The Phamily Blog

Cameron's Birthday Party!

Originally, we had planned on doing a decent sized party for Cameron at his preschool. We had rented it out for this saturday but the forecast wasn't working in our favor, so I had to cancel.

Cameron really didn't know he was having a party anyway, so he wasn't sad about the change of plans. On Wednesday, he got to bring cupcakes for snack. He was so excited about sharing with his friends.

The "cheese" face.

On Thursday, his actual birthday, we did a small party for him with both mine and Nguyen's mom and dad and some old neighborhood friends. It was small and simple...and cam enjoyed it all the same.

A new golf set!

And a Leapster!

... games for the leapster...

Gabby enjoyed the festivities as well. It was getting really late but she fought of sleep until all of our guests were gone. She did NOT want to miss out on anything!

Cam's Lightning McQueen ice cream cake.

Making his birthday wish!

We had a perfect evening and Cameron loved all of his new gifts.

I still can't believe he is FOUR!

emotionally spent

I have talked to several moms of children with Ds and a lot of them describe their feelings and emotions as "waves." Today, my wave crashed. I have been so happy and carefree about all of this, but I am just so sick of having sick babies, being sick myself, doctors visits, emergency room visits, urgent care visits, co-pays...ALL OF IT. I'm done. I just want us to be happy and healthy for a solid three months. That's all I ask.

Just got home from the emergency room. Gabby has had a cold for the past couple of days along with a slight fever. Suddenly today, the fever spiked really high and she was also vomiting. She was so miserable. She could hardly cry because she seemed to be so uncomfortable. The combination of the fever and the vomiting had me really paranoid about dehydration and the advice nurse agreed we should come in.

Can I just say that I bet hell is similar in design to the E.R.? No seriously...there is no place more disgusting and scary. Whatever virus gabby didn't have when we got there will probably show up in the next couple of days. I need a shower. So gross.

So anyway, I had given her tylenol about an hour and a half before we got there and when they took her temperature, she was at 102.7 so they dosed her up with some motrin which did the trick within about a half hour. She was suddenly the happy, vibrant girl I know and love.

The doctor finally came in to examine her and he was more concerned with her congestion but he said he didn't think it was anything too serious. Because she was so happy and smiley, he wasn't concerned about dehydration and at that point, I wasn't either.

Now we're home and I am getting ready to make the transfer from her carseat to her crib. I am hoping she will have a good night of sleep since last night wasn't so good. Send good vibes our way.

Night.

Four...

1:13 PM Posted In birthday , cameron 12 Comments »

My little man turned four years old today.

There is something very bittersweet about turning four.

No longer a toddler, yet not quite a big kid.

Four years have gone by in a blink of an eye.

Though the years have sped by at an astonishing rate,

Cameron has taught us lessons that will last a lifetime.

When I look back at these pictures, they seem like centuries ago.

Has it really only been four years?

I am so much older and experienced...

and maybe a little more wacky and stressed than I was before Cam.

For that, I am grateful.

To my baby boy,

May you have a very happy fourth birthday.

Thank you for giving me the greatest gift on earth.

Thank you for teaching me that laughter IS the best medicine.

Thank you for teaching me that the future is what we make of it...

and your's will be bright!

Thank you for teaching me to not be so serious all the time...what's the point?

Thank you for sharing your innocence.

This world is full of faults,

but you help me to look past them and accept EVERYONE

for who they are.

Most importantly, thank you for being YOU.

Happy birthday, Big boy!

I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,

Mom

How's Your News?

8:00 AM Posted In hows your news 5 Comments »

I'm hoping I don't get flamed for actually liking this new series being put on by MTV, but I seriously LOVE it. I can't get enough! Here's a description of the show from the MTV website:

You've never seen a show quite like this before. First conceived at Camp Jabberwocky, the nation's oldest sleepover camp for people with disabilities, How's Your News? began as a series of short films with the members of the camp serving as reporters. The shorts caught the eye of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, of South Park fame, who offered to Executive Produce a feature film that followed the camp reporters on a road trip across America. The film was widely embraced by the disabled community, won several film festival awards and is now used as a training video for people with disabilities worldwide.

Our 6 episode series has the adventurous spirit of Jackass, combined with the music and quirky comedy of The Monkees. In their customized tour bus, our team of reporters drive across America documenting their experiences, which includes everything from covering the red carpet at the Grammys and performing at the SXSW music festival, to learning to make cheese balls with Amy Sedaris in her apartment. During the course of the show, we learn more about this unique cast and their outrageous sense of humor through man on the street segments, musical performances, behind the scenes adventures and celebrity interviews.

Since its inception in 1998, How's Your News? has built an enthusiastic cult following with the release of three previous documentaries and a CD of soundtrack music performed by the cast. The show enjoys the full support of the reporters' families as well as nationally recognized disability advocates and organizations. Earlier versions of the show, executive produced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have appeared on HBO/Cinemax, PBS and Channel Four England.

Admittedly, I was really nervous about this show when I first saw the previews for it. It's sad that I immediately associate a show on MTV featuring people with disabilities to be offensive. It wasn't at all...to me. I think there are definitely a few parts that may make some people cringe, however, to me the basic idea of the show is heartwarming. These people are getting the oppurtunity to do some really cool things, and meeting with some pretty awesome people along the way. Take a look at the trailer below if you haven't had a chance to check out "How's Your News." I hope you'll love it as much as I did! I already can't wait for the next episode.

Cameron's Valentine's Day Party

11:54 AM Posted In cameron , party 9 Comments »

Look at me, actually following through with my promises!

Told ya' I'd post again soon!

This morning was Cameron's V-day party and he had a blast.

Who wouldn't when the snack of the day is cookies?!

Can you guess what he's raising his hand for?

SECONDS of course!

Cameron hangin' with his friends.

The sugar rush was starting to show face.

Cameron with his cousin An who is also his "very best friend."

:)

Passing out the valentines. This process took for.ev.er.

Cameron enjoyed it though.

He kept telling me "my friends will be so proud of me for giving them lollipops."
I bet they were.

Gabby had a blast too. Everytime the kids would sing a new song, Gabby would belt it out with them. It was pretty adorable.

After the exchanging of Valentine's, we headed home.

Sidenote: I have been working with Cam on being a little more independent when it comes to potty breaks. He literally has been forcing Nguyen and I to sit there with him while he does his business. This would be alright if it wasn't for the fact that he is a typical male and takes FAR too long to get the job done.

So anyway, he has been learning that he can do it by himself and has been really impressed with his new found independence. Today he called me in to let me know he managed to put a new roll of toilet paper on the holder "all by myself!" I was pretty proud, but this made me giggle.

He is still wearing his pants like this. I wasn't about to tell him he did it wrong.

cute!

So that has been our day thus far. Gabby is napping and Cam is doing "homework."

(He doesn't really have homework, but he wishes he did, ha!)

I am off to tackle some laundry.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous day!

Okay, seriously.

8:58 PM 4 Comments »

I am having withdrawals from not blogging. But guess what?! I have hardly ANY homework this weekend. I feel such a sense of relief. I feel like I can sleep in and do WHATEVER I want. It almost feels like I am on vacation. And guess what else? My dad flew in tonight so we're already having a blast with him here. It's shaping up to be a great weekend.

Tomorrow is Cameron's Valentine's party so I should have lots of cute pictures to share. With Valentine's day approaching, I am reminded that my little man is almost four years old. It's unbelievable that four years have passed since I first held him in my arms. You know what...I am gonna stop there. I'll save the cheesy emotional stuff for his actual birthday.

What else, what else...

Can't think of anything at the moment and I need to tape lollipops to valentines cards. I will be posting again in the next couple of days so please check back!

I am alive!

7:57 AM Posted In school , sheree 4 Comments »

Just thought you all should know that I didn't fall off the face of the earth...I'm just drowning in homework and haven't had time for anything really. Hopefully I can get caught up today and start posting and commenting more this week!

Miss you all!

xoxo