My Angel Baby

Life is never easy... but when it comes with a smile like this... every minute is worth it.

My little one has had quite the rough start. She started as a triplet, but was the lone survivor. We thought her troubles were over when she was delivered, but She's a fighter and is more than willing to fight the good fight.

I've always known my little Angel was well ... an angel. She is always happy and has a smile on her face, so it was heart breaking to hear her life isn't going to be easy for her. 

Compared to her sister, she's been little slower at crawling and walking. (anyone would be slower compared to her sister) So it wasn't a surprise that at her first year appointment, he doctor sent us to a specialist. So off to Salt Lake we went. The specialist was all we could have hoped for, the diagnosis however was a little scary. 

My little Angel has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. I know you're thinking the worst. But there really is a lot of hope. An MRI showed us that she had a stroke in the womb, affecting the right side of her brain. This affects the movement in her left limbs, and her vision a little too. At the appointment with the Neurologist, he said, "Cerebral Palsy sounds scary, but all it really means is that there was trauma to the brain affecting her movement." I was so grateful to this man. I now know what to say when people look at me with fear in their eyes and sorrow for my Angel. 

One of the greatest examples to me, and to be honest I wish we were better friends, I secretly bonded with when we both found out we were having twins. She delivered both of hers close to when I lost one of mine. However, one of her "angels" has had a rough start too. He's been in and out of hospitals since he was born, but she has the best outlook on life. I've always thought, if she's not complaining, why should I? I know we are each dealt our own hand in life. And we ALWAYS get through it.  

To be honest with you, the hardest thing for me in this ordeal is how the Drs think I'm going to worry about her physical appearance. To me, glasses and braces on her hand and leg are going to be worth it. Besides we all go through that awkward phase. And Babies are always cute!!! So she might as well get it over with now. 

My little Angel has a long road ahead of her. We've already been to Salt Lake City to see pediatric specialist, and occupational therapist, had an MRI and hip x-ray, back to SLC to a neurologist,  and the Ophthalmologist. We know it's going to be a long road, a lot of Occupational and Physical therapy, a brace on her hand, the probability of glasses, Botox injections (don't be jealous Gammy), and who knows what else. But I am surrounded by love and support, even though we live far from family. We will get through this, and my little Angel will never know she has a disability.  

Starting the Garden

IT'S ALREADY MAY! Can you believe it. It was just Christmas, and a lot of snow on the ground, and now, school is almost out and the tulips are blooming! I'm not complaining... not one bit, but still I wonder how the time gets away from me so quickly. But with spring in full bloom, and Summer right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the garden.
Here in Idaho, we're a lot colder, so we usually don't plant until after Memorial Day. This is great when it comes to my procrastination, but it also means we have a really short growing season. I'm bound and determined to get a great harvest this year, and I want to have my 3 year old help. (it's never to early to teach life lessons, right?)
So we decided to plant seeds this year. This way Noli can learn how plants grow, giving them water and light.

I had some extra egg cartons lying around.... so I trimmed off the lid and side,

and laid them side by side on a cookie sheet.












Brought in a bucket of dirt..... it was raining outside or else we would have done this out on the picnic table.




Don't these girls look so excited!!

 Then I filled the egg cartons with dirt using a large spoon.

(Yes, this is the only time Noli was patient with me, she listened so good too!)

 Then the FUN begins! I poured the seeds into a ramekin, (you could use a small bowl) so that the wouldn't get mixed up or spilt all over the floor.

I placed the seed in the center of the egg cup, and had Noli push them in.

We planted 4 cups of each seed, if it matters.









Then I stuck a label in the center.

Now we just have to water.... and watch our plants grow!

(I've also been placing the cookie sheet out on the patio when the sun is out... but they still get to sleep inside at night... it's just still cold!)

*and if all else fails... we're heading to the nursary to buy some plants ;) Happy Planting!