Corrado cousins: Anthony, Olivia and Cammy all within 8 weeks of each other.
Life is good.
August 21, 2009
Cameron-
School starts this week and it has finally set in that I am
not going back to work.It is a strange
feeling, but strange in a very good way.I could not imagine dropping you off at daycare.I could not imagine missing all of you
“firsts.”A couple of days ago, we went
to the park and I put you in the baby swing for the first time.You giggled the entire time you were
swinging.I texted dad and told him that
we must go back that night so he can see.We did and he enjoyed watching you as much as I did.
First time on the swings
Last week, we went to the Morton Arboretum with you Cernek
and Kier cousins.I can’t wait until
your old enough to walk and run around there.
Morton Arboretum
Last weekend, you went on your first vacation.We went to Molly and Pete’s summer home in
Michigan.You loved lying in the inner
tube in the lake.It was so relaxing
that you feel asleep, which you usually do whenever you are in motion – car and
stroller.
After seeing my 10 year old niece, Carly's summer bucket list laying around her house, I got inspired. What a great way to make sure we do fun things this summer with Cammy and Ryan!
We created "Cammy's Summer 2013 Bucket List".
We actually knocked off quite a few things this past week.
Let me backtrack to last week. After the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, we put a call out on Facebook asking anyone if they were going to the Hawks parade, meeting a Blackhawk or Lord Stanley, if they could bring Cammy Can (our logo) along and take a photo. Cammy's one on one WDSRA summer camp swim aide, Flynn answered the call of duty. She was on a mission! On Saturday, June 28, Flynn and Sarah (another WDSRA counselor) went to Yorktown mall (after a long day in the city for the parade) with our Cammy Can logo to wait in line to meet Bryan Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Flynn told Bickell all about Cammy as he signed our logo and posed for a photo. Sarah got Hjalmarsson's autograph and photo too!
Meet a Blackhawk
On July 2, as Cammy was at school preparing for her big school parade, I received a message on Facebook from someone I did not know and who was not even friends with Cammy Can.
As I clicked on the link in the middle of juice aisle in Dominicks with Ryan driving the fire engine cart, I began to cry. Was this a joke? Who wrote this? I could not figure out how this article was written and published without anyone contacting me about facts. It was an unbelievably beautifully written story about Cammy and Rett syndrome.
After watching Cammy do an awesome job in her school parade, we put the pieces together. The night before Jeric was getting his haircut and the lady cutting his hair (our next door neighbor) told him all about Cammy. Jeric was so intrigued by Cammy that he did a little more research and felt as though her story was newsworthy for his online sports blog! I am constantly amazed at the 'Six Degrees of Cammy Can" and how many hearts she has touched.
Have an article published about me to spread Rett awareness
On July 2, Cammy's school had their 4th of July parade. High school band students performed as all the students, teacher and aides proudly marched, walked, shuffled and rolled around the school all decked out in red, white and blue. Cammy waved with a smile on her face to me and Ryan. We were so proud of her.
Be in a parade
On the 4th of July both of my girls were confused when we told them that they can hold a sparkler as we have taught them not to play with fire.
Hold a sparkler on the 4th of July
We are so fortunate to have family live so close. This summer, we have seen the Cernek cousins several days each week. Carly (one of the twins) wrote on her summer bucket list "sleep over at the Babiarz house 10 times." I was so excited when I saw that. I knew having them sleep over 3 times would be very easy to accomplish!
1st cousin sleepover, at least 2 to go
On Friday, July 5 we met the Cernek cousins (and Katie) to see Monster's University. Even though Cammy's wheelchair is much more comfortable for her, sitting 4 rows from the screen cannot be good for anybody. Luckily we had a big crew of people with us who were happy to hold Ryan and Cammy as we ditched the wheelchair on the ground floor and sat about 20 rows up the stairs.
See a movie in a theater
About a week ago, another Rett mom posted in our little Illinois Rett facebook group that the Lisle Eyes to the Skies had a special opportunity for people with special needs. SEASPAR and the Eyes to the Skies have the nation's only FAA-approved wheelchair accessible hot-air balloon.
Cammy can to go on a tethered hot air balloon ride in her wheelchair! I must admit that going on a hot air balloon ride has always been on my bucket list, so I eagerly called the next day to book a slot.
On Saturday, July 6 at 6am, our entire family got to go on a hot air balloon ride. We are so grateful for organizations like WDSRA and SEASPAR to provide incredible opportunities like this with amazing staff and volunteers. This video shows our awesome experience. The smile on Cammy's face says it all.
Today was your 4 month doctor’s appointment.Grandma came with us because you were getting
shots and I hate seeing you get shots and in pain.She made you feel better for sure.Here were your stats:
Weight: 13 lbs 14.6 ozs (50th percentile)
Height: 243/8 (50th
percentile)
Head Circumference: 16.5 (65th percentile)
Since I wrote you last, you’ve had some firsts.You went to the zoo for the first time.And you saw your first fireworks show.We were also baptized.
You didn’t have much interest in the zoo.You’re still too little.I think you really noticed the penguins
though.I held you up to the glass and
couple swam right past you.I can’t wait
to take you when you are more aware of the animals.
You definitely saw and heard the fireworks.We went to our friends, George and Lisa
Karavas’, house in Bartlett.They will
have a baby around Feb. 21, 2010.You’ll
almost be 1 year older than baby Karavas.Anyway, we went to the Bartlett fireworks show.Daddy carried you in the Baby Bjorn.He loved carrying you around in that.You were so alert with the fireworks.Then, you got scared and cried during the
finale with all the loud booms.
You were baptized on July 12 with your cousins, Anthony and
Olivia.
YOU JUST ROLLED OVER FROM YOUR BACK TO YOUR BELLY!!!I am so proud of you!You are 16 weeks and 2 days old (114
days).
Yesterday, Aunt Joanne showed us some exercises that she did with Jillian to get her to roll over.Jillian needed a lot of physical and occupational therapy when Joanne
and Mike adopted her from China.Jillian was
still not rolling over at 11 months, so she was working with an occupational
therapist.
