Dreamnight at the Sacramento Zoo

This is an awesome {FREE} event coming up in the Sacramento area for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities and their families.  

Parents of Children with Special Needs

A Look Inside

(adapted from the poem "Special Needs Moms" by April Vernon)

You may think us "special parents" have it pretty rough.

We have no choice. We just manage life when things get really tough.

We've made it through the days we thought we'd never make it through.

We've even impressed ourselves with all that we can do.

We've gained patience beyond measure, love we never dreamed of giving.

We worry about the future but know the "special" life is worth living.

We have bad days and hurt sometimes, but we hold our heads up high.

We feel joy and pride and thankfulness more often than we cry.

For our kids, we aren't just super-parents.  No, we do so much more.

We are cheerleaders, nurses, and therapists who don't walk out the door.

We handle rude remarks and unkind stares with dignity and grace.

Even though the pain they bring cannot be erased.

Therapies and treatment routes are a lot for us to digest.

We don't know what the future holds but we give our kids the best.

None of us can be replaced, so we don't get many breaks.

It wears us out, but to help our kids, we'll do whatever it takes.

We are selfless, not by choice, you see.  Our kids just have more needs.

We're not going to change the world, but want to plant some seeds.

We want our kids accepted.  That really is our aim.

When we look at them we just see kids.  We hope you'll do the same.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We have enjoyed a lot of quality family time this holiday season.  Unfortunately that means there hasn't been much happening here on the blog.  Hopefully you too have been busy with your loved ones.  

From our home to yours,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Birthday Princess

Today our youngest {Princess Amada} turned 4 years old!  Where has the time gone?  It's hard to believe that 4 years ago today we didn't even know she would be joining our family.  We received the call and picked her up from the hospital all in the same day...December 14, 2008.  And my heart melted.

Amada - 4 years old

Birthdays are very important around our house.  Since we have a large family, we want to make sure that each of our children have that "special day".  Amada went shopping to pick out a new outfit.  We decided not to have a large, organized birthday party this year.  Instead I wanted to take her to Build-a-Bear Workshop with just the girls...mommy, grandma, Adriana (big sister), and Ashley.

None of us had ever been to Build-a Bear so we weren't quite sure what to expect.  Amada needed some coaxing to pick out her bear.  She is a little shy, especially in new situations, so I wasn't surprised.  We also picked out a giggle sound for her bear.  She helped with the stuffing.

{So precious!}

They really have thought of everything.  Next you need to give your bear a heart.  

Rubbing the heart to keep the bear warm.

Patting it to start the heart beating.

I think she had her rub the heart on her belly next, so the bear would never be hungry.

Kissing the heart so the bear will always feel loved.
{Amada wanted big sister to kiss it first.}

  

Then you place the heart inside the bear.

Here is her completed bear!  It's so perfect...her favorite colors are pink and purple.  Next you name your bear and Amada chose the name "kitty".  

Giving the bear a bath to get rid of any leftover fuzz.

Lastly, typing her name for the bear's birth certificate.

She also picked out an outfit {an Aurora princess dress}, a pair of pajamas, and a stroller for her bear.  It is a little pricey for a stuffed animal, but it was a fun "memory making" time.  And I am sure we will be back for more.

Then it was back home for dinner, cake, and presents.  You'd never know it's almost Christmas though...

Sleeping Beauty DVD {Aurora is her favorite Princess although she has never seen the movie.}

A dancing fairy musical jewelry box.

Pretend sugar cookie baking set by Melissa & Doug.

She also received a couple of new outfits from grandma; one with a very cute, pink, sparkly vest.

She requested a Cinderella cake.

And now it's time for bed.  Happy Birthday Princess Amada!  {She is already talking about her "Five Birthday".}

How do you celebrate your children's birthday?  

~Nicole~

Growth Hormones...9 months and growing

James had his follow up with the Endocrinologist today.  He has been on daily growth hormone injections for 9 months now and I am happy to report that he is {still} growing!

Beginning Measurements                             Current Measurements
Weight: 46.1 pounds                                   Weight: 53.5 pounds
Height: 47.1 inches                                      Height: 50 1/4 inches

Overall he has gained over 8 pounds and has grown over 3 inches taller!  I am amazed.  He does so well with the whole injection process.  He is still in charge of the alcohol swab and cleaning the injection site.

We have also been working with an Occupational Therapist for feeding issues.  James has a limited number of foods that he will eat, either due to sensory issues {texture} or jaw weakness.  We have exercises we are doing with him to increase jaw strength and have found some creative ways to add nutrients to his food choices.

Here is a recent picture of James and I while we were in Oregon for Thanksgiving.  James is my little love bug.

                 

James will have several blood tests performed when he hits the 1 year mark of being on growth hormones.  I will keep you posted on his journey.

~Nicole~

Apple Fritters

We still have lots of apples left over from our apple picking trip and I have been experimenting with apple recipes.  This was an extremely popular recipe with all of the kids (and myself)!  Goes great with breakfast or as a snack.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1/2 cup and 3 Tablespoons sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 whole large eggs
3/4 cups milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons melted butter
2 whole Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced

(Optional)
Powdered sugar for dusting

OR

Glaze:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients (first 5 ingredients listed).  In a separate bowl, add eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter.  Once each bowls are mixed, gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Fold in apples.

Heat a couple of inches of canola oil over medium heat.  When the oil is hot, drop batter by scoopful into the oil.  They will sink at first, but as they cook they will rise.

Flip over to cook on the other side.  They should be nicely browned.

Remove and place on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.  You may either dust with powdered sugar or dip the warm fritters into the glaze.

Serve warm!  These are so yummy they will not last very long.


~Nicole~

The BEST Homemade Caramel

For my husband and I, caramel is an absolute favorite.  We had an idea to make some and once we tasted what we made, there was no going back to store bought caramel.  I will warn you however, this caramel is highly addicting!  Yes, it's that good!  But you don't have to take my word for it.  With this recipe, it is so easy to make.  Perfect for gift-giving also.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
(We usually double the recipe.)

You will need a candy thermometer and a heavy duty stock pot.  When done cooking, we pour ours into a 13 x 9 pan (or two) lined with parchment paper.  You will want to prepare this before starting the cooking process.  If you plan on dipping apples, prepare those in advance as well.

Cut butter into smaller pieces and melt over low heat.  Carefully add brown sugar to the center of the pan, stirring constantly until combined with butter.  Add light corn syrup and sweetened condensed milk.  Increase to medium heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Then increase to medium-high heat until boiling.  Once boiling, clip on candy thermometer making sure it is not touching the bottom of your pan.  Reduce heat to medium, keeping a steady boil and stirring constantly.  Watch candy thermometer closely.  We take ours off the heat when it reaches 235-240 degrees.  This makes a nice soft, chewy caramel.  Add vanilla.  If dipping, start immediately.  Otherwise pour into prepared pan and allow to set.  Be careful though because this is HOT!

We let ours set overnight, then cut and wrap in waxed paper.

 
Are you ready to go make some now?

~Nicole~