One Year Ago...

One year ago from today I lost my dad, and Ava and Reese lost their Peepaw. It's so hard knowing that my dad won't be here on Earth to see his granddaughters grow up but I constantly remind myself that he has a front row seat from the everlasting paradise called heaven. Even worse than my dad not getting to see the girls grow up, I hate the thought of Ava and Reese not remembering Peepaw. We will be sure to tell them stories about their loving grandpa, his infectious laugh, huge hands, and warm heart. Although they won't remember him, it will be my goal to help them understand what a wonderful man he was and how much he loves them whether here on Earth or waiting for us in heaven. The pictures we have around the house will help them know who this loving man is until we all get to be with him again.

How far we have come in a year.  Almost a year ago these pictures were taken and Ava wasn't sitting up on her own yet, was still on the ventilator, and Reese had just started sitting up. 

November 13, 2011

November 13, 2011

November 13, 2011

Now we are working on using our forks!

Thank you to each and every person who thought of our family today.  The prayers, supportive words, calls, emails, and texts mean the world.  God has provided me with such wonderful friends and family to help get through the ups and downs of life.  I am truly blessed.

Milk and Cookies Anyone?

These two are milk and cookies that you will want to just gobble up!  I know we are a little biased but they were pretty cute in their milk and cookies Halloween costumes.  Our Halloween was spent with some friends' house doing a neighborhood give-away for our church.  It was fun being with friends and was pretty decent weather for the end of October. 

(P.S. Someone should have been videotaping me trying to get Ava and Reese to stand together on the front porch for a picture.  Zack had to teach night class so it was quite the challenge as you can tell from the pics!)

That afternoon we also had our last vent clinic appointment at Children's Mercy.  Since Ava left the NICU at Children's Mercy with a ventilator and trach, her acting pediatrician was the vent clinic with a few different doctors who specialize in circumstances like Ava's.  Now that Ava has no ventilator requirements or trach, we are moving on to our regular pediatrician who Reese sees.  It's a bitter sweet "break up."  Definitely a sign that things are going wonderfully with Ava but hard to part with the doctors and nurses who have seen Ava (and momma and dada) regularly for the last year and a half.  They have been so wonderful, supportive, and knowledgeable through all of this and we can't be more thankful for their team.  It was reassuring to hear that there have been families of kiddos who haven't been to the vent clinic in over a year who still call in to ask questions or get advice!

Other than that the girls have been busy "clipping coupons" for momma, bundling up in their snowsuits for walks in the colder weather (size - 12 months...thankfully they still fit!), and raiding the pantry.  I turn my back for two minutes while putting away groceries and Ava already has a mouthful of crackers!  Then she tries to make a run for it when I say we need to put them away.  At least she is willing to share with her sister!