April Session ends - Trip to the Krohn Conservatory

We have had a very busy April. Bryce just completed his first four week session at the Conductive Learning Center of Greater Cincinnati. He has made a some amazing changes over the past four weeks there. He is now using the potty quite often. He probably goes 80% of the time that we put him on it. I have to be honest, potty training was far from my mind and I hadn't yet considered trying with him. Now we just have to work on a sign for him to start letting us know when he needs to go. I hated to see the April session come to an end, we absolutely love this program and it is going to be more than amazing for Bryce and his progression. He will have a break for the month of May and will start back in June. Everyone needs a little vacation. This will give him time to just be a kid - and of course, to celebrate turning the Big 2!

Cohen is doing great as well. He is running around like a little wild man. He is more destructive by the day and talks talks talks. He sure does keep us on our toes- typical 2 year old. We are working on potty training with him as well, but he isn't as fond of it as brother. Still a long way to go, but I guess we will get there in time. Cohen is starting to include Bryce more and more in anything that he does. It is so amazing to see their bond getting stronger all the time. I am so thankful that they have each other.

To end the April session we all went on a field trip with some other kiddos/conductors/assistants to the Krohn Conservatory to see the Butterfly Show. We were able to all four go and we had a wonderful time. That is until Cohen decided to have one of the infamous (2 year old) tantrums.... it was way past nap time for him.

We are Marching for Babies

We are two days away from the March for Babies - we will be walking again for the 2nd year with our family and friends. Our family had a goal to raise $2,000 this year, I am proud to say that we have exceeded that goal. The final dollar amount is not yet calculated, but it is over the goal we set. I used to think often about our NICU experience and how incredibly hard that first year was on me, my husband, my boys and our entire family. The boys will be 2 next month, I just can't believe how far they (we) have come. We went from having very ill, lifeless babies, to 2 little boys who have really grown to develop such special personalities. We were told that Bryce would be more like a vegetable if he lived at all. I can proudly say that he has more life in him than most and his smile lights up everyone that meets him. I hope that the money we raise will help spare other families the heartache that our family suffered for so many months. I would love to believe that prematurity and birth defects wouldn't strike as often as it does, that it would give ALL babies a healthier start. I walk, we walk in honor of our boys and what they have been through, but holding close those who never get to take their babies home. Thanks to everyone for the love and support that they have shown to us!

We will never forget you!

I wanted to post a picture of my Grandma Nancy. I mentioned her passing in the previous post. The woman who thought that I could do no wrong. She was so proud of me and my boys. She will never be forgotten and her memory will live on.

Conductive Learning Center

Bryce started at the Conductive Learning Center today. We decided to change "schools" since Matt and I felt this would best fit Bryce's needs. It was hard leaving Perlman and the friends that we have made there, but the time was right. We had hoped to go ahead of time to see what a session would be like, but things have been so hectic we didn't have a chance to. After Day 1, we are very excited and we both feel that this is EXACTLY what Bryce needs. Last summer my Grandmother had read an article about the Conductive Learning Center, located in Covington, in the newspaper. We had already decided to attend Perlman at that time. We got the call last Thursday that Bryce could come on Tuesday of this week. My Grandmother died the next day (on Friday). I know that she would be very excited for Bryce (for us). We have another Angel helping us from up above!

Botox Round 1

Bryce had his first round of Botox on Monday (03/21)... He had a total of 11 sticks. Poor guy wasn't too happy about it, but as soon as it was over he was all smiles again. I can't believe that any one out there has a personality quite like his. He is simply amazing! Bryce has been eating great and FINALLY gaining weight too! At his last check-up he was up to 19 pounds 1 ounce!!! Go Bryce. I had two goals for him before turning 2 - to be at least 20 pounds and to be crawling. He is so very close to meeting both of those. So exciting to see him changing so much.

Cohen is doing great- we are entering the Terrible 2 Tantrum phase a little early. He has his little fits and beats on brother - and of course- is completely destroyed when you get after him. He LOVES to be outside. I don't think we will be able to keep that kid inside at all this summer. It will be so nice to be outdoors more!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

March for Babies 2011

It is that time of year again - March for Babies 2011 is on April 17th!
1 in 8 babies are born too soon.

Walk Distance: 6 miles
Registration Time: 8:00 AM
Start Time: 9:00 AM
Location: Sawyer Point

Every day, thousands of babies are born too soon, too small and often very sick. Our team is walking in March for Babies because we want to do something about this. We walk in honor of Cohen and Bryce, for what they have been through and what they will go through. I would hope that no other family would have to experience what prematurity can do. Let's walk to try to lower this number!

If you can't walk with us, please help by donating to our team. No donation is too small. We will also be announcing some additional fundraisers in the coming week. Thank you for helping us give all babies a healthy start!

To find our team page go to http://www.marchforbabies.org/ and search for Team Croley Twins.

The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.