One Year Later...

What comes to mind when I reflect back over the past year? 
Do I write the truth or just the travel log?
Most of may be more comfortable just reading the travel log.  In fact, I may be more comfortable writing out the travel log of what happened over the past year.  However, I think in 50 years when I come back to read about this time in my life I would rather read the truth. So maybe I will write a little bit of both....

Adam finished him MBA.
He is now working with Patriot Home Mortgage, enjoys his co-workers and job immensely, and is having success.
Truth: Like most graduate students, we are in a deep financial hole. We would eventually like to buy a house, even though I don't mind the fact that I live in a townhouse and someone else mows our lawn every week.  I actually like that a lot. I'm not much for yard work.  

Max and Dempsey continue to grow like weeds. They are both experiencing cognitive developmental delays.  We have been learning as a family about communication, social skills, and patience at the most basic levels.  They are our angels and have changed our perspective on life in many ways.
Truth: I've cried many tears and said many prayers over my children. I've 'grieved' in a sense, as I have come to accept the reality of the situation. I love them more than I can ever express and being their mother is such an overwhelming honor.

My photography business continues to be a creative escape for me.  I have had opportunities to reconnect with dear friends, meet some amazingly talented artists, and work with amazing clients.  It's such an enriching part of my life.
Truth: I've taken a step back from it recently, only taking on 1 or 2 sessions a month so that I may focus on my family and my own health.

Max started preschool in August and we are all happier for it!
Truth: That is the truth baby!  The first day was traumatic, probably more for me, but once he got the hang of getting on the bus I started seeing so many changes in him.  He is picking up words left and right, following directions, trying new foods, saying his alphabet, able to sit still longer, and having hope for your child's future is all you can ask for as a parent. Yay, for tiny miracles!

So, a year after my previous post, we are doing amazing! Happy and healthy!

Playing catchup and just playing!

I could complain about a lot of things like the economy, my pant size, the fact that I live by a college football stadium in the fall...but the thing is today I am so blessed. I shared a few of these photos on my photoblog, but I didn't want to give too much detail, because who knows who reads that thing sometimes.

We have been stuck indoors for the past two weeks with toddler diarrhea. Trust me, taking stool samples was an all-time motherhood low. Then Adam came down with a bad cold. He has been pushing so hard to finish up his degree and he only has ONE WEEK left. I can't believe that he actually will be completing his MBA after 6 months. It went by so quick. So last night we took a much need time out and went to the park with our kids. They were elated to be out of the house and the weather was perfection.

Max-Max. Doesn't he look so grown up in the photo above?
I want to tell you why I love this photo.
Max is looking at me.
My boy, who a few months ago I wasn't sure would ever speak or look me in the eye again, now will look into my eyes the whole time while I sing the alphabet to him. After almost nine months it brings a tear to my eye, because I know he can say "mama" again.

He still has a long road to travel, but he is making his way back to us.

¡Aye Mi Niña!

My baby turned ONE on September 30, 2011.

PHEW! I won't lie. It's been a long tough year, but we made it together and after all that hard work we've all put in we are not about to give up now!! We love this sweet girl. Here is a list of things that my Dempsey-girl does that make me smile:

-she has lightning fast reflexes and when we go to get her out of her bed in the morning it's almost like seeing a triple flip up to standing position, because she is so excited to see us!
-loves to tap things with her index finger.
-does little random dance moves moving her shoulders up and down.
-can say mamama and dadada, but has a very pronounced BaBaBa and will even wake up in the middle of the night to say BaBaBa.
-she's got a huge gap in her two front teeth and it reminds me of Mater from the the Cars movie, so I am always saying she has "two buck teeth for one buck"
-she wears a shoe size 6 already! she's going to be tall like her daddy!
-she is in 18-24 months clothes.
-her hair is coming in slowly, but surely and though we try to deny it, it seems to have a tinge of red.
-she's a climber and I am constantly pulling her down off of the furniture and stairs.
-she will have nothing to do with dolls, jewelry or anything "girly". However, if you give that girl a ball, she is very happy!
-she has a strange fetish with the posts on our bed. she gets overly excited to go into our bedroom and try to get her mouth on that bedpost.
-she loves playing outside and if ANYONE goes out the front door without her she throws the biggest tantrum ever.

She is pretty fond of playing with Adam and he likes to throw her around. By the time these kids are old enough for tumbling, they may think it's too boring. :)

Happy Birthday my beautiful girl. We love you so much!