Dupont NICU Party

We had Spencer's second, and last, NICU party of the season two Saturdays ago. This one was for the smaller hospital that he was actually born at and stayed for a week (where he had his exchange transfusion) before being transported to Lutheran for his surgeries. It's kind of nice to be able to go to both of these hospital's parties. One is on a large scale and the other is smaller and more carnival-like. Unfortunately, it was a rainy Saturday and the theme this year was a beachy one, but we still let Avery get in her swimsuit and have some fun:) So after getting the kids' pictures taken and made beach-themed photo frames at the craft table, we let Avery loose. I didn't take too many pics because of the rain, but did grab a few.

I thought this was really cool. They had a pool with these fun boats and Avery, of course, hopped right in and started cranking away!

Mister Spencer had to enjoy most of the party from his stroller because he had really just learned to walk about this time and was a little unpredictable. He had plenty of snacks though and got his first tattoo-a green fish.

Spencer clearly had a good time-he completely crashed out for his afternoon nap:)

This is a must see video! They had an inflatable water slide and Avery, as usual, was the tiniest little thing on it.

Tennis

This post showcases just a fragment of what took place during my two weeks volunteering at the Western and Southern Financial Women's Open and Master's tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio (Cincinnati). To say that I had a fantastic experience is an understatement. For someone who is in love with tennis like I am, this was such an incredible opportunity. The tennis players and commentators in the pro tennis world are my celebrities and there were times when I couldn't believe I was lucky enough to see these people in person! I am hooked and will be at this tournament every year from now on!

A wide view of Center Court.

The new addition to Center. I was on the scoring committee and we were up in that box for matches (the 5 windows left of the big screen) with all of the local and international media. All the snacks, soda and Evian water you could ask for, plus the best view in the house-Kings Island was in direct view out of the windows over the court!

The first Monday of the tournament (during the women's week) was opening night. I worked the day session and Artie brought the kids to the opening festivities for the night session; which included their first ever pro tennis match between former number 1 and slam winner, Ana Ivanovic, and Victoria Azarenka.

American Mardy Fish getting in some practice. At the other end was Andy Roddick and it was cool getting to see the friends warming up.

Current #1, Rafael Nadal. He was very nice.

In the ESPN booth getting ready to preview a match, Patrick McEnroe (right, one of my favs!) and Chris Fowler.

The #3 tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic. He had quite a temper and wasn't the nicest, but a good player.

Jake and my mom came down at the end of the men's week to watch some tennis with me:) Rafael Nadal is playing in this match, he's in the pink shirt at the far end.

Even if you're not a tennis fan, you probably know who this is, Roger Federer. He was extremely nice and is an even better tennis player in person!

I still can't believe I was this close to Federer-who won this tourny!

Up and coming player Tomas Berdych, who beat Federer at Wimbledon this year.

A little Andy Roddick shot. The sound of a tennis ball hitting a racket is one of my favorite sounds. No one makes it sound better than Roddick!

Unless you were living under a rock during Wimbledon, you must have heard of this "marathon man," American John Isner who played the longest match ever (11hrs and 5 mins) before finally breaking serve against Nicolas Mahut in the 5th set to win 70-68. He really is that tall in person!

Aussie, and one of my favs, the man who started the "c'mon" that virtually all tennis players say now of days to pump themselves up on court, Lleyton Hewitt.

One of the only moms on the tour and the only mom at the top of the rankings, Kim Clijsters-she won this tournament, beating Maria Sharapova in 3 sets.

Runner-up, Maria Sharapova. After seeing her in person, I like her a little more than I used to:)

Marcos Bagdatis from Cyprus. Another of my favs because he always has such a good attitude on the court.

Scottsman, Andy Murray. He beat Nadal and Federer (world number 1 and 2, respectively) to win the Toronto tournament which happened the week before they came to Cincy.

More of my favorite commentators in the ESPN booth, Cliff Drysdale and Mary Jo Fernandez.

One of my all-time favorite tennis players, Lindsay Davenport, with Justin Gimelstob (working the booth for Tennis Channel).

Avery and Spencer came for a day during the men's week also. It was great getting to share something I love so much with my kids and to introduce them to the wonderful sport that tennis is. However, I think my husband would agree, they need to be a few years older to be able to sit still and be quiet during the match! Avery loved coming to the "tennis quarters" as she calls it!

It was a lovely two weeks in Cincinnati, but it was nice to get home. The kids were beyond thrilled to get back to their own rooms (they were sharing a room down there) and toys!! We got back just in time for Spencer's 2nd NICU party of the season...that post to follow soon:)

Lutheran NICU Party

Finally getting around to catching up on posts...

We got home a week ago, but came home to a few issues after being gone for two weeks (things like Artie's car with a totally flat tire). Then everyone got a nice summer cold! Well, I have held off a bit, for now. So this post goes back to Aug. 7th when we had Spencer's first NICU party (he gets invited to two because he was at two different hospitals during his stay). This was also the day we headed down to Cincy. So we hit up Spencer's NICU party at the zoo and then headed home to pick up our stuff and the dog plus make sure the house was spotless so we could have an open house while we were gone. It was a long day!

Daddy and Spencer watching Avery jump in the bounce house. Next year, Spencer will be big enough to join in more of the fun!

The highlight for Avery at these parties:)

Daddy even took Spencer down this year!

Petting a hedgehog.

Spencer's first pony ride!! He loved it:) Doesn't he look like a pro?!

Feeding the giraffe.

This girl cannot pass a drum or anything that looks like a drum without beating on it!!

This is Safari Sam from Build-A-Bear:) Spencer won him at the party! There was only one door prize for a boy and one for a girl and while we were in Cincy we got the call that Spencer won the boy prize!! We couldn't believe it, out of ALL the kids there (and this is a huge hospital so there are a lot!). I'm thinking Spencer is going to be lucky for life!!

After a long day at the NICU party, this is how Avery fell asleep on the three hour trip to Cincinnati:)

And, here is a video of Spencer walking! This is from 2 weeks ago so he's walking almost completely with no crawling anymore:)

Gone Fishin'

...well not exactly.

We've had a crazy start to the month of August. We've been down in Cincinnati for the past week and won't be heading home for another week. I have been volunteering at the tennis tournament that's held down here. Aside from a bad case of heat exhaustion from the 120+ degree weather (with heat index) I was in for 7 straight hours a few days last week, the live tennis has been incredible. I'll spare you all of the boring details that probably only interest someone as crazy about tennis as I am-let's just say James Blake ran into me with his tennis bag, I was inches from Maria Sharapova and was on the Tennis Channel and ESPN 2 hanging out behind the booth-I'm in heaven. Anyway, I went to do a quick post and realized I left my camera charger (the same cord that uploads pics) at home in my rush to clean and get out of the house last weekend. So...I will have to post pictures from Spencer's NICU reunion from one of the hospitals and others from our trip when we get back. I also wanted to take a quick second, even though I can't upload pics or video yet, to share with everyone that Spencer is now officially a walking machine!! We've been staying with Artie's dad and I guess since the kids don't have their toys or usual space to roam around, he decided to use his abundance of "free" time to finally get up and moving on 2 feet:) He's the cutest darn thing and I'll say Avery cheers him on just as much as the rest of us and it's so darn cute!!

So, hope everyone is having a good start to August. Sadly, I'm on a not-so-great broadband card Artie snatched from work and I can't get blog pages to load (not even my own) so I'll be checking in with everyone and getting pictures up when we get home next weekend!

Welcome Home, Soldier

We arrived at Fort Wayne International Airport today to pick up someone special.

Grandpa and Avery couldn't sit still and kept checking the board to see where the flight was.
Our first glimpse of Jake! (it was through glass, hence the glare)
Chatting and waiting for luggage...
Luggage is loaded in the car and ready to go!

Jake graduated yesterday from his AIT training in Georgia. He was given hometown recruiting for being at the top of his class-which for his family means 2 extra weeks at home! He gets to be around for a whole month! Works out well considering Artie, the kids and I are leaving Saturday to head to Cincinnati for 2 weeks so I can work at the tennis tournament down there-I'm so glad I'm not missing his whole leave. I'm so excited to have him home for more than just a quick weekend! I don't know how we're going to get through a whole year with him away??!! My little brother has come so far and grown up so much since joining the Army, I couldn't be a prouder sister:)!