Look At Me!!!!!!!!!!!

Little Bug's 1st basketball game. A couple of weeks ago we attended Connor's cousin's basketball games in Puyallup. Connor had a great time and Lucas and Zachary both won their games. Way to go guys!!!!


Hey Mama, there's no way I'm going to smile for you.....But I'll stick out my tongue for you no problem....Hee Hee!!!!!!


Ha Ha Ha....Just Kidding Mama.......Here's a big smile and a laugh too!!!!!!!! Actually Mama, this one's for Daddy. Maybe if he sees how cute I look laughing, he'll hurry home so he can give me a bath!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug & Mama

Daddy's On The Move, Once Again..........

Hi Everybody ~
Daddy's busy about the business of leaving again today on a military trip. We sure hate it when daddy has to leave, but we know he is doing a great thing for our country and he will be back in our arms soon. Bye bye Daddy......we'll miss you sooooooooooooo much. We love you!!! And hey Dad, hurry back fast because when you're gone Mama gives me baths in that silly tiny tub that I don't even fit into any more. I don't like it at all!!!!!!!!!! I like it when you give me a bath in the big boy bathtub and we play and swim and splash for a long time. Man am I going to be dirty by the time you come back.

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug and Mama

PS ~ Please say extra prayers for Mama's grandma. Her name is Ruth and she is 90 years old. She fell on Friday night and broke her hip and fractured her back. She's in the hospital and has everyone worried sick. I got to go see her yesterday in the hospital with Daddy and Mama and she even smiled at me and said, "Oooohhhhh"! She hasn't been eating real well and the doctors are worried about the possibility of pneumonia setting in. Thanks for all your prayers!!!!

A Day For Remembering......

Well, here it is, March 1st 2007, the official anniversary of Connor's long-term admittance to Children's Hospital. Even though there had been numerous ER visits, overnight visits and even a 1 week stay at Mary Bridge Hospital last year between Connor's birth and the first of March, today is the day that we will remember forever because it launched a journey that we certainly did not buy a ticket for.

Today there is snow on the ground in so many places of Western Washington, but last year it was unseasonably warm and Randy was out mowing our lawn for the first time of the year. It was warm and I remember wanting to plant flowers that day. Randy was preparing to leave for a 2 week military trip that departed the next day so he was busy, busy, busy with getting the yard ready so I wouldn't have to worry about it. I remember noticing throughout the day that Connor seemed a bit warm, but we just pushed it off on the weather until late afternoon, when I was on the phone with the pediatrician and every time I took his temp it kept going higher and higher. In a panic I took him to the doctor and it was confirmed that he needed to go to Children's. How I remember that drive back home to our house to say goodbye to Randy and pack a small bag for Connor and I. Who knew it would literally be months before we were back in our home, sleeping in our own beds. I remember the uncertainty in saying goodbye to Randy and the tears that fell that night as we worried in separate cities for our little boy.

I remember getting to Children's and parking in the ER lot hoping that we would not have to stay. I was met there by my sister-in-law, Maureen (who, by the way, was a HUGE support and encouragement during all of our hospital days!!!) and we waited in the ER for any kind of word on what was going on with Connor. How I wish I would have known then that an explanation would not be in the cards for us for months. Our Little Bug suffered silently and anonymously for so long as he baffled all the doctors and nurses. Those first few days he was such a fighter. He fought and he fought until that dreadful day on March 6th when we rushed him to the ICU and we almost lost our precious son. Oh, just remembering makes my heart sick and my eyes begin to pool up with tears.

And then I look across the room at our Little Bug playing with his toys and bouncing in his bouncy seat and I have to say, "Thank you Lord for the miracle of our son!" His life was spared on numerous occasions because of the prayers of God's people and the merciful nature of our Heavenly Father. I am humbled by my memories today and of the friendships that we made with precious families at Children's Hospital and of the little angels that hover above us as their journey took them into the arms of our Lord. There are many who still struggle. There are many who still grieve. There are many who rejoice. There are many who are still in the battle with illness and disease. May we never forget our journey and the road we have traveled and those we have met along the way.

"Oh Lord, we rejoice because you are a good God. We trust in you still and we remain in your hands. Protect the children near and far and hold them close to your heart. Thank you for our journey with Connor, although we didn't ask for it, it was your will that we travel it and it is your will that we continue upon the road to healing. Lift up our heads to see your plan with our precious son and thank you for this day that we remember how it all started." Amen!

Lovebug Hugs,
Randy & Lori

Daddy's Home and Life Rolls On........

We were excited this week by Randy's arrival home a few days early!!!! It's always so good to see him walk through the door. Connor is doing so good and he is improving day by day. It's hard to believe that we are coming up on the one year mark of when we entered Children's Hospital last year, with a fever of all things, that kept Connor in the ICU for so many months. I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about that a lot these days, because I am all consumed with what we have all been through and how good God is. We still have our challenges with Connor, especially on the developmental playing field. He continues to have physical and oral therapy once per week at home, which we are so grateful for, and we work with him all the time on his physical development. We see tiny steps, but we are so ready to see some big strides like rolling over, sitting up and holding his head up consistently for long periods of time. How we wish that our hospital stay wouldn't have put him so far behind, but it has and we have a lot of catching up to do. His feeding tube is becoming quite a burden. We want to see him eat by mouth and get rid of this tube for good, but he is nowhere near that point. He is currently off the tube for 6 1/2 hours a day which we are so thankful for. It makes life a lot easier to not pack that backpack around with us when he has his time off. We still see the GI doctor to help us get to the bottom of the reflux problem, but it still persists. We just started a new medicine that we hope will help, but so far, no change after 5 days. Speaking of medicine, we are happy to say that Little Bug is down to only 4 meds per day in the morning and evening. This is a huge answer to prayer for us as we don't want to see him tied down to medicine his entire life. So praise be to the Lord for getting us down to a more manageable medicine regime.

I know it has been quite a while since I really updated on how things were going for Connor so I felt it was high time to give you all some information and some updated prayer requests. We all still appreciated so much your continued prayers and support. Last week when Connor went to the doctor to get his RSV shot he officially weighed in at 22 pounds 9 ounces. So needless to say he is definitely getting harder for me to manage with this ever growing belly of mine. We are just about 5 1/2 weeks away from new baby joining the family and we are prepared and excited.

So life rolls on for the Robertson's one day at a time. We still love reading your comments and we promise to get more pictures up soon.

Lovebug Hugs,
Randy, Lori, Little Bug and Itty Bitty Bug-a-boo too

Happy Hearts Day!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone!! I wanted to wish everybody a very Happy Valentine's Day. This is also National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. I know I am very glad for my repaired heart so that I can spend all these special days and my life with my family. Thank you to all the doctors and nurses that helped my heart get better. I am growing big and strong now and Mama & Daddy take really good care of me, so you go help all the other kids who have trouble with their hearts, OK.

Today my Mama woke me up with thousands of kisses and hugs!!!!! She kept going on and on about me being her valentine and stuff like that, but I really don't know what that means, I know I just liked all of the attention and kisses (as if I don't get any of that!!!!!!!!! Hee Hee). We sure do miss Daddy today. We love you Daddy and we can't wait for you to come home!!! We'll get all sappy and celebrate Valentine's Day when you get home, OK.

Happy Hearts Day and Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug

PS ~ Mama said to say that Itty Bitty Bug is doing fine. The baby is growing every day and we only have to wait 7 more weeks for Baby Bug to come and meet our family. I'm not sure about this whole Baby Bug thing!!! I thought I was the Baby Bug!!!! I guess it will all make sense around the 7th of April!!!!

Sad Eyes......

Sad eyes fill Little Bug and Mama's hearts today as we say "Bye-Bye" to Daddy. He's taking off on an Air Force Mission for the first time in a couple of months. Randy has been home for an exceptional amount of time because he was in an accident back in December and the flight surgeon put him on the "duty not to include flying list". He has been doing local work in his squadron for the past couple of months but he hasn't had to be away from us. Well, not any more. His back and neck are feeling good enough to fly so they are sending him to "parts unknown" today. We always hate it when Daddy has to leave. Be safe Daddy and we will be waiting for you with open arms when you come home. We Love You Soooooooooooooooo Much!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Mama & Little Bug & Abbey and Itty Bitty Bug-a-boo

Birthday Photos - Part II

Here's a great picture of my birthday poster. Thanks again Maryalis.....It's perfect!!!! Hey, I wanted to tell everybody about that cute little "Love Bug" on the righthand side of the poster. Months ago, my daddy's cousin Jill made me a card to wish me well on my recovery in the hospital. She designed this "Love Bug" on a homemade card and my Mama fell in love with it. It's now become my little mascot!!!! I was so happy that Maryalis had the talent to enlarge it bigger than life in my poster!!! Thanks everybody for their great efforts in making sure I had bugs surrounding me on my special day!!!!!!


Ok Daddy, let's go to church!!!! I'm getting dedicated today and I don't want to be late, so put the pedal to the metal dad!!!!!


Wow, look at all that great party food!!!! I can't wait until I can eat big people food!!!


This was called the "Bug Buffet"!! Mama had such things as Spiderific Apple Dippers, Bug Bait & Crackers, Grasshopper Salad, Ant's on a Log, Snail Wraps, Build Your Own Bug Beds, Inchworms in Jitterbug Sauce, Potato Bug Salad and Chocolate Covered Spider Legs....Just to name some!!!! How fun!!!


Mama and Daddy even made sure there was grass on the "Bug Buffet" for all the little critters that were standing close by!!! Oh yeah, and we had Beetle Bug Juice to drink. Yummy!!!!


Thanks for snuggling me Auntie Marsha while Daddy and Mama sang my special songs!!!!



There's Daddy getting ready to sing my song that he worte for me. We sang all 5 verses to the tune of Puff the Magic Dragon!!!! I love my song Daddy!!!!


Mama had to help Daddy out on the microphone because he doesn't like to sing in public.....Oh c'mon Dad, belt it out....I love the way you sing your silly songs!!!


I know, I know.....You were all waiting for the infamous cake-in-my-face picture, but I was so tired by this point, that I didn't even want to eat cake.......


Hopefully my 2nd Birthday I will smash cake all over the place!!!!!!

Thanks for a fun birthday Daddy & Mama!!!! I will remember it always!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug

Believe me.....we're still here!!!! Look Below, Somehow Picture Blog Posted Below This One!!

I am having quite a time trying to upload ALL the birthday and dedication photos to blogger. Please continue to be patient. Sorry it's taking so long but I literally sat here for two hours trying to upload pics and then they all disappeared......AAAAUUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! On top of being crazy busy these past two weeks, now I have to contend with a persnikity computure. We are all doing great and believe me, I am trying to get these pictures up!!!!!

Night Night and Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Birthday & Dedication Photos - Part I

Here's Daddy and Mama praying for me at my dedication. I'm looking intently at my Pastor because he was praying that I would be a mighty man of God one day!!!

Here I am with Pastor Dan. I'm checkin' him out real good because I'm gonna have to listen to lots of sermons by this guy....Hey, I like it, I think I'm gonna be a preacher one day!!!!

I guess I'm pretty sleepy here, I actually fell asleep during my dedication ceremony....Ooops!!!

Mama and Daddy were really proud of me because I listened really good and I never cried during my whole dedication!!

This is my pastor's wife. Her name is Diane. I really love her a lot and she wrote me a very special song from a poem and she sang it at my dedication. She even took a whole bunch of pictures from my blog and put them up on the big screen at church while she sang my song. Everyone was crying, but I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Thank you Pastor Diane!!!

Look at my neat poster that was made by my very special friend Maryalis!!!! She's an artist and my mama gave her some examples of my favorite bug friends and she created this super cool poster for me. Thank you Thank you. I will treasure it always!!!!

Oh my goodness, I don't know what to do with all this attention!!!! Maybe I'll just suck on my fingers for a while!!!

Here I am with Uncle Bryan!!! He got to hold me for a long time at my party while Daddy and Mama were attending to all my other family members that were able to come to my party!! Thanks for the snuggles Uncle Bryan!!

Here's my bug cake that Mama made!!! Isn't it cool!!! There were even Ladybug Cookies that Mama said were a labor of love, but she made them anyway!!!

Look, here's my Grandpa Bruce, Grandma-Nanny RaeAnn, Grandma Ruberta and Grandpa John!!! They're all excited to go through my bug buffet line. Hope the food was good guys....I wish I could have eaten some of it!!!

There's that cake again. This is right after Mama finished it. It took her 5 1/2 hours just to do the cake. Here she is standing on the bar stools to get a picture of the whole thing. She even had to steady herself on the counter with her foot. Mama, c'mon, don't you know you're not supposed to put your feet on the counter....I'm sure you'll tell me that when I'm older!!! I'd at least think you would have painted your toenails if you were gonna show them off like this....Hee Hee!!! Just kidding Mama!!! Thanks for my cool cake!!

Look at me......I'm riding on my new snail rocker that Daddy and Mama gave me for my 1st Birthday. I love it. I can't play on it by myself yet, but I will. I'm getting stronger and stronger every day!!!!!

Well, here's the pictures from my party. This is just part 1. Mama is trying really hard to post more, but she's having a tough time on this computer. Hopefully she'll get more up in the next post.

Lovebug Hugs,

Little Bug

Dedication & Party Were Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A fun time was had by all at Little Bug's dedication to the Lord and his first birthday party!!! We are awaiting pictures from Connor's cousin on cd-rom and we will post them soon. Sorry they are not up yet, but we will get to them as soon as we can. Thanks for all your loving and encouraging comments for Connor's dedication and birthday. We can't wait to share the events of the day with you in pictures. This is another busy week for us as Randy and I prepare to celebrate our 3rd anniversary.

More details to follow and lots of pictures too, I promise!!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Little Bug's First Trip To The Opthomologist!!!

Wednesday was Connor's very first trip to the eye doctor. I was a little worried that they would find something the matter with his vision, but sure enough, everything is just fine and he is well within perfect ranges for his age. We are so grateful to the Lord that, at the moment, he is able to scratch one more worry off the list. After the appointment we got really brave and took Connor to IKEA. We all strolled around the huge store looking at this and that and Little Bug talked and cooed the whole time. He even tasted Swedish Meatballs and Lingonberries....I told him Ingamar (the spokesperson guy from IKEA) would be proud. He loved the gravy for the meatballs but wasn't quite sure about those sour lingonberries!!! We all had a great day and Praise the Lord for a good report from a very nice and well respected eye doctor.

Now, it's back to birthday party production mode and we must put our bugs hats back on and get to work.....3 more days until my party with my family!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Feeling Much Better & Getting Ready For My 1st Birthday Party & Dedication To The Lord!!!

Hi Everyone ~

Thanks for all your prayers. I am feeling much better now. I just have a little runny nose and a little bit of a cough left, but they will be gone in no time. I'm so excited for my 1st Birthday Party and Dedication coming up this Sunday. I see Mama and Daddy scurrying around the house doing all kinds of "bug" projects. I think they're going all "buggy" on me!!!! One of these days we'll all be flying around the house....Hey, wouldn't that be fun!!!! I'm sure if I talk to my Daddy about it, he can figure out a way to put us all in flight!!!! Well, I'm supposed to be sleeping so I better go now.....I have to get my bug rest so I will feel all better by Sunday!!! Keep watching though, because I know my Daddy and Mama will be posting LOTS of fun pictures from the big day.....They even asked my big cousin Derek to be the "Bugtographer" at my party.......Whooo Hoooo......I can hardly wait!!!!!! It's going to seem like a snail's pace to Sunday, but Mama always tells me that patience is a virtue!!!!! Ok, nighty-night!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug

1st Birthday but not feeling so good...maybe the cake will help?

Daddy and Little Bug getting ready to blow out birthday candles....


Ok Son, here we go........ Ready, Set..................


BLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Harder Connor, Harder!!!!!


After a bit of a meltdown Little Bug decides to try his cake and ice cream....


Ok, So I guess he doesn't like it!!!!!!!!!!!!


Taking a rest after freaking out over the birthday cake and ice cream..........


Poor, pathetic Little Bug on his 1st Birthday......I hope we have better luck at his birthday party next Sunday!!!!!


Little Bug is loved by so many......Thank you for all the cute and wonderful cards!!!!!!!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Daddy, Mama and Little Bug

PS ~ He's still feeling absolutely miserable, so it's no wonder he didn't enjoy his cake and ice cream!!!!! Hopefully a better day is in store for tomorrow!!!!!

Happy 1st Birthday Little Bug!!!!!

It's official (well, actually not until 9:51pm, but who's counting) Little Bug turns 1 year old today. He's miserable, however. He has an awfull cold that is definately taking its toll on him, and me too!!! I'm hoping for some moments this afternoon where he is in good spirits so I can snap some birthday photos of him. At this point I haven't, because who really likes their picture taken when they can't stop sneezing. Cold or no cold, we love him so much and are so proud to celebrate this day away from the hospital (keep your fingers crossed and your prayers going up!) If I get a little bit of sleep today, I will post more later on as I have been quite reflective through the night and this morning over the past year of Connor's life. All I can say for the moment is thank you so much for your enduring perserverance to pray for us over the last 12 months. I know we wouldn't be where we are today without the miracles that each of your prayers produced for us and especially for Little Bug!!!

Happy Birthday Son, I love you!!!!
Mama

Little Bug's Getting Ready To Celebrate Being 1!!!!

We simply can't believe that tomorrow will mark Connor's first birthday. What a year it has been for this little guy!!!! We are so proud of where he's come from and the progress that he has made. He, however, will be celebrating his 1st birthday with a bad cold. Sniffles, sneezes, coughs, water eyes, horrible diaper rash, the whole nine yards. What a bummer!!!! Good thing we're holding off on the big family celebration for a little while. He's been pretty clingy the last couple of days and very high maintenance as well. Other than that, things are good at the Robertson house. I will post tomorrow for Connor's birthday!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

Recent Visit With Friends.....And.........

A pre-Christmas visit with good friends & neighbors, Duke and Shawn. The visit proved to be a big hit with Little Bug....Duke put him right to sleep in his arms and it was ever so precious to watch!!! Aaaahhhh!! (By the way, I get the feeling Connor would love more visits like this!!)


Duke and Shawn having a moment with Little Bug!!!!
And...........Truth be told, they were in on a big surprise with Randy for over 3 weeks. They housed our family Christmas present that was a HUGE surprise to Lori!!!!!!!! Wow, we've entered the world of the Family-Mobile!!!!!!


Here it is...............We are the proud owners of a minivan!!!!!!!! WHOHOO!!!!!!!!! It is so much nicer getting Connor in and out of the van. We had been looking for quite a few months, but Mama had no idea that Daddy had took the plunge!!!! Thanks sweetheart for the most extravagent and practical of gifts for our growing family......I promise to fill every seat.......Actually, I think that's a promise "We" have to make right???? Hey, isn't this an 8 passenger.....Yikes, what did I just promise!!!!!!

More Christmas Photos........

Little Bug loved hanging out with his cousin Olivia. She played his new Ittsy Bitsy Spider toy a lot and Connor just smiled away.....


Daddy and Little Bug reading Connor's new book, The Big Red Barn!!!


Grandma-nanny and Little Bug finding some snuggle time in a very busy day!!!!


Who could forget Abbey for Christmas. Here she is ready to devour a yummy present from Grandpa and Grandma M.


Hey, where's my Daddy in this picture???? Oh, he must have been taking it. Well here I am with Mama, Uncle Bryan and Auntie Heather, Great Grandma Fox and my cousins, Olivia, Brayden and Bergen Luke.


Wow, Grandpa is really warm to snuggle with....I think I like it here. Thanks for rocking me while I slept Grandpa!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug

Christmas Photos............

Wow....So this is Christmas???????? I hope my Daddy and Mama find me in here.....What if they pass me out to the wrong person????? I sure hope my Daddy and Mama will get me because I have a special present for them.....(if you know what I mean...HEE HEE!!!)


Yeah, Daddy and Mama found me!!!!!!!!!! We had so much fun up in Ferndale at one of my Christmas celebrations. I got to see my Grandpa and Grandma Robertson and all 14 of my uncles and aunts and I think there were 18 cousins there too.......It was a lot of fun!!!!!


I love it that my Daddy can't keep his lips off of me. I hope he doesn't know that I'm spoiled, but I think he may be catching on......Yikes.....what am I going to do????? (Seeking advice from all spoiled children throughout the world on how to keep this good deal going!!!! Please reply in the comment section below, thanks...HA HA)


Hey, when all else fails just put on a fish hat and the day will be bright once again....Thanks Uncle Loren for sharing your super-cool fish hat with me!!!!


Here I am in the kitchen with Mama and Aunt Kathy, Uncle Les and cousin Erica. We were all standing close by the turkey to get the first taste. I think the itty bitty baby inside of Mama really wanted turkey because we couldn't pry her away from the kitchen once that turkey was done. Thanks Pastor Mike for making such a yummy treat!!!


Look at me.......I know my hair looks funny, but Mama doesn't know what to do about that....So look at this bassinet that I'm in.....It's over 75 years old. My Grandma R. slept in it and all my great uncle's and aunt's and also all of my regular uncle's and aunt's (even daddy) and all my cousins......What a treat it was to lay down in this treasure. I couldn't stay in it long though, because I'm actually getting too big for it. When I tried to fall asleep my hands and arms kept bapping on the sides and it woke me up....So, off to the crib I went, but we had to get pictures of me in the antique bassinet. Thanks for saving it for me Grandma R.


Oh my goodness, I seriously don't know why Mama thinks it's so cute to put me in outfits with ears??? Doesn't she know that I have my own super cute ears???? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to indulge her for the moment. But here's the deal, once I turn 1 year old (which is just 11 days away) I will have to lay down the law and tell her to dress me in only big boy clothes!!! I hope she listens to me!!!


Christmas day must be over because I'm pooped (in more ways than one!!!) I love to snuggle and fall asleep at the end of a very fun day!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's Everyone!!!
Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug, Daddy, Mama, Abbey (my dog) and Itty Bitty Bug (inside of Mama)

PS ~ I think Mama has more Christmas pictures from my celebration at Grandpa and Grandma-Nanny's house too, but we're waiting for them to send us copies from their new camera so stay posted, OK!!!!

Ok, Ok......More Pictures Are On The Way......

We have been celebrating Christmas at all of our families homes from Ferndale to Tacoma and we just made it home last night. We are all tired, but I promise to post Christmas pictures later on today. But for now I will say that we had a wonderful time celebrating Connor's first Christmas!!! What a miracle that we have our Little Bug to hold and to love this holiday season. We are all anxious to enter into 2007 with renewed hope and a renewed spirit of healing for Connor. I will sign off for now and we will post pictures this evening!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori

HO HO HO......Little Bug's In The Tub With Daddy!!!

Getting cleaned up for Christmas Eve service is fun fun fun when I'm playin' in the tub with Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!! I enjoyed my first bath in a big tub tonight!!!!!!!!! Daddy even lit candles.....I think he thought Mama was going to join us......She said, "NO NO NO......This belly of mine would cause a tidlewave!!!" So, Daddy and I got all soaped up and now everybody's clean!!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Little Bug