tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70092404831147396872024-02-18T20:42:01.817-08:00Bennett's JourneyOur baby boy Bennett was born 10 weeks premature on May 5, 2008, after mommy's water broke at merely 21 weeks of pregnancy. This blog documents Bennett's struggles and triumphs as he grows.Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-8159504367114268302009-10-03T11:36:00.000-07:002009-10-03T11:41:39.071-07:00Bennett Playing Soccer!He's not just walking, he's dribbling a soccer ball too! As long as he doesn't get distracted...<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw9kLVLaqI14uGFjpEBb5kKwK4Dz2Zg33-qzJN-gppjmtvlhUjM5_MpMBLE9FLaNyeYOPou5gEGzhmsIOS3HQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-2766772836725966662009-09-21T09:52:00.000-07:002009-09-21T10:01:14.044-07:00The Climb!!!<p>Listen closely and you can hear Bennett singing "The Climb" :) SO PRECIOUS!!!</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfE4hHHhsXgxN83XVp3m9nb480EqiqcVtVzj6c-Wa7WB_5ZHjSZi9suCxjQD3tOzB8hBuQqw5ySovvndXVIg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Quite an appropriate thought for the little guy, huh???</p><p> </p><p>I PINKY SWEAR to you I will be posting video very soon of Bennett walking!! He's all over the place now! No stopping him! Its simply amazing!! Bennett had a physical therapy evaluation week before last and literally <em>the day before</em> just took off!! No PT needed!!! WOOOO HOOO!!!</p>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-38053545063995732482009-08-27T07:19:00.000-07:002009-08-27T07:21:35.867-07:00First Words???Its really hard to tell with Bennett because he'll sound like he's saying something, but then he stops or doesn't use it in context.<br /><br />But.... we think Bennett has his first words....<br /><br />"Ace! Daddy! Ace!"<br /><br />Yep, Bennett calls Ace by his first name! Boy do they start young!<br /><br />Anyway, we're pretty sure he's really using this in context now, so I'm bringing down the gavel and making the official determination that Bennett's first two words are Daddy and Ace. <br /><br />Now, that there is a great story for the baby book!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-5414511900227762852009-08-16T19:06:00.000-07:002009-08-16T19:15:01.837-07:00I'm Walking!!!<div style="text-align: center;">Tonight marks the first day of Bennett officially standing up by himself and taking a few little steps!<br /><br /><br />Here he is warming up with Granpa:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsOlVsrVJ1-G4KMLmzlQXvID0LDsUGYI4pyi4MkF1zY_Of40rZqLUBBKwb4ZMn06U0ROdaPHay329wAex8kAyG4L052AvqGgWPzeilJ8H4Z_3pcdpc8ZCzTze2MczDsYHMGHxzLStKwM/s1600-h/IMG_2156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsOlVsrVJ1-G4KMLmzlQXvID0LDsUGYI4pyi4MkF1zY_Of40rZqLUBBKwb4ZMn06U0ROdaPHay329wAex8kAyG4L052AvqGgWPzeilJ8H4Z_3pcdpc8ZCzTze2MczDsYHMGHxzLStKwM/s320/IMG_2156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370748665394203330" border="0" /></a><br />A few tips from Coach Mommy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-6hp-SuE6gh2vpAyKMnItfeKVW34QbmIbM4FrJdhZcyk6VYpkrEEmcR_WYy8b-SHTNCtAyzhG_m_3Fsr8b306yU_yraLRH1Mgu3K8oPC6JR44dG-0zPy-Q0yUKCwFWgVPqXn46FW9o8/s1600-h/IMG_2196.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-6hp-SuE6gh2vpAyKMnItfeKVW34QbmIbM4FrJdhZcyk6VYpkrEEmcR_WYy8b-SHTNCtAyzhG_m_3Fsr8b306yU_yraLRH1Mgu3K8oPC6JR44dG-0zPy-Q0yUKCwFWgVPqXn46FW9o8/s320/IMG_2196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370749271421662402" border="0" /></a><br />And we're off...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcGLq61mQ697YSMnJAcTUla41-WnMKIGdzvsLEbxNWedfhumMlTzKMYKxVv1I7Io5YOQ7kkvbP0jCWTwdOid13ANGfVhJEDFE7qhHt8ERcASJqu9R4tHYF0a1SLmC20tGC1uCP01QLpA/s1600-h/IMG_2201.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcGLq61mQ697YSMnJAcTUla41-WnMKIGdzvsLEbxNWedfhumMlTzKMYKxVv1I7Io5YOQ7kkvbP0jCWTwdOid13ANGfVhJEDFE7qhHt8ERcASJqu9R4tHYF0a1SLmC20tGC1uCP01QLpA/s320/IMG_2201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370749395627807826" border="0" /></a><br />His proud moment!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIcXQximv3sw2OmpscUKcBjEP4JAJcS7-a0FvJctIy3OG6btvDiLB4EfwbQLyCFZzdE09qjCt4WOap2LcfS2m3puJ4WsXI0WSr8NxAKI6YV5Rqiu-TlbB24SIPBvxN832hFZmrjP79fo/s1600-h/IMG_2202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIcXQximv3sw2OmpscUKcBjEP4JAJcS7-a0FvJctIy3OG6btvDiLB4EfwbQLyCFZzdE09qjCt4WOap2LcfS2m3puJ4WsXI0WSr8NxAKI6YV5Rqiu-TlbB24SIPBvxN832hFZmrjP79fo/s320/IMG_2202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370749504743620274" border="0" /></a><br />What a milestone!!!<br />We are so proud of Bennett!<br /></div>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-53852588945357849162009-08-13T19:23:00.000-07:002009-08-13T19:28:03.742-07:00Bennett's 15 Month Check upSorry, I have to make this quick. I promise to follow up very soon with pics!<br /><br />Bennett's Stats:<br /><br />18 lbs 7 oz - under 3rd percentile<br />27.5 inches - under 3rd percentile<br />head circumference - 15th percentile<br /><br />A new study has recently come out showing that very small preemies like Bennett, born under 1500 grams do not tend to "catch up" in size until about 5 years of age. Trying to "fatten" him up can have the dangerous side of affect of causing diabetes or obesity when he does catch up. Because he is perfectly proportional weight to height, we'll just be annoyed that he is so tiny, but content knowing that FOR HIM, this is normal and he's doing well.<br /><br />Developmentally, Bennett is about the level of a 9-12 month old. His Pediatrician thinks we should start speech therapy with him soon, since his speech is very delayed. <br /><br />Overall, he's doing fabulous!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-19954392388962709792009-08-03T19:48:00.000-07:002009-08-03T19:51:01.154-07:00BIG Milestones!!!Bennett decided to knock our socks off this weekend with two HUGE milestones!!!<br /><br />First, he started to stand unassisted!!! He can only do it for about 10-20 seconds at a time, but he is so darn proud of himself when he does!!!<br /><br />Second, Bennett took his first three steps on Sunday! Ace was holding his hands when Bennett let go, then sort of panicked, but instead of dropping to the ground, took three amazing steps to the safety of daddy's arms!!!!!!! We were all so very proud of him and jumped up and down clapping like lunatics! <br /><br />This child never ceases to amaze us! Pics to come soon!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-15347523093984164242009-07-27T17:32:00.000-07:002009-07-27T17:33:14.059-07:00Finally BetterIt only took two weeks, but Bennett's cold is finally gone!! We survived it without any emergency room visits too! YAY!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-26857092576610497212009-07-16T11:07:00.000-07:002009-07-16T13:29:35.276-07:00Fortuitous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG7TppDXlTN3k_N2WYL-LLEB6QFpcTRTE2UR3ck6izYgGqvQj-gRaSMCWDm4RnRdCO01Y3ZuGO691RnZPwcLNuyEWSBoAWc871_3wS_lVqUd107vkAqNn1vl87wu5h8tZ-F6nLm4X9yE/s1600-h/DSC_0063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG7TppDXlTN3k_N2WYL-LLEB6QFpcTRTE2UR3ck6izYgGqvQj-gRaSMCWDm4RnRdCO01Y3ZuGO691RnZPwcLNuyEWSBoAWc871_3wS_lVqUd107vkAqNn1vl87wu5h8tZ-F6nLm4X9yE/s320/DSC_0063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359157818874919442" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bennett is sick ... again. It started with a runny nose on Sunday that I thought was related to teething (he's been acting like a vampire biting us lately!). He had seemed to be getting better but when I got home from work last night, he was starting to wheeze and cough some.<br /><br />It is indeed very fortuitous that Bennett's pulmonologist gave us that new prescription last week for an oral steriod to keep on hand for when Bennett starts to experience respiratory distress. It came in quite handy last night when around 8 p.m., Bennett started to wheeze heavily and the albuterol treatments were only helping for a short period of time. Without the steriods on hand to help pop his lungs open, we'd have spent yet another night in the ER!<br /><br />He's doing better today but still has a cough and needs some albuterol to keep his chest clear. Please send prayers for swift healing and health for our little buddy!!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-30135532573514771342009-07-10T06:38:00.000-07:002009-07-10T09:31:56.179-07:00Little Lungs!Bennett had a pulmonology appointment yesterday. There is some bad news and some good news.<br /><br />Good news first - He's doing reaaaaaally well!!! His lungs sound great, his baseline respiration rate has lowered into normal range and he has much fewer wheezing episodes!<br /><br />Bad news - Our pediatrician's suspicion was correct - Bennett's illness in March caused new scarring in both lobes of his lungs that were not present when he was discharged from the NICU. This means his lungs will be all the more fragile and susceptible to further damage. And it "restarts" the clock on healing.<br /><br />Neutral news - Bennett's tiny - what's new? He weighed in at 18 lbs 1 oz fully clothed a diapered (so he probably is about 4 ounces less) and was 27.25'' (that comes to less than 1/2 a lb weight gain in two months and no height gain). That places him under the 3rd percentile for his actual age of 14 months and almost exactly at the 5th percentile for his adjusted age of 1 year (tomorrow is his due date!) for his weight. For his length, he is under 3rd percentile for both actual and adjusted ages. <em>But</em> - the good news is that he's 50th percentile for weight to height ratio - meaning he is perfectly proportioned! He's just miniscule all over. What to do? He eats really well, still is breastfeeding and drinking 10+ ounces of whole milk a day. Even on the preemie charts, he's super tiny. The Pulmonologist would like to see him get to the 10th percentile by his second birthday, but that is more aspirational the a criteria. He's clearly healthy, so we shall not worry <em>too</em> much about it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkkgNajb94h6CPDXzyWiYUtfG4-ff-omEV8ODI98Z1P3tFVFfsvc0S0HsC8DDNfmNwV4pEDXrTyBl38WjAvrTJFXV3kyz-eGrctTLTjAHsfCPbPNjy4f-xe-mAZ-saOeQahJCS27QdEI/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356825497861540018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkkgNajb94h6CPDXzyWiYUtfG4-ff-omEV8ODI98Z1P3tFVFfsvc0S0HsC8DDNfmNwV4pEDXrTyBl38WjAvrTJFXV3kyz-eGrctTLTjAHsfCPbPNjy4f-xe-mAZ-saOeQahJCS27QdEI/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" /></a> The FABULOUS news is, since he's pretty stable with his asthma meds (she gave us a new oral steriod to use when he starts wheezing), we don't need to go back for six months barring any major episodes!!!!!!<br /><div></div>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-61544334775607644052009-07-07T20:16:00.000-07:002009-07-07T20:49:52.085-07:00Bennett's Homecoming Anniversary!Yesterday marked one full year since Bennett<a href="http://bennettsjourney.blogspot.com/2008/07/guess-who-is-home.html"> came home</a> from the NICU! What a sentimental day it was indeed! It was almost like a second-first birthday :)<br /><br />I remember as if it were yesterday, getting that call from his nursing asking "when are you coming to get your kid already??" They didn't have to ask us twice!! After nine loooooooooong and difficult weeks, we were more than ready to bring our little bundle home and to finally be complete together as a family of four!<br /><br />July 6, 2008 - 6 lbs, 18'' long<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk0mUrfZPg5FnaW7FMDNmaKZgptFwYbNA59D-AI8Ppux2mctwShGCuNvp30nl24Pvwht4hXwKHHAm3n5x0MS1mBdZ9OPlaL2CHSD8kPmCW-LAO9XiRalI-zlEH6sK4Zkzhr8qDvle8WE/s1600-h/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCk0mUrfZPg5FnaW7FMDNmaKZgptFwYbNA59D-AI8Ppux2mctwShGCuNvp30nl24Pvwht4hXwKHHAm3n5x0MS1mBdZ9OPlaL2CHSD8kPmCW-LAO9XiRalI-zlEH6sK4Zkzhr8qDvle8WE/s400/IMG_5562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355927560688945538" border="0" /></a><br />July 6, 2009 - guessing he's about 18 lbs and 28'' long!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUULGLHpnpeP2mFEoA5nR4sehzUZsO8BQW76eqSj2YnAorD5LctiN6CgbNDmYCJ_rChZaO37L-Q9Sj-W6qgR2ywgMvd6Nc8jvUt8OgnaqXOkhJab9D9oMDyql8pwYKsvDI8__JqoI_sI/s1600-h/IMG_7509.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzUULGLHpnpeP2mFEoA5nR4sehzUZsO8BQW76eqSj2YnAorD5LctiN6CgbNDmYCJ_rChZaO37L-Q9Sj-W6qgR2ywgMvd6Nc8jvUt8OgnaqXOkhJab9D9oMDyql8pwYKsvDI8__JqoI_sI/s400/IMG_7509.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355927909420618946" border="0" /></a><br />Our little man has come SOOOOOO far!!!<br /><br />Also, check out Bennett's first official 4th of July <a href="http://ellesguidetolife.blogspot.com/2009/07/miss-me-yeah-ive-been-trudging-through.html">here</a>!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-44473243848306665632009-07-02T20:27:00.001-07:002009-07-02T20:29:59.835-07:00My Little YogiHere is Bennett executing a near-perfect downward facing dog pose :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs180.snc1/6769_520911323028_65702097_31142820_6027483_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 453px; height: 604px;" src="http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs180.snc1/6769_520911323028_65702097_31142820_6027483_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, what this crazy dude is trying to do is <span style="font-weight: bold;">stand up</span>!!!!!!!! Yesterday, he started getting on his hands and feet, but with knees bent, shaking his booty in the air. Today, straight legs! Knowing this kid, it won't be long until he figures out how to get his upper body straight up too! He's starting to let go of things for a few timid seconds at a time to stand unassisted!!!!<br /><br />Standing may seem pretty mundane to you ... but to this preemie momma - standing is HUGE!!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-91276736980719104152009-06-30T20:22:00.000-07:002009-06-30T20:26:37.437-07:00Operation Crayon was a FailureBennett's developmental nurse encouraged us last week to start introducing Bennett to crayons so he can work on fine motor development. For the obvious reasons (i.e. not thrilled about the idea of picking the wax out of his teeth), I've shied away from this venture.<br /><br />Tonight, inspired by my BFF's allowing her 4 month old to color with markers (seriously), I decided to give Bennett a chance with crayons. The little toddler kind that are big and stuck in these plastic animals. <br /><br />And what to my surprise (not) should occur?? Bennett had absolutely NO interest in coloring. He was content to do nothing more than chew on the crayons. Nice. Envision the scene - Bennett puts in mouth, I say "no no, yuck yuck" and he takes it out, gives me a longing look with those deep puppy dog eyes, and his little lip quivers, and he sticks it back in. Rinse, repeat.<br /><br />Oh, how I wish I could buy more patience just for occasions such as this! No coloring occurred. Only lip quivering. Yep, big, fat failure!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-44209705091323753052009-06-22T06:55:00.000-07:002009-06-22T07:16:33.033-07:00Developmental ReviewYes folks, its that time again. Bennett had a visit from his favorite nurse this morning!<br /><br />She was <strong>very</strong> impressed with his improvement in gross motor skills! He is doing everything appropriate for his adjusted age of 11 months. He is crawling on hands and knees, trasitioning to sitting, pulling up and able to transition back down, and even making a few wary attempts at cruising along the furniture! His pelvis is very weak so standing and walking are probably still far off in the future. She gave us some exercises to help with that and she scheduled him for a consult with the physical therapist in August. The nurse said he will most likely be in the 16-18 month range before he starts walking, but he's surprised us before!<br /><br />His speech skills are still delayed, but we still aren't too worried about it. The nurse said that oftentimes when a baby excels rapidly in one area of development, like gross motor, all other areas are put on hold. We <em>think</em> he says "da" and "ma" appropriately, and possibly "ba" (for bottle). Its hard to tell if he is just repeating our words. He rarely (as in once every three weeks) ever does the rolling consonants "da, da, da, da, da," etc. BUT, he can follow directions, so its clear that he is picking up language, he just isn't able yet to get it out. This also goes hand in hand with his lung issues, which makes it more difficult for him to talk. So, we'll reassess this area in August and see where to go from there.<br /><br />All in all, he is doing FABULOUS!!! He's very obviously a healthy and happy boy. He's very alert and sharp! We just have to stay on top of things with these preemies, because if they start to lag behind in one area, it can cause amplified effects later on down the road, since it is all building blocks. <br /><br />YAY BENNETT!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-2636835674578572332009-06-18T08:29:00.001-07:002009-06-18T08:32:15.430-07:00Don't Blink!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-O2nwHwfVR1jZS2lH4o0uiAlfmf6WkoCi5n6xW4vVb7XEo3FXY8RfBuODk6KMxj4wE2aYXkTTkRLy-MCu3Ao-OulFrrxfCxE56deOyfkeuA7tzvQCQyZJvCPJ05yfN7ICbXgZUQPv7Q/s1600-h/photo2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348690272254876738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-O2nwHwfVR1jZS2lH4o0uiAlfmf6WkoCi5n6xW4vVb7XEo3FXY8RfBuODk6KMxj4wE2aYXkTTkRLy-MCu3Ao-OulFrrxfCxE56deOyfkeuA7tzvQCQyZJvCPJ05yfN7ICbXgZUQPv7Q/s400/photo2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> Because if you do, you are apt to find this crazy little monkey at the top of the stairs....</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2aO-evon7YBju_YfBGGfbIW3ngYAcrXZ3NkBYQHTaJpYMywUNxdHB_AhKW_vkgOyaU7o7HAmjC1d076RhQ3B67n57e0ZY45zB8zcDU0lJykmjBKJyNM8uxFSXfFCa3hD_WRREKEp0Rg/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348690265840452722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2aO-evon7YBju_YfBGGfbIW3ngYAcrXZ3NkBYQHTaJpYMywUNxdHB_AhKW_vkgOyaU7o7HAmjC1d076RhQ3B67n57e0ZY45zB8zcDU0lJykmjBKJyNM8uxFSXfFCa3hD_WRREKEp0Rg/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I guess the lure of mommy's bracelet was just too much!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It was cute - I hear Ace say "Bennett!! How did you get up there!? Well, if you're gonna get up on your own, you'll have to learn to get down on your own too!" What a good daddy :) </div>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-69207064640450721352009-06-10T20:26:00.000-07:002009-06-10T20:44:50.746-07:00Crazy Dude!Bennett has turned into one crazy dude these days!! He's pulling up on everything. He climbs in and out of the tub, up the stairs, onto the train table....<br /><br />Ace has resorted to stashing him into the pack-n-play to keep him from harming himself!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Please let me out daddy! I promise I won't climb the curtains!"</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRZh4gRdddlJY7FJZlDyk7WhfQ6r6Sqs6_Ncm2EJl4aWegUntQRI6ZzdGRcLcxy58HccsPZNUGnVJ-zK5peKwLclWQomAt2m2dAHfFmT-i0XHgjQEizNH7zCOzea_sjB9GKoSV2r0Xv0/s1600-h/IMG_7403.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRZh4gRdddlJY7FJZlDyk7WhfQ6r6Sqs6_Ncm2EJl4aWegUntQRI6ZzdGRcLcxy58HccsPZNUGnVJ-zK5peKwLclWQomAt2m2dAHfFmT-i0XHgjQEizNH7zCOzea_sjB9GKoSV2r0Xv0/s400/IMG_7403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345907028867801922" border="0" /></a>Bennett's first ride in the wagon!!!!! Carter looks thrilled, huh? They actually love it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nVj8oLenFM9XLPHjYcmZQwBzrZp67uMBS8tejvAHVPjxY_yEieAE6rLQYwvviKCHOzseWaHSLGs5sV5YRDG0PUGqP1-Wmd571cA2CZTBr9PEQc8TjvVLd7CSGo-je2ncNjSscBcwIhM/s1600-h/IMG_7322.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nVj8oLenFM9XLPHjYcmZQwBzrZp67uMBS8tejvAHVPjxY_yEieAE6rLQYwvviKCHOzseWaHSLGs5sV5YRDG0PUGqP1-Wmd571cA2CZTBr9PEQc8TjvVLd7CSGo-je2ncNjSscBcwIhM/s400/IMG_7322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345907039196307218" border="0" /></a><br />Ok, so he's not doing anything crazy here, but I like this pic. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObmB3_J36F4IxTS0Mqm8mm3hhQtmFNqNg2tuaZqmvrw23uVfHi0Cfo1L7acIAIOavQJTj_iexm2BAgXIkcT5cD2npXPqrWWeBZmoczvlTdJ8GRaZ6mPfkbDGMrPdRj83HFK9r6zntmHE/s1600-h/IMG_7318.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObmB3_J36F4IxTS0Mqm8mm3hhQtmFNqNg2tuaZqmvrw23uVfHi0Cfo1L7acIAIOavQJTj_iexm2BAgXIkcT5cD2npXPqrWWeBZmoczvlTdJ8GRaZ6mPfkbDGMrPdRj83HFK9r6zntmHE/s400/IMG_7318.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345907037225653570" border="0" /></a><br />Riding in his dump truck....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUkc1z8hPn9giWoyj_WWrqDmRsDEnpsh-7GnmeRzjsTUA4Ms_RTBl4BnqsQhGkF92hbOR3f9aLtawYzpsH7ejVP_ISN0rVP-lEpFCwLrHv6KpYKq2lNHYs9vA7vIEhrS8TdpHJ2NCYi8/s1600-h/IMG_7439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUkc1z8hPn9giWoyj_WWrqDmRsDEnpsh-7GnmeRzjsTUA4Ms_RTBl4BnqsQhGkF92hbOR3f9aLtawYzpsH7ejVP_ISN0rVP-lEpFCwLrHv6KpYKq2lNHYs9vA7vIEhrS8TdpHJ2NCYi8/s400/IMG_7439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345907032067369778" border="0" /></a>Here is a cute video of Bennett going wild during bath time. He LOVES the water!!!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxvYJDrVEYbayTeE_rC0FD20x4AfpfIYri4TpnotqbREIPlfqY8zDEyWYU-2zV2n-ErRTgtdQTpQ8Ev7GFGZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Thanks for checking in!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-76787116647640186482009-06-03T19:23:00.001-07:002009-06-03T19:29:38.208-07:00What NOT to say to the mother of a preemieYou'd think common sense would tell you that its not smart to say any of the following (all of which I've heard lately) to the mother of a premature baby (especially one who had a lot of complications...):<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I was hoping to go early</span>. <br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">You are so lucky you missed out on the end of pregnancy discomfort.<br /><br />You are lucky you never got huge.<br /><br />But the baby is fine now, so its ok.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span>I also suggest avoiding complaining about pregnancy discomforts as well. You have no idea how desperately a preemie mom wishes she could have had the privilege of enduring any discomfort pregnancy could bring rather than staring at their baby suffering and struggling through the incubator glass for weeks (or months) on end. Seriously! People are crazy. <br /><br />One person told me this weekend that after they hit the 32-week mark they were "done" and ready to have the baby<span style="font-style: italic;">. </span>I bit my tongue and smiled and thought <span style="font-style: italic;">You have no idea how lucky you were that you didn't have him that early and went full term. </span>I went full term with Carter. I know what its like. I'd take that 100 times over any day rather than have Bennett go through what he did.<br /><br />Just sayin'.Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-39110285974335369352009-05-31T20:27:00.000-07:002009-05-31T20:44:16.184-07:00How big is Bennett???<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxwBdpAJvLGEkz_9e-tb41qd2coDkQ2tTQzvwQi2LCDJujN8UoRyWpZ840W5cGyqiQeDfrSL1ACzrjTqAp4GA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />SO BIG!!!!<br /><br />Bennett surprised us with this new trick!! We'd been working with him for so long on this, but because of his upper body muscle tone issues, its been very very difficult for him to raise his arms above his head like this. As you can see in the video, his arms are still very tight, but he's doing it!!! We are thrilled beyond belief! He really is SO BIG!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-41654516882889390692009-05-27T12:30:00.000-07:002009-05-27T12:39:04.165-07:00Well THAT wasn't fun :(Yep, Bennett was in the hospital <span style="font-style: italic;">again</span>. Sheesh! This kid likes to keep momma on her toes!<br /><br />Sunday - runny nose. No big deal...<br /><br />Monday - cough. Upped his nebulizer meds and added in some albuterol and chest PT <span style="font-style: italic;">just in case...<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Tuesday - <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>woke up with a bit of a wheeze, told Ace to keep an eye on it. Called the pediatrician and was told he didn't need to be seen unless the nebs weren't keep him clear for 4-6 hours, eating dramatically decreased, was having retractions, or losing color. He progressively got worse as the day went on, so I decided to take him to the ER for a chest x-ray <span style="font-style: italic;">just in case</span>...<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Good thing I took him! His oxygen saturation was fine (high 90s), but the x-ray showed pneumonia in both lungs. Lovely. His nasal mucous tested negative for RSV and they weren't able to identify any virus from it. They weren't able to draw blood because his veins were constricted from the breathing treatments they gave him, so they weren't able to do a blood culture to see if that gave us insight as to the origin of the pneumonia. <br /><br />The doctor admitted him overnight to observe and to get a jump start on the pneumonia with IV antibiotics. He satted fine all night, but boy was he hyper! The albuterol makes him very tachycardic (elevated heart rate) and punchy. I'd get him to sleep, lay him down and his eyes would fly open and he'd jump and give him this smile and look of a crazed person. It was actually kinda funny. Except that he only slept maybe 6 hours the entire night. Four of those hours were in <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> arms. Which means, I slept only 2 hours. FUN FUN FUN!!!! <br /><br />He was doing great this morning, so they discharged him (YAY!!!) with a bunch of meds (booooo!). Praying his lungs clear up FAST!!! <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-82681576898669146492009-05-25T06:58:00.000-07:002009-05-25T07:39:00.544-07:00Bennett's First Trip to the Beach!Saturday, we drove down to Virginia Beach to join Ace's family in celebration of my nephew Ethan's FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! Saturday night, we went out to dinner for his birthday. Here are the boys eating. They kept stealing food from each other - it was SO cute!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOS3TZqPuut6dGRQUKFxjHgPT6wNTd-EcQUrM2b_mL-G6zzOpyTJZe5QV8DNZivIg7zoqOmQzUPp6uCOfGv5fgJZhJW-rFpjO9QkH2CsttIhyphenhyphenH9pRbwiXvY2G7pfqrGGzhDcFANzeLVQ/s1600-h/IMG_7256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOS3TZqPuut6dGRQUKFxjHgPT6wNTd-EcQUrM2b_mL-G6zzOpyTJZe5QV8DNZivIg7zoqOmQzUPp6uCOfGv5fgJZhJW-rFpjO9QkH2CsttIhyphenhyphenH9pRbwiXvY2G7pfqrGGzhDcFANzeLVQ/s400/IMG_7256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761628666835682" border="0" /></a>Sunday morning we headed to the beach! It was overcast and a little chilly, but I'll take that over oppressively hot and no relief from the sun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJdoqJZ0vpCjfY-kZ-rBV9qcTDsxZKXnDJji-VuQE14sF1UNpOtW3eR_JSIZdvHw6UQYxe504TiecMy5osn5X9KemZuhcMsxh-Y8xg01Zotem2xzoxj9j33w3ohlWuBdxNk2BN4mYpg8/s1600-h/IMG_7278.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJdoqJZ0vpCjfY-kZ-rBV9qcTDsxZKXnDJji-VuQE14sF1UNpOtW3eR_JSIZdvHw6UQYxe504TiecMy5osn5X9KemZuhcMsxh-Y8xg01Zotem2xzoxj9j33w3ohlWuBdxNk2BN4mYpg8/s400/IMG_7278.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761637565108850" border="0" /></a>Bennett LOVED the sand. He only ingested 1/2 a pound of sand!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wU42GhOjf5asuxtcDdr5QnpqfGg3mf6yJHjrHUxDe6216BzRCj5i0BKaRWGWuB4TowgQsNZmge_1hanV4yQb86Plzlhk-mTx-BVgLi6IW6HZTe7V5oOWzsq3TYVTr6EnYvrw5J5siiY/s1600-h/IMG_7270.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wU42GhOjf5asuxtcDdr5QnpqfGg3mf6yJHjrHUxDe6216BzRCj5i0BKaRWGWuB4TowgQsNZmge_1hanV4yQb86Plzlhk-mTx-BVgLi6IW6HZTe7V5oOWzsq3TYVTr6EnYvrw5J5siiY/s400/IMG_7270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761633815568018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWdhUDJgCpB32OrcszIvmfa-IGT9_o4Y-6jRH_trsPKxY305HauLUk_vgTXIAHVHcbfq1HDkRiobQ8VT3YSVPxDNeffjP8yvchVh7LNC9jUqhqtV1pskFQIYkWE0cFyDSaNXEs4Jj0-4/s1600-h/IMG_7267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWdhUDJgCpB32OrcszIvmfa-IGT9_o4Y-6jRH_trsPKxY305HauLUk_vgTXIAHVHcbfq1HDkRiobQ8VT3YSVPxDNeffjP8yvchVh7LNC9jUqhqtV1pskFQIYkWE0cFyDSaNXEs4Jj0-4/s400/IMG_7267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761632633024802" border="0" /></a>I think this is such a silly picture of Carter :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBD00ZvVTqPGx_hQnM1hEWoJQvTVW5Jbbs3hcM0DQZuTe6uQnKl6al1FQMU-McsOKkaBPE0Y5BNoxpicYcnf5XW9aLmxi64TTmeKd2VGTaczwBb2Ub1L6CAjUHbBzkjEue1SFln8QEn0/s1600-h/IMG_7261.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBD00ZvVTqPGx_hQnM1hEWoJQvTVW5Jbbs3hcM0DQZuTe6uQnKl6al1FQMU-McsOKkaBPE0Y5BNoxpicYcnf5XW9aLmxi64TTmeKd2VGTaczwBb2Ub1L6CAjUHbBzkjEue1SFln8QEn0/s400/IMG_7261.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761625674170098" border="0" /></a>Carter was not afraid of the freezing water - he played in it for hours!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWRSFVQbCPCrfeiQ00YOdVyD1fJ3RxRQb6zpyJxy7-Ut-SO2RnaTvg_vd7fWA4_M924DMSBHU7ZJLHOanDPkpBUb7pLRfnKF7pM6E0oYH8g39QlohRKRkp6d0qgjw1aK5MF-TnPfFMg/s1600-h/IMG_7293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWRSFVQbCPCrfeiQ00YOdVyD1fJ3RxRQb6zpyJxy7-Ut-SO2RnaTvg_vd7fWA4_M924DMSBHU7ZJLHOanDPkpBUb7pLRfnKF7pM6E0oYH8g39QlohRKRkp6d0qgjw1aK5MF-TnPfFMg/s400/IMG_7293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339769381224524034" border="0" /></a><br />He is after all, a Pisces! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlrM-S0O0tn1LPxUCJHrPjhX_sRQeg8SDKSCUrfNlBv69EUYOnsozFPNq6ceOa5ccMTETSJrcQ2CLCo-9-ehaoB83KbeeGqOYBbmkXUWGecCIY1JnAJcuNbJ-3vgr5I651PKNvdD2M74/s1600-h/IMG_7289.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlrM-S0O0tn1LPxUCJHrPjhX_sRQeg8SDKSCUrfNlBv69EUYOnsozFPNq6ceOa5ccMTETSJrcQ2CLCo-9-ehaoB83KbeeGqOYBbmkXUWGecCIY1JnAJcuNbJ-3vgr5I651PKNvdD2M74/s400/IMG_7289.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339769373334614994" border="0" /></a>Charlize and Bennett<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWoNZnBAtn2fA0-ruWMXsI3y1avdUwak13uBEAewrXdUBKE8nBtvII4IepA-thZuCsSkrPi8Oo5zQHLnitspZYZv7Vwnhe8l_7jeqQhZVBIDLbNWtztHRK_lLjMCuUTTJLyXE9bO8CIo/s1600-h/IMG_7288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioWoNZnBAtn2fA0-ruWMXsI3y1avdUwak13uBEAewrXdUBKE8nBtvII4IepA-thZuCsSkrPi8Oo5zQHLnitspZYZv7Vwnhe8l_7jeqQhZVBIDLbNWtztHRK_lLjMCuUTTJLyXE9bO8CIo/s400/IMG_7288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339769014668209474" border="0" /></a>Ethan staring intently at Carter<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx-dSmqUAjF1joiZh9328Vey6j7LIASxE_ZjJY7LHqrejqacMsXrje3vJAFjsjRDKYvmlekiBCens1bbxwOeqz45IM1fYf7ry4K1jkL2YwT0_3RaosYVzQuvlZOKfTjEXfcI8Ma-xEgA/s1600-h/IMG_7287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPx-dSmqUAjF1joiZh9328Vey6j7LIASxE_ZjJY7LHqrejqacMsXrje3vJAFjsjRDKYvmlekiBCens1bbxwOeqz45IM1fYf7ry4K1jkL2YwT0_3RaosYVzQuvlZOKfTjEXfcI8Ma-xEgA/s400/IMG_7287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339769008884599730" border="0" /></a>The one year old boys!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsemCQFh0kyvCRp-YP4OXGDIPzcicwE_y6s5kOGekC6g7uVH2WmTaC8deQJQ9t44UJpHz388puJGUXpe8nGlbLRn6ex70yY9YwEIKavrSKankrKtDI_n67jrVfDT9Gq2ytuecCM4XovD0/s1600-h/IMG_7282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsemCQFh0kyvCRp-YP4OXGDIPzcicwE_y6s5kOGekC6g7uVH2WmTaC8deQJQ9t44UJpHz388puJGUXpe8nGlbLRn6ex70yY9YwEIKavrSKankrKtDI_n67jrVfDT9Gq2ytuecCM4XovD0/s400/IMG_7282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339769006011005794" border="0" /></a>Mommy and her goofy boys!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbk8zNbrv7EM6XByqDqcZNCzgsr72rlgcewe9ABUZ8BDWSZqY2jKtT-UosBPjQ3VUr5zVYDSuXJeXIUEXzC2XHESSqGb312PAGBQD1uWsGMD2eZvshm6-68VUFOiVDYZMaiH2i7xtuqs/s1600-h/IMG_7281.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbk8zNbrv7EM6XByqDqcZNCzgsr72rlgcewe9ABUZ8BDWSZqY2jKtT-UosBPjQ3VUr5zVYDSuXJeXIUEXzC2XHESSqGb312PAGBQD1uWsGMD2eZvshm6-68VUFOiVDYZMaiH2i7xtuqs/s400/IMG_7281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339768999264095314" border="0" /></a>Daddy and his boys. Bennett wasn't a fan of the frigidly cold water.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAmwcx9a8hnyXhyhA9N_UWBcK6RJChdnNHHIt3NcNtZDUzx1TcxVXW_tVzncfITF20NdjZcvw42F1_jXi0Y8jR7KzuBqZ4lbl0c96qOeM-h7Rf0rFqGEYyfumASCWacy4mckC8GaS2Ek/s1600-h/IMG_7277.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAmwcx9a8hnyXhyhA9N_UWBcK6RJChdnNHHIt3NcNtZDUzx1TcxVXW_tVzncfITF20NdjZcvw42F1_jXi0Y8jR7KzuBqZ4lbl0c96qOeM-h7Rf0rFqGEYyfumASCWacy4mckC8GaS2Ek/s400/IMG_7277.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339768995073344642" border="0" /></a><br />Happy Memorial Day!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-17195673249235177502009-05-21T09:59:00.001-07:002009-05-21T10:11:02.307-07:00Precocious (warning: baby bum)A few nights ago, I stood Bennett up against the side of the tub and turned around to grab his towel and washcloth from the linen closet. When I turned back around, I observed this little monkey trying to climb into the bath tub...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1NAwKHJE6aohzt7HCJvD4RjrArBYenP50Ly5YiLEFMf78PXsse55Rk4b-1UJjxct2cOZvJfgSTNZU9PdAS1ymGJ5Iqy_uPeKUyBIMzfIh0PBdwRZ0cjoGrSBXjMpkU9J4vs6kBjsDhE/s1600-h/photo2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338323278369132098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1NAwKHJE6aohzt7HCJvD4RjrArBYenP50Ly5YiLEFMf78PXsse55Rk4b-1UJjxct2cOZvJfgSTNZU9PdAS1ymGJ5Iqy_uPeKUyBIMzfIh0PBdwRZ0cjoGrSBXjMpkU9J4vs6kBjsDhE/s400/photo2.jpg" border="0" /></a> He actually got both feet up on the stool and was about to go over! <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmTXqt3RB5DPK1P4o4djHVs5HVCQpOBWV2cd5NcdKu95cecG9YYeb0BH8AvcDNHIE9WlJTd8h9NWS4aOAWt9kQUA4gOWKGOnnzms3MC67xjwzALEZ-Cw7DJg9-cfdKrJH94QLndfdLDg/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338323276784584306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmTXqt3RB5DPK1P4o4djHVs5HVCQpOBWV2cd5NcdKu95cecG9YYeb0BH8AvcDNHIE9WlJTd8h9NWS4aOAWt9kQUA4gOWKGOnnzms3MC67xjwzALEZ-Cw7DJg9-cfdKrJH94QLndfdLDg/s400/photo.jpg" border="0" /></a> When I pulled him down from the stool, he hooked his arms back over the side of the tub and got both of his legs under him! Of course, the pictures are delayed and he wouldn't do the same gymnastics with the camera on him. </div><div> </div><div>This kid never ceases to amaze us :) He can barely push up on his hands and knees to crawl, but he can climb into a bathtub. Go figure!<br /><br /><div></div></div>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-59894848434035904982009-05-15T19:07:00.001-07:002009-05-15T19:28:09.813-07:00UnexpectedBennett's first birthday has unearthed lots of emotions I had sequestered over the past few months. The first birthday is an emotional event for any baby, to be sure. Its no different for Bennett. Except for the first year wasn't full of all those wonderful magical memories we had during Carter's first year. Rather, it consisted of a total of 11 weeks hospitalization, an average of one doctor appointment every other week (sooo not kidding about that - imagine the co-pays!), 6.5 months on oxygen, 6.5 months of 8 daily meds, and 3 daily meds after that, worry, worry, and more worry over his failure to grow at an acceptable rate, worry about his bone development, motor skill, neurological development, 8 months of house-arrest in a vain attempt to keep him healthy. Those happy innocent memories - its yet another part of having a baby that we missed out on. And that makes me sad.<br /><br />Things are definitely getting much better these days, particularly since we can take him out into the world now without paralyzing fear of him getting sick. Today, I took Bennett shopping with me at the Mall! He got a gift card for his birthday and I figured today was a great day to cash it in for some new duds. When I arrived at Janie & Jack, I was the only shopper there. I was taking my time debating between two choices. I never, literally NEVER, go shopping anymore, so I was enjoying it. As I was going through my antics, another couple came in pushing their sleeping baby in the stroller. The baby was bigger than Bennett. They seemed so happy. Giddy. Picking out clothes for their new baby. They were buying size 6-12 mos clothing - the same size I had in my hand for Bennett. The store clerk asked how old the baby was - 5 months. My heart dropped. A 5 month old is bigger than my one year old :( I said a quick prayer thanking God that this couple is blessed with such a healthy thriving child and (presumably) do not know the pain and struggle that comes with having a child with the challenges Bennett has. And then I thanked God for Bennett being as healthy and thriving as he IS!<br /><br />Anyway, for some reason, telling people that Bennett is 1 is much more difficult for me than saying 11 months, for example. We all know what 1 year olds are *supposed* to look like. And its painfully clear that Bennett doesn't look like that. Or act like that. I try to not let it bother me; to remind myself that he really should only be 10 months old now. Yet, he doesn't even look like a 10 month old. If he were 6 months old right now, he would be 50th percentile for his weight. Its not so much that he's so small that bothers me - its that at a year old, all you have to do is look at him to know that he is behind. When he was born, there was so much emphasis put on "catching up by age 1." It became apparent pretty early on with the issues he was having that wouldn't happen. I guess I just didn't expect him to be so far behind still.<br /><br />So, I guess the whole point is that unexpected emotional challenges still crop up for me time to time. Let's see if the "catch up by age 2" standard they've now revised to will stick. GROW BENNETT!!!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-4819888064917258352009-05-12T07:27:00.000-07:002009-05-12T07:29:07.555-07:00Please pray for the Freeman FamilyMany of you have been following the blog of Kayleigh Anne Freeman. This precious angel passed away last night and is now at peace and without pain in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Please pray for her family who have been left behind that they can find peace and solace in this unbelievably difficult and painful time.Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-65821381061026639882009-05-11T19:43:00.000-07:002009-05-11T20:08:42.307-07:00Bennett's First Birthday PartyBennett had a blast at his birthday party!! The "theme" was "B is for Bennett." I used the colors red, lime green and turquoise blue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU1K5rWWkboYfJbaTLsZEQOrveV_MZ-jSH8rn8PgWalEhPAqhXsB1dJqj3HOOo1N8CJiCYBzInZgqc84as2VZRzZcHPowhFZ6zxY2v1TGmsKnYCoy87ejCU4wONNByRSmAta94O0XVLY/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU1K5rWWkboYfJbaTLsZEQOrveV_MZ-jSH8rn8PgWalEhPAqhXsB1dJqj3HOOo1N8CJiCYBzInZgqc84as2VZRzZcHPowhFZ6zxY2v1TGmsKnYCoy87ejCU4wONNByRSmAta94O0XVLY/s400/DSC_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763139531675650" border="0" /></a>Bennett and his cousins Charlize and Ethan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31mk6XYbyxJWDsNYuCf7eipas1QA_ahEeqGCE0Nnhrnn6XclGirna9X6KSMmHnhlHu4JnBeCVkHPEPmkU3En6B58B608oId16oFu5GJdHzoDeZMkF13RG7gUWymu7RlMBHhiNbIOMDcA/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31mk6XYbyxJWDsNYuCf7eipas1QA_ahEeqGCE0Nnhrnn6XclGirna9X6KSMmHnhlHu4JnBeCVkHPEPmkU3En6B58B608oId16oFu5GJdHzoDeZMkF13RG7gUWymu7RlMBHhiNbIOMDcA/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763226554318434" border="0" /></a>Bennett loves balloons!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHuqkpPOuQUWs1-fs76bRJmlyEomJGvYXY09GcNHGvdrYZP-pY5V9uR2QlhrDBHhvV1htEB4vC54hOmXrGNISvQOdA-tnvdPIjk0rvAmy5frhsPI9fo8lxYOQGDxlHCZZWOY4MInFmns/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHuqkpPOuQUWs1-fs76bRJmlyEomJGvYXY09GcNHGvdrYZP-pY5V9uR2QlhrDBHhvV1htEB4vC54hOmXrGNISvQOdA-tnvdPIjk0rvAmy5frhsPI9fo8lxYOQGDxlHCZZWOY4MInFmns/s400/DSC_0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763137100072594" border="0" /></a>I made these frames of different pictures of him with a different "B" adjective. B is for blessed, beautiful, bright-eyes, bouncing, brave, etc. The favors were all things that start with the letter B!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j8Rp5hfoZxEPHJ5ErxJiEgkQj_K1AKRMfITf5IFoyobRg4FlPJ8_6sjZpxgKmQTrmugo1qBKH0khimOjHyyACReK8dGalPuSWDF7tpMuVUiF-NgjxWjWBmmhAIPbhRB2bS6XNNQoIdA/s1600-h/DSC_0047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j8Rp5hfoZxEPHJ5ErxJiEgkQj_K1AKRMfITf5IFoyobRg4FlPJ8_6sjZpxgKmQTrmugo1qBKH0khimOjHyyACReK8dGalPuSWDF7tpMuVUiF-NgjxWjWBmmhAIPbhRB2bS6XNNQoIdA/s400/DSC_0047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763135285514450" border="0" />I</a>Cupcakes are the easiest cake ever! If you can't tell, they are in the shape of the letter B.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IPGCdZhxICT7hWxVYWhncbKzrG1vejohyphenhypheniUnblROxlZQpYSYZiXfhaYoGUah9cVGxI9kNeVXX86AkYlF9mqiaJofqnQhazgMs6EmPz9p2zgLK68D3MTW0C3jnowtEKPV3owteozcyMw/s1600-h/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IPGCdZhxICT7hWxVYWhncbKzrG1vejohyphenhypheniUnblROxlZQpYSYZiXfhaYoGUah9cVGxI9kNeVXX86AkYlF9mqiaJofqnQhazgMs6EmPz9p2zgLK68D3MTW0C3jnowtEKPV3owteozcyMw/s400/DSC_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763130863779426" border="0" /></a>Smiling, drool and all!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vMuvbRuqPr620h0eklUVnWOKvWSulj3lXOsGxqg5Wu3fYe7hlmLmQ4H4wERSy_-voIdQSGvbMY5tF1SxgWPQVJOykjQDeeNgRaPXAlYtC6DPJsl_RJ3_jb0b_ZyCVij0umcPdg42FYU/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vMuvbRuqPr620h0eklUVnWOKvWSulj3lXOsGxqg5Wu3fYe7hlmLmQ4H4wERSy_-voIdQSGvbMY5tF1SxgWPQVJOykjQDeeNgRaPXAlYtC6DPJsl_RJ3_jb0b_ZyCVij0umcPdg42FYU/s400/DSC_0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334763132867824082" border="0" /></a>He got a lot of wonderful presents, but his all time favorite is this spinning V-tech farm toy!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBFExihLEpuvC9ONjdt-tVCCGhnz_tskpxhGY4D-voRwITPsE4h2B7Q1WqMDC0ScmVcsp7wDkIMG5j4FjJkK9tIZ8GrBWxsohJBMc9BThxa1fSr968WBPPH2oWIdgAxMZrrwUxZBehyphenhypheno/s1600-h/DSC_0215.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBFExihLEpuvC9ONjdt-tVCCGhnz_tskpxhGY4D-voRwITPsE4h2B7Q1WqMDC0ScmVcsp7wDkIMG5j4FjJkK9tIZ8GrBWxsohJBMc9BThxa1fSr968WBPPH2oWIdgAxMZrrwUxZBehyphenhypheno/s400/DSC_0215.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334762888235858786" border="0" /></a>And of course, his new soccer ball! The boy loves balls!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgkdJiqAlVnpXkcCCv7yanr6fIturcqe4nw6-x6wXHQEJTRKTsXUgflmhzE6T0S-N1sAB-A8wPwERzBSLhyphenhyphent7dQOvCKCIJR6kXaA90CgdvNvBBo7_scexyU8JF6JMVeVVdtnwhebARuk/s1600-h/DSC_0138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgkdJiqAlVnpXkcCCv7yanr6fIturcqe4nw6-x6wXHQEJTRKTsXUgflmhzE6T0S-N1sAB-A8wPwERzBSLhyphenhyphent7dQOvCKCIJR6kXaA90CgdvNvBBo7_scexyU8JF6JMVeVVdtnwhebARuk/s400/DSC_0138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334762890705517666" border="0" /></a>Blowing out his candle!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ14-RDiY1uzE98oH0wBNbpEWtPLP_y5uSZrSeKk5YPRK3EnWI1eBvjy5oMQrRzWQSOOKA9MPZJpzFr6LDe6KYu5yVi8_H753_32MWud555BrHZDSvJ0wWf0yPkheu1oucyBmNP4cY6ho/s1600-h/DSC_0054.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ14-RDiY1uzE98oH0wBNbpEWtPLP_y5uSZrSeKk5YPRK3EnWI1eBvjy5oMQrRzWQSOOKA9MPZJpzFr6LDe6KYu5yVi8_H753_32MWud555BrHZDSvJ0wWf0yPkheu1oucyBmNP4cY6ho/s400/DSC_0054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334762881079857794" border="0" /></a><br />Not so sure about his cupcake.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-in2tUwZ7iE8CnES2_HRoiiLvjhyphenhyphenfzoZ0zW8eGhTs37cy-9-d4_shPycF9UuBsPzd9O1DvvjKoqx8YxbZcA4k8CgrPKYugaOKlsNhET5Jla76K4r4iq3pcnv25JBij4t7DiDoKBQ5wGY/s1600-h/DSC_0102.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-in2tUwZ7iE8CnES2_HRoiiLvjhyphenhyphenfzoZ0zW8eGhTs37cy-9-d4_shPycF9UuBsPzd9O1DvvjKoqx8YxbZcA4k8CgrPKYugaOKlsNhET5Jla76K4r4iq3pcnv25JBij4t7DiDoKBQ5wGY/s400/DSC_0102.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334762885419619266" border="0" /></a>Ok, its not that bad...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvCT1OkNTgOKYa5p-QXeqfvNrBwHeAjzrg1LAF9jqRVCyOV7gJ7OyHP62IWgR-bG3D6bWINEa8OFAVCaiwWpQK68Vlo3oQ_z7lT0Zd29ZoCivLeR-wjqYyPcKV2TrvgqUOeXdpzEuZiw/s1600-h/DSC_0094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvCT1OkNTgOKYa5p-QXeqfvNrBwHeAjzrg1LAF9jqRVCyOV7gJ7OyHP62IWgR-bG3D6bWINEa8OFAVCaiwWpQK68Vlo3oQ_z7lT0Zd29ZoCivLeR-wjqYyPcKV2TrvgqUOeXdpzEuZiw/s400/DSC_0094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334762881950003874" border="0" /></a>Thank you to all who joined us Saturday for helping make his first birthday celebration extra special! This little boy is SO loved!!!<br /><br />Here are some portraits we had done last week:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HO4WgkNXhLhRC0DuxVfO11yk8NgTUhrpP-ZGwsdH9cw_rgGEFuyz43RlHzlnONwapwZrJzroZ7Yo_MvMLSxfxnUVIKm0lViCzqeW7mprDJEoSZPLAUKrlztnWY-CWKkYzzGMhPpyPEA/s1600-h/4175_519505979348_65702097_31070927_1213111_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HO4WgkNXhLhRC0DuxVfO11yk8NgTUhrpP-ZGwsdH9cw_rgGEFuyz43RlHzlnONwapwZrJzroZ7Yo_MvMLSxfxnUVIKm0lViCzqeW7mprDJEoSZPLAUKrlztnWY-CWKkYzzGMhPpyPEA/s400/4175_519505979348_65702097_31070927_1213111_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334768909988458482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn9aIGuErrja4ozfcFU8lzZHd_F351M1G5t9gSk_e7yAJ_7-dSYaA-9YqhRrEeJGJ7ixmU6vzsVwATy2hgaepprZ_Udqqgla-kkjjJ19j8DTuYHxdf3UagRsytY1FVHdXwaZjncRAxP8/s1600-h/4175_519505954398_65702097_31070926_2564626_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 327px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn9aIGuErrja4ozfcFU8lzZHd_F351M1G5t9gSk_e7yAJ_7-dSYaA-9YqhRrEeJGJ7ixmU6vzsVwATy2hgaepprZ_Udqqgla-kkjjJ19j8DTuYHxdf3UagRsytY1FVHdXwaZjncRAxP8/s400/4175_519505954398_65702097_31070926_2564626_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334768913185537010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jL9NFxOTtzl5hloLezsHJUSwAceVwTYW9t00d-tNzOVbMI8_PpOByyhPIU5nYBJARHARlS7glljW-BbjhSjVRXly2zGd8EiBnQt0yPxz511cPVuY3gkUmLYpI7HjtAXKDST-66LdIQs/s1600-h/4175_519505909488_65702097_31070925_7189245_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jL9NFxOTtzl5hloLezsHJUSwAceVwTYW9t00d-tNzOVbMI8_PpOByyhPIU5nYBJARHARlS7glljW-BbjhSjVRXly2zGd8EiBnQt0yPxz511cPVuY3gkUmLYpI7HjtAXKDST-66LdIQs/s400/4175_519505909488_65702097_31070925_7189245_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334768906027301026" border="0" /></a>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-46543792047317378882009-05-08T14:07:00.000-07:002009-05-08T14:08:05.237-07:00Bennett's 1 Year Stats!We had Bennett's 1 year check up today. He will be 10 mos adjusted on Monday, so that works out nicely.<br /><br />His stats were:<br /><br />Weight - 17 lbs 5 oz - which makes me VERY happy considering he was 15 lbs 5 oz when discharged from the hospital on 3/22 - thats 2 lbs gain in less than 2 months!<br /><br />Height - 27.25 inches<br /><br />He is below 5th percentile for actual and adjusted age for both weight and height. The chart she had didn't have the 3rd percentile line, but she said she suspects he's under the 3rd percentile for actual age for both.<br /><br />Head Circumference - Can't remember what it was but he is 20th percentile for ACTUAL age for HC!!!! Big headed baby!!<br /><br />She had some of the same developmental concerns as his therapist, but said that she agrees that its not to the point where we need to consider additional therapy because he is accelerating so fast in his development and doesn't show any very concerning signs.<br /><br />We delayed the MMR shot because he's so small and because preemies have a higher risk for autism, so I didn't want to chance it. We'll do it at 18 mos instead.<br /><br />His lungs sounded beautiful and clear! We'll just keep his meds the same for now. She won't need to see him back until August! She said she will be prescribing him the Synagis shots again for next year since his lung disease is still persistent in the right lung and considering how sick he got in March. We may have a battle with the insurance company b/c the shots are $1700 a piece and they usually don't authorize it for a second year, but she thinks in his case they will realize the value in it. Much cheaper than a hospitalization that is for sure!<br /><br />All-in-all I'm quite happy!!! I know I keep saying this, but wow he's come far! Just 6 months ago he still had a lot of major medical issues - was still on oxygen, still having bradycardias, ravaged by reflux, had major calcium deficiencies, wasn't growing....he's amazing!!!Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7009240483114739687.post-12161179069749899272009-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:002009-05-05T05:24:21.733-07:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY BENNETT!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">My baby boy is ONE today!! Wow. I cannot believe a whole year has passed! So many memories and emotions are ruffled up today! Care to take a stroll with me down memory lane???<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">May 5, 2008 - Bennett Steven Custodio is born<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJXsjnUGHYBxDutPAstL9_WZANcB7H_zK952F0a1AXSB0f4YzbpTkzyfgl4bdCfMkQGZJz0CGlFMBYTvyzbCt3KSVDfXI_pw8k_hLeXf7pJjiLyD2_p7qemKTU2souU_mbK7le7wPLJc/s1600-h/IMG_5220.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJXsjnUGHYBxDutPAstL9_WZANcB7H_zK952F0a1AXSB0f4YzbpTkzyfgl4bdCfMkQGZJz0CGlFMBYTvyzbCt3KSVDfXI_pw8k_hLeXf7pJjiLyD2_p7qemKTU2souU_mbK7le7wPLJc/s400/IMG_5220.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332177937414972018" border="0" /></a><br />One Month Old<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-yfiM3_gwEAIIXzf8rXrERKtgmDCK7VjlIVGsNMyzfJ6euxmicijDfcpSEFa4w-OjhtSFb11qGNutFaArg_VlWevoS6IDo0fJJtj3XDYsFQr1_vYepBaP00-Sn4pWgwhVYke6sWTVPQ/s1600-h/IMG_5411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-yfiM3_gwEAIIXzf8rXrERKtgmDCK7VjlIVGsNMyzfJ6euxmicijDfcpSEFa4w-OjhtSFb11qGNutFaArg_VlWevoS6IDo0fJJtj3XDYsFQr1_vYepBaP00-Sn4pWgwhVYke6sWTVPQ/s400/IMG_5411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332177942656947250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Two Months Old - Bennett's Homecoming 7/6/08<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKCdiP6IkwbaVsvgt9UbO0fvjfUnkReyAN5d8ul3c-s4Lf1nSSjLdsk7MFczW9FFiIjQ4F9fA7hrJKvwAMyXOvYP88DF9LGFSDsmF1juTlEwJ36Fr3sbp8hr1QmzvpPNhyYf_SzRWtJA/s1600-h/IMG_5562.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKCdiP6IkwbaVsvgt9UbO0fvjfUnkReyAN5d8ul3c-s4Lf1nSSjLdsk7MFczW9FFiIjQ4F9fA7hrJKvwAMyXOvYP88DF9LGFSDsmF1juTlEwJ36Fr3sbp8hr1QmzvpPNhyYf_SzRWtJA/s400/IMG_5562.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332177948853648770" border="0" /></a>Three Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CwKTe0Tos50hsuuIbPdKZ2PO_Cyo39izCulR7iiJkd6-DCX-I4HST-T_P5mg2H_3Lp205lgnK_j1QLsoQJAeYQZNwp55kef0SO37Tsz1gO6VZHutrNOz_ZRYBfgLzAoARhfWGQUqppY/s1600-h/IMG_5725.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CwKTe0Tos50hsuuIbPdKZ2PO_Cyo39izCulR7iiJkd6-DCX-I4HST-T_P5mg2H_3Lp205lgnK_j1QLsoQJAeYQZNwp55kef0SO37Tsz1gO6VZHutrNOz_ZRYBfgLzAoARhfWGQUqppY/s400/IMG_5725.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332177952149329410" border="0" /></a>Four Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDf_T1X83dDv6RdZqOdKzLm324mSW9KAtIKjjvj6nsTJ80Y28iYxHZ4PmphogCZ870hSWSDVDfjQANIcY9B2CQb8VUY_2DFZPZd0ZTECdIb93hLKylBd4Me-FFNhSrwcTC1MQiTb6W6E/s1600-h/IMG_5905.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDf_T1X83dDv6RdZqOdKzLm324mSW9KAtIKjjvj6nsTJ80Y28iYxHZ4PmphogCZ870hSWSDVDfjQANIcY9B2CQb8VUY_2DFZPZd0ZTECdIb93hLKylBd4Me-FFNhSrwcTC1MQiTb6W6E/s400/IMG_5905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332177954497014370" border="0" /></a>Five Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo4uYyIDrqarniAXVPCpPjwB6X66myAVFcf_9MvIcDpyVFqgFigstlES3Xzb5s5N_FKRc_SBFB-OPdkmMiTXR0eG9C6B5deGodgm-37IDaQl28NDDDIMqvvw_y1wDW4cDLBH9VBAzJWM/s1600-h/IMG_6111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJo4uYyIDrqarniAXVPCpPjwB6X66myAVFcf_9MvIcDpyVFqgFigstlES3Xzb5s5N_FKRc_SBFB-OPdkmMiTXR0eG9C6B5deGodgm-37IDaQl28NDDDIMqvvw_y1wDW4cDLBH9VBAzJWM/s400/IMG_6111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180086339698178" border="0" /></a>Six Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDpFPrURZzKhf8EQOy4ABiaTFjp05Sx04Lz0t0T1zdg3nRkGYeNJ1GS-RoET0CkuNMnjvnmBFoZR4yQ4Gz6TBbfv-zP_aYqD_3KGT6WygqGjhcBP9f2sQ5HVCRtqFe7VAS48gsc5DNR4/s1600-h/IMG_6374.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDpFPrURZzKhf8EQOy4ABiaTFjp05Sx04Lz0t0T1zdg3nRkGYeNJ1GS-RoET0CkuNMnjvnmBFoZR4yQ4Gz6TBbfv-zP_aYqD_3KGT6WygqGjhcBP9f2sQ5HVCRtqFe7VAS48gsc5DNR4/s400/IMG_6374.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180091871953458" border="0" /></a>Seven Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyjEsI6zALuOij91l0vlG1wMerTbuNn0PDAZn0viuvO__wCmKP_T466zgLi8CN6No3D2mElp3TMUDFXCdMPRCo4GHoS8OEbZO1ixqEsT5upOwVk9FSkp6KhBV4BtoSIYcleQwE7C9yUI/s1600-h/IMG_6506.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyjEsI6zALuOij91l0vlG1wMerTbuNn0PDAZn0viuvO__wCmKP_T466zgLi8CN6No3D2mElp3TMUDFXCdMPRCo4GHoS8OEbZO1ixqEsT5upOwVk9FSkp6KhBV4BtoSIYcleQwE7C9yUI/s400/IMG_6506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180093961915666" border="0" /></a>Eight Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuUTRlW9HJsj3CRqkqbBUqxdw0GAozFfbmzE118UAuMvs1qGLrWCKnm3F2o-T1hot-YAawfsYd0qjfGvujtbtuncrC-W2-3GilJOb7EtLPxOp_VLqO8_MDMe-IlXqCODxA1J224NFRr4/s1600-h/IMG_6680.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTuUTRlW9HJsj3CRqkqbBUqxdw0GAozFfbmzE118UAuMvs1qGLrWCKnm3F2o-T1hot-YAawfsYd0qjfGvujtbtuncrC-W2-3GilJOb7EtLPxOp_VLqO8_MDMe-IlXqCODxA1J224NFRr4/s400/IMG_6680.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180099681559714" border="0" /></a>Nine Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLtYL1yCxqgI4BMcvGRTUQBjhXK1vTfDfRc7jEnTS-wWpFeI4Vs8yzcFZbTFtPZ0e3sHqny34NSOoVGmxxwlr3MXU2gQIQIS0vFCpnMJJ-nqzKmlYxWYSMQ3IMufdcAQR3zPgGtDL1fg/s1600-h/IMG_6746.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLtYL1yCxqgI4BMcvGRTUQBjhXK1vTfDfRc7jEnTS-wWpFeI4Vs8yzcFZbTFtPZ0e3sHqny34NSOoVGmxxwlr3MXU2gQIQIS0vFCpnMJJ-nqzKmlYxWYSMQ3IMufdcAQR3zPgGtDL1fg/s400/IMG_6746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180099936697698" border="0" /></a>Ten Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3GAwI9UR3DzbDb08469BUNUtPn1pn8Tqe4bYQ7b1-uoXMkfD3F-uZLUpjEhSitWqIudUxkg2hrMo119l09q_XMMpWjE15pXZISBUe2nvwQGjY9b7h9by575pXcOvxoNPrp3cyT8wLjY/s1600-h/hanging.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3GAwI9UR3DzbDb08469BUNUtPn1pn8Tqe4bYQ7b1-uoXMkfD3F-uZLUpjEhSitWqIudUxkg2hrMo119l09q_XMMpWjE15pXZISBUe2nvwQGjY9b7h9by575pXcOvxoNPrp3cyT8wLjY/s400/hanging.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180936498060050" border="0" /></a>Eleven Months Old<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqQQC8rP83Zvz14_hpQsTss3b7Nr7Ige4f1lWzkGL-4OQrt9ytzznNfojKg4LDKq18uPm4vnn3CPjs4zOFrIAIgejg-QzkVp94CTAXNj5ElgnJFawGD03P1sJyAZwkAwjz4yV2jSNc08/s1600-h/IMG_7040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqQQC8rP83Zvz14_hpQsTss3b7Nr7Ige4f1lWzkGL-4OQrt9ytzznNfojKg4LDKq18uPm4vnn3CPjs4zOFrIAIgejg-QzkVp94CTAXNj5ElgnJFawGD03P1sJyAZwkAwjz4yV2jSNc08/s400/IMG_7040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180942512650018" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" >HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY BENNETT!!!!!!!!!</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GKmAdHET9ycVoWbVw_WXi8i7f1VOxM9dg3EQItvIjh9qXpG3PkijRX_WAOr1sWAW-okBzJIN6gr6bf5NsgBmK1Tq7OkgdjxIxNQq9zoLpL6AwY8vFhOxbfmIBvSAMd5owM7tI5fI3xk/s1600-h/IMG_7193.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GKmAdHET9ycVoWbVw_WXi8i7f1VOxM9dg3EQItvIjh9qXpG3PkijRX_WAOr1sWAW-okBzJIN6gr6bf5NsgBmK1Tq7OkgdjxIxNQq9zoLpL6AwY8vFhOxbfmIBvSAMd5owM7tI5fI3xk/s400/IMG_7193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332180946977973202" border="0" /></a><br />And if you feel like BAWLING your eyes out - here is the montage we put together of his first year (this will be shown at his party too):<br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=6f1a33f5cba87e3ad7a7aa&skin_id=1602&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=6f1a33f5cba87e3ad7a7aa&view=2" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" title="View this montage created at One True Media" border="0" /><br />Bennett's Journey</a>Chantellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07638700243696834012noreply@blogger.com5