So Thankful

Recently I have had lots of time to sit and reflect on the wonderful people in my life. After watching a TV show today with a family that experienced tradegy so suddenly, I started thinking about how lucky I am and how thankful I really am for those around me. Just watching this show taught me to never take for granted the people I love and to never hesitate to tell them just how much they mean to me. Experiencing the lose of my Uncle last summer made me realize that you can lose people in an instant without ever getting the chance to tell them how much I really do love them. To everyone in my life, I love you. Such simple words that I feel I do not say enough. Thank you. Another two words which I can never say enough to those who have stuck by me through thick and thin. First and foremost, Joey, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the wonderful, amazing person you are. And for taking care of me and Kayden with so much love and support. I cannot picture my life without you and I look forward to growing old with you. I love you more than you will ever know Mom, I cannot thank you enough for everything you do for me. Words cannot express my appreciation for you. You are an amazing Mom and an even more amazing Grandma. I love you so much. Dad, you are one of the most hard-working people I have ever met in my life. Thank you for everything you do for us and for being such an amazing Dad and Grandpa! I love you! Connie, I don't even know where to begin. You are my Mom as much as my own Mom is. You have been such an amazing support when I have needed you the most. You are one of the strongest women I have ever met! Thank you for just being you! And for being such a wonderful Mom and Mama!! I love you! Nana, once again, I don't know where to begin. I never got to meet my Grandmothers, so I am so thankful I have you. You are an absoultely amazing person with such a beautiful heart. I cherish the time I get to spend with you and love chatting about anything and everything. I really do feel as though you are my Grandmother and I cannot begin to explain how much that means to me. Thank you for your love and kindness. I love you! Papa, you are such an amazing man. I love and adore your love for your Grandkids and Great Grandkids. You have the heart of gold and never cease to amaze me with how hard you have worked in your life! I love seeing Kayden light up when he sees you! You are amazing person! I love you! To the rest of the family, I was hoping to get to write to each and every one of you, but it is very late and I have had a long day of chasing around my little angel :) I love each and everyone of you and am so thankful for all you do. I really do feel very lucky to have such an amazing family and extended family. I am so proud to be a part of this family! I thank God everyday for you and cherish the wonderful life he has so graciously given me. I love you all!!

Love, Stef

Tubes

Kayden is finally sleeping after a very long and exhausting day. He got his tubes put in at about 7 AM. Everything went great, he has just been very fussy and grumpy (but that is to be expected!). When the doctor came out to get us he said everything went well, Kayden did have fluid behind his ear drums, but he said he was a "Big Boy" and was eating with one of the nurses. I know life has been very exhausting lately for everyone. We are still praying for Uncle Bill that he can recover and get to feeling better soon. With all that is going on, I have really taken the time to step back and realize how lucky we are to have what we have. Family is the greatest blessing in life, and I must say that family has been what has kept me going lately. With everything going on, it has been hard to get up in the morning and head to work, leaving Kayden and Joey here for the day. But I know they are both well taken care of (especially since Grandma Connie is here to help!! :) ) But the kids at work really keep me going as well. Sorry for rambling on and on...but I just wanted to let everyone know that Kayden is doing well and we are hoping for no more ear infections!!! Hope everyone is doing great! We are thinking about everyone!! We love you!

Love, Stef, Joey & Kayden

Stress

The past few days have been quite stressful. Kayden has been very sick the past few days and I just feel terrible that I can't help him. Joey took him to the doctor on Tuesday and they told him he has dual ear infections and bronchitis. I thought that was bad and then I went to work today and got a phone call from Joey while I was in the classroom saying I needed to come home because Kayden was gagging and turning blue. Needless to say, I was freaking out as I was trying to get another teacher to cover for me. Thank goodness the director and assistant director at my work are as great as they are. They were so understanding and hurried me out the door to go take care of my baby. Anyways, we took Kayden to the hospital where they did an x-ray on his chest. They said he has some stuff (I can't remember what its called) near his lungs which if its not treated properly will turn into pneumonia again. The doctor there also said his asthma is acting up really bad so we need to give him treatments 4-5 times a day. Very overwhelming! I know I said it in another post but I really thank God for blessing us with such a great baby, and although he is sick, a healthy one. I cant even imagine what other people go through. While at the hospital, the doctor also suggested we have Kayden tested for Cystic Fibrosis since it runs in Joey's family. The thought scares me but I know I shouldnt worry until anything comes back. My Mom spent the day with us and so did Connie; both of whom I am so thankful for. I can't imagine what I would do without both of them. Sorry if I just rabbled on...I just wanted to post something to keep everyone updated...I havent gotten a chance to write lately since work has been a bit hectic! But we love you all and are thinking about everyone always!! Love you all lots!

Love, Stef, Joey & Kayden

P.S. My sister's brother-in-law is currently losing his battle with cancer. They aren't sure how long he is going to last so I am asking if you will include him and his family in your prayers. They can definitely use any extra prayers in this hard time. Thanks so much!

Relief

I must say I feel a sense of relief now that I am doing what I have always wanted to do...work with children! I was blessed to get a job with Bright Horizons USAA division this past week. It is a lot of work....and more time away from Kayden & Joey than I would like...but I know it is a great opportunity and position! I am thanking God for giving me such a great chance to do what I love. On another crazy note....Mr. Kayden is officially army crawling! I swear he will be getting up on his knees to really crawl soon! I can't believe it! He's not even 5 months old yet!! :) Hope everything is going great with everyone. You are all in our thoughts and prayers! We love you all!!


Love, Stef, Joey & Kayden

That Feeling...

Throughout my pregnancy I could not wait to become a Mom. I had this visions of what it would be like when Kayden was born and how I would feel and just how perfect everything would be. As with most things in life, things don't always work out the way you thought they would. I remember the moment Kayden was born and placed on my chest. It was in that moment that I really felt my maternal instincts kick in, but I guess I didnt feel like a 'Mom' at that time. I absolutely love being a Mother and love everyone moment I spend with Kayden. But it was not until a couple of nights ago that I really truly felt like a Mom. I was sitting on the couch watching TV with Joey & Tony with Kayden sitting on my lap. As we were watching I noticed Kayden lay his head on my chest. I looked down and he was just laying on me watching the TV. Within a few minutes, I looked down again and he was asleep. It may sound crazy, but it was in that moment that I really felt like I had become a Mom. Since he has been born I know he has needed me and relied on me for everything, but it was then that I truly felt needed. He was just so cuddled up with me that he made me just wonderful. He is growing into such a beautiful baby and I cannot imagine what my life would be like without him. Joey & Kayden have both taught me so much about myself and what life is all about; being with the people you love and who love you the most. I didnt mean for this to be a sappy post or anything! I just felt like I needed to write down what a great feeling I experienced the other night. Everyone told me when I was pregnant what an amazing experience it was to become a Mother...you were all so right! :) Anyways, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Lots of Love,
Stef, Joey & Kayden

Blessed

So we had to take Kayden to the hospital Wed morning around 3AM because he woke up crying, but not his normal cry. It was so raspy and every time he would breathe in, he sounded like he was struggling to get air. Within a few minutes, he started coughing a cough that sounded so terrible and painful. Come to find out, he has croup and his asthma was acting up. They gave him a steroid and told us that it sounded worse than it really is. Thank God. After yet another trip to the hospital that night (that is I think the 4th or 5th time we have taken him), I got to thinking how lucky we are that he is healthy, despite our multiple trips to the ER. The doctor really put my mind at ease when he told me to take a step back and look at Kayden; for all he has been through, he is still growing strong. He really is a strong boy; something he definitely got from his Daddy! My entire pregnancy I always said I just wanted a healthy baby and that couldnt be more true to this day. I cannot imagine what some parents have to go through when they cannot even bring their babies home from the hospital when they are born because of illness. God really blessed us with a healthy baby boy and I am forever grateful for that. Kayden has taught me more about myself in the 4 and a half months he has been here than I ever knew about myself in 21 years. He is our world and our life. I am so thankful that I have such a beautiful family to spend my days with and learn and grow with! God has blessed us with so much that sometimes I feel like I forget to take a moment out of my day to say Thank You. To be blessed with such a wonderful family, immediate as well as extended family, is truly a miracle. To everyone in the family, we love you all so much!!

Love, Stef, Joey & Kayden

Our first blog!

Welcome to our blog! I have read and followed many of our family members blogs in the past few months and thought it was time I started my own!! Our lives may not be very exciting, but I think blogs are a great way to keep in touch with everyone when life gets busy!! Joey & I are loving the time we get to spend with Kayden. He is growing so quickly! I am truly cherishing every moment of every day I spend with him...he will be grown up before I know it!!

This past Saturday we spent the day at Lake Pleasant with the entire family. I must say it was very relaxing and enjoyable to spend the day outside with the family!! I really am blessed to be a part of such an amazing family!! You are all so wonderful and I love the time we get to spend with you!! I love seeing everyone with Kayden and cannot wait until he gets to run around and play with all of his cousins and extended family!! I know we have missed a lot since Kayden has been born...we have all been sick and exhausted it seems like!! But we are definitely making it a point to go to more!! :)

We spent today visiting with my cousin and her new baby boy. He was born Wed, March 18th at 5:28PM by planned c-section, weighing in at 9lb 8oz 22 in. He is absolutely beautiful and I could not be happier for my cousin and her family!!!

Well, it is late, but the boys are playing their video games and I can't sleep, but thats it for now. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! :)

Lots of Love,
Stef, Joey & Kayden