Sometimes the best fun to be had can be in your own back yard. Case in point:

Cool Cruiser




"She's Not Heavy, She's My Sister!"






"Hey Dad"



"Whoa..."



Backyard Cup





Mina Glued To Daddy's Side







That's it for now. Have a great day!

Mason's Story Part 6

The funeral had begun. It started with the first song and then our pastor began to speak. If you are wondering how I can remember details, I have the funeral on CD and I listen to it often. Our pastor introduced us and Mason. He stated that when I announced I was pregnant a chorus a "hallelujahs" rang out in the church...and he felt that was still applicable today. I am a very open person with my friends, and a lot of my friends are from the church so most of the church knew of Jake and I's fertility troubles. Several knew we had done fertility treatments. Everyone was so happy for us when we found out we were pregnant and even more so when we made it past the first trimester. When we made it far enough along to find out the sex they were as ecstatic as we were. When it was told that I was in the hospital and that Mason was not expected to survive, I was flooded with visitors and phone calls. I felt so loved and prayed for. That is what my pastor was referring to.

After the introductions, the second song was played. We chose "A Living Prayer" by Alison Krouse. It is not your usual choice of song, but we had specific reasons for picking it. The song says "Take my life and let it be, a living prayer, My God to Thee." We wanted Mason's life to have meaning. That song was for me more that anyone, it would be a reminder to keep on going and to find a way for Mason's story to help people. It is what led me to start this blog, and what keeps me meeting with other women to help them through it. More next time.

Our blogs are really reaching people

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/health/fl-nbcol-baby-loss-brochu-1105-20101105,0,9071.column

Christmas Gift Note to Family

This is my annual Christmas blog to discuss gift giving. Jake and I through discussion with most of our family members have decided that this year will again be one DVD per family for the nieces and nephews. This means that all we want from the aunts and uncles with children is one DVD for all of the children to share, and we will be giving the same thing to our nieces and nephews. All of them, on both sides of the family. I am not playing games like last year, so this year I am saying it plainly, anything else will be donated to charity. Period. It is not fair for the families that can afford big gifts to buy them while the families that can't look like horrible aunts and uncles. 90% of the family agrees with me on both sides and will be following the same rules. If you have a problem with it, I am sorry, but this is our house and therefore our rules. I hope that everyone can be mature and respect other's wishes this year so we can all have a peaceful holiday season.

chorioamnionitis and Incompetent Cervix

I have reading posts from a lot of women who are terrified of chorioamnionitis. In layman's terms, chorioamnionitis is a infection within the uterus during pregnancy. It is especially complicated for women with Incompetent Cervix. I am going to try to discuss it in easy to understand terms below. My hope is that it will provide information and maybe ease some minds.

The first reason it is complicated to a woman with IC is the confusion it causes while trying to get a diagnosis of IC. Because the infection can actually cause labor-including dilation, it can make doctors leery to diagnose a woman with IC. It really is a chicken or an egg problem. Did an incompetent cervix opening up allow bacteria to enter the utuerus causing the chorioamnionitis, or did the chorioamnionitis cause premature labor opening the cervix? Doctors are hesitant to perform a cerclage for future pregnancies if there is even a little possibility that something other than IC caused the dilation.

The second reason is the fear it can cause a woman after a cerclage has been placed. If infection occurs, the cerclage may have to be removed which would result in a second loss. Some doctors place the woman on preventative antibiotics, but most don't. Doctors don't like to introduce chemicals into a woman's body long term without just cause.

Now for my experiance. With Mason, the test results came back positive for severe infection in the uterus, ambilical chord, birth canal, and Mason himself was septic. However, you must remember that I was dilated for almost two weeks before I had the placental abruption which ended the pregnancy, and Mason's life. For my pregnancy with the twins, I had the cerclage, but was not placed on antibiotics. Infection did not occur this time. Anytime you introduce something into the birth canal there is a risk so I was very nervous about cervical checks, but my doctor was careful.

I hope this helps explain things and ease your mind. Feel free to post questions.

Halloween 2010

I don't think I need to post an extended blog about Halloween. Everyone knows the drill, you dress up, you go trick or treating. I have already told you about the kiddos costumes. (Linda is a HSM Cheerleader, Jamie is a soldier, Noah and Mina were monkeys). The only thing of real interest is that Jamie begged to have his hair cut really short like "Uncle Miah". So without further ado, I present you the photos.

Through the Looking Glass

My SIL Dianne came down a few weekends ago to run a 26 mile marathon. While she was engaging in the voluntary torture, we watched our nephew Zach for her. Zach is very close in age to the babies so they always have fun seeing what they can get into together. They are very close friends. All three babies are asking for each other so Dianne and I have actually had Skype calls so that they can see each other. That's right, our toddlers Skype each other. Anyways, while we were watching him, Jake went outside to take the trash out. All three toddlers pushed aside the blinds and plastered themselves to the window. Jake saw a kodak moment and thus this blog is born.