A Very Kessenich Christmas

Getting closer!




4 Generations of Kessenich's

Where can I get the hat??

Merry Christmas

Ho, Ho, Ho! This was my first Christmas morning where I got to get excited about gifts and unwrapping them and playing with them and really, all I was interested in was my bottle. Go figure. Mom and I had a great morning and then spent the rest of the day running around seeing family. I had a pretty good haul- I'm a lucky kid. So lucky Mom had to pack up my "baby" toys to make room for the new stuff. I keep telling her- big boy ='s big toys!

Santa Chase

Due to the overwhelming generosity of our friends and family, we were able to donate a new glider, ottoman, newborn and preemie clothes to St. Mary's NICU on Christmas Eve. Chase wasn't able to make it- still getting over a cold, but I dropped off the gifts and some cookies for the nurses. A couple looked familiar and some even recognized us. It was nice to reconnect. Maybe this will be an annual thing? Anyways, it's just nice to give back to those who gave us so much!

I want my MOMMY!!!

Krista here, bet you thought it was Chase from the headline :-)

Now for those of you who don't know me very well, I'm a pretty independent person. I usually don't share a lot (funny for a person with a blog) my friends joke that my plans are "ultra-secret" and they have to pry stuff out of me. I'm not one to really shout from the rooftops when I'm happy (unless it's about Chase) or wallow in self-pity when I'm sad.

Unless I am sick. Then I turn from a self-sufficient 30 yr old to a whiney, cry baby who wants everyone to know how bad she feels. I wear my illness everywhere. From the pathetic look on my face, to the comfy clothes I sport, to the gravel voice that comes and goes (depending on whom I'm talking to.) My girlfriend Jen prefers to be alone when she is sick. I see the appeal, but I want to be cuddled, coddled, have my hair stroked while I snot and sneeze everywhere. Basically, I want MY mommy.

So what happens when this 30 yr old baby gets her 1 yr old son sick too? Poor child, sneezing snot 10 feet in the air (sorry for the TMI) he's actually crying "Mama" like he knows who I am, what to call me and how to break my heart in just one word.
So what do I do? I suck it up, wipe his nose, change him 3 times before 8am bc there's snot EVERYWHERE. I let him sleep in my bed, even though I can't sleep now bc he's snoring all over the place. I wait for my sister to arrive to take over my now happily rested snotty baby, get ready for work & then blog about how miserable I feel today.

Because he's one and too young to stroke my hair.

'Tis the season

This year we have many things to be grateful for:

• enjoy the holidays with family & friends (and not doctors and nurses)
• finally, a white Christmas!
• Chase's two front teeth (and a couple others)
• a healthy family
• new friends & some reconnected ones too!
• a new job for Mom, which means. . .
• HEALTH INSURANCE ;-)
• and a lot more blessing, which we reserve the right to add later.

Happy Holidays!

Chase? Meet Carter :-)

Shh, no one will notice if I yank this real quick for ya!



Seriously, Carter- I feel your pain, let me help you out!




Oh yeah, that doesn't feel so hot- I'll lay off :-)


Mom and I got to finally meet the Kolman's. Mom and Karin connected thru a way small world when Karin was pg with Carter. He's got the same 22q I have and hung out at Children's for surgery too! He was there for 3 months! But now he's home & doing really good. I had some serious flashbacks when I saw his oxygen, so I tried to help him out by taking off the tape. Mom wasn't having that, so I had fun playing with Carter's dog and toys. Can't wait for our next playdate!

Santa? Meet Chase

My little man, all dolled up in a sweater vest :-)



The lady who was helping Santa said this was the cutest shot all day, my kid- the ham



GET OFF ME!



Who decided to put the chair in front of the window? Seriously folks.

What the ?

What a difference a year makes. . .

One year ago today I kissed my little boy and sent him off to his first Open Heart Surgery. I put my faith in the doctors and God, waited with family, received prayers from friends and strangers, it was the longest day of my life. Six hours later, Chase came out- looking a little worse for wear and proceeded to exceed all expectations, cementing himself in the Rock Star Hall of Fame :)

Today, he is the most perfect one year old. He weighs 18lbs 1oz, stands 29 inches tall & says "mama." He's taken his first steps, stands while he drinks his bottle (with one hand, bc he can!) and launches himself off every platform he can find. He is a completely "normal" little boy. The white line down his chest is barely visible- an impossible thought when I first saw him after the surgery. Nothing from his first few weeks of life has left an impression on him. With the exception of my love, which grew tenfold from the long days I got to spend, just him and I, hanging out in the hospital.

He will need more surgeries, that's inevitable. We met with Dr. Weinhaus yesterday and while next year is looking more plausible than the 5-6 years we had hoped for, who knows? Chase is still exceeding expectations- what's one more?

My friend Tarisa has a miracle baby, Will. I would watch him with amazement and believe that God truely does have a plan for all of us. Never in a million years would I believe I would have my own little miracle.

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

On November 9th, Chase turned one!!! I can't believe it's been a year.
We celebrated his birthday with family and friends on the 7th with a party at St. Pete's. Hope you enjoy the pics (just some, there were A LOT!)

The first picture of Gma & Gpa K since the HOSPITAL! Gma needs to get in the picture too boys :-)

Dad and the Klett clan!

Yummy cake- made my mom's friend Ruth. She's awesome!

Check me out!

The ball pit was a big hit!
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Mom forgot to add these pics earlier- for my first Halloween Mom & I went to the cabin for a nice little weekend. Got to go to my first pumpkin patch/petting zoo, orchard, and we had a good time just relaxing!

Because it was cold at night I got to escape the pack 'n play and hog the bed.

I was a skeleton for Halloween

Yummy, my first marshmellow!

Get a new shirt Mark!

Go Packers! Even though they ate the big one and lost Brett Farve and the Vikings, we all had a good time hanging out at Mark & Ambers. This is another 2nd Gen Gaudreau pic. Although, we've put Uncle Mark on notice, anymore lame-o shirts like this one and we're boycotting!

Swim with (or like?) the fishes.

We've started swim lessons at a nearby pool! Everyone helps out! Mom & Grandma have all had a chance to do the lessons, although Gma didn't know it'd be a workout! The teach thinks I'm an natural, I close my eyes and mouth going underwater. It's AWESOME!

Cousin Kendall and Uncle Mark are in the class with us too! Maybe we can get Aunt Amber in there as well :-)

Chase's ONE YEAR pictures- can you believe it??

In No particular order

Happy Birthday!!!!

We went to Childrent's Museum downtown- it was more geared toward big kids, but Chase seemed to enjoy himself.

We also did lunch at BW3's beforehand- thank goodness they have a lower level we had all to ourselves, Chase was having fun testing out his lungs during lunch

Gardening- he had a good time!

Did you miss me? I know it's been awhile, but I'm a very busy kid!! In October I had my first charity event, Al's Run/Walk for Children's Hospital. I'm a Children's Champion because I hung out there for my surgery. So of course I got to represent. Mom, Gma L, and Jill showed their support too. It was pretty cold, but as you can see I was appropriately dressed. Afterwards, we hit up one of mom's favorite places in Milwaukee, Lulus. I didn't get their slaw, but I did get the waitress's number- just kidding!

Feeding myself now! All about the "real food"

Then the next weekend I took my first out of state trip to Iowa. Got to visit with my cousins Lena & Joana. Don't tell Gpa L, but they totally let me go off the rug! Big day for me :-) Oh and Aunt Linda also showed me how much fun it is to peek into the cupboards, I've been trying to do it at home, but Mom's got them on lock down.

Like my big ole bruise? Took a header off my mat, that's why Gpa L likes me on the rug. By the way? I totally took my first steps while we were in Iowa. Mom wasn't expecting it at all, so I thought I'd spring it on her. She was very happy, as were the girls to share the moment with me. But to quote Dad "we are so screwed" Lol

This past weekend I got to go to my first Badger game. It was a scrimmage and I did pretty good. I loved the lights, music and action. I did not like the buzzer (took cover like it was incoming bombs)

It was a nice way to end the weekend.

Looking to see if I can get better seats!

Dancing my tush off

My cousin Kendall was there too! She didn't like the buzzer either

Check out Bucky in the background

Check out Steve Stricker over my shoulder signing autographs. By my expression you can tell it's not a big deal to me, but Mom was excited

Godmom Amber, me & Mom

This is how I coped with the buzzer, Mom didn't seem to mind.

Getting a little bored with the photo-ops

Got to hang out on the floor

Gaudreaus :-)