I joked about not being able to get my Christmas cards out until New Years (or later) but then thought maybe sending my Christmas wishes via the blog and facebook might be ok this year with everything going on in the Butler house!
We want to thank all of our friends and family for your love and support over the past three months, without you we would be lost. We ask that you continue to keep Boston, Brooklyn and the entire Butler family in your prayers!
We wish you love, hugs, & happiness in 2010!
Love,
Charlie, Kelly, Brooklyn, and Boston

We continue to have lots of trouble with Brooklyn's left hip. Renee (one of Brooklyn's PT's) showed us a great way to have her lay while she is watching TV. Although she is not crazy about this....we will give it a try!

Just like daddy!

Brooklyn LOVES it when daddy puts his hats on her!

There is nothing better than cuddling with my two little ones!

This week Brooklyn is student of the week in her classroom, that is a VERY special honor and as you can see from these pictures she is loving every second of it. These pictures are of her poster with all her favorite things and pictures of her family :)

Girl Power 2 Cure has something new we'd like to share with you! It’s the new Girl Power 2 Cure toolbar – once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Ebay!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Girl Power 2 Cure – at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). Now is the perfect time to start using the toolbar as you begin your Christmas shopping!! You will be raising money for Rett Syndrome research with each online purchase!!

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Brooklyn spent Thanksgiving day snuggling with everybody :)

I hope you all spent time snuggling with your kiddos too!! It is the perfect way to spend the day...I am so thankful for my angel!

I want to say THANK YOU to Thane and Kylie for the great present they brought Brooklyn this weekend....her OWN Christmas tree with some princess ornaments! She loves it! (Thanks also to Grammy for getting lots of other decorations to finish it!) It is pink of course :)

Brooklyn helped Grammy choose what ornaments to put on and where they should go, the two of them had so much fun!

Now....if only I could get the two of them to put up our tree!!!!

I think Brooklyn likes Boston best when he is asleep so she gets mommy's attention;) Being a big sister is EXHAUSTING :)

I have another opportunity for you to help Rett Syndrome research!!

Chase is asking people to vote for their favorite charity for an opportunity to win ONE MILLION DOLLARS!! Do you know what an impact one million dollars will have on Rett Syndrome Research!?!?! Rett Syndrome Research Trust is one of the charities involved, you can vote for them by clicking HERE!

I am asking all of my facebook friends to VOTE!! Help Chase make a difference in the lives of our girls!

My sister was getting some pictures of the boys taken for Christmas and took Brooklyn along too :) Thought I would share a few! I love this one!

Bike Ride

It has been so nice to have a few days of warmer fall weather. We were able to be outside a lot and even got to go for a couple of bike rides! (Which Brooklyn LOVES!) We have some horses at the end of our road that we visit on our walks too.
Brooklyn checking out the horses....

I have a feeling the warmer days are coming to an end....bummer! I am not ready to be stuck inside the next few months!

Chicago

I can't believe that it has been almost a week since we were in Chicago and I have not blogged. Things have been a bit crazy in the butler house so I appreciate your patience with me!
Believe it or not, when we got to Chicago the battery in my camera was dead, ugh! I did manage to get this cute picture of Brooklyn and Cata though! Cata is another sweetie with Rett from MN. Her mom and I became friends online and it has been fantastic to get to meet her in person :)
Brooklyn's appointment with both her neurologist and the GI doctor went really well. She is at 28 pounds and at a 14 BMI, they were pretty happy with her weight and I am glad, we were a little worried because she has really slowed down on her eating. She does continue to do well with liquids though and gets LOTS of calories through her milk shakes and apple juice!
As usual it was great to see other families and I also want to apologize for anyone that I did not get to chat with(especially my facebook buddies!) We did the trip up and back quickly in one day to get back to town to be with Boston back at the NICU. The visit was a whirlwind for us really!

We'll Miss you Grandpa!

Here is Charles with Brooklyn during one of our visits to Cincinnati, he loved her SO much! Charlie's grandpa passed away this morning. We wanted to do a tribute to him today......
"My grandfather was a spiritual leader and quiet confidant. His health deteriorated 10 years ago after heart surgery but my grandfather never gave up! He always believed in his life long mission to take care of his family. My mom, grandma, Aunt Sue, and Uncle Mark will be hit deeply with his loss. He was what every man wishes he could be for his family; a silent leader. His life's work at Standard Publishing and Bridgetown Church of Christ is something to be admired, but it has always been his day to day devotion to his family that makes his memories remind of us Christ's love.
Grandpa, I have missed you for awhile now.......welcome home!"
Love,
Your name sake,
Charles Matthew Butler

You may have noticed that I have not mentioned Brooklyn's hip braces.....that is because we have been slacker parents and put that on hold when Boston had to be delivered so early. Well, we have put it off long enough and last night she slept with them on ALL NIGHT!! She is a little trooper; I have to say, I do not think I would have done as well as she did. This picture is her with the brace on as we got ready for bed tonight. She is sleeping soundly as I type this post :)