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December 22, 2011
The cool table
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and although we could eat our meal on the family dinning room table, we rather eat at the coolest table on the house...the kids table. The kids table there are no rules, who cares if we eat our banana nut pancake with our finger and eat bacon with our hands....its fun... and we have fun topics like, when are we going to color, when are we going to play with Thomas the train....when are we going outside to play. While on the dinning room table we talk about bills that needs to be pay, economy, politics..etc...BORING....the kids table is the fun table......
December 17, 2011
Thank You Sundance
Oh Sundance so many great and sad memories were made when I lived here. Thank you for welcoming me and my family into your community a place where I felt a sense of independence because for 32 year I lived with my parents. After I got married I lived above my parent's house in New York. They needed me I was there, I needed them they were there, so moving thousands of miles away from them and into this new life as Floridians was not easy...walking into apartment 722 I felt a rush of happiness, family helped with the movement including my dad that was the co-pilot, while my husband was driving the U-HAUL truck from Brooklyn New York.... The furniture was set up on their destine spot and I was feeling good, until my father said goodbye, he was going to stay at my aunts house in Orlando to catch his flight back to New York the next day. His goodbye was not the usual goodbye as when I lived in New York..this goodbye had a meaning to it....I was not going to see him everyday and that is when I sat on the rug of my bedroom and just cried...I cried like a child who lost his/her parents at the mall. I felt so vulnerable and so childlike, I told myself, "this too shall pass....."
In this kitchen, I was able to prepare delicious food, bake cake and prepare my first thanksgiving meal as a family of three. In this apartment my son learned how to crawl, took his first steps, bumped his head.
In this living room is where we watched movies, played games, entertained guests and took naps...
In the master bedroom is where diapers where changed, good night sleeps happened, and where sick children with fever were taken care of. In the kids room, this is where guest stayed over and kids played.
The balcony, where a good cup of coffee or a wine glass went well. I did most of my praying in this balcony and sure did my many cries and asked many "why's".
In this apartment is where my daughter was welcomed home too. It is also the home where the hardest news was heard about Amalia's condition, where we found out through a phone call, " Yes, she tested positive for Trisomy twenty-one." This was the home that heard my many cries, heard many laughter and heard many silence. It was a place that I called "home." In this community called Sundance is where we celebrated my son's and daughter's baptism. It is the place where if we did not want to go to the beach, the community pool was the perfect place for a nice swim. Although we are moving forward in life, I say thank you Sundance for allowing the two bedroom, pet friendly apartment be called "HOME. "
Thank You for the great memories!
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In this kitchen, I was able to prepare delicious food, bake cake and prepare my first thanksgiving meal as a family of three. In this apartment my son learned how to crawl, took his first steps, bumped his head.
In this living room is where we watched movies, played games, entertained guests and took naps...
In the master bedroom is where diapers where changed, good night sleeps happened, and where sick children with fever were taken care of. In the kids room, this is where guest stayed over and kids played.
The balcony, where a good cup of coffee or a wine glass went well. I did most of my praying in this balcony and sure did my many cries and asked many "why's".
In this apartment is where my daughter was welcomed home too. It is also the home where the hardest news was heard about Amalia's condition, where we found out through a phone call, " Yes, she tested positive for Trisomy twenty-one." This was the home that heard my many cries, heard many laughter and heard many silence. It was a place that I called "home." In this community called Sundance is where we celebrated my son's and daughter's baptism. It is the place where if we did not want to go to the beach, the community pool was the perfect place for a nice swim. Although we are moving forward in life, I say thank you Sundance for allowing the two bedroom, pet friendly apartment be called "HOME. "
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Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
November 12, 2011
No love for Shamu
Ethan has a Shamu hand puppet that I bought him when we came to Sea World in Florida when he was eight months old.
He carries that puppet everywhere he goes, even during bath time because he thinks it will perform the way he saw at Sea World or like what he has seen in the movie Free Willy. Last Thursday I took Amalia to her eye doctor and we had to wait a while because the doctor was running late. Ms. Amalia was getting cranky and I decided to take Shamu and entertain her but to my surprise she did not take it well. Amalia showed me a side I have yet not seen. She showed me fear. She was afraid of the puppet.
Once I placed the puppet in my hand and just showed her she squinted her
eyes, pouted her lips and cried. I comfort her and tried again, because I thought that it was because she was tired. NOOOO.....I just showed her Shamu and this time she yelled and pushed my hand.
It brought a smile to my face, not because I am a mean mom or want to torture my child its because she is afraid of something. I do not remember if I read somewhere or someone told me, children with Down Syndrome do not sense fear what so ever. The Doctor came in did her check up, by the way she probably would need another eye surgery, however I could not stop thinking of her reaction. Once we finish with the doctor I drove back home and tried again with Shamu, just because I thought this is her environment, her home that she is familiar with and BINGO, she pushed my hand away from her face and screamed. She can not see the puppet from a distance, she does not love Shamu.
I hope when she gets older, she fears strangers and not stuffed animals or hand puppets.
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2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control
Hebrews 13:6
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
November 1, 2011
And this too shall pass......
Not quite sure how to write this blog...the couples of day my emotions have been like a roller coaster...one moment I am happy and can conquer the world..minutes later I am crying my eye balls out for no apparent reasons....When I feel sad or neutral..wait NEUTRAL is a feeling? Yes, for me at least. Neutral is that feeling where you are numb, don't smile, nor laugh, not angry nor sad, just NEUTRAL. I tell myself this too shall pass, because I know if I feel a certain way I can at least do something about it but neutral..yeah that is a challenge....and this too shall pass...I catch myself saying this quite often. For instance, when Ethan refuse to be potty train because his sisters wears diaper..i say...and this too shall pass....when Ethan rather sleep on my bed and have me sleeping by the edge pillow less..I say and this too shall pass.... when Amalia has not yet sit up or even attempts too...and this too shall pass....when Amalia does not want to hold her bottle or even attempt too....and this too shall pass....when i feel overwhelm and crying seems like the only rescue at the time...and this too shall pass....when i dread going out food shopping with two little ones, in where i need to place my food items around Amalia car seats and having a three year old constantly telling me " Mommy cookie, cookie, cookie"..and this too shall pass...(sigh).....this list can go one FOREVER, but this too shall pass...ha-ha-ha....One day when all these moments do pass by, I am going to wish I had them back.
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Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
October 11, 2011
If I could turn back time.......
Monday night I was watching the movie 17 Again. The movie is about a guy whose life didn't quite turn out how he wanted it to and wishes he could go back to high school and change it. He wakes up one day and is seventeen again and gets the chance to rewrite his life. I would go back to Grover Cleveland High School because I had the most awesome time during my high school years. I had spunk, I was able to do so much and careless of what others had to say. I was what I called "in control of my life." Ssophomore year I became part of a singing chorus called Clover. Tried out for the school play at the time, which was West Side Story. The adrenaline of competing for the lead role was out of this world. It turned out that usually the lead role was given to the seniors and not to a sophomore, but fate was in my side I earned the lead role of Maria. The show was a success and the Christmas concert, how can I forget, the lights, the band, the dress code of black bottoms, white top and red accessories, it was just awesome!!!!!......Enjoying that feeling of achieving and doing great things, I joined the mentor team where we went to freshman classes and taught about peer pressure and socializing. In my Junior year, I continue with the mentoring group, the chorus, etc... My senior year, the year where we will go for our SAT, college application, college fair, and THE PROM!!! WOOHOO!!! I was a busy 12th grader..tried out for the school play "Guys and Dolls." I played the lead role of Miss Adelaide. I ran for senior vice president and won. Who can forget, the 70's theme party. Afro's, bell bottoms, platform and lots and lots of polyester......
My high school friends, Eidy, Cindy, Jazmin and Alexandria, those were my girls, we ate lunch together, hanged out together, made each other laughed, cried and rode the bus together and we went, along with our date, to the prom together and still keep in contact thanks to facebook, (ha ha). Thanks to facebook, I have come close to high school friends that we did not exchanged many words back then, but knew who each other were. One of those awesome friend who I like to consider her "my cup of coffee," because she knows what to say and always have time and makes time to encourage me, to tell me everything is going to be okay. That friend, who has been like a sister is Margaret C.
There are few things I would like to change if I can turn back time to high school. Be more friendly, apologize for wrongful doing, join sports........ask a high school boy to the prom and not the jerk of a boyfriend I went to the prom with, (no longer with jerk). But other than that, I had an awesome high school ride. Class of 96 rocked.
High School Prom was at the elegant Crest Hollow Country Club.
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Proverb 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Sharing time:
If you can turn back time, what time would that be and why?
My high school friends, Eidy, Cindy, Jazmin and Alexandria, those were my girls, we ate lunch together, hanged out together, made each other laughed, cried and rode the bus together and we went, along with our date, to the prom together and still keep in contact thanks to facebook, (ha ha). Thanks to facebook, I have come close to high school friends that we did not exchanged many words back then, but knew who each other were. One of those awesome friend who I like to consider her "my cup of coffee," because she knows what to say and always have time and makes time to encourage me, to tell me everything is going to be okay. That friend, who has been like a sister is Margaret C.
There are few things I would like to change if I can turn back time to high school. Be more friendly, apologize for wrongful doing, join sports........ask a high school boy to the prom and not the jerk of a boyfriend I went to the prom with, (no longer with jerk). But other than that, I had an awesome high school ride. Class of 96 rocked.
High School Prom was at the elegant Crest Hollow Country Club.
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Proverb 18:24
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
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Sharing time:
If you can turn back time, what time would that be and why?
October 7, 2011
Nap time
It is about that time...you know, the time where stay at home mom pray for...... NAP TIME. Nap time suppose to be a good thing, but for me it is not the nap time itself its the waking up from a nap time that I dread. Ethan does not wake up from a nap happy, nor smiley, nor energetic........its the opposite of what a nap should do. He wakes up whining, then kicking his legs, then screaming and then crying. It does not matter if I let him be or console him he will be with this funky attitude until HE decides to stop. Its the most dreadful time for me and I am not sure why he wakes up like that. I tried many techniques that will make him wake up with a great attitude:
Techniques I tried:
I even let him fall asleep on his own......whenever he felt he needed it........he will fall asleep on the living room sofa, did not not move him....left him there.......result fail, but he does look cute when he sleep.
This little Diva likes to pose while she naps...so darn cute.
So, you see i tried some technique and so far Ethan still wakes up with a not so good attitude. I want to correct this before he attends preschool. On the other note, Amalia wakes up with a huge smile, at least one child enjoys napping!
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Any advice will be appreciated on how to deal with the after nap time nightmare.
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Proverbs 3:24
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Techniques I tried:
- I did the nap time schedule, where Ethan and Amalia will be placed down for a nap. Results fail with Ethan. Amalia happy as ever.
- Amalia was placed to nap first and I entertained Ethan to the max so he can be super tired and he can have a great nap and see the benefit from it. Result fail with Ethan. Amalia happy as ever.
- Put soothing melodies and left it on during nap time. Result fail with Ethan. Amalia happy as ever.
I even let him fall asleep on his own......whenever he felt he needed it........he will fall asleep on the living room sofa, did not not move him....left him there.......result fail, but he does look cute when he sleep.
This little Diva likes to pose while she naps...so darn cute.
So, you see i tried some technique and so far Ethan still wakes up with a not so good attitude. I want to correct this before he attends preschool. On the other note, Amalia wakes up with a huge smile, at least one child enjoys napping!
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Any advice will be appreciated on how to deal with the after nap time nightmare.
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Proverbs 3:24
If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
October 4, 2011
Celebrating Life.
Truly had an amazing weekend. We were invited to go over a friend's house for dinner and we had an amazing time. When we arrived we were received with such love. The kids were all jumping to give Amalia kisses and giving Ethan high fives! I was given a compliment from a six year old named Jessica who loved my hair style and my high heels. We walked in and the dinning room was decorated with flowers and candles. I said to myself "who needs a restaurant, this rocks." After a while of settling in, putting baby diaper bag on the one single corner chair, the group formed. You know the man go to the backyard, the women stay in the kitchen and the kids, well they are everywhere! We chatted, laughed and made memories.
Dinner time, we sat and I said grace thanking the mighty Father for all of his blessings. The food was delicious, these ladies can cook. The Menu, was the old fashion typical Dominican food: White rice, pinto beans, spare ribs, potato salad, potato bacon casserole, avocado, green salad with carrots and beets, arepita yucca. YUMMYYYY!!!...........Engaging in delicious food and great conversation it was like old times, when my parents had dinner gathering and now I experienced that.
Couple of hour later, we had some homemade delicious pina colada and hot chili and cheese nachos. We danced, we even watched a belly dancing tape and tried to imitate the girls, we did pretty good. The night turned into a movie night, the kids fell asleep.........around two in the morning picked up my sleepy little ones and home we went.
Tell me one of your memorable time with friends?
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Dinner time, we sat and I said grace thanking the mighty Father for all of his blessings. The food was delicious, these ladies can cook. The Menu, was the old fashion typical Dominican food: White rice, pinto beans, spare ribs, potato salad, potato bacon casserole, avocado, green salad with carrots and beets, arepita yucca. YUMMYYYY!!!...........Engaging in delicious food and great conversation it was like old times, when my parents had dinner gathering and now I experienced that.
Couple of hour later, we had some homemade delicious pina colada and hot chili and cheese nachos. We danced, we even watched a belly dancing tape and tried to imitate the girls, we did pretty good. The night turned into a movie night, the kids fell asleep.........around two in the morning picked up my sleepy little ones and home we went.
Tell me one of your memorable time with friends?
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Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity1 John 4:7-9
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.October 1, 2011
Catching up!
My sincere apology for taking a six month vacation from blogging. A little brief summary of what has happen since that last time I wrote. Amalia had eye surgery to correct her eyes from crossing, or like the medical term strabismus, result success..... until three months ago I was told she would need another one due to her right eye not only turning inward but outward as well. Ever since she had open heart surgery she has been going to the cardiologist and so far so good, except for her last visit. Her lung pressure was mildly high, medical term called as Pulmonary Hypertension and in six weeks needs to go back for another check up. If it is still mildly high she will need to go under few more test to determine if it is a life term health issue or just temporary or seasonal. If the result becomes life term she will need to take Viagra as the medicine for life, yes Viagra. It turned out that Viagra is just not for erectile dysfunction, its for lungs too. Moving on...... She turned the big ONE on August 8, picture coming soon. Other than that she is continuing with Occupational therapy and now Physical Therapy! Woohooo!
What about Ethan you wonder...... well he is doing good. Potty training him so far not bad. Accidents, of course but he getting there. Pediatric advice he needed speech therapy but guess what he is just not much of talker but when something interest him, he will let you know! He goes through his regression period. Wants attention exactly when I am about to feed Amalia or when shes getting therapy or just when I hold her to cuddle, he acts up by acting like an infant.
What about me you ask........ I am doing well, on September took a nice road trip to New York City the place I call home. The road trip was awesome, because Amalia and Ethan behave wonderful, smooth ride. I was soooo thrilled to see the "Welcome to New York City" sign, and when I did it just put a smile on my face. Drove by time square showing the kids the lights and all the lively actions New York have on people. The sad thing it rain sooo soooo bad that I could not do the "New York" thing: taking the train, that i miss so much, walk around central park, visit my old job and etc. Spent time with family of course and did some important errands that needed to be done and with a blink of an eye we were back on I-95 heading south. Other than that we are doing well. Thank You GOD for your blessing!.. Pictures coming soon. Have a blessed day!
What about Ethan you wonder...... well he is doing good. Potty training him so far not bad. Accidents, of course but he getting there. Pediatric advice he needed speech therapy but guess what he is just not much of talker but when something interest him, he will let you know! He goes through his regression period. Wants attention exactly when I am about to feed Amalia or when shes getting therapy or just when I hold her to cuddle, he acts up by acting like an infant.
What about me you ask........ I am doing well, on September took a nice road trip to New York City the place I call home. The road trip was awesome, because Amalia and Ethan behave wonderful, smooth ride. I was soooo thrilled to see the "Welcome to New York City" sign, and when I did it just put a smile on my face. Drove by time square showing the kids the lights and all the lively actions New York have on people. The sad thing it rain sooo soooo bad that I could not do the "New York" thing: taking the train, that i miss so much, walk around central park, visit my old job and etc. Spent time with family of course and did some important errands that needed to be done and with a blink of an eye we were back on I-95 heading south. Other than that we are doing well. Thank You GOD for your blessing!.. Pictures coming soon. Have a blessed day!
March 31, 2011
MOM stands for Made fOr Multitasking!
Yesterday a friend of mine who I hold very close to my heart, Karen LaPaz, asked me a question, "How do you do it? How do you have time to blog, cook a gourmet meal, take care of two little ones under the age of two, take care of the house, husband and have time for yourself?" Well I am a mom I was created to be a multitasker. Although there will be days that you just one to pull out your hair and days that you wonder WOW all the chores are done on my list, also it helps if you have "fun" doing the task. It is good to have a balance of what needs to be done that day and what can be done the next days. It is very important to have play time, or play dates it is a mini break from the daily routines.At times my day goes something like this. Picture a boxing ring, but instead of punching, there are many many hugs, kisses, therapy, laughter in between. In one corner there is me, MOM (the multitasker) and the other corner there are, kids, house chores, husband, dog, etc (need to be taken care for and loved). Now my laptop is in my kitchen counter which make it easier for me to write a few lines here and there in my blog, facebook or to look at other amazing blogs. I advice you all to take a look at my firiends Holly's blog: http://www.notaperfectmomsblog.com/. She is a sassy mom of four under the age of 7, yes people FOUR she is amazing, her children are beautiful plus her and I share something in common.
Round one: I wake up at around 7:45-8:00 ish in the morning, brush my teeth, go to the kitcken prepare my coffee maker, prepare a warm bottle of milk for Ethan and prepare Amalia's bottle. Once Ethan and Amalia have warm milk and formula in their tummy, I drink my warm cup of coffee, aaaahhh!! (this is the me time,haha).
Round two: Breakfast time: this is around 9:30-10:00 ish, menu; home made pancake, eggwhites for me and homemade banananut muffins with OJ yummy. Once we eat breakfast Ethan watched television, I do the dishes and then start thinking of Lunch and dinner menu. Amalia is relaxing in her playpen and then she goes for her first nap. I start organizing the bedrooms, bathroom, laundry. While the two bedrooms and two bathrooms are spic and span. I put a load of laundry (this is usally done on Mondays) i take Ethan a bath. After that, prepare Amalias food (sweet potato with ground turkey), because when she wakes up she is HUNGRY. (phew)!
Round three: LUNCH time,this is around 2:00 ish, it can either be wheat pasta with chicken with alfredo sauce or just a nice sandwich of turkey ,cheese and a yogurt. After lunch we color a bit or plays cars and Ethan takes his afternoon naps, and I feed Amalia and 30mn later take her a bath. Once done with Amalia, i take a shower and watch TV for like 45 minute.
Round four: Ethan wakes up at 5:00 ish and then i give him a snack. Give Amalia her bottle and back to the kitchen I go to prepare dinner.
Round five: DINNER IS SERVED, this is around 6:00ish I am hispanic so dinner is rice, beans, steak, chicken or fish, salad, mashed potato, some frined platains and salad or sometime just a simple split pea soup with rice and some sort of protein to go with the meal with biscuits. Ask husband how was his day, and so forth. After dinner i do the dishes or just put it inside my dishwasher. If it is Monday I begin folding cloth while I watch some tv shows or anything that Ethan is watching which means, the movie TOY STORY or Nemo. Put clothes away.
Round six: Around 9:00 ish give Amalia her bottle and off to bed she goes, and give Ethan his bottle and he goes to bed by 9:30-45 and spend some quality time with hubby and off to bed we go at around 11:00 and knocked out.
That was just a basic day for me. There are days where I wonder where did the time go and did not complete half of the chores that was in my list. I also want to give credit to the single DAD out there who take care of their children they are multitasker as well. If you are a parent that work write down a schedule for you that will help you, if it is easier for you to cook in the weekend for the entire week go for it. When I used to work, saturday was my cleaning days, hubby will drop off the laundry to be done while i cleaned. During the week, i will prepare the menu for the week and I will either marinade the meat the day before or went to the market and purchase the protein of the day, go home and begin cooking. While that was cooking, i normally did a "face wash" to the bathroom, fluff the pillows, spray some febreeze to my sofas and light up some candle. It is a tough job, but try to have fun with it, be creative, play some music, have some fun with it and it wont feel like chores.
Question: How do you multitask? Do you follow a weekley schedule? Do you take a day to cook for the entire week or cook daily?
I was searching around the internet for the perfect "house chore" picture and came across this one, i believe it belongs to: http://nickphil67.blogspot.com, at least that is what it said when I clicked on it. I just want to give credit to whom it belongs to.jijiji
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"I can do everything through him who gives strength" (Philippians 4:13)
"Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice" (Phillippian 4:4)
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the the field shall clap their hands." ( Isaiah 55:12)
March 30, 2011
100...100.1...100.2....102
I was not counting sheep, it was the number shown on the thermometer, Ethan broke out in fever at 2 in the morning. I went to the kitchen to get some baby Motrin, ice-pack and liquid for Ethan to drink. Like any parent we do not like to see our little one get sick, but I knew he was going to get sick. Ethan by nature sweats a lot especially when he naps, and he naps for a good three hour; however yesterday he napped for only 30 minutes and he was not sweating at all. So, he was placed on our bed, and received many kisses from mommy and told him I love him very very much. At that moment I took a time to reflect that GOD always has a plan for us. On Sunday I was not myself, I was so so so tired that if I need to compare myself to an animal I would say I was a bear in hibernation, my eye-lid could not be kept open, so I took a nap with my boy, although I am not a napper, while daddy spend time with the princess. I napped for 3 hours, but last night i realized why, i needed to restore energy because little man was going to get sick. God plan was for me to rest on Sunday and good night sleep on Monday because Tuesday night was going to be a long night. An hour passed and a silent prayer was said and my darling Ethan fever was decresing to 99.0 YES and I know the LORD answer my prayer quickly because Ethan began sweating and I was able to sleep more comfortable knowing my boy was going to be alright. Today he woke up his normal self, jumping, singing, running and that is the Ethan I know. He is vibrant, curious, funny and loving and loves loves to give kisses. Glad you are better.
This question goes to any parent out there, how do you handle when your child gets a fever of 102? Do you give natural product, home remedies, bath, etc...
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"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)"
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Sunday napping |
This question goes to any parent out there, how do you handle when your child gets a fever of 102? Do you give natural product, home remedies, bath, etc...
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"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matthew 7:7-8)"
March 29, 2011
What is a VSD?
WHAT IS A VSD?
Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD is a "hole" in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. The hole may be small, medium, or large. At times the small hole can close on its own, but in case of Amalia, her VSD was BIG, HUGE, and the only way to repair it was by doing an open heart surgery, which means stopping the heart and the patient will be alive by an oxygen lung machine. Scary ha! BUT GOD WAS WITH ME AND MY LITTLE GIRL AND OF COURSE THE SURGEON AND HIS STAFF! Please note the following picture that you will see is Amalia's open heart surgery journey from the day of surgery until her last day at the hospital Arnold Palmer. I ask the surgeon if possible to take some pictures because I wanted to see my daughters heart with the VSD and the repair heart and he did and mailed it to me. Amalia's open heart surgery was on March 19, 2011 at 8:30 in the morning.
What does a VSD do?
Well the muscular wall between the lower heart chambers is meant to separate blood passing through each of the ventricle. This separation prevents unhealthy mixing of blue blood from the veins with red, oxygen blood going to the arteries. When the muscular wall is incomplete or "broken", mixing occurs. In most situations, this leads to red blood passing across the defect and mixing with the blue blood on the right side of the heart. This is called a left-to-right-shunt and leads to abnormally high blood flow into the lungs, which breathing can be come difficult in children. When the VSD is large in a very small child, lung blood flow may be so enormous that the tiny ventricles cannot pump such a volume. This causes congestive heart failure. Heart failure in a child produces fast shallow breathing, excessive sweating, inability to feed well, irritability, constant crying, and a failure to grow at a normal pace. I thank the LORD each minute of my day because the doctors, I should say the cardiologist was surprised that with such hole in Amalia's heart, she was able to gain weight, grow at her normal pace, she did not have trouble breathing nor was sweating excessively.
What happens if the VSD is left untreated?
The child can go into heart failure due to the great amount of blood flow into the lungs.
Life after open heart surgery
Occupational therapy would be suspended for 6 weeks and she can not be picked up from under her arm for 3 months. How is she picked up you ask? by scooping up her bottom and placing a hand on her back for support, like a newborn. Other than that, she will have normal fun, she will run, jump, swim, dance, and play sport with no heart problem and to continue praying for the Lord to continue placing his healing hands on my children so they can have a healthy blessed life on this earth!
2 days later, looking good!
Ventricular Septal Defect or VSD is a "hole" in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart. The hole may be small, medium, or large. At times the small hole can close on its own, but in case of Amalia, her VSD was BIG, HUGE, and the only way to repair it was by doing an open heart surgery, which means stopping the heart and the patient will be alive by an oxygen lung machine. Scary ha! BUT GOD WAS WITH ME AND MY LITTLE GIRL AND OF COURSE THE SURGEON AND HIS STAFF! Please note the following picture that you will see is Amalia's open heart surgery journey from the day of surgery until her last day at the hospital Arnold Palmer. I ask the surgeon if possible to take some pictures because I wanted to see my daughters heart with the VSD and the repair heart and he did and mailed it to me. Amalia's open heart surgery was on March 19, 2011 at 8:30 in the morning.
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| With her daddy and her thought on surgery! |
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Amalia's heart with the "hole" |
What does a VSD do?
Well the muscular wall between the lower heart chambers is meant to separate blood passing through each of the ventricle. This separation prevents unhealthy mixing of blue blood from the veins with red, oxygen blood going to the arteries. When the muscular wall is incomplete or "broken", mixing occurs. In most situations, this leads to red blood passing across the defect and mixing with the blue blood on the right side of the heart. This is called a left-to-right-shunt and leads to abnormally high blood flow into the lungs, which breathing can be come difficult in children. When the VSD is large in a very small child, lung blood flow may be so enormous that the tiny ventricles cannot pump such a volume. This causes congestive heart failure. Heart failure in a child produces fast shallow breathing, excessive sweating, inability to feed well, irritability, constant crying, and a failure to grow at a normal pace. I thank the LORD each minute of my day because the doctors, I should say the cardiologist was surprised that with such hole in Amalia's heart, she was able to gain weight, grow at her normal pace, she did not have trouble breathing nor was sweating excessively.
What happens if the VSD is left untreated?
The child can go into heart failure due to the great amount of blood flow into the lungs.
Life after open heart surgery
Occupational therapy would be suspended for 6 weeks and she can not be picked up from under her arm for 3 months. How is she picked up you ask? by scooping up her bottom and placing a hand on her back for support, like a newborn. Other than that, she will have normal fun, she will run, jump, swim, dance, and play sport with no heart problem and to continue praying for the Lord to continue placing his healing hands on my children so they can have a healthy blessed life on this earth!
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| 45 out of the OR, she looks good. I imagined worst. |
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Saturday March 12, 2011. She looks amazing |
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| Home at last. My mommy handmade this bow for me! |
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| 2nd day at home, they missed each other! My mom came from NY to help with Ethan. |
Her recovery has been amazing, the doctors are so surprised that for a child with Down Syndrome she able to go home in four days, it usually takes 7 to 10 days in the hospital before they can go home. Her cardiologist did a check up on her on March 24 and did an Echo, and guess what, NO MORE HEART MURMUR, WOOHOO THANK YOU JESUS. Now in about two months she will get eye surgery because she is "crossed - eye" or the medical term - Strabismus.
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Set your minds and keep them set on what is above, not on the things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:2)
For the joy of the Lord is your strength ( Nehemiah 8:10)
March 22, 2011
My five year plan
Before ever getting married my five year plan went something like this: Get a college degree, get a job, meet a great man, get married, buy a house, have children and live happily ever after. Soon to be five year later my so called "five year plan" did not go as plan. I did get a Bachelor in Finance and Investment and certified as a Charter Market Technicina Level I. I did work at a couple of financial industry, I did married a great man BUT have not bought a house as of yet. Eight month after being married we found out we were expecting, and eight weeks later we lost our pregnancy. I cried and asked the famous question "why me, why us?." As a believer in the Lord and knowing that God always knows what is best for us, a sense of calmness came over me. So, we moved on and told ourselves we would not plan on having a baby, we would just leave it in God's hand. April 2008 we found out we were expecting again. A sense of fear came over me for I did not want to have a miscarriage again, but I told myself to relax and that is what I did...I relaxed. As weeks passed by my belly was getting bigger and I just knew I was having a boy (mother instinct). Except when I was 32 weeks pregnant, I was not feeling good at all. I was having strong headaches, and I was swollen like a blimpe balloon. Called the doctor, his advice was to take regular tylenol and to lay down, the swelling was because I was retaining water. Well at 2:30 in the morning of October 13, 2008 I woke up throwing up everything that was inside of me, Lola barked at my husband to wake up and he rushed to the bathroom and adviced to stop throwing up because it looked like my liver was being affected due to the color of the yukiness coming out of me. I did stopped vomiting but I have no recollection of what happen after that. The following information was told by my husband and he said: He laid me on the bed and I went into a seizure attack and lost my breathing, basically I died at home. He is CPR certified and has a degree in Medical Assistance and he did what he had to do...Bring me back to life. He did, he then called 911 and off to the hospital we went. Luckily my Doctor was on duty and straight to the OR. Hubby then tells me that Doctor told him I was not going to make it only the baby, but he told him to do everything in his medical power to have both of us alive. "She is alive I know she is," he told doctor. Well had Ethan by C-section and I went into a coma for four days.......Four days later woke up to see my husband face, Thank You God, for blessing me with Life. It turned out I had Eclampisa or Toximia. On the fifth day of doing great went to the NICU to see my son for the first time and it melt my heart that when i held his tinny hand and spoke to him he gave me a smile, he knew his mama voice. A week in the hospital and then home sweet home.
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| New Born at 3lbs 11oz |
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| Two and half year later. |
Now it is 2009 went back to work, left my bundle of Joy in the hands of a great nanny who happen to be a family member. In March hubby was accepted at a job all the way in Florida. I was excited for the new adventure but already getting homesick. I always lived in New York, my life, history, family live in New York. I was not sure I wanted to move BUT we did, we moved to Florida in October 12, 2009 which mean Ethan one year old birthday party was celebrated 3 days early.
Eat your heart out Prince William you have competition!
Flor Genao, Ethan's babysitter. I can tell you i could not have chosen a better person to take care of my miracle baby.
Dec. 24, 2009 SURPISE, we are pregnant again. Schedule an appointment at the doctors and once I arrived I made sure I told them everything that happen with both of my pregnancy. I did not want another traumatic pregnancy. Each time I went to the doctor I made sure my bloodpressure was checked, my urine was tested for protein, and my weight was not increasing insignificantly. As months passed went to do my sugar test and failed. Went to see a nutritionist and was given a glucometer. Needed to test my sugar four time a day and follow a diet. I was never a bad eater nor junk food is in my vocabulary BUT blame it on the hormone. August came and on the 8th at 2:00 a.m. my water broke and I have to say it felt great, becuase with my previous pregnancy I did not experience the full term. We grabbed my hospital bag, a sleepy 22 month old and told Lola see you soon and of to the hospital we went. We checked in and they told me that I would have to stay. My doctor arrived at 6:30 and her team was preparing me for the C-section. What happen with Ethan while I was getting ready, he was being dropped off at a friends house which I have adopted as family!
Welcome to the world Amalia Bermudez, you are some gorgeous baby!
August 8, 2010!!!
Eat your heart out Prince William you have competition!
Flor Genao, Ethan's babysitter. I can tell you i could not have chosen a better person to take care of my miracle baby.
Dec. 24, 2009 SURPISE, we are pregnant again. Schedule an appointment at the doctors and once I arrived I made sure I told them everything that happen with both of my pregnancy. I did not want another traumatic pregnancy. Each time I went to the doctor I made sure my bloodpressure was checked, my urine was tested for protein, and my weight was not increasing insignificantly. As months passed went to do my sugar test and failed. Went to see a nutritionist and was given a glucometer. Needed to test my sugar four time a day and follow a diet. I was never a bad eater nor junk food is in my vocabulary BUT blame it on the hormone. August came and on the 8th at 2:00 a.m. my water broke and I have to say it felt great, becuase with my previous pregnancy I did not experience the full term. We grabbed my hospital bag, a sleepy 22 month old and told Lola see you soon and of to the hospital we went. We checked in and they told me that I would have to stay. My doctor arrived at 6:30 and her team was preparing me for the C-section. What happen with Ethan while I was getting ready, he was being dropped off at a friends house which I have adopted as family!
Welcome to the world Amalia Bermudez, you are some gorgeous baby!
Amalias Christening on Dec. 19, 2010
Therefore, my five year plans did not go as plan, but I have had a great five year so far, because I was blessed with LIFE once again to see and be around those whom I love!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,"declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverb 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
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