Granny bought Claire a pumpkin Halloween outfit just for fun and they tried it on this week! Gotta find her some black pants to wear with it now.
Have a great weekend!
Love,
The Scott Family
Friday, September 23, 2011
Happy 9 months corrected age birthday Claire!
Well, it was really yesterday, but I forgot. Claire's adjusted or corrected age is 9 months and 1 day today. So in "reality" she should be on the developmental track of a 9 month old instead of an almost 1 year old. I think she's pretty on track! We will find out in a few weeks at our next Duke appointment what the doctors think.
Granny bought Claire a pumpkin Halloween outfit just for fun and they tried it on this week! Gotta find her some black pants to wear with it now.
Granny bought Claire a pumpkin Halloween outfit just for fun and they tried it on this week! Gotta find her some black pants to wear with it now.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
September 22nd
Get ready for the next few weeks of posts about "a year ago today...." For some reason, anniversaries of events or important things have always meant a lot to me. As the days get closer to when I went into labor early with Claire last year leading up to her birth, I will probably be posting a lot on what was happening this time a year ago.
But what was happening 11 years ago on September 22nd? Oh, September 22nd. A day that still haunts me. Something terrible happened for our family. Trent's dad was killed in an automobile accident. The only word that comes to mind - tragic.
This post is not meant to be about the tragedy that happened. But it's supposed to be about what HE would think of Claire. I often wonder about what he would think of this Scott girl.
Trent's dad would be "Granddaddy" to Claire. I am 110% sure he would love her to no end and spoil her with anything she could want. He and Trent would probably be in a competition to see who could spoil Claire the most! Especially with John Deere items.
I can see him right now sitting back in his recliner with his squinted eyes and a big grin on his face as he watches Claire crawl across the floor. Claire seems to have a "fear" of men with beards. I think it's a phase she is going through. They just look different. I am pretty sure that if she knew her Granddaddy, she would have no fear of beards! She would have learned that a big snugly bear was hiding behind that big fuzzy beard of his.
NASCAR tickets would already be purchased for her very first race as well as tickets to a NCSU basketball game. Maybe even Duke basketball tickets as I believe he would be converted like we have been. I am sure of this.
You know those bumper stickers that say "Ask me about my grandchildren"? Well, I don't know if he'd go quite as far as to have one on his truck. But I am pretty sure he would live, eat, and breathe that phrase, because Granddaddy LOVED to talk. To any one at any time about any thing. People would be getting an earful at the store, at the firehouse, or anywhere really about what Claire was doing today, the funny things she was saying, or just how smart she is. He would already have her college life and career planned out in his head. Granddaddy would have big dreams for this baby girl.
I am also sure Granddaddy would already have his eye on a pink BB gun that he planned to buy Claire one day so she could go hunting with him. And a Ducks Unlimited rocking chair, tricycle, backpack............... you name it, she would have it from DU.
And amongst all of the paperwork, trash, business cards, and dust on the dash of his truck, I bet you might be able to find a picture or two of Claire. Just so he could show them off when he wanted to.
And hats. Oh the hats he would be collecting for this child. I think he had a billion of his own and passed that trait down to Trent. Even if she never wore them, he would give her some hats.
It's fun to think about the things that Claire and Granddaddy would do together if he was still here. But it's extremely sad at the same time as I know how much both of them will miss out on each other's company and getting to know one another. It's hard to think of all the things he has missed and things he will miss. But most of all, I am sad for Claire that she will not know him physically on this Earth, but she will know him from stories we tell. But I am also110% sure he is watching from Heaven and knows Claire and everything about her. Who knows - he is probably up in Heaven right now propped up on the counter at the corner store, with a Pepsi in one hand and a honey bun in the other, telling all of the other angels about what his Claire Bear is doing today. And I am pretty sure he'd think that she was named Claire "Bear" after his nickname and you couldn't tell him any differently.
Love,
The Scott Family
But what was happening 11 years ago on September 22nd? Oh, September 22nd. A day that still haunts me. Something terrible happened for our family. Trent's dad was killed in an automobile accident. The only word that comes to mind - tragic.
This post is not meant to be about the tragedy that happened. But it's supposed to be about what HE would think of Claire. I often wonder about what he would think of this Scott girl.
Trent's dad would be "Granddaddy" to Claire. I am 110% sure he would love her to no end and spoil her with anything she could want. He and Trent would probably be in a competition to see who could spoil Claire the most! Especially with John Deere items.
I can see him right now sitting back in his recliner with his squinted eyes and a big grin on his face as he watches Claire crawl across the floor. Claire seems to have a "fear" of men with beards. I think it's a phase she is going through. They just look different. I am pretty sure that if she knew her Granddaddy, she would have no fear of beards! She would have learned that a big snugly bear was hiding behind that big fuzzy beard of his.
NASCAR tickets would already be purchased for her very first race as well as tickets to a NCSU basketball game. Maybe even Duke basketball tickets as I believe he would be converted like we have been. I am sure of this.
You know those bumper stickers that say "Ask me about my grandchildren"? Well, I don't know if he'd go quite as far as to have one on his truck. But I am pretty sure he would live, eat, and breathe that phrase, because Granddaddy LOVED to talk. To any one at any time about any thing. People would be getting an earful at the store, at the firehouse, or anywhere really about what Claire was doing today, the funny things she was saying, or just how smart she is. He would already have her college life and career planned out in his head. Granddaddy would have big dreams for this baby girl.
I am also sure Granddaddy would already have his eye on a pink BB gun that he planned to buy Claire one day so she could go hunting with him. And a Ducks Unlimited rocking chair, tricycle, backpack............... you name it, she would have it from DU.
And amongst all of the paperwork, trash, business cards, and dust on the dash of his truck, I bet you might be able to find a picture or two of Claire. Just so he could show them off when he wanted to.
And hats. Oh the hats he would be collecting for this child. I think he had a billion of his own and passed that trait down to Trent. Even if she never wore them, he would give her some hats.
It's fun to think about the things that Claire and Granddaddy would do together if he was still here. But it's extremely sad at the same time as I know how much both of them will miss out on each other's company and getting to know one another. It's hard to think of all the things he has missed and things he will miss. But most of all, I am sad for Claire that she will not know him physically on this Earth, but she will know him from stories we tell. But I am also110% sure he is watching from Heaven and knows Claire and everything about her. Who knows - he is probably up in Heaven right now propped up on the counter at the corner store, with a Pepsi in one hand and a honey bun in the other, telling all of the other angels about what his Claire Bear is doing today. And I am pretty sure he'd think that she was named Claire "Bear" after his nickname and you couldn't tell him any differently.
Love,
The Scott Family
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Duke ICN 3rd Annual BBQ for Babies
As all of you remember, Claire was a resident of Duke's ICN for 99 days after she was born. This place was "home" for her and us for 3 1/2 months. The neonatologists and NICU nurses cared for Claire like we would and saved her life. We learned to trust them with our precious child when we had to leave at night. They made us feel comfortable when we sat there hour after hour each and every day. These people work miracles for lots and lots of babies. That's why we want to help them raise money to benefit families of babies who are in Duke ICN.
This money goes towards pizza nights that are held each Thursday for parents and families of ICN babies. This is where I met Eliza's parents and Elizabeth's parents. It's so nice because you don't have to go far (just in the lobby) from your child, you get free food and don't have to eat expensive cafeteria food, and you get to meet and socialize with other people going through some of the same things you are. The money goes also towards the little gifts the babies get on holidays. Claire got her 1st Halloween goodies, a Christmas stocking full of toys for her, and arts and crafts the nurses did with the babies for New Years Eve. This money goes towards making life in the ICN just a little easier for families. And that means a lot. These are just a few examples of what the money raised will go to.
So what is this event you ask? Well it is a BBQ dinner held at Teer Family Farm in Chapel Hill on October 1st from 4-7 pm. There will be great food, amazing raffle prizes, music, and exciting children's activities like face painting and bouncy houses. BBQ plate tickets are $10 each if you want to go out and eat. Or even if you cannot go and eat your plate, consider buying and donating a ticket or 2 for some of the current ICN families so they can get out of the NICU for a few hours and go enjoy some good food. This will give them the opportunity to see how well all of these ICN graduates are doing and it will give them hope! If you can't make it to the dinner, you can support Duke ICN by purchasing raffle tickets. Here's how the raffle tickets work:
*copied the above info from Super Dude's mom*
This money goes towards pizza nights that are held each Thursday for parents and families of ICN babies. This is where I met Eliza's parents and Elizabeth's parents. It's so nice because you don't have to go far (just in the lobby) from your child, you get free food and don't have to eat expensive cafeteria food, and you get to meet and socialize with other people going through some of the same things you are. The money goes also towards the little gifts the babies get on holidays. Claire got her 1st Halloween goodies, a Christmas stocking full of toys for her, and arts and crafts the nurses did with the babies for New Years Eve. This money goes towards making life in the ICN just a little easier for families. And that means a lot. These are just a few examples of what the money raised will go to.
So what is this event you ask? Well it is a BBQ dinner held at Teer Family Farm in Chapel Hill on October 1st from 4-7 pm. There will be great food, amazing raffle prizes, music, and exciting children's activities like face painting and bouncy houses. BBQ plate tickets are $10 each if you want to go out and eat. Or even if you cannot go and eat your plate, consider buying and donating a ticket or 2 for some of the current ICN families so they can get out of the NICU for a few hours and go enjoy some good food. This will give them the opportunity to see how well all of these ICN graduates are doing and it will give them hope! If you can't make it to the dinner, you can support Duke ICN by purchasing raffle tickets. Here's how the raffle tickets work:
Click the link below to see our awesome prize baskets, including jewelry, Disney World passes, weekend getaways, sporting event tickets/merchandise (Duke, UNC, ECU, & NC State), autographed Nicholas Sparks books + movies, and MUCH MORE!
Tickets are $1/each | $10 for 12 | $20 for 25
You do NOT have to be present to win.
Here's how it works
- Look at the list here: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/40720954/2011_Raffle_Prizes.pdf
- Contact me and tell me which basket(s) you want to enter and how many tickets you want for each basket
- I only need your NAME + PHONE NUMBER (I will print the information on each ticket for you if you are not local)
- Send me the money (checks made out to: DUKE ICN/FAB)
- I'll put your tickets in the basket(s) you designate
It's that easy! Please help us spread the word. Anyone can contact me personally or the Family Advisory Board directly at icn.fab@gmail.com
Link to the Duke website if you question the legitimacy of the fundraiser: http://www.dukechildrens.org/about_us/newsroom/bbq_for_babies
*copied the above info from Super Dude's mom*
So if you think you are interested in any BBQ tickets (I have those) or raffle tickets, please let me know!!! Looks like some awesome prizes!!!
Love,
The Scott Family
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Videos and an update on Mason
Mason came through his heart surgery yesterday very well! All I could do yesterday was think about Mason and his family just knowing the stress and worry they were going through every hour just sitting there waiting for the smallest update. I prayed and prayed all day. I remember at some points during all of Claire's situations thinking I couldn't pray enough or just didn't have the mind about me to pray. But I remember knowing that so many others were praying for Claire and for us, that it was carrying us through. When you just don't have the strength to pray for yourself, someone else already is praying for you. That's a blessing! Mason's mom uploaded a picture of him last night in recovery and he looks just like Claire did with the wires, tubes, stickers, tape, and monitors. The next day or so is the hardest when they start waking up in pain and not knowing what is going on. So please continue to pray for a speedy and easy recovery for Mason! To follow Mason's blog and updates, go to http://www.preciousmason.blogspot.com/.
Ok, so here are some recent videos that I promised yesterday!
Claire is not interested in birthday cake. We will have to work on this one before her party! She obviously did not get her taste for cake from her momma because I will go for birthday cake over anything else! Although, I couldn't stand the taste of it while I was pregnant with Claire....
Here is just a cute video of Claire laughing and "talking". She doesn't use a paci anymore, but likes to chew on the flat part like a teether. Also you notice the snowmen in the background. They have stayed there at my parent's house by her changing table because she loves to play with them so much. So they are now there year-round!
Here she is in the early stages of crawling. She has no troubles now getting around very quickly! She moves a lot easier and faster now than in this video.
And this last video is from the birthday party for my sisters, brother, his girlfriend, and my dad this weekend. The big dogs belong to my sisters. Claire LOVES them! It's hard to tell in the video, but she was laughing so hard!!! Like a huge belly laugh! Her face was beet red as she was laughing so hard that she was almost losing her breath. You know, like when you laugh so hard it hurts and you have to rest afterwards?!? That was it! We were so enthralled with Claire and how much she was laughing, we didn't think about videoing it until she was getting tired, so you missed the best part. But you get the point!
Love,
The Scott Family
Ok, so here are some recent videos that I promised yesterday!
Claire is not interested in birthday cake. We will have to work on this one before her party! She obviously did not get her taste for cake from her momma because I will go for birthday cake over anything else! Although, I couldn't stand the taste of it while I was pregnant with Claire....
Here is just a cute video of Claire laughing and "talking". She doesn't use a paci anymore, but likes to chew on the flat part like a teether. Also you notice the snowmen in the background. They have stayed there at my parent's house by her changing table because she loves to play with them so much. So they are now there year-round!
Here she is in the early stages of crawling. She has no troubles now getting around very quickly! She moves a lot easier and faster now than in this video.
And this last video is from the birthday party for my sisters, brother, his girlfriend, and my dad this weekend. The big dogs belong to my sisters. Claire LOVES them! It's hard to tell in the video, but she was laughing so hard!!! Like a huge belly laugh! Her face was beet red as she was laughing so hard that she was almost losing her breath. You know, like when you laugh so hard it hurts and you have to rest afterwards?!? That was it! We were so enthralled with Claire and how much she was laughing, we didn't think about videoing it until she was getting tired, so you missed the best part. But you get the point!
Love,
The Scott Family
Monday, September 19, 2011
A jam packed weekend
First - please keep Mason in your prayers today and the following days. He is one of Claire's heart buddies and has TOF like Claire. He is having his open heart surgery this morning to repair his TOF. Please pray for Mason, the doctors and nurses, his family, Mason's recovery, and that everything gets fixed in his heart like it's supposed to be! You can follow Mason's blog at: http://www.preciousmason.blogspot.com/
This weekend was jam packed full of things! We attended 2 birthday parties on Saturday and church on Sunday, and even ate at Pizza Hut! Claire did great at everything! She had fun at the parties and even stayed in the nursery at church without me. She seems to be getting a little better at stranger anxiety. I am hoping it gets even better before her birthday party! *sigh* Our little girl is growing up....
There are a lot of pictures, so I will just get started with those and describe them in the captions.
We have also tried to take lots of videos lately of Claire. She's doing something new almost every day now, it's hard to keep up with her! I will post the videos another day so you will have something to laugh at! :)
Love,
The Scott Family
This weekend was jam packed full of things! We attended 2 birthday parties on Saturday and church on Sunday, and even ate at Pizza Hut! Claire did great at everything! She had fun at the parties and even stayed in the nursery at church without me. She seems to be getting a little better at stranger anxiety. I am hoping it gets even better before her birthday party! *sigh* Our little girl is growing up....
There are a lot of pictures, so I will just get started with those and describe them in the captions.
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| Someone gave Claire these heart pajamas and they were just too cute!!!!!!! |
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| sweetheart |
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| This is what Claire thought of her first attempt at birthday cake. Acutally, she was too interested in the Baby Einstein video that was on. |
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| Uncle Phillip and Claire treating Miller like a horse! |
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| Claire and Aunt Brandy |
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| Anna showing Claire how to play with this toy at Anna's 2nd birthday party. |
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| Claire, Anna, and Connor |
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| Claire playing with the "See And Say" while Anna opens her gifts. |
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| Then she found Connor's combine. |
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| And then the balloons! |
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| And decided she loves vanilla ice cream! |
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| My new big girl car seat thanks to Mrs. Tammy! |
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| My shirt says I am "unBEETable" with a beet on it! |
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| Aunt Sarah bought this outfit for me before I was even in my momma's belly! |
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| Claire loves to play the piano. |
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| Super cute with her new bow this morning! |
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| Finger painting - helping to make decorations for her 1st birthday party |
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| I love painting! |
Love,
The Scott Family
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Claire had a blast at B.L.A.S.T!
My parents' church has a Wednesday night supper each week and they call it B.L.A.S.T (Believers Learning And Serving Together). My mom invited us to go eat with her and give some people a chance to see Claire that have been praying so diligently for her for so long. I have to admit I as a little nervous after what happened at the family night supper at our church not too long ago with the meltdown.
But I am proud to say that Claire did AWESOME! She didn't fuss at all or get scared! It was a big group of adults and kids running around. It was loud and busy. But she acted like it didn't bother her. Strangers even came up and spoke to her and she was ok. She got still and quiet and watched them closely, but she didn't cry! YAY! They even sang the Happy Birthday song to someone there who was celebrating a birthday. I was anxious b/c at my birthday party, she lost it when they sang. Her eyes got really big and she just stared at me while the sang last night, but no tears!
She also got to visit and meet Jake - an ex-preemie who is now 3 years old! Jake and his family walked in the March of Dimes on Team Claire Rose and fixed us many delicious meals after Claire came home. We were glad to sit and visit while we ate spaghetti.
So we all had a blast!
Love,
The Scott Family
PS - Claire is on the go now with crawling! :)
But I am proud to say that Claire did AWESOME! She didn't fuss at all or get scared! It was a big group of adults and kids running around. It was loud and busy. But she acted like it didn't bother her. Strangers even came up and spoke to her and she was ok. She got still and quiet and watched them closely, but she didn't cry! YAY! They even sang the Happy Birthday song to someone there who was celebrating a birthday. I was anxious b/c at my birthday party, she lost it when they sang. Her eyes got really big and she just stared at me while the sang last night, but no tears!
She also got to visit and meet Jake - an ex-preemie who is now 3 years old! Jake and his family walked in the March of Dimes on Team Claire Rose and fixed us many delicious meals after Claire came home. We were glad to sit and visit while we ate spaghetti.
So we all had a blast!
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| Claire and Granny |
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| Claire and Jake |
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| Mmmmmm...yummy spaghetti! |
Love,
The Scott Family
PS - Claire is on the go now with crawling! :)
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Winner, Winner! Chicken Dinner!
Not really a chicken dinner winner, but I did WIN something very special! I am so excited! Yesterday, the CD "Every Falling Tear" by Matt Hammitt of Sanctus Real came out. It is a special CD that he wrote most of the songs about his son who was born about a year ago with a severe congenital heart defect (CHD). I had never heard of the Christian band, Sanctus Real, until a month or so after Claire was born. Trent's cousin, Sarah, sent me an email one night about a story that was on the news about them. I read it and just cried. I believe this was actually the first time I realized that we were not the only ones out there with a child with a CHD.
I read the news story, watched the video clip of their family, and then listened to the song he had recently written called "All Of Me." He had written this song about his feelings for his son, Bowen, who he wasn't sure how long he would live and how to love someone you knew you may lose very soon. The words of the song hit home so closely. I have it on my computer and listen to it every now and then and just bawl. It brings back so many memories. It is the first song that will be played on Claire's 1st birthday video.
So with the upcoming release of the album, lots of the heart mom blogs I follow were offering a giveaway of the CD. Of course, I entered everywhere I could knowing that I ususally do not win contests. But I REALLY wanted that CD! This morning, out of the blue, I received an email from Tiffanie's blog that I WON THE CD along with 2 other contestants!!!! I am so freaking excited! Here's a link to Tiffanie's blog (Claire is on there!!): http://pineapples-n-pickles.blogspot.com/2011/09/winner-winner-every-falling-tear-album.html
And to read more about Bowen's heart, go to http://www.bowensheart.com/. You can download "All Of Me" from iTunes or listen to it here: http://bowensheart.com/2010/11/25/happy-thanksgiving/
Love,
The Scott Family
I read the news story, watched the video clip of their family, and then listened to the song he had recently written called "All Of Me." He had written this song about his feelings for his son, Bowen, who he wasn't sure how long he would live and how to love someone you knew you may lose very soon. The words of the song hit home so closely. I have it on my computer and listen to it every now and then and just bawl. It brings back so many memories. It is the first song that will be played on Claire's 1st birthday video.
So with the upcoming release of the album, lots of the heart mom blogs I follow were offering a giveaway of the CD. Of course, I entered everywhere I could knowing that I ususally do not win contests. But I REALLY wanted that CD! This morning, out of the blue, I received an email from Tiffanie's blog that I WON THE CD along with 2 other contestants!!!! I am so freaking excited! Here's a link to Tiffanie's blog (Claire is on there!!): http://pineapples-n-pickles.blogspot.com/2011/09/winner-winner-every-falling-tear-album.html
And to read more about Bowen's heart, go to http://www.bowensheart.com/. You can download "All Of Me" from iTunes or listen to it here: http://bowensheart.com/2010/11/25/happy-thanksgiving/
Love,
The Scott Family
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