George turned 1!!

Yet another busy fall weekend at the Byrge house. I went to work for a few hours on Saturday and then prepared a side dish for George's first birthday. My friend Tara's son is already one. We had a little get together at her house to celebrate with him. There are fun first cake pictures awaiting the end of this post! There is also a shot with my friend Shanny and I around George as he was enjoying his cake. It was a great time. You can always get around kids that age and just feel good, leave in a better mood than when you arrived. The Bengals didn't start Carson Palmer today, which I don't think added to the many reasons we lost yet another, the fourth of the season, game to the 0-3 Cleveland Browns. At this juncture I should give a congratulations to Jason Broge, your team did it toady! On the Broge homefront, the girls are doing exceptionally well and weaning on the amount of oxygen they are requiring as well as tolerating their feeds. So, keep the prayers coming. More uneventful days is just what the girls need. It is fast approaching October, and my brother gets married in three weeks. It's so hard to believe. My mom reports to me that Anna will most likely be walking by the time I get home for the wedding. It's amazing how quickly she seems to be growing and progressing. Hope everyone is doing well and have a great week.

























George admiring the gift from Josh and I. It makes lots of noise for the benefit of his mommy and daddy! (Can't wait to see him ride that thing)

Aunt Mel and Aunt Shannon posing with the cutest one year ever! Yum cake!



























George at the end of his cake experience. I'm not sure who won, but George sure does look like a warrior. What a cuttie!

Bad Boys, Bad Boys, What you gonna do?

Hello all,

So there was a bit of excitement in our hood today. I had a change of pace today and attended a conference downtown instead of doing patient care. It was very enjoyable and I learned several things. I learned that nurses in general need to take better care of themselves. I was reminded all over again why I do nursing above the diaphragm. Most importantly today, I learned that a desk job would kill me...I would die of butt paralysis. All that sitting is no joke, it made me crazy. Speaking of crazy things! You could definitely put this one in the papuh! In metro news, I car pooled to the conference with a good friend. She was bringing me home around 1730-1745. (side note....I am also grateful I have a job where I leave at the butt crack of dawn and come home well after dinner. I completely miss rush hour...it definitely keeps my stress level down!) On the main street leading to my house there were at least a dozen cop cars two blocks up and fire engines, as well as the news 5 helicopter overhead. There was an apparent high speed chase right before I arrived where the suspects crashed and then fled on foot. Crazy, lucky, or fate....Laura and I missed all the excitement by what looked like mere minutes. In other exciting regional news, Anna is doing amazing and took three unassisted steps for the first time on Tuesday. It's amazing, she is amazing! Carson is winning the pumpkin carving pole which is incredibly sad considering the boy doesn't have opposable thumbs. Any who, there are a few days left to vote. We will be selecting pumpkins soon! Happy voting. In other national news....Emma Jane is now extubated post PDA ligation and doing amazing. Her big sis is still extubated and at goal feeds!!! By the grace and healing touch of God, these two little miracles are gaining weight and continue to do well. Thanks for all your prayers for these little ones. Keep them coming. Nothing ends a good post like some pictues that just make you smile from the inside out. I do hope you enjoy. I should quickly note that both pictures are of Parker because on the day they were taken Emma was gearing up for extubation, and I did not want to distract her from the hard work she was doing. There will be new pics of her soon.





Parker just chilling in her incubator while Emma was gearing up for extubation on Tuesday!




Parker getting really excited about the fact that the nurse is across the room preparing her dinner! The fact that "Aunt" Mel was visiting didn't make the smile hard to come either!

Ohhhhhh and Three :(

There are many things I am unsure of and more that I just plum don't know, but here is what I know right now. Marvin Lewis and that front office better put something in the paper about how they are going to help turn this ball club around this season. Even the Miami Dolphins have a W.....against the freakin' Patriots. It's sick. What has this come to for us? The boys have fallen
in three straight games, but I hear they played much better this weekend. I just so happened to be lucky enough to be working this weekend and missed every snap. There is always next week! My brother is getting married in five short weeks and I am really getting excited. Yet another busy week ahead for us. I am attending a Pediatric Cardiac Transplant conference for work that should entail lots of learning, we just see though. I will need to visit Emma Jane and Parker. Parker has been doing great. She is eating well and pooping on her own now without suppository help. Her sister had surgery on Friday for the same thing Parker did. She has had a rough go the past two days, but is heading in the right direction now. Just keep all the prayers up for these two tiny miracles. I was just listening to "Don't Stop Believing'" by Journey. That needs to be the theme song for these girls. Saturday we have my good friend Tara's son's first birthday and I can't wait to see George. It will be great, just one problem....what do you get a one year old boy? Dad was able to get on his roof and get it fixed from the big storm last weekend and even helped my grandpa with one of his. As I leave this picture less post, I just want to send a shout out to my husband. Girls like me don't get this lucky. He always puts up with me when I'm moody and have worked all weekend, and even throws in a foot rub on Sunday night.....eat your heart out girls, he's forever taken!
p.s. We may be picking pumpkins this Sunday, so keep the votes coming!
Mel

Our Crib

Happy Fall Feeling Day to Everyone,

That is just what we have on our hands here, nothing a steaming cup of apple cider and an episode of the First 48 can't top off. I have attached some pics of our house for those of you who have patiently waited for them. Hope they live up to your expectations....we just so happen to love it. Maybe I'll post some new ones once we select our pumpkins from the patch next weekend and put out some mums. (Side note....Josh and I have a contest each year to see who can carve the best pumpkin...I am in dire need of an amazing idea or two. I'm open to anything. I am down two years to none.) Oh, and in case you were worried, the Bengals flag is proudly displayed on the back porch, but I know you weren't! This will be a short post despite the fact that I have the urge to write some awe inspiring, really thought provoking words, but this is it. So, in the words of Robert Plant "Babe, I really do have to ramble."

0 and 2....or 2 outta 4 really isn't bad

Hello Everyone.


Sorry it has been a week since the last post. We have certainly been very busy. Lots of info to update, and pictures for all to see. Josh and I headed to Indianapolis this past weekend for my good friend Sara's wedding. She lucked out on Saturday with great weather, windy, but very beautiful. The wedding was very elegant and I would just like to point out the dress I am in for the wedding. That puts me in a dress twice in four months. The worse news...I'll be in one again in five weeks for my brothers big gig!!! Hehe. We had a great time at the reception and many of my friends from nursing school were there. More importantly Sara looked stunning, and the key, she looked happier than I have ever seen her. I don't personally know Zac (her new husband) yet, but he is a very lucky man. Hurricane Ike definitely had something to say about our return trip. The wind was crazy and there was quite a bit of rain through Indiana and Illinois. I spoke with my dad last night. He has power in Cincy but is missing a large portion of the back half of his roof. My brother has a roof, but no electric. Do pray that they get these issues resolved without much headache. On the health front.....Parker and Emma are doing fantastic. They are both off breathing machines and even growing just a little bit. Pray for "regularity" for them. My Mom is definitely under the attack of sinus goo. Pray that she would feel better. My grandma remains out of the hospital and this second round of antibiotics seems to really be helping!!!! Now, there are those of you anxiously wondering what the 0 and 2 is. Well....let me tell you. Our beloved Bengals are now without a win two weeks in a row. Of course we were in the car on our way home on Saturday so we did not see how dismal the play was. This may seal the deal for a completely win-less season for the Bengals, but it's like I tell Josh, "A real fan is one who's team has less than five winning seasons in their lifetime and they still shovel out the money for NFL Sunday Ticket to watch them!" Enough boo-hooing, I hope you all enjoy the pictures.



Me (in a dress and make-up) with the beautiful bride. Love you girl.




Sarah (a great friend from nursing school) and I at the reception.



Sara and her new groom!



My groom and I. I think we clean up okay together.

The Tiny Twins

Meet Parker. It's easy to tell them apart right now because Parker has a breathing tube in. She is actually very comfortable in this shot. We all hope the next one will be without the breathing tube!



Meet Emma. She opened her eyes while I was visitng today, but she was sleepy here in this shot. She loves her tummy time and was very comfy in this shot as well. She has tolerated breastmilk 3 times today.....very exciting. We are hoping for a bowel movement soon!

So here is the blog everyone has anxiously been awaiting. "Aunt" Mel was able to visit the girls for the first time today! They are two of the most amazing little girls......and they are really beautiful like their mommy. Needless to say...I was overwhelmed and if you read the whole post, there will be a surprise at the end! I also was able to visit with their mommy for the first time since the birth and that was very nice. Mary Jane is doing very well and will be able to drive again tomorrow! While I was at the hospital Parker peed which is extremely exciting because she really really likes to hold it. Emma also got to have her diaper changed for the first time by her mommy while I was there. I will keep everyone updated on their status, but the next few days for Parker will be recovery days from her heart surgery and hopefully she can get off the ventilator (breathing machine). Please, please keep all four of them in your prayers. Today was the first time the girls' daddy had to go back to work, and that was hard for mommy and daddy both. Until next post, hope you enjoy these precious shots of the girls.


Mel


p.s. It's Monday night!

The Road is Getting Worn

Anna with her Daddy giving Aunt Mel big smiles!
Anna the "nakey baby". She is really a happy girl.
Anna and Aunt Mel having a day of fun togehter.
Katie and her bridal shower gifts....my brother ought to like those.
She will be pampered at Mitchell's salon with that gift certificate....she deserves it!

Hi All,

I have returned from yet another trip to Cincinnati. The road there and back is definitely getting worn. I was able to visit with my family and see Anna! The most important part of the trip however was the bridal shower for my future sister in law. The wedding is in 7 weeks and it will surely pass fast. Josh stayed in St. Louis because of the new job and the fight against a nasty viral infection. He is feeling much better thankfully. I will post pictures of Anna as well as the shower. I think Katie and her friends and our family really enjoyed themselves and we got extremely lucky with the weather. A big congratulations to the future Mrs. Graham. Can't wait to see you as a beautiful bride! I was able to meet my little cousin Jack (who by the way is a week old and well over 9 lbs) and he is adorable. It was also great to catch up with my good friend Monica. If I could ask for continued prayers for my friends twins....it is greatly appreciated. Parker had surgery on her heart on Sunday to fix a hole in her heart that was supposed to close shortly after birth that didn't. She is doing well with her recovery thus far, but her and Emma both need continued prayers for strength and healing. I get to see them for the first time today so be on the lookout for pictures later tonight!!! On a downer of a note my Bengals looked dismal on Sunday against the Ravens. Although this is nothing new for us die hard Cincy fans. My lifetime has only produced five winning seasons. They need to get it together on the offensive line is we have a chance at winning even one game this year. My grandma is still out of the hospital but still having quite a bit of difficulty breathing. She could also use some prayers. She finishes her round of steroids today, so it will be a test if she can stay off of them. Well, I think that's it for now! I'll post later on the twins. There is one more bit of good news......it's Monday.....more NFL on ESPN!!! Who Dey.

Mel