K-I-S-S-I-N-G

We're back from Florida! My sister is married, we met The Mazurs, Thankgiving was Thursday, Owen was sick. I have a lot to cover!
I'm going to break the blog posts up a bit so as not to overwhelm with information! Also, I have to wait to post wedding pictures. All my pictures from the day suck and I didn't even get a good shot of my sister! In my defense, I was in the wedding.

I was more worried about how Owen would do on the plane on this trip than I have been about any other flight he's been on. He is after all, flirting with the terrible twos. That's a lie. He is in a full fledged relationship with the terrible twos. But more on that in another post...Luckily, Owen was a rockstar. I did have my secret weapon - a portable DVD player (fully charged this time) with an arsenal of Baby Einstein movies. That did the trick! My 2nd brilliant move was to stratigically seat myself in front of a baby who screamed for the duration of the flight. It's a dirty trick but Owen was the automatic winner! What's more is that after 2 years of ignoring Owen's whining, I was able to tune the other baby out!

For the week of the wedding, my mother and father rented a house in Flordia and we stayed with them. That was absolutely the way to go as far as accomodations. We had all the comforts of home (and more actually) and Owen had plenty of space to explore and roam. Haha! I'm a poet and don't know it!

Danielle, Keith and Peyton Mazur came to visit us right off the bat. It was so wonderful to finally meet them. I love meeting other families who are going through the same thing and to see other body types that are the same as my son's. The Mazurs were awesome! Definitely my kind of people. I'm look forward to seeing them the next time we are in Florida.
Peyton...I can't even talk about her without bursting with excitement. She is SOOOOO cute! Sweet, happy, loving, nice.
Owen and Peyton got along very well. There was quite a bit of smooching going on!

If we could read their minds...

Owen: Uuhh...hey there hot stuff. Are those comfort fit diapers you're wearing?
Peyton: Ruuuude! That's none of your business! Owen: I'm sorry. I just was just trying to start a conversation. You're so pretty
Peyton: Awwww! That's OK. I think your cute too.
Owen: So...you wanna watch a Baby Einstein video with me sometime?
Peyton: Sure! But only if I can bring the apple juice.
Owen: I think I love you!
Ok - maybe could have done without the comments, but that's how I heard it in my head!

Here's a few more pictures.

Englishman in Detroit...

Or English-people I should say! Clare and Andy Dungey decided to take a 3 week whirlwind tour of the US, Detroit was on their agenda! Anyone who has read their blog has been touched by their story. We felt their excitement over having a "little" baby and shared in their heartbreak when precious Theodore passed within hours of his birth.

It surreal to finally have met them! Clare and Andy were every bit as wonderful in person as they are on paper (or computer screen?). They even indulged us in the cultural differences between our 2 great nations. Marmite and cream tea vs. Oreo Pop Tarts & porch swings. The only thing I failed to get was all the gossip on Becks and Posh! Are they really as big in England as I hear they are? How trite of me! Holy crap! 6 hours with the Dungey's and I'm pulling a Madonna goes British makeover! Anyhoo... it just goes to show you how, minus all the perverts and pop up ads, the internet can be a wonderful place (right Blair?).

One of the more exciting parts of the day was that Dan was actually able to attend. Everyone met the man and not the myth. He looked particularly handsome that day too.

Back row: Sue Hollie Middle Row: Tonya, Cat, Clare, Andy
Front Row: Sponge Bob Squarepants the sippy cup

Future Hell's Angel

I wonder where Knoah learned this face?
Oh! That's where he learned it!
Owen's brother from another mother.
Kaela gets some sloppy doggie kisses
I'm pretty obsessed with Kaela. Could she be any cuter??
Will's quite the cutie pie too!
What the hell is this thing?
My mother came to see Andy and Clare too!
Forging international relationships
Bicycle built for two? The loves of my life
Owen had a great day meeting Clare and Andy. Cheerio good chaps!

Happy Birthday Kaela!

Officially Kaela turned one a week ago at the LPA convention, but yesterday we celebrated! Owen is so thankful to have such a good friend in Kaela. Here's to many, many more birthday celebrations! Brother Will helps his sis blow out the candles! Birthday girl and daddy Is that hat the cutest or what? I'm pretty sure Owen thinks it's his special day too Knoah is showing Owen how the stairs are done. Sarah and Owen "Tower, this is Ghostrider requesting a flyby" Tonya and Knoah Missing Kaela (who was napping contentedly)!

Seve and Caleb

It is with a very heavy heart that I post the passing of Caleb Smith son of Seve and Scott Smith on May 12th, 2008 at 8:05 am. I will let Seve tell you in her own words about the short, yet remarkable life of little Caleb.

I have the birth story of Caleb. First off I would like to thank everyone who has said prayers in our behalf. We would not have the peace and comfort we feel without them.
I was scheduled for the c-section on 5/12/08 at 7:30 am. I came to a Dr.'s visit on 4/30 to have an amnio and drain the excess fluid off of Caleb. The Amnio made me have contractions 4 min. apart. Luckily after 2 hrs. of trying they got the contractions stopped and told me I was not returning to Bozeman, I had to stay on hospital bed rest for as long as possible. I made it to May 12th. However, not to 7:30 am.
I woke up at 5:30 am having very strong contractions every 2 min. At about 6:00 my water broke, a bad thing because the babies were both breech and I was completely dilated and was ready to push. During all of this my room became chaos. I was rushed into the OR and I had pushed 3 times before they put me under General Anesthesia and did an emergency c-section. David was born at 6:41 screaming, and rushed to the NICU. Caleb was born at 6:42 with more of a whimper and was taken back to the NICU where Scott got to spend an hour with the boys as I recovered. At about 7:30 I was wheeled into my recovery room and Caleb was brought in. Scott, his Dad and brother gave Caleb a blessing. After the blessing Caleb was placed on my chest, I stroked his hair, checked out every inch of him. He had bi-lateral club feet, I call them his patty-cake feet, he did have the shorted arms and legs, chubby little cheeks, perfect little hands, a cleft palate and the most beautiful navy blue eyes. He took his last sigh at 8:05 am. He stayed with us for 1 hr. 23 min. the most precious 20 minutes of my life. We got to have him with us until 8:30 pm. We got the chance to bathe him, so snuggle with him, to get tons of pictures, including all 3 of my boys together and getting kisses. We were in the NICU with him and David, David started to cry, we laid Caleb next to him, he grabbed Caleb's hand and instantly settled down. Now when I hear David cry I wonder if he too is morning the loss of his brother.
Caleb was 13" tall and 6 lbs. dark brown hair, dark blue eyes.
David is 18" tall and 4.8 lbs. dark brown hair, and dark blue eyes.
Although they are not identical twins you can definantly tell they are brothers.
David has followed in his older brother's footsteps and looks just like Ethan who looks just like Daddy. Caleb has more of my traits.

Thank you for all the kind words and support.

Please visit Caleb's Collage and pray for Seve and her family. They will need a lot of support in the days and years to come. http://www.astfurtography.com/Calebcollagenilmdtsresized.jpg

Welcome Kaia Rose!

My friend and my sisters very best friend Bre had her baby this morning. Bre had preeclampsia and has been on bed rest for week. Kaia was born prematurely at 31 weeks so we all need to pray. I don't know too much but I do know that the baby and mom are doing well, but little Kaia was born under 3 lbs. Bre and her husband Justin are wonderful people so please keep their family in your prayers!

Future LPA Board of Directors

A great gathering of genius took place on Saturday. It was a day filled with profound discussion and a deep meeting of the minds. Oh yeah, the mom's came too! Haha! Through this crazy world called internet blogging, I have discovered that there are quite a few mothers in my exact situation. What's more, at least 5 of us live within a couple of hours of each other. We decided to get together on Saturday so discuss the upcoming LPA convention and general juicy gossip. While much more of the latter took place, we did get a few LPA related topics covered. Tonya was gracious enough to hostess. Thank you Tonya! Here's the day in pictures!

Is someone going to feed us or what? Little person, big klepto... Sarah and her daughter Kaela Knoah and Owen dicuss their upcoming European tour. Catie and her daughter Hannah (almost 4) Does the 90210 Theme come to mind?

Happy mommies with their kinda happy kids.

Owen scored a big hug from his new friend Hannah.

She totally digs me!

Remember the picture of Owen stealing Aiden's hot dogs? Well Owen learned a big lesson in Karma. He puked up every hot dog he ate on the ride home. That's just one adventure that Owen had in store for us this week. More on that in the next post....

Prayers Needed - Seve's Story

Last week a woman named Seve contacted me. She is currently dealing with the same agonizing news that Dan and I went throught a little over a year ago. She has allowed me to share her story with you. Seve is pregnant with twin boys and one has been given a bleak diagnosis.

Cathrine, my name is Seve. I read and watched your story online a few weeks ago and thought how incredible your story is. Now, we have found out that we are praying for our miracle.

If you have any words of wisdom that you found helpful, please share.

I am 28 weeks pregnant with twin boys. At my 20 wk ultrasound they told us that one of the boys needed to be double checked. So we rescheduled the U/S at 24 wks. The same conclusion was found and we were told that Caleb has skelatal dysplasia. The next day my OB called and I was scheduled to see a perinatologist 2 days later. His first diagnosis was mild/moderate Achondroplasia, but we had a follow up visit scheduled at 28 wks. This appt. was yesterday. His new conclusion is not hopeful at all. He said that the 12 bones in the arms and legs didn't just measure short this time, but VERY short and his chest cavity has not grown in the last 4 wks. He showed us the U/S pic. and the heart- that is normal size- just about fills the cavity, my dr. said to pray for a miracle but prepare for the worst.

How do you begin to prepare for a birth and a funeral at the same time. My next visit isn't until the end of April, then I guess we will know for sure if nothing has changed from the 1st to the 3rd visit.

I'm praying that my family can be as blessed as your family has been. If you could share anything else about your inspirational story it would be greatly appriciated.

Here is her 2nd letter to me explaining a little more.

The diagnosis is bleak, my Dr. showed us the U/S picture that showed his abdomen is normal size and there is a steep slope from his abdomen to his chest cavity, also showing that his heart is normal size and in perfect condition but, almost fills his chest cavity, and the excess amniotic fluid building up because he is not passing it through his system, I may have to have an amnio depending on the next appt. to drain some fluid so that it is not creating to much pressure for his brother.

I am bracing myself for the worst. That is just the type of person I am, I can't bear the thought of coming home from the hospital with our one little boy and at the same time planning a funeral for his brother. So I am making the preperations now praying that it is all needless.

At the same time we are not giving up and still redecorating the nursery for all THREE of our boys, I'm done with the precious moments we used for our 16 mo. old Ethan, I think he is to because he's begun pulling things off the wall and everything he gets a choice on for the new room has to be ELMO or Cars. Which is great because the colors are so fun to work with, after I saw your video I took your idea of putting the boys names on the wall in bright primary colors.

As for my gut feeling, I certainly have cried my share of tears, but I feel everything will be okay. Now wether that means he will make it or not, I just know we as a family will be okay.

With my faith we believe that because we are married for time and eternity, that families are forever, (What is bound on earth shall be bound in heaven). This brings such peace to me, that what ever happens to our child, as much as we want him to survive and live a full and happy life, if it is not the will of the Lord, we know that we will be able to raise him after the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

You are more than welcome to post anything I write to you on your blog, the more prayers on our behalf right now the better.

I will keep you posted on what we continue to find out.

I thank Heavenly Father every day for the people we meet in this world, and I know I was lead to the LPA website to help me prepare for wherever our road leads us, thank you for being one of these special angels, sent my direction.

Seve

Seve really needs all the help she can get. I believe from the bottom of my heart that all the prayers we received for Owen resulted in a miracle and she needs the same thing. Please keep Seve's family and her boys in your prayers. I will keep everyone updated.

Our Birthday Boy!

This was officially Owen's first - and last big birthday bash. I sure hope he enjoyed it. Just kidding (kind of). Whew! It is hard work throwing a 1st birthday party!

That being said, I couldn't have asked for anything more. The day was filled with family and friends. Owen's friend Knoah and his mom Tonya made it all the way from Monroe! It was so good to get my hands on Knoah again! Especially after the little scare he gave all of us last week.

Because of the generosity of all the people that love Owen, he will be a lifetime member of the LPA. I was flabbergasted! I'm not really sure how to adequately express how grateful I am to everyone. You have given my son the absolute greatest gift. The LPA offers my son a lifetime of friendship and support. The fact that those who love Owen are a part of it is more special than I can say. Dan, Owen and I love you all! OK - We realized that this looks like a horror movie. Dan and I did not think of the ramifications of red icing when we ordered the cupcakes!

The Johnson Family

I have been corresponding with Katie Johnson from Dallas for a while now. Her son Cole also has achondroplasia. He is absolutely adorable as you will see and you should have all seen his pirate costume for Halloween! Katie are also bonded as former members of greek life (not the same sorority though)! She has also started a blog thank goodness so that we can all keep up. Hopefully she does a better job than I do! Thank you Katie and Johnson family for letting me at your link.

Johnson Family Journey

Speaking of not posting in a while - I promise to post this weekend! I will tell you all about my sister and my nephew Drew's visit to Michigan!

Meet the Hedgers

Throught the wonderful world of the world wide web (say that 3 times fast), I had the opportunity to meet Lisa and her daughter Liz a 3 year old with achondroplasia. As you will see for yourself, Liz is absolutely adorable. They live in Northwest Indiana a couple of hours from Chigaco. Thank you Lisa for letting me add your page! The Hedger Adventures

Happy Birthday Knoah!

We finally met! Owen, my mom and I were lucky enough to score and invite to the hottest ticket in town...Knoah's birthday party! What a great day it was for all of us.
I finally got to get my hands on Knoah and he was every bit as cute in person as he is in the pictures (if not more so)! It was so wonderful to meet Aiden and Sue as well. Aiden is Knoah's (and now Owen's) little person friend who just celebrated his 1st birthday a month and 1/2 ago.
As my mother and I drove home, we commented on how unusual-slash-lucky it was to have 3 boys within months of each others age, with achondroplasia, living within a couple of hours of each other. As my husband pointed out, now we just need to find three baby girls with achondroplasia in the area. Nice, Dan!
I am very grateful to have met Tonya and Sue. I felt like I had known them for years. It is comforting to know that this will be the beginning of a lifelong friendship for Owen and myself.

Ok - on to the big event!

Of course I brought my camera so I think the event will be best represented in a pictorial.

Hmm...whose this guy?

Yeah, this is pretty cool!

The latest craze in birthday hats.

Do I have something on my face?

Uhhh, yeah...I'm gonna need some of that cake ASAP.

Ok, if I can't have your cake, Aiden and I will play with your toys!

The first meeting of the cute council!

Cutie patootie!

New best friends. Happy 1st birhtday Knoah!