"A Little Something Extra"

3 months ago today….. I was HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!! Just take a look at my picture J haha! I was 37 weeks and 4 days pregnant with Baby A and Baby B Routzahn (the names we publicly referred to them… at our home we had been referring to them as Jack and Avery ever since we found out it was a b/g set of twins…it was nice to have our little secret to reveal on the day of their birth J )

I can remember going over and over my “To Do” list and re-checking my hospital bags to make sure I was not forgetting something really important. I uploaded all of the pictures and videos from our cameras (we are bad about doing that on a regular basis) and made sure everything was charged up and ready to go.  I was ready for June 18^th to arrive so I could meet my sweet little babes. 

We headed to Lightfoot in Leesburg, VA for our last dinner before we officially became “Mommy & Daddy”  and enjoyed a delicious dinner. Did I mention I was huge????? I was very aware of this, but the stares and facial expressions of the other diners confirmed my thoughts. I think some of them thought I was only minutes away from greeting a new life into the world… it was actually hours at that point AND TWINS… a look of relief generally appeared on faces when I mention I was expecting 2… that seemed to justify my hugeness J

I can remember we talked about the excited feelings. I can remember we talked about feeling so fortunate the pregnancy had gone so well. My initial goal when I found out it was twins was to carry them until 36 weeks minimum without bed rest… check and check… easily made both of those goals! I can also remember the scared feelings and the serious “what ifs” we discussed that evening. Specifically.. what if we had a baby born with Down syndrome??? Other than one blood test early on that indicated a higher chance (still less than 1%) nothing ever displayed as a possible marker for DS, however, the worry was very real to me and constantly stuck in my mind. Looking back I feel as though my “Mother’s Intuition” was right on target the entire pregnancy… I just wanted to be wrong because I was worried and scared of the unknown…. BUT I was not…and Avery Elizabeth Routzahn was born into this world with "a little something extra".

In 3 short months this “little something extra” has proved to be A-M-A-Z-I-N-G on so many levels. We love our Avie Baby and Jackers so much, and could not even begin to imagine life without them. Of course we have our moments when we worry about the unknown, but we have realized you do that when it comes to any of your children. 

On June 18, 2010 the four of us became TEAM ROUTZAHN… on September 18, 2010 we will spend the day with our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and strangers who have all since joined TEAM ROUTZAHN in an effort to raise awareness and acceptance for individuals with Down syndrome. We have to admit we were shocked at how quickly TEAM ROUTZAHN grew in just 13 weeks.  We are so fortunate to be so loved and supported…. All because of “a little something extra”.

Counting down....

We are on the countdown!!!! Only a few more days until the 2010 FRIENDS Buddy Walk!!!! TEAM ROUTZAHN is PUMPED!!

Are you joining us?????

There is still time to join our team! Here is what you need to do:

1. Print this form, fill it out and mail it by Tuesday Sept. 12th (Monday if you do not live in Fred. Co.) If you pre-register your t-shirt will be pre-bagged and you will not have to wait in the long registration line the day of the walk :-) If you are not sure you can register the day of the event.. you will just have to wait in line (we hear it can be a very long line!)

http://www.friendsoffredco.org/pdf/BW2010_Early%20Bird%20Reg_FINAL.pdf


2. Let us know... kharding18@yahoo.com or EvanRoutzahn@aol.com we will be providing a light lunch at our TEAM ROUTZAHN tent (sandwiches, chips, cookies, drinks). We want to make sure we have enough food for everyone :-) If you would like to bring a blanket or chair to sit on to eat that would be great!

3. Come anytime between 11 AM-12:30 to Baker Park to get your t-shirt, TEAM ROUTZAHN button, and eat lunch with us. The walk will begin at 1 PM. FRIENDS will be providing entertainment (Paul Lewis band), Keyote, moon bounce, Kidz Art craft, etc. There will also be additional free food items.

We are not sure where we are setting up yet... but look for our TEAM ROUTZAHN banner and purple balloons :-)

There may be parking around the park or you can try and park in the parking deck on Patrick Street (probably better than parking at a parking meter... the deck is $1 per hour and takes cash/credit). If you need directions e-mail us!

 Looking forward to seeing everyone! We are so appreciative of everyone who is joining us for the walk and/or has made a donation to support this wonderful cause :-)

The past 12 weeks have been simply AMAZING! Thank you friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and strangers for your support. And most importantly THANK YOU SWEET AVIE BABY for opening up a whole new world to us! We love you so much!

More Thank Yous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wth a week and a half left to go before the 2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk we continue to be overwhelmed by the ongoing support of family, friends, co-workers and strangers!! TEAM ROUTZAHN is thrilled to have so many walkers and donations! We want to send our thanks and a shout out to the following people who have helped us raise more than $4,000.00 for a great cause!!!!!

THANK YOU to Meagan & R.J. Carey, Julie Ruhlen and Patti Keefe for your support and generous contributions! We LOVE our Lovettsville Elem. family :-) The support directed towards TEAM ROUTZAHN from day 1 has been awesome!!

TEAM ROUTZAHN sends a THANK YOU to Annie Hewatt for her generous donation supporting the 2010 Buddy Walk. Annie is a friend from the Selden's Landing days and we have her to thank for introducing us to Joylyn (our fantastic photographer!)

THANK YOU to The Steen Family!!! We greatly appreciate your very generous contribution to TEAM ROUTZAHN! Even though we do not see you often we think of you all so much :-) We are blessed to have you as our dear friends. J & A can't wait to meet you all!

Sarah, Daniel and William Van Orman & Brooke Adams Azer and Family are friends from our UVA days! TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU for your friendsip and generous contribution. Wahoowah!!!

Jason & Julie Fritz and Melinda Hite THANK YOU for your support and generous contributions! It is great to have old friends from MHS supporting TEAM ROUTZAHN :-)

TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU to Patrick Word, Greg Ossont and Janet Limmer who are co-workers of our Aunt Lynn! We appreciate your kindness, support and generous donations. It is so nice to have friends of our family members supporting us!

THANK YOU Pop!! TEAM ROUTZAHN appreciates your very generous donation. Avery and Jack are so lucky to have you as their Pop :-) We LOVE you! XOXOXO

Melts Our Hearts...

Often people ask us how we manage twins or make comments like "I can't even imagine" or "Better you than me!" We have several thoughts when this happens:

1. These are our first two children so we know no different

2. We can handle two.... but three would be total craziness!!!

3. We have taken on the Nike motto of "Just Do It!"

4. But honestly we would not have it any other way

During the past 11 weeks we have witnessed countless times where Jack and Avery have provided each other with great company, entertainment and comfort. It has been amazing to see just how strong the twin bond is with these two. We are sure they will have their future moments of sibling issues and arguing but for now we are enjoying the sweet moments they share :-)

We can't even begin to tell you wonderful it is to watch them interact during both the awake and sleeping hours. But it is the sleeping moments that just melt our hearts...Take a look at these pictures to see what we mean... none of them were posed..but they are always touching.. just making sure the other one is always there.

A Halloween Sneak Preview

So I LOVE Halloween!!! I was the kid who was planning my costume for the following year on November 1st :-) Although we are not really planning a big Trick or Treat outing this year J & A had to have costumes to celebrate their 1st Halloween!!

Here is our sneak preview of our cute little spider and ladybug.... seriously the cutest little bugs I know ;-)
Can't wait to add the finishing touches on Oct. 31st!

Info. for Team Routzahn Walkers

Have you mailed your registration form???

Team Routzahn is GROWING everyday!!! We are thrilled!! Thank you friends and family!!!!!!! We LOVE you!

Early Bird Registration forms must be postmarked by Wednesday, September 1 (tomorrow) to guarantee a t-shirt for participants.

Click this link to obtain your form: http://www.friendsoffredco.org/pdf/BW2010_Early%20Bird%20Reg_FINAL.pdf               
                  
Guess what???  If you miss this deadline or are still not sure if you can join us....
 you can wait until the day of the walk to register.  Just be sure to touch base with us to let us know you will be joining the team. We would like a head count so we can plan accordingly... we have a few little treats for our team  and we will be sharing the details a little closer to the event :-)

10 Weeks!

Where is the time going???? It is really almost September!!! The days have seriously been eye blinks since June 18th!!!

We had a fantastic 2 month check up on Friday! Jack and Avery are getting so big! The Dr. was very pleased with how well both of them are growing :-) Jack now weighs 11 pounds 7 ounces and is 23 3/4 inches long. He was only 21 inches at our last appointment..... looks like someone is taking after his Daddy! Avery is now 9 pounds 13 ounces and 22 inches long. She is actually in the 75th percentile for weight and height for a Down syndrome female her age, and is growing so well the Dr. told us she is actually right on track for a typical female her age!!!!! Way to GROW Jackers and Avie Baby (our little nicknames for them)!!!

We have really noticed the babies are coming into their own personalities. Jack is our little flirt!  He loves to smile, bat his eyelashes and look at faces. We tease him and tell him all of the little girls in school one day will have his name written on their notebooks :-) He is going to be our tall, dark and handsome boy. We are pretty sure he is not far off from popping out a little laugh. He is a pretty laid back little guy, but he does seem to fret more than Avery. And if he is hungry or needs a diaper change he will by all means let you know with his cries!!! We have decided if it is something social we see Jack do it first.

On the other hand... if it is a physical task Avery is all over it! She is our active baby and has been since she was in the womb! Believe me more than once I was told they could not find her heartbeat because she was moving so much. We knew she was in there because we could watch her kicking me... just could not get her still enough to catch a heart rate at times! haha! Well when she is awake this is still the case! She loves her activity mat, tummy time, and just being a little squirmy worm. She is the one to reach for her toys, try and get a pacifier that has fallen back in her mouth, and she even flipped herself from her stomach to her back at 3 weeks old. She is a VERY determined little girl. We are sure this will serve her well and possibly add many grey hairs to our heads! haha!

As you can tell we are very proud of our kiddos and how well they are growing. We LOVE being their Mom and Dad and can't wait to see what the future holds for them :-)

Avery keeping a close hold on Jack :-)

Are YOU Joining TEAM ROUTZAHN???

What: 2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S 2010 Buddy Walk
When: September 18, 2010 events begin at 11 am and the walk will start at 1 pm
Where: Baker Park (Frederick, MD)
Who: ANYONE who wants to support Avery and others with Down syndrome :-)
Why: To raise acceptance and awareness of Down syndrome within our community! Also to have a fun day spent with family and friends!

Check out this website for more information! http://www.friendsoffredco.org/Buddy_Walk_Announce.htm

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!

If you plan on joining TEAM ROUTZAHN please print out and mail the Early Bird Registration Form

http://www.friendsoffredco.org/pdf/BW2010_Early%20Bird%20Reg_FINAL.pdf

 by September 1st. This will guarantee you a t-shirt and allow F.R.I.E.N.D.S. to be better prepared for the events of the day.  If you have any questions please let us know. Thank you!!

Thank You 2010 Corporate Partners!

TEAM ROUTZAHN appreciates the following corporate partners for sponsoring the 2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Thank you for responding to our personal requests for sponsorship. Avery and many others will benefit from your donations. 

Diamond Level ($2,000): The Ausherman Family Foundation

Platinum Level ($1,000): Equipment Development Company, Inc.

The F.R.I.E.N.D.S group has been greatly helped by local and regional businesses like yours over the past 8 years. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. appreciates all corporate partnerships, and we want you to know that 100% of all the monies received go to the community of Down syndrome individuals. The monies are also used to raise awareness within our community by educating and supporting our teachers and educating the student population as well as the general population; with these kinds of efforts we can change the attitudes of generations and open the doors of opportunities for all individuals with Down syndrome.Your partnership commitment this year is very much appreciated and will help us to achieve our community goals. It is people and organizations like yours that help to make our Buddy Walks and other fund raising events memorable experiences. Your support ensures the continuation of our efforts to help make life better for individuals with Down syndrome, and their families.

If you know of a business that may be interested in being a corporate partner please contact Katie or Evan (kharding18@yahoo.com or EvanRoutzahn@aol.com) Thank you!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

We have been AMAZED & OVERWHELMED by the support Team Routzahn has received for the 2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S Buddy Walk! We started to share our "shout outs" and "thank yous" over Facebook but decided that might not be the best way to go... we were bombarding the Facebook world with new messages everytime we received a donation!! We were totally fine with showing our appreciate but were not sure how others felt about all of our updates :-)

MANY THANKS GO OUT TO THE FOLLOWING DONORS!!!!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Pam Miller for joining Team Routzahn and setting up a webpage for donations. Pam was my 4th and 5th grade teacher and has a special place in my heart. I am so glad Avery & Jack are getting to know her.

Team Routzahn says THANK YOU to the Keith & Katie Fisher family and the Del & Jennifer Hoyt family for making donations to support us in the 2010 Buddy Walk! We are so greatful to have kind friends from our high school and college days :-) We will think of you all on Sept. 18th!

Team Routzahn would LOVE to say THANK YOU to Darren & Lauren Geisbert, Miranda Swatsky, and The Tilley Family for their generous donations! We will think about our fortunate we are to have such great friends and co-workers during the Buddy Walk :-)

Avery & Jack say THANK YOU to Tristan Lombardini and his awesome Mom and Dad for supporting team Routzahn with a generous donation :-) Tristan is A & J's first friend :-) and they enjoy taking evening walks on the streets of Brunswick ;-)They look forward to a life long friendship with him. A Street Gang Rules!!!

Team Routzahn says THANK YOU to two families we have known since the Middletown and T.J. High School days! We greatly appreciate the generous donations made by Jennifer & Thomas Keller, Stefanie & Wes Bednarczyk, Maggie Adams Hawk (also a cousin of Evan's somewhere down the line),  :-)

Avery & Jack say THANK YOU to the BEST Mimi ever for supporting Team Routzahn! We appreciate your generous donation. We LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

Team Routzahn has fantastic family support :-) A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Kim & Ed Wines for making a generous donation today. Great Aunt Kim and Great Uncle Ed really are GREAT ;-) We ♥ you!

Thank you Allison Starr for supporting Team Routzahn with a generous donation!!! We are so happy you have been part of our life for the last 12 years :-) can you believe it has been 12 years since we were freshmen roommates in college??? Yikes! ♥ you & Miss you!!

Hello Stephanie, Joe, Mackensie & Garner Moore! We THANK YOU for your generous donation and friendship. Team Routzahn is so happy the Moore family will be joining us in the walk on Sept. 18th!! Thanks!

Our Team Routzahn is excited to have the "Other Team Routzahn" join us during the Buddy Walk! Thank you Amy. Nathan, Ashlynn & Luke Routzahn for joining our team and creating your own webpage for support. Avery & Jack can't wait to walk with their cousins Ash & Luke. We LOVE you all!

Melissa Berezuk-Hickcox we appreciate you joining TEAM ROUTZAHN as we walk on September 18th! Thank you for setting up a webpage to collect donations for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. :-)

THANK YOU to Diane Bell and Kim & Doug Forcino, Kelly and Scott Meisenzahl, The Taylor Family, & Jason and Nicole Reeves  for their generous donations. Our Lovettsville Elem. family is the BEST :-) Kim will be joining our team during the Buddy Walk! Great!

Thank you Goldie & Pattie Baber for your generous donation to TEAM ROUTZAHN!! We ♥ you all and hope to make a trip to Charlottesville this fall to visit all of our great friends! Maybe Jack & Avery will even get to go to their first UVA football game :-)

TEAM ROUTZAHN is so appreciative of the very generous donation made by the Frederick Co. Parents of Multiples club! We are so happy to be a part of another supportive and amazing group in the Frederick area :-) We look forward to getting to know many of these families in the years to come! Also THANK YOU to The McKenney Twins and Twins Sedona & Jake for your generous donations. Avery and Jack look forward to getting to know you all!

TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU to Cheryl Dominique for her generous donation! Cheryl is a wonderful school counselor friend and a Mom of twins!! We appreciate her ongoing support :-)

A huge THANK YOU from TEAM ROUTZAHN goes out to our UVA Counselor Ed. friends!!! Heather, Steve & Rhett Scott, Mo, Jeremy & Tucker Sharpton, Amanda and Wyeth Ruthven, Heather, Eric & Abby Bruskin,and Nola, Joe, Caroline and Jay Miller. Such wonderful people and families... we would love to get together sometime :-) Anyone going to homecoming in Oct.?? We are planning on being there!

The support from current and former co-workers of our family members has been so kind! TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU to Lacey Gawler, Lieucretia & David Swain (also parents too a very cute set of b/g twins :-) ), and Stacey Webster for your generous donations!

Joylyn Hannahs Photography, LLC TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU for your generous donation and for ALWAYS making sure we look good in our pictures. We look forward to many years of awesome pictures of our family :-)

THANK YOU Donna, Craig and CJ Haslam for your generous donation supporting TEAM ROUTZAHN! It is so nice to know that teammates from the Heartbreakers still support each other :-)    

Nancy and Brian O'Brien TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU for your generous donation! We are so glad we have you as part of our family :-)

Anonymous we know who you are and want you to know TEAM ROUTZAHN greatly appreciates you kindness ans support! THANK YOU for you generous donation!

Julienne & Katie Thompson THANK YOU for your generous donation! We hope Jack & Avery have fun babysitters in the future :-) Hope all is well on the West Coast!

MUCH LOVE to Grandma and Granddad Routzahn! THANK YOU for your generous donation! XOXO We LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

TEAM ROUTZAHN says THANK YOU to Josh, Courtney, Brett, and Cy Lucas we appreciate your kindness, support and generous donation :-)

Our Little Movie Stars!!!

We are so proud of our little “movie stars”! We like to call this picture “I Love You Sissy!”. Jack is an AWESOME big brother to his sister! We DID NOT pose this picture. We happened to walk into the room to find them snuggled up like this in the Pack-n-Play. The power of twins! Wow!

We were thrilled to receive the e-mail below from the NDSS stating that our picture of Avery & Jack was selected to be part of the 2010 NDSS Time Square Video. We LOVE this picture and really believe it shows unconditional love, acceptance and the true bond of twins. We are not going to be attending the Sept. 25th NYC walk, but we will be ordering a video. We hope to attend the NYC Buddy Walk sometime in the future when J & A are older :-)


August 3, 2010
Congratulations! After a worldwide search, the photo you submitted for the 2010 NDSS Times Square Video has been selected!

The video will play in Times Square in the heart of New York City on the MTV plasma screen on Saturday, September 25, 2010. The National Down Syndrome Society invites you and your family and friends to celebrate National Down Syndrome Awareness Month by attending the show and participating in the New York City Buddy Walk®. Thousands are expected to participate in this event to promote acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome.

The Times Square Video will begin at 10:15am and will be re-played at approximately10:35am. We will gather to watch the video at the pedestrian mall on Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. At 11:00am NDSS will provide transportation from Times Square to the NYC Buddy Walk site at The Great Hill in Central Park . Participants should meet the buses on 43rd Street between 6th Avenue & Broadway. NDSS staff will direct you.

In order to secure a seat on a bus you must email rswitalski@ndss.org no later than September 17, 2010. The subject line of your email should read “Times Square RSVP” and your email should include your full name and the number of people in your party.
For more detailed information about the New York City Buddy Walk and Times Square Video presentation, click here.

For those unable to attend the showing of the 2010 NDSS Times Square Video, we will send you an e-mail when it is available for viewing on the NDSS website. If you would like purchase a DVD copy of the video, fill out the order form online or complete the attached form and return it to NDSS at 666 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York , NY 10012 . Copies of the video will be available after October 31.
We strongly encourage you to showcase your selected photo in our My Great Story public awareness campaign, which seeks to honor and celebrate the amazing stories of the 400,000 Americans with Down syndrome. A section of this campaign is dedicated to promoting awareness for the Buddy Walk program on a national and local level. Visit www.ndss.org/stories and click on the Buddy Walk section to view existing stories. Click on the ‘submit’ bookmark to upload your photo along with a story.
We hope to see you on September 25!
Sincerely,
Becky Switalski
National Buddy Walk Director

NDSS Press Release

Frederick County Residents to be Bright Light in Times Square



National Down Syndrome Awareness Video Features Avery & Jack Routzahn
NEW YORK, NY — Avery Elizabeth and Jack Henry Routzahn of  Brunswick, Maryland, will appear in lights on Broadway on Saturday, September 25, as part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s video production to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education and employment.
The photo of Avery who has Down syndrome, was selected from over 1,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Approximately 225 photographs will appear in a video production to be shown on the larger-than-life MTV plasma screen, located in the heart of Times Square.
The video presentation, produced by NDSS, illustrates children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning with friends and family.
The Times Square video production kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which includes the 2010 Buddy Walk®. This year, walks will be held in more than 275 cities across the country, as well as many international walks. For information about National Down Syndrome Awareness Month or the NDSS Buddy Walk®, visit www.ndss.org or call 800-221-4602.
About NDSS

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization with more than 350 affiliates nationwide representing the 400,000 Americans who have Down syndrome. The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.

2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN "TEAM ROUTZAHN" ON SEPTEMBER 18th!!!!!!

We invite family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. to join “Team Routzahn” in the 2010 Buddy Walk for the Frederick area. We are excited to be putting together our first team, gathering corporate partner sponsorships, and collecting donations of support. Avery and Jack will be 3 months old on Saturday, September 18th, and we look forward to pushing them along in their stroller during the first of many Buddy Walks for “Team Routzahn”. We are greatly appreciative for those of you who would like to join our team and/or make a donation/pledge in support of the awareness and acceptance of Down syndrome.

Please check out our Buddy Walk Website: http://www.firstgiving.com/teamroutzahn for more information on how you can join our team or make a donation for a wonderful cause!

Thank you!!

Our Story: How We Became "Team Routzahn"

On the morning of June 18, 2010, our lives were forever changed as we welcomed our beautiful babies into the world! Jack Henry was born at 7:51 AM and Avery Elizabeth was born at 7:52 AM. Hearing their first cries brought joy to our hearts after waiting 37 weeks and 5 days to meet our new little ones!

Shortly after birth while Evan was in the nursery with the babies (Katie was still in recovery) he was given the news that the doctors suspected Avery had Down syndrome. As you can imagine, we were surprised and filled with mixed emotions, however, we happily embraced our new jobs as Mommy and Daddy. We were very thankful to receive the news that Avery ‘s overall health was very good. She does not have heart issues or other health issues associated with Down syndrome present at this time. She is a happy, thriving, beautiful baby girl!!!

While in the hospital Evan jumped right in and became “Super Dad” as he changed diapers, rocked babies and quickly learned to become a “Master Blanket Swaddler”! Katie was up and about the evening of her c-section and fortunately had a smooth stay and recovery in the hospital for the next four days. We quickly named ourselves “Team Routzahn”, because we knew it would be so important for our new family to pull together and support each other now and in the future. From day one as new parents who received the news that their daughter was born with Down syndrome, we became 100%+ committed to providing the best resources available to Avery, welcomed the idea of advocating for our daughter as well as others with Down syndrome, and committed to raising acceptance and awareness within the community. We realize that Avery was brought into our lives to open so many wonderful doors in our future, and we feel beyond blessed to be her parents.

Avery’s diagnosis of Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) was officially confirmed by a genetic blood test the following week. Down syndrome was something completely new to us and we realized we had a lot to learn on our end as parents of our sweet girl. Thanks to a great Social Worker at Frederick Memorial Hospital we were pointed in the direction of several important and helpful resources. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. was one of the resources we were given to contact; however, they reached out to us before we even had a chance to settle in at home. It was a great comfort to know that we had a group of other parents and children in the Frederick community to support us in this new chapter of our lives. We look forward to our family becoming involved members of the group in the years to come.

We have been overwhelmed and touched by the kind words of support and gestures that have been directed towards us since the birth of Avery and Jack. We always knew we had wonderful family, friends and co-workers, however, this truly confirmed our thoughts. Words can never express how appreciative we are with the continuous support shown for Avery and our family. This support has helped us accept and face our challenges head on as we navigate a whole new and unknown territory. Thank you!

Team Routzahn's First Picture

Why A Blog?

Please have patience with us as we learn how to "blog".... this is a whole new thing for us and we are kind of learning as we go in between diapers, bottles, and all of the other stuff that goes along with having new twins in our house!! As we learn more we might change the format, add more, etc. but for now we are going to stick to a very basic blog site to share updates on "Team Routzahn". Our updates may include information on the upcoming 2010 F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Buddy Walk, happenings in the Routzahn household, and of course pictures of our dynamic duo :-)

We figured a blog would be the easiest way to share information with our family and friends. We realize we talk to and see some of you on a daily basis and wish we had the opportunity to do so with many more of you.We felt like we were bombarding the Facebook world with our "Team Routzahn" updates. Our goal is to keep our friends on Facebook not have them block our messages and updates!!!

We hope you check in with us whenever you have a few minutes from time to time.
Thank you!
XO,
Katie, Evan, Jack, Avery, Lucy & Rosie Routzahn
a.k.a Team Routzahn