JOURNAL

Do you have a 'very Special Child'?
Then you might be interested in my TAILS!!

I created TAILS on Suzy's SHIRTS.
It works for us ~ maybe it will work for you, too.

Remember when your kids were babies?
And they all wore ONESIES?
I loved onesies for all 3 of my babies -
the shirts stayed tucked into the pants,
their tummies stayed covered, and warm, and protected,
the onesie kept the shirt from "bunching all up in the back" when the baby was in a stroller or carseat,
there wasnt' a bunch of material gathered around their boobies when they were rolling on the floor,
they just looked neater.

Suzy is pretty much still like a baby - AT AGE 5 - and STiLL NEEDS ONESIES.
So, I created a way to make EVERY SHIRT SHE WEARS A ONESIE by sewing on a TAIL!!

I have done this for 2 years, to every shirt she has, and it's very easy!!!

For every shirt, you need one baby onesie. Cut the bottom 1/3 off the onesie, cut off the sides, and sew it onto the bottom of the shirt.

Click here for DETAILS and PICTURES.

http://www.babyjellybeans.com/web/do/site/photo?ID=723096





   

   
   
2010-02-16 18:39:47.0
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Wow - I was speechless this weekend witnessing Suzy's birthday/fundraiser put on by the Sunshine Teens from First Colonial High School. The event was better than we could have imagined. I was so touched, and so proud of the teens. They went above and beyond to make it a successful event.

Our family was there for the entire morning, and we all had a ball!!!

The teens raised enough money to send Suzy to NY for an entire week of treatment - airline, hotel, therapy and meals!  Simply AMAZING.

Thank you to everyone who came, and supported us, and donated to Suzy's therapies, and made her birthday unforgettable. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!!!

We feel very blessed.

I also can't believe that Suzy is now 3. These years have just flown by.  Yes, I still get sad thinking about what  'could have been' and what  'should be'..... I really loved being a mom to Gracie and Maggie when they were 2 and 3. Those years are unbelievably cute. The milestones are adorable ones. Chris and I always said we would love the girls to stay 2 forever........sigh......

Suzy, too, is unbelievably cute - just in a little different way. .......Not your typical 3 year old - but a joy, none the less.

We are back into a normal 'groove' for a couple of weeks. Suzy has graduated from the Early Intervention program (now that she is no longer 2). She will now have to go out for PT and OT - to the therapists clinic as apposed to them coming to the home.  She has been enrolled in the city's Special Education Preschool Program.  We have opted to 'home school' her until Sept. This will involve a VB City Special Ed teacher coming to our house 2 times a week, and a speech therapist coming once a week. Beginning in Sept. she will go to a Special Ed preschool. I had a tour of the school last week, and I liked it.

Next month we will be going out of town twice to do ABM therapy (8 sessions each time). Once to Northern VA and once to NY City. I am super excited about that. I am also planning another trip for stem cells. This time we're thinking about going to Mexico (more details to follow).

Suzy continues to do well. The girls are doing great. Life is good.

Peace,

Whitney

reminder 2010-02-10 14:25:38.0
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Just a reminder -

If you're in Virginia Beach, and you're out-and-about Saturday morning, please stop by First Colonial High School (cafeteria) sometime between 10:00-1:00 and share Suzy's 3rd birthday with us.

No gifts!

Just have some cake.

Maybe bid on an auction item, or buy a craft made by the high school kids.

We are thrilled to have our little Suzy with us for 3 wonderful years, and we would love for you to celebrate with us  !!!!!!!!!!!!!      

The Sunshine Nobleteens have done an amazing job reaching out to Suzy. We are  blessed to have them in our lives. Please stop by and support them if you can.

Loved it 2010-02-08 14:47:07.0

We have returned from our ABM experience in North Carolina, and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  

Anat Baniel Mathod *  http://anatbanielmethod.com/help-children-overview.htm

The therapy was wonderful. Suzy responded well to it. She smiled, relaxed, and enjoyed all 8 sessions. The therapist was a gentle man who bonded quickly with Suzy.

I am praying that this is the method for us. I really, really, really want this therapy to work. I want this to be "THE ONE". There are very special children who are responding so well to it. Suzy actually made some really nice changes in the 4 short days. I was so surprised.

We are going to try it 2 more times before deciding to committ fully to this method. We will do ABM in Northern Virginia with a practitioner during the first week of March. And then we are going to see an ABM 'expert' in NYC during the third week of March. I will get Suzy in the hands of 3 different practitioners to see how she responds to each.

I am 'cautiously optimistic' about this new approach. I will pray for guidance during the next 2 months. I'm sure we will figure it out.

Peace,

Whitney

we're off! 2010-02-03 13:46:37.0
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I'm leaving on another "adventure"!

Suzy and I  (and Nana - my 'partner in crime') leave tomorrow for North Carolina to try out a new therapy program. It's called ABM, or Anat Baniel Method. http://www.anatbanielmethod.com/help-children-overview.htm

I am so excited!

I have 2 friends who are doing ABM, and seeing super changes in their children. The goal of ABM is to teach the brain the correct way to talk to the affected muscles. The theory is that her body is healthy, and works just fine, but that the brain damage impedes communication throughout the central nervous system. We are going to attempt to make new, and healthy connections within her neurotransmitters.

We will be gone until Sunday evening. Suzy will get 2 sessions a day for 4 days. Hopefully, by Monday, I will have discovered a wonderful new modality to add to Suzy's recovery program. If not, ...well..... at least we tried.

Wish us luck.

Peace,

Whitney

 

HEARTS FOR SUZY 2010-02-01 10:02:09.0
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The Nobleteen Sunshine Club*
from First Colonial High School present:


Hearts for Suzy
Saturday, February 13 -

9:00-1:00

A special fundraiser for Suzy
(and it also happens to be her 3rd birthday!)

Come join us in the cafeteria at First Colonial High School for a silent auction, a bake sale, a craft show, and for Suzy’s special birthday celebration!!!

*The Nobleteen Sunshine Club is an amazing group of teens that do community outreach projects and this year they chose Suzy as their special project.!!

All proceeds will go directly to Suzy’s trips to New York City for Medek therapy.

Please join our family for this fun event, and support these wonderful Va. Beach teenagers!