What makes a mother???

When do you become a mother???
What makes you the mother that you become??

Is it when you agree to daily injections, pills and procedures to get you there??

Is it when you let go of everything you imagined pregnancy to be, and start to pray just for 24 weeks??

Is it when you stop blaming god for the challenges that your child faces, and thank him for your child??

Is it getting on a plane and flying half way around the world for a child that has not genetic link to you, but is every bit your child??

Is it when the idea that you may never be a mother brings you to your knees and you can not imagine how you will go on??

Is it when you look in your child's eyes and cannot recall one minute of life before that very second??

I can never remember a time in my life that I did not dream about being someones mother. Every ones journey to motherhood is different. There were many times that the path that I took seemed full of unexpected turns and often had no end in site. The journey and path that I took made me appreciate so much more what was at the end of it.

I thank God often for allowing me to become a mother, but do not often thank the person who taught me how to be a mother. Thank you mom for teaching me love, strength and sacrifice and how to be the best mother by setting the example!!!

Marching to Save babies!!!!

WE WALKED

WE SPOKE

WE HUGGED

WE CRIED

WE CELEBRATED

WE WERE HONORED

WE GOT SOAKED

Pretty Girl take 2

Lollipop Kids

Graduation

When Griffin was born we had been through so much with Mac we wanted everything to be "perfect" with Griffin. We had so much anxiety waiting for every milestone with Mac. Our home was often a revolving door of therapists and days were filled with endless medical appointments and battles with insurance companies. When Mac turned three I could not wait to shut and lock my door and never let another therapist in again.

I never imagined myself a parent to ignore warning signs and imagine tomorrow that my child would start talking, walking, etc. But very early on I did just this with Griffin. I noticed very early on his language, social and motor skills were off. I was often the advocate to other families about getting help early and the benefits of early intervention. Yet I refused for a long time to make that call. I could not imagine having another therapist walk through the door and tell me something was wrong with my child. It really took my pediatrician sitting my down and asking what the hell I was doing to have me make that call. I was dreading the conversation, the evaluation and everything that comes along with a child receiving therapy before three. I did not want to pretend that I was perfectly happy with the situation my family was facing, when really I was up nights wondering what would happen to my child.

Griffin started to receive services soon after my talk with the doctor. I realized I needed to just get over my issues and do what was best for him. Today marked the end of these services, Monday he will become the responsibility of the school department in our town. My heart is broken, yes I am sad that we will no longer receive therapy in our home. What was once a dreaded activity, turned into such a positive one. Griffin has really transformed before our eyes and I will be forever be grateful to the therapist's who I believe made this happen. When I was beat down from having therapist in my home, they made me look forward to these visits. While I once felt my home needed to be spotless, they allowed me not worry. They knew when to push and when to sit back and let things be. When they walked into our home for the first time I was beat down, when they left today I felt sad, but renewed and ready to face what we have ahead of us. When anyone wonders, why do you want to be a nurse, I usually immediately think "to make a difference" The more I experience in the nursing field the more I think how can I make a difference in such a short period of time that is often allowed for patient care. Griffin's therapists came for often only one hour a week and they made a huge difference in all of our lives. This I will never forget.

Amy and Andrea if you read this please know that I can never thank you enough for what you did for Griffin but also for what you did for me. Please do not think it ever went unnoticed.
Christa

My Baby

How can my baby be turning three, no really how????

March of Dimes

Dear Friends and Family,
It is the time of year again that we ask for your support. On April 25th our family will join March of Dimes in their annual Walk!! We have decided that we have been doing this long enough and that everyone knows the statics and scary facts about prematurity. This year we will speak to you from our hearts. Since Mac was born in 2003 we have constantly been reminded how much the March of Dimes has given to our family. The March of Dimes started as an important cause for us and quickly became our passion. We have seen our involvement over the last year transform into our mission. It is the mission of our family that someday every baby will get a fighting chance! This year the March of Dimes recognized our devotion to ending prematurity and birth defects. They have given us the opportunity to represent something even larger then our family’s mission and have asked us to represent the March of Dimes in their mission. We are very pleased to be the 2010 Ambassador Family for the March of Dimes. When something negative happens in someone’s life it is very easy to ask why me? While at an event last week, while standing on stage and telling our story it became very clear “why us”. We have the power to tell our story, raise money and most importantly raise awareness. We believe this is a beginning of a journey for our family. We are not quite sure what god has in store for us in the future but right now we need funds, as Mac likes to say “To Save babies” Please consider helping us fund our mission. You have the power to save babies. You can make a difference; you can be a hero today.
Thank You,
Christa, Mark, Mac and Griffin Velardi
Donations can be made online through this website
http://www.marchforbabies.org/macfinnmom

Or checks may be written to:
March of Dimes

Reading Fun

accountability... x2

Now if I could just get my knee on board!!!

**** edited**** I am very unhappy with this picture. The light is horriable, but I needed to go take an exam. Pretty sure my professor would not be happy with the excuse that I was taking pictures. I think we may recreate the day tomorrow.

Conversations with Fin... yes I said Fin!!!!

Mac- who am I
Fin- ???
Mac- I am your brother
Fin- Mac
Mac- yes
Fin- you are my best frien....d (he still cannot figure our where to end words!!)
Mac- your best friend???
Fin-forever


after having to leave the daycare at the gym, for his behavior, AGAIN!!!

Fin- I a bad boy
Mom- your not bad Fin
Fin- un- hu
Mom- no, your just a little fresh sometimes
Fin- I want to be bad boy!!!!

Fin- me love daddy!!
Mom- oh, thats nice, do you love moma???
Fin- nope
Mom- you don't love moma???
Fin- Hug( and proceeds to hug me)
Mom- oh see you love moma
Fin- you see, I love daddy!!!

Who are you???

I was going through pictures today and found this one. I could not believe how cute Mac looked, wait, or is it Griffin. I never thought they looked much alike!!! Maybe they do. Who do you think it is???

How many pictures is too many???

Every wonder if you take too many pictures of your kids?? Chances are if the site of your camera brings this reaction, YOU ARE!!!

Why is Dad so happy!!!

I can understand why Griffin was so excited at the life size picture of the ni-ne(aka pacifier) Is it just me, or does Mark look a little too excited???

A DIET GIRLS DREAM GIFT

Weight Watchers beware. I think that I have found the answer to all my weight loss issues. Who would have thought that our new Netflix Subscription (I know we are getting very old and boring, how many times can you bowl on WII??) would have given me all I ever needed to know.



I may never eat again!!! and too think,I thought the Skinny Bitch book was scary.

ACCOUNTABILITY

ac·count·abil·i·ty
Pronunciation: \ə-ˌkau̇n-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
Function: noun
Date: 1794
: the quality or state of being accountable; especially : an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions


THIS MY FRIENDS IS MY DEFINTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY

He will always be our baby!!!

Pretty Girl Photo Shot

I have decided after shooting this pretty girl that I am only taking pictures of little girls from now on. She smiled, stayed in one place and really was happy to have her picture taken, not something that I am used to. Plus it helps when you can throw a pretty flower in her hair... though Griffin may like this also!!!

BIRDS AND THE BEES...etc

I hold my breath when Mac starts one of his conversations. You know the ones that I walk away feeling... dumber then a kindergartner. We have had some good ones the last couple of days.

Mac- Remember when I was born too soon.
me- yes, Mac I remember
Mac- why do you think this happened???
me- maybe you were anxious to meet me
Mac- sorry, not to hurt your feelings but... I was anxious to meet daddy!!!

Mac- mommy I would like to have some more babies in our house
me- Mac, we are done having babies
Mac- oh man!!!
me- you can have a bunch of babies when you get older
Mac- ah mom
me- yes Mac
Mac- I have a penis, you need a vagina to have a baby

Mac- guess what we celebrated at school today??
me- what Mac
Mac- the 100th day of school
me- really
Mac- you look a little confused... let me help you, we have been in school more then 99 days, but less then 101.
me- thanks for the clarification
Mac- It's math it will get you every time!!!!

Sledding Fun

We did a little sledding this weekend. The boys had a blast, and Mark and I realized yet again that we are warm weather people. Please try to ignore the snot in Griffin's nose,we are!!!!

Wooping it Up

Were you wondering what the party animals did for Valentines. Don't worry I photographed it. We stuffed our faces with guacamole, margaritas and were in bed by 9:30. Now don't jealous, and yes you are right the tomato was a little chunky!!!

Valentines Velardi Style!!!

After looking at what the stores had to offer for pre-made Valentines. Is it me or is the idea of handing out tattoos and mini GI Joe pistols to kindergartners frighting. Valentines day is supposed to be about love. What part of tattoo says love. Well, except if the tattoo reads "love" which might not be that hard to find!!

We decided to come up with our own.Notice the we and our, shh... it really was I and me, in the end I had Mac convinced it was his idea!!!

This is what "we came up with" what do you think. Just in case you are wondering these are the things that keep me up at night!!!

Wordless Wednesday

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WHO DAT?????

Dats the little guy who got kicked out of the gym daycare today for biting. Dat who!!!