Walking for Healthier Babies

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Some of the most challenging times I've experienced  in my life have been a result of the premature birth of both of my children. The complicated pregnancies, early births, sick babies, surgeries, and endless doctor appointments were are challenging, but they've also made me who I am today; I am a better husband and father because of it.

5-Year Anniversary!

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Happy anniversary to my wife! Today is our 5-year wedding anniversary.

What a great 5 years it has been!! Like all couples, we've been through our ups and downs (especially for a couple who only knew each other for 10 months before the wedding).  We've had a very busy, stressful, and eventful 5 years.  Here's a few of the things we've been through together:

• We both graduated from college with our bachelor's degree
• We've moved 4 times (including buying our first home)
• Had 2 children (both preemies with complicated pregnancies, bed rest, and NICU admissions)
• Multiple Job changes
• Numerous health issues with us and our children (5 total surgeries)

All of these things on top of the stress and demands of everyday life has made it a crazy 5 years. It feels like we've been through 10 years of trials and experiences. While its been crazy, all of these experiences have helped us grow closer. We are really looking forward to slowing down for the next couple of years... hopefully!

My wife was so sweet and surprised me last weekend with a night at the Salish Lodge.  It was amazing (especially being away from kids and finally getting a good night's sleep!).  Wood-burning fireplace, huge jetted tube, and breakfast in bed made it an amazing getaway!

Prematurity Awareness: Our Story

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Happy Prematurity Awareness Day! 

Our son was born at 30 weeks in May of 2008, here is his story...

The Complications
During my wife's first ultrasound, she was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus . At the that time we were warned of the potential complications, even the increased risk of pre-term labor and delivery (though her doctor was very optimistic).

My Son's Hilarious First Prayer

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For the past few weeks, we have been teaching our son to pray.  He's not even 2.5 years old, so it has been just us praying and him repeating our prayer.  But last night, for the first time ever, he said a prayer ALL BY HIMSELF!

A Tribute to My Wife

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I decided to forgo the Wordless Wednesday today (perhaps, you'll see a Wordless Thursday?), because this is my 100th post and I wanted to use it for something special.

First, I wanted to thank all you awesome people out there who are reading my posts and especially all of you who are trying to be a Better Husband and a Better Father.  I keep a close eye on the blog's stats and its often humbling see all you stopping by (even if you don't leave a lot of comments!!).  The second thing I want to do with my 100th post is to tell you a little more about my wife.

What Does Your Wife Really Think About You?

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I am a husband, and my goal is a happy wife and a happy marriage.  I know what makes my wife happy and what she needs from me in our marriage (for the most part), but not all wives were created equal.  This is where you come in.

Baby #2 Update!

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The big news this week is that Baby #2 now has a gender!! it's a BOY!!!

My wife is only about 16 weeks along, but due to complications we are having more frequent ultrasounds.  During the ultrasound there was no mistaken that its a boy!  Two weeks ago my wife was having some bleeding and an ultrasound revealed that she had a small subchorionic hemorrhage; we were told these things usually resolve in a couple of weeks.  Lo and behold, it did resolve!! We had an ultrasound on Tuesday and the Ultrasound technician could see no trace of the problem (disclaimer: things could change when the doctor looks at the pictures).

Also on Tuesday night I felt the baby kicking (barely) for the first time!! I know its a little early, but I promise I felt him! It is so amazing to feel this and know that there is a little boy in there.  It is such an amazing and humbling experience to be able to take part in the creation of God's children.

The 10-Word Challenge

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You may or may not be aware that there is a challenge going on around the blog-o-sphere and David over at Happily Married After was kind enough to "tag" me and make me accountable to it.  By the way, it's Finance Week over at Happily Married After, so go check out posts all week on money and marriage (including giveaways!).

Time to Step Up and Be a Man

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There are times in a man's life where you are expected to step-up, be a man, and take care of business. This is one of those times for me.

If you follow my tweets, you may already know part of the story...

Baby #2 Pregnancy Update!

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This week, I heard Baby #2's heart beat!

My wife is now 11 weeks pregnant with our 2nd child and I am so excited to be having another baby! (Though, I must admit, it is a bit daunting to think of doubling the number of my children before I even feel like I have the hang of this dad thing - I am still on my quest to become a Better Father!). Hopefully my wife will start feeling better soon as she wraps up the last week in her first trimester.  In addition, her doctor has moved her due date up 3 or 4 days!  it is now Feb. 6th!

We did get some more good news too, the complications from the first pregnancy (chronic abruption) are nowhere to be seen!  Although, this doesn't mean it won't develop, and due to my wife's uterine anomaly, the baby will still likely be born early...though hopefully we can get past 30 weeks this time!

It is so awesome to hear your unborn baby's heartbeat.  A human is growing inside my wife!  I am also in awe of my wife.  She puts up with discomfort, morning sickness, and the prospects of major abdominal surgery (C-section), and she's happy to do it! She's amazing, thanks honey!

Good News! Baby #2 on the way!

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After being told it may be difficult to become pregnant again my wife, Lisa, and I decided to start giving it a shot.  To our surprise, 2 weeks later we found out that SHE IS PREGNANT (2 weeks ago).  While the ease of getting pregnant was a bit of a surprise, it was a very welcome one.  We are very excited, but a bit nervous to see what this pregnancy brings...here's why...

Early in her pregnancy with our only child, Joshua, Lisa was diagnosed with a Bicornuate, or heart-shaped uterus, and we were told that the odds were against us that she would carry him full-term.  Sure enough the trouble started at 15 weeks gestation and continued off and on until she was about 27 weeks along. At about 27 weeks, she was admitted into the hospital on bed-rest rest due to a bleeding and contractions.  She was in and out of the hospital until one day while she was in the hospital an emergency C-Section was deemed necessary.  She was only 29 weeks and 6 days gestation.  This was very scary for us and many prayers were uttered and tears shed. Although at about 30 weeks, his chances of survival in our day and age was pretty good, it comes with a lot of risks and potential side-effects.  This is Joshua at 4 days old, he needed a little help breathing with CPAP, and 40 days in the NICU, but overall was born a healthy little boy at 3 lbs 12 oz.

You can understand now, why a new pregnancy brings back the experiences of the first and with it a lot of emotions.  Its daunting to think we will probably have similar experiences with Baby #2 and can only hope that it also has a similar happy ending.  Here is Joshua at 2 years old, he has caught up with his size, and the only effect of his prematurity is that he is far-sighted, so he just got the cutest glasses!

Joshua's journey to earth made our marriage stronger as we had to lean on each other for emotional and physical support.  God also taught us many important lessons through those trials, one being how miraculous the pregnancy process is and another how much a child can bless our lives.  While there were some postive lessons learned,  we would definitely be grateful for a nice smooth, full-term, 2nd pregnancy!

So, wish me luck and let me know, in the comments, what to expect with 2! Also, any other fathers of Preemies out there? Whats your story?