CROSS COUNTRY

Robert has been running Cross Country since 8th grade. Now in the 11th grade, he has grown so much and amazes me with his commitment to this sport. He ran all summer long, alone and with some teammates to prepare for this season. Robbie might not be the fastest runner, but he runs well enough to have earned enough points for his second Varsity Letter. I couldn't be more proud of him. Rochester fall weather is so unpredictable that he frequently runs in scorching heat one day, and rain and cold the next day. He never complains and really enjoys the sport. This year he is doing indoor track as well and spending lots of time with his team. Even though Rob has chronic asthma, he never lets that get in the way of doing all the things he wants to. He is a real inspiration to me!

CHRISTMAS MIRACLES

Timothy James Marshall 12-25-2000 1:40 pm 3 pounds, 9 ounces 16 1/2 inches

Jack Edward Marshall 12-25-2000 1:39 pm 3 pounds, 3 ounces 16 inches

The first time Mommy got to hold her twins at the same time. They loved to be together!

Jack's tiny little hand in my hand... and wearing one of his many hats to keep him warm.

At 6 months of age you can't even tell they were preemies with "toaster heads"

This month, 9 years ago, was a roller coaster of activities. I was on bed rest for the most part but still having a lot of contractions. Finally, a week or so before Christmas, the doctor admitted me to Strong Hospital to stop labor and monitor the babies, since I was only 30 weeks gestation. Very early Christmas morning my water broke and I called home to tell Chris to come up to the hospital. He took Molly to Aunt Katie's for Christmas morning and Rob was with his dad. Chris got to the hospital and they were doing everything they could to stop labor. Unfortunately Baby "B", who we now call Timothy, was in distress so they did an emergency c-section. Chris had just left the room to make some phone calls when this all happened so he had no idea that the doctor came in and took me to perform the surgery. Also, because it had to be done so quickly in the hopes of not losing one or both of the boys, I was put completely out and have no recollection of even leaving the hospital room to go to surgery. When Chris came back from calling his family to say I was resting comfortably, he found that my entire bed was gone and so was any staff. Moments later the nurse came out to tell him that they delivered our boys. Immediately the boys were taken to Strong's NICU and placed on Ventilators (Tim is pictured here with that). Not too long into their stay they went to C-pap's (see Jack's picture). The boys were in the NICU at Strong for 4 weeks, then moved to Genesee Hospital's Special Care nursery for 3 more weeks. Because the doctors had pumped me so full of fluid before I delivered, the boys were also full of fluid and their weights got down to 2 pounds and some change in the first few days. They were so early they didn't have any pigment to their skin and basically looked like little hamsters. We loved them instantly even if you could barely see them for all the tubing, wires, monitors and isolettes that surrounded them. At nearly 9 years of age the boys are in the 95th percentile for height and weight and amaze us everyday with how perfect they are!

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving was very special this year! 14 wonderful family and friends sat in our diningroom and gave thanks for our many blessings. Such great food and laughs! A tradition of reading all the Black Friday ads and cousins goofing around made for a fun afternoon. Naps on the couch after a big dinner. Sue's famous cookie cake. A really wonderful holiday to remember.

A NEW PUPPY?

Rusty did not have a puppy if you are wondering what that heap of dog fur is next to him. Instead our poor neglected dog actually got brushed this month. Oh poor Rusty! Well, truth be told, he used to be a kitchen and mudroom dog only and lately he has been given run of the downstairs. His favorite location is the family room couch or the floor in the living room by that couch. He enjoys looking for a stray stuffed animal left on the ground to carry around in his mouth. He really likes finding any crusts from toast that may fall to the ground as well. However, this new found love of the rest of the house means the dog hair has become the latest challenge. I can vacuum twice a day and still it is every where. Since I don't (and won't) vacuum twice a day, I've decided to brush Rusty once in a while and take a preventative approach to dog hair maintenance. I'm considering a "Flowbee". Do they make those for dogs? Would that help? Would Rusty sit still for that? Hmmmm, tempting!

A STAR IS BORN

Molly is such a confident 11 year old! She got a part in the middle school play this year as Molly Moron. A flamboyant character that matched her own personality quite perfectly. She was so excited to be a part of this comedy called Hospital by Tim Kelly. Molly enjoyed all the practices after school and all day on Saturday, she loved the cast party and especially the costume she got to wear. Leopard print heels. Life is pretty much perfect for this 6th grader!

SUNDAY FOOTBALL

My kids would rather play outside then sit in doors and watch tv. They love to play football or baseball or capture the flag. They ride bikes and play basketball, they make forts in the woods and mud pies near the driveway. This video really captures the energy and closeness of 3 brothers who spend hours playing together.

HALLOWEEN - WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE

When Robbie was in second grade he wanted to be a Pokemon card. At the time I was pregnant with the twins and home on bed rest. I had hours to craft this one!


That same year I made an adorable lion outfit for my adorable daughter.



Jack loved (still loves) Peter Pan and everyone else's costume had to fit the theme. Gotta love sewing with fleece.









Molly was the tooth fairy. Aunt Katie gave us lots of green tooth brushes that hang on her skirt. Rob makes a very cool alien. Gotta hate sewing with that material. Ughh





Costumes for the Rush Parade.. not to be used again at Halloween so they got donated to Leary for the book parade every year. Yeah... love to recycle costumes.







Also made for the Rush Kiddie Parade. Used again in the second grade play, How does your garden grow.