Happy Shunt-a-versary!

(June 3, 2009 s/p VP shunt placment)

Ashlyn Grace's VP shunt is 3 years old!  Is it silly celebrating the birthday of an inanimate object?  Not at all!  After all, for a child with hydrocephalus, this medical device, which drains excess fluid off of the brain, is a matter of life and death.  Ashlyn is an energenic, normally developing 3 year old diva thanks to her shunt.  Many hydro kids are not as lucky to have such a reliable shunt and require frequent revisions and replacements.  I am blessed that we have gone 3 years with no major problems and pray for many more surgery-free years!    

We spent Ashlyn's "shunt-a-versary" at the Strong National Museum of Play, our favorite place in Rochester!!  We had a blast as usual, and I was overjoyed to be able to watch Ashlyn playing like any other normal, happy, healthy 3 year old.  Thank you VP shunt!  You rock and that excess CSF doesn't stand a chance against you.  Happy birthday!!   

 Ashlyn and Daddy giving hula hooping a whirl!

The gang hanging out at Sesame Street.

Papa teaching Ashlyn how to play the archaic video games from back in "his day".  

My 3 year old is a genius...she can play a mean game of chess!

(Of course, by chess, I mean just randomly moving pieces around with a intense look on your face.)

A First Time for Everything

I love how exciting FIRSTS are!  

Braeden and Ashlyn's first experience bowling did not disappoint!   

She looks so tiny compared to that big ball! 

Braeden waiting for his first turn at bowling EVER! 

Daddy is a great football coach, and now I can say he also makes an awesome bowling coach! 

The ball was too heavy for Ashlyn so we used this handy contraption! 

Braeden quickly got the hang of bowling, and he couldn't wait for another turn. 

There was a mini meltdown in true 3 year old fashion.

The Final Standings! 

Ashlyn definitely had beginner's luck with a winning score of 106!  Triple digits?!  I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually bowled over 100!  It cracks me up that Chris came in last because he is always super competitive, but I will add that he and I allowed the kids to bowl our frames halfway through so the scores are not reflective of his true bowling skills. 



Happy Thanksgiving

This year I am thankful for FAMILY.

I am thankful for Ashlyn who continues to amaze me everyday. Hard to believe that late last December we were told by a doctor to consider termination! She truly is my inspiration.

I am thankful for Braeden who is the sweetest, most loving big brother. He may be entering the terrible twos early, but he is still my favorite little guy in the whole world!

I am thankful for Chris, my husband. He is a wonderful husband and an even better father. I am extremely grateful that he is such an awesome dad. He is very involved in every aspect of their lives. From playtime to doctor's appointments, he is there for the good times and bad, the hugs and the temper tantrums. It is great to have a partner when things get stressful with raising 2 under 2. I don't know how I could do it without him. Single moms out there, I am in awe of you!

I am thankful for my mom. She is my best friend and always so supportive of me. Now that I am a mother, I have come to the realization that I am my mother's daughter. I might joke that I am turning into my mother....but you know what? That is not a bad thing! Although I was not able to spend Thanksgiving with her this year, I am thankful that she was able to be in California instead. She treated herself to a trip to Cali to visit my brother. Speaking of my brother....

I am thankful that my brother (AKA Uncle Chris) is a Young American doing his thing on the West coast. He has a great role in the "new kid show," is making new friends, and seems to be very happy even though he is super busy now. I am very proud of my little brother!

I am thankful for my dad. I am very proud of him because he has finally kicked his nicotine addiction! YAY, no more tobacco!!! Braeden and Ashlyn need "Bop-pa" around afterall. As a nurse, I am know the importance of quitting, but I also understand how hard it is. I am also thanful for Chantix (tobacco users talk to your doctors about trying it...I have heard from quite a few people who finally found success quitting with it).

I am thankful for my in-laws. In-laws don't always get a great rap....but mine are pretty awesome! I feel right at home with them. I remember when I first met them when Chris and I started dating, and I was so shy and timid....not anymore!