Sunday, December 9, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
My tree this year.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
University of Iowa Kid Captain!
In March, I received a mailer from the university about the University of Iowa Kid Captain Program. It was a mass mailer sent to all of the families of patients at the U, asking to have us submit our story to be selected for a kid captain. A friend of ours from the NICU had a child picked last year and her video makes me tear up every time I watch it. This child went through the ringer in the NICU, spending well over 400 days in the NICU and going home nearly a year after his twin went home. He went home with a tracheostomy as well. They really strugged.
So, knowing that, I submitted our story never, ever thinking in a million years Emery would be picked, but he was! What an amazing honor it is :) You can read more about it here.
Anyway, they've had us take pictures, shot a video/commercial-type video that airs during the child's game week and on the Big10 network, and you can also view it from this link, though Emery's video won't up for months. He's the final one picked for the bowl game this year, and if the Hawks don't go they said they'd feature him at a winter event. Either way, we've had some amazing experiences already. As promised, they've given Emery the star treatment. He even has a poster of himself lol. Sadly, Emery's behavior has taken a nosedive this summer; Erik and I suspect it is because he's having difficulty coping with a new school, but it is getting better every day. Wow, do we have a challenge on our hands. He even had an appointment a few weeks ago and his behavior was so bad they referred us back to the CDD. I've already talked with his physicians there and we're coming up with a game plan. Mostly, I feel bad for Emery - I think he's just tired from all of the changes and stressors and so he acts out. I'll actually get to that in another blog post. Right now, we just need to celebrate this amazing experience.
We were invited to have a special event a the Kids Day 2012. Every year The Hawks have a Kids Day event at the stadium where families and kids can come watch a scrimmage game and get autographs from the players. It's really an amazing event. As a kid captain, we got to tour the entire stadium, had a quick breakfast where we met the other families, and the coaches even came and talked personally with the kids. It was literally amazing! Here are some fun things from the day to get an idea of what an amazing time this is for the kids. It's really a special program, and you all know I could gush to the high heavens about the U and all that they do. Here's a video of them having the kids charge the field. Em and I are in back. He kept saying he didn't want to play. Finally a coach grabbed his hand and ran out on the field and Emery kept saying 'You're making me play!" Lol. Also, here's a clip of Erik on the news. Jeez, it never ends :) And finally, here are my favorites from the day. Thanks U of I!
So, knowing that, I submitted our story never, ever thinking in a million years Emery would be picked, but he was! What an amazing honor it is :) You can read more about it here.
Anyway, they've had us take pictures, shot a video/commercial-type video that airs during the child's game week and on the Big10 network, and you can also view it from this link, though Emery's video won't up for months. He's the final one picked for the bowl game this year, and if the Hawks don't go they said they'd feature him at a winter event. Either way, we've had some amazing experiences already. As promised, they've given Emery the star treatment. He even has a poster of himself lol. Sadly, Emery's behavior has taken a nosedive this summer; Erik and I suspect it is because he's having difficulty coping with a new school, but it is getting better every day. Wow, do we have a challenge on our hands. He even had an appointment a few weeks ago and his behavior was so bad they referred us back to the CDD. I've already talked with his physicians there and we're coming up with a game plan. Mostly, I feel bad for Emery - I think he's just tired from all of the changes and stressors and so he acts out. I'll actually get to that in another blog post. Right now, we just need to celebrate this amazing experience.
We were invited to have a special event a the Kids Day 2012. Every year The Hawks have a Kids Day event at the stadium where families and kids can come watch a scrimmage game and get autographs from the players. It's really an amazing event. As a kid captain, we got to tour the entire stadium, had a quick breakfast where we met the other families, and the coaches even came and talked personally with the kids. It was literally amazing! Here are some fun things from the day to get an idea of what an amazing time this is for the kids. It's really a special program, and you all know I could gush to the high heavens about the U and all that they do. Here's a video of them having the kids charge the field. Em and I are in back. He kept saying he didn't want to play. Finally a coach grabbed his hand and ran out on the field and Emery kept saying 'You're making me play!" Lol. Also, here's a clip of Erik on the news. Jeez, it never ends :) And finally, here are my favorites from the day. Thanks U of I!
Famous Pink Locker Room :) And Pink urinals lol.
This one is probably our favorite. Our kiddo running the field after all of his horrible lung issues :)
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