The Perfect Day

We had an awesome time yesterday meeting everyone at the Middleburg Heights Kmart where Kenny is the Ambassador. They were just all so very nice to all of us! And the store spirit they have for raising money for the March of Dimes...just top notch! You can tell that the March of Dimes really means something to all these people. I am so very happy to have met them all and have these people in our lives! Again, thank you for everything you have done.

This morning at the walk was just as great! We met a lot of people and just had a great time! The day started off....well....actually...last night when I stayed up and packed the diaper bags, gotten extra clothes and made sure all the shirts were done. I then got on line and printed the online March of Dimes donation page. This morning I woke up at 5, made sure the last minute stuff was set, woke the kids and hubby up at 7 so we could be at registration at 8. Believe it or not, we got their at 8:30!!!! Remarkable for us because we are always late for everything!!!We met up with Kathy and the great people from Kmart (whom we met yesterday). It was so nice seeing everyone again! Took tons of pictures and then the walk began!

We walked, and walked and walked and walked....ummmm....no one told us that there was a short route....oh yes...we walked 4 miles!!! It was very long but tons of fun. I am very proud of my kids who didn't even complain once about walking!!! We saw the Cleveland Browns stadium, the Rock hall, Quicken Loans arena, the building with the big Stamp...so many things that we wouldn't of even seen if it wasn't for the walk (mainly because of...well...7 kids, need I say anything more. LOL)

Anyhow, Great time, great walk...very emotional for me...I cried and found out that my mascara is NOT waterproof! I know that this is something that we will be doing every year. It is so important to let everyone know how a premature birth affects a family. Babies dying everyday because they were born too soon. Children who were born too soon having disabilities and health issues. It hits home for us.

This is why this all happened. We would never of met so many people whom we've had the honor of meeting...from the nurses/doctors in the NICU, Kenny's PT/OT therapists and everyone who works with him, to all the great people from the March Of Dimes and Kmart!

It was a day that I didn't worry about money...I didn't worry about having to do this or that...I didn't worry about every day life stresses or anything. I did think of what Tony and I have been through in these 11 years of being parents to 8 beautiful children. What it has shaped us into as a couple, as parents. Our losses AND our miracles. The smiles on our kids faces and being able to tell people about Kenny and Nick and have them know what we have been through and are going through...



I know Nick was walking with us today...I felt him with us. Today was a perfect day!

Thoughts of walking today

I wrote on my Facebook that I am sitting here this morning, in this quiet house (believe it or not), thinking of the reasons why I am walking this March of Dimes walk today with my beautiful family. It makes me sad that our little guy, Nick wont be walking with us....and this is the reason WHY we are walking. No parent should have to go through what Tony and I have been through these last 2 years. No baby should die of prematurity. No baby should have problems because of prematurity. You know, when I thought of having a premature baby waaay back when I had Tony....my water broke at 29 weeks and ended up keeping him in till 34 weeks...and I thought THAT was early and that HE was SMALL (4 lbs. something oz...), I was scared to death for him. He was fine...well...for the most part. He had to learn to suck, but that was about it. Same with all the other kids...yes, Taylor and Morgan had a very touchy go at it at first, but they were good size and gestational age...then I go and have Kenny and Nick...All I have to say is that it took away part of me, of who I was. After them, I was aware of how fragiler life is....I mean....REALLY fragile! Babies are a gift from God! They ARE a miracle! When I had Gina....at 36 weeks....and VERY healthy I might add...I see what a difference just a few weeks make in a baby's development! From having many 34-35 weekers to Gina at 36 almost 37 weeks....she is so advanced, loves to eat, actually a big baby! So this is the reason WHY we are walking today.
We are walking in memory of Nick...Nick, mommy loves and misses you so very, very much. We are walking in honor of Kenny, our little miracle born 17 weeks early...pretty much the earliest a baby will be able to survive outside the mommy. We will be walking for Tony, Taylor, Morgan, Sydnie, Kayleigh and our healthiest, Gina. We will be walking for all the new mommies and daddies who are living the same nightmare that we lived, in the hospital...bed rest, babies born too early, the whole NICU roller coaster, prematurity, death, and what is to come for the surviving preemies. We are walking in memory of all babies that just couldn't fight anymore, walking for the doctors and nurses that they will have the knowledge and resources to save those born too early... and that one day, ALL babies will be born healthy!

March of Dimes weekend is here!

Just a few quickies....
This weekend is going to be a busy one for us! Today we are going to be at the Middleburg Hts. K-mart to meet and greet the employees. We are going there to thank them for all their fundraising that they have done for the March of Dimes and to tell them our story...to show why they raised the money! It is going to be very fun and emotional because I will be telling them about our hardships and triumphs!
Tomorrow will be the March for Babies walk! We started the fundraising late, but still collected more than we thought we could raise. Thank you all that contributed!
Kenny is now suffering from an ear infection. I really thought that he was banging his head on the floor and walls for no other reason than to just inflict pain on himself...I really though that he would have to wear a helmet so he wouldn't hurt himself until my sister told me that head banging could also be a sign of an ear infection...so off to the doctor we went...I really think the peds office is getting sick of seeing the Tomecko family! LOL! Anyhow, sure enough...ear infection! Started him on antibiotics ans hopefully we wont be seeing too much of the head banging....I swear...he's got a big black and blue on his forehead from banging it on the tile and wood floors!
I want to switch gears here and ask that you all please say a prayer for the Freemans. Their daughter Kayleigh is not doing very well. Please pray that a miracle will happen, as it has in the past for their baby, and if it doesn't happen, please pray that they have the strength, courage, love and guidance from God to get them through this. You can read what they are going through on their blog...
http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/
We have been there...know what they are experiencing and feel very bad that they have come so far, and now this.
So please pray.
Thank you all so very much!

Coughing and March for Babies!!!!

It's been a week from Heck! Kenny has not stopped coughing...he's been getting around the clock breathing treatments...which means lack-o-sleep from Tony and myself. I had him at the doctors office a few times last week and this week because I am getting paranoid about his cough and fever. It's really taking a toll on me. Emotionally I am a mess. Kenny is very sick, there is nothing I can do for him except try to keep him comfortable with breathing treatments and hugs. How much more can my little guy handle. His lungs are so bad. He was supposed to start school on Thursday, and he cant even do that.

I just want to know, are their any other micro preemie parents that are going through this? The doctors all told me that his lungs will get better as he gets older....but it seems like it is just getting worse! Not to mention, Gina (who is a 36 week-er) has bad asthma (brought on by RSV) as well...breathing treatments and everything!
We have tore out the carpeting, got rid of the dogs, I clean, clean, clean constantly...but there is only so much I can do. I cant replace the rotted wood on the outside of the house, I cant replace the broken windows with the mold in them, I cant get rid of these ants that every year infest my house...I cant replace out furnace to put in something that would be more healthy for the kids...I cant but the kids in their own rooms...to keep germs away....it's just not going to happen. The Economy is kicking our butts, family who don't feel that we should have so many kids and their own opinion on OUR life, is very upsetting, especially since we have done nothing wrong to anyone! We have been trying to get this video made for Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but because of Kenny being sick all the time, we just cant find the right time to do it....let alone find someone to do it for us (we don't own a digital video camera).

We do what we can do. Yes, I'd love to have a bigger home, new clothes for my kids and ourselves, new....well...everything....but honestly...does that really matter in this lifetime? We teach our kids right from wrong, show them love, have as much fun as we can with them, and still have to take care of a chronically ill/disabled child. It is very emotionally, physically and mentally hard.

Please God, help our family out. The Birthday of Kenny and Nick is fast approaching...it should be a very happy time for us...it is...yet I am still feeling the guilt of not being able to keep them in for just a little longer. Maybe Nick would have lived, maybe Kenny wouldn't have any problems. I am trying to sit here and wonder what on earth did my husband and I do wrong in life to have such stress on us (emotional, financial, medical...just everything)...while other people have it so easy. I am still trying to find the meaning of all of this. I miss my Nick with all my heart...I shed tears every time I think of him. I am thankful for the memory of being able to hold him, kiss him, smell him and talk to him....but I am being selfish and wish he was here...growing up with his twin brother and playing with his sisters and brothers.

We are working on our shirt for Sunday's walk for The March Of Dimes....The front of the shirt is going to look like this..

If any one would like to donate to Team Tomecko for the March of Dimes....the link is:

http://www.marchforbabies.org/mtomecko

We are really looking forward to this weekend! Thank you everyone who is supporting us..

Kenny is home

Sorry I haven't gotten around to updating all of you....its been one thing after another! Yes, Kenny is home. He still has the RSV/pneumonia but is finally starting to feel a little better. He is getting breathing treatments every 3 hours or else he goes into these coughing/wheezing fits. He is still not eating really well (he wasn't eating great before, but now if anything with texture goes into his mouth he pukes). I am kind of ticked off at the hospital that they discharged him when they did. I think a lot has to do with the medical coverage he has. Not to mention that I couldn't get to the hospital on Monday because my cornea tore from my stupid dry eyes and scar tissue from previous abrasions...can you say "OUCH"?! Anyhow. He was crying and not a happy camper at the hospital so when I did get there (my older sis drove me), they told me that he was ready to go home. Kenny has a ng tube in, the IV, and he had this bad rash all over him. But they said that he was going home! The nurse came in (after Kenny had an explosive diarrhea all over me) and I asked her why was he going home and that I didn't think he was well enough to go home...she told me that she didn't understand why he was going home either...um...hello!!!!So, whatever...he is home...he is miserable but he is home and I can take care of him. We have his oxygen, his breathing treatments and phone numbers to doctors and the hospital...oh...the hospital did set us up for a visiting nurse for 3 visits! They were more concerned with his developmental delays and my support network...again...hello...I know he is extremely delayed (the PT/OT put him at about 9-12 months of age)...I am extremely sad over this and wish I can shake him into being a normal 23 month kid, but I cant. I am doing my best as a mom and human being. He is in PT/OT/Speech therapy/feeding therapy what more can I do? I freak out every time he gets sick because I sit and wonder if this time will be the time that he dies because of his lungs...it FREAKING SUCKS. I am scared for him.
Anyhow...to make a long story short, he is home. Gina has a double ear infection AND an upper respiratory infection (RSV again), and now Kayleigh was up all night with a 103.4 fever, coughing and just miserable. Our night was full of breathing treatments, children's Tylenol/Motrin and baths...no sleep...I'm tired and very stressed but I am grateful for all of you that have said prayers and thought of Kenny. Thank you so very much.

Happy Easter (in the hospital) UPDATED

It all started a few days ago with this cough that wouldn't stop, no matter what we did. Yesterday I finally told Tony that we needed to take him in to the ER. I took Little Tony with me because he wanted to be around his baby brother, while Tony held the fort down and for the first time EVER did Easter eggs with the girls...I mostly have white eggs! LOL!!!

Anyhow, we got there and they took him right back, because of his history. He had a fever and was pulse ox-ing in the lower 90's which wasn't too bad. It was the cough that they didn't like. So after being there for 3+ hours...he had a triple dose of Albuterol, steroids, Motrin, chest x-ray, IV put in (for antibiotics and fluids), they wanted to keep him because they saw a spot on his lungs that they are pretty sure that it is pneumonia. They also did a nose swab because they are not ruling out RSV...so...we shall see. On a good note, the nurses totally remember Kenny from the previous stays and there was one nurse that remembered him from the NICU! He has made THAT MUCH of an impact on people! This is not the way I wanted our Easter to be. Trying to make Easter as normal as possible for the other kids yet be there for Kenny. I guess we have to get used to the fact that the "normal" for us is what it is...hospitals, breathing treatments, worrying if the next time Kenny goes into the hospital, if it will be life threatening because of his little lungs. It's a very scary feeling...the not knowing...but I guess that this is our "normal".


Please have a very Happy Easter and spend time with family and friends...enjoy one another and be there for one another to celebrate life and everlasting life.


Here is Kenny in his room...Little Tony took this on my cell phone so it's blurry and not the best picture of the Ken man...He actually kind of looks like Macaulay Culkin in Home Alone! LOL!

UPDATE: We could use as many prayers as possible. His fever is over 103, his urine output is not that great and he is still coughing very bad. I am very worried about him. Please say tons of prayers that he pulls through this. They are saying that it's pneumonia and RSV. Please, please pray for a good outcome. I am very, very worried. This Easter has not been very nice for us or for the kids. we've all been very worried about our little guy.
Thanks again.

Michele

Please pray for this family

I was going to start this post off with talking about how Kenny and the kids were doing, but I just found out that a fellow preemie blogger's family just lost their sweet baby girl Madeline Alice Sphor at just 17 months old on April 7th 2009. Please say a prayer for her parents and family that she leaves behind. This just shows you how fragile our micro preemies really are. She was fine one day, and then the next, she had a cold and her oxygen sats were dangerously low and then the following day she passed away... am at a loss for words. Such a beautiful little soul inside and out. May God watch over her parents/family during these very hard days ahead of them. The family is asking to please donate to the March of Dimes in Maddies name.

Here is her website:
http://remembermaddie.com/

Everyone, please don't take life for granted...its a gift from God. Love one another and cherish every moment big or small that you have with your loved ones.

Kenny just got approved to attend the Toddler Program run by the County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Delays. He will be starting on April 23 and will be going 2 days a week from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. I know it will be great for him, but I am scared about him getting sick or...well...missing me me missing him! They are going to give him so much more therapy for those 2 days then I could ever do here at home by myself. We had his 6 month assessment the other day. This is where we compare him to what he was and what we wanted him to accomplish in those 6 months. He has for the most part, accomplished quite a bit! We are still looking at him being behind developmentally...like...way behind. They have him at 9-12 months of age in his development, but with the help of him being at the school, we are hoping that he starts to catch up. Gina is doing things that Kenny just started doing not too long ago...but I am getting a new attitude through all of this...I am going to put my faith in God (which I haven't done very well in the recent past) and just go with it. I am going to do all I can do to give my kids a wonderful, happy, fulfilled and complete life. We have been through more than most people could even imagine, and yes, I was feeling sorry for myself...still so at times...but you know, God gave me 8 beautiful children and a great husband and family...I feel very blessed for that. We are put on this earth, faced with things that only we can/must work out for a reason. I really feel that having all these kids, losing Nick and the 2 miscarriages, having Kenny with the problems he is facing and will be facing, the financial difficulties from this poor economy and anything else...is just to make me a stronger person. A more sympathetic and understanding person that is not so into the wants as much as the needs. I want to be able to help other moms/dads who have had preemies and losses. I want to tell them what to expect, that it is OK to ask for help and to ask tons of questions to your doctors. Having a micro preemie (or even a preemie) doesn't just end after the NICU stay...it is a full time job...heck...having 7 kids is a full time job with overtime! I hear that sticking with something and following what you believe and feel pays off in the end~!

On another note...

Kenny has been waking up half the night with coughing fits that last a long time. We have been giving him his Zantac but I really think that it is more than just reflux. He's probably getting sick again...UGH! This is the first month since his last Synagis shot...I am SOOO holding my breath on this one. Last year, he got RSV and was hospitalized a month and a half after his last shot...I really don't want to go back to another hospital stay. It's bad enough that a couple of weeks ago, they wanted to keep Kenny over night because of his bad cough/wheeze he had.


Kenny is doing much better in his walker. He has finally mastered getting around...albeit, he is lazy while walking...more less goes limp and lets his toes push him around...but it's a start! Now if I can just find the room to have his walker AND Gina's walker in the house...they are playing bumper cars like crazy with those things!

So as I close this post, I just want to again tell everyone to PLEASE, love one another, make each day special and dont take anyone or anything for granted. Life is precious and fragile.
This prayer was posted by Shydub @ the blog, Simple Happy Life...I just found it so perfect for this whole Easter Season...

PRAYER FOR HOLY WEEK

Jesus my Lord, let me strengthen my courage by taking on the courage of all those people who have been "centurions" for me. Many have faced disasters and hard times with great constancy. The upper hand of evil never turned them against you. They kept going. Let me be like them, Lord. No matter what the cross, let me never stop declaring you to be "truly the Son of God, the source of my hope, the reason why I will never quit on life.

Kenny is on his feet!

Yesterday Kenny got his Gait walker. We are hoping that this will help him realize that his legs are there to walk and stand and to also strengthen them. I was so excited for him because he can be a little bit more independent than just crawling...he can be like the other kids and walk around. But I was also kind of sad because no mom wants to see their child have to struggle to learn something. I am so grateful to God for giving me my little miracle and I know there is a reason for everything that has happened...Maybe its to see that materialistic thing really DONT matter on this earth, or to not take people for granted, or...well...I really don't know. All I know is that I never in a million years did I think I would have a child who has so much going against him, yet he is perfect in every way! Even waking up every night, every 3-4 hours to give him his breathing treatments, fighting with him to keep his hearing aids in his ears, struggling every meal time to get him to eat something, anything, and now to try to learn to walk (at 23 months old). Its hard, very hard. I don't think people realize the extent of emotions ranging from happiness, gratefulness to stressed, sad, scared. I still wonder what the future holds for Kenny, but I am trying not to dwell on it. He will be the best he can be just like all my kids will. They will know right from wrong, work hard and try to succeed in everything they do...and if they fail, then I pray that they will pick themselves right back up, dust themselves off and keep at it until they succeed and are happy. I want them to have a love and closeness with their family, friends and God. Ah...so before I go on and on...I'll end it here and save it for another post!

Accomplishments and Prayers

As I sit here this morning (while I have a few moments to myself) I am thinking of what should I write about? There is one very big accomplishment that Kenny has done and it is waving! Yes, he now waves on command!

(Don't mind the toys, Kenny was dumping them out everywhere...and my voice...well...getting laryngitis...just mute the volume...lol)

Its something that parents take for granted...I should know, I don't think I was this excited when the first 5 waved hi or bye for the first time...second or even 5th...but with Kenny...I am taking it all in. He finally is doing something that all kids do! He was not going to let his little sister, Gina wave first! Which, by the way, she is doing as well! HA! She is also getting into everything...crawling all over the house...I love it...she is also shaking her head "no"...which Kenny was doing just a few months back!

We are signing him up for the Toddler developmental program for kids that are delayed or have a handicap. I went last Friday to tour the facilities and let me tell you, it is just what Kenny needs! It would be a couple days a week and they work with PT/OT, feeding issues, sensory issues and anything else that he will need! I walked out of there, called my mom up and just started to cry. It just hit me that my kid is a special needs child. All the kids that I saw were interacting with each other, walking, talking, pointing to things....I asked the director..."what do you do for someone like Kenny who doesn't walk, talk, play with toys like they should be played with, interact with people, point to objects, eat." He seems so far behind than the other kids that I saw. He assured me that they will accommodate and help Kenny with ALL his needs. You know, as a mommy, I never, ever wanted this for my baby. I wanted him and his twin to be born healthy, happy and together. I dreamt of going to Twins Days with MY twin, my husbands twin, our other kids and Kenny and Nick. But that will never happen. I wanted Kenny to catch up to his "true age"...but that is not happening. I wont give up on him. I wont let him feel sorry for himself (that's my job...lol). It comes right back to the feeling guilty that somehow I caused them to be born so early...if I wouldn't of gotten out of bed to go to the bathroom, if I would of....I don't know...I know I cant go back and change things...GOD I wish I could! I am missing my Nick SO much...I am so thankful to God for giving me the chance to raise Kenny, I really am! I am grateful that God is letting me see how kids with disabilities, CP, Down Syndrome and chronic illnesses live, act, love and how their families cope. It proves to me that no matter what is wrong with a child, love them no matter what! God created them and lent them to us to learn from them. I learn from Kenny everyday...Yes, I wish my life was easy and we had perfect kids, the perfect house and money to buy extras, but we don't and I feel it is because God wants us to see what really matters...and that is family, friends, love, and faith.

This past week, Gina and Kenny both came down with a case of RSV (thank God for Synagis shots). The fevers, coughing, wheezing, runny noses, not eating, you name it. We've had sleepless nights because Kenny needs his breathing treatments every 3 hours or his breathing and coughing gets out of control. Gina is also on Albuterol, but since her lungs are healthy, she is fighting this off pretty good...crossing my fingers! So lots of coffee (even though I gave it up for lent...sorry God) and prayers are still needed that either baby (Kenny or Gina) don't end up in the hospital.

I want to thank all my readers and followers who have left such nice comments. It is nice to know that Kenny and Nick's story has touched so many hearts all over the world! Thank you for letting me share my life, my feelings with you all.

So much to do, so little time

This week has come and gone...where does the time go? I have been very persistent with Kenny and his hearing aids...yay me! I vowed that he WILL get used to wearing them...and...as long as I am either holding him and keeping him busy OR sitting and playing with him, all is good...the minute I turn my back on him...to change Gina's diaper, get something for Kayleigh...oh...go to the bathroom...out they come. Very, very irritating, but I will keep at it and he will get used to them! I can just see how much more alert he is with them in. He turns his head at every sound and also notices the TV... it's so neat to see that he is finally understanding sounds around him. Now maybe duct tape would work! LOL! juuuuuuust kidding. Here is him with the cord to keep them attached if he DOES pull them off...

My neighbor is in the hospital and so is my husbands uncle. Both can use tons of prayers. Way too many bad things happening to the family and friends lately. Tony's uncle is also his God father...and we share our wedding anniversary with him and his wife. While my neighbor is in there, we had a very bad rain/wind storm....well it took down a tree in the back...the ground must have been soaked for such a big tree to come down...luckily no one was near it.

It missed my neighbor's swing by literally an inch! Jerry sits there with his beer and just relaxes after a day of working in the yard. I am hoping he will be coming out of the hospital soon, and be back to his old self again. My kids love him. He always takes the kids for tractor rides in the summer. He is a great guy. Here is a picture of the flower arrangement holder "a vase" that we made for him....Lets see...oh...Gina is now scooting everywhere! She also said her first word...."hi"! I kid you not...it's not Mama or Dada...my 8th child's first word is "hi". ooooooh kay! LOL!! She loves her newly found freedom of walking in her walker, sitting up and scooting...I love this age!

Tony had his last Cub Scout doing...the Pinewood Derby...his car kept coming in 4th...better than not finishing at all! It brought tears to my eyes knowing that my oldest son, my 1st born, is no longer considered a "kid"...he is going to be a Boy Scout next month...I am sad and happy for him at the same time!This is Tony holding Kenny while they were watching the races...my boys...gotta love them!

My nephew had his 11th birthday party on Saturday. Tony and Dominic are as close as brothers! I love the smiles on these two guys!

These updates are small because I am getting some sort of chest cold again. Seems like this whole winter has been nothing but sicknesses...I cant wait for the weather to start to get warmer so I can open all the windows and let the sick germs go bye-bye. We are still waiting to do the application video for EMHE. We are hoping that we can get it going THIS weekend..but we will see. It's always one thing or another...I hate not being able to get something done that is very important for us.

I think I am going to end this post early because of just being tired and sick...but here are some pictures of Kenny and my Kayleigh that I took today!

Busy...busy...busy!

Whew...its been a busy couple of days! Took Kenny to his GI Specialist appt yesterday...he is now on Zantac twice a day. We are going to have an x ray done to see his whole GI track and see if there is a problem with it and then we'll take it from there. He is still waking up in the middle of the night with almost an apnea episode...where he will be sleeping and then all of a sudden, gasp like he cant breath. Then he will start a coughing spell and from that, puke. I feel so bad for the little guy because I know he isn't getting a very good sleep. I am going to have to really try to keep his oxygen on him at night and pray that he doesn't rip it off...I really think he may need it. Last night we had to let him cry himself to sleep in his crib (which is in our room), because he just didn't want to lay down in our bed. I put a pillow over my head and well...he fell back to sleep. My poor little guy! So with him being up half the night, Tony (my son) woke up with his eye...yep...it tore. And when I say tore, I mean, his eye dried out and since he has corneal abrasions from previous tears, they formed scar tissue which is raised ever so slightly... his eyes dry out at night and then during sleep, if his eye ball moves the dried out cornea adheres to the inner lid and rip! There is a name for this, but I'm not sure what it is...he has this problem, I have it, my twin sister has it and my older sister, Renee has it...IT HURTS SO BAD...I would rather give birth without pain meds than to have my cornea tear! YUP....that bad! So he is up in his upper bunk screaming that his eye is ripped...and since he shares a room with the girls....THEY all start crying because Tony is making so much noise...I have Kenny in our room, Gina in the small white room and Morgan, Sydnie and Kayleigh ALL UP AND CRYING....the only one that wasn't up, was Taylor..she was sleeping in the white room with Gina, but had the blankets up over her head...snoring away. LOL! What a night...but I made it through!

I want to wish my nephew Dominic a very Happy Birthday... 11 is a big number! I was in the delivery room with my younger sister when he was born...I even got to cut his umbilical cord! What an honor! Love ya Dom!

Oh....Gina our almost 7 month old has her first tooth popping up! Very excited about that!

A little book that was given to me

I want to share a little book that one of my best friends gave me. She saw that I was feeling down from life's struggles, and thought that I would like/need to read this book. I have to say that this book is one of the best books I have read! I go back and reread it every night! It is getting me through these very trying times!

So thank you very much Denise for thinking of me and helping me. I was beginning to think that there is this good, luck twin/bad, unlucky twin thing that goes on in this world....Tony and I are both "twin A's" and it's weird...so is Kenny! We both (Tony and I) have had such horrible luck, in all aspects of life and it seems our twins (who we love very much...no offense to you guys) have such good luck, in every aspects. We cant seem to catch a break. Even on our "Honeymoon....we ended up going to Middleburg Heights...to a hotel. Even wearing shirts that said "Just Married" we didn't even get a bottle of champagne or even a complimentary piece of breakfast toast! LOL! I am hoping that this is just a fluke and there is no such thing as the lucky/unlucky twins....like "bizarro world or something. LOL Anyhow that is old stuff...that we just laugh off.

Anyhow, for all of you that have had a tough time in life, this book is a little light at the end of the tunnel...GOOD READING!

Kenny got his last Synagis shot of the year! Woo hoo! He gets one in each leg every month to prevent RSV...which could be deadly to him because of his lungs. He already got a slight case of it last month, but thank God, he didn't have to go into the hospital! I am PRAYING that next month, when he doesn't get his shots, that he wont get RSV... that happened last year to him...it sucked. Anyhow...we are prepared! HE goes to his GI specialist on Monday, hearing on Tuesday, and PT on Wednesday...busy week for the little guy. When he went into the peds office to get his shots, they had to weigh him....he was down to 19 lbs. 14-15 oz....so he lost some weight...I am hoping it is because he is getting taller...I hope! I got 2 jars of baby food in him tonight...Yay for me!!! We are trying to figure out why he doesn't want to walk...he can stand by holding onto something, but to cruise along furniture or walk with an adult holding his hands...no way. I kind of feel bad for the little guy! On the other hand...Gina is catching up quickly to him! She gets to where she wants to in her walker and by scooting all over the place...she is even out eating him on finger foods. I just have to keep in mind that she is normal...Kenny has special needs and will eventually catch up! He's got too...he Kenny! LOL!!!

I had a comment sent to me that at least I had a good childhood, and a place to live and the necessities of life...I would like to comment back....Yes, I has an awesome childhood. I didn't have the top of the line, expensive stuff and I shared a room with my sisters, but my parents were/are great parents. They have been through a lot in their lives and still were able to raise strong, confident children (in a slightly dysfunctional way) LOL!!! Yes I do have a wonderful husband who works his butt off for us, and so do I, in a different way (it's kinda like the 50's style marriage...husband works and wife takes care of the house and kids). What I don't post in my blog is that financially, these last few months have been disastrous...I wont go into details because it is personal, but we are lucky that , for now, we do have a home, a car, and the basics (and when I say the basics...its the very basics). Everything bad that has happened in our lives has happened in the last couple of years. We would never of had so many kids if we couldn't afford them...and we were doing a pretty good job at it, I must say! Hospital stays, doctor appts, and the economy takes a lot out of a person, emotionally, financially, and physically. Thank God we have a strong faith in God, our Church, friends and some family members. I am re-training my thinking about everything as to a learning experience and that this whole scheme of things from Nicks death (which I still feel guilty for along with all of Kenny's disabilities), to only getting needs over wants, to having a house falling apart in front of our eyes....just a setback...wont last. It's all in Gods hand and with positive thinking, I am praying that it will all work out in the end! Tony and I have a strong loving marriage and we love our kids dearly and we know this is all we need! There is no self pity, remorse, or whatever else....spring is right around the corner and I am using my sadness and life experiences to my full advantage by helping others who are just entering this journey of Micro Preemie parenthood!

On another note, I am starting my campaigning for the March Of Dimes walk on April 26 here in Cleveland. Our family Team Tomecko will be walking in honor of Nick and Kenny. We are looking for friends and family who wants to walk with us for this great cause because without the March Of Dimes, Kenny wouldn't be here today, and we wouldn't have had 2 precious days with our angel Nick. So if anyone would like to walk with Team Tomecko or donate, please let me know! Thank you very much for your support!

THEN & NOW

I hate being sick!

Well, this weekend was supposed to be the weekend that we were going to film our video for the application for Extreme Makeover Home Edition...but....I got sick. Oh yeah...fever, sore throat, swollen glands, and now I have this horrible rash from head to toe! I think I was misdiagnosed...I really think I have/had strep but the "doc in a box"(aka...med center) did the quick strep test and it came back neg...so...he ended up calling my condition "Sinusitis". Now anyone that knows me knows that for my entire life, I've dealt with chronic sinus problems...THIS is not one of those times. I can actually breath just fine...its the throat...unable to swallow ANYTHING since Friday! I'm on Biaxin, so hopefully that will take care of whatever this mystery illness is...and I wont pass it onto the kids or hubby.
Anyhow, back to this video that we are doing, we are really looking forward to doing it! We even a little surprise for the "goodbye" scene! If anyone that knows us would please help by making a small video clip as to why you feel we need EMHE to help us, please make one and send it to me via e-mail or something.
Nothing else new going on...Gina learned to roll front to back and back to front, sit up and she LOVES to eat! Kenny, well...he's still doing good. We had to let him cry himself to sleep last night because he wanted to play at 3:00 a.m....not good when you take Benadryl and NyQuil! He ended up not really crying, just complaining...then BAM...asleep! He slept till 10:00 this morning! Taylor slept over her friends house on Friday, and loved it. She never gets asked to go or even sleep over anyone's house, so she LOVED IT! Tony (my son), went over his cub scout leaders house on Saturday to do all the things he needs to do to get the "Arrow of Light"...which he then becomes a Boy Scout. *sigh* I remember when he first started in 1st grade! My baby is growing up! Morgan, well...she won a DVD player at the Kiwanis pancake breakfast raffle...Yay Morgan!
So that is about all the updates for this weekend. We are going to be busy all week with a bunch of appts. for Kenny. He has his hearing and PT appt tomorrow, and preemie clinic on Thursday. He was supposed to have his GI appt today, but because I am not feeling good, I rescheduled. That's about all.

Ah so much going on! Lets see...my daughter, Sydnie, had an eye appt. today because she failed her school and physical eye exam...she has been walking around the house with my sunglasses on because her HUGE eyes are dilated...Well she is thinking she is Paris Hilton or something because every time she walks past my mirrored curio cabinet, she is staring at herself...way too funny...and cute I might add! She does have astigmatism, but they are going to wait a year for glasses...to be honest, she was really looking forward to wearing pink glasses, so breaking the news to her that she didn't need them was very disappointing to her...so if she wants to wear the sunglasses...so be it. LOL! Oh one other funny thing. Ever since Sydnie was born, I always commented on how I thought her one eye was a little "off"...her ped told us that it was her one lid that was "bigger" than the other...I didn't buy it, so I asked this eye doctor today...hee hee....he told me that her eye give the impression that it is going out, but....it is actually her pupil that is slightly off center. I KNEW IT~!!! I wasn't going nuts all these years! LOL!!!

After her appt. we took Kenny to his Pulmonologist for his check up. His lungs were clear (thank God) but he is not liking how Kenny hasnt gained any weight...still 20 lbs with clothes on! I mentioned that he gasp for air several times a night and then starts coughing and throwing up. He is sending Kenny to a GI specialist for that. He is thinking that there is some kind of reflux happening..and they can also help with the calorie intake for him. I am so happy that the doctors at Metro are helping us AND Kenny. I was also told that Advair was not approved for children, let alone micro-preemies! Ummmm can you say I am kind of ticked off that our family pediatrician would even consider this!!!! So now, it is still the Pulmicort, Albuterol and now Singular because Kenny gets out of breath as he crawls...and I really cant keep him on his oxygen during the day...he hates wearing it! So at least we are getting answers!

Oh, and I also might add that Kenny is going to be the local K-mart store Ambassador for the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes wants to put faces to the fundraising efforts that K-Mart and their employees are involved in. So, our little guy will be representing one of the locations! yeay!

I got the first batch of shirts made for the hospital...I am so excited about that...

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HAS DONATED EITHER $$ OR SHIRTS!!!

I will be taking them on Thursday!

AHHHH!!!got to cut this short...the little guy decided to pull down a plant off the end table! NICE!

Today's update on our Kenny

Today's therapy was so nice with Kenny. He was able to put shapes in the shape sorter with the help of blocking the other shape holes! He has never really let go of the blocks before. He was also trying to let go and stand for a few seconds at a time! He was so proud of himself that he was actually standing on his own! The look on his face was priceless! My little guy who struggles everyday with one thing or another, was actually doing things that made him so excited! Beth also had him trying to scribble with one of those magnetic doodle pads...he did it, but was more interested in the string that held the pen to the board. I just keep kissing his cute head because I see that he wants to learn...that he gets happy and excited when he does something! He is using his hand together more lately, so that is another plus! I haven't taken him out of this house for a while...he was supposed to go for his audiologist appt. this morning, but he is still fighting this dumb cold! I was up with Kenny AND Gina again last night...actually....I've gone through 2 24oz. cups of coffee from Speedway...and now I am relying on the pot of hot tea that I made...because I've been up since 3 am. Starting to crash a little...not liking it!LOL!
We discussed sending Kenny to 2 day a week therapy school...I really think that would be great for him. They would work on his PT/OT and Speech/feeding...and he'd be around other kids like him. Like I said, I think it would be great for him, but I am nervous to send him because his lungs are so bad...and he is always getting sick...I guess it is time to really talk to his doctor about this. It's almost a no win situation...see...if we send him somewhere for PT/OT and the other therapies...he will get sick...if we don't send him...he wont excel in his development...not to mention how sick he has been...and what he has missed just from being sick.
I cant take him to preemie clinic, because he has been so sick, yet he really needs to go...it's just a continuous circle of events that wont stop. Now Gina is starting to get up on her knees and spin around in circles, scoot (backwards), hold things with both hand...and it shows me just how far behind Kenny is with things. Yes, he is making great progress for what he has been through, but it gets to me. I feel bad for him...that he is struggling with everyday stuff while it is supposed to come natural for babies. Isn't it bad enough that he went through so much when he was born...and those long 4 months in the hospital....losing his twin brother, whom shared a special bond with inside of me, being near death several times?! I am at a loss for all the options of what kind of therapies are good I know he needs speech and feeding therapy...but from who? Where? He is almost 22 months old and still not cruising against furniture...when will he start walking? Will he ever be able to walk? I am so scared for him and what the future holds. He is so precious and pure...when he looks at you, his eyes see right through you...almost to your soul...its kind of a peaceful, calm look that he gives. I just pray that this world is good to him throughout his lifetime because his everyday tasks may be harder for him to do, he may not be able to hear very well, or even talk, have horrible lungs which require oxygen at night, walk or eat solids, but he is still our family's miracle. And we all will love and protect him till eternity because that is what family is all about!

I want to give a short shout out to my sister Andrea, who is turning 38 today! Woo Hoo! Have a very Happy Birthday sis! Love ya much!

Happy birthday to my Morgan and Happy Anniversary to my twin and BIL!

Today, 8 years ago, I gave birth to my 3rd child! We didn't get to see her right away..actually for about 12 hours after she was born because she came out blue. They intubated her and whisked her off to the NICU. You know, to this day, I still don't know why she wasn't breathing when she was born. When she was a baby, we were having problems with asthma, allergies to milk and all milk products, eczema on her face, arms and legs, and the biggest one, her being allergic to cold temperatures! Yep...you heard me right...she cant go in pools or under sprinklers in the summer, and in the winter, the snow...also, if it is too windy or rainy out...she breaks out in welts. I feel so bad for her, but she doesn't let that stop her...she'll go out and play...get tons of welts...go warm up and take benadryl or claritin and get right back to the fun! Kids are so resilient!
And now today she is 8. Where has the time gone?! It just amazes me how fast time goes by! Have a very Happy Birthday my love! You always make me smile!
And for my twin sister, Diane and the love of her life, Johnnie...I hope you both have a wonderful Anniversary! I cant get over that from the night on the dance floor when your eyes connected you are still very much in love! You both have been there for me through everything and I love you both very much. Congratulations on 15 married years together + all the years before you guys got married! What a ride it has been! Here's to many, many more together!

Milestones for Micros! Please Help!

I am looking for anyone that wants to donate plain baby shirts. We are going to be making shirts for MetroHealth's NICU graduates for their first birthdays, along with our preemie friends here online. It is all about our preemies who had the odds against them but pulled through, and is now celebrating their first birthdays! PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ON TO EVERYONE THAT YOU KNOW. You can contact me through the comments. I really want to make this happen, but I am extremely limited on $$ (for obvious reasons). I am going to need sizes 9-12 month shirts in boys and girls. must be plain. It doesn't matter if they are long sleeve or short. I am not asking for money...just new shirts.

This has been in the planning ever since Kenny was turning 1, and now I really am going to make this happen. Our little miracles are very special and to be celebrating their first birthdays is such a milestone. When you are in the NICU and you don't know if you are going to be bringing your baby home or not, it is such a relief when the time comes when the doctors tell you that its time to go home! That first year is scary...the oxygen, monitors, constant doctor visits, medication...and yes, the occasional hospital stays...Heck, the second year is not that much better! LOL! But to know and to tell the world that your preemie (micro) made it through everything...that YOU (as a parent) made it through everything, is very important!

So I am asking you all to pass this on to everyone that you know...Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

************************************************************************

On another note,Valentine's Day 2009 turned out to be a very normal day in the Tomecko house. It seems like the cold that Kenny and Gina have is just getting worse by the day. The day consisted of breathing treatments, coughing and crying...and the last one was a little bit from me. LOL! How the heck can I have so many kids with wheezing! I got rid of the carpet, the dog...dust everyday, scrub the floors every day along with vacuuming...and no matter what I do, they still get sick and wheeze. We now have Kenny on Advair twice a day...I don't know if its working or not. He is getting his Albuterol as needed for his fast breathing and coughing too. I feel so bad for him. Gina is just doing the whole wheezing in the chest with the coughing...she is not on anything yet, but I have a feeling come Monday, that might change. *sigh.

(I just saw the popsicle laying on the couch...lovely!)

So can I please get tons of prayers that these poor babies of mine get better and not worse. I am so worried about Kenny, between the fevers, coughing, not eating and wheezing, it is setting up to be a hospital stay. So, please pray. Thanks.

Our big Valentine's dinner that Tony and I decided on was going to be steak, baked potatoes and salad...he came home with a couple of steaks (the cheap ones lol) and some chicken for the kids....I was getting so excited that we were actually going to have a good dinner...short lived....I don't have a broiler on my oven! How can I NOT have a broiler?!!! Just goes to show you how much I broil foods. During the summer, we would put the steaks on the grill...our grill is in the city dump as of the fall...we ended up eating the baked potatoes and salad...for the 2nd time this past week. One day I'll be able to go out on an actual date with my love and have a real steak dinner! But for now, it just the way it is.

Happy valentine's Day everyone!

Well Valentines Day is fast approaching and I sit here thinking how different it has become for me. LOL. When it was just Tony and I...even when it was just a couple of the kids...we would go out to dinner and celebrate. Now a days, we are making Valentines for the kids to pass out at school...no dates, no cards...but that's OK...we know we love each other...

These days, it means a simple, "I love you". Thank you for being here in my life. No cards, no gifts...not even a night out to dinner. Why? Because with 7 kids, it's easier AND cheaper to just stay home. No one wants to babysit so many kids, and to be honest, Kenny needs his medicine, and I wouldnt feel comfortable with leaving him...just yet. Who needs to go out and spend $50 on dinner anyhow...not me. I am so far from wanting anything materialistic...it not even funny. I guess I am...simple. That's a great word for me. I love sitting here with my family. Talking to them. Making them great dinners that while we are smashed around out little dining room table with Kenny and Gina in their high chair and walker. The kids telling us about their day at school...that is what I love...and live for... Yes, there is the common fight about who is going to talk first, who is sitting where at the table, and the occasional..."I don't like that...can I have something else to eat"? But that is what makes it even more memorable.

I am very happy to have the loves of my life all around me. My husband swept me off of my feet 19 years ago. We had everything in common...

He saw me drive up in my red convertible to a job interview at his office...told everyone that he was going to marry me...and he did! He didn't even know I was getting interviewed at his office until the owner asked him into the office, where I was! He was persistent and charming...as we got to know each other, we found out that we both came from families of 7 children..just the opposite (my family had 6 girls, 1 boy and his, 6 boys and 1 girl), we both loved art. And the kicker...we both were twins! The similarities just went on and on.

Oh...I can go on and on...but I wont bore you with our love story. LOL

So this is why I love Valentine's Day.

You know what I ended up doing these last couple of nights and days...making 100 ipod candy valentines for the kids parties at school. I saw the project in a magazine about a month ago, and I just HAD to make it! All it is, is a box of conversation hearts, construction paper (or if you have a sign guy for a husband, like I do, we used hot pink vinyl), string, Hershey Kisses and tape. Well...after countless hours of printing, taping, and tying...I finally got it done! Woo hoo! And I must say, they turned out very cute!

I love seeing the smiles on my kids faces when I do something like this for them. I just wish I had my own craft room. I was sitting at the dining room table, then at the kitchen counter working on these things...all the while, Kenny and Gina fussing because of being sick...it ended up being 5 minutes working on the valentines, 15 minutes taking care of the little sickies, and so on....But it is done and their parties are today!

here is what they turned out to look like:

I'm back after a long break. We have strep throat here in the house...little Tony has it. It's just a matter of time before it spreads like wild fire and the entire house is going to get quarantined. I guess it is going around...everywhere. Tony and I have been up for the past couple of nights with Gina and Kenny, coughing like crazy and both with fevers. It makes for a F U N time. So everyone please keep both babies in your prayers that they wont have to be hospitalized...I just don't feel like staying at the hospital for any amount of time...it's getting old. Luckily, they are not wheezing too bad and Kenny is not breathing too fast....knock on wood!

I just get so paranoid with him. Every time he gets sick, I worry that his heart or lungs wont be able to handle it. And with his fever last night, I didn't want to fall asleep...I wanted to sit and hold him all night long to make sure he was going to be alright.

This past week was a pretty busy one for us. Kenny and Gina went for their immunizations...Kenny ended up getting 5! Three of the normal ones and 2 Sinygis for RSV...those suckers are EXPENSIVE! I cant understand how or why they would cost so much, but they do. It's almost a shame. Kenny got the shots last year and right after his last shot, he ended up getting RSV, what a waste of money.

Anyhow, at Kenny's check up he was weighed and is at 20 lbs. 2 oz. As a mom, I feel that he is doing horrible with his eating and weight, but the doc thinks that he is doing well, so...only time will tell. He is really trying to eat cheese puffs ans cookies, He wont bite it, but he licks it...I guess it's a start. I have even tried suckers.

As you can see, he doesn't have great hand control yet, but we are working on it! Now that he is sick, it's going to put his eating back a little bit. He is already not wanting to drink his bottles that much. He also stopped signing. I don't know why, I do it every day. He just stopped. Time to get serious with this whole signing thing...I have to say one thing...it's HARD...for a person...well...family that has NEVER had to even think about any type of hearing loss, learning and doing sign language really takes time and effort....every time we say something, we have to follow it up with a sign. Not to mention, Kenny being a very stubborn 21 month old and not wanting to keep his hearing aids in..no matter what we do. We were supposed to go to the audiologist this morning, but with his fever and cough, I didn't want to take him out.

On another note...

Gina started to hold her own bottle! Yeay!!! That helps mommy out a lot!! She is even trying to get up on her hands and knees...scooting backwards! She wants to really catch up to her big brother, Kenny so they can cruise the house together! I LOVE IT!

We have our very own Cabbage Patch Kid...

This is what NOT to do with a basketball! LMBO!!!
That's about it for now...its been a very crazy week here between sickness and running around...I'll leave you with a picture of a cute puppy that I fell in love with at the pet store...until I found out how much he cost...$1200 dollars! Ummm...no thank you...I'd much rather go to the pound and get one that needs a home for about $20! He was cute though!

I've been thinking...

Yes, that's right...I've been thinking...

I wonder how much the doctors have not told us about what is going to happen to Kenny. KWIM? He is constantly sick, developmentally delayed, sensoritory issues, the hearing loss, eating issues, muscle tone problems and now the possibility of braces because of his muscle tone in his legs...I have been wondering, in the back of my mind, if it was right doing everything humanly and medically possible to keep him alive in the NICU...when the government knows that babies born under a certain weight automatically gets disability. Do doctors know the long range outcome of our micro preemies?There are study after study showing the different things that face micro preemies...Autism, mental problems...its all very scary to me...I read those, and think, "what the heck did I do to my Kenny?" The guilt is overwhelming. Us as parents want only the best for our kids, that means from health to success...and we would do EVERYTHING to protect our babies. But, are we being selfish in wanting our 1 pound babies to survive? To me, the answer is yes, I am/was very selfish. I wanted my babies, both of them, and nothing was going to change my mind.

Except one thing...or should I say, someone...

God

He chose to take Nick and leave Kenny. Why? I am not sure. but, I look at his beautiful face and see him kissing Gina and laughing and smiling all the time. I see how much progress he has made since those scary days in the NICU near the brink of death. I see how many people his (and Nicks) lives have touched and also see all the people that we got to meet and befriend from them, and I feel we made the totally right decision to keep him alive and here with us. I just wish, hope and pray that he leads a normal, happy, productive, healthy and successfully long life...just as I do with all my kids.


So for all those new mommies and daddies who have just entered this nightmare of having a micro preemie, please don't give up hope. It's very scary but well worth it. You will get a mixed bag of reactions from people...from extreme generosity to completely ignoring that they (your baby) even exists...trust us...we know. The NICU is such a loving and caring place...trust your instincts...if your baby isn't acting right or looking right...say something. And know that the nurses and doctors there are only human. They will do everything they can, but in the long run..its up to God. Try to have faith, it's hard, but you have to in order to survive.

I am trying to think better thoughts. Trying to not to question the past or the future, but to stick with today.
I miss my Nick every day. The pain is as strong as it was the day it happened. But, I also have to remember that there is nothing I can do, think or say to bring him back. I just want to keep his memory alive. I want everyone to know that my husband and I have 8 children...not including my 2 miscarriages...that we are the parents to a set of spontaneous twins...just one is in Heaven. I was blessed to be able to carry twins...even though it was only 23 weeks, I am one of the few that knows what having 2 babies inside you feel like. I will cherish those memories for eternity! I also feel very blessed to have as many kids as I have. Having a Bicornuate uterus, I was told that I was lucky that I had one baby, let alone as many as I had AND a set of twins thrown in!!! My pregnancies were not very good...none of them. All my babies were born early. My first, my water broke at 29 weeks but I was able to keep him in to 34 weeks...in the hospital! My husband would come to the hospital every evening after work and just sit with me...for 5 weeks! Then my second, third, forth and fifth...I was on and off bed rest throughout the pregnancies only to deliver again at 34 weeks. But I am thankful that they are here...heck, Sydnie and Kayleigh both had true knots in their cords...I have a picture of Kayleighs, but its pretty gross! LOL. So I am lucky that I didn't lose 3 babies! Then came the twins at 23 weeks and Gina blessed us with the most healthy of pregnancies and I had her at 36 weeks! So I have a lot to be thankful for. Yes, we are facing a rough road. Our married life has had it's ups and downs, tested through the years with births, miscarriages, hospital stays, financial woes, etc... but after all that Tony and I have gone through together, It has made us closer as a couple. Raising 7 kids on top of mourning the loss of a child is very hard, but we are handling it. I have hit my lowest these last couple of weeks. I've been tested, and felt like I've failed. I silently vowed to myself, my family and God, that I would start thinking more positive (now if only my kids would start listening to me! LOL!). So, there you have it.

I am still very scared of what the future has in store, but with my husband, my kids and my memories, I will try to make the best out of everyday I have on this earth.



God...now I need a vacation!


So all of you that read my blog or even just click on it...


PLEASE SIGN THE EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION PETITION!!!

Our family could really use the help...plus it would make one heck of a tear-jerker story!


it seemed to have slowed down in signatures...Pass it on to everyone you know...and make sure you tell those to pass it on! LOL!

My opinion on the birth of those 8 babies

She already has 6 at home!!! They range in age from 7-2! I'm pretty ticked off about this because there is no way she should have been taking fertility meds...none! Is it now a "thing to do"...lets see how many premature babies I can carry at one time...MAN! this really is hitting a nerve with me. That would be like me getting fertility treatments. Were they all looking to get the media coverage, money, book deals, TV...you name it? I just don't understand. Just because she probably wants her 15 min of fame. Is there a law as to who can get treatments? doesn't it seem like people, including celebs, abuse the whole fertility treatment issue? Shouldn't it be for people that are having a hard time getting pregnant and not for people who just want "twins" or 12 kids all at once, so they can break records...etc? I find it disgusting that these people are doing this. Does money mean that you can choose to have twins, triplets...octuplets...Do these people know what happens in a NICU? I know first hand...its not pretty...and they are risking the lives of those innocent babies! Not to mention all the problems they are facing as they get older. I say, shame on the doctors and hospital for even thinking about implanting more than 2 in this woman...even 3...she has a 2 year old for god sake. What kind of fertility problems could she possibly have? Was the hospital looking to cash in on this record breaking pregnancy/delivery? Come on! Shame on the parents too. Do they think they hit the lottery? I pray that those babies are healthy and lead a great life....but I sit here startled at the fact that at one time, fertility treatments were used to help couples who were having a hard time conceiving on their own, and now its being used be people who want more than one. Look at all the celebs that have started having twins...there is NO WAY that these people conceived them spontaneously...none! Especially since getting a picture on a magazine cover can pay millions! Does that mean if I had money, both my twins would be here? Its just disgusting...that's all.
OK... I read some of the articles surrounding this and she has had fertility treatments in the past...hence her set of 2 yr. old twins...
Well if she has fertility issues in the past...don't you think that they should of only implanted a couple eggs...I mean...7 eggs (I'm giving them that because they didn't know about #8). Is there a limit as to how many they can/will implant? Isn't there a moral code for doctors or something? They knew that the fertility treatments worked...they worked for her last pregnancy...so implanting all those fert. eggs and then offering her selective reduction was the hospitals fault. How do they expect a pregnant woman to "reduce" her pregnancy...they should of only put a few in!I am not bashing the parents for wanting children...I am bashing everyone involved for risking the lives of the babies and mother...just for publicity and that is ALL it comes down to...when you look at the whole thing! I know that in some articles, they said that they were going to be hard to find...but...come on...when the $$ offers start, they wont turn it down...no one would.

Added comment: I was sent this comment anonymously and want to comment on it:

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "My opinion on the birth of those 8 babies": I'm sorry, but I really don't think it is our business to judge. Honestly, as I read your blog and how all of your pregnancies were rough and risky, my first thought was "why did she keep getting pregnant and risking more little lives? Why didn't she adopt instead?"There are many people out there who don't think people should have 8 kids like you did, especially when you live in such a small house. People might call that irresponsible. We don't know why this family made the choices they did, but it isn't our business. The family asked for privacy, and I think they deserve it.

I want to let people know that my post and feelings have nothing to do with how many kids this person has, it has to deal with the ethical factors that were involved with putting so many fertilized eggs inside of ANY woman, at one time. I didn't "attack" anyone. To come at me stating the fact that I shouldn't of had all these kids, should have adopted, and call ME irresponsible was very inappropriate...maybe that is why this person chose to stay anonymous, IDK. I have a loving home, money to feed, clothes and give my kids a nice life. I teach them right from wrong, how to be responsible kids, send them to a good catholic school...and my house is kept as nice as it can be. It is small, but we don't know any other way. I'm not the only one questioning this woman...It just so happened that I was one of few that questioned it first...now its all over the news...so its not just me!
I wish no wrong on anybody nor do I judge people...I was stating facts about this whole situation.
Thank you.

Snowstorm 09

I just had to post some snow storm pictures from today...

Morgan and Kayleigh wanted to brave the elements! Morgan will be coming in the house all broken out in hives because she is very allergic to this...but at least she is having some fun!


Oh to be a kid again!

Oh yeah...doesnt this look like F - U - N!!!!

And here is one of Kenny...minus the hearing aids...

Kenny hits 20 lbs!

Yes that is right...our little 1 lb. 7 oz. little man has finally hit the big 2-0! At 20 months old, Kenny has hit that magical number! Woo Hoo! Twenty pounds means he actually will be sitting in a regular car seat...FORWARD. We are beyond excited


On the down side to that...he is sick...again. Actually, Gina is the one with the Bronchiolitis/RSV, so we are going to have to keep an eye on both of the little ones. We were up all night, between Gina coughing and crying and Kenny with his fast, shallow breathing...I would sit and count how many breaths per minute he'd be breathing and it was 60 bpm all night...needless to say, it didn't make for a very relaxing night. I am hoping tonight is a little better.

Gina had her 6 month old check up today and she is a healthy 16 lbs. So I guess it's 2 new car seats very soon...gotta love my Irish twins! LOL!!! She is starting to scoot and pivot when on her belly also grab for things with both hands now. You know, even after all these kids, I still find it so fascinating how babies can just start hitting milestone after milestone and do things that just a week prior to, couldn't...I am in such awe of what God has created.


This weekend was such a busy one for our bunch. My 3 oldest kids read the petitions at the family mass on Sunday...the practiced all week long...and all 3 did a fantastic job! They each had a word or 2 that they stumbled over while practicing, but when it came down to it...all three read their petitions perfectly. I was so proud of them. Oh, to top it off, it was a crowded mass, so they had to read in front of a tons of people (I could NEVER do that!).

After church, the school had open house (they go to Catholic school). You know, I never get tired of seeing what my kids have done in school. I love seeing their good grade papers on the walls. All the art projects that they have been working on. I love seeing and talking with all the teachers and parents. We have really made some great friends and acquaintances there during these past 6 years! My husband, who used to go to St. Francis, gave the gym a little "face lift" this week... He wanted it to look nice for the open house. It's nice to see someone that really takes pride in his Alma mater! It's still sad that Fr. Hoban wasn't there to see the gym, all the school kids and well, just about everything...he is really missed.

On a different note,

I had a visitor tonight...As I was cleaning the kitchen from Little Tony and I making pizzelles for his cub scout's bake off, someone knocked on our side door. I thought it was one of my husbands friends or clients or something, so I answered the door. There stood a man holding a box of bakery...he went on to thank us for putting up the sign in our front yard...(a little side note)...Since we live on a main road and know a lot of police officers, my husband decided a few years back, to put up a sign in our front yard telling people to "thank a police officer, their doing their job for us"...then when a cop was killed a couple of years ago, he put up a sign next to it in honor of that fallen police officer...well, since then, he put up 3 more. The latest officer was a 24 year old named Jarod Dean, who was killed cleaning up after an accident.

Anyhow, getting back to this person at my side door. So then, he proceeded to tell me that Jarod was his brother...my heart went to the floor and then to my throat. This man standing in front of me just lost his brother...not even a week ago...and he is giving US bakery?! I so badly wanted to hug him and tell him that I know what he and his family is going through...because I too lost a brother. I wanted to talk with him so much, but all that came out was that I was sorry for his loss and that we were praying for their family...that's it! OMG! I just went blank! I am planning of getting hold of his family to explain my "lack of words". I just feel so bad that I just stood there like a deer in headlights..he completely caught me off guard. That poor family, they have a long road ahead of them. My love and prayers go out to them.