any new pictures to put up. My laptop was acciddently broken and I had to get a new one. So, all my old pictures are on the old laptop and we have to pay 100$ to get them off of it and well, it is a recession people! So, that will get done eventutally....



Trey is doing amazing as usually (as if there were any doubts LOL) he is army crawling everywhere and I have given up trying to keep him in one spot. He has free rein of the house and that is just fine with me. He is saying "mama", "baba" and "dada" on occasion. Just yesterday I FINALLY taught him to clap his hands when I say "yeah!"

Aw! My little baby is becoming a little man

So, I haven't uploaded any pictures yet but I promise that they are coming. I have TONS of picts from Christmas and New Years.

Our First Christmas was wonderful. I was so happy to have my healthy little guy and hubby at home. Now, although Trey had no idea what was going on it really made my holiday to see him with his grandparents and to see how happy this one little guy made everyone! He is so very special and so ~!loved!~ He got a ton of toys for Christmas and he loves all of them...most of the toys go directly in to his mouth but oh well LOL!

Lets see, OMG!!!! he is trying to roll over from his back to his belly...sounds easy but apparently it is not. He did accomplish it twice and the first time I missed it. I walked into the kitchen and when I came back he was on his belly and I was SHOCKED!!! happy but very upset that I missed it and then today....I saw him do it YEAH!!!!!!!! but I didn't have my camera out...DAMN!!! I got a scolding from my mom and got the camera so now it is my new mission to catch him rolling over. I guess it will be the same as trying to catch him smiling, Guess I am going snip hunting LOL!

He is getting so big and Trey isn't looking so much like a baby anymore so I have started calling him "my little man", he babbles and argues with me, gets upset when I take toys away and he loves to cuddle with me :)...It is hard to believe that he is 8months old and in a little more then 100 days he will be a year old...aw! My little Man