Special parent time

Since Johnny has started working overnights, Myla and I have had a lot of time on the weekends together. Its been a lot of fun - we started swimming lessons last week. She clung pretty tight to me, even though she's been in the pool before. I think it was the people all around us. She did really good at the kicking part and was starting to get the hang of the scoop to paddle with. The going under was not so smooth though. We'll keep working on it. During our "shhh, daddy is sleeping" time, we've also been to a number of parks and started a new tradition of bagels. Mmmmmm, bagels.... I don't know which she likes better, the bagels or the people watching.

Today, Johnny got to spend some daddy time with his girl. The chose to check out the Wildlife Experience, which he said is not really for two-year-olds. A lot of big animals making some weird moves and noises that scared her too much to even be down from his arms. But, they did have some things that she thought were neat to see. Butterflies and trees and a place that you could make an avalanche. The butterfly had handles that you could move the wings and a mirror so you could see yourself with wings. He thinks that overall she had fun.

She's become quite the talker, spouting off two and three words together. She's also discovered the thrill of online games and we spend some time playing Curious George games on PBSkids. She's actually pretty good on some of them. She's changing every day - and taking us along for the ride!

A cause dear to us

As many of you know (if not all of you, I don't know that our blog is that internationally read), Myla was born 12 weeks early. She weighed 1 pound, 5.8 ounces and was just over a foot long. She came so early because I developed HELLP syndrome - a nasty version of pre-eclampsia. I don't know how sick I really was, but ask my mom someday, she said it was pretty scary.

Because Myla came so early, her lungs did not get a chance to develop fully. We were able to wait two days for steroid shots to help her, but it wasn't a cure all. When babies are in utero (like that? that's science-speak) around 26 weeks, they start producing surfactant, which helps the lungs to open. The surfactant helps them stay open upon exhale, and babies "gulp" the fluid in the sack so when they are born, thier lungs are ready. Myla didn't get that chance. I remember looking at the x-rays they took of her lungs and seeing large dark areas where her lungs weren't open yet. She had three treatments of surfactant to open them up.

I tell you this because it was the March of Dimes research that pinpointed surfactant as necessary for babies that were born so early. November 17th is "Fight for Preemies" day. Obviously, we are BIG fans of March of Dimes. Because of their research, our daughter was given an extra push and able to grow and become the strong and feisty and amazing little one she is. Please join us in fighting for all preemies by clicking on the purple badge to your right. It will take you to the March of Dimes website where we have created a band in honor of Myla. I know it is hard these days for a lot of us, and the holidays are coming up, and things are tight in the middle of the month (at least, they always are for us) but we ask, if you are able, to please join us in giving all babies the chance they deserve. Any donation you could give would help. Thank you!

Horsey, horsey on your way

Myla got this great rocking horse for her birthday from Mam-mam and Pop-pop Witulski. When she first got it, it didn't make any noise for some reason. But since then, she's loved it, rode it a lot, been bucked off and now, the horse talks back...

It came as quite a surprise when she pressed it on the first time, but she loved it. And yes, she still does. A lot.

Halloween Party

Today we had Myla's birthday party. She didn't know what to think about it at first when people started showing up, but she quickly found out that she has cousins that like to run around. It was a lot of fun to see them all together. Myla made out like a bandit - thank you everyone! - and really enjoyed brunch and the singing of Happy Birthday. (I dare say it is her favorite song!) She even blew out the candle all by herself. She is a big girl now you know.

Today was a doubly fun day because, being as how its Halloween and all, Myla got to go on her first trick-or-treat excursion. We hit a few select houses and then it was off to "trunk"-or-treat at the church. She loved it, all the kids in their costumes running around and all the things to do. She colored two pictures and then it was time to go outside. She's a little shy and so she didn't really say trick-or-treat, but her parents helped out and she got enough loot to satisfy our cravings. I know, I know, its not all for us. Don't worry, she'll get a sucker or two... eventually...

And now, for your viewing pleasure, the cutest peek-a-boo this side of the rockies...

Snow day!

Check out the pink snow suit... can't move in it, but she's warm. It snowed nearly 24" and we couldn't put off shovelling out any longer. We coaxed Myla out to play but she mostly stood there until we were going inside, then it was cool to play in. The wind was still sweeping snow crystals around and it's not terribly warm out either so maybe tomorrow we can build a snow fort.

The picture of her inside before we ventured out is priceless. Her face looks like, what in the name of pete....who wears this stuff? (imagine a Stewie Griffin voice)
I have today and tomorrow off and half of Saturday for Myla's Halloween/birthday party so I also get to bake the cake and try to make it look like a duck. Right. It should be fun.

Myla has always done silly things and the two bottom pictures of her say it all. She leans against one ottoman and walks her feet up the other and just leans back and relaxes, but this time she used me to help steady with one hand while she drank from her cup. We'll have to build a tree house for her to climb up to one of these days. So, yah, we can't get into the backyard easily. Haley has to squeeze through because the snow is so deep and wet, heavy stuff. Perfect for a snow fort. Have I already mentioned the possibility of a snow fort? Well, now I have.

Myla really loves the gifts from everyone for her birthday. She scatters them all throughout the house, switching at random between them all if we let her. She has quite an imagination. Saturday should be a lot of fun with costumes and trick or treating, sugar highs and crashes. Have a great Halloween everyone, until we blog again.

Myla is 2!

Myla knows her age and shows us by holding up both index fingers and saying twooooo. It's so cute! Her words are becoming more clear as well. Like Peekaboo isn't peek...anymore but she does take a short pause inbetween sylables. Today we picked out pumpkins, one Myla carried by the stem and two bigger ones for mom and dad to help Myla carve. As you can tell by the picture, she was having fun picking them out too. She got a cool little apron from Auntie Tiffy that goes down to her shins but is perfect for her and Grammy and G-Daddy put together some activity packs with shapes and animals and different themes.

Tonight, Mam-Mam and Pop-Pop came over for dinner and to give Myla presents and so did Aimee, Scott and Jeff. Myla must have stood at the front door looking out for 10 minutes saying "Aimee," "Aimee." Uncle Jeff gave her a Mr. Potato Head which she played with for a long time. It was a hit. I think she enjoyed having everyone at her dinner table because she was all smiles.

For her cake, Aimee made cupcakes frosted to look like a pond and grass around it with two little ducks sitting on them since Myla loves ducks. She even has a duck halloween costume that she will have us put the hat on her so she can look at herself in the mirror as a duck. This will be a fun halloween.

Dear Myla

Tomorrow, you turn two. We can't believe how fast that day has come. Its a big day to be sure. Tomorrow we get to stop "adjusting" your age (which will make Grandfather Witulski happy because he could never figure that out anyway) and we get to celebrate how far you have come. Let's face it, your start in this world was not the smoothest. You were never sick, just small, they said, but with one big feisty streak.

You have learned so much in these past two years. You have grown so big and done everything on your own time. All the doctors and therapists you saw were always amazed at what you had overcome. But we always knew you would be fine. Even through those awful eye exams and the monthly RSV shots, you were always strong. (Eyelids of steel, remember?)

And here you are, two years old. You prefer to walk anywhere we go, talk up a storm in whatever language you speak, and even say some pretty clear things. You know what you want that's for sure. But you are a sweetheart. You give hugs and kisses, you love to crawl into bed with your dad first thing in the morning, and your smile and laugh light up a room. You make us laugh every day and continue to amaze us with the things you learn. (Today you said "octopus". What a strange word for you to pick up, but you said it without a second thought.) We watch you as you figure things out - how they work, what they do - before you become a master at it.

Myla, we are so proud to be your parents. We are so blessed to have you in our lives. We are so thankful that you have come through so much without any major problems and are here to light up our hearts. We wish you the happiest birthday with many more bright days to come.


We love you~
Mom and Dad