Christmas 2008

As you can tell, we had a great Christmas! Santa was good to the children...Weston got a Speed Racer bicycle, racecar set, games, and an electronic spelling game. Addison got a My First Dollhouse, walker, stacking toys, and play mailbox. It was so much fun watching both children this year!! We also had a great visit to the upstate to see family and friends. It's hard to believe Christmas is over and the New Year is upon us, but we are definitely looking forward to what 2009 brings and will remember the highlights of 2008 forever.

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!



Much love,

Disney World!

We're back from our trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando. We had a great time and the kids loved it! Here's just a few pictures .... there will be more later - I took over 200 pictures! :)








Come back again soon for even more Disney pictures!!

Merry Christmas,

Look who I found...

today under the Christmas tree rummaging through the presents! You guessed it, ADDISON!! Luckily she was just looking at them and shaking them, not unwrapping them. :)



So, I couldn't resist posting this photo of her either! Everyday, throughout the day, Addison scoots over to our inflatable Santa to wave at him and tell him "hi"! It is sooooo precious. She loves to touch him, too, and squeeze his feet. I got this decoration just for the kids, it's one of the few Christmas decorations that is ALL theirs to touch and play with - they LOVE it!



What are your Christmas cuties up to these days?

Jingle Jazz

For three years, we've been attending a musical Christmas program at Southside called Jingle Jazz. Our friends, Jon and Missy, started this tradition of inviting 3 other couples to the show with them - and we didn't want to be the ones to break it this year b/c of the move! So we went back for it and to spend time with family. So, if tradition continues, it looks like us 4 couples will be doing this for many years to come. We always go out to dinner somewhere beforehand and the entire evening is just so much fun! Below are some photos from Jingle Jazz, as well as some others from this past weekend.


Merry Christmas,

Finally, a diagnosis

Almost 14 months after Addison's birth, we finally have a diagnosis for all of her growth problems and developmental delays. We went to MUSC yesterday where we had an appointment with a pediatric endocrinologist for a second opinion. (If you'll remember, we saw one back in October as well.) Yesterday made for the 8th doctor that has seen Addison during her short little life, but we finally have an answer. Addison has Russell Silver Syndrome, also known as RSS. You're probably wondering "what is that"? Well, because I have suspected that this might be one of the possibilities that Addison might have for several months now - I have done some research on it. RSS is a rare growth disorder that occurs in about 1/75,000 births. The characteristic findings are growth delays before birth (prenatal or intrauterine growth restriction) and after birth (postnatal growth deficiency). There are also features that are associated with RSS, which include persistently low weight-for-height ratio, broad forehead, low-set, posteriorly rotated ears, clinodactly (inward curving) of the 5th finger, large head size for body size, small chin & midface (triangular face shape), and sometimes body asymmetry. Addison has some of these features, but not all of them. The children who do not have all of the features are the ones that are harder to diagnose. For RSS and non-RSS/SGA patients, the prospect for a normal life with a normal adult height is closer than ever before. RSS is a very challenging diagnosis, if your child is not a "textbook case". It is often overlooked or misinterpreted. The good news is that RSS is treatable! The other good news is that most RSS children are cognitively on target. By understanding the importance of aggressively feeding these children, no matter what it takes, we are able to avoid the malnutrition and low blood sugar that in the past has so negatively affected their growth and development. Growth hormone treatment of the growth failure helps these children reach a better weight and height. When Addison is 2 years old, she will begin this treatment of daily injections. In the meantime, there is a test that will be performed by a geneticist to test for RSS (and other genetic issues). However, many children who have RSS, test negatively, so our endocrinologist said that even if that test comes back negative, she feels comfortable enough to follow through with her clinical diagnosis made yesterday of RSS. I know this is a lot of information to take in...trust me, I know! I'm still trying to process the thought of finally having a diagnosis...I think more than anything I feel relieved to have an answer. Knowledge is power. We know what the problem is...and we are coming up with a treatment plan. I feel confident in the abilities of our new endocrinologist and most of all, I feel confident in the Great Physician, who will continue to give us direction and the doctors wisdom. Thank you for your prayers - we will continue to keep you posted on her progress.

Much love,

The reason for the season...

We made this nativity out of foam yesterday - a way of remembering the reason for the season!



Love,

Christmas parade, neighborhood visitor, and cookies

Here are some pictures of Addison by the tree, Weston helping to make some Christmas cookies, and some pictures from this weekends downtown Christmas parade. One of the pictures is of Bob's cheerleaders from his school riding on a float in the parade. There are also some shots of Weston and Emili (who is here for the week) talking to Santa who visited our neighborhood yesterday!











Make sure and check out my previous post, to see our see our festive decor!

It's beginning to...

feel a lot like Christmas around here!

Here is our tree that we decorated this past weekend....



CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AROUND OUR HOUSE




Love,

Where's My Bike?

One night this week at dinner, Weston looked at us and said, "it's time for me to be very brave...I'm going to sit with Santa this year"! Well, last night, as you saw in my previous post, he did. After he had sat and talked with Santa, Bob and I asked him what he told Santa and he said, "I told him I wanted a bike and a speed racer". Well, this morning, Weston came downstairs after waking up and I noticed him looking around. Then he turned to me and said, "where's my bike"?!? You silly boy, it's not Christmas yet!

Love,

Night on The Town

We went to "A Night on The Town" tonight downtown...it was a fun, festive, Christmas night! We started the night eating dinner at a restaurant with friends and had a great view of all of the festivities as they began. There was a jump house for the kids, a Christmas puppet show (that, might I add, even had the manger story and a song about Mary and Jesus), food vendors, singers, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and the downtown shops were open for extra shopping hours. I could hardly believe that both of my children sat with Mr. and Mrs. Claus ... Weston sat with Santa and Addison sat with Mrs. Claus - it was sooooo cute!!! Tomorrow we will be decorating our Christmas tree and baking Christmas cookies! I love this time of year, don't you?!




Take note in this photo that Addison is playing with Mrs. Claus' gloves...she was fascinated with them!






Merry Christmas,

Tree

Well, last night we went and got our Christmas tree! It is in the stand sitting in the living room and we hope to decorate it this weekend. The kids and I have been sitting and looking at it today, and I couldn't help but snap these pictures of them!





More holiday photos coming soon...

Busy baby!

Now that Addison is scooting...she's such a busy body! Which means that Mommy has to stay busy, too. We're really having to watch what we leave around now and have to make sure that dangerous and breakable things stay locked up! It's been a while since we've done this, but it's coming back to us. :) She's all over the place...just take a look! We love watching her...




Have a great day!

Raffle / Fundraiser

Check out the raffle / fundraiser going on over at MckMama's blog by clicking the link below or by visiting my side bar!

Raffle for a Cause!

Thanksgiving

We enjoyed Thanksgiving with our families. We left last Wednesday to go be with everyone for the holiday and arrived back home on Sunday evening. We had a great trip, other than the usual 3 1/2 hour trip back, took nearly 7 hours, due to all of the traffic!! Addison did not enjoy that - and what Addison doesn't enjoy, Mommy doesn't enjoy. :) I want to take some time to list some things that I'm thankful for...

1. My family - both immediate family, my husband and children, & extended family.
Do you take for granted your family members? It's so easy to do! We need to be thankful that God has placed each of them in our lives. Do you let little, unimportant things creep in the middle of relationships, thus hindering you from truly enjoying the fullness that God intended us to have with each of our family members? We've all been guilty of this at some time or another, but let's be reminded of how precious our relationships are and be thankful for them!

2. Blessings - most of us in America are blessed beyond measure. If you've ever traveled internationally, you know what I mean! My first overseas trip was to Romania, and I've since traveled numerous times overseas to various countries, and it changed my life and perspective.

3. Job and home - I'm thankful that my husband has a good, stable job and that we have a roof over our heads and food on the table! With the tough stage of our economy lately, this is more than some people can say that they have.

4. Church - After moving last summer and searching (...and searching) for a new church home, I'm thankful that we've found a church that we are going to "join forces with". I say it like that, because, it is a new church plant that will officially launch in January. Right now, we're meeting as a small group. We found out yesterday that we officially have a place to meet - thanks to our local Chick-fil-a! ... and better yet, it is at no charge! One prayer answered ... and many more to go before the church officially launches. Tonight we are meeting a prospective worship (music) leader, so pray that it goes well. One thing I've learned in the last 5 plus months is that I did take our church in Greenville for granted. Great churches are not easily found in every county throughout the US. If you are involved in a church that you love and that loves God, don't take it for granted! And if you're not involved in a great church but really want to be, I can tell you after 5 months of looking, don't give up!

5. My health - overall, Bob and I are both extremely healthy and we are so thankful for this. We never want to take this for granted.

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Now that we are back home, unpacked, laundry done and put away, we are looking forward to decorating for Christmas!! My tree has always been up on Thanksgiving day, but this year with traveling, it didn't happen! So, how was your Thanksgiving, and have you started decorating for Christmas yet?!?






Happy holidays to you and yours...let the festivities begin!

Blessings,