Soccer!

Dylan has been playing soccer in the under 5 group this year.  We go every Friday evening and the parents help run a practice for the kids followed by a game.  Most Fridays Sophie and I are able to go watch- she hangs out in her stroller while I sit in my camp chair on the sidelines and take pictures and video.  Dylan has been having a great time and he often reminds me when I should be taking video.  When did our little boy get so big?  When did I turn into a soccer mom?

Back to Blogging

It has been quite a long time since I lasted posted to this blog. A lot of life happened since then, if you somehow missed it you can read about that here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sophieevelyn

Many kind family and friends followed Sophie's progress on the CaringBridge site regularly and a few people were disappointed when we stopped posting.  For me, the CaringBridge site was a wonderful tool for giving updates and staying connected during a pretty difficult time, but the day Sophie came home I felt it was important to turn a new page.

I still find myself pausing occasionally and wondering did that all really happen and did we really make it to the other side with this totally healthy, beautiful baby girl?  Every e-mail, every note, every card, every kind wish we received built the bridge that got us to the other side of this journey.   Words really can't express how much the outpouring of support we received meant to us. To say I have a new appreciation for just how blessed I am would be an understatement.  Every time I look at my wonderful children I am filled with gratitude.  

So, I find myself back at this blog, looking for a place to share little updates about our family, a place that thankfully isn't about doctors or treatments or brady episodes. 

I have been back at work for about a month now and I think we are all adjusting to the routine. Sophie has been sleeping through the night like a champ since the end of July, which really is a wonderful thing. Dylan is loving his role as big brother and is very helpful and sweet to Sophie.   Dylan started soccer and basketball and is really enjoying both.  Things are good.

Today it hit me that Sophie has now been home longer than she was in the hospital. Wow.

Brand New Nephew

We just got back from visiting our brand new nephew. Alexander Morgan weighed in at 5lbs 10oz. and measured 19 inches long, he was born at 3:16pm. Mom and baby are healthy and happy.

Lynda's Birthday

Santa Cruz Boardwalk Nov. 23

Dinner Party at our House Nov. 22

Dylan is 3!

It is hard for me to believe that Dylan is really 3! I know everyone says time flies by, but when I look at the pictures from the day he was born it seems both very far away and so close at the same time. So much has happened in these three wonderful years it is hard to remember what it felt like before he was with us. He brings happiness to every day. I feel so incredibly blessed to have this amazing little person filling up my days and my heart with so much love and joy.

Reflections on Proposition 8

To our family and friends,

Our hearts are heavy today as we write this note, as we are sure you are aware, Proposition 8 has passed by a narrow margin here in California. We are still not sure what this will mean for us personally. According to the Attorney General of California our marriage will still be valid, but we know it is going to be a path of uncertainty and more legal battles. Our disappointment is huge, we genuinely believed that the people of California would do the right thing and say no to writing discrimination into the State Constitution. We were wrong. As we sat in front of our computer on election night continually hitting the refresh button, willing the results to starting coming in our way, a real feeling of confusion and sadness started to come over us. When we were finally able to tear ourselves away and attempt to sleep, we still wanted to believe things would be different in the morning.

Despite our great disappointment today, we are incredibly grateful to each of you who have shown us so much kindness, love and support. To all of you who shared in our joy during this whirlwind summer of weddings and celebrations, supported us and the No on 8 effort, who dug deep and made contributions to the campaign, to those of you who volunteered we are so thankful for each of you. We feel truly lucky to have such an amazing group of family and friends.

Clearly we have a long road ahead, but so much progress has been made, and in great part due to all of you. Despite being demoralized that such a large number of Californians would vote against us, it is a big accomplishment to see how far we have come since the year 2000 in the number of people who will vote with us.

In the past two days we have hugged Dylan a little tighter and tried to step back and take count of how blessed we really are. Love is what defines our family and no one can take that away from us.

Love,
Julie, Lynda & Dylan

Halloween