Thursday, May 31, 2012

Oh, and by the way...

Throughout this month it has been my privilege to honor my amazing son Evan. Evan is such an important part of our family, and I think each and every one of us has learned a little something from Evan, whether through his personality or his hard work to overcome the many obstacles he has faced in his life. He is a little ray of sunshine in all of our lives, and he amazes us on a daily basis. We are lucky and blessed to have him and to be a part of his journey!

Today's special thing about Evan is that he is a pediatric stroke survivor!

OLIVIA'S STREAK


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Anything for a laugh

I like to think that both Marvin and I have good senses of humor, we like to laugh and we like for there to be great deal of laughter in our house. We try not to take life or ourselves too seriously. As far as our children go, Nick is getting funnier as he gets older, and Olivia is pretty funny in a cute way. Evan on the other hand, has been funny since day one.

In addition to using potty humor whenever he can, that kid says some funny things and will do anything for a laugh. A few of his recent funnies include:
- Conversation at breakfast the other day, where I asked him to take small bites of his toast like a mouse. He answered, "But I'm not eating cheese."
- The story he told me before he went to bed a few nights ago went something like this: Thomas pushed James, James pushed Gordan, Gordan pushed Percy, Percy pushed Toby, Toby pushed Clarabelle, Clarabelle pushed Annie, and Annie pushed Ernie and Bert


Oh, and check out his TV premiere from last year...

So today's special thing about Evan is that he isn't afraid to laugh at funny things or at himself, and I think that is a quality that will get him far in life.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Inspirational, celebrational, muppetational

It's time to play the music
It's time to light the lights
It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight

It's time to put on make up
It's time to dress up right
It's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight

To introduce our guest star
That's what I'm here to do
So it really makes me happy
To introduce to you
The amazing Evan Ring

It's time to put on make up
It's time to dress up right
It's time to get things started on the most sensational
Inspirational, celebrational, muppetational
This is what we call the Muppet Show

One of the earliest memories I have of going to the movies was when I went to see the Muppet Movie with my Aunt Ba, my cousin Norah, and my sister Jennie. Ba and I shared popcorn, and she ate all of it before the movie started. Then she shrieked when Kermit was almost run over by the steamroller. I LOVED the Muppets when I was growing up. I proudly admit that I had a Kermit and Miss Piggy bedspread in my room and a beautiful Miss Piggy poster that rivaled that popular Farrah Fawcett poster people always talk about.

No one was more excited about the recent Muppets movie than I was. Marvin took Evan while they were in Alabama, and I took Nicholas and Olivia here in San Antonio. I LOVED the movie, and so did my Evan. In fact, he has become quite a little fan. He loves singing along with the soundtrack in the car and shouted out loud this morning when he saw a little girl wearing a Kermit t-shirt.

Today's special thing about Evan is that he is indeed inspirational, celebrational, and muppetational, and I am a huge fan.

OLIVIA'S STREAK





Monday, May 28, 2012

We are family

I know I've said it before, but family is very important to me, and I feel blessed and fortunate that many members of my family live mere minutes away from us. We try to go to church with my parents and my Aunt Ba and Uncle Herb every Sunday, and following church, we get together for brunch. My husband has always been very close to his immediate family and the connection and memories that exist among members of his extended family are amazing.

Our children love our families, and it warms my heart to see Nick, Evan, and Olivia hug and kiss their Grandpa and rush from the car into Grandma's house.

Tonight we had dinner with my Mom and Dad and Aunt and Uncle. I loved watching Evan interact with everyone, because I know when he is with his family, he receives love and support from everyone and feels like a special little boy. While it may sound strange, I always look forward to getting ready to leave, so I can watch Olivia and Evan give the people who have been such an important part of my life hugs and kisses.

Today's special thing about Evan is that he loves his family and he gives great hugs!

OLIVIA'S STREAK




Sunday, May 27, 2012

The proud American

One of the things I love about going to church around Memorial Day or the Fourth of July is that we typically sing a patriotic song – God Bless America or America the Beautiful. In addition, there are few things that make me prouder than hearing my children recite the Pledge of Allegiance or sing the Star Spangled Banner or America the Beautiful. So, when you add those two things together, it is almost overwhelming.

This morning in church I was excited that the recessional song was America the Beautiful, and I was excited that my kids were singling along. Loud and proud. Folks in front of us, behind us, and next to us smiled when they head their "angelic" voices. 

So, today's special thing about Evan is that he is patriotic, just in time for memorial day!

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Evan’s Alabama Experiences

One of the first signs of stroke in children is when they start showing a hand preference before the age of three. In Evan’s case, he began using his left hand for everything when he was about five months old. I think he may not have realized that he had a right hand until he started therapy.

In 2009, we attended the Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) family retreat in Florence, Alabama. It was a fabulous experience that really opened our eyes to the challenges Evan would face if he didn’t learn to use his right hand for certain activities. Fortunately, during the retreat we were also exposed to the University of Alabama’s Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy, a program that though casting the patient's dominant arm teaches the brain to "rewire" and allows the patient to improve the ability to use the weaker parts of his or her body.  After hearing about the amazing results children can realize after spending 3 weeks doing CIMT, we decided to submit Evan’s application.

On July 24, 2010, Marvin and I packed up the car and headed to Birmingham with Evan. I have to admit that I was a bit apprehensive about how Evan was going to handle having Lefty in a cast for three weeks and having to rely on Righty. I was also apprehensive about him sleeping in a pack and play in a hotel room, keeping him occupied in our off time, and staying in touch with our children back home. After the first day, which involved testing how much/often Evan used his right hand and applying the dreaded cast that would stay on his strong arm for the duration of the program, I left my little man in the capable hands of Marvin and Super OT Miss Elise. Each day, they worked tirelessly to get Evan to open his hand, grasp objects, use his pincers, feed himself, throw a ball, and supinate his arm and wrist. 

When I returned 2 weeks later, Evan was making progress, and after this third week of therapy, he was able to do things with Righty I never thought possible, including feeding himself M&M’s. (My Peepah would be proud.)  

When we arrived back at home after our time in sunny, hot Birmingham, we worked diligently with Evan to make sure he didn’t have any setbacks. But then, life got in the way, and we gradually stopped working so much with Righty. Lucky for us, UAB offers follow-up sessions for patients who have been through the CIMT program before. 

So, on November 26, 2011, we headed back to Birmingham for round two of therapy. This time Evan made amazing progress, and he seemed to pick up right where the last session left off. He was using Righty again in no time to do things I had never dreamed he could.

So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a two-time graduate of the UAB CIMT program, and I think it has really made a significant difference in his life.

OLIVIA'S STREAK




Friday, May 25, 2012

Go Spurs Go

Anyone who lives in or has visited the great city of San Antonio knows how much we love our Spurs. It might be because we don’t have a major league baseball team, an NHL team, or a NFL team. Or it might be because the Spurs are AMAZING – a great group of athletes who are hardworking, team oriented, focused, talented, and well-spoken. They represent our city very well, and needless to say, we are big fans.

Every so often we venture to the AT&T center to see the Spurs play. Evan attended his first game last year and loved the entire experience – the popcorn, the screaming fans, the loud music, the coyote, and the actual basketball game. During playoff time, the games are always on in our house, and it makes me laugh when I hear one of the kids pass by and randomly blurt out Go Spurs Go. Lately, Evan has wanted to watch the Spurs with us. I don’t know if he is looking for some attention or if he is trying to delay his bedtime, but he seems to enjoy the game, wants to learn about the players, and chants Go Spurs at the right times.

So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a Spurs fan, and his mom hopes they are making a positive impression on him.

OLIVIA'S STREAK


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Unwavering Determination

 “A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” - Colin Powell

Sometimes I think children believe dreams magically come true. Maybe it is the way we raise them, trying to make their lives easier and better than ours were, or maybe we let them watch too many Disney movies. I don’t pretend to be a perfect parent. In fact, I’m not even sure I’m a good parent, but I want my children to know that they will have to work hard, with a high level of determination, to get the things they want out of life. So far, I think Evan probably understands this concept best.

Like any four year old, he is determined to get his own way, and trust me, he has some amazing negotiating skills. He is also determined to act like his sister, which is not entirely a bad thing. He is determined to do anything for a laugh and to push his boundaries. However, unlike most four year olds, he is determined to walk and run as normally as possible, he is determined to succeed in swimming lessons despite his cerebral palsy, and he is determined to use his right hand when he needs to.

Watching him be so focused has rubbed off on us. Marvin and I are determined to make sure Evan has as normal a life as possible. We are determined to let him be independent and try things out for himself before we jump in. We are determined to not help him unless he asks for help. We are determined to support him and serve as his advocates when he needs us.

So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is determined, and he has helped us be determined as well.

OLIVIA'S STREAK



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

My little helper


One of my favorite things about being a mom to children between the ages of 4 and 8 is that they have a genuine desire to help. My children in particular have always been eager to help me with little tasks like setting or clearing the table, picking up toys, cleaning their rooms, or packing toys to bring on vacation. I firmly believe that it is important to teach children that because they are a member of our family, they need to roll up their sleeves and participate in family chores. Hopefully, I am teaching them the value of responsibility and the importance of contributing to a household.

I always make it a point to praise my children when they lend a hand in doing every day or extraordinary tasks, and lucky for me, Olivia and Evan thrive on positive reinforcement.
Over the last few weeks, Evan has really stepped up his desire to help me. He is eager to set out the napkins and forks before dinner. He is excited about putting his dirty laundry in the hamper and picking up his Thomas trains every night. But, his favorite task has become closing my moon roof when we pull into daycare. I’m not sure why he gets so excited to do this or why I think it is so sweet, but as soon as the car has come to a complete stop in a parking place at Bright Ideas and his favorite song ends, Evan leaps out of his car seat and proceeds to push the button to close the moon roof. Then he pulls the shade over it. Naturally, he MUST do this all by himself. The best part is when he announces in his sweet little voice that he is my little helper.

The harsh reality is that Evan gets a great deal of help in his life. From climbing into the car each day to brushing his teeth every night, if we aren’t physically assisting him, we are there to make sure he doesn’t need our help. I absolutely love that he is eager to help me and hopefully others. So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a little helper!

OLIVIA'S STREAK

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Polly Want a Cracker


I have fond memories of when I was four or five years old. I spent a lot of time annoying my sister by following her around and copying every word she said. It was totally hilarious until she would say something like, “Julie is totally annoying.” Then, I would stop.

Fast forward 34 years. I remember going through this stage with Olivia, where she would copy me. I would say, “What do you want for dinner.” She would say, “What do you want for dinner.” I would say, “Please set the table.” She would say, “Please set the table.” I would say, “Olivia is going to bed at 7:30 tonight.” She would stop.

Fast forward another 3 years. Now it’s Evan’s turn. But, this time it is just a little different. I say something like, “Let’s find a book to read.” Evan says, “Let’s find a book to read.” I ask, “Do you want to read Dr. Seuss?” He says, “Do you want to read Dr. Seuss.” I say, “Evan is going to bed at 7:30 tonight.” He repeats, “Evan is going to bed at 7:30 tonight.” I stop talking, and he adds, “Mom, I and copying you, because it is fun to cop.” I’m not sure if he is doing it because it is fun to “cop” or because he knows he is annoying me, but I guess it doesn’t matter. He is following in some great footsteps! 

So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a little copycat, because it is fun (or annoying) to “cop.”

OLIVIA'S STREAK

 

Monday, May 21, 2012

My little ball of energy


With Evan, we’ve celebrated the terrible twos and the thunderous threes, and we’re well through the fireball fours… From the moment he wakes up in the morning until the minute he goes to sleep at night, he is busy. Whether he is playing on the iPad, crashing his trains, running around the house singing at the top of his lungs, or getting in trouble at home or at school, he gives it his all and is full of energy.

Now, I realize that this is typical for a four-year-old child, and there are parts of his high energy that I love and appreciate. Anyone who knows Evan adores his outgoing personality and sense of humor. He truly has a very strong spirit and sense of adventure that I admire. But on the other hand, it is also a challenge to keep him under control at church, get him to wind down before bedtime, or enjoy quiet time around the house. Just keeping up with him on a daily basis can be an exhausting task.

But, when I think about Evan and his circumstances, I am very grateful that he is high energy. I am grateful that he can walk and run. I am grateful that he can speak, sing, and shout. And, I am grateful that he has an outgoing personality and a strong spirit. There are many children in the world who can’t do what he does and don’t have that energy or spirit. So, today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a fireball, and I thank God for that.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Today was an amazing day for Evan and a learning experience all of us. After eight weeks of T-ball, it was Evan's final game of the season. He has been playing T-ball with an organization called Kinetic Kids that has developed programs to allow children with special needs to participate in sports activities like their typically developing peers. Each of the kids works with a buddy and gets a chance to hit the ball, run the bases, and play in the field during every game.

Evan loves everything about his T-ball team. He loves his bat and glove. He loves his shirt and his shoes. He loves his coach and his teammates. And, we love the experience he has had and the love and support he receives from his teammates, their families, the Kinetic Kids staff and volunteers, and his growing number of fans.

I was so proud of my little boy today. When the teams were being introduced, the crowd heard Evan's enthusiasm as he yelled his name, "Evan Edward Ring." Then, he waited patiently for his turn to play in the field, and when he was finally able to go out, he played pitcher. (Yes, it was a proud moment for Marvin!) When it was his turn to bat, the crowd cheered him on as he refused to assume the batting position until he had HIS bat. I loved watching him run the bases with a huge grin on his face.

So today's special thing about Evan is that he is a T-ball star, and he has the trophy to prove it. We can't wait until next year!

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Saturday, May 19, 2012

My Baby

As the parent of one step-son, a daughter, and a son, I can confirm and testify that mothers love each of their children the same amount. I feel a great deal of love for each of my kids. What is different is the kind of love that I feel for each of them.

Nicholas was my first "child." He was eight years old when his Dad and I got married and I was instantly thrown into motherhood. I'm not complaining. While I didn't have to deal with midnight feedings, terrible twos, or potty training, Nick taught me what it was like to be a mother. Over the years, Nick and I have developed a deep bond that sometimes surprises me. I am so proud of the young man that he has become, and I love him like he was my own.

Olivia is and will always be my little girl (and she is 100 percent girl). I've loved her beautiful spirit from the day she was born. She is caring, sensitive, outgoing, sassy, and spirited, and I love her so much that sometimes it hurts. In many ways, she is like me, and in many other ways, she is what I wish I could be. I truly enjoy hanging out with Olivia and doing "girly" things with her, and I am blessed to be her Mom.

Then, there is Evan. As much as he protests that he is not a baby, he is and always will be my baby. When Evan was born, I didn't know for sure but I suspected that he would be our last child, so I cherished every moment of his infant stage. I enjoyed every minute of his toddlerhood, and am loving his transformation into a little boy. I love Evan more than words can say. His achievements and hard work overwhelm me. His positive attitude and love of life amaze me. He is my baby, but he has taught me so much!

So, the special thing about Evan today is that he is my baby! And, according to birth order personality traits, youngest children are social and outgoing and want to have a good time. That's my Evan, whether he likes it or not.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Friday, May 18, 2012

My techno genius

I understand that all three of my children have grown up in an age where all kids are technology savvy and not afraid to dive right into whatever computer program or electronic device happens to be in front of them. I may regret admitting that I still don't know exactly how to work my iPhone, my iPad, or even the electronics in my car.

So, the fact that Evan can jump right in and navigate his way through any app on my iPhone or iPad really frustrates me. How did he learn that? Where did he learn that? Why isn't he afraid he is going to do something to permanently disable everything? For the love of God, the child is only four!

The special thing about Evan today is that he is totally and amazingly tech savvy - something that his mom will never be...

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Excited about dinner at Double Dave's!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

A not so funny comedy of errors

Tonight was Mommy and Evan night. Marvin and Olivia went to Nick's band concert, so I had my little man all to myself. I picked him up from school, grabbed some dinner for him, and took him to see my parents, his beloved Grandmare and Duppy.

The evening was going really well. Evan ate his dinner like a champ. Then, he asked to go outside. My dad volunteered to take him outside to relax on the hammock, like he had done years before with Olivia. And, while it did turn out to be a great photo op, it also started a chain of events that made for a pretty bad night. While Duppy and Evan were snuggling, my parents' dog, Dori, jumped on the hammock, and Evan feel off. Fortunately, Duppy caught him, but Evan was shaken up and skinned his knee. After a little TLC and some Thomas and his Friends, he was deemed to be okay and ready to go home.

As I watched Evan walk down the concrete stairs in front of my parents' house, I knew there was something funny about his stride. Sure enough, as soon as I told him to be careful and to slow down, he fell and scraped his leg. The short ride home was filled with screaming and tears. (I'll let you decide who they were coming from...)

By the time we walked into the house, Evan was relatively calm and ready for his bath. However,  he wasn't ready for  how much his skinned knee and scraped leg were going to hurt once they hit the soapy water. Cue total meltdown number three.

I think Evan was secretly happy to climb into bed tonight. It was a safe, comfortable, and cozy place for him after a long rough evening. The special thing about Evan today is that he made it through the night, and has three Band-Aids to show for it!

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Olivia is showing her Spurs Spirit by wishing one of our favorite players, Tony Parker, a happy birthday!

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Learning to Read

I  remember reading all the time when I was in elementary school. I loved to visit our small town library, check out books, and read each of them cover to cover. I remember reading in junior high - books like Nancy Drew  and Sweet Valley High. I can't remember when I stopped reading for pleasure, but I think it was in high school when I was too busy doing whatever it is that you do in high school. Then, in college, I read text books and many of the classics that were required for my English minor. I honestly didn't have time or energy to read for pleasure.

Now that I work full time and have three kids, I try to read for pleasure, and I end up falling asleep. I do enjoy reading, and I feel a great deal of satisfaction when I finish a book, but that doesn't happen very often. In fact, many times it takes me a year or two to finish a book...

Thankfully, my children have always loved books. Nicholas was an early reader, who even in high school still reads for pleasure. Olivia is an avid reader, who just finished 200 books/chapters for school this year. Evan loves books, especially before bed when read by his Dad.

Tonight, I was reading a book with Evan, and he asked me to stop. When I stopped, he literally took over and read the rest of the page. Then he read the next page, and the next page, and the next page. I'm not exactly sure if he was really reading or if he had memorized the words, but he definitely recognized and read some of the words. Either way, I was proud, overwhelmed, amazed, and hopeful. Evan's stroke happened on the left side of his brain - the side that controls reading and memory for spoken and written messages. One of the most difficult parts of dealing with Evan's stroke is that we don't know how much he is affected until he reaches or doesn't reach a milestone. And, I consider this a HUGE milestone. So, the special thing about Evan today is that he is reading or memorizing, and it doesn't really matter which one!

OLIVIA'S STREAK



Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Peepah's Legacy

I have always been extremely close to my extended family. We grew up living down the street from my aunt and her family and my grandparents, so we spent alot of quality time together.

My grandparents were genuinely wonderful people, who served as a good example for me and the rest of their grandchildren. They were loving, hard working, generous, strong, and married for 67 years!

By the time I got married and had children, my grandparents had passed away. But, every so often I think about how much they would have loved Marvin, Nicholas, Olivia, and Evan. I hope they would have been proud of me, my family, and my achievements.

Almost five years ago, I caught a glimpse of my grandfather, who we called Peepah, the day Evan was born. The nurse put him on the scale to weigh him, and I swear my grandfather's eyes were looking right at me. Even today, sometime Evan looks at me in a certain way, and I'm sure that I'm looking right at a little Peepah.

The truth is my Peepah was an amazing man. He had a successful career, taught at a local technical high school, and served on our town's finance committee for 34 years. He was also a long-time member of the Lion's Club, the Chairman of our local United Way campaign, and a member of his church's parish council.

In my eyes, he was a hard worker, brilliantly smart, and a dog lover. He loved M&Ms and circus peanuts. He patiently helped me with my math homework, made up silly songs about dogs and washing machines, and loved God and his family.

I know that I have inherited some of Peepah's traits, and pray I can pass some of these onto my children. Today's special thing about Evan is that he reminds me of my amazing grandfather, and he definitely shares his love of M&Ms.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Our poor puppy, Lilly, has to wear an e-collar. So, Olivia drew a picture of her...



Monday, May 14, 2012

Evan's not so routine routine

I understand that kids thrive on schedules and routines, and my kids are no different. Each night, after pajamas are on and  hugs and kisses distributed, we go through Evan's routine:
1. Vitamins with Daddy
2. Brush teeth with Mommy
3. Olivia hides in Evan's room
4. Evan finds her
5. Evan gets in his bed
6. Olivia sings "Crazy Puppy" or "Puppy Opera"
7. Mommy sings whichever puppy song Olivia doesn't sing
8. Mommy sings a variation of Harry Belafonte's "Small One," and Evan throws all of his stuffed animals out of his bed
9. Mommy gathers up the animals and sings, "Take Evan's Friends Out to the Ballgame."
10. Mommy gives Evan hugs and kisses
11. Evan traps Mommy in a headlock during the hug
12. Evan calls to Daddy to rescue Mommy and tells Mommy, "I guess you'll have to stay here with me."
Admittedly, sometimes the routine gets old, but every so often it changes a little bit - maybe to make it more tolerable or to keep me on my toes.

I don't know why tonight's change in routine affected me, but it was a little sad. There was no headlock after the hug. There was no calling to Daddy. There was no telling me, "I guess you'll have to stay here with me." There was no prying myself away and running out the door.

Maybe Evan understands that, while some routines are important, change is inevitable, necessary, and good. So, today's special thing about Evan is that  he adapts well to change, even if his Mom is still learning.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

We're not sure if we like America's Got Talent nearly as much as The Voice...


Sunday, May 13, 2012

Behind every great mother...

Each Mother's Day I have celebrated has been special. From when I was the young mom of black labs, to my first Mother's Day as a step-mother, to today with my three kids and one dog, I always love being loved, honored, appreciated, and treated like a queen. And, there is nothing more important to me than my family.

Somehow,  I always knew I wanted to have children. What I didn't know was how difficult and complicated it can be to be a mother. You are on call 24 hours a day, rain or shine, sickness or health, bad day or good day. You put yourself,  your needs, and your time on hold to tend to the needs of  your children. It is a huge job that never ends.

That's why I am extremely blessed to have an amazing, patient, strong, loving partner to share this experience with. Marvin keeps me balanced, provides comic relief, and takes the shared responsibility of parenting very seriously. When I am at my wit's end, he jumps right in and takes over. Lord knows, I couldn't manage motherhood without daddy!

So, the special thing about Evan today is that he has the world's most wonderful daddy!

OLIVIA'S STREAK


Saturday, May 12, 2012

Pipes like Sinatra. Moves like Jagger.

Music is an important part of everyday life in the Ring household, and rightfully so. I remember when I was really young, I would gather with my sister and cousins to “rock out” in my grandparents’ basement to John Denver and Elton John albums. Then, when I was in junior high, there were the midnight rock concerts that took place in the room my sister and I shared. We listened to everything from Rick Springfield to Molly Hatchet.


My husband has been a music aficionado all his life; however, his tastes in music are much broader and more sophisticated than mine. I don’t know anyone who knows more about or appreciates music more than Marvin. He is definitely my “Phone a Friend” whenever I encounter a music-related question I can’t answer.

As you can imagine, we have quite an eclectic collection of music and a gargantuan itunes library. There is always music playing, someone bursting into song, or an impromptu dance party at our house. 

Research shows that music stimulates developmental skills; can help manage pain and stressful situations; and encourages socialization, self-expression, and communication. Music is highly motivating, yet it can also have a calming and relaxing effect.  In a household as busy and hectic as ours, there is no doubt that music makes a difference. And, when we need to work out some frustration or just feel better about ourselves, we frequently crank up the music and dance around the living room.
 
One of the first gifts Marvin gave me after we got married was an ipod mini with a custom message engraved on the back – don’t be afraid to sing along. Well, I never have been, and neither have my kids. There is a certain joy that comes from hearing your four-year-old sweetly singing, “In the town where I was born, lived a man who sailed the sea.” Then, it quickly turns to laughter when you hear the same child sing, “I got the moo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo-ves like Jagger…” So, today's special thing about Evan is that he is not afraid to sing along, and I hope he never will be!

OLIVIA'S STREAK

 


Friday, May 11, 2012

Planes, trains, and automobiles...and Mom


The day Marvin and I had one of our first ultrasounds with Evan is a day I’ll never forget. When the technician asked us if we wanted to know our baby’s gender, both of us enthusiastically answered, “yes.” Since I am a total type-A personality, there is no way I could go through an entire pregnancy and prepare the rest of my life without knowing, planning, and trying to control everything. I just knew we were having another girl, because I come from a family with two girls, and my sister has two girls. That's just what happens in my family. So, when the technician said, “You are definitely having a little boy, “ both Marvin and I were shocked. If I wasn’t already lying down, I probably would have fallen over.

As the ultrasound continued, and the technician labeled all of Evans "parts," I had a million things racing around my brain. It couldn’t be true. We already had a girl’s name picked out. And, between my nieces and Olivia, I was completely comfortable around baby girls. I didn’t even know how to change a boy’s diaper… 

Naturally, I eventually came to terms with the news. We donated all of our girl clothes, and prepared for life with a baby boy. While I don’t usually subscribe to stereotypes, trains, trucks, and baseball would be a welcome change from tiaras, dolls, and princesses.

When Evan was diagnosed with having suffered a stroke, we weren’t sure how his stroke would affect him. I secretly wondered if he would ever throw a baseball with his Dad, play with Matchbox cars, dig in the dirt, or climb trees. 

And, while we still don’t know all of the effects of his stroke, we do know that Evan is 100 percent boy! He is fearless. He climbs on everything. He plays for hours with his cars and trains. He is fascinated by airplanes. He hits and throws baseballs. He digs in the dirt and throws rocks. He has an unexplainable connection with his mother. That's one stereotype that I do believe - there is something very special about a son's relationship with his mother. So, I feel very fortunate to have a son, and today’s special thing about Evan is that he is a typical boy!

OLIVIA'S STREAK


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming

"The thing about Evan is that he never thinks he can't." Those words, spoken today by Miss Anna Marie, the Director of Evan's daycare, Bright Ideas, represented an "a-ha" moment for me.

Each summer, Bright Ideas offers swim lessons. Swim lessons represent a rite of passage for the older kids, and the younger kids know it. Last summer, Evan desperately wanted to participate, but he wasn't quite potty trained yet.

Secretly,  I was relieved that he wasn't quite ready for swimming. I wasn't completely comfortable with the notion of my baby boy in a big pool of water, especially since he has very limited use of his right hand and not much experience with water other than the tub. I admit it...I was afraid.

Well, Evan came home from daycare last week and announced that he was going to take swimming lessons this summer. So, Marvin and I decided, before we signed him up, that we would check with Anna Marie to make sure she thought they could accommodate him. She said that he tells her every day that he is taking swimming lessons this summer, and she thinks that he should try. Then, she said that he never thinks he can't, and she is right. More importantly, he is right.

Naturally, I'm left thinking, how will he swim? Will be be able to propel forward with his right hand? Will he be able to use his right leg enough to kick? Are his legs strong enough? Will he be able to keep up with the other kids? Will he continue to think he can? Clearly, I'm still afraid.

I guess it doesn't matter what I think. Anna Marie is right, he thinks he can, and that's what is special about Evan today.

OLIVIA'S STREAK

Mommy shaking her butt

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Big Brother is Watching

Since I wrote about Evan's big sister, Olivia, the other day, I would be remiss if I didn't write about Evan's big brother, Nick.

From day one, Nick and Evan have had an incredible bond. For whatever reason, when one of them walks into a room, the other one lights up. And, on Wednesday nights, when Nick spends time with his grandparents, Evan is not the same. Nothing warms my heart more than when Nick comes into Evan's room at the end of the night to give his little brother hugs and kisses, and if he doesn't, Evan demands it!

When I asked Nick why he loves his little brother so much, he simply said, "Sometimes I wonder that myself." Then, he answered, "Because he is crazy, just like every other four year old." Maybe I'm biased, but I do believe there is something about Evan that is totally lovable.

When I asked Evan why he loves his big brother so much, he walked away from me saying, "Because I love him every day," and he is totally serious. So today's special thing about Evan is that he has an incredible big brother who loves, protects, and believes in him.

OLIVIA'S STREAK


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Happy Nurses' Week

There was a time when I was growing up that I wanted to be a nurse, until I realized that I don't like being around sick people...

With all of the doctors Evan sees on a regular basis, we definitely have an appreciation for nurses, but there is one nurse who has made a huge impact on all of our lives.

I met Carolyn in the Summer of 2006, and we were instant friends. I knew she was a nurse, and I had a nephew who was facing surgery to remove a quarter he had eaten. Carolyn volunteered to help in any way she could. Fortunately, that surgery never had to happen (if you know what I mean).

When I was five months pregnant with Evan, my husband faced and conquered a very serious surgery, and she was at my side through it all, making sure I took good care of the baby and myself. Then, she helped me through a long and difficult pregnancy. I will never forget her filling in for Marvin at one of my many ultrasound appointments. The technician was measuring Evan's head and started spouting on and on, "That is a HUGE head. Oh, my God, that baby has the biggest head." Carolyn looked at her and said sternly, "What are you thinking? You should NEVER say that to a pregnant woman!"

So, when Evan's scheduled delivery arrived, Carolyn was the one special person we wanted to be with us to celebrate his birth. As a former labor and delivery nurse, she knew the drill and  had connections - she was even friends with my "official" nurse and the anesthesiologist! We were lucky to have her there, because she almost delivered Evan while we were waiting for my doctor to arrive. She literally screamed for the doctor  just in time to bring Evan into the world!

In all seriousness, Carolyn is one of the most genuine, caring, giving, and spiritual people we know. So, when it was time for us to decide on a Godmother for Evan, we didn't think twice about Carolyn. Today's special thing about Evan is that Carolyn is his Godmother. We are blessed to have her in our lives and in his life!

OLIVIA'S STREAK























Monday, May 7, 2012

Monkey See, Monkey Do.

My family has always been very important to me, and I always knew I wanted a house full of children. So, when my husband and I got married, I was extremely blessed to inherit my then eight-year-old step-son, Nicholas, who quickly taught me what it was like to be a mother, and how important it was to pray for patience and strength. I remember when Marvin and I told Nicholas that we were having a baby, and how much he wanted us to have a boy, so he could share his toys and play video games with him.

Unfortunately for Nick, that baby would be his sister, Olivia, who loves dolls, playing dress up, and reading Rainbow Magic books more than any video game. Olivia has grown up to be a loving, caring, sweet, smart, and beautiful little seven year old.

Despite the range in their ages – seventeen, seven, and four – and their totally different personalities – serious, princess, and clown – all three of our children get along famously, and I hope and pray that they always will.

Over the last few days, I have noticed Evan trying to be just like his big sister, Olivia. From wanting to wake up when she does, to eating exactly the same thing she eats for dinner, to coloring the same kind of pictures she colors, what’s good for Olivia is good for Evan.

The truth is, if Evan turns out to be as loving, caring, sweet, smart, and beautiful on the inside and outside as his sister is, he should be in pretty good shape. So today’s special thing about Evan is that he is loved by, and loves, his big sister with all his heart. I know that she will always protect, love, set a good example, and watch out for him, because she knows how special he really is

OLIVIA'S STREAK