Pool Party!!

This weekend we went for a short visit to Yorktown for Nikki's sister-in-law's baby shower. Nikki and Riley had a good time at the shower with friends and family, and then in the evening we went with Grandma, Grandpa, and AJ to the pool. Riley went swimming for the first time and he did GREAT! We were a little worried that he would cry because the water was too cold, but he loved it. He stayed in and played for about 45 minutes and then got out and dried off. We can't wait to go back in a few weeks!! Here is a short clip of Riley enjoying the pool!

Delaney's 18 month birthday

18 months ago our lives changed forever. Definately for the better. Delaney Hope Carter, our daughter and angel, was born on December 26th, 2007. She impressed everyone who met her (and many people who didn't get that opportunity) with her strength and courage. She went through more in her short life than many people ever have to deal with. Each moment spent with her is etched into our memory, and she has a very special place in our family and our hearts.

Delaney's days were marked with great highs and horrible lows. We learned quickly that being a parent was more than just loving this little person that we had made, but doing whatever we could do to protect her. I think that the hardest thing about losing her is that we couldn't fix what was wrong. As parents you think you can fix whatever is wrong and protect your child from the bad things that happen in life. We learned much too quickly that it isn't always that easy.

We try to focus on the wonderful memories, the happy pictures and videos, the little things that most people take for granted. We love to talk about Delaney and share stories about her life and her courage, but understand that it may make some people uncomfortable or think that talking about Delaney will make us sad. There is something inherently wrong with a baby dying. But that is part of our daily life and nothing will ever change that.

We spent the day remembering our angel (like we do every day). We took Riley to visit Delaney and sang happy birthday like we do every month. Then we went to dinner and then came home and relaxed. I can't believe that it has been 18 months since Delaney was born... she would be a little person with a strong personality (which she showed us in the brief time she was here), who would be rapidly approaching the terrible twos. We would gladly face each challenge, but are left instead to treasure the days that we had and to thank Delaney for being so brave as to fight to let us love her and get to know her for those 20 amazing days.

Settling in

Well, as you can tell time is much more scarce now that Nikki is back at work. It's been 2 1/2 weeks and we are settling into the new routine. Nikki wakes Riley up to eat at 6 before leaving for work, and then he goes back to sleep (most days). Dennis has morning duty, getting Riley ready and entertaining him while trying to get ready for work. Then he drops Riley at daycare and stays to play for a while. Off to work for Dennis and Riley gets a day of love from Cherise and Aunt Ronda. Nikki has pickup duty, and then takes Riley home for playtime, evening nap, and then Dennis gets home! That is the best part of the day, when we're all together as a family. We eat a quick dinner and play with Riley until 7:30 when we go upstairs for some naked time, bath, feeding, and bed. Then Nikki attempts to stay up at least a little bit longer to spend some time with Dennis before an admittedly early bedtime. Riley is still getting up in the middle of the night one time (knock on wood) and hopefully that will be phased out soon! He seems to be doing very well at daycare. We can't believe that he is 3 months old already!! We got professional pictures done and will post them soon!

1st day of school picture

Here is the picture Dennis sent at drop off time!

Back to work

Well, Thursday was the day that Nikki had to go back to work and Riley started day care. He is going to daycare at the hospital so he's close to both Nikki and Dennis during the day. Nikki and Riley visited twice in the week before starting there to get used to the place and all the other babies. Dennis had drop off duty and he admitted that it was harder than he anticipated to leave him there and go to work. Luckily he was able to come visit during lunch that first day and found Riley sleeping. He made things easier for Nikki by sending her pictures of Riley at the daycare center. Nikki was able to get off around 3:30 and made it in time for his afternoon feeding. He did OK with the bottle there, they warm it well and he seems to like that better. Nikki kept anticipating a page to say that she needed to come feed her starving baby but that never happened thankfully.

Friday was a little bit easier, and Riley took a 3 hour nap! He hasn't ever done that before, but I guess all that playing with his new friends wore him out. Nikki got off a few minutes early and went to feed Riley before they left to start their weekend. Nikki is very glad that she decided to go back to work a few days early so it was a short week, becuase she was very tired after just those two days at work. Now we have enjoyed a relaxing weekend and are ready for a full week of work and daycare. I'll attach a picture from his first day of daycare.

Making Delaney's Footprint

We had the opportunity to make a mold of Delaney's footprint on the day she passed away. One of her Angels had bought us a footprint kit and helped us to make a footprint of her right foot with her lucky toe. It is one of our treasured memories and the footprint is hanging on the wall in the nursery next to Riley's. Below is a picture of the two footprints side by side...I can't believe how much bigger Riley's is!! (they were both taken on day 20...)