I just put a picture of Vance and Chad in the NICU as the computer wallpaper. It made me think of the first time I kissed Vance. We were still in the hospital and earlier that day the neonatalogist decided that Vance needed a blood transfusion and a PIC line. Needless to say I was very emotional that my little baby was going to need these procedures. The Waldron's had come to the hospital and since Chad had gone home for a minute to pick some things up, I had to take them to see Vance (you had to be with one of the parent's to see him). I was going to take Zach in first.When we walked into the NICU the nurse was just about ready to attempt to enter the PIC line. Vance was covered with a blue sheet and looked completely lifeless and helpless due to all of the morphine he had been given. My heart immediately broke seeing him in such a vulnerable position. I started to cry and began to walk out, not wanting to see my baby like that, when the nurse said, “Mom, come here. I want you to tell your baby that you love him and give him a kiss.” As I bent down to whisper this to my baby, I was overcome with emotion. I told Vance exactly what the nurse had told me to: “I love you.” It was the first time that I had told Vance these words with a real compassion behind them. Then I bent down even further and kissed my baby boy on the forehead for the first time. He was 3 days old and that was our first kiss because of his medical condition.
I will never forget that moment. It is the first time I realized exactly how strong and immediate a mother's love is for her children. I felt so desperate to relieve my baby’s pain. I am crying now – three months later – because I am so thankful to have Vance healthy, happy, and cooing in the next room. He is a shining light in both mine and Chad’s life. I thank God everyday to have the opportunity to be a mother and pray for the strength and knowledge to be the best mother I can be. I hope to be half the parent that my parent's were to me. I hope to love my children unconditionally - no matter how hard it may be at times. I hope to teach them the things they need to survive in this world. I hope they learn the truth of the church and lean on Him whenever necessary. I hope Chad and I make a strong parenting team and always strive to present a united front to our children. I hope we can show by example to our children that marriage is sacred and wonderful. These and much more are the things I hope for. I love you baby Vance and know I am always doing my best!
Our night started at the Bellagio atrium. This is my second favorite thing to see on the strip. I love how you are overwhelmed by the smell of flowers. This month's display was full of tulips which are one of my favorites. Vance thought all of the flower and butterflies were pretty cool. The problem was that he would have liked to be in the flowers instead of just looking at them. Chad kept putting his head in the trees though which seemed to satisfy him retardly enough!
Once the kids were done looking at the flower we headed outside to the water show - my favorite thing on the strip! It took about five feet before Vance wanted out of his stroller and Brayden was tired of walking. They both found a place on their dad's heads and thought they were hilarious.
As we walked to the Flamingo to go see their animal exhibit we ran in to this guy dressed up as Captain Jack. The strip never fails to deliver! Just when you think you have seen it all down there, a drunken pirate heads your way! I guess it's one way to make a living.
The Flamingo exhibit was not as cool as we had hoped but the boys seemed to find the disgustingly huge fish impressive. Once Vance and Colton lost interest, the fight over the blanket began. I don't know when I am going to learn my lesson to leave the blanket in the car when Colton's around.
We decided to head back to the Bellagio. We caught another water show and then stopped and got a crepe. I have been wanting to try the crepes at the Bellagio because I have heard a lot of people say they like them. It was good, but I think mine are just as good! We got a nutella crepe and my mom and dad got some apple/pecan something. You can see by the picture below whose was better!
