Extreme Home Makeover

I hope everyone watched Extreme Makeover Home Edition tonight. If not, you may be able to watch it online. I will be honest and say it wasn't easy to watch. I can't tell you the number of tissues I went through. Probably half my box. But I am glad I did watch it. It really opened my eyes to some of the challenges Delilah may face in the future. Every child with PWS is different. The severity of the symptoms can vary from one child to the next. However, the constant hunger is usually always a similarity with our children. We pray that Delilah will have a "mild" case (whatever that is), but we have no idea what the future holds for her. All we can really do is take it one day at a time. We will continue to provide the best for her, be that weekly therapies and trips to Gainesville to see Dr. Miller or just a cuddle on the couch and a face covered in kisses. Whatever she needs she will get. We will also do our best to be an advocate for her. People need to know what Prader Willi Syndrome is. People need to see what challenges it presents our children with. Knowledge is power, and we need that power to find a cure. So please, please, please help us spread the word about PWS. Feel free to forward this blog to everyone you know. There are great websites that have loads of information; PWSA and FPWR. Plaster Facebook with information about PWS. Just help us get the word out there, especially this month. Thanks to everyone who has already done this. You have no idea how much that means to me. 


Just on a side note, I really loved the Safe Pantry. I see a kitchen remodel in the future! 

Mother's Day

Today was a beautiful day! My momma came in town this weekend to celebrate Mother's Day with us. So we decided to celebrate today, since she has to drive back tomorrow. It was a wonderful day! 

We started the day with a trip to Springville for the Homestead Hollow Springfest, which is basically a giant craft bazaar. It was AWESOME!!! We strolled from booth to booth on the most beautiful of days. Delilah was the bell of the ball, as usual. People couldn't get over how adorable she is! She was so happy to be in her stroller. She loves to people watch like her Mommy and Daddy. After we browsed all the booths and ate lunch, we decided to stop by the little creek and take some pictures. As most of you know, getting a 10 month old to smile for the camera is pretty much impossible, but we were able to snag a few good shots. 

After the beautiful morning in Springville, we headed back to the house for Delilah's nap. It was so nice outside, I turned off the A.C. and threw open all the windows. It is so nice to air out the house. It has been so hot lately. I tried to keep the A.C. off as long as possible, but little Delilah gets over heated easily. So we had to turn it on for the first time this year on Monday. Hopefully it will stay this nice for a little while so I can keep it off. 

After Delilah's nap and afternoon snack of cheese and crackers, we decided to check out the new mega baby store, Buy Buy Baby. One word...FABULOUS! Ten times better than Babies R Us, and let me tell you I am a Babies R Us junkie. I have never seen a nicer baby store. So organized, so neat! I loved it. And the best part is they have the car seat we are going to be getting Delilah. I won't have to order it online and I have a 20% off coupon. Woohoo! If any of you have a Buy Buy Baby near you I suggest you RUN to it! It is lovely! 

After the mini shopping spree (just kidding John, we only picked up two small things), we headed out to dinner at Bonefish Grill. Our first time to this restaurant and we were very pleased indeed. The bacon wrapped sea scallops as the appetizer were delish. It was also the first time Delilah sat in a highchair at a restaurant. She was so well behaved. While we waited for her dinner of grilled chicken and steamed veggies (yes, she got her own meal), she snacked on a few Puffs and played with some toys. The table next to us was in awe of her good behavior and her ability to eat table food so well. Always the center of attention, my little one. She didn't fuss at all! I can take this kid anywhere. 

After dinner we headed back to the house with a quick side trip to Dip-n-Dots, a favorite of my Momma's. After she ran in to grab our treat we were home. Delilah had her night time bottle and now she is soundly asleep upstairs. 

I really, really, really enjoyed this day. I was worried that Mother's Day was going to pass without much of a fan fare, but I am so happy it didn't. I am so happy to be a Mother, especially to my little princess. I couldn't imagine life without her.  

******DON'T FORGET: Extreme Makeover Home Edition, featuring a family with a PWS child, will be on ABC tomorrow night at 7:00pm CST. I will be watching along with you, with a full box of tissues in hand.*******

Awareness/Fundraiser Challenge

Alright friends and family, I have a challenge for you. May is Prader Willi Syndrome Awareness month and I need your help. I have set up a fundraising webpage to raise much needed $$ for research. WE NEED A CURE! Every little bit counts. But I need your help getting the information out there. Please, please, please spread the awareness of PWS to everyone you know. You can send them my blog, my webpage or my email address. I am happy to answer any questions about this life long syndrome. I have set my goal at $500, but would love to exceed that. You can get to my fundraiser page by clicking here. Thank you to everyone for all your support.

Playing with my camera

So I am trying to learn to take better pictures. I have this wonderful camera but am still unsure how to really use it. I found a wonderful blog with helpful tips and decided to give some of them a try. I really love the photos with a blurry background and eyes that pop. Who know it was as easy as the lens you choose. I am lucky enough to have the perfect lens for this, and I had no idea. In fact, I have never even used this lens before. Now it is my absolute favorite. Let me know what you think. I have only taken a few photos so far, so I am still working on perfecting it. 

Creative Juices Flowing and UPDATES

Most of you know that I am an avid scrapbooker, both digitally and traditionally. I could open a store with all my scrapbook supplies. However, lately it has been more digital than traditional. (I recently completed 8 pages for Delilah's book in 2 days. A feat considering I do it during nap time and bed time.) Digital is so much easier and I can do more complex things with my page. There is also the added bonus of no clean up after. In all honesty, I haven't touched my 'traditional' scrapbook supplies in many many months. So I am thinking about selling it all. I figure if I'm not using it, someone else will. But I have missed the 'hands on' crafting. So what is a girl to do? Take up sewing of course!!! As you have seen in previous posts, I love it. There is something amazing about creating something from a piece of fabric. There are so many options and I cannot wait to try them all. Today was a day to try something new. I made a fabric 'yo-yo' (looks like a flower to me). Super cute and super easy. Well, once I made it I had to figure out what to do with it. My solution...personalized wipe case. Definitely not a necessity, but a fun way to use some cute fabric. Check it out:

Easy, easy, easy. I'm thinking about making more. I have a few of the wipes cases laying around the house. I also could use the 'yo-yo's' on the dresses I want to make for Delilah. Just to add a pop of texture. Oh the ideas just keep flowing.

Speaking of Delilah, I haven't really posted much on her lately. A shame considering this is her blog! So here is a 10 month update.

Little missy is getting so big. I weighed her on the 24th and she came it at 17 pounds, 4 ounces. She also measured 29.5 inches long. Tall and lean. Not sure if it is the growth hormone, but the girl is growing like a weed. As for some development updates, she is a rock star. She is sitting independently, eating table foods, standing with support, and her balance is getting better and better every day. We (therapists included) see signs of her crawling soon. We just have to get her little arms stronger. Her legs are great. I am so happy with her progress. Here are some random pictures I took of her recently.

See those two bottom teeth? Cutest things ever!!! Finally, one of her top teeth has broken through and the other one is only days away. I love a toothy grin!!! 

Just so you all know, May is National Prader-Willi Awareness month. I am trying to come up with some ways to get the awareness out there about this life long syndrome. Maybe I will try some fundraising. Any ideas? I was thinking maybe I could make something to sale with 100% of the proceeds going to the Foundaion for Prader-Willi Research. Please leave comments with any ideas you may have. 

Another UPDATE: (I know, long post) The PWS episode on Extreme Makeover Home Addition has been pushed back a week from what I can tell. It will not be May 2nd as previously posted. It looks like it has been pushed back to May 9th, Mothers Day. I will keep you updated if there are any other changes.  

My To Do List

I cannot believe that April is almost over. These next few months are going to be busy, busy, busy. Here is a look at my to do list, all of which have to be completed before Delilah's birthday party (seeing how they are all for her birthday party).

1. Finish her First Year Baby Book...20 pages done, only 60 more to go!!! 
2. Make her a Tutu for pictures, which will be used for the party invitation. 
3. Make the party invitations.
4. Sew the bunting (which is a triangle banner, that consists of a million triangles). 
5. Make the table centerpieces; Ribbon Topiaries.
6. Make the personalized cupcake toppers. 
7. Etc, etc, etc.

The list keeps getting longer and longer. I am going to be a very busy lady, but it is oh so worth it. Birthdays only come once a year, and I want to relish every single one. Especially this first one. It has been such a journey so far, and we still have 2 months to go. A celebration is definitely in order.  

First Dress

My newest hobby is sewing. I have always wanted to learn to sew, so I have been teaching myself. Thank goodness for the internet and YouTube. In the past few months I have done a few little projects (camera strap cover, blanket, apron), but the other day I though about making a dress for Delilah. I love the cute handmade ones I see at Craft Shows and specialty stores, but they cost WAY too much. They also looked so simple. And believe it or not, they are. I downloaded a pattern/tutorial for a pillow case dress (one where I could use my own fabric), and I made my first ever dress for Delilah. And it turned out beautifully!!! See for yourself.

I cannot wait to make more. It is going to save us so much money, especially since she falls between sizes and most things don't fit her well.