Catch Up....

Nick and I have been so busy lately. It is hard to keep up. I am going to hit the highlights (photos included) of the last few weeks.

The Zoo!
I was so excited about going to the zoo a few weeks ago. My mom's company has a fund raiser every year and I couldn't wait to take Nick. He LOVES animals and loves to see them in books and on TV, I thought he would love it. I was wrong. The first animal we saw upon entering was the elephant. I don't think he was prepared for how big the elephant was. It scarred him. All he kept saying was "Elephant too big". To this day, if someone mentions an elephant, he says elephant too big. He liked seeing the animals - from afar and in my arms. We did get to ride on the train outside of the zoo that goes around the park. That was awesome to him! All in all, it wasn't a bad experience, but I think we will wait a bit before trying the zoo again.




March of Dimes Walk

I am so excited about the March of Dimes walk. Team Nick Chuck raised $1800 and had 12 team members walking with us. It was awesome. I was so thrilled and humbled by the event. It was hard to see so many family members walking for babies that didn't make it. Made me so incredibly thankful for the gift of my son. It is hard to put into words how lucky and thankful I feel.




Pool Time

Nick got a blow up pool from "The Easter Bunny" at Grandma's House. It has been warm enough to get it out lately and he loves it! He squeals with delight the moment he steps in the pool. How can I deny that kind of fun?

Team Nick Chuck

If you have read this blog for any length of time, you know how Nick came into this world. To put is short - Early. Way too early. To this day, I don't know why. I wish I did. If we knew why, we could take the steps to cure it.

Since Nick was born, I wanted to walk in the March for Babies walk for March of Dimes. This is the year. I have signed up our team and am amazed at the support I have been getting from my friends and relatives. It has been almost overwhelming.

When I started the team a few weeks ago, I went back into the old archives of this blog to get some pictures and refresh myself with the whole ordeal. Can you believe I actually forgot certain things? Most of the stuff I read I hadn't forgotten, more just buried deep somewhere in my subconscious. The more I read and looked at those photos, the more tears came to my eyes. I think at that point, I was so focused on him and him getting better, so many days I never had time to feel my emotions.

Then something funny happened, the more I read, the more I realized, that is all a thing of the past. My boy is healed. He is better. While there may be some lingering things that we have yet to discover - he is okay, he survived. He is happy and healthy and smiling and loving.

Wouldn't it be great if every baby had that outcome? Even better if every baby didn't have to go through it. March of Dimes makes so much headway each year to ensure every baby comes home happy and safe. They are a huge support system for parents going through this traumatic experience. I know I looked up many a medical term, outcome and story on their website in those 3 months.

If you know me, or Nick, or just read the blog - help support us! We want to make sure every baby comes home happy and healthy!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1515988

The link above will take you to our Team Nick Chuck page. You can make a donation via credit card, debit card or by check. EVERY dollar counts.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.

Mardi Gras!

Growing up in Galveston, Mardi Gras was always a huge part of my life. My parents took my brother and I to parades when we were little. I always came home from school to go, and always have so much fun. I knew Nick would love going.

Last weekend, I took him to the day parade (the night parade is just a little too rowdy, and late for my little man just yet). At first he was confounded as to why we were standing in the street- as that is usually a "no no". Once the parade started with the bands and floats and the throwing of beads - he was all in!

He would dance around when the bands would march by and then when the floats came, he quickly learned how to stick his little hand up in the air and yell for beads. He cleaned up! He loves Mardi Gras!

Finally!

I know I have been horrible about posting, but we are back...sort of. Nick keeps me busy! He is doing so well. I often forget that he has so much catching up to do. His teachers comment that he is smart, and has one of the biggest vocabularies in his class, despite being one of the youngest kids! A mom can never hear that too much!

Other things going on - or the biggest thing on my mind right now - POTTY TRAINING! I am about to make a run at it. Advice certainly welcome! He does go on the potty, but hasn't gotten the hang of telling me when he needs to go. So, we are trying.

Nick's favorite passtime of the last few weeks has been going to the neighbors to jump on the trampoline. When he gets home, the first thing he says is "PD house, jump, jump". He loves it.

Here are a few pictures from the last few months -