This is the amazing journey of our two miracles. John Craig was born on November 30, 2005 at 24 weeks and 5 days gestation. He weighed 1 pound 8 ounces and was 12 inches long. John is a true miracle and an inspiration to all that meet him! Hope Amanda, our perfect little girl, is currently recovering from two brain surgeries to remove a 6cm mass from the center of her brain. Hope represents everything good in this world and she too is an inspiration to all.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29.11

Friday, April 29, 2011

Operation "Big Girl" Bed

Well, it happened MUCH sooner than it did with John......and I totally was not prepared for her to be out of her crib at only 20 months but Little Miss wanted no part of it....and she has the bruises to prove it.

Night one was rough.....no sleep:(  Night two was better and by night three she had it down.  The only problem is, she's sleeping on the floor.....but hey, she's sleeping!

Oh ya....there is one more problem.  She wakes up SCREAMING and POUNDING on her door.  Yelling, "MOMMA!  MOMMA!  MOMMA!"

My little girl has a set of lungs on her:)




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Sunday, April 24, 2011

That's What Friends Are For...

To lay by your side and do exercises with you!

We love you Grace and Ruby.  Thanks for being great friends!!!

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Saturday, April 23, 2011

When It Rains It Pours


There is definitely not a dull moment in our household and I continue to remind myself that God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish He didn't trust me so much.

So, to make a long story short (and get caught up on my blog)....Jamie was taken to the hospital via ambulance (I called 911) the evening before March for Babies.  He was having severe chest and arm pains and when the paramedics arrived and did a EKG it showed he was having a heart attack.  After being admitted to the hospital that night and poked and prodded for the next four days we finally got some answers.  His heart was perfect (no heart attack or blood clot) but he did have a very serious case of myocarditis (infection around his heart caused by strep.)  The doctors told us they weren't sure which way this was going to turn out (live or die.)

Thankfully he has been home for two weeks now recovering and will head back to work on Monday.....with a clean bill of health.

God is good!!!!!!

Anyhow, as mentioned, Jamie didn't have the best timing:).....nor did the weather.  I managed to squeeze a few hours of sleep in before heading downtown the next morning to honor my little man in March for Babies 2011.  Despite the lack of sleep and the freezing cold rain.....Team John was another huge success.

I am always taken back by the generosity and loyalty of my friends and family.  To see them all standing in the rain, wearing their "Team John" shirts and supporting us, is truly humbling.  I'd be lost without them and feel blessed to have each and every one of them in my life.







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Friday, April 15, 2011

So Much Fun!

Have no fear.....while we were spending the day with Cinderella, Hopie was having her own magical day with some pretty special people.

She had a fun filled afternoon with Grams, Katie, Grace and Ruby.  The day included a trip to the Railroad park, Happy Meals, train and carousel rides, and lots of duck feeding.....or in Hope's case, lots of  bread eating.  Crazy girl ate the entire roll....she didn't share one crumb with the ducks! 

Thanks Mom and Kate for making Hope's day just as wonderful as John's!





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Wednesday, April 13, 2011

A Magical Day


Last Thursday, Disney on Ice partnered with Hope Kids and the March of Dimes to make wishes come true!!!

Disney on Ice Princess Classics was in town and Cinderella invited some very special princes and princesses from Hope Kids and March of Dimes to join her for a once-in-a-lifetime enchanted afternoon. The afternoon began with royal makeovers for the girls and the boys getting magical hair-do’s at the US Airways Center.  The kids were then picked up by ten stretched limos and taken to a royal luncheon at the castle at Ashley Manor. They exited the limos on a red carpet and were greeted by a butler. They entered the castle where they found their own version of Cinderella’s ball... any ball wouldn’t be complete without Cinderella herself arriving via horse drawn carriage to greet them. The children then were treated to a delightful lunch and escorted back to the US Airways Center where they later enjoyed the opening night performance of Disney on Ice Princess Classics.  

And to top it off, my BFF and her two adorable girls came to visit and joined us that night for the performance!



Mommy and John in front of the limo.


We got to ride in the limo bus!  

No worries...we were a tame bunch and refrained from using the stripper pole!


Arriving at the castle



Getting his boutonniere


The dessert table


Cinderella!!!!

John said to me, "Mommy, she talks!!!"


John and Grace...all dressed up and ready for our date night!


These two had the BEST time.  Grace pushed him everywhere.....and she's a crazy driver.  I cannot even count how many times they crashed into things....and then laughed hysterically.  We even over heard Grace say to John, "I am so sweaty.  I am doing all the work and you just get to sit there!"  Kate and I laughed so hard.  I seriously think that was one of the funniest things I've ever heard.


Love them!


John with his two pretty girls, Grace and Ruby.

It was definitely a memorable day!




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My Girl

Hopie found one of her birthday presents in the garage.  Yes, I know we have 4 months to go before she turns two but I  like to plan ahead:)  

Anyhow, I think she likes it!!!


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Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Back In Business

At just six weeks post op my little man is back at school (and out of the wheelchair).......he couldn't be happier!

I have to admit it's been nice having him home for the past six weeks.....not sure if he feels the same way though:)  The days and weeks flew by and were jammed packed with more physical therapy than you can imagine but we are making progress and couldn't be happier.  

Keep up the good work, John boy!  We love you and are so proud of you.

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Sunday, April 03, 2011

Date Night


Last Monday Daddy took Hopie on a date and Mommy took John!  It was so much fun to be able to spend some quality one on one time.

 Daddy and Hope hit up the ballpark for one of the last Spring Training games.  They had tons of fun and were both beat when they got home.

John and I decided to head to the mall to look at the puppies in the Pet Store, build his first Build-A-Bear (he made a dog and named him Rudolf) and fill up on some sweets at the candy store.

A fun day was had by all.  Can't wait to do it again!