Our So-Called Life.

So, we have gotten to know our neighbors pretty well lately and it has been great..Cade loves his "friend"..He is asking every day to play,and I can never deny him..he is so sincere about it.  They even had their first sleep over.. They are just 1 month apart and adore each other.  It is the sweetest thing ever.  I love Cade's enthusiasm to play and the joy making friends brings him.  Sadly, I know that making friends won't always be easy for Cade...and I hate that. But for now, I will try not to focus on the future, but instead the present.  I will take in all their sweet giggles and the joy it brings to everyone around. 

It has been nearly 3 months since I have written last and yep, you guessed life has been busy around here. But really, who isn't busy these days?  School is in full swing and Carter is enjoying Kindergarten for the most part. Some days are boring he says, and he doesn't want to go back, but for the most part it has been great. One more month until he turns 6 years old. I love birthdays, but hate that my baby is not so much a baby anymore.  Cade has full week of therapies again and I don't know how, but always find room for more. He is such a busy, hard working little guy and still such a joy to everyone he comes in contact with. I hear so often from his therapists how he brightens there day and is so eager to learn. They say what a nice touch he brings to their day..I just agree, I am his Mom, I am lucky enough to experience that joy 24/7. If you haven't heard already Cade's diet is even stricter now..no cheating. No sugar, no grains, and barely any carbs. ...

As most of you know 10 days ago we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. Camille Grace Richard 7lbs 7oz, 19 inches long Very proud  Big Brothers! Everything went great and it was so nice to have such a smooth and uneventful delivery. Our family is now complete and we couldn't be more happy right now. Carter and Cade have adjusted great and have been so helpful.  A previous written post which can be found  Here  details my feelings about my delivery with Cade and my hopes for healing old wounds. While I found it healing to be able to experience that "normalcy" again, for the last time..I also still couldn't help but think about all Cade's struggles. Which will be a forever thing. But, Nonetheless, I love where we are at in life now.  A 5 year old, 3 year old, and newborn... Life couldn't be better...or busier! ;)

Life for our family has been such a whirlwind lately. Geez, where do I start?  I am finally wrapping up totals from our One SMALL Step 5K and proud to say we have raised about $24,685.00 !  I am so thankful to those that stepped up and worked hard to help us achieve our goal! We had another great race day and had some wonderful families that shared it with us. It is always great to meet and mingle with new PWS families who are eager to be part of the bigger picture!  And of course, the people of the community whom have no connection to the cause, but just come out to run a great race or show their support. That is always comforting as well!  Then, my personal family and friends who I can always count on to be by my side...Love you all!  I have to say it has been nice to get a break from our daily therapies with Cade.  As of May 14, Early Steps ended and so now we just have what we were doing outside of Early Steps, which was Speech 1x/week ...

Another birthday has come and gone for Cade. I can't believe he is 3 years old! The first two years were filled with many ups and downs and I am certain we will start seeing many more ups now. He has developed the best personality and is such a joy.  He had a great birthday party Saturday, despite the weather...family and a couple friends made it all worth it. Yesterday was his actual birthday and we continued the celebration. Lots of singing Happy Birthday which makes him giggle and squeal with excitement! We ended the day by going to Chuck E Cheese. No pizza, just games...he loved it!  So serious... So serious...again Dancing away to the Bob the Builder song...He loves music! We are beginning a new journey now that he is 3. He has had to say goodbye to all his Early Steps therapists and now will get minimal services through the school system. That will all start up in August when school starts. This week he has gotten to meet with the...

Today was my pre-admit appointment  I had not been back to The Women's Center at Terrebonne General since the day we so eagerly brought Cade home from the NICU. I thought nothing of this appointment up until today when I turned in the parking lot. I was instantly hit with vivid memories of 3 years ago when every day consisted of going there.  I pulled into that parking lot, circled around for a parking spot, and walked through the same door, and went up to the 2nd floor...For  28 days straight ....   I did all those same things today, but never imagined those feelings were still so real. When I walked through the door the smell hit me in the face and immediately took me back. I got nauseous. I walked to the elevator went to the 2nd floor and tried to avoid even looking towards the hall where the NICU door is. The whole time talking to the lady about pre-admitting and listening to hospital procedures and things I had all heard twice before, my mind cou...

The time is here to transition from Early Steps to the school system for Cade. The thought of everything is making my head spin. Yesterday we received Cade's evaluation report, which showed what services he would qualify for and then today we got the letter in with our first IEP date. EEk! I am prepared to set him up for success and nothing less!  I can't believe this little guy will be 3 years old in less than a month! So Bittersweet.  I feel so blessed to see him prosper and grow from the once weak and helpless baby he was before. But, also with each passing year I know it brings on more challenges and PWS rears its ugly head further and further. I hate the fact that he is getting more and more defiant, needing strict structure and getting hungrier. :( But, there are so many more things that I absolutely LOVE.  I want Cade's future to be filled with happiness and laughter...not pain and hunger. These are reasons why I raise money for research. I k...

Things have been super busy around here! Spring is here and it makes me happy!  But the change in weather has my boys with colds...Blah, that makes me Not happy! I am hoping we can kick them quickly. Carter is fine, but Cade is extra snotty. I am doing everything I can at home to stop things from getting any worse..hopefully it will work. We have a busy weekend and sick kids are not a part of it! I am at the 6 month mark in my pregnancy (Yes, I am pregnant for those who didn't know) and today was my last appointment with my MFM, Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor. I have been reassured over and over that things are looking great and there is no need to keep seeing  the specialists at this point. That is good news. All of my nervousness and fearful  "What If" thoughts have subsided at this point and I am feeling great! Not to that miserable, huge point yet...pretty much the perfect part of my pregnancy right now.  I might as well embrace it while I can....

Cade and I headed to Lulling today to meet with a new PWS family and WWL TV News reporter Meg Farris.  It was a great visit. We are so very thankful for the awareness that this will bring to our area.  Meg, was so personal and compassionate. She stayed for nearly 2 hours for a sit down interview.  I will be sure to let everyone know when the segment airs and post the link! Check out this sweet girl Kylar...7 months old with PWS.  Cade just loved her!!

I finally took the time to create a new, updated video for Cade. I can hardly believe where we are now in comparison to the first video I made. Watch the difference and see for yourself. I knew my guy would accomplish great things, but it would have been a lot easier on me to know just how freaking cute and amazing he would be at almost 3! I would like to thank all of my dear friends who have watched and shared my videos and fundraising pages. It means so much to know that you care and want to help. The support and love felt is overwhelming!  Without awareness there is no funding and without funding there is no research! Keep sharing and spreading awareness for PWS! (Made when Cade turned 1!)

I have read two heart breaking blog posts tonight and my heart just aches right now...both involved the loss of their young child.     Both of my sweet babies are sleeping peacefully and I want to just wake them up and tell them how much I love them. Hug them, squeeze them, kiss them all over...I literally love them so much it hurts. I feel so guilty right now for the fussing I did today, or not playing just one more game, or whatever it may be. Some people have to endure such tragedy in life and it just really stinks. Some people close to me even, have been there, done that. I don't understand it. I am trying to rely on something or someone bigger to put my mind at ease.   That is all tonight, I am just thankful for all I have and the love of my children and oh so sad at the same time for those that have lost that.