Life is hard

Another one of my favorites from the '80s. Hey everyone knows you can't buy happiness no matter what you do... can't take a taxi cab to timbuk 2.

Sorry folks it's a full moon tonight:

Love you all... Eva

Good 'ol 80's

Halloween in India?

My dear friend Ritesh and his family (Sandhiya and Daksh) are on a plane to India as I write this.

Ritesh and Daksh

I've been trying to get Ritesh hired on at my company since about a month or two after I met him. He's such a talented developer. He also became one of my very closest friends.

Of course Ritesh is a fellow biker, so we seem to have the same attitude/soul/belief/forgiveness... whatever you want to call it. I sure do think the world of him.

So - I KNOW Ritesh loves halloween. A few of us were outside (smoking) and teasing Ritesh a bit about Halloween in India. One of his friends (Manish) said that he would be stoned in the street if he went trick or treating there (this is some kind of native saying ok?). I said maybe the people would be very confused about a beggar man dressed in weird clothes going from house to house asking for candy. Ritesh laughed.

It's really been a hard road for me since I found out that my company wouldn't be keeping Ritesh on. He is really awesome and we need more people like him. The economy, the times - it all sucks and we are all happy to just have jobs at the moment, right?

I will miss Ritesh, his beautiful wife and his son. They are such good friends. I hope to go visit India, and I know we will at least keep in touch.

Zoo trip! Happy birthday to me!

We had a great time on Saturday! We went to the zoo and our friends Ritesh, Sandhiya and their baby Daksh joined us. It was the nicest birthday!

Awesome 1st Grader

1st Grade and Piano lessons here we are!

First grade started last week. Audrey's been doing well and having pretty good days. The days are a lot longer than they were for her in Kindergarten, but she seems to be enjoying school.

We found a piano, now that we have time to think, we'll be setting up lessons for Audrey! I hope that after her 2nd counseling session with the pediatrician and help from some medication, she'll actually be able to focus on lessons. ADHD is nothing to laugh about.

People always remark about the terrible two's. Audrey was just an awesome 2 year old. When she turned 3, that's really when the terrible two's began and I think she's still there. Kindergarten was hard. When I talked to her first grade teacher about it, she told me that if Kindergarten was hard the 1st grade will be even tougher.

I'll have more observations and rants about ADHD as time and her pediatrician continue on with their assessment. I love my girl though. She is bright, smart and funny. She cares about people and shows a lot of compassion. It would sure be nice not to repeat myself 20 (200) times in a row to be heard.

Cognitive deterioration associated with Down syndrome.

Brogan is sweet and happy and showing a lot of promise for a baby that got some REAL bad news and has had a very tough time since birth. I'm proud of our guy! He is strong and he is

making milestones! He charms his parents every day.

Here is the down side of Down Syndrome. What I was worrying about, I finally got more info about. Well let's fight this too, but how oh how? Guess when you put deterioration into your search query it makes a difference, hu. Why can't they say this stuff up front instead of trying to placate the worried parents?

They tell you that your child will learn and will be able to do stuff like any other child, but may just be slower about it. REALLY? Did I buy into that? Yes I did. I think the hospital didn't want to break my heart more or take the fight/love out of me for this boy. But I'm not a delicate flower and the facts are what I need. They don't have time to get all the facts though so that is just what they tell mothers who have found out about their DS baby.

I have a fierce love for my son. Doctors want you to have amniocentisis to be sure your child doesn't have defects. Morally wrong, the doctors are giving women a choice to abort their baby based on test results. I could never have aborted my son, I was too bonded to him at 12 weeks when they offer the tests, so I declined. For me, it wouldn't have made any difference.

I don't think I've ever looked at Brogan with limited expectations. His dad doesn't and his sister wouldn't dream of it. He really is exceptional and surprises his doctors everytime they see him.

Gimme more Lasagne!!!! (please)

Can't we have a little hope that our guy who is so bright and muscular and charming and sweet will be able to retain his brain function as he goes along in life? It's my worry that he will lose the gifts that he has now. I'm ready to intervene with nutrition. I only hope that it is enough.

http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/ymehy/article/PIIS0306987704004979/abstract

Check out those muscles!

Still no ear infections. Muscle tone of a little wrestler... this guy is strong. He does have nystagmus and we are going to learn more about that. I see it more when he is tired.

I do swear by the targeted nutirional intervention program on this website though. He's been doing so great, and we've had him on this since early infancy.

I guess the real message is - I KNOW what doctors are going to tell you. I know you're going to be heartbroken and you are going to need to see your little baby as just fine. I cried for what I thought my son was going to lose until I figured out that my son won't lose a thing because he has parents that will make sure he has the best. This boy will be more special to us, and I am hoping that he never wants to move out. Geez, how selfish is that mom? Wanting to keep your babies forever with you?

Whatever they tell you, just give your best to your baby - give him the best and then watch the doctors exclaim in amazement because your intervention has made a real difference. Never give up on your child. Don't let a worrisome thing like a diagnosis change your attitude or love as a parent. I have so much love for our son, and I am very proud of him. I do have a worried underlying sadness when I look at my bright, beautiful sweet son and think of his brain deteriorating.

I'm ready to fight against this worry. Let's go.

Grrrrr...

We've created a monster!

Here is Brogan enjoying his popscicle.

Here is Brogan after he realized Daddy is taking pictures!

Little camera ham already! Oh wow, just like his sister. Now we have two kids to try to sneak up on to get real shots of! He's only 15 months' old, but he KNOWS he's getting his picture taken!

Popsicle Pirate

Brogan was so MAD when he saw his sister eating a popsicle! We gave him his own and here is the result!

Popscicle Pirate!

So Beautiful

Ah, this is our son. We "tease" him when he gets tired that he's got his bags packed (dark circles and tired eyes), oh but he is just so pretty here.

Such a lovely person, a sweet baby. Brogan is a very determined person. He is also very sweet and loving and happy as a general rule. Dusty and I are both so happy he was born to bless us. Audrey is the super lucky one - the sun rises and sets for Brogan's sister. He adores her!

7/17/2009

Pretty Girl in the Pool

Not only does Dusty take wonderful photographs, Audrey is exceptionally photogenic.

We've been having some wonderful weather - 80's and 90's! This summertime is shaping up very nicely!

Happy Meals, Cheeseburgers, Bananna Nut Cheerios! Wow!

Our boy has suddenly become a bigger eater than before... if you can believe it! He was a big eater, now he is eating even more.

Dusty and I are on the lookout for more energy outputs (yes, yes he's been very energetic) and more growth! Wow! He is so solid!

Brittney is "WAITING...", oh please drop something?

Hey, what's that? Oh wow a huge piece of meat? Our baby loves meat. He's been a meat junkie since he started eating solid foods. He actually hears the baby food jar go "pop", and gets very excited!

Love you all.

Kindergarten Graduate!!!!!

Check it out!

Our girl has officially graduated from Kindergarten! This sweet certificate came rolled up with a ribbon tied around it. I'm putting this in Audrey's "baby" box! She has a keepsake box I've been putting special items in since before she was born (ultrasound pictures, videos and more).

We are so proud of Audrey! Good job sweetie and we're going to go to Chuck E Cheese this weekend to celebrate her graduation and FATHER's DAY! Lots of fun and games to play!

Mommy Asks Why

Wow... having a 6 1/2 year old is a challenge. Actually since the day Audrey was born I have been in trouble.

Audrey believes that she can question everything that mommy says. I say the sky is blue, she will disagree. Why oh why is that? Is it a mother daughter dynamic thing? I just know that I've always been wrong in her opinion. I also know that she values me, trusts me and believes in me. So why Audrey why do you have to argue with every thing mommy says?

She's intelligent. I love that. I just told her tonight: (she's lost two teeth, and others are wiggling) honey you will lose your teeth in the order you grew them in. I remember that you grew the right top tooth in before the left, so you will lose that one first. Do you think SHE believed me? Of course not. She had to argue.

The arguing is not limited to such that facts can prove. They are about anything I say to that girl. I told her it would be hot today so please wear short sleeves. She is wearing a fuzzy sweater. I begged her to at least wear layers in case she got hot!

I love my daughter, but I can't believe how she has to argue with everything I say. I say it's black, she'll say it's white. It seems as if she has a personal vendetta against me, but maybe it's just because she is my daughter and wants to establish herself as a powerful force. Well - I just hope she learns from this powerful force - her mother.

I know my mother was at a great loss when I finally decided to challenge her. I had been kept down and felt so unsuperior. So I should be so happy that I have given my daughter the feeling that she CAN make her opinons known. That was one thing I was robbed of. I was hoping so much to give Audrey the freedom to express herself, that now she is expressing herself into driving me crazy.

Oh, but I love her, she is strong and I am proud of her. If only she would listen to me once in a while :)

Kids having fun on Free Swingset

One Cool Dude!

True Love - Sissy and Bro

Daddy's hard work pays off.  The kids love the swingset!  I love the swingset too!  Dusty created a nice swing that can hold 350 pounds max, so all us adults can get on there too!!!  Awesome!

Free Swingset!

Wow, what an awesome swingset - for free.  We'd been looking for one for the kids.

So, Dusty being the wonderful dad he is; planned about 3 hours to go dissasemble and dig up this free swingset (it had concrete).  

Oh about 4 hours later I got a call from a number I didn't recognize, but I thought it could be Dusty just because... he had forgotten his cell phone.

Calling from a nice neighbor across the street, Dusty said he had the swingset loaded in the truck.  Due to the pouring down rain all day long though, the truck sunk and was stuck in the mud.  I was to pick Audrey up from the bus stop (40 minutes from now) and then please go pull the truck out of the mud.

Up until that time, the vote was still out on

 my pretty Blazer with all the transmission issues.  I didn't know whether to love it or hate it yet.  But when I pulled up and hooked up to the truck and was able to pull it out of the gunk with ease, I think she finally redeemed herself.  

Dusty was covered in mud, wet sore and cold.  I felt so bad for him - he is such a great dad and just works his butt of for this family!  It was so amazing that he loaded this swingset into the truck himself, I had to post a little of the ordeal and the photo of ol' Babe loaded down!

I'm so proud of old babe (truck) for hauling this load home too!

Starry Starry Night

Song of love and of heart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFMJckZOM

Don McClean.  My heart breaks.  I love these words.

Later Mater

Brogan is ready to go cruising!  His balance is a little shakey, so we have to be ready to catch him, but he REALLY LOVES his new Mater!

Happy Birthday Brogan!

Brogan's Birthday party with cake and fun!  Audrey and Dusty made the cake, Dusty decorated and cleaned off the kitchen table (of all Audrey's coloring stuff!), whew!  

Pictures of the fun!

The Cake!

And Brogan's piece of cake w/Spoon!

Audrey and Brogan - the Party progresses... (aka Sugar high)

Cleaning up the Chocolate Cake!

... and finally, crashing out from the chocolate cake!

The Blazer is back and strong!

After much ado - finally the Blazer came home.  Seems like a combination of everything took it's toll on the poor transmission.  The computer was actually fried on one side, there was a crack somewhere in the housing, the pump and some valves needed replacing and a whole bunch of other stuff.

I have to give credit to Mike's in Issaquah for standing by us and going above and beyond what his obligation was.  He told us he would fix it, and he did.  I would not hesitate to take another vehicle there or to recommend a friend there.  He was just so nice to us.

Glad to have the blazer home!

Springtime Sunshine - finally

Brittney soaking up the sun!

Finally some warm days.  It's been a pretty hard winter.  Since we moved up here from the Auburn area which doesn't really see a lot of snow to Duvall that seems to get every flurry that passes by, we've been asking ourselves if we've moved to Alaska!?

This is a family of sunshine people.  We love the sun and it's warmth.  Even the dog is happy.