Eric ~ Whit ~ Tayeson ~ Ezmai

T's Monster Mash

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:35:00 +0000

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Go Phillies!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:21:00 +0000

How can they lose with a Phan this cute?

To add a little irony to the situation we're playing the Colorado Rockies, which is where Ezzie was born. Who knew they grew Phillies Phans there!!!

Shout Out

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Okay I can't believe that I am going to do this but I have to give a shout out to MTV. I know, I know. Hear me out though. I am usually against 99% of all things MTV, but I was extremely bored the other day and was skimming through the headlines on People.com (I said I was really bored and I meant it). As I was enjoying my celebrity gossip THIS headline caught my attention. After reading the article I had to see the show. These two kids are amazing! Catelynn and Tyler went through so much opposition during their journey to adoption. I can't help but be in awe of these two. For those of you who think that placing for adoption is selfish and the easy way out take a look. You can watch Catelynn and Tyler's story HERE.

Watching this also gave me a whole new appreciation for our Sarah. Though she had some great supporters during her pregnancy, she also had some who were very vocal about their disapproval. I'm so grateful that many of them now understand her choice and have become some of her biggest cheerleaders. Thank you Sarah for all that you have endured for our family and our sweet little Ezzie! We love you.

Off To School

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Among the many changes in our home was Tayeson's first day of Kindergarten. I can't believe I'm old enough to have a Kindergartner!!! He absolutely loves school and the fact that he gets to ride the bus is the cherry on top. Unfortunately, I was still in Denver for his first day, but I'm grateful that Daddy was here for him. It has been strange for me to have him gone all day. With Ezzie home now it feels like I'm starting all over with my first kid. I'm so excited to watch Tayeson learn and grow this year. We love you buddy!!!
I love the recent cheesy grin we've developed.

Can you tell he's excited?

Home Again!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 01:48:00 +0000

We finally made it home with Ezzie last Saturday after spending two weeks in the NICU and 16 days in Denver. We're so excited to be home and grateful that everything is done for now. We have no complaints in the baby department; Ezzie is an exceptionally easy baby. She continues to make amazing progress. She was discharged from the NICU at 5 pounds 2 ounces and at her well baby visit one week later she weighed in at an astounding 6 pounds 4.5 ounces!!! Not bad for one week. Sarah has also been discharged from the hospital and thankfully is continuing to make a quick recovery. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Enjoy a few pics of our sweet little girl!!!

Our Sweet Sarah

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:28:00 +0000

We need every one's prayers for our Sarah. She has had some very serious complications and is seriously ill. She has come so far that she can't quit now. Please, please keep her in your prayers!!!!

Siblings

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:15:00 +0000

It has been so sweet to watch the bond between Tayeson and Ezzie. T has loved her since he first saw her. I expected some jealousy but he has been her biggest protector. He is constantly getting upset at someone who is making Ezzie mad. Eric took a pic of her and when the flash went off she scrunched her eyes. He turned around and said Dad stop it! No more lights! She doesn't like the lights! It was so sweet. As soon as she whimpers he is at her side stoking her hair and telling her it will be alright. He has been such a trooper. Though we spend most of our day in the NICU, the first thing he asks every morning when he wakes up is when are we going to see Ezzie? I love watching him with her.
He finally held her for the first time today. He has had several opportunities but he has been so afraid of hurting her that he didn't want to try. It was such a tender moment when he decided he was ready.

Have you ever seen a big brother this cute?

SHE'S HERE!!!!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:53:00 +0000

Ezmai Sarah was born this morning. She was taken by emergency c-section. She weighed 5lbs 1 ounce and was 19 inches long. She is currently in the NICU for the next couple of weeks. During delivery she inhaled some amniotic fluid and they think she may have pneumonia. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

The Choice I Made

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:08:00 +0000

As I was searching the new LDS Family Services website I came across these amazing adoption stories related by several birthmothers. There is no denying that these are some amazing women!!!

https://www.itsaboutlove.org/ial/ct/eng/site/pregnant/what-are-my-options/adoption/the-choice-i-made/

In our own adoption news, we are expecting Ezzie to be born within the next 2 weeks!!!!!! Wish us luck. :)

Wedding #2

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:47:00 +0000

This past weekend I was able to go back to Idaho for my sister's wedding. We had a great time and everything was beautiful. Congratulations Jen and Matt!!!
Don't they make a cute couple?

Aren't they sweet?

This is what happens when you buy 150 balloons. Jen's car looked like it belonged in Disney's Up.

Birthday #2

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:38:00 +0000

When both sets of grandparents and all of your aunts and uncles live across the country, some presents are bound to arrive a little late. This usually means T ends up with at least two substantial "birthdays" every year. Lucky kid!!!
Can you tell he's excited about his new green truck?

I think it's pretty obvious that his Daddy adores him.

Thanks to Grandpa, Grandma, and all of the Aunts and Uncles for all of the school clothes.

He still loves Spongebob. Thanks Aunt Jeni and Uncle Mattie.

I Have to Brag

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I'm going to take this opportunity to brag about my husband regarding his previous/only post. Not only did he pass his board exam, he passed in the 98th percentile!!!! Not too shabby huh? We're all soooo proud of him and all of his hard work. Congratulations babe!

5!!!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:22:00 +0000

Saturday Tayeson turned 5!! It has gone entirely too fast. I'm sure you're wondering what could elicit this kind of reaction.
A shiny new green bike of course!!!

Can you tell he was a little excited? He spent the morning riding circles through the living room, kitchen, and dining room.

I love how excited he gets when it's time to open presents.

Hmmmm, I wonder what could be in this one.

Grandma C got him all of the bike necessities including a totally obnoxious horn!!! Can you tell he absolutely loved driving us crazy with it?

Modeling our new helmet. Thanks Grandma.

For whatever reason he felt it necessary to try and keep the balloon down while he was opening his presents. It was quite entertaining.

After lunch we were off the the "gray truck museum" (any car dealership with a gray truck). He became very cultured while living in Philly since we frequently attended many of the museums there and in Manhattan. He seems slightly disturbed that there are not many here so he has come up with some of his own.

Though all he ever talked about was the gray truck, he only wanted to look at the black one. He was soooo excited to finally go to the museum.

We decided to go with a Mickey Mouse cake this year. It didn't turn out too bad either.

We had some of his friends over for a barbecue and cake. They gave him an awesome new red truck that he was absolutely thrilled to death about. Happy Birthday Tayeson!!! We love you soooo much.

I also have to say Happy Birthday to Sarah (our birthmom)!!! She turned 21 today.

Sunset Boat Ride

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to spend some time with Bill, the realtor who sold us our house, and his wife. We took their boat out on Lake Champlain and headed to dinner on one of the islands. It was fabulous and we really had a great time, not to mention how beautiful it was.
Here we are with Bill.

Sooooo beautiful. We love it here!!!

Sunset was so gorgeous on the ride back. We're so lucky to live here and get to look at this every day.

Our Marathon Weekend

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:04:00 +0000

Okay, some quick catch up. Near the end of June we had the opportunity to spend 32 out of 72 hours either in an airport or on a plane!!! I know y'all are seriously jealous. Eric took Friday off and we headed out to Idaho to see his brother get married. Here is the happy couple. Congratulations Travis and Courtney!!!
Aren't they so cute?

Awwwww....

T was the obnoxiously tired ring bearer. Here he is enjoying a stolen cupcake.

We're so glad that we were able to make it, but the most exciting part of our weekend was not the wedding nor the airports (shocking, I know). The real highlight was getting the chance to finally meet our birthmom!!! We had a great time getting to know Sarah and her family a little better. We were sorry that our time ended up being so short (we had a lovely 5 HOUR delay in Chicago!!!!) but we loved every minute we got to spend with her. She is truly an amazing person and we can't wait to see her again shortly!!! :)

One of These Things Is Not Like the Other

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:02:00 +0000

We learned the hard way why Mom and Dad said that the hammer is not a toy. His fingernail has since fallen off and is in the process of making it's comeback.

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:32:00 +0000

It's Official!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:43:00 +0000

Well it's over for now! Yesterday I spent 6 grueling hours taking the national boards for new graduate Physician Assistants. Like any test, you never know how you did, and you always have that feeling that it was hard and you didn't feel good about it. That chance you missed one too many and you failed! Well the test was hard and I didn't know how I felt about it. I thought I was going to wait (worry) 2 weeks about it but I got instant gratification this morning! Opening the results was like Christmas morning, my heart was racing. There has been a lot riding on this test, as most of you know Whitney and Tayeson have sacrificed a lot so I could go to school. But among the sacrifice we have made some great friends and shared in many great (and some not-so-great) experiences! I passed, I'm a certified PA, well actually Whitney passed me. If it wasn't for her constant nagging about my homework and inspiring words in times of discouragement, I never would have passed. Husbands you know it's true!!! We'd be less without our wives!

Lots to look forward to, no time to celebrate! I start work Monday! We meet our birthmom soon and then my brother Travis gets married next Saturday!!! (this blogging thing isn't so bad after all)

-Eric

Catch Up

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:15:00 +0000

It's been awhile since I've had much time to post, so here comes the big update. We were lucky enough to have Aunt Lindsay spend a week with us before we moved. We all had a great time with her, Tayeson especially loved the extra attention.

Aunt Lindsay and T goofing around.

While Lindsay was here T had to have some x-rays taken of his hip. Afterward they gave him these stickers, which when stratigically placed, may as well say "x-rated star". :)
Shortly after Aunt Lindsay left, Grandma C came to spend a month. Tayeson was so excited to see her and was so spoiled while she was here.

Our last weekend in Philly was spent fishing at Washington Crossing. It was so beautiful and we had a blast.

T had so much fun throwing rocks and sticks in the water that he couldn't have cared less about fish.

On May 14 Daddy graduated with his Masters!!!! It was so awesome to see everything finally pay off for him. He has worked so hard these last two years. As you can imagine, we are all sooooo proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

The ceremony was held outside, and yes, it rained!!! It was so worth it though.

He did it!!!!!! T was so proud of his Daddy. When they called Eric's name he kept saying,"that's my Daddy!"

T was such a trooper through it all. We spent most of the day sitting through award ceremonies and such.We also got the first glimpse of our sweet baby girl. She is only about 12 weeks along in this ultrasound, but we will soon get to have some new 3-D pics when we meet Sarah next week!!!! We're so excited to finally get to spend some time with her.

For those of you who worried that T would be lost without the many Philly pigeons, fear not, we still have plenty of pigeons to pester.

And lots of water to throw rocks and sticks in.

And beautiful places to fly our kites.

There is an awesome beach close to our house and all of the rocks there are shale. It's amazing how easy it is to break them apart.

Here is Eric with his Mom on her last day here. We're so grateful for all that she did while she was here. She has only been gone a week, but we miss her already. In fact, every time T gets in the car, he looks over at the empty seat next to him and says, "Mom, I miss Grandma C."

Here is a shot of one of the many islands in the middle of Lake Champlain. We've been told that the water will get shallow enough at times to walk out to this island from the beach that is only about three miles from our house. It is soooooo beautiful here!!!!

We have had a great time hanging out at the lake.

Tuesday we closed on our first home!!! We are so excited and have been super busy making it our own. The living room is the only room that is finished for now. Here are the before and after shots. (I totally didn't think to take pics before we painted, so here are the pics sent from the previous owners.)

The living room from the front door.

And the new living room. We really love it and can't wait to finish the rest of the house.

We've also added to our family since arriving in Vermont. Meet Mimi, our hilariously neurotic 12 week old kitten.
We've also been busy feeding the many squirrels in our backyard.
And apparently some of the birds wanted in on the free food as well.

On last fav shot of the week. T eating his cereal in the driveway and yes, that is my dining room table. Don't ask.

We Made It!!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:19:00 +0000

After 3 hours of this.....
and 4 1/2 hours of this......

We finally made it to this......

It's good to be home. :) And yes, Kay, Marlee, Sage, and Dalyn we miss you already. Updates coming soon.

It's A Girl

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:38:00 +0000

We just found out Saturday that our birthmother, Sarah, is having a girl!!!!!!!!!! We're so excited. Thank you Sarah.

Where To Next?

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:29:00 +0000

Trust me things can only go up from here. As Eric's graduation date approaches in the next six weeks we have wondered where we will be headed after he completes school. Turns out that he just landed an amazing job offer in VERMONT!!! He will be working with one of the hospitals there doing orthopedic and general surgeries. We're super excited and ready for a slower pace than the city offers. Now if only there was a way to get there without all of the packing and moving hassle.

Another Battle Lost

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:28:00 +0000

After 11 weeks of pregnancy and four weeks of bed rest, we finally lost our battle Tuesday night. Sigh.............

REALLY EXCITING NEWS!!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:09:00 +0000

Saturday night after the game we got the phone call that we've been waiting for for nearly a year!!! We have finally been chosen by a birthmother!!!!!!!!! She is an amazing woman and we're so excited to be able to be a part of her life and to share this experience with her. She is due on September 22. We're so excited because Sarah is everything that we've secretly hoped for. The really funny twist to the story is that the following Thursday we found out that we're due October 19!!!!!!!!!!!!! So after sharing our news with Sarah and learning of her excitement for us, it looks like we'll be having TWINS!!!! We like to keep it interesting around here. :)

Home Sweet Home!!!

culbertson3@msn.com (Eric & Whitney Culbertson) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:04:00 +0000

After almost two months away, we finally arrived home. To our everlasting amazement, our home was still standing with everything in it and both cars where we left them!!! You never know with Philly. We decided to celebrate by going to watch the 76ers take on the Miami Heat. We had a great time and we even won the game.

T was thrilled to death when they handed out free noise makers.

Tip off.

I think he may have enjoyed these more than the game itself.