The day we brought Irelynn home. Zander was sleepy and hiding in my coat. So not the best family picture. But there we are with our 3 babies.

I was going to try and start each new post with a new picture. Not necessarily a NEW picture, but new to a lot of you.

Well, I had permission yesterday to have a pity party. I did a lot better than I thought I would. Frank and I have had a "tough road" we are very happy but it seems like we have had a lot of road blocks. On New Years Eve we had a nice conversation with a friend of ours and I told Frank that I am pretty proud of us for making it through the past year. In the last year you figure, Irelynn was born having Down Syndrome which was not expected. But we handled it pretty well I thought. So then we learn that we can't bring our baby home from the hospital like all the other new parents, instead she gets to take a Med Star trip to another hospital where we get to visit her wearing gowns for the next 7 weeks. Finally talking them into letting us take her home at 7 weeks we bring her home to meet her 2 big brothers. Yep her 2 big brothers. We made it through the 7 weeks having 2 kids at home and 1 in the hospital. And fighting to try an keep our middle child. In this time we also learned that she would need to have major heart surgery. So we end up "giving up" on Eli, which was the hardest thing we have ever had to do and we think of him EVERY DAY. So March 20th we said goodbye to Eli for the last time. Things go well for a couple months we adjust to life with just 2 kids. At the end of June Frank comes home from work (we were getting ready to leave on vacation) and tells me that he got laid off. All righty then, can we do anymore? So we turn this into a positive and say he needs to be home anyways while Irelynn has and recovers from heart surgery (which at this time has not been scheduled). So Frank was a stay at home dad for a couple months and actually got called back to work on the day Irelynn was released from the hospital after having her heart surgery... Perfect timing.



I guess that is all we had until January 26th. Oh I guess back to the pity party part though. Yesterday was Eli's 2nd birthday. I thought I would be more emotional. It's been 11 months since we saw him last, since we heard his cute little laugh, saw his big blue eyes and adorable smile. We are doing okay, but there is seriously not a single day that goes by that we don't think of him. He will always be our baby boy too.



The past 2 days I have been visited by members of my Yokes family. Everyone has been so kind and giving. Thank you to everyone. Most recently it was the Indian Trail Yokes and our Home Office. I am AMAZED! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH! I know... I work in a grocery store, and I hate to grocery shop. You guys have made my week! Among other things. I have a yummy meal in the oven and we are looking forward to a new meal!



I guess I could tell you too, that I felt pretty good today. Made it through my week of work. I actually was able to take a nap today! I have not been sleeping at night and haven't even been able to take naps either. Looking forward to raking the yard tomorrow or Saturday I hope.