March 7, 2011

Sunday Snapshot: {these three}

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These three.They have so many things they share.One of the biggest? They were all born with bilateral clubfoot.So, on our way out to the door today, I made them all sit down to let me snap a picture of them together.To remember these days. The days when their twice-yearly visit to Boston Children's rolls around - for a re-check of their now corrected clubfoot.To see these three go, you'd never even suspect they were born with clubfoot.Lightening, I tell ya. Even Vivienne can bust a move.And now, based on their x-rays, our orthopedic doc says he can't even tell the … [Read more...]

16 Comments
Posted Under: clubfoot, Jude, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 28, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {hats}

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We got some new hats in the mail the other day.It was reason enough to take everyone outside and try 'em out.Camera in hand, of course.Clearly, the kiddos were pretty darn excited. Other than birthdays and Christmas, there aren't a whole lot of occasions that they get new stuff in the mail.I let them each pick their very favorite hat to model.Some kids, ahem... picked more than one.But with a smile like that? This little one usually gets what she wants.She has just melded into our family so perfectly. Honestly, I am thankful on a daily basis that we didn't let fear … [Read more...]

28 Comments
Posted Under: Isabelle, Jude, Shepherd, Sophie, Sunday Snapshot, Vivienne
November 14, 2010

Sunday Snapshot: {mighty Shep}

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Our littlest guy turned four last week.And it was good.Even though it was the third year - in a row - we celebrated his birthday with Cars.This year, we did the Cars theme... but on vanilla cupcakes.At Shepherd's request.Clearly, he was happy with how they turned out.They weren't all Cars themed, though.I made a few for the girls. Some flowers. Some Christmas trees.And maybe one for my sweet Poppy.Shepherd has come so far. He might still be small....but he's mighty.Or, maybe I should say, he's getting mighti-er by the day.Shepherd is still in monthly PT to help with … [Read more...]

22 Comments
Posted Under: celebrations, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot
April 21, 2010

whazzup with Shep

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We're off this morning to the grocery store. And then to Home Depot. And possibly stopping at McDonald's, if the kids haven't sent me over the edge by then."Kids, if mommy hasn't lost her marbles by lunchtime, I'll take you to McDonald's! Deal?!?"It's a bribery tactic that really seems to work for me.In the meantime, I thought I'd update you guys on Mr. Shep. And what's new with our littlest fella.Shepherd has been home almost two years. And it's been a bit of a bumpy road for the little guy.Thankfully, he and his daddy have formed a remarkably strong bond. Something … [Read more...]

27 Comments
Posted Under: Shepherd, special needs adoption
March 17, 2010

jut for you

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A beautiful bead creation.By Shepherd."Jut for you, mama."I asked Shep if I could take his picture with his creation and, well...you can see the elation written on his face.This boy loves attention.Noticing Shep in the catbird seat, Vivi wanted to get a piece of the action.Ahhhhh, Shep and Vivi.Theirs is a relationship in the making.Neither is too sure about the other.And both are constantly vying for 'baby of the house' status.And honestly, at 25 pounds each, it's kinda hard to tell...Which one is the baby around here. … [Read more...]

27 Comments
Posted Under: family, Shepherd
November 8, 2009

Sunday snapshot: Shepherd

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Last night we celebrated.Another birthday, another reason to party.Since Shepherd officially turned 3 on Wednesday, we've sorta been celebrating for a few days now... a present here, a present there.He's heard "Happy Birthday" so many times he sings it to himself now.Since today is Sunday, I thought I'd make this not only a post about Shepherd's birthday, but a Sunday snapshot post as well. About Shepherd, of course.I'm good at multi-tasking like that.Shepherd loves 'race cars'. Especially the cars from the movie Cars. Namely "Lightning McQueen".He also loves … [Read more...]

13 Comments
Posted Under: photography, Shepherd, Sunday Snapshot
October 30, 2009

what it isn’t

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We've spent the last few weeks toting sweet Shepherd to numerous appointments.The gastroinerologist.The endocrinologist.And most unfortunately for Shep, the phlebotomist.We've gotten all the results back from the testing that's been completed so far.And we still don't know what *it* is.(Shepherd came home in June 2008. His SN was clubfoot. His clubfoot was corrected and, therefore, is no longer a special need. What has become a special need is his low growth. He was recently diagnosed as "failure to thrive")We do know what it isn't, though.It isn't his tyroid.It isn't … [Read more...]

22 Comments
Posted Under: real life, Shepherd, special needs adoption
October 8, 2009

update on the Shepster

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Several of you guys have asked about Shepherd since my last post, so I thought I'd let all y'all (that just can not be correct) in on what's going on with the little dude.We got his blood tests back.I swear, it seemed like they tested him for everything on the planet: lead, CBC, iron, HepB, HepC, celiac, and all sorts of other stuff I can't remember.It all came back totally normal. Except he is the tiniest bit anemic.When I got the news, I realized that I'd kind of expected to hear more than that.So I am thoroughly relieved that, so far, our little guy is just fine.On … [Read more...]

17 Comments
Posted Under: Shepherd, special needs adoption
September 14, 2009

Shepherd

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Our little guy.Our littl-est guy by a long shot: 24.5 pounds soaking wet. And he's probably going be smaller than Miss Vivi by the time she gets home.But we're okay with little.The problem is, he's not getting bigger. Even my small standards, he's little. And no matter what we do, he just doesn't seem to be catching up.Today we went for the second round of blood draws to see what might be going on with Shepherd. We'll be referred out soon to an endocrinologist who, hopefully, will find an answer for our little guy.Thing is, Shepherd can eat. Okay, not a ton, but … [Read more...]

33 Comments
Posted Under: Shepherd, special needs adoption
August 12, 2009

last day

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Today is the last day to enter the Wild Olive giveaway!We are giving away two kids tees and one adult tee... 'cuz every mama that likes to get something new for her kiddos loves to get something new for herself.Am I right or am I right?And, when you enter, you help us celebrate the launch of our new kids' tees, AND help raise funds to support Love Without Boundaries. Good and good.I just got mine the other day and they are so stinkin' cute.And if you're not the lucky winner (we'll announce the big winner tomorrow), you can still get yours from the Wild Olive store :) … [Read more...]

3 Comments
Posted Under: Shepherd, Sophie, wild olive