Once upon a time...

there were 2 late-twenty something girls 1,000 miles apart - both very early pregnant, both not being able to do anything but lay in bed and worry and worry and worry about the the fate of their baby they wanted so very badly. And then one day while surfing a board on a website designed for people just like them (pg & on bed rest), a post caught their attention and those first emails were exchanged...

Sunday July 6th, 2008 "How exciting that we're due around the same time! I'm very happy to meet you. Hopefully we can share this journey together."

"Man I'm so glad to have you to vent to...I'm due January 6th it'll be great having you..."

And boy did we have NO idea what a journey we were about to go on and what a special unique bond we would develop. I'm referring to Victoria from Topeka, KS - one of my "online friends" who became one of the closest dearest friends that I share everything with and talk to several times daily from that day on. We were about 3 months pregnant when we met - we both found out we were expecting boys and were elated, both for ourselves and for each other. We were there for each other through it all... after each and every terrifying Dr.'s visit, when we woke up in the morning, when we were driving ourselves crazy during the day, when the world partied on the wkends and it was just another long day for us, and when we were feeling every single emotion that no one seemed to understand. So many times when we were going through yet another complication (even though our circumstances were incredibly different) it was one of those things when if you are not going through it, you just don't get it. And that is how our bond became so strong.

I have never felt such strong emotions for someone I had never even met. Her precious baby boy Bradyn was born at 26weeks1day gestation. She called me every step of the way, and when I got that horrible phone call that they were about to do an emergency c-section I remember sitting there sobbing and praying that they would be okay. Without going into everything that happened, Bradyn came close to losing his life several times, as well as Victoria. It was beyond horrible and one of the scariest times. Yet she powered through and survived the unexplainable. And Bradyn - he survived and is an amazing living miracle. As time went on we realized how alike we were and even after the trauma stayed just as close.

We were each other's inspiration and that person that was always there when everyone else was done listening or wanting to think about it. Victoria is one of the strongest people I have ever met, and still to this day inspires me. With all that being said, last week-end was one of the most incredible experiences I have had. On a spur of the moment, we decided to meet in real life. Over a year of getting to know each other and developing a friendship that is stronger than some people ever have over a lifetime, we were finally going to be able to hug and hold each other's precious miracle babies that we love so much. It really is hard to explain - I'm not sure anyone gets how incredible it was. It was, and actually still is surreal.

Friday, August 28th, 2009 in St. Louis, MO - we were finally together with our babies - both alive and well... Bradyn finally free of tubes and medications and Evan with no problems all the Dr.'s predicted he would have. We wondered how it would be, Tori & I - when we saw each other. It was like we hung out every day. Completely comfortable, chatting for hours like we had seen each other yesterday. Loving on the babies and completing each other's sentences. It was no coincidence that we met - we needed each other to get through that time and now we get the privilege of having a life-long friendship that will continue to build and build as our baby boys grow up. I cannot think or say it enough - how awesome!!! Bradyn is just as precious as I imagined him to be - happy, adorable, and cuddly. It was very sad to leave them, but absolutely amazing to have spent that time together!

We took tons of cute pictures, but here are some of my favorites...actually there is a strand of about 5 hilarious pictures but I didn't include them b/c my computer is ancient and slow - but when we put the babies in a chair together B tried to take E's toy and succeeded and you can see E looking at Tori as if he's saying "um, excuse me - did you see what just happened here?!"

This one makes me laugh b/c they are both in their own little worlds...B is watching his sister and E is just in love with his doggy and staring at his nose.

Tori with her B & E!

Me with my E & B!

"ya, we know we're cute!"

More Firsts!

Well I see last time I wrote it was July 17th...the very next day you DID master sitting up! You weren't the kind of baby we had to put a boppy around (although we still do), you just were a pro, we are very impressed. It opened up a whole new world for you - you now love to sit up and play in your play pen on the deck, you had your very first experience shopping while sitting in the cart, you sit up like a big boy in your bouncy seat when you watch your baby Einstein video at night. So so funny. You crack us up! You, Daddy, & I had a mini get-away. Mommy & Daddy got engaged in downtown Grand Rapids and have made a point to go back there every year since. This year we had the pleasure of taking YOU! It was extra special because it was your very first time swimming. You loved it way more than we expected. When you first got in you looked around for a bit then realized you were in water and started patting the water splashing like crazy. You whole head including your face was wet & you didn't even care! It was adorable! We put you in this blow up dog and vroom'd you around and you loved it. You would've stayed in there for a lot longer but your little face was getting cold so we only stayed in for about 20 minutes! Today is August 16th- you are 7 months old today!!! Can't even believe it. This past wkend we had a sleepover at our house with Alex & Kyle. They are the best cousins you could ask for - they truly love you and take turns playing with you. We went to the playground, the car show, and today it was 90 degrees -outside & in our house - so we were all a little cranky :) You are quickly on your way to crawling. Last week you started scooting and you have the leg part down pat - you get up on all fours but you're not quite sure what to do with your arms yet. Your little whirlygig garden is by far your favorite toy. You were across the room & slowly but surely managed to get to it! It brings me to tears watching you accomplish these milestones - especially when all the Dr's told us you most likely never would. Daddy is in Chicago for almost 2 wks and when I put him on speaker phone at night and he talks to you you get so excited and smile and kick. You are also starting to have quite the temper...for example -- today since it was so hot I gave you your first sip of water ... when I took it away to take a drink myself you instantly started sobbing. Oh my - I thought hmmm, toddler that throws himself on the ground in a couple of years?! eeek :) Tonight we went over your girlfriend Chelsie's house for dinner. You guys have hung out a lot this wk actually. We put you face to face and you study her and try to grab her face. You are truly a pleasure - even when its 1.5 hrs past your bedtime & you are crying (right now!).