6th Birthday Splash Bash

My baby is now six years old. Where has the time gone?

The Birthday Girl...

First, we made cupcakes...

Then the presents began...

The next day, the party...

I think she enjoyed herself...

My Dear Sweet Evelyn Grace -

I can hardly believe you have only been with us for six years, and yet I can't believe you are already six years old. I hardly remember life before you, and I can't tell you how much I miss you when you are away. I love spending time with you and I love it when we talk at bedtime. You tell me great stories, and I love to hear about the ways that you think through things. I love the way you entertain people, the way you are so funny, so kind and SO fun to be around. You are reading and writing so well, and I just adore the stories that you write for us in your journals. Although you love to spend time with your friends, you seem just as happy to spend time with your daddy and I, and I cherish that.

I love you with all of my heart. I know you are growing up, and I'm happy to see you growing into such a kind and sweet big girl. Don't ever be sad to grow and change, because you will always be my baby, and I will always be your mama.

I love you, my sweet -

Love, Mama

PS - It was one of the best parties I have ever hosted. Because I was so busy having fun with the kids, I took WAY too few photos. Bummer, eh? Better to live the moments than record then, right? Hope so!

Post Surgical Status Update

Sorry for waiting so long to post this, but wanted to let you all know that all is well. Nathan made it through surgery very well, and there were really no issues at the brand new Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. He was a little woozy for a while, then HUNGRY, and since the surgery, he's been terrific. We have significantly modified his diet over the past few weeks and I am completely shocked by the difference it has made in him. He's so much more "present" and his tantrums have almost stopped all toghether.

This past weekend was our NICU reunion at the Zoo and what would have been a nightmare of a trip a month or so ago, was a fantastic outing for the family. Nathan LOVED the animals, especially the sea lions, and he was a normal, happy kiddo. Anna got to see and pet a SHEEP, one of her most favorite animals. Evelyn is just so much fun to be around, and she loved every part of the zoo. We even got to spend a little time with the Murphy's - she was another bed rest mommy with me at Magee while we were trying to hold our babies in a bit longer. Her twins were born just a few hours before Anna and Nathan, and are so much fun!

We got Nathan in to see an AWESOME allergist/immunologist last week and I need to get his bloodwork done so we can see if he has specific food sensitivities, so we can start to expand his diet a bit more. Right now, the kid is living on soy and almond milk, soy yogurt, probiotics, flax oil, assorted sugar free fruit and veggie juices and gluten free cookies and cereal bars. He does get some applesauce or mashed bananas from time to time, as well as some chicken fingers or organic hot dogs, but that's about it. It's challenging, to say the least, but we'll do whatever it takes to get him healthy. It kills me that I didn't do a better job of feeding him healthier foods earlier on, but I never dreamed we'd see such a dramatic improvement in his mood and behavior with just diet changes. It's nice to know that my degree in nutrition hasn't gone completely to waste! Now that I've become so much more aware, I'm sure the entire family will benefit from some dietary changes for the positive.

Thanks so much for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Thank you in advance

Tomorrow is a big day in Snyder-ville. It's double surgery day, one for Nathan, and one for Mimi. Nathan's procedure should be quick and easy, but it's his first surgery and we're not sure how he'll handle it. He's having a frenulectomy - it will release his tongue from the floor of his mouth and hopefully make it easier for him to talk and maneuver food in his mouth.

Mimi is having a bit more serious surgery, and her recovery will likely be a bit tougher than Mr. Nathan's. I don't want to overshare, she has her own blog, and can tell you more about the surgery if she feels compelled, but she is fine and healthy, just needs some maintenance work performed. :)

Although we are all confident that both wil be just fine, we welcome any extra prayers and positive thoughts.