Mother Love!

I have missed entering the blog for two months now…so… I may not win any mother of the year awards. I find it hard to sit down and spend time writing about how amazing our little boy is, when I could spend that time playing with him.

As we approach a day when we celebrate Mothers, I find myself thinking about what motherhood means to me. The definition in Webster states ‘Mother - A woman who conceives, gives birth to, or raises and nurtures a child’. This definition is so completely vague and doesn’t even begin to describe what motherhood truly is. It should also include selfless love, admiration, priveledge, responsibility…

Well… I don’t think I will be contacting the staff at Webster but I still think these should be included.

Somedays, I find myself simply going through the routine of being a mom. Feedings, changing another diaper, playing, reading books, putting him to bed… I think many moms (including myself) are moving so fast through life’s daily chores to enjoy the small parts of motherhood.

The other night, I was putting Jack to bed for the night and found myself out of the normal routine. Typcially, I rock him and remain calm and quiet so that he will fall asleep. This time, though, he was very hyper. Making all sorts of noises with his mouth and wiggling all over. I found myself hysterically laughing. Everytime I laughed, he would laugh and then he would make another noise and then quickly look at me for a reaction and start laughing– of course I was hysterical. This went on for about 20 minutes – but I wish we could have done it all night.

I’m not sure I would ever be able to put into words what motherhood truly means to me, but I can say this for sure – I have never felt so much love for 1 single person in my entire life. When I see Jack, my heart jumps out of my chest and I am completely overwhelmed with a gush of emotion I can only describe as ‘true love’.

Enough about my thoughts… let’s talk about the things Jack has been up to.

Our little turtlebird is getting bigger. At his 9 month doctor’s appointment he weighed in at 17lbs, 7ozs and his height was 26 ½ inches. According to “the charts” this still leaves him below the 10th percentile – but he is definitely growing. Anyone that has seen him recently can attest – his rolls are mighty!

Jack is continuing physical therapy through early intervention and has made tremendous progress. He rolls all over the room, moves from a laying position to sitting, pulls up to his feet, gets on his hands and knees and rocks and has even been caught making several crawling motions. Perhaps it’s time to start thinking about child-proofing the house.


To wrap up this month’s blog, I leave you with a poem and (of course) pictures!

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put him down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Happy 7 months Jack Dylan

Jack's 6 month Photo Shoot

Lovin' Life... 

My how quickly another month goes by yet each and everyday is such a true blessing with Jack in our lives!!!  He is showing a little more of his personality these days and by the looks of it we think he is going to be a lover...he loves to snuggle and give hugs and most recently he started reaching for Amy and I!  I can honestly say it is the BEST feeling in the world...

We were recently looking at family videos of our last 7 months together and it blows my mind to think that less then 7 months ago Jack had undergone such a traumatic event and to see him now with his cute smiles, crazy laughs and amazing energy one would never know.  The resiliency and bravery of such a little guy is enough to make anyone realize just how precious life is and how, given LOVE, we can thrive, prosper and grow as individuals....In just 7 months he has taught us so many of lifes valuable lessons...we are SO LUCKY to have such a GREAT TurtleBird!!!

Jack had his 6 month check up at CHOP, inclusive of an ECHO, all of which appeared good.  His cardiologist is delighted with Jacks progress and does not need to see him back for another 6 months...if she is happy, mommies are happy:)  We also got a back to tummy roll out of Jack at this CHOP visit...must have been a fluke because we haven't been able to replicate it?!?  Given the amazing things CHOP has been able to do for Jack, I decided we needed to give back so I am dedicating time to the Children's Heart Foundation (CHF), which is an amazing organization that raises money for pediatric cardiac research.  CHF is holding a fundraising event in July, I will update once I get more information.  I am in charge of volunteers so anyone interested just let me know.

Me & my Mommy swinging!!!

Jack at the Park....big boy swing!!!

Jack celebrating Valentines Day & Phillies Opening of Pitchers & Catchers!!!

Jack had quite a few playdates this month with his buddy Knox his heart friend Ms. Lily, Hailey and his girlfriend Maggie!!! He also got to meet his Bradley class babies, all of the couples got together so we could introduce the babies that were inside our belly...how ironic that it being a "Natural" birthing class and none of us went Naturally!  It is the cutest thing watching little ones interact...speaking of which Jack joined is first GYM where he seems to be more interested in the kids then the activities but we think he is getting the hang of it:)

Jack & Maggie

Jack & Miss Lily

Jack & Hailey

More about Jack and his "firsts":  Jack endured his first Ice storm which cost us our electricity but lucky for him he got to spend time with GP, who had electricity!!!, first Merry-Go-Round ride at Giggleberry faire, first ride in the shopping cart at Wegman's, first Valentines day (Jack is the best valentine EVER...the BESTEST BIGGEST HEART:)), first stroll through New Hope, first solo ride in the big boy swing at the park...Loved IT!, first babysitter night with Aunt Chel (mommies had their 1st date night...very strange not having Jack around but we had a great time), first gym session and not to mention LOTS of talking...not too sure what he is saying but it definitely sounds like " I LOVE MY MOMMIES!!!"

Happy 1/2 Birthday Jack!

Holy Cow - 6 months!

Oh my how 6 months can totally change your life...and it happens in the blink of an eye!!!  Our little man has given us so much in such a short time, we are sooo very lucky!  Speaking of little and short, our stinker pants is barely making the charts with his weight or height but yet some how manages to put away so much  beef stew that he forgets to come up for air.  So needless to say we have begun to introduce solids... January was a month of taste testing:  Bananas, Apples, Pears, Avacado, Chicken, Beef Stew and Sweet Potatoes some of which he inhaled and some of which came back out with much more force...let's just say that Jack is NOT a fan of sweet potatoes and chicken.  Nor are his mommies after it is regurgitated on to them, I think we will wait a bit longer before trying that combo again.

Jack is so fascinated with people, little people are his favorite...He thoroughly enjoys his cousins Grace, Ryan and Sean and Jack got to meet his very cute and talkative cousin Kaeleigh. And he even had a playdate with his new buddy Knox

Adding to Jacks lists of firsts:  first ride in his stroller as a big boy (without the babyseat), first nappies in his crib, first trip to Franklin Institute, first snowman, Lily's first birthday party, first New Year celebration breakfast and first time sitting up like a big boy which goes hand in hand with first tumble (into mommy's sneaker...ouch!).  The big "first" that mommy was trying to avoid for as long as possible was Jack's transition to the crib for the entire night...call me crazy but I sobbed for a bit, if you ask Amy she would probably snicker a bit at this statement because it was more like I balled my eyes out!! It was really a wake up call that he is in fact getting bigger and as much as I am enjoying all of his stages it just seems to be happening too quickly.  I guess that is why I continue to take as many pictures as possible, so here are a few of Jack's latest looks.....





5 Months and getting bigger...

Wow!  Our little guy is 5 months old.  Everyone had warned us that time would fly and to embrace it.  Boy was everyone right!   It feels like only yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital.  And now our arms get tired when holding him!

December was very eventful for Jack and his mommies.  A few more "firsts" to add to Jack's bucket list...  First cold... First Christmas... First time on Santa's lap... First trip to New York City... First Train ride... First Subway ride... First solid food... First solid, smelly poop.

Jack developed his first cold in early December.  Coughing, sneezing, runny nose...  but he was a trooper!  His mommies were ready to call the doctor but Jack battled through and is healthy again:) 

We took a trip to New York city in mid-December (courtesy of GP and Nana).  We rode the train from Hamilton into NYC with GP, Nana, Aunt Karen, Uncle Tom, Grace, Sean, Ryan, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Keith.  The train was packed and very noisy, but this did not stop our buggy boo from taking a nap.  While in NYC, we went to see the Christmas Show at Radio City Music Hall, rode the subway, shopped at Toys R Us and got a bite to eat.  We had a great day!

My first train ride





 The week before Christmas we decided to give Jack a taste of 'real' food.  First reactions are truly priceless.  He had no idea what to do with the bananas in his mouth.  Now (2 weeks later) we cannot shovel the bananas into his mouth fast enough.  He has also tried chicken and carrots.  Did you know that the color of the food (carrots - orange) is indicative of the color that will be exported - weird.  With these new foods came new smells (in the output category).  Okay... too much information, but we had gone 5 months without a smelly diaper.  We didn't know how good we had it!

Jack's first visit with Santa...  Most kids cry and scream when they are up close and personal with the big man in red.  Jack's approach was a bit different.  He decided not to look at Santa.  He sat on Santa's lap very still and quiet and never turned his head to look.  Perhaps he thought Santa could read his mind as to what he wanted.

I have been a good boy, Santa!

Christmas was a success.  Jack was a traveling man.  We started our holiday celebration on Christmas Eve at Babcie's house in New Jersey where Santa came to visit (again Jack never looked at him).  Christmas morning was at our house and Mom-Mom, Ja-G, Aunt Michele, Uncle Joe and Uncle Robert came over for breakfast.  You were showered with toys!  After a short break (nap), we went to GP and Nana's house for a wonderful dinner.  All around, it was a great Christmas surrounded by family and friends and lots of hugs and kisses!



Although still a bit wobbly, I am sitting up by myself!



Happy 4 Month Birthday Turtlebird!!!

Well another month has come to pass, leaving us so much more to be in awe of and grateful for!  Earlier in the month Jack had a CHOP visit with his Cardiologist, Dr. Szwast, who stated everything with Jack is looking great, there is still a kink in one of the arteries that they have to continue to keep an eye on but as of  today it is not anything to be concerned about as it is not obstructing blood flow.  She does not need to see him until February 2011!!!  He received round 2 of his vaccines which seemed to make him a bit more irritable then round one last month, but nothing a little lovin' and snugglin' couldn't soothe, and believe me there is plenty of that to go around in our household. It was also at this visit where Jack weighed in at 12 lbs 10 oz, given the reluctance of the doctors to solely breastfeed at time of discharge, it is quite amazing that Jack has almost doubled his birth weight at three months....what a big boy we have on our hands.

Speaking of hands, Jack had found his and cannot keep them out of his mouth!  At times he attempts to jam both of them in his mouth at the same time while drool is making its way out of his mouth by the bucket full.  Oh how we love our drool monster...he amazes me everyday!!!!  When his hands are not in his mouth we get to hear Jack LAUGH out LOUD while awake, where as before it was only in his sleep.  It is definitely the cutest laugh we have ever heard and will practically do anything to get him to laugh.  Ah, the joys of being parents, you get to act a fool and nobody blinks an eye...no wonder our parents had many kids:)

I have come to realize that being a parent and being sick do not fall hand in hand...being a parent makes being sick virtually impossible and you can't call out and cash in a sick day.  But his smile makes it all worth it, sick or not....

Jack celebrated his first Thanksgiving by going to his first parade, experiencing his first snowfall and spending time at mom-mom's with family enjoying turkey and dairy-free mashed potatoes, yum!

P.S.  I will add photos later, I still need to upload them

Jack's 3 Month Birthday

Well what can we say...being Jack's mommies has certainly surpassed anything we could ever have hoped for!  He has made so many changes in the last month: smiling so much, recognizing his mommies both by voice and looks, talking more(nothing recognizable but definitely cute), his hair is growing in fuzzy, and he is now over 12 lbs!!!  Jack had his first visit with Early Intervention which is an organization that comes to the house to evaluate his progress with developmental milestones.  Sometimes babies with congenital heart disease are delayed developmentally, however Jack passed with flying colors and that they would check in at around 6 months.  They said he was a "ROCK STAR", but we already knew this.  He also got his first round of vaccines, but he left the doctors office still smiling...he is a trooper and one of the bravest guys I know!

We also had a "Welcome to the World" Pumpkin Patch party for Jack. We wanted to thank everyone and extend our gratitude for all of those who supported us during the difficult time surrounding the surgery. A GREAT time was had by all!!!!

So all in all October was a month of many firsts: my first vaccines, my first Phillies disappointment (which my mommies tell me I should get used to), my first bonfire, my first Halloween, my first Big Hearts to Little Hearts Walk, my first trip to Tyler State Park to walk with Mommy, my first big party in honor of me, the first time my mommy drew blood trying to clip my nails ( she was so sorry!) and the first time I celebrated my Mommy's birthday!

2 Months

First, let me apologize for completely slacking on updating the blog. We are so caught up in day to day life as Mommies that we seem to put a lot to the side. How can someone so tiny completely consume 2 peoples lives?? Just ask Jack. Jack is turning into somewhat of a traveling man these days. Trips to visit family, friends, photographers, doctors appointments, shopping, visiting Mommy at work...

We even took Jack to the Jersey shore for his 2nd time. This trip was a bit more than a site-seeing excursion. On Sunday, October 3rd we travelled to Belmar, NJ with Mom-Mom and Aunt Michele to walk for a great cause - Big Hearts to Little Hearts - an organization committed to supporting research and care for pediatric cardiac patients.

It was an overcast day and very cold, but we did not mind as we felt such a warm connection to everyone who was there. Jack also got a chance to meet his "big heart sister" - Lily. Lily was also diagnosed with TGA and went through all the same steps that Jack did after birth. Lily is now a beautiful 9 month old. Jack is so lucky to have Lily in his life.

Until month 3, enjoy some photos...