Spring Fever

I've got it for sure. The last couple of days have been perfect; the temperature has been about 75-78, the sun has stayed out much later, and the crickets have been singing their spring songs. I wish it could stay spring all year long. Every season brings something new to look forward to, but spring is different, it always brings freshness and new birth. I love seeing tiny buds on the trees and in the ground. I love the fruit that is suddenly back in season. I love the time change and how the days feel interminable. I love being outside riding bikes, feeling the crisp air fill my lungs. I love spring.

Yesterday, I had a taste of spring, personified. I got together with my good friend, Kate, and her two little spring sprites, Kyle and Emmi, for pictures.

Emmi is growing like a weed. (I couldn't deny myself a spring-time pun.) She's no weed though, this baby-doll is a perfect, precious, dainty flower.

By the end of spring these little toes will not be so little.

Bare feet. Another spring time favorite.

Look at how much this flower is blooming.

I love the colors of spring,

and the happiness of spring,

the flirtiness of spring,

the giddiness of spring,

the loveliness of spring.

We didn't get a sister shot that didn't have mom's hands in it trying to save the baby bud from rolling out of big sister's arms. We will get those soon. ;)

I also love how spring puts a little smile on my face like this one.

Kate, Kyle, and Emmi- We enjoyed spending a day with you. Kate, you are eternal spring, your daughters, spring's pixie dust. Thanks for being beautiful flowers in my life's garden. Can't wait to see you again. So glad we get to watch our "flowers" grow together. xoxo Kam

Old Shoe, New Shoe

Sit back and read a classic favorite of mine and possibly yours.

Old Shoe,



New Shoe.



White Shoe,



Gray Shoe.



One Shoe,



Two Shoes.



The classic story ends there. (Plus weren't you tired of looking at the same pictures? ;))Enter a head shaking, can't-believe-a-parent didn't do a better job noticing story...

If you were thinking this was going to be an endearing post commenting on how quickly my son is growing and how I used his shoes as evidence to prove his growth rate, sorry, you're wrong. This post, embarrassingly enough, is dedicated to those parents who, like Jaren and myself, have not remained as observant as we promised on the day of Gunnar's birth. This tale shares one of those moments all parents have when they come to a realization that they have neglected the obvious needs of their children.

Friday night we headed to Disneyland. We got all geared-up, packed our packs, and put on our good "walking" shoes. Gunnar didn't mention a thing as I put his shoes on. He just kept saying, "So excited to go Mom. So excited." We got there, and like most kids do when they greet the entrance of Disneyland, he took off, smoke trailing behind him; he really was "so excited". Not too long into our stay I noticed he was limping around, like he had hurt himself. I asked him what had happened; he said "nufing, Mom". Soon, he kept telling me, "Nunnie need a hug, Mom." I would pick him up, love him, then put him down, but he would throw his arms up in the air and want to be held. Those "hugs" turned into me carrying him around extended amounts of time. When I did put him down I noticed a funny gimp in his gait, and I suddenly got wise. His shoes were hurting. I asked again what was wrong and if his shoes hurt. He kept telling me that he was fine. I know what it is like to have a pair of shoes that hurt. I also know that sometimes they are just too cute and too fun- so what if they are a size too small, right? I think Gunnar felt the same way. He was having too much fun to let cramped feet get in the way. It's funny, in a way. I have been noticing each morning during bath how much bigger his feet have grown. Did I think that he would perhaps be needing new shoes? Nope. He didn't say a thing to me when I put his shoes on each day. How was I supposed to know he needed new ones? Communication, Gunnar. You have to tell me these things; I will never turn down a trip to go shoe shopping. I am usually really good at noticing when you need a new wardrobe, but some how I missed this one. Sorry, Buddy.

By the end of the night, Jaren or I had carried him 85% of the time. That's a whole lot of pounds to carry. (My arms should be more cut for the amount of time I carry that 41 pound "toddler" around. ) We decided it must be his shoes and that Saturday we would take him for a little shopping.

Continuing with the story.

Small Shoe, Big Shoe.



We measured his foot the next day.

He was wearing a 7.5 at Disneyland. His current shoe size? 10.5. Yep. That's a whole 3 sizes too small. Nobody report us. We love our son and are conscientious of his growth. How did we let this happen? ;) Gunnar never seemed to mind though, and he never really complained. Trooper.

He lucked out too. He now owns 5 new pairs of shoes.

I hear foot binding is making a come back for small white males. ;)


New BIG boy shoe, Old SMALL boy shoe.



Can anyone else commiserate?

Close to Heaven

At times in my life I feel very close to Heaven.


Last Saturday, Jaren and I shot a charity event called Rett Rendevous.



Rett Syndrome is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by normal early developments but then is followed by distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation. It affects females almost exclusively.



As the syndrome progresses, the child loses purposeful use of her hands and the ability to speak. I found myself wanting to know what these little ladies were thinking. What would they like to tell their parents, siblings, or grandparents if they were granted 5 minutes of lucid speech. What joy would their mothers feel to hear them say, "Mama"? How would their fathers feel to hear their daughters share their gratitude for all of their paternal sacrifices? How would siblings feel to hear their sisters joke with them, like brothers and sisters do? What would they say? I am sure it would be, "I love you" or "Thank you" or "Please, stop feeding me peas; I hate them." ;)



I was magnetized to so many of the girls and their parents. I was especially touched at the resiliency in their attitudes and the strength of their courage and spirits. I felt endeared to the parents. Raising children in this world is a challanging task; raising children who will always be children is even more daunting; however, every parental perspective I heard that evening was filled with love, encouragement, and hope- for their daughters and for finding a cure.

One resplendant mother.



A characteristic of Rett Syndrome is compulsive movements like hand wringing. I watched their little hands; even though they don't have perfect control they still found ways to be quite expressive and communicative.









The event was filled with entertaiment,



dining,



dessert,



dancing,

hula hooping :),

and fundraising.

There currently isn't a cure for Rett Syndrome, but scientists, doctors, parents, and I am sure the girls themselves are hopeful.

In Les Miserables, one of my favorite Broadway musicals, there is a line sung at the end of the play. I think about it often, "To love another person is to see the face of God."

The family members related to these "silent angels" see the face of God everytime they look at their daughters.

Joanna and Maren- Thanks for thinking of me. I enjoyed being with you two as well. Next time, don't hang out by the bar so much. You started slurring pretty bad by the end of the night. (Ha! I'm totally, completely joking!) ;)

Misty- Thank you for the opportunity to be a small part of something tremendous. Your efforts are leaving indelible marks on the life of your daughter and many others. You might never be able to hear it, but Kennedy is grateful.

For those of you intersted in learning more about Rett Syndrome and how you can help make a difference click here.