Brigg's and Al's Run 2014

Please help us support the NICU here at Wisconsin's Children’s Hospital (CHW)

CHW is the reason we had two months with our Dylan.  The doctors and staff here worked to make Dylan comfortable, and to try and find answers.  He had his favorite nurses (Brenda, Laura, and Sue) who he saved his flirty smiles for.  The lactation team of nurses checked in on me daily to help me with pumping and making sure I was able to provide the best nutrition for my baby.  The doctors realized that Dylan preferred some therapy over others, and adjusted the treatment plans based on Dylan's reactions (he preferred one type of ventilator over the other).  The palliative team (Dr Humphrey)  worked hard to allow us to take our baby home and the genetic team (Dr Basel and wonderful Reagan) are helping us try to figure out the how's and the why's.

We also attend a support group that is 100% funded by CHW for families that have lost a child.  It is a great comfort knowing that you are not alone, that someone DOES understand the pain you are going through.  

We wouldn't be where we are today without the staff and programs here at Children's hospital.  Some of you reading this are local here, and may have not had to use the services here, and I hope you never do.  But I hope that you take immense comfort in knowing they are right next door if you ever do need them.

Al's run is September 13th (Saturday) in downtown Milwaukee 

         (starting line by Marquette University)

The run is an 8K, or 5 miles, and the walk is 3 miles.  Please come run and walk with us in support of Children's hospital.  If you can't run/walk, please consider donating and help keep these programs running and helping families in need.

you can sign up or donate here: http://events.chw.org/goto/dylansmom

Here are some videos and stories to show how wonderful CHW is:

This is LuLu and her strength and wisdom amazed me. 

 "I know mom,  Storm Rainbow, Storm Rainbow"

ok so I'm a couponing junkie :)

But saving money is fun :) it means for money for fun stuff!

So here are the two trips I made this week.

Target:

I spent $2.41 OOP and earned a $5 gift card :)


CVS:

I spent $0 OOP and earned $15 in ECB (extracare bucks)

It was a good week!!

Do you coupon?? If not, you should!!!

Dylan's Trees

We received cards, and other thoughtful gifts after we lost Dylan.  We also received three awesome trees. So we planted them quickly in mid october here in Wisconsin (in 2011).  And today I'll show you some before and after's, I'll do one in the fall as well because that's when one really shows his true colors!

The Autumn Blaze:

The Smoke Tree:

The Lilac hasn't changed much as it's a miniature tree, but here's a recent picture (it hasn't bloomed yet)

The Movie Noah

My husband and I went to see the movie a few weeks ago at a budget theater. And we were disappointed in how Hollywood portrayed Noah.

Looking at other reviews, it's sort of a 50/50 toss up.

Things I liked:

I thought the way they showed how evil/devil can be found everywhere, in all of us.  They went back to the story of Adam and Eve, and the snake.  The snake was first shown as a green snake like the one below.

Then later you see a black snake emerging out of the green snake (or shedding it's skin) But I loved the play with the color.  From English I remember studying archetypes, and black vs white is a very common one.

I also really enjoyed the animal scenes, when the animals all came to the ark.  They were beautifully done and caused me to tear up quite a bit.

These pictures do not do the scenes justice.

Things I didn't like:

I really didn't like how full the entire second half of the movie, Noah is portrayed as a crazed murdering monster, to the point of letting everyone know he plans on killing his unborn grand child once they are born...

That did not sit right with me at all.

What did you like/dislike about the movie? Or did you not see it for any reason?

Sorry it's been awhile!

So I was kinda crazy busy there for a little bit.  I was finishing up my class, Sociology, with a presentation, huge paper, and exam.  Plus I was training for my first ever half marathon. One of my bumpie friends got me to sign up for the run and I'm really glad she did! (Thanks Sara!) So Sara, another bumpie, Dawn, and I started training. All in different cities, but motivating each other to stick with it.

It was SO MUCH FUN and I think I want to try for a full.  My hips and knees are the limiting factor in all this, so I will train and see how they handle the extra distance. Here are some pictures from the race in Green Bay, WI. I GOT TO RUN IN THE SAME TUNNEL AS THE PACKERS!!!!

Carb loading dinner with this adorable family <3

Everyone getting ready to line up for the start

Can you find me???

RUNNING IN LAMBEAU!!!

Back of my shirt, custom racing bib

About to cross the finish!
(Picture Proof from the photographers there) 

Beer in hand and I couldn't stop smiling!

WE DID IT!!! :)

Then last weekend we volunteered for the Dave and Carole Miracle Marathon for our third year in a row :) We love doing it and it helps us give back to the hospital that took such great care of our boys. We met some new friends (Hi Pat and Denise!) and had a great day.

I must be crazy

Half Marathon is on Sunday...wish me luck!

Bereaved Mother's Day

Bereaved Mother's Day was this past Sunday, a day to honor the mothers that have lost a child.  

I posted one of the pictures and tagged the mama warriors that I know on my facebook page.  I was immediately distraught when I was over 10 women.  I know over 20 women that have lost a child, and that breaks my heart.

I also learned about the actual history of the holiday (Mother's day). Anna Jarvis  founded the day to honor her own mother, 3 years after she had passed away (1908).  A mother who had also lost 7 children.

Mother's Day is near impossible for me to get through.  I am a mother.  I will always be their mother. But a day where all the other mom's get to go out for brunch, or dinner to celebrate being a mother. It's almost like salt in the wound.  

My husband took me out to a Mother's Day brunch that first year, and I felt funny. I know people were looking at us funny wondering where our children were or what we were doing there.  A table for 2? On Mother's day?  If you don't believe me, try it once.

I'm going to try and get through the day, but I know it's not going to be easy.  I'm definitely up for suggestions if you have anything.