Our Very Special Christmas

I am so far behind on updates! We had a HUGE nasty problem with our drains/septic. It was a pretty Sh*tty week! Every pun intended. =)

So for now I"ll getcha caught up with Christmas, since I have a few mins and it will take the longest.

BUT FIRST....

Tomorrow is the big day. Ava has her VCUG done in the morning. She has been on a daily dose of antibiotics since we left the NICU. We have had her off for about a month, and honestly she does not seem symptomatic like she was before. So hopefully it will go good and we won't have to worry about another surgery.

Christmas was awesome this year. Everyone one was home and everyone came to us! Delaney has such a way with words. Christmas Eve we were on our way to Church, Delaney was in the back of the van singing away like normal, when all of a sudden she stopped. (these are her exact words)

Delaney: "Mama I so happy this Christmas"

Me: Why?

Delaney: "Cause last Christmas was so sad, this is my best Christmas of my whole life"

Me: Why is that?

Delaney: Cause of the babies.

Me: Why? What about the babies?

Delaney: Their all home and we can have our first family Christmas.

I instantly had tears in my eyes...OK it wasn't just tears, I was bawling. There went the makeup that I finally had a chance to put on. After she said that I remembered Christmas last year. Standing in Church telling my parents and Greg's Parents about the PDA's and Ava's brain bleed. I remember telling them that the Dr's had originally told us 2 weeks, and Christmas was 10 days into the 2 weeks. I swear I can remember everything from those 2 days.

Christmas Day last year. I didn't even want to leave the house. I was so upset that the babies were there and sick and it was Christmas. I still hadn't been able to hold them. i really felt horrible. It was a really was a hard day. Until Christmas night. Greg and I went back down to the NICU around 8pm after we did the whole gift thing at his parents house. When we got down there our primary nurse told me that I could hold Ava. I was so scared. She was so little. She actually was a bit under a pound at the time. I will never forget the moment she laid Ava on my chest. I don't think there are even words to describe that feeling. Honestly, I think that was probably one of the best moments of my life. So many Moms take holding their baby for granted. I did with Delaney. Never did it cross my mind that there are Moms that can't hold their babies. That is a horrible feeling, watching your babies go through pain and suffering and not being able to hold them or try to make them feel better. I will never forget that 40 mins.

Me holding Ava for the 1st time on, On Christmas day. The date on the camera was wrong.

SO This Christmas was AWESOME!!! Delaney woke up about 7 full of energy. Greg and I are so cruel we made her wait in our bedroom while the babies had their bottle in our room. I wanted them all to go in at the same time...even though the babies had no idea what was going on. This year I think Delaney was on a mission to see how fast she could open her presents. I think the only words I said all morning was "slow down!"

The babies love ripping paper and crinkling it in their hands, so a living room filled with ripped wrapping paper was heaven to them. We put Ava in Delaney's baby doll box. She loved it! Ryan just laughed at everything...he can be such a happy baby! Dylan just kept knocking things over and trying to take the others toys. Greg and I gave Delaney a doll house...It's her favorite toy =) Well Dylan for some reason pulls himself up on it and tries to push it over. Delaney kept getting irate. So for now the doll house is on the dining room table so she can play without the babies bugging her. Christmas night she was worried Dylan would knock it over she made signs all around the house. They said "Awe No Dylan" hehe.

Well I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy the pictures!

Delaney with toys and Dylan on drums!

Ava in the box!!!

The Kids in their Christmas Pj's

Aunt Sarah with Ava. Uncle Shaun with Ryan. Grandma Maust with Dylan.

The Boys, Grandpa Hill, Dylan & Uncle Andy

Ryan and his new toy

Oh Thank Goodness Aunt Sarah caught him right before he hit!

Dylan & Grandma Maust

Ava's not a fan of facial hair, her she is trying to rip out Grandpa Maust's moustache

Uncle Shaun & Aunt Sarah

Delaney & Her Great Grandma

Delaney & Uncle Andy

Erik, Chris and Heather

Delaney & Cousin Chris

Delaney & Aunt Heather (Greg's Sis)