Speak!

We have been trying so hard to encourage the boys' language development lately.  It seemed as if they were perfectly content not speaking.  They would point, grunt, whine, and use sign language to be functional.

As you'll remember from this post, I took the boys to Licking County Help Me Grow to have them evaluated.  Only K qualified for services for an expressive language delay.  

Since then we have had several visits from the Early Intervention Specialists to monitor the boys' progress.  They have been slow to start, but we are finally seeing some great vocalizations from both boys.  The EI Specialist was very excited and tried to comfort me.  To say the least, this language delay has been weighing down on me quite hard and I was expecting faster results.  Thanks for my great friends that have been supportive and listened to my vents.  I guess as a parent, you just always feel responsible and want the very best for your kids. 

 I have looked into private speech therapy to give them an extra boost, but there is a hefty waiting list, so we shall see.  I'm excited to see how the next few months go and hope to report new words soon.

I know, I'll regret this one day when they're never silent again....but I can't wait to watch their language grow!!!

 

One baby

My friend, Pam, of Pyjammy is doing a giveaway on her blog.

Here's what I want to win:

No offense to the singleton Moms....just know, it's different for us.  Pam trumphs me, she has 2 1/2 year old identical triplet boys (which are super cute by the way). 

Click HERE to visit her site and enter her giveaway for a $20 from her shop Triple Dip Shop.  There is a ton of stuff to pick from, or you could get me this shirt :P

14 miles

I've been a very bad blogger. But in efforts to catch up, here's what we've been up to. 14 miles....we've walked 14 miles to support causes close to our heart. The first was the March for Babies in April.

Left to Right: Sonya (Courtney's sister), Courtney (minus Olivia since the weather was unpredictable), me, Vicky. In front: Keegan, Louden, and Parker (34 weeker)

5 miles - 1 hour 40 minutes pushing this massive stroller.  Fortunately, we beat the rain by minutes.  Team "Murray Boys" raised $245 for the March of Dimes.  The Williams' intended to join us and were heavy contributors to our donations, but Sara fell ill that week.

I made shirts for all the kids using the bleach pen and freezer paper technique seen HERE.   

Sorry about the crappy pictures, they were taken with a cell phone.  I was going to take a photo of everyone together in their t's but I forgot, I have 2 year olds.....pictures are impossible.  Keegan is sporting his "I roll with preemies" tshirt today :)

Next up was the SMA walk in Cincinnati.  This was a 5K to support the battle against Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the Number ONE genetic killer of infants. We were happy to join in Team Sweet Girlies.  We walked I will be meeting my friends Sara and Brook. Brook lost her identical twin girls to SMA last year, see her story HERE.

The event was moved inside due to rain, but since it was held at Xavier University, we were still able to participate.  Tootsie Roll was a big sponsor, here are the boys enjoying a "prize" for winning a game (which involved pulling a sucker off a board).

Lots of fun activities including balloon animals (these were dogs at one time)

& we took a break to dance and steal some unattended balloons

Next up was the Race for the Cure .  52,000 participants....completely overwhelming.  The photos speak for themselves:

 

Courtney with Olivia on her first 5K.

The start

mid-point

How do you NOT take a picture of that?

Finally, the one most near and dear to my heart, the Lung Walk.  It was important for me to do this, rain or shine, in remembrance of my Mom, which lost her battle with small cell lung cancer 3 years ago.  I would give anything for a hour, to introduce her my kids, but that's not happening.  All I can do is live my life in a way that would make her proud.  This walk, as small as it seems, would have made her smile.

A surprise from my friend, Sara!!!  Well, I ruined the surprise, but it was a beautiful gesture.

We wore yellow because it was Mom's favorite.  Had I known how unflattering this look was, I would have gotten a mu mu. :)

Could this be any cuter?  After the race, we hung out, re-hydrated, and the kids watched the train.

I made shirts this time, too.  Simply with iron on transfer paper.

sorry, more crappy cell phone pictures.

Team Murray boys was further joined by Vicky with Parker, Courtney with Olivia, Sara's Mom Angela (my new Mom) and her sister AnnaMarie.  Unfortnately we weren't able to get an entire group shot and considering how hot it was, there was no way that was happening after the fact.

Sorry for the heavy post, I'll try to keep up with this blog more often.  

 

New Look

Another new blog header....whaddathink?

I've still been playing with photoshop.....I think I'm getting there. Could be better, but I'll never be happy. That's why it takes me so long to scrapbook, too many decisions.....


The photos were taken at a Portrait Party by Britt Lakin on an unusually cold and windy day in May.  Despite running after the kids and wiping snot, the pictures came out really well.  I can't wait to see what Britt can do with cooperative boys and nice weather.  OK, let's be real....cooperative boys (at least my 2) will never happen. 



Shout out: the digi files were downloaded from Shabby Princess.  This may be my favorite site for freebies.

Gone but never forgotten...

So I know I'm hung up on this Lung Walk thing, just wanted to share my reason.  This was copy and pasted from my Myspace blog from February 5, 2007....

Rest in Peace

V. Sharon Workman

5/27/47 - 02/05/07

Miss you Momma...

American Lung Association

My last post, I asked for donations to support the American Lung Association. Last night I received an email from ALA showing just how far your donations go. Per the ALA:

With $50, ALA can provide literature to one family with an asthma diagnosis. For those families with newly diagnosed cases of asthma, this information helps a great deal.

With $100, ALA helps 50 smokers quit through the award winning Freedom From Smoking online program. Feel free to check it out at www.FFSonline.org.

With $150, ALA can provide access to medical care for 12 of our neighbors via the Lung HelpLine. This toll free number (1-800-LUNG-USA) allows anyone to speak with a Registered Nurse or Respiratory Therapist to ask questions about their lung health problems.

If you're able to donate, please visit LINK.

Thanks!!!

Lung Walk

The boys and I (along with some super great friends) recently accepted the challenge of participating in the Columbus Lung Walk to support the work of the American Lung Association and to Memorialize my Mom (Maw Maw), which we lost 3 years ago to small cell lung cancer. The mission of the American Lung Association is to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.


I am asking you to help by supporting my fund-raising efforts with a donation. Your tax-deductible gift will make a difference in the lives of many Americans who struggle to breathe! It is faster and easier than ever to support this great cause - you can make your donation online by simply clicking on the link at the bottom of this message.

If you would prefer, you can also send your tax-deductible contribution to the address listed below.


Columbus Lung Walk

American Lung Association in Ohio

1950 Arlingate Lane

Columbus OH 43228



If you do mail a donation, please be sure to mark that you are donating to support my participation!



Any amount, great or small, helps in the fight against lung disease. I greatly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

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