We Made It?



The Family with our Event Shirts On!



Our first weekend away with my new little sister went alright.  My dad thought it was gonna be a relaxing time, boy was he wrong.  My folks were worried about Maggie cryin all night, but she actually did all right - as long as my mom kept her happy.  I, on the other hand, was having soo much fun being away from home I didn't want to sleep at all.  In fact, I cried till 2am the first night and till midnight the second night... hehheehe.  Anywho, the Little Miracles 5K and Family Fest was a HUGE success.  I overheard my mom talking with some of her friends - they had 89 runners and over 100 walkers!  And, I don't wanna brag, but my team "Conner and Kaylee's Crew" came in second place for fundraising - we raised over 1,000 bucks...... a big thanks goes out to all of you who helped us do so well!  To top it off, I got to chill with Grandpa for awhile. Then, to make the day even more fun, when we got back to the hotel my mom and dad took me swimming!  Boy do I love the water these days. 

I was soo tired afterwards I actually fell asleep on my side (my mom was pretty excited because I have never slept on my side before - so of course she had to take a picture).



I guess Maggie was tired too!

I was spent!












Then on Sunday we had the NICU reunion.  It sure was nice to see all my ol' NICU pals.  Everyone is getting so big, and looking so good, and moving around so well.  I may not be moving around just yet, but one of these years I'll show them all I can do it too.  Like my mom says, I am just on my own time frame.  So, all and all we made it through the weekend.  My dad got a cold on Sunday, which I later got from him on Tuesday.  My mom tried her hardest to keep us all from getting sick - she quarantined my dad to their bedroom.  Once I got sick she made me and Grandma hang out in my room all day.  And so far her and Maggie have avoided our colds, so she must be onto something.  It was really nice hanging out with Grandma this week - she is helping my mom since things are kinda crazy around here.  Guess my new sis is quite the attention hog.

First Weekend Away

For those of you who don't know, my mom is involved in a group called Miracle Babies.  They just started up this year, and they help out families that are going through the same thing we did when me and Kaylee were in the hospital.  Anywho, this weekend is their first big fundraising event in Rochester - she is pretty excited about it.  It's called Little Miracles 5K and Family Fest.  My dad is going to run it.  Me, Maggie, and my mom are gonna walk.  Then there is a family carnival/fest after the walk.... should be pretty fun.

Just a little plug, if you would like to donate to Conner and Kaylee's Crew - that's our team name - go to http://www.active.com/donate/ourmiraclebabies/CKShay

Me and Maggie hangin out.  I kinda like being a Big Brother!

Anywho, since this event is Saturday morning and I have the NICU Reunion on Sunday afternoon, my parents decided to stay at a hotel for the weekend.  This will be interested with me and Maggie (my new lil sis), at least that is what my mom keeps saying.  But I am pretty excited because my dad is going to take me swimming at the hotel pool and I get to see my Uncle Kurt and Aunt Ashley because they are on our team for the event.  So people, enjoy the pic of me and Maggie and stay tuned for info on how the weekend goes :)

WHAT A BIRTHDAY!

Hey People,

Just wanted to let everyone know I had the best 2nd Birthday EVER!  First, a few days before the big day I got to go in my swimming pool for the very first time.  It turns out that the bath chair that Grandma Shay gave me works great to keep me sitting tall and enjoyin the water.  It was a blast!  And a great way to be able to be outside with all this crazy hot weather we have been having.

                                

Then, my Grandma and Grandpa Servais came to my house on my birthday.  My Aunt Kristi was there too.  I got to make a HUGE mess out of my birthday cake while everyone stood around and watched me.... boy did they miss out.   I even got a little bit in my mouth and I think I liked it. I know my dog had fun too because every little piece I threw on the ground he was there to scarf it up.   I got this really cool jumper thing as a gift that everyone pitched in for (even my uncle and aunt from Milwaukee) - I LOVE IT.  And my mom loves it because it is helping me learn to use my legs a little. 

And, to top it off......  after I went to sleep I guess my mom and dad decided they had to drive into La Crosse to get me a new baby sister - I think I heard them leave at 2am.  My grandparents took me in to see them on Friday.  I over heard them talking about this new sister of mine.  I guess Maggie Joanna Shay was born July 20th at 11:44am and weighed 8lbs 3oz.  I am still getting used to sharing my parents attention with her.  But she seems alright so far.  I think my parents are going to throw a little party sometime here to celebrate my 2nd birthday and my new sister.  I'll make sure they keep you all informed. 

Just Keep Waiting

Well, no new brother or sister yet. My mom's due date is this Sunday. Her doctor told her today if no baby by this time next week they are going to induce her. Guess there is still a chance that we could share a birthday. We'll see. Sooo..... I decided I am just gonna kick back and relax outside while I can. 

Not Always Smiles

As some of you may have heard - my mom finally caved in and joined the "cool phone" world.  She turned off the ol' flip phone that couldn't take or receive pictures and turned on a phone with apps, email, picture taking and receiving capabilities, and internet (I suppose she can use it for calling and texting too). Anywho, I happen to over hear my mom the day after she switched phones..... and I believe she was saying the darn thing wouldn't work, but she was using words I didn't recognize.  Now, with my new lil brother or sister coming any day now, I know she needs a phone to call my dad or whoever when the time comes.  Again, not sure why, cause my mom doesn't usually need to call anyone when people come over.  But, it must have been a big deal, because my dad came home for lunch that day - which he never does.  So I was a pretty happy camper to get to hang out with dad while he ate quick and left his personal phone for my mom to use until hers started working again.  I didn't realize his visit was going to be soo short, so when he had to leave this happy camper decided he wasn't gonna smile anymore (and of course my mom caught it on camera).  Thanks mom.

Second "First" Haircut

BEFORE

AFTER

Last weekend my dad gave me my second haircut...... but since it was the first time my mom was present she considers it my "first" haircut.  She was able to get a before and after picture as well as a little curl for my baby book.  Me and dad don't quite undersand why someone would want to keep a piece of hair, but I guess the book has a page in it specifically for it, so she was happy. 

Happy Father's Day

Hey All, Just wanted to say Happy Father's Day to all those amazing daddy's out there.  And, to my ol' pops.... thanks for being a great dad to look up to!

You may ask, how did my dad spend Father's day..... well I will tell you.  First, he got me up and we chatted a lil bit and he helped my mom clean up one of my big throw ups - sorry about that.  Then he headed into La Crosse to help clean up after the Freedom Fest.  He had a little help from some relatives too - A HUGE THANKS to Grandpa Servais, Great Aunt Rose and Uncle Chuck, Uncle Kurt, Aunt Ashley, Aunt Kristi, Uncle Andy, and Grandpa Shay.  Then we went to 2 hospitals - and it wasn't even for my appointments.  It was to visit my new cousin Gracie Shay - she is a lil cutie (and I decided to puke on my dad while we were there too, you know, since he did such a nice job cleaning up after me earlier in the day); and to visit my buddy Emmett's new lil brother Clayton Puent - he is gonna be my buddy too, he just doesn't know it yet. I might even let him play with my new brother or sister, we'll see.    So, by the time we got home we were all pretty tired.  But he did manage to open his Father's Day gift from me and mom. 

*And on a side note, the La Crosse tribune has a pretty cool story in the paper today.  It may have something to do with my family.  You can read it online if you don't get the paper version at: http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/intensive-caring-group-reaches-out-to-parents-coping-with-nicu/article_252a2348-b903-11e1-a320-001a4bcf887a.html