Share Walk 2012

Family & Friends,

I have totally slacked on this year's Share walk.  The date of the walk is October 20 at 10:00 am at Creve Coeur Park, Sailboat Cove.  Share is the organization in which Pat and I have attended support groups and have met many other bereaved parents.  Without this wonderful organization I don't think I would be where I am today in my grieving process.  They were such a rock for both Pat and I in our healing process and they continue to be!  Again this year we have a team walking in honor of our sweet Paige.  We would love for you all to join us in this walk and help support Share so that they can continue to support parents who lose precious babies.
You must register by September 7 at 4:00pm in order to gaurantee your t-shirt size.  Registration is $25 and includes a t-shirt.  Simply go to www.nationalshare.org/2012alk.html and register online.  (They did get rid of the online registration fee they had last year)!  If you have troubles, simply google or search National Share Office.  This should get you to the right spot!

Below is some information you will need when registering:

I WALK FOR:
Paige Jordan Steinhoff

I WALK:
with a team

TEAM NAME:
Paige's Posse

TEAM CAPTAIN:
Marissa Steinhoff

MERCHANDISE PICK UP:
St. Joseph Health Center Saturday, September 29
(I will pick up t-shirts for the entire team)!

If you are able to attend, please let me know so I know how many t-shirts I am picking up and I can assure that our order is accurate! You can leave a comment on this post or e-mail me at marissag7@hotmail.com.  In the subject please write Share walk!

Thank you so much for your continued love and support!!!

Love,
Patrick, Marissa & Landon

Getting in the Groove

I'm now in my second week of school, Pat in his third week and I think we are finally getting a routine.  Life is busy!  We both come home at the end of the day and feel exhausted.  Our sweet boy makes sure that we get an evening of fun in each and every night.  Mr. Landon has so much energy and can just go and go and go.  Eventually, he does crash for the night allowing us all to get some sleep. 

I've had some things weighing heavy on my heart the past week or so and it makes me think so much of my baby girl.  Mostly, I think about how much I miss her.  The grieving process is a funny one.  Just when I think I am doing ok ... BAM! I get hit with this enormous amount of pain in my heart.  Where does it come from?  What initiates it?  I don't know.  I just miss her.  I miss her so much! 

Most of you will think I'm crazy, but I truly believe that Landon knows who Paige is.  We show him pictures of Paige constantly and her sweet face decorates the walls of our house.  Pat and I both tell him all about his big sister and how much she loves him.  And (here's where you'll think I'm crazy) that boy smiles the biggest smile when we show him pictures of his sister.  And he laughs and claps when we talk about her or mention her name.  Maybe I just want him to know her so bad, that I believe he does... but if you could just see his face when he sees her.  I'm telling you... he knows Paige.  Those two have a special bond... a part of her is with him.  I just know it!

Back to School

Seriously?  Already?  I feel like just yesterday it was mid-June and I still had 8 weeks of summer vacation!  Well there is no denying that tomorrow officially starts my school year.  We don't have kids until Wednesday but two long days of meeting Monday and Tuesday.  My room is ready and I'm planned for the first week.. so I think I'm in pretty good shape.  There is always something exciting about the start of a new year... meeting new students, seeing my co-workers again and just the thrill of what the year will hold.  This year I do have that excitement in me, however, if someone called and said the school year was postponed a few weeks... I would gladly spend a few more days with my little man!  It's going to be hard to leave him tomorrow... we have our daily routine down pretty well and he is at such a fun age.  It's a blessing to know he will be in great hands while I'm at school, but I'm still a little sad.  Who wouldn't miss this sweet face...

8 Months

Little man turned 8 months yesterday!   I can hardly believe it!  Where does the time go?  Do I say that on all his monthly birthdays?  Mr. Landon is doing great and growing and learning new things everyday!  He is such a sweetie pie and loves to snuggle on Pat and I.  Here is what I want to remember about Landon's eighth month...

*He is wearing size 3 diapers.
*He just started wearing size 6 - 9 month clothes.
* He takes 4 bottles and eats 3 meals everyday.
* He is FINALLY sleeping in his own crib!  YAY!!
*He started crawling about 2 weeks ago and hasn't stopped moving since.
* He pulls up on anything he can and has even started taking steps while holding on to the couch or fireplace.
*Anything he can get his hands on goes straight to his mouth.  We have to watch him very carefully!!
*He thinks his daddy is hysterical and laughs and laughs at him.
*He learned how to yell and clap his hands.
*He has really started to babble a lot!  He says "dadadadadada" all the time.  I may be a little jealous!  He has said, "mamamama" but not nearly as much.  I need to work on that! ;)
*He loves watching videos of himself and seeing pictures of himself.  He's even impressed by his good looks. :)
*Just today he waved for the first time.  Well, that's what it looked like he was doing but we'll see if he does it again. 

Sweet Landon your mommy and daddy couldn't be more smitten with you!  We love you so much and enjoy every second with you!  It's not going to be easy to go back to work!  Keep growing strong and being the cutie pie that you are!

Here is Landon at 8 months... Mr. Personality..

40 Years

Today my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.  40 years!!!  That's a long time!  The whole family (minus my brother, Eddie, who lives in Atlanta) went to mass and breakfast this morning to celebrate this happy occassion.  We were quite the crowd... 21 to be exact!  We had a nice time celebrating with my parents.  Words can't describe what I have learned from my mom and dad and their marriage.  Other than my grandparents, I have never seen two people so devoted to eachother.  They have shown us kids what true love is and how marriage works.  Not only did we all take marriage class from either my mom or dad in high school but we have witnessed their love first hand.  My hope is that Patrick and I have a marriage as happy and blessed as my parents.  One that is filled with love, faith, honesty and trust!  Happy Anniversary mom and dad!  We love you!