cheese twins

Not who you expected to see seated next to Roo, huh?

But none the less... the smiles are "twinny"

Maggie Dog always rises to the challenge.

Roo masterminded this photo.

Complete with dog and doll placement. I just pressed the shutter.

shabby chic

The girls' room is nearly complete. J painted the beds white over spring break and I've tracked down some lovely shabby chic linens. They are a mix of vintage and new that blend together in a cozy comfy way.

I'm headed to Round Top this weekend to find some back up linens and maybe some other surprises to add the finishing touches.

Then, all that remains is to hang their princess canopies and reorganize the print groupings on the walls.

Oh, and teach the girls how to make their beds.

Seton Wonders Team

Our March of Dimes family team is a bit unique. We're family, just not the kind you usually think of.

Our family was born in the spring of 2006. Each of us gave birth to a baby (or 2) too early that spring.

We found each other in the rocking chairs next to the isolettes and warming beds in our NICU wards; in the hospital elevators; queued up for a turn in the pumping room; sprawled on the waiting room couches during shift changes and in the next seat at the March of Dimes support group meetings.

We found each other and held each others hands through terrifying moments where loss seemed imminent. We celebrated each others joys, the thrill of a gained ounce or reduced oxygen. We spoke medical jargon like trained professionals and parceled each day's schedule according to the NICU's closures.

We celebrated each baby that was finally released to go home, but inwardly, we felt envious and despaired that we'd never be that lucky. After the NICU, many months for some of our family, we battled the isolation of parenting medically fragile children with carefully planned, germaphobic playgroups and night's out for the mothers.

In 2006, during the March for Babies, we were all struggling to survive on the top floor of Seton hospital.

Now, each spring, we memorialize and celebrate our children by walking in the March for Babies.

Our family team is solidified by experiences we wish on no one. Ever.

Our team is built on loss and gain.

We walk for Angels, there are 3.

We walk to raise awareness and celebrate life.

We walk for our victorious and courageous children.

not my proudest moment

I snagged an hour pass to run a few errands last night.

J rolled in from work as I finished making the girls' dinner. The RGs were situated at the table and working on picking apart their food and J decided to fry up some mystery meat as I prepared to leave.

Just as I was closing the door, the smoking skillet set off the fire alarms.

The girls were screaming "CALL 9-1-1!" as the kitchen filled with smoke.

I thought, briefly, about going back to help.

And then...

I ran.

(it was all fine when I got home)