Love, loss...cheese crackers and the longest post ever.

As most of you probably already know, we lost our baby girl, Corinne. We had a beautiful service and I'm glad we did. Z will have a place to visit his sister when he is old enough to understand.

Corinne - you are a part of our family forever and always. A moment in our arms, forever in our heart. May 21, 2010.

A dear friend started a March of Dimes page for her...I am so in awe of how wonderful my friends are sometimes...over $1100 raised to fight prematurity...

http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1441034

I thought long and hard about this blog post because part of me wanted to skip over the last couple months...this is Zack's blog...but the truth is that this weighed heavily on our family and still does. Zack included. He really is a tough awesome kid, though...he fared 6 days without me and did a great job for Kevin. He visited me in the hospital every night...the first night was tough as he didn't realize it wasn't about HIM...once he found nurses to blow up latex glove balloons and he was thrilled. Kevin was also an amazing single dad...I couldn't ask for a better family. Thank you to everyone who visited me, sent cards, helped out with Z...it meant more than you know. You are true friends.

The positive side of things is that Z made some great strides with eating. I'm happy to report that my kid is a snacker...he SNACKS...sits in his chair munching away on cheese crackers looking all normal...it's pretty neat. We're still working on an actual meal, but he has come SO far...a few months ago we were still covered in puke...now we are generally puke free and he CAN eat. We are still getting past mental blocks and behavioral issues, but we are making forward progress. Z sits with us at dinner and several nights in a row has actually consumed most of what was on his plate. (pickle slices, cheese, and a couple ritz)..come on now...that's ALMOST a meal!!! He's so proud to show me he's actually swallowed...see the video below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfenl4HD274

Most people think I'm nuts, but my fellow moms of non eaters know what a HUGE accomplishment this is...no pomp, no circumstance...just cheese crackers.

We also made a river trip with our friends Tiffany, Paul, Sierra and Connor over the Fourth of July and had a wonderful time...here are some pictures...

Lastly, Z had his friend Christian over to play. They had a blast!! Swimming, coloring, playing their instruments and generally tearing it up! Enjoy some pictures...

There's more...I'm so far behind, but I had to get this post done. Moving on isn't quite what we've done, but we're not standing still either. Zack would never allow it...and I thank him for that.

Thank you again for all your support...

xo

Kevin, Janet and Zack