Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I last wrote.  I guess I wanted to keep Lily's birthday video up as long as possible!  I hope you enjoyed it.  Her birthday party was amazing... fit for a princess with lots of friends and family to help her celebrate.  There will be pictures coming.  I promise!

Since then things have been crazy around here.  There were the 1 and 5 year old appointments to be had for both kiddos.  And we've all been sick.  Tuesday was actually the first day in a week and a half that everyone was back at daycare/school/work!

On top of it all I've been working, working, and working some more.  And so... the blog and sadly Weight Watchers in general has been a little a lot neglected.  I'm lucky that I'm holding steady, but I've been around the same 2 pounds - still 20 pounds to go back to goal - now for pretty much the entire summer.  I need to break on through, and at the risk of sounding like I'm making excuses, I just can't seem to make it happen right now with all the extra "stuff" going on.  Weight Watchers before Lily, and Weight Watchers after Lily is sure a different experience. 

Initially I was so "not OK" with that.  I was angry with my results.  But I've come to accept that this is a different journey than it was before, and this time it is going to take me longer, and so I've made peace with that fact, even if I still feel frustrated at times.

Next week, I am off to North Carolina again for appointments with Lily - similar to what we did back in April.  Lily and I will be taking a little vacation after the appointments to the beach.  We are so ready for a break, and some time in the sand and sun.

My vacation plan is to simple and something that CWWL (Crazy Weight Watchers Leader if you need a reminder) taught me.  If you are simply replacing a "normal" meal that you'd eat, eat like you would at home.  If it's a celebration, than take the time to eat what you enjoy.  I think that's amazing advice for a balanced life!

Baby girl.  Today you are 1.  It seems like just yesterday that after weeks, weeks of waiting and waiting to see what would happen with you, that you were finally born.  All the worry and prayers wrapped up in a tiny little 5 lb 9 oz package.  You were perfect!  OK, so you were missing 1 chromosome, but you had a perfect little heart, a perfect little face, your mama's nose. 

Our healing came, all the while other mama's didn't get their healing.  Our miracle was granted, and I will never understand why us... why you.  You are made for bigger things baby girl.  You will do amazing things.  How I was ever worthy of being your mama I will never know.  I am blessed beyond measure, and I am humbled to have been chosen.

You amaze me every day.  You are standing up to things and cruising around, you have 4 teeth.   Last night you told your daddy you were "awe done" at the end of dinner.  You already hate bottles and love your sippy cup and "real milk". 

Today we celebrate you Lily!  Something I never thought I'd get to do.  God is so faithful!

On your birthday there isn't much more I can think of saying that I haven't already said somewhere over the past year.  So instead I put together this video... chronicling your story.  My wish is that it is shared over and over until it goes viral.  That everyone can know how great is our God!


And don't forget you can still donate in Lily's honor to the Turner Syndrome Society

Some days I can easily come up with my own words, and some days, things I read so eloquently say what my heart is feeling.  Recently, a fellow Turner Syndrome mom shared this poem, and it so accurately captures my feelings of the last year with Lily. 

Despite everything.  The 18 weeks of living with her growing inside of me, not knowing if she'd live, the reflux, the hundreds of appointments, the sleeplessness nights, the millions of tears cried, and 2 surgeries.  I would not trade Lily for anything.  If I had my pick - I still would have chosen her.



If before you were born, I could have gone to heaven and saw all the beautiful souls, I still would have chosen you.

If God had told me, "This soul would one day need extra care and needs", I still would have chosen you

If He had told me, "This soul may make your heart bleed", I still would have chosen you

If He had told me, "This soul would make you question the depth of your faith", I still would have chosen you

If He had told me, "This soul would make tears flow from your eyes that could fill a river", I still would have chosen you

If He had told me, "This soul may one day make you witness overbearing suffering", I still would have chosen you

If He had told me, "All that you know to be normal would drastically change", I still would have chosen you

Of course, even though I would have chosen you, I know it was God who chose me for you.


And don't forget... Lily is asking you this week if you would please give a small donation - even a dollar can make a difference - to the Turner Syndrome society for her birthday!

It's officially birthday week!  Yes, you read that right.  My baby girl turns 1 on Sunday.  Can you believe it's almost been a year since my baby girl made her miraculous entrance into this world?  It is only because of so many prayers - many from you guys reading this - that Lily was healed and made her very feisty and live appearance into this world.  It's certainly a day I will NEVER forget.  And I'm ready to party!!!

I'd love to "invite" you to a virtual birthday party for Lily.  You can be a part of Lily's special day. 

Lily would love nothing more than if you would take a few moments of your time and a few dollars in your pocket, and in honor and celebration of her first birthday, donate to the Turner Syndrome Society.

It's easy and safe.  You can go here to donate.  Or you can just click the "Donate" button that I've added to the right side of my blog. 

Please feel free to share this opportunity to give back to Lily with friends, family, coworkers, strangers... whoever!  Tweet it, share it on facebook.  This little girl deserves it.  Remember that no donation is too small and even one dollar can make a difference!


Do it for this sweet face.
Lily thanks you and we thank you!

The birthday countdown is officially on!

And if you don't know what Turner Syndrome is please take a moment to read Lily's story.

Today was my "baby" boy's first day of Kindergarten!

It is unbelievable to me that 5 years ago tomorrow (September 5, 2007), after 27 days in the NICU we finally brought him home for the first time from the hospital!  He was a mere 4 lbs 5 oz the day he was discharged.  I can see it all in my mind still when I close my eyes!



"L" - 1 day old - 3 lbs 4 oz

In the first 5 years of his life, there have been so many firsts.  And today was yet another first, and another reminder to his mama that time passes so quickly when we aren't really paying attention.

"L" - 9/4/12 First day of Kindergarten