3 Years Later!

Three years ago today we were heading north to see Jamie in the hospital as she chuckled at me for overreacting to her being there. And today I was sitting in another hospital room watching monitors once again and hoping and praying all would be well.
Three years ago my daughter and my angel, Lily, showed their strength and courage fighting their way through some tough times and life threatening situations. They have such strength and determination and they needed it back then.
Now three years later as I sit in another hospital room and watch the monitors and see all the cables and cords and listen to all the beeping and alarms it brings back the memories and reminds how that strength is passed from generation to generation. As I look at the strong, beautiful woman in the bed that I have grown to know and love so much, I can see her strength. I see it as she gives the nurses some back talk when she doesn't like what they are doing. When she walks down that hall pushing her wheelchair with determination, even though I KNOW it's not easy. Sitting up in a chair for an hour even though it causes pressure on her chest. The only thing she really struggles with is eating the hospital food, and who can blame her! After what she's been through she deserves the best dinners money can buy and more.
And this visit will probably end as the one did 3 years ago. Us having to head home before she gets to go home. Just like we had to leave Lily.  Still recuperating and still in pain. It'll be even harder than normal to leave this time. Harder to leave her behind.  But we know she'll be better and she'll have a better life once she's recovered so that will make it better.
So Lily gets it honest! She gets that strength and determination (and yes stubbornness) from her family line and it has served her well. And she'll probably use it to rule the house! Poor Jack doesn't know what he's in for! He just watches her and smiles!
Watch out world! Here they come!!!

And now for the rest of the story ... Part 2

So about an hour and a half after my last note about Jamie sleeping peaceful things changed dramatically (in case you hadn't already picked up on that.) At about 3:00 AM Jamie woke up to go to the bathroom .. Two and a half years ago that was the beginning of a note that described the exciting, dramatic, nerve-wracking (and even a bit terrifying) entry of my beautiful little granddaughter into the world. If you were around back then you remember she was only 2 pounds and could fit into her father's hand! SO TINY!!! I remember trying to get a grip on her size by measuring her body by my own ... Her head was the size of my fist, her fist was the size of my thumb, her arms were the size of my fingers, her feet and legs were so small and so perfectly formed! It's so funny to think back now on how much I focused on her legs and feet. I don't think I shared that with anyone but for some reason the perfectness of them brought me hope and comfort. Odd wouldn't you say? So many other things to focus on. Her mother, my daughter to worry about, to hopefully help recover quickly so she could get to go to her baby girl. Lily had so many obstacles to overcome, so many issues to outgrow and hopefully not have long term affects from. Yet those little legs with those strong looking muscles gave me hope. And she did pull through and she is this beautiful, feisty, booty shaking little toddler who steals hearts wherever she goes! (ok I'm a little biased) We had the pleasure of spending a week with her to get to know her and spoil her (don't tell her mom and dad) and watch how much she's grown! What a joy she is! I was so thrilled that Josh and Jamie would let her come down and that Paul and Kitty were willing to bring her. It was so wonderful to experience the life through her young eyes. So expressive vocally and running back and forth and just stopping mid-run to dance to the music. So fun and so funny! We took her into the M&M store and it was literally a kid in a candy store experience. Lily ran around over and over squealing with delight! Shouting out the colors, dancing to the music, not a care in the world. At Disney she giggled and squealed on the train and the carousel and the trams! I can't express how wonderful it was! The joy I felt to watch her and experience being a grandmother. People kept looking at the photos we've posted and say how much she's like Jamie. She's like her in so many ways and yet so different! I don't even know how that is possible! This little 2 year old darling has come into my life and stolen my heart and brought me such joy I can't even explain it. AND NOW in 2 months I'm going to be a grandmother all over again!!! A little boy this time, with all of his quirks and fun things at he'll do! He's already bigger than Lily was when she was born. Amazing and exciting! See you soon little guy!!!

Birthdays and Baby smiles

We went to Michigan July 8th to visit everyone for John's Dad's 80th birthday and hang out with everyone. Lily had a bit of a cold but otherwise was doing well. I gave her some chocolate ice cream and she loved it. She grabbed the spoon so that she could be sure to get all of it. I love her smile and her giggles.

Jamie and I took Lily to Ohio for a visit. She got to meet her cousins and hang out with Peyton and Morgan. I have a feeling they will be conspiring so devilish plans when they get older. They are so cute!!!
Lily is growing fast now, rolling around and scooting backwards. Learning how to get around and get to the things she wants. Could be trouble for Mom and Dad soon. But I think they can handle it.

Little Lily has become Big Lily - kind of

So it's the middle of June and our little Lily is now up to 14 pounds! She's not so small anymore. She laughs and giggles. She sits up and holds her toys and books. She is quite the amazing little girl. I can hardly wait to see her again! I still love getting pictures and videos of her. I am so thankful to live in an age where I can get pictures every day and videos too! I think back to when my kids were little and feel bad that I didn't send pictures more often to my parents so that they could see them grow and change. I regret that we didn't go visit more than we did too. I know it was a bit far when they were younger but I still wish we could have visited more. I know that Jamie and Daniel both love their grandparents very much and that gives me comfort at being so far away from my grandchildren. I know I will probably never live close to any of them but I hope to visit them  show them my love all the same. Just as my parents did to my kids. 
I love my Lily-bean and her Mommy and Daddy so much! See you in less than a month!!!

Looking back

I was looking back at pictures of Lily when she was in the hospital. Wow was she small! Her head was smaller than Jamie's hand! It's amazing to think that she came into the world so small and has come so far.
I love listening to her chat and coo in the videos Jamie sends. She is such a blessing. I was talking with Dan about her tonight and what an impact on our lives she has had. He was talking about when he is out of school having more of an opportunity to see them and get to know her more.
Sometimes wish we lived closer but at least we can keep in touch through videos and text messages. Unlike when our kids were small and their grandparents lived farther away. Those videos are quite the pick-me-up on a rough day. Seeing her play with her toys and learn to push the buttons to hear the music is very cool. Even watching her get mad when it goes off is kind of fun. Love our little Lily-bean and her Mommy and Daddy

Reading old messages so here's an update of Christmas

December 25 - Merry Christmas

I know this is a bit late. I've been going through old text messages that I never deleted so that I could do this blog so I guess I should put them in here. Lily had a rough day on Christmas. The doctors and nurses had said Lily would have ups and downs when she was born. But she really hadn't had too many major ups and downs (at least that I knew of) until Christmas day. On that day she had a major episode of low desaturation and they thought she might have to go back to the other pod or back on the CPAP machine. They said she might have pneumonia or some other kind of infection which isn't good for  her obviously.

It was a very rough day for Jamie and Josh (and us) as they watched her struggle through this day. She had tests and extra attention, was put on antibiotics and had a blood transfusion.

Thankfully she didn't have pneumonia or any other problems. The nurses said that preemies sometimes just have a few episodes as they are growing but get past them. Our little Lily did and went on to recover from this one.

Last Day with my babies

So last day with my Michigan babies. Joshua came over with Lily around 1:30. He is so incredible with her! You can see how much he adores her and she just beams when she looks at him. I played with her for a little bit and then she got tired so he rocked her to sleep. Then we visited for a while and checked out his new phone. Jamie came over when she got off work. She loved the new tennis shoes we got Lily and put them on her right away. Then we packed up and went to Buffalo Wild Wings. We'd never been there before but it was pretty darn good. We'll have to go again. Josh had to go to work and Jamie took us to Walmart and helped me pick out a new game for our trip home. It's been so good to visit with them! Never enough time of course. I wish we had more time to visit. I would have liked to have a mommy and daughter time to go out with Jamie for a while but time is just too short. But I enjoyed the time we were able to share. She is doing an amazing job with Lily. If Jamie is there Lily is watching her most of the time and talking with her. It is so sweet! I love this little family very much! Gah! Why do we have to leave? Ah well, make the most of what we have as they say and take the blessings as they come. My children are a blessing to me and I'm glad for the time I do get with them.
Goodnight for now. More in a while.