No more AFO's, leg braces!

Today was Ian's 6 month follow up at Hope Orthotics. Have I mentioned how much I like it there? Jason is really good w/ kids. He is also very understanding when Ian has cried bloody murder in the past. So, thank you for putting up w/ Ian's crying!

Now, let me back track a bit. See, the PT that evaluated Ian in Feb came back out at the beginning of the month. His opinion was on the fence about the AFO brace but he still recommended we keep Ian in it. His primary concern is that Ian's calf muscle is a bit 'tight' & can cause him to stay stuck in tippy toe position. Now, he didn't remeasure Ian's flexibility the last time he was here so I'm not sure if he realizes how much Ian's range has increased. Either way, I'm not one to question.

THEN...our primary PT came out & said she really felt strongly that Ian would do well w/ just the Sure Steps. She recommended that I tell Jason everything, let him read the recommendations, look at Ian as he is also a certified PT & make the final call.

That is exactly what I did. Jason looked at Ian walk w/ & w/o his AFO's & determined that he is ready & will benefit from the Sure Steps. AND that means no more AFO's. We are done with them, at least for the next 6 months! We will reassess but he is fairly certain w/ the progress that Ian has made that we won't have to worry about the tippy/pointy toe thing.

This is cause for celebration!

hEvan...the new Etsy store!

For some reason,
I am very driven to help Brandi & David.
The task has been placed on my heart.

I've been able to gather
$4000 in donations in 7 days.

BUT,
that just didn't seem like enough to me.

I think there is something bigger in the works.
Bigger than I ever anticipated.
Brandi & I have already talked
about something special & honestly,

I see it brewing.
I'm excited.
Excited to be part of this!

The new Etsy store is open.
It's called...

hEvan

in honor of Evan Navarro,
of everything that Brandi & David have had to endure.

All proceeds will go to help offset the costs
of the funeral & the hospital bills.
Please consider purchasing something.

Here are some yummy items you can purchase...

We had 4 crochet beanie hats but now we are down to 1. Hurry!


And what about this precious pouch?
Perfect for newborn pics!


Domino necklaces are the big thing right now.
This is perfect for every day wear or for church!


And if I was able to wear necklaces, just because,
I would totally rock this one.
It is so delish!
Besides, turquoise IS the new pink.


All proceeds, 100% of them,
go to Brandi & David.

AND...

I'll be adding more items as I get them.
Something a little like this.


And if my girls look cute in it,
just imagine yours.



This dress also comes in pink/black/white.
Super cute for pictures!

And, that, my friends,
is all for today.

Singing Happy Birthday

Grandma & Papap got this card for Gabi for their birthday. Yes, I'm just now blogging about it. Don't hate. Anyway, she loved the card. She is a singer anyway but she loved singing along w/ the card until it eventually died, the card that is.

I got video. She'll kill me one day when I bust it out for her boyfriend to see. What ever. Total cuteness! And I need a pick me upper. Makes me smile every time I see it. Hopefully it will put a smile on your face too!

An inspirational story...I must share.

I suppose when you see a friend go through a tragedy, one that you cannot prevent nor help in any way to ease the pain, you reach out. Most people renew their faith in God or another higher power. Some reach out to family & friends. Others just shut down completely & question everything & every belief they have ever been surrounded by.

When we lost our 1st baby, a miscarriage at 8 weeks, I was so angry. In particular, at God. I just didn't understand why we would get pregnant the very first time we ever tried, only to lose the baby. THEN, to have to fight infertility after that. It just wasn't fair. But, I didn't turn my back on Him. I believed we were walking our path for a purpose.

To our surprise, it was to be blessed w/ triplets. The 3 most amazing people in my life, ok...3 of 4, can't forget Todd. We needed to go through everything to be able to have them. Not that the pregnancy or how we got them was easy but that is a whole different story.

Along the way, I met some amazing people, many whom were walking in our same shoes. Norina was one of them. She & I went through our losses together. We were there to support one another. So, it doesn't surprise me that she came out of the woodwork when I started writing & collecting donations for Brandi. Norina is amazing. Beautiful. A wonderful & deserving mother.

She passed along a beautiful story. A sad story. One that will make you cry. The family, the Smith's, lost a beautiful baby girl. Now expecting another baby girl, this is their story through their time of pain.







And the song they wrote about beautiful Audrey Caroline.



I'm not one to go to church every Sunday, although I probably should, & I don't like to preach the word of God to anyone that will listen. I do believe & what this family decided, that there was no Plan B, I totally agree with. We endure pain for many reasons. Many times we don't understand til much later why, if we ever do understand.

I know I have a personal relationship w/ God. He sent me to Brandi & vice versa. I only hope I have made a little difference & am able to repay in kind what so many others have done for us during many dark moments in our lives.

Thank you to all!

PS ~ Brandi is now at home. Evan's funeral will be on Sunday, May 23rd. I am still accepting donations. My goal is $4000 & am currently $480 away from reaching that goal. Please consider donating!

Paypal ~ divinedcakes@hotmail.com

Brandi is still hospitalized.

If losing her 3rd child isn't enough.
My poor friend continues in the hospital.
They thought it was fluid in her lungs.

Turns out it is pneumonia.

AND,

A partially collapsed lung.

Yes, for real.

Not only do they have to pay for a funeral,
now they are going to have to pay some
serious hospital bills.

Not fair.
Life isn't fair.
But at least it is normally spread out
for others to experience.
Not for them.

Not sure when she will get out of the hospital.
I'm asking, begging...
please donate to her.
Any amount is better than no amount at all.

Paypal info...
divinedcakes@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Needing Donations...get ready crafty people!

Brandi is an amazing woman.
Her husband, just as amazing.
Together, they have endured the
stillbirths of 3 children, &
one early miscarriage.

They are only 26.
What a tender age to experience
something so devastating.
No one deserves to be dealt
that kind of pain.

NO ONE.

I'm banning together w/ some other crafters.
We are going to create an Etsy shop
& sell some yummy things
to help offset the cost of the funeral.

Yes, a funeral.
What mother should bury their child.
The 3rd one?

So, if you are crafty & willing to
sew something,
knit something,
crochet something,
hair bow something,
paint something,
or any other "something",
then please contact me.

You don't even need to ship it to me.
Just take pictures that I can use in Etsy.
When someone purchases it,
you ship it directly.

The money will go directly to Brandi & David,
for Evan's funeral.

My heart aches for them.
God Bless you all!

divinedcakes@hotmail.com

The McKinsey Family...in need of prayers!

Brandi is a dear friend. Long story short, we met online quite a few years ago through a site called Just Mommies. Many of you following know about JM. Some of you don't. It is a community that has supported me in some of our darkest hours & continues to rally around those in need, particularly Brandi, David & her soon to be born son, Evan.

Brandi & David have fought fertility issues, beating the odds & getting pregnant on their own w/o assistance after IVF, only to have lost 3 chidren, Asher & Noah in Aug. '07 (non-viable conjoined twins), & Tres in Nov. '09. Now she will lose yet another child, due to incompetent cervix. Evan is only 21 weeks 3 days gestation which means there is a slim chance he will survive his birth today.

On top of that, Brandi has fluid in her lungs & a raging infection due to the bag of water having been bulging for a few days & Evan being half in & half out of the uterus.

Many have rallied around Brandi, David, & Evan in prayers. It is in my heart to tell everyone about this situation in hopes that you will consider praying for them & possibly donating to the situation. Brandi will likely remain hospitalized for some time, to control the pneumonia, low blood pressure, & infection. She will not return to work until the next school year.

David, bless his heart, has been by Brandi & Evan's side since the hospitalization & is also not working. What a strong man & father.

I am asking, begging...if you have anything to spare, even a dollar, to help this family. They are young, still in their mid 20's. No couple should have to go through the struggles Brandi & David have had.

If you are interested in donating, please send money via PayPal to divinedcakes@hotmail.com.

I will be taking donations for as long as I can. If you can't help monetarily, please say a prayer. Evan is or has already been born. My last update was at 8:30 am & they were starting pitocin. Since he was already so far out, it wasn't going to take long.

Thank you.

You can follow Brandi's blog BABY STEPS.