This Week...So far

Well if you have not already figured it out work has been a bit crazy...Talk about waiting for the other shoe to drop. What an learning experience and a piece of history that I am witnessing first hand...Mortgage Industry...I am keeping positive and trying to find something good about it.

I have faith We'll (the Co. I wk for) make it through this.

By the way, not a good time to refi...LOL

Anyway...I have some fun pictures from DE and from the pool this evening. This is the best one I got of all us girls...Sorry Nana, we won't let Aunt Judy do you hair anymore, LOL, I love you;)

The girls had a blast at the beach,Sunday...Tatum seemed to enjoy eating the sand most. She and I ended hanging out on the deck with Mr. Moss while Chris and Emma played in the ocean...It was really a nice day.

Actually it was the 2

yr anniversary of Chris' Dad passing away.

There isn't anything good about that , but we had the nicest time at dinner listening reminisce. Chris told us old stories and made funny faces like his Dad used to do to make him laugh when he was little. I know that Emma well not remember him but she'll certainly know how wonderful he was.

Emma had a swimming lesson at 7:30 this evening, she did great! I forgot my pool pass but had no problem getting in, I am "Tatum's Mom." I think she must be a Honorary lifeguard or something, they all just love her. When her lesson was over Alex came up to the pool and the girls got to play until they closed. They had such a nice time together. Wow, I am going to have my hands full for a while :) I LOVE IT!!!

What can I say…

Sorry I did not update quickly on Tatum’s Dr. Apt on Thursday. The appointment was actually rather comical. Our easy going little Tatum was not so easy going, we knew this would happen but just not so sure when. Tatum flipped whenever a nurse got close to her no BP, or Echo; she barley let them get an EKG done. The good thing was she did let Brenner conduct his exam, and wow was he good with her. At the conclusion of his exam her showed Chris and I the pictures of Tatum’s heart from the CT scan. IT was so amazing I had never seen anything like it before. We could actually see the narrowing in her Aorta and the length of it. It is pretty tiny for a long way and then it opens back up, he also told us the wider part is much better but not where it should be either… Her pulmonary branch and branch arteries are growing and looking good so Dr. decided to close that chapter of her heart problems and focus strictly on the Aorta and BP. Nothing has changed in the fact that we are just going to ride it out. Although the BP is high the risk of intervention at her age is a higher risk, especially since she is thriving. The plan is to hold off any surgery as long as possible…so far so good, we know it well happen someday but I’m fine with it being put off for maybe years. She is thriving and that is the most important thing for us, and her, at this point in her life. We’re planning a sedated Echo in the early fall at JHU…no more out patient centers for us…way to blow it Tate...LOL

The weekend was awesome; although Friday was not the best day. We went to visit family in Dover over the weekend; one of my Mom’s sisters and her family came up from FL. We hardly ever get to see our cousins so it was a really nice time visiting and playing with the girls. Molly, Tatum and Emma are all such a trip in there own different ways. It is so funny to watch the little boss Emma with her baby cousins. On Sunday morning we went out to breakfast with My Dad and G (Bonnie), Julie, Geoff and Molly and my family… a very loud table to say the least. Funny, I think that Tatum is the best eater out of all the kids …she LOVES scrambled eggs with cheese and grits.

Friday was a rough day just because anything that could go wrong did and that is excluding our horrible mortgage market!!! The Pharmacy filled a Rx wrong, Emma’s swimming teacher had to cancel, that actually worked out for the better, and a “miss-communication” showed me a side to a “friend” that I had not really ever seen before. I guess the biggest thing that I learned is that to many people use the word friend way to loosely…sure I have “friends” and then I have FRIENDS you would think by now they would know who they are and me too for that matter. In this case it was just much easier for me to take the high road and laugh…There is no winning with someone that is always right and sees no fault in there actions…blame shifting seems to be the best way to go, so we move on…The funniest comment in the argument was this one… "Oh yeah you are such a good mother” believe me this was not said to be taken literal. Why it was such a funny thing is to say is weather you are "just trying to be hurtful" or not, you must think it to a certain extent. This same person has assured me many times that there is no way they could handle what I do or deal with as far as my children are concerned. Calling someone a bad mother is a pretty low blow in my opinion, kind of twisted if you ask me…

I would have to Guess that if you are reading this you are on the FRIEND list.....

ANYWAY

I have a ton of pictures and well get more into our terrific weekend later…

Always something :) Usually fun...

So I was just wondering when did life get so hard????? We had another great weekend it was pretty hot and there were tons of thunder storms so our pool time was limited. We manage to make it up there for a bit on sat. evening before the big storms came. Emma was doing great swimming without her bubble. Chris and I got to go out for Dinner after that, ahh so nice. We had Emma L babysit for us, poor girl got stuck in the dark with sleeping kids,The power went out just as we were paying the bill...LOL ...She called looking for candles as we were on the way out so she was not stuck alone for to long. We were having dinner at a restaurant in our neighborhood. That was the craziest lightning I had seen in a long time.

Sunday was stormy off and on...every time we got all our things together for the pool it would thunder causing the pool to close. Finally we just gave up and hung out on Jody's porch. It was the final concert for the summer concerts in the neighborhood, a Sunday thing.....anyway they had a band and a moon bounce. There was hardly anyone there because of the weather so the kids that were there had a blast jumping and running around. Emma had alot of fun with all the big kids and even one her own age...It is pretty cute to watch her as she starts to really make friends and play. Tate like always was just lugged around by all the big kids :) She loves it!!!

I am really starting to be bothered by Tatum's lack of services from Infant and Toddler, our service coordinator called today and I told her just that. Maybe I am over reacting but I feel like if Tatum did not have a Dx and was a "regular " old 19m old she would have all sorts of therapy. Instead she has William's and is doing well for a kids with Williams....Whatever am I just supposed to settle for that???? Not gonna happen. I do not believe that OT, education and speech overlap and should be combined. I keep hearing that they cover the same things...BS...She needs speech once a week as well at PT.

Right now she gets PT 3 times a month OT 2 a month, speech and education 1 time.... I think that education and OT are very similar so maybe combine or drop one of those but my god the girl needs speech....We have a meeting set up for September and as much as I hate to be demanding that is exactly what I am planning to do. We need to work on walking and talking...she is so vocal as is I think a little help could go along way at this pt.

This Thursday we see Dr. Brenner for the first time since April...it is our longest stint without a echo since she was born, I hope everything is OK or better, who knows...I'll keep you posted... It has been a bit harder to post lately my lab top is having issues...the computer guy at my work referred to it as the blue screen of death...oops... I hope you all have a good week...

Why is it 10 and Tatum is still awake, anyone got a good sleeping potion for that girl :)

Mixed Emotions

I have to tell you all that sometimes I just do not know what to think...Really all this stuff about Williams in the media lately gets you thinking....It is really so one sided... I would like to think that Tatum is going to be just fine, no learning issues no social issues just one of the kids...But I can't help but wonder how it is going to be when our little sunshine is older. I am sure she is not going to be the center of attention forever. The big kids still play with Emma but it is different she thinks that she is the same age... she is actually able to participate in the games they play and enjoy herself. I am not sure if Tatum is going ot be able to hold her own withte big kids when she is 4.

The young adults that I have recently seen in video clips are great but really are they a good comparison to the kids of the future. These babies are going to be from a era that has no concept of life without the Internet...I think that alone is going to in able our children to have closer friends and become a bit more worldly but just how worldly is the Williams going to let them be. Well people always include her? Is there a point where she'll just become the "little retarded girl"?

I know that she is going to have there problems fitting in but nothing like 10yrs ago when there really weren't as many special kids running around in public.

I am at a weird place right now, people do not even know there is anything wrong with Tatum unless I tell them. She can not walk but as far a development goes that is the biggest thing that is setting her back from others her age...She can do most everything else a bit slower but she does it and on top of that she is way easier going and happier then most kids her age.

We go to the pool every chance we get and all the lifeguards know her, I barley see her when I am there between the big kids running around with her and the off duty guard stealing her. I often wonder how it is going to be next summer when she is not the "baby" anymore. She is loved on by everyone and if she is just entertaining herself people I do not even now stop to comment on her hair or how cute and happy she is. Emma is and was cute too but with all the attention she receives it is nothing compared to Tatum. Tate entertains everyone.



It is not just the pool it is everywhere. Tatum stops traffic where ever she is, even at the Carnival stuck to my back, she just hangs out and loves people....everyone around stranger or not get a huge smile. It is hard for me to imagine how someday things are going to change, I really do not even want to think about it. I know she'll always be happy and carefree I just wonder if I well too. I have read that the saddest thing about WS is that the kids are smart enough to know there different but just don't get why or how...Funny the interviews do not mention that. They all lead you to believe that these kids feel no emotion but joy...They are real people and I know she'll hurt too and so well I, How can I prevent this? She does not deserve the type of people the future has in store for her and there is nothing I can do...Wow so who is sad now... Am I even making sense or what? It is pretty late...

Today's Paper

Hi all I wanted to let you all know that Ella is doing much better...There is an article about her in our paper today....Ella and baby Kate and the front page...we were also mentioned...The lady who wrote the article is planning to do one about Tatum at the end of Aug.


http//www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=62820

"Cracking the Happiness Code"

Wow Williams Syndrome has become quite popular lately....This is a clip from GMA this morning...It is actually pretty interesting, it still made me cry... I do not think I could even imagine life without Williams Syndrome anymore, nor do I want to... Kinda shakes things up a bit :)

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3393673

enjoy...

PICU Princess Ella is doing much better today :)

Double blogging

I have been updating my friends blog so mine is getting a bit of neglect this week...

HAPPY B-DAY CAROL :)

VBS- Vacation Bible School ( i was asked what that stood for)

Believe it or not Emma does have a shy side nothing major just a little timid around adults and kids she does not know....she does warm up fast though. It may just be her age...

Please continue your prayers for Ella she had a pretty rough night....You can keep up with her through her blog.....just go to Ella and Kate on my side bar or...

www.oursweetybaby.blogspot.com

Happy Hump Day

Morning...

Ella is doing well I have updated her blog if you all would like details...

Emma Loved VBS her only request was that I drop her off today so that is what I am going to do...

Oh How They Grow...

The girls just keep amazing me...Tatum is approaching that magic number 18m. Everyday it is something new....I think we even have her first real word to date...Not mommy or Daddy although she has been doing that dadadadadad thing for a while I am not counting that.....so anyway the first real word is Em Ma.....it is so cute and Emma is super excited. I think that she actually started waving this weekend too...It just amazes me to watch her doing so well, I love it!

Emma is just to funny for words lately...we changed her earring's yesterday it actually took my friend Carol and I to hold her down to change the darn things...she was dead set on wearing two different earring's she actually stayed home from the pool on Sat. because of it. I guess she would have loved the 80's...Emma ending up very happy with the new earring's and thankfully they both match. She has become very into her doll and doll clothes...Oh she is such a Diva.... This is a photo of Emma and her doll Emme, too cute.

Today was a great pool day the weather was great and the girls were both really good. Emma is getting better and better at swimming by herself if you could only remember or listen to everyone yelling kick, kick, kick...one of these day's she is just going to surprise us... I feel like I barley see Tatum while we are at the pool, she hangs with the big girls all day and just loves it.

Emma is going to vacation bible school for the first time ever this week. I am keeping my fingers crossed that she enjoys it. One of my friends is a director so I know she'll know some kids;Emma has a very shy side so this should be good for her... I let you all know ;)

I wanted to share a funny Tatum trick... Have a good Monday...Please remember to say a prayer for Ella, it is a big day for her...I'll keep you posted.




Keep Ella in your prayers, Tomorrow is the big day...

Emma's Friend Ella...

When I first moved to MD from NC I was pretty lonely. I left Chapel Hill in April , after March madness , and hi tailed it up to MD not a single friend here only my Uncle. I worked as a manager for Express in NC and tranferred pretty much to a store here...I worked in DC until September 98 then was finally transferred to a store near My Uncle's house in MD where I was living. This particular store had a Bath and Body Work's hooked on to it. That was the best thing ever because Nikki ( Ella's Mom) was a manager there. We immediately hit it off and have been friends since. We had such a good time working together, it made retail tolerable.

Nikki and Jason started dating the same time Chris and I started dated. I attended her wedding and she and Jason came to ours, we even have almost identical engagement rings. Her friendship is the longest one that I have maintained since I moved here 9 years ago it is amazing that we are still as close as we are I quit working at Express in 99.

When I found out I was preg with Emma I called her up, the conversation sorta went like this guess what? I am preg, me too....lots of laughter, she was about 8 weeks ahead of me, Ella and Emma are 2m apart and have always been friends.

Ella was born with tricuspid atresia. Tricuspid atresia means that she does not have a tricuspid valve inside her heart. Since the valve is not present the right side of the heart has problems developing due to lack of blood. Your heart is made up of 4 sections that comprise of 2 pumps and 2 holding chambers. One of the pumps provides blood to the lungs and the other provides blood to the body. Ella was born without the pump that provides blood to the lungs. She was airlifted to Hopkins when she was a few days old and has had multiple surgeries since then. She has always recovered with flying colors so I am sure that Monday's outcome well be the same. On the 16th of July (Monday) at John’s Hopkins University she will undergo what is called the Fontan procedure. This will hopefully be the last staged open-heart surgery required for many years to come. Of the many surgeries that Ella has had performed this one will probably be the hardest recovery to date.

Nikki and Jason have been wonderful to us since Tatum was born and before. Ella and Tatum have the same cardiologist thanks to Nikki being there for me. Honestly I think she could be a Dr. herself any question I had and still have usually gets run by Nik. I have thought that of her since Ella was born and now I know how she feels, it is not the best feeling but it is much easier when you can share it, she has been the Dr. way longer then me :)

When I asked Nikki what I could do for her while they were in the hospital she asked if I would start her a Blog...I have added the link to my list on the side...it is Ella and Kate, check it out if you want... For me doing a blog is way better then making a meal LOL

Anyway...I have a few older pic of Emma and Ella...I am bumbed because I can not find any from he girls first wiggles concert together, that was so cute!!! I'll have to get some more recent pics of the girls after Ella recovers, I know we'll be visiting. Emma is very concerned about her friends sick heart.

Please keep Ella in your prayers and thoughts over the next couple weeks while she undergoes the surgery and fights back during the recovery.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

Face behind the blog

Well I have pretty much shown my face all over this blog so here is something I have not shown ya all yet....

This is me in 1977 I was 2 I do not have a ton of old pictures, but If you think Emma looks like me you should see Chris' baby pics...

And now I have a wedding honeymoon short slide show....there are two pics from the hotel bar after the reception and the rest are wedding, reception and Hawaii....I wish I had time to scan more...maybe later :) Good Times :) In the Sprite of my reality TV addiction Chris is in front of the Local Motion from the Real World LOL

AND SHE'S OFF....

OK so I know this is a bit lame but if you could only see the determination this kids has...It is funny to watch her sit and process decisions, you can pretty much see the wheels turning when she decides to do something. So here we go up the steps, a few times up and down before bed really wears her out LOL

Mother like daughter....

I think we have figured out where Tatum's hair comes from....LOL....We are thinking we can be Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Holloween this yr...

Vacation

Vacation was alot of fun...I never go to the mountains in the summer time so this was something new for us.
We hung out at the pool, rode go carts, took the chair lift to the top of the Mt. and went to a terrific water park. Somehow in the midst of all that we managed a nice dinner with my Dad and Bonnie (my Dad's girlfriend) on Sunday evening and a beer and wine tasting on Monday afternoon.

The lift ride to the Mt. top was pretty cool, I had never ridden a ski lift down so that was cool. The view from the top was beautiful. It was Pim's first time in the Appalachian Mt's. so it was fun to see how she enjoyed it too. Emma was in a non photo mood so she does not even look like she was with us....This is her new I'm 4 attitude.
I think we all enjoyed the water park the best. There was something there for everyone to do, even Tatum. I got to ride a few of the slides and the were so fun, especially the three people tube ride....I think that was best with my Dad and Chris...we crushed the lifeguard at the bottom we shot of of the tunnel so fast, I have one picture in the slide show of my Dad and Bonnie going down one of the outdoor slides.... We all took turns riding the smaller slides with Emma, she was a trip to watch come down.

We returned home Tuesday afternoon and have just been on the go.

Yesterday we went to Dana's for the Forth, we had a great time. I did not see Emma very much the entire time we were there. I can not believe how grown up my baby is, she just runs off and plays. Tatum was good to always is, I can not believe she is so pleasant, the poor girl is only cutting about 6 teeth all at once. It was poring rain off an on all night so here were no fire works for us...Luck for us the carnival is coming and they have fire works we can see from Jody's house on the last night.

Today I was also home for a PT/education therapy session. Tatum played and wowed everyone. It was nice to be home and share in the progress that she is making...it is that magic 18m number I tell ya the closer it get the more she does...We officially lost her in the house on Tuesday...Emma and Tatum were playing in the living room and Pim and I were in the kitchen. You can see into the room from the kitchen since it is all one floor....anyway the phone rang, and Emma came in the kitchen leaving Tatum alone. This did not use to be a problem but now it is...I hung up the phone and asked where Tatum was....As I went to look for her I rounded the corner to head up the stairs...the non carpeted stairs and there she was happy as a claim sitting on the 14 stair, just 2 more to go before the top....I was mortified and so excited all at the same time...needless to say we are putting in gates...LOL

Tomorrow I am taking Tatum to the Shoe Train for her first pair of real shoes....This should be fun. I let you all know what we decided on. I have heard so much about this store and the man Ed who has worked there forever, the genetic Doctor suggested this place to us.

Vacationing at home is really pretty nice, especially when you have help with the kids :).....Pim took the kids to her house so I am am getting a much needed manicure..... I hope everyone had a great holiday....enjoy the pictures :)

HAPPY 4TH

I hope everyone has a great holiday....We are back from VA and had a great time. I'll post more later :)

Pandora's Box

Well I have had more time to think vent and discuss...I have to admit I am a bit sensitive about Williams Syndrome so that made the article extra hard for me to read and actually see a point in it but it has become a bit clear now...And what does any good American do? Offend people...so raging republicans beware I am going there.... This is not teachers or the schools fault this is our governments fault...I would gladly give back my 300.00 that I received in a Tax cut when bush took office in order to help school funding.....I guess all I can do is hope that our public school system gets some help. As a parent of a Williams child I think awareness is the key since there are different degree's of this syndrome it is going to be our job to now educated since the WSJ left us feeling that ALL Williams kids are like Andrea...

I do realize how frustrating that it could be to have disruptive children in a classroom but it has always been like that 20 years ago there were just not as many labels...I want the best for Emma and Tatum as far as education goes, what parent wouldn't but I also do not want the best for Em at Tatum's expense, is that to much to ask?. I can only hope that 2008 brings change for the better, can it get worse?

What a CROC!!!

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/article_print/SB118254994081445264-lMyQjAxMDE3ODIyNTUyNDU5Wj.html

I emailed this article to most that I know but I would encourage you all to read this and respond to the WSJ... As frustrating as having a special needs child is Teachers like the one telling this story make it so much worse....Am am appalled this woman is part of our country's education system...I can not imagine that she could be a mother as well!!!!!!

OK...let me calm down a bit....I agree that not all special need children are cut out for a mainstream classroom but alot of are...A teacher by no means is there to save the world and no one is expecting them too but to label and entire...Maybe I am taking this the wrong way but I feel like this means that since what is good for my child is not good for the "regular children" then my kids get screwed....sounds like a terrific public school system...Really should this be a problem that is harped on or one that a solution should be brought to the table or even suggestions...I am not trying to teacher bash, if I could do college over I would more then likely try to become one. The teachers I know would never belittle one of there students on the front page of the Wall Street Journal or any paper for that matter...I do see both side but I feel the presentation sucked!!!

Same ole same ole....

So far we have had a pretty laid back summer, I guess that is the pulse side to having no money you do not go far from home. We had another great pool weekend, my trick is to go before Tatum's nap time we play then she crashes for like two hours wakes up eats and plays more. I wonder how many different pic I can take of Tate crashed out at the pool. We are lucky to have such a cool neighborhood pool, it is actually two pools and next summer there is going to be another community center and pool very close to our house. If the girls love it now they are really gonna dig it next summer.

Molly also turned 1 on Sat. her party was alot of fun and the girls got to see there Aunts, my Mom's sisters, that they do not see often. Molly was not as into her cake as Tatum was when she turned one but no worries Tate helped her cousin out, no wasting cake while Tate is around. Face painting and moon bouncing what fun...thanks for having us over Aunt Julie and Uncle Rupp

Goodness these girls are all getting so big. I could not even tell you the last time that Tatum ate baby food...or Emma stuck that thumb in her mouth...
slowly but surly we are eliminating baby stuff from the house soon enough we are going to be all big girl around here at least food wise lol...we have a way to go before Tatum is ready to give up her baby toys, that's ok I do not want her to grow up that fast.



Tomorrow I am getting the mystery mole removed and biopsied....it should take all of a half hour to cut off and stitch. I am sure it is nothing but a ugly moley bump it is just a bit weird because II have never had a mole or anything like this before. The fact that it popped up on top of my birthmark out of nowhere is also a bit freaky but tomorrow it well be gone...I CAN NOT WAIT!!!

We are taking off this weekend for a few day's with My Dad and Bonnie then we are back home to enjoy our family vacation in the neighborhood this yr. I think it is going to be very relaxing...the girls got the cutest new skirts and tee shirts for the forth of July. Who knows maybe this yr Emma well want to see fireworks...she does not really like them...

Work Work Work is going to be my motto this week lots to wrap up before you can take a week off and it hte month end, alwys a fun time in my office. :)

A great end to the week

Yesterday turned out to be a pretty good day, aside from working late but that was not even so bad.

I woke up yesterday and discovered 20 bucks in the pocket of my skirt, what a start eh…this justified my Starbucks coffee yesterday and today, thank god!!!!!
With ice coffee in hand Tatum and I sat out for the Genetics Doc. No more then 2 min’s after getting on the interstate I hear Tatum in the back seat yelling at me. I was minding my own business listening to the radio she had a bottle and a banana nut muffin so I had no clue what her deal could be. I turned around to evaluate the situation and Tatum is yelling (talking loud not crying) and gesturing to the car roof…. That little bugger wanted to watch Peter Pan!!! As soon as I pulled the DVD screen down she was quiet. This lasted all of 2 min’s. I think that must have been how long it took her to realize that she had the cartoon to watch but instead of the cute little voices she was hearing the morning radio show…again I got the gestures and loud noises until the sound to Peter Pan was also on. Look’s like Tatum next trick is mastering the headphones in the car.

Anyway…

We got to the doctors office and were shown right in. Dr. Rosenbum is awesome and very informative.
This was just her regular check up with him and he’ll see her again in 9m and from there he said it well be yearly…He wants to see her in 9m so her annual schdudle coincides with her birthday.

During the visit Tatum babbled climbed and crawled, she was laterally all over the place. She kept her glasses on some; by the end of the visitI hooked them to my shirt, figures.
She was 10% in height and weight on the regular scale and 50% on the WS growth chart this is pretty much where she has been for a while. 21.6 was her weight...

While talking with the Doctor he informed me of how lucky we really were with Tatum (heart issues aside) she has had no medical problems like many WS kids have. No calcium issues no scoliosis not even eating issues believe me we count are blessings everyday. Her eye problems, most likely associated with WS, are very common in any child and really would not have been an issue at all if her heart were healthy. He said heart is not making her sick at this point in her life it is just sick. To take a look at her she is the epitome of a healthy child. Although she is a bit delayed she is pressing forward with leaps and bounds in the development department right now. He suggested shoes with orthotics in them and told me a store to check out. We are going ot get on this about mid july, we agreed that would give her a little more time to countinue learning how her feet work.

The comment he made I found most interesting was also the best thing I had heard in reference to Tatum’s condition ever…

He said when he started doing this 35yrs ago he told all WS parents that there children would have some degree of mental retardation over the last 10 years he has found this to be untrue. He now tells parents that their children are going to have some degree of learning disabilities and maybe a degree of mental retardation but not all kids have this.
Going back to how lucky we are with Tatum he informed me that although slightly delayed now she shows no sign of any mental retardation. He assured me that we well have learning issues to deal with but she is a totally with it child and he was very impressed with her communication skills especially since she does not use words but multiple sounds. I was psyched, who knows what the future holds but the now is pretty good.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. You can guess where we'll be; pool and birthday parties...Molly turnes one on Sat.!

Crazy busy

I have been super busy these past two weeks Tatum is at a full on crawl...yesterday she even climbed two steps....It has been so long since we have had such a mobile little thing in the house. I am contently on Emma to keep her toys off the floor.I swearer if I see another "Polly pocket" shoe (this shoe is about 1/2 the size of my pinkie fingernail) on my floor I am scream. Whoever made these little toys for kids must not have had any....

Work has been a bit nutty, ending the month on top of vacation first week of July, it has left me alot to do. I have to take Tatum to the Genetics Doc at 9am so I am going to. be in late today and work late again.....I guess.
I should just be glad to have a job with work to do, not such good time's in the mortgage industry lately. It is pretty interesting though, I have never seen a market like this I would imagine it is just the first of many in our lifetime.

Total different thought....

Last night while watching "So you think you can dance" one of the girl dancing said she started dancing when she was 2 in front of the fireplace....anyway that is Tatum....she is a trip and always watching herself in the fireplace as she moves about.....

Kids call...I hope everyone has a great day:)

Where does the time go...

I have been trying to post for a few days now and every time I sit down to type a million things come up....It is either Emma, Tatum or Chris....This morning while I was laying on the couch in our room at 4:30 am with Emma I realized this morning would be my big chance, and here I am 6:30 in the kitchen with the kids having breakfast. I sorta have this breakfast thing down pretty good. Tatum gets cheerios until Emma Strawberry Frosted Mini Wheats get to soggy for her to eat ans she passes them to Tatum....Tatum LOVES those mini wheat's!!!! Beware they make a total mess.

Sat. was Emma's fourth b-day, we all had a great time. She had a blast playing with her friends boy were they cute. This was the first year that Emma understood it all and really enjoyed herself. We had a princess cake, picked out by Emma, and quite a party even the parents had fun Is it normal for these parties to last past midnight LOL. I guess when someone brings jello shooters you can expect that HAHAHA. You know it was a good time because even Michelle hung out past 10...Love ya Michelle.....

Now That Emma is four she thinks that she is a grown up. On Sunday at the pool she helped out with the babies just like the big kids do and she played with her friends by herself, she wanted no Mom around, just like the big kids do. Lucky for us the neighborhood pool has a huge shallow end that is three feet all the way to the rope, lucky for me Emma is way to afraid to go past the rope alone. I have a feeling that the rope fear is not going to last all summer so I have to enjoy it while I can. So far this summer Tatum has even been a dream come true at the pool. The last two Sundays she has taken about a 2.5-3 hour nap, Em never did that, and when she is awake she plays in the pool with everyone and is so pleasant. You can see she has showed her little buddy Jason how to sleep at the pool in style those two babies are a trip sometimes they act like a old marries couple together I can just picture them on the beach together in 40 years lol. Yes the baby rafts are good for something other then the bulky thing you carry to the pool with you.

Tatum is pretty funny these days I think she has become totally aware of how to push her sisters buttons. Last night at dinner I just pictured Bart and Lisa Simpson "owe, quit it," yes Emma was Lisa and Tatum Bart. the though it was so funny that she was getting such a rise out of Emma. Tate would poke her and try to take her pasta and emotional Emma was playing right into her, it was very funny. She is also all over the place scooting around furniture and crawling like a crazy person, she has also became quite good at the glasses toss, not sure that she understands that the next pair is coming from her money. ( Is she still to young for that;))

We are all very pleased with Tatum's latest developments she is surprising us everyday with new tricks, even trying to use a fork. Although they are not age appropriate I'll take em...I do not even care that she is a bit behind anymore...good things come to those who wait right.....

Well today is Miss Pim's birthday, what did we ever do without Pim... I wish I had a better picture :( Emma took that one.

Saturday is Baby Molly's wow it seems like Molly was just born now she is such a big girl ands so pretty....I am gonna have to take her to a photo shoot so she can support us all, really she is that pretty!!!!

Hopefully I can get back here this week to post more. We do have a Geneticist Apt on The 21...good times :)

"Oh the Paces You'll Go"

Well I am not sure who needed the pep talk Emma or Mommy but looking back now I think I got the most out of it. As our new night time drama was winding down with "I;mmmmm noooot tirrreeed’ spiling out of Emma we head upstairs for bed.
Usually I am looking for reasons to take books away because I would never make it awake through three...anyway tonight she had 1 book left...she grabbed 2 and I talked her into 1 the 1 I wanted. She put the princess book back and we hoped in bed to snuggle. The book I coaxed her into was one she had never read before, the cover caught my eye and I was on a mission to read it...."Oh, the Places You’ll Go!".
I was given this book twice in my life once as a high school graduation gift and again from my Manager at Express ( I was her asst. 1 job after college) when I finally knew I had to leave NC.
I know I read the book each time when it was given to me or at least skimmed it... LOL...everyone knows the story...I urge you if it has been a while go back and read it. Dr. Seuss has never hit home like he did this evening....Em must think I am nuts...I teared up, I laughed I even got lost in thought...do it pull out your old book I bet if it has been a while that light bulb is gonna go off and BAM you finally get it, even though you have always gotten it.
There is something different about it now, something true that really makes sense and hits home...Am I right or am I right????? Dr. Seuss was a very smart man and I know he touched may lives. I believe he touched mine and Chris’ at some point. I know both the girls are going to love and learn him as they grow up.

"OTPWG" By Dr. Seuss This is one of my fav parts of the book, it is at the very end of the story...


"You’ll get mixed up of courseas you knowYou’ll get mixed upwith many strange birds as you go.So be sure when you step.Step with care and great tactans remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?Yes! You will indeed!(98 3/4 % guaranteed)
KID, YOU"LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!!!

SO...

Be you nameMatthew or Abi or Daven or Erik or Clare or Szabi Tatum Avery Brady Emerson Micheala O'Caleb,
Your off to Great Places!
Today is Your Day!
Your mountain is waiting,

So. . . get on your way! "


many names not included, but this is true to all of our little guys.. Thanks to all for being so helpful all the time!!! We are all going great places

So much to say

I have less and less time to post these days....Summer is always busy ...I feel like I have to rush home from work to get to the pool, everyone loves the pool, especially Tatum. Sunday we had a great day at the pool.

We started our day at Church. Sunday was Pastor Matt's last one he got transferred and we have Pastor Tim starting in July. I am sure Pastor Tim well be good but we love Pastor Matt. This is the first time in the 9 years that I have been with Chris that I can actually get him to Church. There are even Sundays now where he is the motivator. I hope that Chris continues to enjoy church as much without Pastor Matt. It is going to be a tough act to follow but we are giving it a whirl with open minds.

After Church we went to the pool. I had the best day, Emma ran around with Fiona making forts with the pool chairs and Tate took a 2 hour nap under a umbrella. When she woke up the older kids took her in the pool. She had a blast I hardly saw the kids all day...well I saw them but you know what I mean. I am so thankful for all these kids, it is great to see how much they love my girls. If it were not for them and there Mom's I would certainly be in a corner rocking or even worse the baby pool...

OK So i know this post is all over the place but I have a bunch of different topics to touch on...Tatum's eye apt. last week went fine, she is actually joining the ranks with most of the WS children I have meet....Tatum has glasses. She looks adorable, between her and Brady I do not know if it gets much cuter... I feel a bit bad because I had no idea how much she needed glasses until now...It is a whole new world for her. When she first put them on her expression alone said it all....Wow I can see. Trust me her glasses are strong I looked through them and got a headache.... Now if we could get her to leave them on, she is doing good but still pulls them off. It did not take her long to figure out how to do that.

Moving on...
OK so I am sorry about the shaking but I was laughing so hard...Emma's dance was a trip the second show was actually better but I was back stage for that one and could only tape the first one. there was no taping allowed so we were on the DL...I did but the DVD that they had made but we do not have it yet. Well here is the video, hope you do not get sea sick...LOL
I think that Alex and Emma look so grown up in this picture...

Our Little Dancer

The big show is this Sat. but Emma's class had pictures yesterday. All the little girls looked so cute all dresses up. Off to Wilmer for Eye follow up.....

"Time keeps on slipping..."

Sometimes it just seems funny how time just keeps moving...I got a call Friday from Dr. Brenner he is going to see Tatum every four months. I was at first concerned about this but after speaking to him I think it makes sense. He feels that our last Doctors were a bit over kill and it was at my expense.
There is nothing that could get away from us in a four month period as far as her care is concerned.Dr. Brenner explained that her regular pulmonary arteries are almost normal for a child of her age and weight; there is really no way to tell if this growth happened on its own or the the 2 angeo's helped.
The left Branch pulmonary had a segment over an inch long that is very small then it gets a bit bigger before they are small again, but no as small as the beginning of the branch.
Dr. Brenner did not say much about her aorta other then "it is a different story". ..I would love to be able to have a day in my life that the thought of Tatum losing this battle does not run through my head... I know that it is not how I should think but it is hard. I feel terrible having these thoughts, to look at Tatum she is just amazing, she must be the fattest tannest William's baby around there is no way anyone would ever know how sick her little heart really is. We were at the pool on sat. I was sitting talking at the baby pool with other mom's and the next thing I knew Tatum was standing up next to me holding on to my chair and so proud. The other Mom's there must have thought me crazy for being so excited....At least I did not look so nuts since Dana was next to me all excited too... Later that evening when we got home we were cooking out with some of our neighbors and came up with Tatums new out door table high chair...I think she digs it huh...To think this time last yr we were in the hospital having her very first cath...what a difference a yr has made in everyone not just Tate.

I think this week should go by pretty fast. Emma has Dance class pictures on Tuesday evening Tatum has a eye apt at Wilmer on Wed morning and then on Sat Emma has her recital and family b-day party. I can not wait to show you all how adorable Emma looks in her dance costume, it is beautiful. Somwhere in between all that stuff I have to get raedy for her party work and buy gifts. She does have one gift down Emma finally got her ears pierced this weekend they are soooo cute, and she wants to show everyone. Emma was a very big girl she only cried for a sec after it was all over I have to say that I was very impressed. What a big girls she has become.