Triple Trouble: April 2010

Friday, April 30, 2010

Hey Grady, What cha doin'?

This was the simple question I asked as I watched my clever and mischievous 4 year old, clutching his big brothers PSP to his chest, climbing the stairs.

Grady slowly turned his head to me, still attempting to keep the PSP hidden, smiled his "innocent" sweet smile (I still don't know how those dimples don't hurt) as his blue eyes twinkled against the glare of the light bulb and he stated clearly and without missing a beat...

"Nothing you need to worry about."

I am surprised another earthquake was not reported, this time here in Florida, in response to the force with which my jaw hit the floor.

"Excuse me, what?" I questioned, unable to hide the shock and awe from my voice.

"Nothing you need to worry about."

To be truthful, at this point, I had to laugh, one of those uncontrollable giggles that almost turned to hysterical, violent body shaking laughter.

And yes, I made him put the PSP away and come back down stairs.

As soon as I could compose myself, I called Dat Dat at work and do you know he had the audacity to ask me where I thought Grady got that from... I paused a moment and simply stated, "You, of course."

Dat Dat was quiet on the other end of the line, and after a moment simply replied, "Yep, you are probably right." No "probably" about it if you ask me!

These boys of mine!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

HUGE NEWS!!!!! We are starting our own business!!!!!!!!!

After months of consideration and planning, Todd and I have decided to start our own business.

Believe me, this is as shocking to you as it is to me.

We have decided to get into the Pharmaceutical Business.

While neither of us have a degree in medicine, we believe our life experiences will ultimately lead us to a hugely successful outcome.

And with a little more help from Todd Jr and him leaving his breakfast in the backseat cup holder of Dat Dat's car, we will be the number one provider of penicillin in the country.

(I think that was once a Granny Smith apple core.)

You realize I am kidding? Right?

Friday, April 23, 2010

In Loving Memory...

I cannot believe this blog has taken me so long to write.

For that, I apologize.

As some of you may know/remember, we received a lovely note from Paula Fortunas with the TMH Foundation letting us know there was going to be a memorial plaque, for Esme, placed in the NBICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) at Tallahassee Memorial... Todd, the Triple Trouble and I have been so looking forward to making a visit.

So, during Todd Jr's Spring Break, a couple of weeks ago, we made the trek to Tallahassee.

We left at 6:30am CST because our meeting was at 10:00am EST.

Timing was Perfect.

We were met at the TMH Foundation office by Paula Fortunas and Judi Taber, these ladies were both so kind to take time out of their OUTRAGEOUSLY busy day to spend time with us.

Their big fundraiser of the year was that evening, but you would not have known it, they were patient, kind and helpful.

We were hoping to see some of our very special ~~friends~~ family while we were there, but I had not done a very good job getting in touch with them prior to our arrival.

No worries, Paula and Judi had taken care of that.

These ladies are two of the most amazing and special people in the world!

That is Donna right next to me and Grady.

She delivered Todd Jr, Esme and Grady.

(We were in Alabama when Grant joined our gang!)

She took such good care of us during all our pregnancies and was such a support to us after we lost Esme.

She stayed extremely patient during my pregnancy with Grady and I think I got to "see" him on a weekly basis:)

Thank you Donna! We love you so much.

That is Sharon right behind me.

She was our Labor and Delivery Nurse when we had Esme.

You know, I still don't really know how she ended up with us... I have always been suspicious of Donna on this one. But, she was amazing... she never left our side... Even hours after her shift was over... Sharon herself knows and truly understands the loss of a child, something, I wish we did not have to share... we have been close friends ever since.

I was overwhelmed with emotion to see them both, it had been too long!

Not only were Donna and Sharon there, but Dr. Truman, one of Esme's doctors and some of the Nurses in the NBICU at the time!

We were very excited to get a tour of the new NBICU.

When Esme was born, the NBICU was one large room where all the babies were kept together.

Imagine that!

Nice Robes, huh?

There are individual rooms now or just two to a room.

This allows for better care, especially if a baby is sensitive to any sort of stimulation, etc.

There are nesting rooms for parents to be able to stay at the hospital with their babies after they have been discharged. Private areas for pumping for nursing babies.

Offices for the nurses, so they don't have to be distracted by administrative tasks while caring for the babies.

It is truly a wonderful facility.

But what is really amazing are the people.

I imagine all of the Doctors and Nurses who work with critically ill babies wish there were no need for their positions. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Your heart must be big, and while illness can be emotional for anyone, parents of a sick baby feel out of control, full of questions and utter despair.

And while we were not able to bring our Esme home, we are so thankful for the support, sincerity and care that was extended to all of us at Tallahassee Memorial.

We are proud to make our donations each year to the hospital for the NBICU in Esme's name.

Todd and I are especially honored by the plaque... showing again that in 5 short days, you can still make your mark on the world... and forever in our hearts.

2010

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Inc.

and its Foundation

Recognize and Salute

Natalia and Todd Harris

For their generous donations to the

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at TMH

In Loving Memory of their Daughter

Mallory Esme Harris

February 23-28, 2004

To make a donation:

You can go to

http://www.tmhfoundation.org/

Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Foundation

1331 East Sixth Avenue

Tallahassee, FL 32303

If you wish, please be sure to designate the funds for the Neonatal/Newborn ICU

in memory of Mallory Esme Harris

Thanks!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Making the Grade!

As many of you may know, Todd Jr has been struggling is school a little this year.

Most of the issue has been with reading, which impacts everything else (ie. reading math worksheet instructions, etc.)

Specifically fluency and phonics.

Needless to say, he has been working very hard... and all that hard work has paid off.

Yesterday, Todd brought home his 3rd quarter report card.

And guess who made the A/B Honor Roll?

Todd was sooooo excited and Dat Dat and I are so PROUD!

After 2 quarters of a C in reading he brought home an A!

Whew!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Shaving 101

Yes, shaving.

Now, I know our boys are growing at what seems to be the speed of light.

But SHAVING?

Yes, shaving.

I always imagined it would be quite an event... Dat Dat teaching the boys to shave...

certain that Me Me and Foe Foe would be greatly relieved that my only participation in the event would be holding the camera... since my first few years of shaving my legs was not pretty... I think Foe Foe bought stock in Band Aid.

I imagined tiny hairs... unseen by the naked eye... covered in too much shaving cream...

making jokes about santa...

shaking hands and sweaty palms...

monologues from Dat Dat about safety, taking your time, etc...

tiny bits of toilet paper stuck to ones face (probably in a spot where there had not been any hair to begin with)

But what I got instead was...

Blood curdling screams from the bathtub...

and a bloody leg... yes, leg.

Guess who?

No, not Todd Jr.

Not Grant.

And no, not Dat Dat.

Yes, Grady Joe!

Yes, I know... don't worry, the razor has been removed.

And yes, he is perfectly fine... superficial wounds, covered by what else... Band Aid. (Foe Foe, your stock is going up!)

The real question...

Once he cut himself the first time, why did he do it again?

Your guess is as good as mine!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Happy Birthday Grady Joe!

That's Right, see, I did not forget!

Look who is 4!

... and he is sooo excited!

We had lots of fun on Grady's Birthday weekend.

Grammie and Dada came to visit and I have realized we did not take any photos with them... but really, they were here!

Since Halloween, Grady has wanted an Indiana Jones cake...

Let's hear it for Publix!

I know it's a weird shape... these are called baby cakes.. it is half of the smallest sheet cake.

We love their cakes... we just cannot eat that much... even with 7 of us, I threw 1/2 away.

Fork in hand, ready to pounce!

And, yes I am pretty sure Grant tried to help blow out the candle!

By the way, that boulder has been the biggest hit... with Robin!

Earlier in the day, after Todd Jr's soccer game, we headed down to Pier Park.

We walked for a few minutes, then we went across the street to the beach.

Grady took off his shoes, rolled up his jeans as high as they would go and promptly proceeded to...

fall in...

Yep, SOAKING WET!

And smiling the whole time!

Happy Birthday Grady Joe!

I cannot believe it has been 4 years.

I am sure I have told you before, but never in my life have I felt as much relief as the first moment he cried!

I loved him from the moment I knew I was pregnant, but I know I kept trying to keep myself somewhat detached. I refused, almost to the point of panic for any sort of baby shower, and the only thing we bought was a combo stroller (the one with the car seat) before he was born... so we would be able to bring him home. I am pretty sure, we did not even buy any diapers!

Because of my emergency C-Section with Esme, Grady also had to come that way (needless to say, I was disappointed, but not willing to take the chance of something going wrong).

It was a very special experience, Todd and I were blessed to have Donna, Dr. Brickler, Sharon (our Friend and L&D nurse who sat with us for hours, never leaving our side, the day we had Esme) and John (our anesthesiologist) with us... all who had been there for Esme's birth.

When they yanked Grady out, what was probably less than a milisecond, seemed like an eternity.... oh how he cried... a sound that had not been present my previous trip to that operating room.

I don't think there was a dry eye in the place... I remember Todd beaming and hearing Sharon say "He looks just like his Big Brother!" and her mask covered, no, drenched in tears.

We have come a long way since that day and Todd and I have been blessed to be part of his life!

MMMM, Yummy!

We love you so much Grady Joe thanks for all the love and laughs!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Easter!

Happy Day After Easter Everyone!

We hope you all had a lovely day... It was BEAUTIFUL here in Panama City...

it did start off a little foggy here... as you can see...

... but the boys had a great time hunting for eggs..

Todd Jr was so sweet, he kept helping Grady and Grant find the eggs...

Grady, always smiling and having disregarded the "put on shoes" command...

oh well, there was candy to be found!

To be honest, it is getting harder and harder to get a good shot of Grant... he is always on the move...

He was so happy to get "ninny" (that is Grant for "candy").

So our morning started out on a sugar high with candy and a Pancake Breakfast at church... where they hunted more eggs and each of them were given a candy filled Easter Basket!