Birthday party count down!

Our nephew Noah turned 3 on Saturday and had a bowling birthday party.  His party was at a bowling alley in Fitchburg so me, Kris, Troy and Weston made the trek.  Rylee can not go into crowds due to those bad germs that everyone carries so she got to spend sometime with Grandpa Harley and Grandma Deb.  This birthday party was Troy's first time bowling.  He had a lot of fun.  The hardest parts for him were watching Noah open all his Thomas the train gifts and leaving.  Leaving somewhere is always hard for us.  Troy never wants to leave, doesn't matter where we are.  Apparently at the Klauer Christmas, Kristopher had to deal with a HUGE temper tantrum from Troy when it was time to leave.  He was NOT happy to go, I guess.  Anyway, Troy kept asking why it wasn't his birthday party, where was his birthday party....it's THIS Saturday.  I am excited.  We are going to have fun.  We're going to have cake (Troy has requested cars on his cake), food and games.  This party is for Troy and Rylee and Weston!  Troy's 3rd birthday, Rylee's 2nd and Weston's Baptism.  Weston's godparents are Kristopher's brother Nicholas and one of my best friends, Andrea.  We decided to adopt a Marine unit in Nicholas' honor because Nick is a Marine and has spent time away from home.  So we adopted a unit of 20 men who miss home.  They want and need essentials and things to keep them entertained.  We enlisted the help of our guests in bringing a thing or two to send to these guys.  I am excited to see what we collect for them.  I just got all the plates, silverware, napkins, streamers, etc. essentials for a party.  Our party is a little different than most in that it will be equipped with antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer.  We have to keep our babes healthy, which has been a struggle thus far.  We are tired of sucking out boogie plugs and dealing with bloody noses.  We started off the year by having 2 doctors appointments.  In 2010, we drove over 7500 miles back and forth to the 109 doctor appointments.  On average, the doctor appointments cost $130-$140 each, so we cost about $15000 for just doctor appointments which does not include the 3 shunt surgeries, 6 MRIs, 8 days in the PICU, 19 days in the NICU, ambulance ride, delivery of a baby!  2010 started off with at the time AWFUL news, I was pregnant for the 6th time in my life, 7 months later, we had Weston and I can't imagine life without those chubby legs and that gorgeous smile!  My maternity leave was the busiest, worst time of my life.  I never wish that on anyone.  I am glad 2010 is over.  Kris and I have been dealt some pretty shitty cards.  I keep thinking that things can't get much worse and sometimes I am surprised when they do.  It's the little things that drive me nuts like a shredded tire or stupid insurance crap.  That is why in 2011, I am going to be a rock.  I am going to be that do it all mom that I need to be and let things roll.  My step brother Rob (who fell 2 stories to the ground while roofing in July 2008, leaving his spinal cord completely severed and now paralyzed from the waist down) has been having some issues lately.  His mom has been worried about him (mainly because he lives 4 hours away and she's not right there to hold his hand and keep an eye on him) and sometimes I think that worrying gets to him a little.  He's extremely strong willed person and he's so lucky to have that support system.  I am trying to accept that I don't have that and I will admit, sometimes it bothers me, sometimes I long for that, sometimes I need to just get it all out.  Don't get me wrong, I have a great family but I sometimes get the feeling that all I do is talk about Rylee's problems and appointments so that's why they never call anymore.  In 2011, I am not going to constantly talk about Rylee's issues and I am going to try my hardest to let go of the longing for that support system that Rob has and I don't and I am going to do it all.  I started this blog to keep my family and friends updated about Rylee after we brought her home.  On January 29th, against many odds, she will be 2.  I was told twice that she was in critical condition and might not make it through the night and I did it alone then.  Today she was running her fingers through my hair, blowing in my face and laughing with me as we jumped around the room.  Therefore, the blog posts, like they have been lately, will probably be few and far between.  I have my best friend and rock, Kristopher.  With him, I'll be fine.  I will do it all, with a smile on my face and hopefully by the end of the year, my mommy of 3 body is fit and toned.  By the end of the year, I will be physically, mentally, financially and emotionally healthier.