New Pictures

Well, I know that it has been a while since I posted photos. So here are some new ones. Alyssa likes to play cards with mommy (above). And as you can tell by below, they are now liking eachother.

Alyssa likes to cuddle. As long as she has her blankie, she is happy.

And these are the most recent photos. Look at how big they are. 6 months old. I can not believe how the time has passed.

Congratulations, and welcome to the family

There is no greater joy in the world than seeing it through the eyes of a child. My cousin Amy, her husband Nate, and their son Kaden yesterday experienced a wonderful joy. They had a big, beautiful, HEALTHY, baby boy. I just wanted to extend my congratulations to them, wish them all the best. They deserve it. Welcome to the family Brody Jace Boeckman. Know that you have the love of two of the greatest parents that I have the joy of calling family.

To tell you a little about Amy and Nate. They have had a lot happen in their family. In summary, they became pregnant first with Kaden. Kaden is a very special little boy. He is one of the sweetest, kindest and most loving little man that I have ever met. While he is still a child, he has inspired so many to push beyond anything they thought that they could not face, and do it with a smile. You see, Kaden was born with a problem, many that children do not live through. He has a hernia in his diaphram. His parent were told several times that he may not make it, but Kaden is one determined little man. He has shown that with love, determination, and strength, you can accomplish anything, for this living, breathing miracle is now 4 year old. He has beaten odds that most of us would give up on, and has become my inspiration. When I get to thinking that it is just too hard, I look at the picture that I have of him, hit myself in the head for complaining, and truck on. That is his power. He makes all of us see the joy of living.

A little over a year ago, a repeat happened, but this one did not turn out so well. Nate and Amy gave birth to a beautiful little girl named Ava. Unfortunately, she did not make it, but again proved the power of the spirit. She fought for several months, and passed away this last May. And while she will always be missed, she gave us all the gift of seeing life as it is. A precious minute, a precious hour, a precious day, every day that you have. She is a constant reminder to her family, friends, and all who knew her that life can be brief, so you have to do the best to enjoy each day to the fullest. She is another of my inspirations, and I know that this little angel is looking out for her big brother, her parents, and now her new brother with a smile on her face that would light up the room when others saw it. I unfortunately was unable to meet her while she was living, but through her pictures, I was able to see just how special she truely is. There will never be a was with her, because she lives on in their hearts.

While suffering over the loss of their baby girl, Nate and Amy unexpectadly conceived again. This time, they have a happy, healthy, robust baby boy. I am so happy for you guys. I can not think of more deserving parents of the children that you have. They are extremely lucky to have you. Congratulations from ALL of us in Oklahoma.

P.S. Amy, I have told many of my coworkers about you and your amazing family, and they all wanted me to tell you a hearty, CONGRATS. Know that you are blessed, loved, and never alone.

Love Always,

Gary, Tabby, Alyssa and Sierra

I have preemie toddlers..

Ok, I know that they are not toddlers, but I am thinking that they are about the size of them. Gary went to WIC today for their checkups and called me at work to tell me this...

Alyssa is now 23 1/2" tall and 11.1 pounds. She scored in the 25th percentile for her age to weight and the 10th percentile for her weight to length.

Sierra is now 22 1/4" tall and 10 pounds. She scored in the 25th percentile for her age to weight and in the bottom 5th percentile for her weight to length.

A background on the percentile is this is how they score their weight. When looking at their age, they look at their gestational age in comparison to their weight. In this area they are both doing well. They then make a comparison in regards to their weight to length. The 10th percentile is borderline to malnutrition. The 5th percentile and below is dangerously low weights and need extra care to help them gain weight. Children in th 5th percentile or below generally suffer from either malnutrition, had a low birth weight, and can suffer from "failure to thrive".

Alyssa has improve so much that she is no longer in the 5th percentile like she was when she was at her first charting, but she still needs to get up into the 25th percentile.

Sierra is not doing as bad as it sounds. She is very active and has not hit the growth spurts that Alyssa has. She still looks bigger than her sister, but the charting lets us know that we need to focus on making her eat more on a schedule to ensure that she eats enough. She has only started to eat a 6 oz bottle where her sister has now started to eat 7 and sometimes an 8 oz bottle. We just have to make sure that she is eating enough throughout the day.

Girls,

Daddy and I love you so much. Keep eating and fighting your way. We are proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to so much more. We love you very much.

Tabby