Caleb's Crew 2007!

Last Saturday was Caleb's big party. We all had a wonderful time. Thanks to all our family and friends that were able to come and join the fun. Thank you also for any donation you made. It truly does help and support new families of children with Down syndrome.

I made a slide show of Caleb's fun day. We started off with a short walk around the SRP Pera Park and then had loads of fun playing in the bouncers, getting snow cones, playing games and visiting with family and friends. As you can see Caleb's favorite part was dancing with the cheerleaders and following Barney around. It was a great day! Caleb walked the whole way and was just beaming to see all his special friends. Thank you Caleb's Crew! (Okay, the slide show isn't working again...just click on "view all images" and it'll take you to the website where you will be able to see the pictures. Sorry!)

"All Done Red Leg!"

The day finally arrived when Gunner was able to get his red cast off! Yea! Of course, as soon as we walked back to see the doctor he started crying because this place has scarred him of scary noisy machines and doctors that tug and pull on his leg. I reassured him that we were going to take his big boot off and that he'll be able to walk on his leg without the cast.

It was a little scary for him to hear the loud noise of the saw as it cut his cast off. Those things scare me a little. The sharp blade so close to his leg creeps me out, but I have to be tough for my little Gunn man. It did help that there was a miniature skeleton with a red cast on his leg too. He got to hold him through this whole ordeal.

This experience has taught us many things. We've been creative with things we can do with Gunner and watched him be so tough. His cast changed from blue to purple to red. He's been such a good boy about everything.

Of course I forgot my camera on the day he got his cast off, but thought I'd post my favorite pictures of him throughout this journey.

The good wagon. How he loved going for rides and even taking naps in it!

He is now walking really well. He's still adjusting to having the cast off. He walks around like its still on. We're so glad that he's all healed up and that he doesn't have any permanent damage. He's such a big boy and we're so proud of you Gunner!

How we pass the time...

***Last chance: My blog will be going private in just a few days. If you haven't sent me your email, be sure to do so, so I can add you to my list. Thanks!

I haven't really been keeping up too good with my boys so here's a little update on what we've been doing.

A few weeks ago we finished with October break. Caleb had 2-1/2 weeks off of school so we did a lot of fun things like going to the zoo and playing at the park...well as much as we could...I couldn't let Gunner set foot in the sand for fear of him getting sand in his cast. That is something I did NOT want to deal with. These are the only pictures I got of the zoo.

Over the break, Caleb also found some fun in the backyard. We were putting our winter grass in and had a bunch of water in the backyard. We had also removed a dead tree but hadn't filled in the hole...Caleb got to it before we could fill it with dirt...and since our yard had extra water, it all drained out to this hole creating a really fun little pool, as you can see!

Gunner also found some fun stuff to do. Despite having his little cast, he is so busy! He found the animal crackers while I was doing laundry upstairs and decided he wanted to count them all. So of course, he had to pour them all out! They are now considered dog treats!

Another one of Caleb's favorite things is movies. Besides Barney, he loves the Disney movies. He will actually crack up and laugh at the funny parts. Its great to see. Here's a movie of him dancing to "Happy Feet."

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Overall, we had a great break and it was so fun to spend extra time with Caleb. I love my boys!

Got Scissors?

Well it's been about 5 weeks with this cast and Gunner has about had it. Yesterday came up to me and said out of the blue, "Mom, want scissors!" And I calmly asked him, "Why do you need scissors?" His response, as he held his leg up high in the air, "Want cut it off!"

Since he's been walking on this big red boot for a while and, feels much better, he naturally wants to get it off. I guess I was just a little clueless (and nervous) to think he already knew what scissors are and what they can do!

After I told him that it has to stay on for a little while longer and explained that his bone isn't better yet, his response was "Not better yet. Almost done!" And then he limped away to play with his toys. This kid is so cute in every way and such a trooper with all he's been through! I'm loving the fact that he's beginning to understand more of what I'm explaining to him. It's fun to talk and reason with him. Well, most of the time...he is still a 2 year old!

We have NEWS!

Alright, yesterday I was very humbled. I went in for my Ob doctor's appointment and found out the gender of our little baby. For those of you who know me well, I have been professing that it is a boy. And until a few days ago, I was feeling all different with this pregnancy and thought "Maybe we are having a girl..." Well, yesterday I was pleasantly surprised (and very humbled) to find out that we are definitely having a GIRL! Both Justin and I are very excited, a little scared, but mostly just ecstatic that everything is looking good with her development. But honestly, our first questions were "What do we do with a girl?" and "So how do I do her hair?" I'm sure it will all be wonderful. Every Mommy needs a little girl to go shopping and go see girly movies with!

Here are her latest pictures:

Her profile. She has my nose already!

Here's an arm & hand. All 5 fingers! Whew!

Here's the proof: GIRL through and through!

Going Private

That's right, the time has come to make our blog private. We just can't take any chances of any psychos out there. So, if you are interested in seeing our blog, please email me or leave your email in the comments section. This will probably take place in the next week. Thanks everyone!

The Luckiest Girl...

That's right. It's me, It's me! I am the luckiest girl in the world to have my sweet hubby Justin. I have been meaning to post about what he did for my birthday but time just gets away from me...(especially when I spent so much of it reading the Twilight saga)...

Anyway, my birthday was a few weeks ago and he started my day with letting me sleep in and getting the kids fed and dressed. I then came downstairs to see a beautiful bouquet of roses and lilies and my favorite breakfast at the time (bagels & cream cheese). Then he arranged for me to get a professional pregnancy massage with a pedicure afterwards. I felt like a queen....so pampered! As if that wasn't enough, I came home to a quiet house with no kids and my favorite lunch on the table...Paradise Bakery! Heaven!!! We had a romantic lunch in the quiet house. So nice!! Well, if you think that's the end of the surprises, you are wrong...he told me there were little gifts hidden all over the house and that I should look carefully throughout the day. Hidden all over the house were gift certificates with little love notes written on them. It was incredibly sweet. He spoiled me rotten!

I am just so thankful for my sweet husband who treats me like a queen each and every day and I'm so grateful I'll be with him to eternity. Who needs Edward when I have Justin Cook!!!

Twilight Series

Okay, I finished the third book to the Twilight series, Eclipse, on Sunday night and have been thinking about how its all going to finally end.

***Disclaimer: For anyone that hasn't read the books, there are spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution!!**********************************************************************************

Will Bella marry Edward afterall and will she truly become a vampire? Or will she go back to Jacob? I am DYING to read the next book. Can't she come out with it sooner!?!

I dont really know why but I keep thinking about all the books now and I guess I just need to vent some of my thoughts about them so that I can finally move on my with life!! It's amazing how I was so engrossed in these books and how often I would think about this romantic love story!

First, I keep thinking about poor Jacob. I know overall, I was routing for Edward the entire time but I can't help but feel sorry for Jacob and how heartbroken he was. Do you think he'll actually show up to the wedding? Or will Bella somehow decide to go back to him now that she knows she really loves him? What I am hoping for is that the next book will introduce a new girl and that Jacob will imprint on her that way he'll be happy and Bella won't feel obligated to him.

Another idea that I am still thinking about is why did Edward leave Bella in the first place? I already know the answer to that question in that Jacob's love for Bella had to be introduced and the werewolves had to be brought into the equation. And I know Edward explained to Bella why he left and everything is now hunky dorie, but I still am just so irked at him for leaving in the first place! I'm glad that in the end, they are together and Alice is planning the wedding, but also not totally convinced that Bella is going to truly want to be a vampire after all is said and done. As much as I want her and Edward to be together forever, I feel sad that she'll miss out on the wonderful parts of life. All the human experience, having babies and being a family, etc. On the flip side, I totally understand why she would want to become immortal with Edward because, lets be honest here, who would want to live without Edward?! Okay, am I a freak or what?

Anyway, I think that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the matter. I can now go on with my life...thank goodness!!

Just a quick side note, I went on the official website of Stephanie Meyer and discovered that she is writing another book about Edward's perspective of Twilight. It's supposed to correlate with Twilight. The first chapter is on her website. It's really good. It's called "Midnight Sun" and it will come out after the fourth book is published. Did I mention I can't wait for its release? If you're a fan, check it out at http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Obsessed....

That is an understatement! I have been so immersed in the Stephanie Meyer books, I can hardly see straight! Every moment I am wanting to read what happens next with Bella and Edward! I read Twilight and New Moon this week and just purchased Eclipse today! Thanks to those that recommended these books. I really never thought I'd be so addicted to another book since Harry Potter, but these I am even MORE addicted! For those that are thinking of reading them, I HIGHLY recommend it! I'm so excited to start the third book!

Caleb's BIG Party!!

Hi all! Please join us at Caleb's big party...the Buddy Walk! This is a 1-mile walk for Down syndrome awareness. Then afterwards there is a huge carnival-like party! The money raised goes towards education, advocacy for children with Down syndrome, new parent packets, and overall assistance for these wonderful children.

If you would like to join our team to walk and party with us, or make a donation, you can register by clicking on the link: http://www.sharingds.org/ and clicking on "Buddy Walk - Join Team." Then look for "Caleb Cook" with his picture.

Above all, I don't want this to be a solicitation. Mostly, we would be so delighted to have our friends and family join us to celebrate the life of Caleb. The Buddy Walk really is a wonderful day. There are moon bounces, pony rides, snow cones, game booths, music and lots of food! And it is free to come. There's no obligation to donate. For those that have come in the past, they say it's been such a great day! Feel free to email me with questions!

Here's the info:
October 27, 2008
7am-2pm
Walk starts at 9am
SRP Pera Park (Tempe)