Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Can you handle the news?

Well....all we can say is: I guess blessings come in threes!?!!



We had our first sonogram on Tuesday and what do you know.... We are having multiples! Triplets to be exact.... Um can we say uh oh! Here are the first couple of images.....




As you can imagine, this news has stunned us to say the least. Obviously our house will be full and I will not be returning to work to handle all the children we will have! As we soak in the news and prepare, keep us in your prayers!

Till next post!

Links Out!

Friday, March 20, 2009

The aim of life is self-development....



The aim of life is self-development is: To realize one's nature perfectly - that is what each of us is here for. Oscar Wilde

Sometimes life throws you curve balls…. I am sitting here today with two announcements. One is not the death of a dream but just a dream on hold. The other is a blessing from above. While I must announce that I am unable to continue my half marathon training at this time and that I am putting my dream of running 13.1 miles on hold for a year. I am pleased to announce that the Link Family is growing yet again! Oh yes, it’s true, our family will be welcoming another member this fall! I have to admit that I did not expect to get pregnant so soon after the birth of Jake and it does kind of terrify me to think of having two small children about thirteen months apart, we are ecstatic just the same and I will keep you posted on our progress!

Thank you all very much for supporting me throughout my training! Your words of encouragement and donations helped me pound the pavement (ever so slowly) towards my dream. Your efforts are not wasted or forgotten! I have worked out a deal with my Team in Training coach and we are rolling over the majority of my fundraising efforts towards my training next year. I have made the commitment to achieve my dream of running and raising money for a cause and dog gone it; I am going to do it! Albeit a tired mess I’m sure but determined just the same!

Thank you again for your support and I hope you can cheer for me with the same fervor as I begin my journey towards another baby!

A baby makes love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for.
Author Unknown

Thursday, March 19, 2009

The worst feature of a new baby is its mother's singing. Kin Hubbard

Alright so my quote is a little off topic but it's funny just the same!

Jake has his six month visit today. Here are the stats for our growing bruiser:

Weight: 17.4 lbs 75th percentile
Height: 28.5 inches 95th + percentile (off the charts!)
Head Circumference: 50th percentile

Our boy is growing too fast!

Take Care!!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Building strength for crawling and sitting!




Jake is now five and a half months old. He is drooling like crazy preparing for some teeth that will surely pop through at any moment (as you can see below).



Jakers is also scooting to grasp toys and stregthening his arm and leg muscles for crawling. Jake is not quite sitting up but he has mastered baby crunches and is always trying to reposition himself into a sit. He will actually sit for about thirty seconds without support but as soon as he realizes what he is doing he topples forward. I am sure the many mile stones he is working on will come to fruition soon and we will be chasing a crawling boy! He has developed quite the personality as well...I can already tell from this picture he is going to be a handful!



In addition, he has found his new favorite sleeping arrangement, he scoots himself way up into the corner of his crib, lays on his side and nuzzels the bumper, it is soooo cute, but it does make mom nervous!



Jake is becoming increasingly aware of his surroundings as well, he recently discovered these giant beings covered in fur. Yes he has discovered the dogs and there is nothing more interesting! We often bring him into the kitchen to feed him dinner while we cook our own dinner, since we have a big glass slider, the dogs will come up to the glass to peer in and enjoy some time looking into the house. Jake is so delighted in this visit that he starts sqealing and cooing, peering at the pups. When we let them into inspect, Jake grabs at thier faces, kicks his legs and sqeals even louder! I am sure they will grow to be great friends. Since Mastiffs have a shorter life expectancy than regular sized dogs we are happy that they will be a part of our childrens lives if even for a short time.

Poke Poke as we call him has a Dr visit coming up so we will update you on his growth progression soon!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift...

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a gift and not giving it.

I have to share a wonderful thing that happened to me this weekend! As you know I have been training to complete a half marathon in May with Team in Training benefiting The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. During my journey, I have received an out pour of support, thoughtful words of encouragement, monetary donations and most importantly I have gotten to know some wonderful people and some stories of survival! This commitment has made me aware of so many people in need and made me realize how blessed I am even on my toughest days!



Meet my neighbor Donnie Hodge, he is 25 years old, married to his high school sweetheart Chessa and has two beautiful children (Maddie’s daily playmates) 9 year old son Donnie and a 5 year old Andi.

This February his family was hit with a disheartening blow. Donnie been feeling ill for months experiencing terrible headaches, dramatic weight loss, inability to sleep and some days he is in so much pain he is unable to even stand or walk. Donnie is battling Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, multiple brain tumors and bone cancer.

Since learning of his condition and his wonderfully positive attitude towards battling these illnesses, I wanted to help his family! His mother Vicki, wife Chessa and I hosted a fundraiser this weekend featuring Gold Canyon Candles, Gigi Hill Bags, Mary Kay, Cookie Lee and Avon. Each vendor donated at least 20% of their total sales (most being any commission they would have received) back to the Hodge family to cover their mounting medical bills. I have to tell you it was a smashing hit! I would guess we had about 800-1000 people that came through my home to purchase goods to benefit the Hodge family! In addition, we raised over $1500 dollars in just 3 short hours! I am astounded how many people came out to support this family even in such tough financial times. It just goes to show you that when times get tough, the tough get going!

If you would like to help Donnie and his family
Donations can be made at any Wells Fargo Branch reference account number 2323995361
Identification Number for Tax Purposes is 32-0270736

A special thank you to the vendors who helped us make this fundraiser possible and gave selflessly!

Cookie Lee: Christina Meek
Gold Canyon Candles: Seidi Woods
Gigi Hill Bags: Shawna Moriaty
Mary Kay: Lisa
Avon: Betty Meyers!

From the frontlines, over and out!