MU Homecoming Parade!!!

This weekend was the 100th Homecoming for our Missouri Tigers!!!  M-I-Z!!!  We got up at the butt crack of dawn and headed downtown to set up and wait.  We got to run down to Panera and get some yummy bagels to eat before the parade started.  Greyson stayed with Grandma Grape while we went to get bagels. 

Doesn't he look all relaxed there waiting for his food to be served?  This is not a typical Greyson look maybe he was just up too early to worry about food just yet.  He had already had his cup of milk/medicine so maybe that helped.

Addison was very excited for the parade.  She had been waiting all week to go to the parade and asking me every day if today was the day we were going to the parade.  She is like her momma not typically a morning person so I thought we would have an issue getting up so early.  I told her the night before we were getting up early to go to the parade and she seemed alright with it.  I got up at 6:15 to get myself ready then wake each kid up and get them ready.  Addison must have been ready to get up since she was awake at 6:30 ready to put on her Tiger stuff and go.

Marching Mizzou!!!  Addison LOVED the marching bands and Greyson liked dancing to it. 

Truman the Tiger.  He wasn't quiet as exciting to the kids as I thought it would be. 

Golden Girls.  Addison informed me that she was going to be a Golden Girl when she got big.  Guess we better start saving that college fund now. 

Mommy & Addison watching the parade.  I held her most of the time since she couldn't see anything standing up.  Of course when someone was throwing candy she had to get down to get it.  The people handing out candy and stuff always made sure to put one on Greyson's lap, who was sitting right next to Addison, but never gave Addison one.  Oh well they all went to her anyway since he can't eat most of it.

Here's  a few pictures I took of the kids that I thought turned out pretty good.  They were having a good time watching the nearly 200 entries.

Greyson's 1st Birthday!!!

I know it has taken me forever to get this post done, but our Internet kinda stinks out here so I have started to upload pictures many times and it hasn't worked. 

We celebrated Greyson's 1st birthday at home on his actual birthday and had a big party with family the next day.  I made cupcakes for his party the next day and him and sissy got to eat one on his birthday. 

First we sang Happy Birthday to him and he thought it was the neatest thing ever.  He started saying "Happy" every time he wanted us to sing to him.  Which was a lot!  Then he would get a big smile on his face when you started singing.

It is either a Knigge family tradition or a tradition that Nate wants to start but our kids get to take the first bite out of their cake.  Addison blew out her candles and took a bite of her cake before it was cut.  Greyson had his own cupcake and his own birthday cake to chow into so next year he will get to bite into his cake. 

Greyson enjoyed his own cake and after the devouring his cupcake the night before he knew just what to do with the cake. He made a HUGE mess but he had a great time doing it! 

He looks like he in a sugar-coma here. 

He really enjoyed eating that cake. 

Here is the beautiful cake that Icing Smiles baker Andi made for us and drive down to our house an hour and a half drive the night before the party.  We are so thankful that such a great organization exists to find bakers to make cakes for these special kids and their siblings.  That's right they will be doing Addison's birthday cake as well.  I was so blown away at the great cake Andi made, since I thought it was going to be a sheet cake. 

I can't believe it has been an entire year since Greyson was born.  He has been through so much in such a short time and his heart battle is yet to be over, or stabilized I guess.  We are so blessed to be able to have him as our son.  He amazes us and others around him every day.  Especially when they find out he has a heart defect.  I chuckle a little every time people ask if it is just a whole in his heart.  Someone always know someone who has a whole in their heart.  They are pretty shocked when I tell them No he has a pretty complex set of defects.  He looks and acts just like every other kid his age.  I don't think his special heart has affected his growth or development in any way.

He is SO CLOSE to walking.  He will take a few steps and is starting to get more gutsy about walking on his own.  He is working on learning to stand without holding onto something else.  He FINALLY has a bottom tooth and I am sure his other teeth won't be far behind. 

Thank you to everyone who came out and helped us celebrate Greyson's birthday and all the support we have gotten from you all over the past year.  It has been scary and fun all at the same time. 

Pumpkin Festival

The day after Greyson's birthday party we went to the Pumpkin Festival.  Greyson was happy to be there and the weather was SO nice!! 

Addison loves getting her face painted since she had it done the first time at the heart walk.  She decided she wanted a star and of course it had to be in her favorite color!

They had some bales set up and pumpkins so we took the chance to take some pictures while we were there.  The sun was shining right in their faces but we still got some alright pictures. 

One of the houses had a runway of pumpkins that we decided to take pictures in.  Addison was having a blast running up and down between them. 

I think the kids will want to go back to the pumpkin fest again next year.  Although it is pretty much a big craft show so I am certain there will be a time when at least Greyson doesn't want to go with us. 

Big 1 year old boy!!!

1 whole year!!!  It has been one whole year since our sweet boy came into this world.  I can't believe it has been so long already.  How worried I was a year ago waiting on his arrival.  I knew inside my body he was doing well and everything was fine...he was alive and happy.  I didn't know what his birth would mean, was he going to be able to survive without me providing him that much needed oxygenated blood?  When he came out I immediatly asked if he was blue and was reassured he was no more blue then any other baby.  I was terriefied until they let me hold my sweet boy before they took him to put in his umbilical lines and take him to the other hospital.  After spending many hours arguing with the nurses that I was not going to stay 24 hours at this hospital when I could be at the other hospital with my baby I was released by my AWESOME Dr. Velastos after just 12 hours in the hospital.  If you would like to read his whole birth story you can here.

Here is our little man right after he was born still in the little NICU room next to where he was born.  I love that little smile he has on his face.  We spent 21 days in the NICU and went from having an open heart surgery after birth to having a heart cath and being sent home to have a totally different repair then we had ever discussed before when he was 4-6 months old.  Thankfully I found the first heart blog and was able to read her son's story and see pictures of him right after the surgeries they were talking about doing on Greyson.  He has a different defect then Greyson but the repair is the same.  Please feel free to read Bryce's story, he is an amzing little boy and has such a strong mommy.

We had Greyson's Glenn scheduled for March 3rd, yup my birthday, but the day after Addison's 2nd birthday he decided it was time to get it done.  Guess he felt like I didn't need those 10 days to prepare and get even more scared of what could be the outcome of this event.  I was terrified but we had so many people praying for our little man and so many family members there with us it made things so much easier and the outcome couldn't have been any better.  His surgery went EXCELLENT and his recovery was even better.  We were home in 5 days.  You can read about that journey here.

On to present times.  Today Greyson went to his 1 year check up he was 19 lbs. 10 oz which is smaller then I had expected him to be but he is still a healthy guy.  He got 4 shots today and wasn't too happy about it, but quickly got over it with the cake they offered him at the Dr's office.  Clearly it made him quiet tired and he took a good nap after we finished shopping for his birthday stuff.

We made the cupcakes for his party tomorrow and after dinner GJ & Grams came down to have some with us.  He really thinks it is neat when we sing Happy Birthday to him, and usually claps and says "Happy" after your done. 

It is a Knigge family tradition to take the first bite out of your birthday cake before it is cut.  Greyson took a bite out of his cupcake before tearing into it. 

And tear into it he SURE did!!!

He even decided to finish off Addison's as well. 

We have been so blessed to be chosen as Greyson's parents.  We have gone through quiet a journey with you little man but we wouldn't have it any other way.  Our journey is far fromm over and we do have the other surgery looming over our heads while you just continue to grow.  Can't wait to celebrate with all of our family tomorrow at your big John Deere Birthday party bash!!!

New news...

What have we been up to?  Well we have been doing a lot here lately, and we have lots of stuff coming up this week.  Greyson turns 1 on Friday!!!  Yes I said Friday, as in this Friday, as in 3 days from today!  Where has the past year gone?  We have done so much and been through so much it doesn't seem like it is possible for an entire year to have gone by. 

Well here is what we are up to now:

Eating Jumbo pumpkin shaped marshmallows!

And ABSOLUTELY loving them!

He ate two and I really think he would have eaten more if we let him.

Lots of swinging, it is by far one of Addison & Greyson's favorite things to do outside.

And playing with cousin Ephan (Ethan).

Some great news for our family.  Ethan and his baby sister Grace will be staying with us every weekday.  I am so excited to be able to give Addison someone to play with everyday.  Today was the first day and there was much less TV watched in our house then before.  Lots of playing and a few tears as Ephan adjusted to being away from mom.  He has had her all to his self for the past 6 months or so.  We are very excited that they will be staying with us, and excited for all the fun stuff we have planned.

So what is coming up? 

Thursday Addison has her first ever dentist appointment.  They are only going to do an exam and fluoride treatment right now but I still think it is a good idea to get her used to sitting in the chair and someone else looking around in her mouth. 

Friday we have Greyson's 1 year check up and Flu shots for both kiddo's.  I have a feeling some tears will be shed at that appointment.  We are also making cupcakes for the birthday party on Saturday, and will get our icing smiles cake either Friday or Saturday.  I am so excited to see everyone and celebrate little man turning one. 

Both kids got Medicaid approval, so Greyson will be getting his Synagis shots again this year, this is HUGE and hopefully they will be able to come to the house and give him his shots. 

I will be taking my camera to the dentists office and hopefully the pictures won't be full of tears, but beautiful white smiles.  There will for sure be a huge update after Saturday's party.