Three years already?!

Three years ago today, I made my way to Rush Hospital in a panic. I was leaking amniotic fluid, and was having severely horrible cramps. After two failed non-stress tests, the decision was made to induce labor at 36 weeks.

We started the induction at about 8 pm on March 18, 2009. At around 5pm March 19, 2009, my water finally broke, but Memphis wasn't moving. At 830 pm that same day it was decided an emergency c-section was needed and at 920 that night, Memphis Grey Swancey made his arrival into the world.

The next two weeks were a nightmare. When he was born he was black. He wasn't getting any oxygen and his lungs were filled with fluid. He was so tiny you could literally see the outline of his skull and his little ribcage as he gasped for air. He was hooked to a ventilator for 8 days, came completely off oxygen 2 days later and went home 5 days following that.

To see him today, you'd never know the fight he endured to surivive. We thank God for our little miracle, and wish Mr. Memphis Grey a very happy 3rd birthday!!!

Miley loves American Idol. Actually she loves music in general but I've noticed she seriously loves American Idol. She can curl up with me and sit perfectly still and be completely engaged in it for like the entire show. Johnny says she's getting song ideas for the Miss America pageant she will compete in one day. I for one would seriously like to know what goes through her mind when she's watching it. I've got a video I'll post to YouTube when I'm not so tired and will add it to this blog so you can all see what I mean.

Happy Early Birthday Memphis Grey!

Since Johnny and I have been living together it has been a struggle it seems. We scrounged together money for birthdays, Christmases and did everything in our power to make it as unobvious as possible to our kids that we were struggling. There were times we pawned items, counted all the coins we could possibly find, sacrificed our own birthdays and Christmases for them. I mean we did virtually whatever we could to make it happen. Our kids are our world.

2012 marked a new beginning. Johnny and I have both been blessed with incredible jobs, and we have both managed to grow and move up in those jobs. We've slowly seen the rewards of it, and this weekend proved to be one of those moments we will remember forever.

For the first time ever, we took Memphis into Geofferys to the power wheels asile and told him he could have whatever car he picked out for his birthday. I've never seen him so excited. I nearly lost it myself. Finally we have come full circle and again I owe it to God. We have been blessed in so many ways lately. I know I have said that a million times, but it is incredible at all the blessings we've recieved. We are so grateful for it all and for all we've gained over the past few months.

Needless to say, Memphis loves his gift, and we will celebrate his 3rd birthday later in the month. His actual birthday is March 19th and we will celebrate the Saturday following.  

Below are a few other photos from our Spring so far.

Smiley Miley is walking!!

Yesterday was my first official day as an Assistant Unit Manager at my job - and not to sound arrogant but I so rocked my first day! We had total success and I was proud of myself. Anyway, when I came in, Johnny told me he had a surprise. He told me to stand by the kitchen door and hold a Nila wafer. So I did, he put smiley down and next thing I know she's walking across the kitchen to me!!! Can't believe my sweet baby girl is growing up so fast!

I took Noah for his immunizations today. Hard to believe he will be in kindergarten this fall! Doc says he's perfectly healthy, above average in height and a perfect weight. This afternoon me and the kids and Johnny are headed out of town for the evening.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Johnny is here!!

My best friend is home!

Johnny came home Friday afternoon at around 6:30. I don't think I have been happier to see anyone in my life. I flew out the door, ran to the van and jumped in his lap. My heart was beating 90 mph. I was laughing, crying and shaking hysterically all at once and all I could think to say was - "This must be what it feels like to win the Miss America Pagent!"

Johnny is my best friend and the love of my life. He is my rock, my cheerleader, my biggest fan and my greatest support system. He was offered a nice amount of money to move to Texas but when I told him I loved my job and the people I work with too much (and my family) to move, he was completely supportive.

Sunday we celebrated Miley's first birthday. When the party was over, he took me on a surprise getaway to the Golden Moon. We went out to eat, I got to dress up, we played at the Silverstar, and the next morning, I was served breakfast in bed. My husband is awesome.

God is awesome. We are so grateful for all the things he's blessed us with recently and life couldn't be better at the moment!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart"

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart"

Psalm 37:4

Smiley Miley is Offically One!