Kick.Kick.Kick.Kick. 100 Days To Go...

I can definitely tell that this little baby inside me is getting bigger and stronger. Last night Matthew was able to feel him kicking. Tonight in the bathtub I was just laying there and I saw my tummy hopping around. This kid kicks hard and he is always on the go. I heard somewhere that male fetuses are more active than females, I don't know if that is true but I don't believe this little guy could be more active.

We are still working on a name. We have a pretty good idea of what we will most likely go with but just really want to give ourselves enough time to be certain. As of today there is 100 days to go! However, with my previous delivery history it might be just barely shy of that. We are definitely praying that this baby isn't as anxious to get here as Andrew was. The longer he stays in there the better, and I truly don't mind getting kicked in the gut.

Arrrrgh! Andy turns TWO!!!!

This little pirate's name is Captain Birdy Legs, he's also been called Captain No Beard. When he was just 11 days old his parents went to the Build-a-Bear Workshop and bought a pirate outfit that was made for a stuffed bear. Captain Birdy Legs was still such a small thing it fit him too. He was probably just a little over 5 pounds here.

Well, 2 years laters and 20 pounds heavier it was time to celebrate this little pirate's birthday!

Here he is checking out the cake and cupcakes. He decided to pull every gold coin out of every cupcake. Grandma and Nana.

Checking out all the booty and swag he got from his friends.
Some of the crew that came to celebrate. More bounty. Nana and Bumpa

Here we are at Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta where we had pizza and cake and rootbeer as well as a bunch of gold coins. Ever since his birthday every time Andy sees a pirate he says "ARRRR!" He even has a little rubber ducky pirate that he yells "ARRRR" at each time he gets in the bath tub.

Oh, and of course, every good little pirate knows how to navigate the waters. Andy and his friends went swimming right before we went out. We didn't get very many good pictures of swimming but we sure had a good time. We are sure thankful that "Captain Birdy Legs" has been in our lives for 2 years spreading joy.

Andy gives the camera a "Cheese!!!"

I did this photo shoot on a whim. I wanted '2 year old' pictures so I ran Andy over to Target. The quality didn't turn out great because my scanner is crappy. . I still think he's so cute he can make any picture adorable. Can you believe he's two already? I need to blog about his 2 year old party, it's over a month late now. Andy loves to say "TWO!!!" and hold up two fingers. He definately knows he's two..... terrible, wonderful, stressful, choactic, incredible two.

I Love My Daddy...

"There is no other relationship quite like that which can and should exist between a boy and his dad. It can be one of the most nurturing, joyful relationships in life, one that can have a profound impact on who boys become and also on who dads become. "
- M. Russell Ballard

No one tickles Andy better than his Daddy.

Even Superman needs a Daddy.

Slaving away with Daddy at work.

He gets SO happy to see Daddy come home.

First fishing lesson ever. And they get a HUGE catch! Honestly, this is the first "fish" I've seen Matthew catch.

"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child." -Knights of Pythagoras

Just Another 'Ordinary Miracle'

Baby Tingey is heart healthy. Everything looked beautiful on the ultrasound. But I am still confident that despite the difference Baby Tingey has from his brother Andrew's heart, they will both have a few things in common; strong hearts, brave hearts, good hearts.
We still do and always will trust our boys in the hands of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This post reminded me of the song "Ordinary Miracle" by Sarah McLaughlin. We are thankful for the miracles in our life.

Another Day at Primary's...

Today I go in for a fetal echo at Primary Children's Hospital. This is just basically a super specific ultrasound done of Baby Tingey's heart. Doctors want to know if he is heart healthy or if he will be a heart warrior like his brother Andrew. To be honest, no one realizes what a big deal this is to me. It could change everything. But in all honesty, I feel a calm and peace about it. I think things are going to be okay. Prayers are still appreciated and I will update later with more information.

On another note, I found a family who has a son with the exact same diagnosis as Andrew, Aortic Stenosis with a bicuspid valve. There is a major difference though, Andrew's condition is mild while this little boy's condition is severe. He had surgery on his heart before he was a month old. As of today he is in the hospital because he just underwent another surgery. Visit his family's blog here. Please visit their blog if you have time and send them some love and prayers, it helps so much. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. I feel especially close to them given that our son's defect is the same. Often times I feel like Aortic Stenosis deserves less attention because Andy has not yet needed surgery, and so many other heart families are going through more. However, this little boy Zeb (who is only a year older than Andy) really puts a face to the reality of our situation. It is real. At some point it will need to be dealt with. We can't always expect the 'mild' outcome. It's been absolutely nerve-racking just waiting to see if things have progressed to moderate or severe. But the most important thing to realize is how miraculous it is that Andrew has done so well so far. It is nothing short of a miracle and I realize that everyday. God is in control of everything and his grace has touched our family. His will be done. We trust him with Andrew and our Baby Tingey.

"The time has come...." the walrus said

To talk of many things....
of sailing ships of sealing wax,
of cabages and kings.
And why the sea is boiling hot
and whether pigs have wings.
-Lewis Caroll

I am SO excited for ALICE IN WONDERLAND!!!!

I am going to take my dad to go see this movie because in a parallel universe he would be the Mad Hatter. Or possibly the White Rabbit. I'm hoping Johnny does a good Mad Hatter. I'm really hoping this turns out to be as neat as I am expecting it to be.

Warming Hearts and Noggins

Most all of you know that Andy was a preemie (4 1/2 weeks early) and weighed a tiny little 4lbs 12 ounces when he was born. That is small but there are even much smaller NICU babies. Having a NICU baby was one of the most difficult experiences in my life but someone brought me imense sunshine when I found my beautiful boy laying in his crib with a little green and tan hat on. I was so touched that someone cared enough to knit him a hat. A tiny, tiny little hat. I'll always adore that little hat and have it framed and hung up in Andy's room.

My mother-in-law recently became obsessed with the 'knifty knitter' and has poured her heart into making 111 preemie hats. We went up to the hospital today and delievered an entire garbage bag full of them. It was fun to show off that many little hats. It meant a lot to me when Andrew's got his hat and I hope it means something to another mother who is unfortunately in the NICU. I hope they warm the heads and hearts of the families in the NICU.

Andrew is just one day old in this picture. Nichole , one of his first visitors took this picture.

Daddy took this picture when he was just hours old. You can still see the awe in his eyes as he tries to figure out this world.

NICU babies are the most beautiful, miraculous babies I've ever seen.

Just a few of the hats.... waiting for a cute noggin to sit on.