Today...

This is a busy week for us.  Paxton has an echo cardiogram scheduled for Thursday morning and surgery for his adenoids/tubes Friday at noon. I'm not going to lie.  My nerves are shot this week.  On top of everything else, I have a sore throat and double ear infection and we're 1 week away from Mia's birthday and the 5 year anniversary of losing Parker.  I find myself crying at totally inappropriate times and for any reason--or no reason.  Basically, I"m a big fat mess. But...that being said, if you could just say a quick prayer for Pax, I'd appreciate it.  I'm hoping that his surgery goes well and that they are able to find a reason why he has feeding/eating issues so that we can find a way to help him.  Stop back by Friday as I'm participating in a blog sale.  Selling some girl clothes, size 3-4. 
Thanks!

Happy Heart Day

Three years ago today,  my 7 lbs, 7 oz baby boy had open heart surgery at 7 weeks old.  He is the strongest, bravest, most amazing little boy I have ever known.  He's strong willed and a little sensitive just like his mama.  His heart is now perfect and I thank God everyday for his life.
Happy Heart Day sweet Paxton.  I hope I can give you the best weekend ever. 

Toy Drive to Benefit Johns Hopkins Hospital

This is an emotional time of year for me.  This year, there is an extra burden with Pax's upcoming procedures and my Dad's cancer, but I still try to remain thankful for the wonderful gifts we have been given.  Three years ago today, Paxton was 7 weeks old and just over 7 lbs. We had found out about his ASD only 3 weeks before and we were being monitored closely by a Cardiologist at Johns Hopkins.  On August 27, 2010, we went to Hopkins for a follow-up/weigh-in and were admitted for failure to thrive.  Pax was given an NG tube to help with weight gain.  We were supposed to be there for only a few days, but miraculously, our Surgeon had an opening on August 30th.  That was the day that my baby's heart was fixed.  While he still has health issues, his little heart his perfect.  I am so grateful and thank God every day for his life, that we were able to keep this little boy that we love so much. 
Knowing what we went through, makes me also think of other families whose baby's have health issues that are not so easy to fix.  I have been following Caleb's story (www.whenyourise) since his mom, Desiree was pregnant.  Some families have had to live seperately to work and care for their other children.  Some children have had to spend time in the hospital alone.  I remember, when I was there with Pax, the child in the bed next to him spent the majority of his time alone.  I'm assuming his parents had to work, but I'm not sure.  He cried constantly.  I asked if I could hold him or play with him, but I was not allowed.  This was heartbreaking.  I'm sure you are wondering why I'm going on and on about this and where this is going so I'll tell you.  After we lost Parker, we decided to use the money we would have spent on his birthday party/gift to buy toys for kids who are stuck in the hospital.  Seeing the kids when I was there with Pax only helped cement that this was a worthy cause.  This year is the 5 year anniversary.  While just writing this alone makes me cry, I want so badly to make this into something wonderful.  Something amazing for other kids.  So, I need your help. 
I will be collecting new unopened toys from now until Sept 10th to deliver to Johns Hopkins Hospital on September 11th.  I will post pictures so you can see all of the toys/gifts that we will be donating. 
If you would like to help, please email me at kfinck4@gmail.com.  You can have stuff shipped to me if you are interested.  If you live in the MD/DC/NoVa area, I'd be happy to try to meet you somewhere. 
Thanks in advance!

The many faces of Mia

I picked up my phone the other day and got a little surprise.  My 4 (almost 5) year old decided to take a few selfies.  Happy Monday!

Wisconsin Recap

We spent 5 days in Wisconsin last week.  The kids had a great time visiting with their Uncle Andy, Aunt Vicki, and cousins Lauren and Connor.  The had a fun filled week of rides, pool/water activities, and checking out Uncle Andy's new plane. 
On a side note--I got my eye's checked and my vision is 20/15.  Who would have guessed?  I thought for sure I needed glasses.  Anyway...here are some pictures from our vacation.

Mia and Barbie puppy are wearing matching night gowns

Uncle Andy's plane is very cool.  Pax LOVED it!

The pool water was cold, but the kids didn't care.

The sprinkler was super fun.

So was the water slide.

Balloon animals.  Pax had an airplane.  Mia's is a flower

Uncle Andy's corvette won 1st place

They loved the rides!

more rides...

Their first roller coaster.

Yup...more rides.

It was a nice getaway and the kids had so much fun.  We were really lucky that the fair was in town! 

What I've learned--and an update from Pax's surgery

First...my son is a champ!  He had an outpatient procedure done yesterday at 8:30am and was up and jumping around by noon.  He did get a little nauseas from the anestesia, but that was because he was running around.  He is still a little swollen and has stiches, but he's doing amazing.

I've learned a lot about myself over the past couple of weeks.  I've learned:

• I hate airplanes even more than I thought.  Our flight had terrible turbulance and I literally cried.  Yup, I cried on an airplane full of people.  I hate flying.
• I also do not enjoy being anywhere for more than 2 days without a car.  I feel trapped.  I like the freedom of knowing I can run to the store if I want...or just take a ride to get away. 
• I have some really awesome friends.  I knew this before, but it really hit home yesterday.  I got emails, calls and texts from a few people asking about Pax and it meant so much to me!  I really appreciated knowing that people had thought of him, prayed for him, and cared enough to ask how it went.  I am so grateful to have met some amazing women in my new hometown. 
• I'm not the hostess with the mostess.  While I've always known this, it hit home the other day when Chris asked if he could host a work party at our house for about 65 of his work friends.  My first thought was "um, sure if you get a porta potty".  Yup, the thought of that many strangers using my bathroom makes me ill.  I could go on and on about why and how I'm not up for the challenge, but I won't.  I realize my hospitality is not up to par. 

Have you learned anything about yourself lately?  Stop by tomorrow for a recap of our Wisconsin trip.

1st Day of Preschool

Just a few pics of Mia's first day of Pre-K and Pax's first day of preschool.  They didn't change schools, I just finally started documenting it.  :)

Happy Friday!