March of Dimes Weekend



This weekend we headed to Grand Junction for our second March of Dimes walk. I guess you come to appreciate organizations like this based on your personal experiences. The MOD has done great things for preemies, and no doubt have saved the lives of many based on the research they have contributed to over the years.We will never forget how lucky we were that Delaney did so well while in the NICU, and hope someday we can contribute more to the March of Dimes.

Any time we go to Grand Junction we make as many doctor's appointments as we can for Delaney. This year worked out perfect because Meredith spent the day with her buddies Sam & Ben Garmany. They also were gracious enough to allow us to stay with them again for a few nights in Fruita. We always enjoy their amazing hospitality and can't wait to do it again next year (if they'll have us). Hard to say though- after the crazy guy from Gunnison spent the weekend chasing lizards around the backyard with the kids, they might make us stay at a hotel!

Before we left town we went to visit the NICU at St. Mary's. Lucky for us, a lot of Delaney's nurses that weren't at the MOD walk were on shift when we arrived. It never gets old showing her off to folks that haven't seen her in awhile. We have to admit though- there is some strange deja vu that goes on when you walk through those doors. We've had a few folks comment on the picture of Delaney standing in front of her NICU room. She's a rockstar. 

My Little Friend

 

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately and there is always one thing that comes to my mind... just how fortunate I am to have two healthy beautiful daughters!  Each morning I climb the stairs to their room and when I open the door I see two very special parts of me.  I stand in wonder and remind myself that even though we struggle at times, I am a very lucky mother and I couldn't ask for anything else!

It was two years ago this April (the 17th) that we brought Delaney home from the NICU.  She was so small and fragile.  Each day since then she has amazed us and it's clear that she is very resilient.  It's hard to believe that her first two years have gone by so fast.  Some memories like her traumatic birth and the not so good days at St. Mary's are fresh in my mind as if they happened yesterday and I'm sure they'll always be.  Each day brings something new whether it's a new word or a crying fit that lasts for 10 minutes instead of 4.  But what brings a smile to my face and at times a tear to my eye is the special way that she looks at me when I reach down and wake her from a nap or when I peek at her in the rear-view mirror as she sits in her car seat looking out the window.  It's those special times that I'm reminded of her start in this world and how lucky I am that I get to spend each day with her.  She's "my little friend" whom I love very much!

Tomorrow we will be traveling to Grand Junction once again to support the March of Dimes.  We'll be reunited with all of our NICU friends and most importantly we'll be walking to support babies around the world who were born too early like Delaney.  I know to well that economic times are hard but please if you have a little extra support our team and donate to the March of Dimes (click on the link below).  Thank you from all of us especially Delaney and hug the special friend in your life!               

March For Babies

April Beach Days???

There's a first time for everything. This year, in the land of extremes, it's like June in April. After you feed fat horses in the morning, what do you do on a Gunnison weekend in JuneApril?- apparently you go to the beach.

It's hard to resist going out there when the sun is out, the wind is calm, and the water is low. When the lake is down, the beaches are revealed and the small blonds love it. The shallow water is just warm enough to be tolerable. Enjoy it while it lasts; it's going to be a long, drought stricken summer at this rate...

Happy Easter

The Easter Bunny was good to us this year. This holiday gets more exciting every year as Delaney gets older and Meredith gets more competitive. Between the anticipation and the sugar, it's a wild ride across Easter Sunday. This year the weather was beautiful, which allowed us to enjoy some outdoor egg hunting mid-day. Happy Easter everyone. 

Coloring Eggs

Hope you like red dye #5 in your egg salad. Easter is almost here M & D....