Oh Landon

I have a hard time describing this amazing child in words.  He doesn't have the wit that Evan has that I just write verbatim, but he is equally funny.  It is mostly his reactions to things, the way he crinkles his eyes into half moons when he is smiling, or the way throws his head back when he is laughing.  He is still so full of energy, but has learned how to channel it into non-destructive activities (most of the time).    Landon is my little helper.  He wants to help me all the time, whether its cleaning, doing the laundry, Evan's medical needs or Cameron's needs.  He was meant to have brothers.  He is the best brother I have ever seen.  Landon, at 3, is completely aware of his brothers needs and helps without me asking him to do so because he really wants to help them.  It will be interesting because since Cameron came to us, Landon has been consistent in saying that he wants to be a doctor when he grows up.  If he keeps his natural ability to love and want to help, I think he would be amazing in that profession.  Landon is sooooo proud of his brothers and is always hugging and kissing them.  He wants everyone to know that they are his brothers and so he is ALWAYS the first one to make the introductions where ever our family goes.  Landon has been fully potty trained since mid-October and even makes it through the night.  He can swim unassisted now, but  he knows to only do that when there is an adult around.  He has also become such an amazing skater and really enjoys being out of the ice behind our house.  Landon is a sunbeam now in church and since the second week in has loved it!!!  To say he wasn't thrilled about going the first week to a "big boy" class in church would be an understatement.  He and I are kindred spirits in the need for touch department and I don't know that Landon knows how to do a soft hug (unless it is given to a baby, a kitten, or a puppy).  I could hug and cuddle this beautiful, colorful, child all day!    

Evan Update

So this kid is FUNNY!!!!  Seriously he cracks me up all the time.  He says the funniest things and he gets inside jokes that adults are telling.  Here are some of my favorites lately.

While gazing into our fish tank he comments on how beautiful one of our female guppies is.  He goes on and on about her beauty and finally sighs and says ... "she is one dynamite gal!"

At the hospital the other day Evan looks at me and says: "Mom, that is a really ugly shirt." I tell him that that hurts my feelings and he got a worried look on his face and says, "Oh I'm so sorry!  Mom, your shirt is lovely ... and a little bit ugly.  Does that make you feel better?"

I was upset the other day and the boys were both trying to make me feel better.  Evan gets a really sweet look on his face and says to me, "Do you want to watch Vampire Diaries?  That will make you feel better."  Yes Buddy, yes it would!

At school he passed his teacher from last year and says: "Miss Kyla, I'm a little different."  (why Evan?) "ummmm, because I don't ever get tired and I like to drink blood." (that sounds like you're a vampire.)  "well, half vampire half werewolf, but I decided you can be my friend again so I won't eat you."

The other highlight of our time with Evan I have posted already in Facebook.  I am going to repost it here.  Evan brings so much light into our lives.  This 5 year old Evan definitely has more sass, but our time with him is pretty awesome!

I have so many words of thanks for so many people that I fear I am not going to be able to put everything down coherently, but I need to try. Five months ago we put out a plea for help in fundraising for Evan’s new wheelchair. The amount seemed daunting, and we knew we could only achieve it with the help of others. We received money from all realms of our life. Each and every donation brought tears to my eyes. I have been overwhelmed with the love each of you have shown for Justin and I, and more importantly the gift you have given to our son. I am pleased to announce that through the generosity of many we can now order his wheelchair! Evan more than anyone is so excited to have this chair that will allow him to stand. He doesn’t fully understand the medical benefits, but is very aware of the social benefits. Evan himself has donated 10% of his savings towards the chair (that .25 cents was a lot for him to give up). It will take about 2 months to build the chair and to those who gave us your money, your time, and your prayers … THANK YOU! Thank you for extending the life of our son. We are forever grateful!

baby land

It is probably no surprise that my life has been a little crazy since October.  Having a newborn is always busy.  Having Cameron is busier, not a bad busy, in fact it is a beautiful busy.  Besides all of the appointments I have thoroughly immersed myself in baby world.  My sweet little baby is probably our last and I am trying so hard not to forget the addicting smell of his skin, the kissable skin on his neck, his frog legs, and the feel of his downy hair.  Cameron is a perfect baby.  He never cries or complains, even if he is hungry or being smothered by his older brothers.  Cameron started smiling on December 30th and laughing shortly after that.  We still have to work pretty hard for those rewards and it makes our day when we get them.  I love that he always looks like he is thinking about things.  Maybe he is remembering heaven, maybe he is seeing angels, or maybe he is just wondering why all these crazy people keep staring at him.  No matter what it is, Cameron's little brain is always at work.

Cameron forgot to read his rule book and has instead been writing his own rules.  Cameron is not supposed to be physically strong.  His being born early and having Down Syndrome both dictate that and yet he is VERY strong.  Cameron's heart condition tells him that he isn't supposed to grow very well, and yet he is growing very quickly.  He is 3 months old now and has gone from weighing 4lb. 14oz, to 9 1/2 lbs.  I feel very grateful to live in a city that can provide such great medical care for our angel and even more grateful that I don't have to drive very far away for that care since he has at least an appointment a week (sometimes more).

Cameron can clear a room with the smell that often comes out of him.  We joke around that he farts and sneezes like an old man!  He can already roll over front to back, and traveled like a true vetran on his first road trip!  Cameron has discovered his hand and can entertain himself for a while just looking at his sweet fist.  He sleeps through the night, never cries, and tolerates the love from his brothers beautifully.  Since we finally got to the States I was able to get the things I needed for the nursery.  Finally, after 3 months, I was able to decorate Cameron's nursery and I am soooo happy with how it all turned out!  We are all feeling incredibly blessed that Cameron is in our family!  (Even if Evan has started saying that we need to adopt again, and this time make sure its a girl....)

my mom ... and edward (part 1)

My mom came out to see me sing in the temple dedication.  It was a once in a life time for me and since it isn't recorded I was so excited that she was able to swing time off work to come.  Once it was looking like we were probably going to have another baby while she was here I asked if she would stay to help me.  It was amazing to have her here and she actually ended up extending for an extra week, which was literally a godsend since I had a TON of appointments for Cameron in that week.  She gave me the extra set of hands I needed so I could do those weeks with very little stress.  She gave me the time to hold my baby.  

I adore my mom!  Our relationship hasn't always been perfect but I love where we are!  She is an incredible example of faith and loyalty in my life.  I really think I learned how to be my children's greatest advocate from the example of my mother.  We love her so much!  In fact ... Landon told me today at dinner that his girlfriend was Gwamma Weavitt!  I think he is a pretty lucky boy :-)  Thank you Mom!

While my mom was here we had a girls overnight (no kids aloud, although Cameron did attend) and watched all 4 Twilight movies back to back, with a hot tub intermission between New Moon and Eclipse.  We went to bed at 5AM and ate WAAAY too many calories but it was AWESOME!!! It was just what all of us Mama's needed!

we were on the radio for halloween

A couple of days before Halloween we were interviewed by CBC radio as an awareness segment they would be broadcasting.  We discussed the difficulties of halloween with a child in a wheelchair.  We spoke of everything from creative costuming to not being able to get up the stairs to ring the doorbell.  They were lovely to talk to and it was nice that I could be in my "new mommy" wear and feed Cameron while we interviewed.  I think Evan did a wonderful job ... if I do say so myself!!!  At the end of the clip they talk about the fundraising we have done for Evan's new chair we are trying to get.  I was shocked because I didn't tell them about that.  I burst into tears when I heard it.

You can LISTEN to our short segment HERE to hear for yourself just how cute Evan is!  Make sure you skip to 8:08 (thats where we are featured)

We LOVE halloween!  I think it is so fun to dress up.  I think the one-ness of the communities is such a beautiful thing.  Unfortunately for us Calgary decided that it was going to get really, REALLY, REALLY cold that night.  It was in the low 20's F' and we had to bundle the kids pretty good.  Evan was not a fan of being a "fat" pirate, but once he spent some time outside he understood the wisdom in our method of putting his snow suit underneath his costume.  My mom went out with Justin and the boys to do some trick or treating with the cousins and from what I hear they had A LOT of fun.  Cameron and I stayed home to pass out the candy.

I would have to say that my favorite part of halloween is when my own kids trick or treat at our house.  I love not knowing when they are going to do it and I want to cry every time I see how excited they are to yell trick or treat at their own home.  There is definitely a part of me that is sad it is over, but the kids and I are already planning next years costumes!! So FUN!!!!

MY PIRATES

(I bet you're surprised they wanted to be pirates!!  NOT!!!!)

Calgary Temple Dedication

Bringing Cameron home didn't slow down the festivities surrounding the dedication of our temple one bit.  In fact I would have to say that his homecoming made everything that weekend more real for me.  My miracles were so fresh.  I had just lived tangible truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and I felt an overwhelming sense of grandeur and gratitude.

I am a professional oboist.  I have had some pretty amazing musical experiences in my life.  None of the experiences I have had have matched the venture I have had singing with the Calgary Temple Dedication Choir.  I don't know why I was given the opportunity as opposed to someone else.  I was humbled, honored, and excited when I got that amazing phone call after my audition in June.  We had a lot of rehearsals and I grew to LOVE each member of that choir and my director has become one of the most amazing people I know in my life.  Karen Baker has such a gift of bringing the spirit of the Holy Ghost to every rehearsal while teaching us how to sound our best.

Every time I sang I felt so close to my Heavenly Father.  As the date for the dedication got closer I began to experience miracles.  Almost every miracle or important experience that happened with Cameron happened the same day as a choir rehearsal.  I felt honored to be able to walk into that choir practice and sing my praises to my God, who I know loves me.

Then came the dedication weekend!

Our final rehearsals inside the temple were amazing!  I wish I had a larger vocabulary so that I could accurately write how it felt to rehearse in the celestial room with my friends.  I teared up every time!

Then it was the day the temple of God was to be dedicated.  I was so excited and scared all at the same time!!!  I was about to sing for the prophet of God, Thomas S. Monson.  I knew that where I would be standing I would be in his direct line of sight while I was singing.  I wanted to sing praises to my Heavenly Father and I wanted to sing well for my prophet.

The dedication began and there are no words to express how wonderful it was.  As I stood in that celestial room and sang I was overcome!  I have never sung so well in my life and I know that I was surrounded my angels lifting their voices with mine.  After the dedicatory prayer I sang the Hossanna Anthem and struggled to continue because of the love my Father in Heaven has for me and I for Him.  I was not the only one in our choir who struggled to keep my voice steady as my emotions completely took over my body.

I will be eternally grateful for the experiences I had while rehearsing for this special day.
I will be eternally grateful for the experience I had to be in that Celestial room and sing for my God.

I know that this church is true, with all my mind body, and soul.

The church News asked us for some of the choir members experiences being in the dedicatory choirs.  I wasn't able to meet the dead line (having a newborn sort affects things like that) but my director wrote in on my behalf and our sweet Cameron boy is briefly mentioned as one of the miracles.  

ARTICLE ABOUT THE CHOIRS

AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE DEDICATION

 

Bringing home Cameron

Well I think it might be all down hill from here.  October 2012 has been the BEST time of my life!  There are so many things to write about but I'm going to stick to them in sequential order so I don't miss any.

We spent 2 straight weeks driving to and from the hospital so that we would spend a little bit of time with our tiny little man.  My heart goes out to all of the families that are doing that routine for months on end because it is definitely not an easy thing to do.  We were thrilled when on Oct. 26 we drove to the Peter Laugheed NICU for the final time and brought our baby home.  We relished the moments we had putting Cameron in his "going home" outfit, taking pictures, and watching the nurses fawn over him for the last time.  The nurses made me cry when they kissed him and said "Goodbye Cameron!  Have a beautiful life, you special boy!"  I could NOT stop crying!  I was completely overwhelmed with joy, gratitude, and humility.  2 weeks prior we had been not so patiently waiting on the adoption list wondering if there would be another baby for our family and now we were bringing him home to be with our family, where he belongs.

From the hospital we drove to the airport to pick up my mom.  It was a very special thing to have her there to share in the beautiful first moments the boys would experience with their baby brother.  Evan and Landon knew he was coming home that night and they were sooooooo excited.  When I walked in the door they could hardly stand it.  I put down the carrier, which had the snow cover on it, and Landon kept saying ... "open it, open it!!!"  It was pretty much like Christmas day for them.

They have been so proud.  They tell everyone about their new baby brother Cameron.  They teach people about his oxygen tubes.  They make sure that people know that he lives in our house and he is to stay at our house.  Landon is so funny when he is teaching people about Cameron's oxygen tubes.  He will say things like, "Those are for his breath."  or  "He needs that to help him breathe cause he doesn't breath good."  More often than not the boys are asking to hold their baby brother or feed him etc.  They are in love!

In fact we are all in love and have had the best week smothering this little one with our love!!!

 this is the "blanket" Cameron came home with from the NICU.  The funny thing is that it really was big enough to act as a blanket, eventhough it looks more like a knit handkerchief.  

 Cameron and his betrothed!  We took this picture to use in the wedding video!

(not joking either!)

We love you Cameron