Remember just last week when some of us turned on our air conditioner? When the thermometer hit the upper 80's/low 90's? When we took out the pool/slide thing for the first time? Well, we had it out again last Wed. when the weather was nice and warm, but ready to rain. Luckily it didn't rain until close to bedtime that night, and then of course the winds shifted and we went back into our sweatshirts. But, we did get Grandma, Auntie, Andrew, and Emma to check out the water fun too! We can't wait for the warm weather to stay!

Even thought the weather was quite chilly and rainy this weekend, I still was able to get everyone to accompany me to the Arboretum (yes, I am addicted that place!). We didn't last terribly long, but were able to get some fresh air in the morning playing in the Children's Garden. The lady even showed us the tadpoles! There are millions of them, literally, and in another month they should be turning into toads! We stayed inside to have our lunch, but still had quite the view. And to top off our visit, Uncle Kevin was there too! Joey played shy, but managed to give Uncle Kevin a high five. I wish I had remembered to pull out the camera! Hopefully we'll run into him again there!

After a good rest from the great outdoors, we headed over to Uncle Paul, Auntie Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette's house! We hadn't seen them in a while, and the kids were so excited and had so much fun. Daddy's birthday is on Memorial Day, but since we don't get together as often as we'd like, they made Daddy a yummy cookie cake (his favorite!) and the perfect birthday crown! Thanks for the great company, delicious food, and birthday wishes!

Masionis Visit!

Saturday we were so very lucky to have Crystal, Dan, Alex, Bailey, and Eva over for the afternoon. Josh and Eva are the two that brought our families together. Since CHARGE Syndrome is such a rare disorder (affecting 1 in 10,000 worldwide) it was very difficult to find another person with CHARGE Syndrome in the area. I joined a Listserv shortly after Josh's diagnosis and met a lot of people around the world with CHARGE or with a child with CHARGE. Still, I hadn't met a single one in person until the day of Josh's funeral. Crystal, Eva's mom, has a heart of gold and from reading my post on the Listserv about losing Joshua, she drove a good distance with Eva when she found out about Josh. It was at Josh's funeral that I first met another child, and a couple years older than Josh, that had CHARGE. It warms my heart to this day and words cannot describe how thankful I am for Crystal to have come out to Josh's funeral and to bring Eva so I could hug her, talk to her, and see what Josh would be like in a few years. Crystal and I have remained close through each others blogs, fundraisers (she does the Bowling for CHARGE fundraiser and includes Josh in it each year, and has come out for the Charge for CHARGE 5K), birthday parties, and e-mails. At the CHARGE conference in 2009 (just 4 months after Joshua passed) Crystal invited me to a mom's dinner with 6 other CHARGE moms who I have also formed great relationships with. However, this was the first time we were able to bring just our two families together to play and talk. It was unfortunate that they couldn't make it to Jillian's birthday party, but worked out much better this way because we were able to spend the whole time with all of them! Jillian loved the Puppy that they got her for her birthday, and I am especially thankful that Crystal got Jillian's name programmed in for us so I don't have to worry about figuring that out! Jillian loved playing with Alex--they share the same birthday, so they hit it off real well! Joey had a blast with Bailey--he wanted to do everything Bailey did and laughed the whole time! And it was so wonderful to play with Eva and to see in person how far she has come. Like I mentioned I visit her blog daily (at least) and Crystal does such a remarkable job posting videos of her progress and all that their whole family does that I feel like I am up to date on all she does, but to be able to play with her and see her in action brings it all to a whole new level. She is an amazing and beautiful girl, and I thank Josh for sending her and her family into our lives.

Crystal also made me a pretty bracelet with all of my kids names on it. I love it! Thank you so much! And yes, we will be getting together much more often and hopefully again soon! They have had a rough year, but we are hoping for a healthy and fun 2011!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Before the Christmas festivities continue here I thought I'd update some pictures and holiday happenings. We had a fun visit from Uncle Mark, Auntie Miya, and Nathan last weekend, and of course among all the fun forgot to take pictures. I did get a few of the wonderful gift they gave us as posted above, but was negligent with the camera otherwise, the battery died and I am often forgetful when we are having a good time. The next day we had Uncle Paul, Aunt Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette over for a holiday celebration. The kids had lot of fun playing together. We also received some Christmas gifts for Jillian from Auntie Trisha, who we haven't had a chance to get together with, but will shortly after the holidays. As Jillian's Godmother she had the task of finding a unicorn type gift of which she did a magnificent job! The unicorn theme is the theme in her room, and reminds of us a lot of fun, as well as trying times in the NICU with Josh.

This week Andrew came over to play in the snow with Joey. They both enjoyed eating the snow, and we reminded them over and over not to eat the yellow snow! We also went over to our new park that was finished earlier this month (what timing!) and Joey loved it. Every morning he wakes up and lifts his shade to announce that the park is all finished. So he was really excited to finally visit it. We also were able to find Josh's tree that was planted by our neighbors for us to see. It is in a perfect location, and I was very comforted to see it back and in good shape. Speaking of our great neighbors, the Soles brought us some super delicious cookies (I personally love the chocolate ones, but the peanut butter are a close runner up!), as well as gifts for Jillian and Joey. Jill got a new spring coat which looks like it will fit her perfectly. They had gotten her her winter coat which she loves and I was so thankful for because time would've slipped away and she probably would've been wearing one of Joey's old boy coats! Joey also got a new hockey sweatshirt which he loves...he wanted to put it on immediately and shoot a thumbs up to the camera! Thanks! And Merry Christmas Eve to all!

Weekend Fun

Saturday Joey woke up very early (4:30 am!) and took his first out of state trip to Kenosha, WI to watch Mommy run a half marathon! Joey was wide awake at 4:30 when I put him in the car to go to Grandma's house. He wanted to go in and play with Aspen, but it was a brief stop before jumping in Grandma's car to head up to WI for the race. Joey pointed out all the trucks, and telling us that Uncle Don drives one!

Grandma and Joey had a lot of fun cheering on Mommy and all the other runners. Joey was yelling "Go Runners Go!" and enjoying some snacks and the outdoors. Joey had been on most all of my training runs with me, and really enjoys being in the jogging stroller. He often wakes up from his naps asking to go running. He asked Grandma at one point to go in the street and run. Joey was so excited from the day, he didn't even sleep on the way back home! All morning today he has been running around the house yelling, "Go Runner!"


On Sunday we had a long overdue visit with Uncle Paul, Aunt Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette. The kids had a lot of fun playing outside and inside, and it wasn't until everyone was settled down in their pj's that I remembered to take some pictures. They were all wound up, but ready to give Chien (their dog) some hugs, and to plop down and rest on him. Poor Chien!


And finally...a quick Jillian update: Jillian started rice cereal on Friday night and has been enjoying eating solids quite a bit! She doesn't fuss at all and even seems to chase the spoon into her mouth if you aren't quick enough. She does push a lot out right now, but she is still learning, and I think will pick up on it pretty quickly!

Other Happenings

Last week Joey went to the library to decorate an ornament for the Christmas tree that our library will have at the Brookfield Zoo this season.


Over the weekend we had Uncle Paul, Auntie Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette over for a day of fun. We played, went to the Cosley zoo, and went for ice cream!


Before Uncle Mark, Auntie Miya, and Nathan came over on Sunday Joey and Daddy had to finish the kitchen by putting the door back on the hinges. Sorry we have no pictures of our get together, we are not as good with the camera as some think!