A YEAR LATER!

I looked back at this once "updated" family blog and realized today dates exactly ONE year since I'd last posted...
I'm not sure exactly what has stopped me from writing and documenting life, milestones, and fun trips - I guess it was just that ~ LIFE.
I promised myself that I would be conscious of writing things down to remember the good times (and bad). This would serve a purpose for not only me, the forgetful/short-term brain...but also a way to look back and appreciate this life even more!
It was easy to write weekly while Kaz was a babe...he changed daily it seemed. Now that he is THREE, things have slowed down a bit as far as milestones. He has however had a few things over the past year worth documenting! So, here it goes....

1. He stood for the first time over 1 minutes (by himself!)
2. Got his first set of big boy drums
3. Completely potty-trained
4. Started Preschool (kissed his first girlS - yes that's plural;)
5. Uses his walker great to get around:)

On a side note, I hope it's not another year before blogging again!

My favorite boy - UPDATE

It's been quite a while since I have updated the "blogging world" on my sweet boy Kaz!
I find myself unable to sleep tonight (at 2am), so I thought I would take a moment to fill anyone interested in on what's current...not to mention very exciting!

After one month of hard-casting, 2 botox injections, continuous braces, and an addition of a new compression suit... our strong muscle man is showing some major progress!
He is comfortably walking with holding only one hand and is so proud!

We have started to find out what it's like to enjoy going to the park, on regular outings, and being with other children of the same age without walking side-by-side. Kaz is finding independence and becoming much more capable on his own of maneuvering where he would like.
His communication skills are thriving and after his eval this past week, he has "caught up" in every area other than gross motor!

Please continue to pray for strength, endurance, balance, and God's hand over our sweet music man as he grows! We know the plans are endless for his path:)

"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High."

 - Psalm 9:1 - 2

Mommy's Notes is here! {NICU Journal}

After over a year of work, fine-tuning, and prayer, the Mommy's Notes journal is finally here!

Our family made it through a rollercoaster ride of our own in the NICU world, and through that journey I saw a major need for HELP! I was one of the fortunate...to have family and friends supporting me, church members offering prayer, as well as wonderful nurses/doctors working with my newborn. I quickly learned that this should be considered a luxury! When looking around the NICU, many mothers were there alone, with no family/friends, watching their feeble angel fighting for it's life.

Just as any new mom with many questions and thoughts racing in their mind, I wanted to start to record each moment, each memory....even if I didn't have my sweet baby at home with me. I began searching for a journal to write in, but to my surprise there was nothing out there made specifically for a NICU mommy - and believe me we are our own "breed"! If you haven't already heard, they call us "NICU warriors":)

Since I never quite landed on any publication or resource that was very helpful I decided to use a generic journal with blank pages and I wrote my heart out! This served as such an amazing sound-board for me over the 40+ nights that I spent at my house without my son in my arms. I was able to be thankful for those small milestones (and when I say small, I mean small) when looking back at the very first pages and comparing the progress since birth!

I guess you could say, that is where the desire to produce Mommy's Notes started. This journal is truly set-apart and I believe has endless potential to touch many lives of mothers, families, and babies that are currently undergoing life in the NICU, preparing for a NICU stay, or have previously been a part of the NICU family.

Inside the pages of Mommy's Notes you will find places to take notes on:
Personal name and birth information
Date/Weight
Milestones
Pictures to attach
Foot/Hand-prints
8+ personal journal entries from real-life NICU mommies
Many, many pages left for you to record your precious moments!

I'm excited to see this journal get into the hands of mothers and allow hope and encouragement while withstanding what most consider a major life storm.

If you know someone that may be interested in Mommy's Notes, you can order here:
http://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Notes-Journal-Mothers-Babies/dp/0982751958/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1378437410&sr=8-4&keywords=mommy%27s+notes

"PIN IT" and share with friends on Pinterest:) http://pinterest.com/pin/90916486200874706/

Questions: contact@mommysnotes.org
https://www.facebook.com/MommysNotes

Captured by CLAY!

Very excited to introduce "Captured by CLAY" - My personal, boutique photography business is now prepped and ready for customers! 

I enjoy photographing everything from entire families, toddler portraits, every day life celebrations, to the all so sweet precious newborn!

I would love an opportunity to "capture" you, your family, as well as those special moments, of which we all wish there was a pause button:) 

My website is currently under construction, however in the meantime, feel free to contact me at:

melissa@capturedbyclay.com for pricing and questions.

Closing out summer...and our bucket list

It feels as if I just wrote a post days ago raving about summer break and all the leisure time upon us!
Fast-forward to the end of July and here we are....

Preparing to return to school in two short weeks, there are very few opportunities left for fun and sun.
With every intention on fulfilling our Mommy/Kaz bucket list over the break, Kaz and I are happy to say we have crossed off the majority:)

#1 Evan's Orchard Trips

#2 Sidewalk Chalk

#3 Pool/playing in sprinklers

#4 Kaz's 1st ever zoo trip!

#5 Watertable Play

#6 Go Berry Pickin'

#7 Photoshoots...many, many photoshoots;)

#8 Summer Festivals

#9 Trips to the library

#10 Start a garden

Oh - and of course we can't forget the one left off the list....
Kaz enjoys hanging out with UK players (soon-to-be pro) on his days off;)

There were many more accomplishments and fun times this summer, however these will close out Mommy & Kazer's summer bucket list of 2013!

Like a sponge...

Kaz is currently my personal sponge. He repeats practically any word that comes out of my mouth and is picking up not only on sounds but new motor skills as well.

He is finding new ways to maneuver and with his new braces, getting closer to standing and taking steps. He took his very 1st step (entirely independently) one week ago during therapy. He was so excited and seemed so proud he decided to try it again and took two more steps alone before needing help with balance.

His speech is taking off and he is stringing multiple words together...sometimes talking so quickly I have to slow him down to understand;)
Last week he mastered his numbers 1 to 5 and just tonight he was able to say 1 to 10 (with a little assistance with #7).

It's hard to explain what it feels like to be a proud Mommy until it's your own, and then you know:)
Yet again, I'm feeling blessed to see God work and reminded of how He does keep his promises.

"The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." - Psalm 145:13

Busy Summer - birthdays, weddings, and crossing off the "bucket list"!

June has been wonderful. We closed out the month taking part in quite a few momentous events....

Kaz's BF celebrated his 2nd bday last weekend. The party went down at the Cherry Blossom Golf & Country Club - a perfect spot for Griff, the golfer. We had a fun time celebrating another year with this special boy and his family!

This weekend Preston had to work and then attend a golf tournament with church, so my side-kick/date for the weekend (Kaz) and I loaded up for Louisville to witness a beautiful wedding. My cousin Jeffrey and his new wife Daisey said "I Do" at a beautiful vineyard in Louisville.

Finally, I have completed another personal entry included on my "bucket list". Before returning home from Lville, I met up with some girlfriends at Sisters Tea Parlor - a place I'd been wanting to go for quite some time now. So glad I got to experience this time with great friends:)

What a wonderful month it has been! Looking forward to July and all that is in store... Lots more to cross off the list ;)