Busy Days While Daddy's Away!!!!

Little Bug in his new Rainforest Jumparoo!!! He Loves jumping to the jungle music and hearing the animal sounds in his new toy. It is GREAT exercise for him and we can already see the strength beginning to build in his legs.....You go Connor.....Jump Away!!!!!!!!


Little Bug jumps so hard and fast that sometimes he puts himself right to sleep. Poor Little Bug, I guess it's time to go Night Night!!!!!!!!!


Here is our Little Sweet Pea getting ready to leave for her 1 month doctor check-up!!!! She has her little lips perched just like a baby bird waiting for a worm.....I don't think I'll feed her worms, but maybe it's time for a little snack...Hee Hee!!!


Here's Mackenzie Joy having her first tummy time play with Daddy before he left on his trip. Hurry home Daddy so you can see how strong my head and neck are getting.



Little Sweet Pea nuzzled into Uncle Les last weekend. What a blessing to get snuggles from the family!!!!


Mackenzie Joy all dressed up for the first time in a little denim dress for our first shopping outing with Connor, Mama, Grandma R. and Aunt Kathy. "I'm tired of shopping Mama, I'm gonna take a little rest, but you keep shopping, OK. Don't forget to buy me lots of fun stuff and Connor too!!!" Hee Hee ( I think these kiddo's have Mama wrapped around their little fingers!!)


We have had many busy days since Daddy's been gone. Randy made sure that we were covered with help during his trip so we have had Grandma-Nanny Milliren, Grandma Robertson, Aunt Kathy, Aunt Lynette, Aunt Maureen and Aunt Marsha & Uncle Les, Erica, Carly and Haley all stay with us at different times. We also had visits from Kim and Tracy, long time friends of Lori's who were so thrilled to meet both children. We can't forget Grandma Phyllis and Grandpa Norris and Amy & Gary and Linda too. We've had so much fun with all of our family here. Little Bug loves to have all the new faces around him to play with and Mackenzie loves to be snuggled so it has worked out well!!

Connor is completely over his sickness and cold and I (Mama) am feeling back up to speed after my sinus infection. We have enjoyed the sunshine and taken walks in the park and even a shopping trip to North Bend outlet mall.

Connor had an appointment up at Children's Hospital in the ENT clinic and everything looks good in his ear canals and ear drums. He had a little bit of fluid in his ears but Dr. Sie didn't think anything of it after she heard that he had had a big cold for a couple of weeks. We go back in 4 months to have a routine hearing exam and there is no need for concern, everything looks like he will test out just perfect!!! He is having more food go through his feeding tube during the day and he is down to 12 hours of formula at night. We are making slow progress to get food in his tummy, but still no luck getting him to take volumes of food by mouth. Still a prayer request to get that mouth excited about food. While we were at the hospital on Monday we went up to the ICU to visit the nurses and doctors that became our lifeline last year when Connor was in the hospital. They were all delighted to see Little Bug and thrilled to see how well he is doing. Connor made everyone smile with his babbling and his grins!!! It's always exciting for us to say thank you one more time to the large team of people that helped to save his little life!!!!!

Mackenzie is doing better and growing well. Her 1 month appointment was fabulous! She weighed 9 lbs 8.8 ounces so she is growing at a beautiful rate. She is starting to do better at night and we think she's going through a growth spurt because she seems to want to eat all the time the last few days. After talking with our pediatrician, he confirmed that Mackenzie officially has colic. Since she exhibits the same pattern of fussiness each night at the same time, this is the criteria for colic. He mentioned that it should peak around 6 weeks and hopefully by 2-3 month go away all together. So we will hang in there and hope for quick changes in her patterns and pray for sleep to get easier and easier. Randy is going to see such a difference in the kids when he returns. Hopefully we will see him by Friday sometime so we are ready and excited for his return!!!

I want to say Thank you to everyone who helped to make Mackenzie's baby shower a beautiful event on Sunday. We had so much fun and she received all kinds of beautiful gifts. I personally loved to visit with all the family and friends that attended and I loved to watch the excitement of everyone as they held Mackenzie and Connor too. Thanks for the beautiful day!!!!

I must close for now as I hear the Sweet Pea awakening from her nap and Connor beginning to let me know he wants me back to play with him. I hope you enjoy the recent pictures. We will post more when Daddy comes home!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

It's A Cry-Fest Around Here......

Today Randy left on a military trip for the first time since Mackenzie was born. The kids were sleeping (for what seemed to be only a minute or two...) when Randy walked out the door, but there I was, PJ's and all, standing in the doorway with tears in my eyes. I know I am so blessed to have a husband who is dedicated to our country, but it is always so hard to watch him drive away knowing full well where he is going.

I think of his sacrifices and the things he misses while he is gone and I am, once again, flooded with pride and thankfulness for the man that he is. Randy is such a help with the kids. He loves bath time with Connor. They can play in that tub for so long and I never know who is more disappointed when I come through the door saying, "OK, it's time to get out!" I love to hear them giggle and play and splash in the water (no matter how big a mess they make!!). Randy has even been brave enough to get Mackenzie in the bath for a short minute to wash her up and get her clean.

If you spent even just 5 minutes in our home, you would definitely hear the rumblings of laughter as Randy plays "airplane" with Connor. They go zooming through the house and Little Bug shrieks with delight!!! You'd think we'd taken him to Disneyland or something. As they fly around Connor does this super cute thing with his legs. He pumps them back and forth so fast I think he thinks he's making Daddy go faster and faster. Randy calls it his Rudolph move!!! Maybe he's training to be part of Santa's reindeer team this year. Oh how I love to see my boys playing. Randy is an awesome father!!! All of these things I know he will miss over the next couple of weeks of being away. Again, I am blessed that he doesn't have to be gone for months at a time. My heart goes out to military wives who have to be by themselves for months, even years at a time. But especially on the days that Randy leaves, it feels like we won't see him forever.

So, it's a cry-fest around here today. I'm missing Randy. Connor's missing Daddy. And, Mackenzie.....well, she doesn't know why she's crying, but let's just put it this way, she won't stop. It's 1:00pm and I'm still in my PJ's with the same sad eyes that were standing in the door way at 8:00am this morning. We'll find our rhythm in a few days I'm sure, but for today I've told myself, "It's OK to be sad!!"

So honey, if you get to read this when you land in places unknown, know that we ALL love you and miss you and can't wait for your safe return to us. Thanks for your sacrifices for our family and be assured I will be holding down the fort while you're gone (or at least I'll be trying to that is...HEE HEE!!!). Rest up too....Reindeer training must resume upon your return!!! I love you sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!

Over the past year these blogs have become a personal expression for me and quite honestly a window into my heart and soul. I've expressed pain, worry, anger, fear, happiness, joy, faith and most importantly love. I won't apologize for the personal nature that they sometimes take because that is just who I am. I guess you could simply be privileged to feel like part of our family, because I know that's how we feel to have so many "family members" out there in blog land.

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Still Holding On........

It has been close to 3 weeks that we have all been sick around here. Yesterday, Lori went to the doctor with a whole new set of symptoms.....Diagnosis......Sinus Infection!!!! Uuuugggghhhh....I honestly can't believe that we are not well yet. Thankfully Randy is feeling 90% better and Connor is on the mend. The doctor gave me amoxicillin to attack the infection so I am hoping to really feel better in a couple of days. We want so badly to experience the fun and exciting days of newborn times with Mackenzie, but unfortunately we are just surviving around here. I know we need to post more pictures, but quite honestly, we haven't taken any. I do promise that we will get on top of this and become more normal, but today is not that day!! Mackenzie is doing well, but she is exhibiting a great deal of fussiness and sleeplessness at night. We are praying that this turns around soon. So, we are still holding on to our sanity, but some days it feels like it is just by a thread. Thankfully, we know that this too shall pass!!!!

Connor had his synagist shot today to ward off RSV. He is such a trooper, he didn't even cry this time. The nurse said, "I don't know how you guys have raised him to be such a good boy, but I have never seen a child react so happily to a yucky shot like this before." I was so proud of him!!! If I could have, I would have taken him out for Ice Cream as a special treat!!! Speaking of ice cream or food in general for that matter, we have a special request. We are trying desperately to transition Connor from his feeding tube to eating by mouth. We want so much for him to enjoy food in his mouth and understand the connection of eating and feeling full so that he can get rid of this feeding tube and backpack. Now that he is becoming more mobile with rolling over, the backpack is becoming quite cumbersome and quite frankly, a danger too. We worry that he is going to pull the tube out completely and hurt himself. Last week we had to take him to his feeding tube doctor and we came up with a plan to give him more pureed food through his tube. This way he is getting more calories and his stomach is getting used to digestion, but we haven't addressed the issue of eating by mouth.

Connor has 2 wonderful therapists that work with him. One for physical therapy and one for oral therapy. We really want to be aggressive in this area, but we also know that Connor has developed some oral aversion that we have to conquer. Here in lies our request. We know that God has a special interest in Connor. He has answered so many prayers for our Little Bug and has intervened to save his life on numerous occasions. So we know that this is not outside of the realm of possibility for our God to answer this prayer for Connor as well. We know that God wants the best for Connor just like we do and that he can heal this eating issue. We would ask that you would join with us in praying for Connor to make strides with his eating. We are specifically praying that he would tolerate volumes of food instead of just tastes of food.

To many of you this may seem like a silly request because you have never dealt with a feeding tube before, but let me tell you, it is a BIG DEAL!!!!!! Each step that we take to getting Connor more normal in his behaviors is such a victory to him and to us. Thanks in advance for your support and prayers for this issue. We know that we have a big God and we trust that He can do this for Connor. We are looking forward to sharing the good news of answered prayer in this area soon.

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Connor & "Kenzie's" Play Time......

Connor is such a trooper....He's starting to share his precious playmat with his little sister. She's not quite sure about this whole play thing yet as she likes to be held....but soon she will be playing with her big brother and stealing his toys!!!! What a blessing children are!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Climbing The Mountain To Better Health......

We're not there yet, but we are definitely climbing the mountain toward better health around here. Connor is still not feeling well, and Randy and I are still sniffling and coughing. Mackenzie is doing well, but we are concerned that she may be getting a slight cold. She's been very fussy, with watery eyes and little sneezes. How we pray that we can all beat this soon. Thanks for continued prayers.

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

My Oh My, Little Bug's Got The Crud Too!!!!

Well, it's official......Daddy and Mama gave Little Bug the same awful crud that we have. Poor little guy.....Daddy took him in to the doctor today and sure enough, he's fighting off the same thing we have. Thankfully, Randy is nearing the end, but Lori is still feeling lousy!!!! Mackenzie is fairing quite well at the moment!!! We seriously need health to cover our home soon!!!! This is the worst sickness that we have seen in years (baring Little Bug's last year in the hospital)!!! We really look forward to having more visitors and Connor can't wait to show off his new little sister. Plus, Little Bug would love to have visitors come and play with him so he can show off his new found skill of rolling over!!!!

By the way, Mackenzie has a website that was provided by the hospital. It is now available for viewing and comments for 120 days. Please feel free to visit at :
http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage.asp?URLID=7Y6S4P7H3G
(Simply copy and paste the entire yellow portion above into the address line of your browser and press go!) To leave a message for Mackenzie please scroll down to the "Add Your Message" section, click on it and enter our last name (Robertson) and leave a message to be printed out for Mackenzie's baby book. Thanks!!!

Continued prayers for better health are certainly appreciated!!! Thanks so much for all your love!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Sickness Has Descended......

Unfortunately the happy Robertson home as been smitten with sickness. Randy came down with a terrible cold last Friday that put him out of commission for nearly 5 days. During that time it was passed to Grandma Nanny Milliren and Aunt Kathy who were here helping us get transitioned. Last night Lori got hit hard with the same thing and now Daddy is left to play Mr. Mom. This cold and flu is AWFUL!!!!!!!!!! Chills, sweats, fever, cough and running nose on top of serious body aches. Not a good combination for trying to get nursing down with a new baby and care for Little Bug. Randy is doing an AWESOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to personally say THANK YOU to him for rising to the occasion and giving me some time to recoup and sleep. He has been caring for both children last night and today and he brings little Mackenzie Joy into me every time she needs a feeding. I am blessed beyond measure to have Randy here with me. Praise the Lord he is not out flying a trip. I don't know how I would do it. Please say extra prayers that our two little angels will not be stricken with the same thing. We appreciate all your comments and loving words of congratulations for Mackenzie. She is doing great and is getting more beautiful each day. We have pictures to post of Easter, but you'll understand the delay in getting them up. Little Bug is still trying to figure out what that high pitched cry is in the house, but generally, he is adjusting quite well. As any new parent bringing home baby #2 we worry that we're not giving Connor enough attention, but chances are he is definitely getting plenty of love!!!!

We covet your prayers for healing in our home!!!!
Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Sleepy, Sleepy Time.....

Little Sweet Pea sleeping on the couch......


Mackenzie Joy taking a sweet little nap with her hand curled under her cheek on Easter afternoon!!!!

Aren't sleeping baby pictures the best?????

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug, Daddy, Mama and Mackenzie Joy

Welcome To The Family Mackenzie Joy Robertson...

Before we begin Little Bug's Journey with his new sister, we have to apologize for the delay in posting and the order of the pictures. We have so many memories that we want to share that the order got kinda messed up. But before we begin Little Bug would like to introduce you to someone..........



Hi Everybody, I'd like to introduce you to my new baby sister....Mackenzie Joy!!! I already know that I love her (or so my Daddy and Mama say I do!!!)

Daddy and Mama say I have to tell you all the specifics about Mackenzie's birth or else the women who look at the blog will be wanting more info.....So here goes.......
We all thought that Daddy and Mama were going to the hospital first thing on Monday morning to be induced for the delivery of our new baby, but our new baby had a mind of her own. Mama started feeling "funny" at 2am on Monday morning and told Daddy that she thought they needed to go to the hospital. Daddy didn't really believe Mama so they went back to bed until about 3am when Mama was moaning really bad. The contractions were coming every minute or so and Mama could barely get out of bed. So the mad dash began as they tried to get out the door to the hospital. Mama was frustrated because she couldn't find time between 1 minute contractions to put on her makeup and curl her hair. Daddy was doddling because he still thought there was lots of time to get out the door. At 3:30am Mama's water broke and she was really in lots of pain. She finally got to the car, but Daddy was still not ready to go. Daddy and Mama finally left the house at 3:53am and they sped down the hill to Auburn Regional Medical Center. They arrived at the hospital ER entrance at 4:02 and Daddy put Mama in a wheelchair and got her up to the family birth center on the 3rd floor. They checked Mama into her room at 4:09 and she was dilated to a 4 and Mama was asking for something for the pain. They said that the epidural was coming, but Mama knew it wasn't going to be soon enough. Daddy left to go back down and park the car and Mama kept telling that nurse that she had to push. The nurse kept saying, "No, It's not time to push.....Just breathe!!" "BREATHE", Mama said, "I need to scream because it hurts so bad...." The hospital was definitely not ready for this surprise delivery and so when the doctor walked into the room (who wasn't even Mama's doctor) he actually yelled at her and told her to stop screaming or she was going to hurt herself. He even snapped his fingers in her face.....that was mean!!!!! Daddy walked back in the room as Mama was telling the nurse and doctor that she had to push and they checked and she had dilated from a 4 to a 9 in 10 minutes. 3-4 pushes later the doctor said, "You have a beautiful baby girl!!!" She was born at 4:29am so we were only in the room for 20 minutes. Pretty dramatic story for a little girl, but Daddy and Mama say it was all worth it!!! She was born April 2nd, 2007 and she weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long with lots of dark hair. So there's the story.....Now here's the pictures.....Once again, sorry they are not in good order, but at least they are here.


Mackenzie Joy trying on Mama's dedication bonnet that was worn 37 years ago.


Today, April 5th, 2007 was a major milestone for me.......I rolled over, unassisted, for the very first time. You would have thought that Daddy and Mama had won the lottery because there was clapping and fan fair like you wouldn't believe!!! Yeah for me!!!!! I'm growing more and more every day. Hey, by the way, did Daddy and Mama ever tell everyone that I also have two teeth now. Yup, that's right, I have chompers and I love to bite things!!!! Ok, now back to Mackenzie Joy.....


Here is Mackenzie getting snuggled with Grandma Robertson on the night we came home from the hospital.


Daddy and Mama and Grandma Nanny and Little Bug leaving the hospital with "Kenzie Joy". Daddy thought it was just hilarious that he found the biggest wheelchair possible for Mama to sit in on the way out. Mama didn't think that was so funny at all!!!!


Here comes Daddy with the car seat for Mackenzie. Hey, I used to sit in that thing......But now I have a bigger car seat that is way more comfortable.


Just home from the hospital and Mama is holding Mackenzie Joy at the computer because Mama wants to take a look at the blog.


Daddy and Mackenzie just after coming home.


Mackenzie Joy wrapped up like a little "Sweet Pea". That's what Mama is calling her!!!


Me and Mama playing the "Bop, Bop, Bop" game!!!!! She says it, then I say it.....You get the drift, right???


Daddy and Mama say that my little sister is going to take a litte time away from me.....Hey, does that mean we won't go flyin' around the house as much????? When can I send her back????


Aaaawwwwhhhhhh...............You mean I can't send her back???????? What???????????


Mackenzie says, "Heeeee Heeeeee........That's right Big Brother, you can't send me back!!!"
Oh man.........I've got a lot of adjusting to do.......I really do have to get used to sharing Daddy and Mama!!! BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!


Leaving Mama's hospital room #336 to go home with our new baby girl.


Daddy and Mama and Mackenzie with Doctor Bigler. He was the doctor who was supposed to deliver Mackenzie, but he couldn't get there in time.


Daddy's feeding Mama breakfast because she was nursing Mackenzie and just as this picture snapped the pancake with syrup on it fell right in the middle of Mama's hand.....Hee Hee Daddy and Mama are funny folks!!!


The Happy Robertson Family!!!!


What a beautiful family I have.....I love being the big brother.


Mackenzie Joy has already developed a personality....Look, She's actually puckering up for a kiss from Mama!!!


Hee Hee.....I think she just laughed out loud!!!


Mackenzie Joy and Grandpa John...I think this makes 19 grand kids for Grandpa and Grandma Robertson (I'll have to check on that, but I'm pretty sure that's right!!)


Our friends Duke and Shawn came to see the new baby at the hospital and they thought she was just the cat's meow!!! Just look at them....They already adore her!!!


Here's the gang.....Duke and Shawn and the Babcock's...Mark, Racquel, Taylor, Sydnee and another friend!!! Thanks for visiting my baby sister....


Mama introducing Mackenzie Joy to her Mama.....That's my Grandma Nanny!!!!


Mackenzie Joy snuggling with Grandpa Bruce...Mackenzie is Grandpa and Grandma Nanny Milliren's second granddaughter!!!


Daddy and Mama having their first picture taken with my new sister!!!


Daddy's holding Mackenzie Joy's 1st "Birth" day party.....Ding Dongs......Compliments of Auntie Maureen!!!


Daddy catching a little cat nap with Mackenzie......I love it when Daddy takes little naps like that with me. Hey, I hope those naps aren't going to stop......


Mama couldn't wait to get Mackenzie's first bath done so she could put her in her own clothes and put girly things in her hair!!!!


Even though Daddy and Mama never looked at the results from the Amnio, Mama knew in her heart of hearts that this baby was going to be a girl. She knew from the start that I was going to be a boy too......She says that Mama's have something called intuition.....I guess she was right on the money!!!!


Mama was prepared for a little girl with lots of pink clothes and bows!!!! Hey, isn't she cute!!


Actually, she's way more than cute....She's gorgeous!!!!


Mackenzie Joy's first visitor....Auntie Maureen!!!


Daddy and Mama the night before Mackenzie Joy was born. They had dinner out at the same restaurant they ate at the night before I was born, Auguri Italian Restaurant in Auburn.


This picture was taken of Daddy and Mama just 10 minutes after Mackenzie Joy was born!!


Mama and Mackenzie having a little bonding time!!!


Daddy's having his first little talk with my new baby sister. I remember my first talk from Daddy.....He told me all about our family and all about how much he loved me....I'm sure he's telling "Kenzie" the very same things.


Mama and Mackenzie having their first nap together.....Mama has a picture of me and her just like this!!!!!

Well, there you have it.....My new little sister, Mackenzie Joy Robertson in all her glory. More info and pictures to come, but for now, I think we all need a little rest!!!!

Lovebug Hugs From,
Little Bug, Mackenzie Joy and Daddy and Mama!!!!

GOTCHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mama got Daddy good today.........It was early afternoon and she waited for just the right moment....and she exclaimed, "Honey, my water just broke!!" Daddy hurried in to find Mama and there she was saying that her water had broken and it was time to go the hospital. Daddy looked dumb-founded and said, "Really???!!!" And Mama said, "Nope, April Fools!!!!!" Hee Hee Hee Hee Hee!!!!! Mama had such a good laugh, I though for sure she was going to have the baby right then and there!!!

Anyway, everything is fine around here today. Mama and Daddy are taking it easy preparing for the big day tomorrow......Baby's coming!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited to be a big brother, or at least Mama keeps telling me to be excited. I'm not quite sure how things are going to change around here, but I keep hearing Daddy and Mama talk about how they're worried about me feeling left out. I don't know how that could possibly happen because they pay so much attention to me, but maybe this Big Brother thing is something I should be worried about. Nah, on second thought, even if there are big changes around here I know one thing to be true about my Daddy and Mama, they have so much love it runs out their ears......so I'm not worried. It will be fun to see how I handle my new duties.

I better go for now, I'm waiting for Grandma Nanny to come watch me so Daddy and Mama can go out to dinner. They're going to the same restaurant that they went to the night before I was born. They're such saps!!!!!! Oh well, I like 'em that way!!!! We'll be posting information on the new bug-a-boo before you know it, so stay close to the blog, OK.

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see our day.....30 March....started out with breakfast in bed for Mommy.....cause it's her birthday....hey I thought only I had birthdays....grownup don't have birthday's do they????

Daddy and I planned a few little suprises for Mommy cause we love her soooo much!!!!!! She got to blow out the candles on her "Cinnabon".....open some great cards from Daddy and me and the whole family! I got Mommy a "Starbucks card".....I don't really know why? ... its not even a toy!!!!!...but a little card....Oh well... And we sang our "Happy Birthday" song to her too....Daddy played the guitar and I sang....ba..ba..ba...ba....you get the drift right? Oh and what came next I really love........


.....Mommy and Daddy doting all over me!!!!!!! They keep telling me to milk it for all its worth cause on Monday..2 Apr 2007 I'm gonna be a big brother!!!!! I don't know what that really means yet....????? but this doting thing better not stop or somebodies gonna be in big doo doo!!!...cause I love all this attention!!!!!....


.......ok so what's a little guy to do when you party so hard....Whew...I'm pooped...this looks like a good spot to take a nap!!!! Mommy I'll say a little prayer for you too Ok cause I know your tummy hurts OK.....

....Oh look Mommy's at it again...more party time. Daddy took Mama out for dinner while Grammy and Gramps played with me and when they got back it was time for the cake and presents....I like this part the best!!!!!!


Mama even let me help blow out "ALL" the candles.....she doesnt' want me to tell you how old she is........girls are funny that way?????

We had a fun day but most of all Me and Daddy just want Mommy to know how much we love her.......Happy Birthday Momma!!!!!!!

Lovebug Hugs and lots of kisses too.....from Me and Daddy!!!!!!