June 6, 2012
The Gawel household was preparing for the arrival of our
second little boy coming home. We were giddy with excitement for Connor to meet
his little brother for the very first time after 2 months and 5 days living at
the Children’s Memorial. I spent half of the day at the hospital going over
last minute items with the nurses and doctors. The other half of the day was
spent organizing the mass amount of medical supplies being delivered from our
home healthcare services.
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| Car seat test one day before departure |
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| Just a fraction on the medical supplies delivered |
June 6, 2013
I arrived at the Illinois Center to meet my friend Carrie on
the first floor before making the trek up to The MIX studios on the 27th
floor. Carrie is my dear friend who started the Jackson Chance Foundation to
honor her son Jackson’s (also known as Little J) legacy. Carrie and I were invited to record our
stories about our boys and our friendship for a local Chicago radio show called
The Eric & Kathy Show. Does that sound familiar?
If you go back to September 7, 2012 you may remember the
Eric & Kathy Radiothon benefiting Lurie’s Children’s Hospital. The
radiothon started around 5:30am about an hour after JD’s first buddy, Jackson/Little
J, passed away which I detailed here. The Eric & Kathy Radiothon
allowed Jackson to be celebrated and honored on the day he entered heaven.
9 months later we sat in a recording studio opposite Eric
and Kathy sharing what Lurie’s means/meant to us while we spent many hours at
our kids bedside. Looking back I never realized just how much time we spent at
the hospital. It was a full time job traveling to and from the hospital while
at the same time making sure Connor was not feeling the changes. Was it a lot
of work? Yes! But at the time it did not feel like a lot of work. It was what you
do as a parent. You love your children as much as you can in the best possible
way you can.
June 7, 2012
I woke up so energized knowing my two little buddies would
get to meet today. The excitement
for the boys to meet helped mask the fear of taking care of JD without the help
of doctors or nurses. Yes, there was a little fear knowing the tube running
down his throat had to be in the exact right position or I could potentially
drown my son from the inside (okay maybe not that dramatic but it sure felt
that way).
The post from June 7, 2012 helps sum it up.
My favorite part of the day was the moment when Connor ran
to the backdoor with the Pokey Little Puppy stuffed dog he picked out for JD.
As he set it gently into the infant carrier he looked up at us with a large
smile and said “Hold it, please” as he tried to slide his hands under JD. No
matter what sort of rascally things Connor does towards JD in the future I will
always know he loved his brother from the first moment he laid eyes on him.
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| The Gawel brothers finally together |
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| First night sleeping comfy at home |
June 7, 2013
Our pediatrician Dr. D is pretty dope!
During our April appointment I showed Dr. D the boys Opening
Day picture which is adorable (I mean how could you not love this pic)
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| Opening Day boys |
He asked if I could send him the picture, which I did. A
week later he called me to tell me he had forwarded that picture on to a close
friend at the Cubs and the Cubs organization would like to invite us to a game.
How wonderfully considerate and nice, I thought. Those words do not even
describe our ticket pick-up experience let alone our day.
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| Wrigley Field is one of my favorite places in all of Chicago |
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| Take me out to the ballgame |
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| Let's get some runs . .. seriously some runs would be nice |
We picked up our tickets at a special side entrance where we
avoided the main gate and escorted to the concierge to check our stroller.
Next we picked up our tickets. Not to brag but I am pretty
good at understanding tickets, row, aisle, seat . . . doesn’t take much to follow the numbers. Yet, these
tickets were different and very difficult to understand. As we were being
directed closer and closer to the field bubbles of excitement started to form.
We finally arrived at Asile 19 and showed the usher our tickets. He looked at
the tickets, smiled at us, and said “oh, follow me.” Down we walked until he
held his hand pointing to the VERY FRONT ROW behind homeplate. As he walked
away, he smiled and said enjoy the game. WHAT?!?!? Greatest Cubs day ever. Even
Nate who plays everything as super cool guy got pretty geeked out by these
seats.
If that was the end of the story it would be an outstanding
story but it’s not . . .it goes on.
About 30 minutes before the game Dr. D’s friend, Wilford
Brimley (or the identical twin who works for the Cubs) came over and said “Is
this Connor and JD? How are you boys doing today? I heard your favorite player
is David DeJesus. Do you want to meet him? Come with me.” SERIOUSLY!?!?! Why does
Connor love DeJesus so much? Last year I went to a baseball game with some friends
and they handed out David DeJesus bobbleheads which Connor loves. As a 1½ year
old he would run down the hall “bobbling” his head holding DeJesus. He truly is
his favorite.
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| June 28, 2012: Hot summer day just hangin' with David DeJesus bobblehead |
Fun David DeJesus
Facts:
His birthday is the
exact same day and year as mine. DeJesus knows what it’s like to have this said
to him “this is for both your birthday AND Christmas.” Ugh!
Nate went to high school
with DeJesus’ wife, Kim
As we chatted with Wilfrod Brimley we watched a few of the ceremonial
opening pitches, watched as the ball kids got ready, and the players take the
field for stretches. Next we were escorted on the field for a family picture:
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| Nate had to hold Connor tight as he was very close to running the bases |
Standing on the on deck circle waiting for DeJesus looking
up at the stands made my eyes water. A year earlier we were driving slowly down
Fullerton staring at our 6lb 10oz baby. And yet on Friday I stood with a sore
back because my 18½ lb baby was heeeeavy. Smiles and watery eyes.
Ever see a 2-year-old try to comprehend how his bobblehead
is now a real person? It helps me appreciate that wide-eyed innocence during
special moments in life. Our real-life bobblehead was such a sweet guy.
Sometimes the people in DeJesus’ situation can blow off their little fans but
that was not the case with DeJesus at all. He happily had a conversation with
Connor about how bobbleheads’ heads move around. He gave him a game ball. But
coolest of all he reached in his back pocket and handed Connor his batting
gloves. Connor is NEVER short on words and he just stared with a smile and
wonder. Treasured family moment forever. June 7th will continue to
be a very special day for the Gawels every year.
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| "David DeJesus said 'Hey Buddy' and gave me his batting gloves" Connor loves telling the story |
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| Gawel Family photo with our bestie David DeJesus |
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| First ballpark hotdog |
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| View from our seats |
June 8, 2012
It was me and my two boys alone for the first time. Was I
scared? Yes. Did Connor watch more TV then he is normally allowed? Maybe J Was it fantastic
having both boys home with me all day? ABSOLUTELY. We started learning just how
hard the nurses work remembering the feeding schedule, the medicine doses, when
to check vitals, changing diapers, enjoying some playtime, and so much more. We
loved holding him without cords and wires. Connor continued to protect JD and
make sure he had his Pokey Puppy with him at all times.
We could not leave the house or go on walks or run to the
store or visit friends but we started our life as a family of four and we were
loving it. Our fabulous friends, the Webers, dropped off Lou Malnotiis pizza
and wine for dinner topping off a great first full day at home.
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| Making himself right at home |
June 8, 2013
Coming off the high of our Cubs game we rolled right into
the weekend with excitement. Lil’ Sluggers in the morning then Ribfest Chicago
in the afternoon (trying to get all our fests in before moving to the ‘burbs).
As we watched Connor lead his team in . . . troublemaking
(the 25 year-old coaches have patience of a angels) our favorite Dr. D came
running by and stopped by to check-in on our Cubs outing. The smile that formed
on his face matched our own as we excitedly told him about Connor and JD high
fiving Daivd DeJesus. Knowing JD’s
up coming surgery will put him out of commission recovering for at least a
month he was thrilled to help us create special family moments.
We ended up stopping by his house to share a few cheers and
beers with his family on the way to the Ribfest. Warning: the Gawels love a
good backyard party so if you are inviting us just to be polite too bad because
we will actually show up.
Another great day wrapped up with a Game 5 win sending the
Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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| Hitting home runs never gets old |
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| Heading to the Ribfest |
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| How many ribs should we get? |
June 9, 2012
Saturdays in the summer are suppose to be spent outside
enjoying the air and allowing little ones to wear themselves out. However, last
year we could not leave the house as a family as JD was not yet ready for the
city world. Instead we took turns taking Connor to the park, to the store, and
to get ice cream (that was my turn).
If you were driving through the city on this day you would
have seen a line of ambulances making the 3 mile drive from Lincoln Park to
Streeterville transporting kids from the old Children’s Memorial to the new
Lurie’s Children. Throughout the day while we enjoyed home snuggles over 200
families were nervously awaiting their turn in the ambulance. I was actively texting my NICU moms and
our nurses while following the progress of the move online. All went well and
our buddy Jackson got the best room with the best views in the house which he
deserved.
That evening I finally got to take my matching PJs picture
that I dreamed of since the moment I found out we were having another little
boy. Being home as a family of four was becoming comfortable
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| Saturday night family of four |
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| Brothers matching PJammies |
June 9 2013
Sunday mornings are for brunch. If I had my way we would go
to church and brunch every Sunday morning
. . . but pretty much everyone else in Chicago has the same idea leaving
long waiting times with two hungry adults and two rascally kids.
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| A year ago this kid was wearing a collar and was unable to be held without lots of support, now he is practically sitting up on his own |
While big family moments with Cubs players are some of our
favorites we will always have a place in our hearts and memory for the everyday
joys - brunch, park, naps, family dinners, movies, walks, laughs and most of
all nightly snuggles.
June 10, 2012
With each day JD was home we got a little more comfortable
and felt a little more like our life as a family of four was becoming normal. June
10, 2012 was the day Connor became his little brother’s personal superhero. As
we went about our day Connor would periodically check-in on JD and . . . well you know the rest. JD made a
noise, Connor said “JD out,” Nate noticed he was blue, the ambulance arrived
and we were back at the hospital (read all about it here).
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| An hour later he turned blue |
Thus, our next 1½ months were spent at Lurie’s Hospital . .
. not a bad place to be when your little one needs extra care. We rolled right
back into our old routine but the best part was Connor was now allowed to
visit. While he loved seeing his brother the full size Chicago fire truck was
really the draw. Daily, Connor would ask if he could “go to JD’s hospital.”
Over the next few weeks we celebrated Father’s Day, the 4th
of July, and summer in our private room at Lurie’s. While I would have loved
being home with both of my boys during that time I am grateful for those extra
few weeks. It was during those weeks I spent more time with my friend Carrie
and her little man Jackson. I cherish those moments with Jackson and Carrie.
It was also during that time I got to know the new hospital much
better. The months following our discharged included LOTS of appointments at
the hospital and by that time I was totally a pro making the appointments much
smoother.
June 10, 2013
A typical Monday: play date at the park with friends, trip
to Trader Joe’s, naps, and playing baseball while wearing David DeJesus batting
gloves . . .you know a typical day.
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| DeJesus' gloves almost fit |
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| Balls are hit further and bases are run faster with DeJesus' gloves on |
On June 10, 2012 if you would have asked me “what do you
think you will be doing this time next year?” I would have told you “I have no
idea what the future looks like.” I always knew we would find our normal but I
was unsure of what our normal would be. It turns out our normal is the exact
same as I always imagined . . .
with a few more appointments. And in reality is there really even a “normal.”
Every family is unique in their daily routines and adventures. The Gawels are no different. When we
received JD’s diagnosis I did not know how the words “special needs” would fit
into our daily lives. It turns out it doesn’t . . . because the words special
needs never come up. JD needs a bit more attention but then again what second
child doesn’t (the second children I know always were a bit more rascally even
as adults).
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| Chunky, happy boy with no wires, no collars, no helmets, no shoes just fun on the floor |
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| A year ago he had a collar and was not cleared for tummy time. Today we are working on rolling over all by himself. |
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Gawel Adventure List
With JD’s surgery coming up we working towards checking off
items on our Gawel Adventure List in the next few weeks. Knowing it may take a
few weeks before JD will be up and running at full speed we want to make the
best of the summer prior to surgery. Therefore, we have fast tracked some of
the simple things we want to do this summer.
Things like:
*Watch the boys play in the sand at the beach
*Take a family ride on the ferris wheel at Navy Pier
*Attend a Kane County Cougars game with friends
*Swim in grandma/grandpa pool for the first time.
Simple yet memory making. I love making childhood memories. We
kicked it off big by becoming besties with David DeJesus so we are hoping to
keep the excitement going.
This week, one more thing has been added to the Gawel
Adventure List:
*Gawel Family Photo with the Stanley Cup
When I was pregnant with Connor the Blackhawks won the
Stanley Cup. I was unable to attend the parade because a crowd of 2 million
people does not mix well with a 7 ½ month pregnant belly.
When I was on maternity leave the Cup made it’s way through
my office allowing my coworkers to take pictures with the greatest sports
trophy in the world (next to the Olympic Gold Medal – obviously). Thus I missed
out on the parade and the Cup in 2010.
Once again the Blackhawks have won the Stanley Cup and once
again I missed the parade. I have watched as Facebook has blown up with
pictures of the Cup all over the city of Chicago. Once again I continue to miss
it. But not this time! In order to avoid missing it I have added “Gawel Family
Photo with the Stanley Cup” to our Adventure List. Not sure how I plan to make
that happen but considering we gave Connor the Kaner . . .
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| Connor the Blackhawk |
… we will find a way. Part of me hopes they make their
rounds through Lurie’s while JD is here surgery but the likelihood of that
happening are pretty slim. Until then I plan on searching for the Cup in the
hopes we can have a wall of super amazing photos from pictures with David
DeJesus to JD sitting in the Cup (okay that is asking a lot but if you gotta
dream big).
We will keep you posted on the Cup Watch 2013 but until then
I will keep spiking Connor’s hair in the Kaner in the hopes we happen to be
walking past a bar with the Cup.
