Tag Archives: Marvelous Monday

April 22, 2013 · 7:14 am

Marvelous Monday

Hello Reader! I missed you last Monday- BUT the site made a seamless transition to its new host and here I am!

As many read yesterday HERE, I lost my father 15 years ago. This week, what I am thankful for is my niece Hadley. She is in my life because we were meant to have a special bond- a connection only an aunt can have with a child- to keep each other smiling when we forget how. I took Hadley aside as her party was winding down and we had a little talk. She smiled at me, and drooled a bit- to most it would seem that she didn’t understand me- but her smile came just as my eyes began to tear up and she let me hug her to me. It was a brief moment, but I am so glad that we had it. I love this beautiful girl!

Hadley's Party

My random of the week is date nights! I agree everyone needs some time without their children, but I don’t know that I’m ready for it. We went out to The Grand Tasting for Eat Drink RI festival with tickets that we won.

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It. Was. Amazing! Not just because we felt like we were just dating again (getting a little day-drunk will do that to you!), but because we hadn’t been out in so long and it wasn’t forced. I felt comfortable, albeit nervous, about leaving Addie, but I knew that she was old enough to communicate her wants and needs well enough to my mother-in-law and that she would have fun. Lots of my friends need to go out, but that need is not something I feel yet. Maybe it’s because I don’t let myself- it’s not like we have excess cash to go to dinner or the movies, but truly, I think it’s because Dave and I don’t get much family time and that’s the time we want to spend together. We dated and got married and had 3 “single” years together- in our first year as parents we wanted to be parents as much as we could! They’re only in babyhood once- we will be married forever <3 Thank you to Jen at Keekoin for the opportunity to have a beautiful afternoon together and my in-laws for taking such great care of Miss Adelaide!

Addie at InLaws

Lastly, my information about dwarfism is an update on Miss Addie AND a little bit about why we travel. We went to Delaware last week and had a great check-up (and first visit) with Dr. MacKenzie. Addie didn’t get the full skeletal work-up (thanks insurance company), but she did have two spinal views and an x-ray of her lower limbs (read: legs) and all of her “pictures” looked great!

As I’ve mentioned before, having the proper care for children with skeletal dysplasia is very important. While many children are perfectly healthy, monitoring their bone growth, as well as their overall health and development are very important factors to having a healthy adult life. Just like an average height child with a difference, parents want to bring their children to the person who knows best about their child’s condition- whether it is thyroid or behavioral, a hearing loss or vision problem, tippy-toe walking, etc. Addie goes to the closest doctors who specialize in, not just “has patients” with, skeletal dysplasia. Thankfully, the closest doctors are also on the medical advisory board for the LPA- which makes me feel all the better about her going to them. Dr. Bober (who was away on personal leave this visit) is her geneticist, and Dr. MacKenzie is her orthopedic specialist. When we saw him, Addie was in great spirits and loved playing on the table (i.e. eating paper).

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We travel 350 miles (each way) to Wilmington, Delaware to A.I. DuPont Hospital, where we see these two specialist who work as a team, every six months. It’s amazing to see Addie’s progress and the amount of work that goes into proper care- all the questions, the physical exams that are done so gently- using minimal invasive tests like blood work- in favor of research and a thorough physical exam, the listening and true concern for each question we have, and making sure that we are comfortable with the care plan given- all make Dave and I so happy we are able to make the drive. We are lucky that my parents live about 80 miles north of the hospital so we stay with them on our visits, but there is a Ronald McDonald House there, too, and I know so many families who just love how welcome they are there. The hospital is pretty great, too, because right outside they have a beautiful playground with lots of places to sit and enjoy the weather! Addie LOVED playing after her appointment and got to go on a swing for the first time! …Of course for our picnic, we went to the local Saladworks (YUM!) and got our favorites to enjoy :) I wish Rhode Island would open a location!

Playground at DuPontEating together

This was Addie’s first visit to MacKenzie, and he saw that her kyphosis is still there, but he is hopeful that it will straighten itself out as she learns to walk and hold her spine straight, and her legs look great, too! I have been SO worried about her ankles, as they seem to bend out- I’ve never seen another baby with ankles like Addie’s- but he told me that that was normal. I have learned to laugh when I hear that word, but in this case it made me smile. Now I know that it’s normal for my achon baby to have ankles like this- sometimes it’s strange to be normal :)

Thanks for catching up with me! I hope you have a beautiful week ahead and a Marvelous Monday, today!

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April 8, 2013 · 7:49 pm

Marvelous Monday

Sorry for the late Marvelous Monday post! It was quite the weekend here… thus I will be brief!

This week I am thankful to be a part of such an amazing group of women. I am a Rhody Blogger, and there is a smaller group I support called the Rhody Bloggers for Good- they are amazing women. Truly inspiring. This weekend they hosted (with La-Z-Boy Warwick) a sit-a-thon for Belle Bradley, who is battling cancer and her mom, Melissa- who is battling not just Belle’s illness, but the medical bills associated with the disease. I was blessed to be a part of the festivities, donating things to the yard sale and sitting for a few hours tweeting, instagram-ing and Facebook-ing the event. Together, $10,000 were raised to help the Bradley family!

From Rhody Bloggers

From Rhody Bloggers

My dwarfism fact of the week brings up our week ahead! Many children with dwarfism see genetic and orthopedic specialists, among many other types- there are very few to actually specialize in skeletal dysplasia, however. In Addie’s case, we drive over 300 miles each way to see Dr. Bober and Dr. MacKenzie for genetics and orthopedics, respectively. It’s a lot of driving, and we do it twice a year- but at least it’s not a flight away- and we are so thankful that Addie has the best care possible from two of the most amazing doctors. There are many children out there who have to travel much further than we do, or don’t have any access to a specialist at all. For all we have and all the properly trained doctors we have, we are so blessed! We are heading to Delaware this week, in fact!

Lastly, my random of the week: With my baby girl coming up on one year, it’s amazing to see her growing into her own person, but also taking on traits of both Dave and myself. Here she is doing her first instructional vlog on how to blog and her first typed piece below! It feels good to have such a talented baby!

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Have a beautiful week!!!

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February 25, 2013 · 8:00 am

After last week, it is, once again MARVELOUS MONDAY!

Oh my! Can we please start with what I am thankful for?! There’s no negativity allowed today!

Because, most likely, I am thankful for…

YOU!

That’s right. I have had some very supportive and well spoken readers. People who have been sharing, educating and learning right beside me and I am thankful for you. Let me say it again- when you are feeling down this week, or anytime- drop me a line here, because without your open minds and hearts, your love, compassion and ability to evolve, I would not be making a bit of difference in this world. You allow me to be a mom to Addie, a friend to you and a writer with thoughts and ideas I hope people will read and think about. This does not mean I expect you to agree with me, but to try and learn and teach me in return.

THANK YOU!

These lovely pieces were written last week, and I wanted to give them special love- they wrote for me and for themselves to educate others not strictly about dwarfism, but about compassion and civility. They wrote to share their stories about how sometimes people respond so positively and are so thankful to learn. Frankly, what is going on with the pickles truly makes one concerned for our human race. Thank you fellow writers for your kind words, true thoughts and for continuing on this path of educating peacefully and without reactive behavior.

Uncomfortable
A Sweet Tasting Pickle
It’s Not About the Pickles
Applesauce and Pickles

Thank you all so much.

Moving swiftly along… My dwarfism segment of MM!
It may be silly, but did you know about the plough?! It’s all the rage in this house. I know, you’re thinking Chelley, it’s a plow. Well forget the snow, Reader… we have a mobile baby! Addie learned to reverse plough, which is very common for achon babies to do in lieu of crawling. Yesterday, as I dragged my tired body from bed, I looked across the hall and saw my Mom and Addie playing… then I saw Addie’s legs, shoulder width apart, bending and straightening, her heels digging into the carpet. With each cycle of motion, she pushed her arched body across the room, led by her head. It was amazing!

Reverse Snow Plough

Addie looks way cuter than this… something like this:

Plough and Addie

It looks so silly to see, especially because I am not used to this mode of transportation. All of the children I see are either on their knees or feet, but here is my lady, going at it her own way. Am I proud? Heck yes… and scared. I guess it’s time to finish baby-proofing!

Lastly… my random of the week. I’m one of those, “proud I don’t have TV people”. Kind of makes you hate me for more than being the “crazy pickle lady”, doesn’t it? How un-American to not have a TV! But, I don’t. While I am happy that I don’t have the bill every month, I do wish that I knew what all the hubbub is about award shows. I also wish that I saw previews to the movies that cause such a stir, so that I may then go to the movies and see them before they make it to Netflix, and are old news.
Keep being proud, my fellow TV viewers, and drop me a line about the next best movie that comes out, please… before it’s on DVD!

Have a marvelous week!

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February 18, 2013 · 7:39 am

It’s a Marvelous Monday!

I might be the only one, but I love Mondays. It’s the beginning to my week, and what a week it will be- Addie has her ear tube surgery this week and I am nervous for it, but excited for her hearing to be better. Happy 10 months to my baby girl! May her procedure be quick and successful!

Addie 10 months

02.17.2013

Onto MM!

Thankfully, this weekend didn’t present Nemo II. Though there was enough snow to cause some delays in my hubby’s work, we kept our power (and thus) our heat!  So… I guess that’s my thankful for the week! We’re beginning a bit out of order, but I guess that’s OK!

My random is, most definitely, to take this week and slow down. My husband got this lesson this weekend when, after being stuck inside due to the cold and snow, Addie and I decided to take a trip to Target. Dave told me he didn’t have time to come with us- even after I told him it would be less than an hour because Addie had to come home to nap. Nope. No luck convincing him. Dave needed to finish working on an amp (he was working from home due to PVD’s parking ban) and test it before 6pm- he didn’t want to bother the neighbors. OK. He came outside to move his car.  * * * We came back home, and as I was backing into the driveway, noticed Dave’s taillights come on to back in, too. “Did you just get home?” I asked him as he strolled up to my car. I looked down and saw, peeking from beneath the hemline of his jeans, slippers.

“You locked yourself out, didn’t you?!” What I meant to say was, “Karma, jerk.”

He was cold because he didn’t want to waste a lot of gas keeping the car running, but with no jacket in 20° weather, he was worn down. He came inside, carrying the bags, as I laughed at him. I put Addie down for a nap, and he helped me put the new baby-proofing foam on the coffee table in the living room. His eyes looked up at me, though his chin was still down. He said, “I think this was the Universe’s way of telling me I should have just gone with you.” “Yup. You wasted family time trapped in your car. Nice work.”

We don’t spend enough time together. Dave works 7 days a week, barely taking the time needed to trim his beard or brush his teeth, and never complains about it. He leaves before 7am everyday and is never home before 7pm. He drives over 500 miles a week. He sees his baby for less than 10 hours a week. His baby that will become a teenager before he knows it, and no longer smile at him just for being Daddy. The “we” that doesn’t spend enough time together is the Martinka Family. I am hoping that things begin to come together. That his work will finally offer insurance, and we will have way less of an oil bill after the winter. That maybe I’ll sell a few more bibs, or be noticed for my writing and I can contribute a bit. Whatever it is that gives us a break- that’s what I hope for. Money may not make people happy, but it can alleviate the stress that having none creates. Until then, however, I just need him to slow down- and I need to take a breather, too. I’m sure you know the feeling- it’s 8pm and the kids are going to bed and you spent all day with them, but you have no idea what you did.

All of a sudden, I ask Addie where her head is, and she reaches up and pats her beautiful head of hair. Then she smiles at me and claps her hands to celebrate. These days won’t last.

My request to you this week, my random tidbit is, to slow down and revel in those moments- because, as I am learning, they are so very fleeting.

Lastly, which is usually first, some information about dwarfism! I generally focus on achondroplasia, because that is the most common form of dwarfism- also the type Addie has, but this week I want to tell you about SED. Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia (read: spondylo: spine, epiphyseal: growing ends of bones, dysplasia: abnormal growth) is the term used for a group of disorders with primary involvement of the vertebrae and epiphyseal centers resulting in a short-trunk disproportionate dwarfism. This type of dwarfism affects 1 in 95,000 babies (acondroplasia is 1 in 20-45,000). As I’ve mentioned before, all dwarfism is not the same. Not even close. With SED, features are very different and commonly include club feet, cleft palate, severe osteoarthritis in the hips, weak hands and feet, and a barrel-chested appearance.

Addie’s friend, Sara, has this type of dwarfism. She is 9, and size is not the only thing that makes her different from other children her age. It’s not just the 30+ surgeries, months spent in NICU, being born less than 5 pounds, the trach, or any other medical differences. Sara holds conversation with adults as though they are peers. She listens intently and asks appropriate questions. When she is excited about a new topic, she talks about it- a lot. In fact, if there is ever a moment of silence, count on Sara to fill it. It’s very impressive, especially because Sara had a trach for much of her young life. Watching her play at the YMCA, Sara builds tall forts, runs around with kids her age and shoots baskets like she’s in the WNBA! When she needs to sit, she simply does… but she doesn’t complain. She asks why and almost makes a that’s not fair statement referring to the bounce house, but I see her brain catch her, her eyes move to a cardboard brick that could be used in the castle wall, and she’s off to get it. Sara is not shy, she does not hide behind her [amazing and dedicated] mom. She’s far more independent than most kids her age, and has two amazing older brothers to watch out for her when her curiosity gets the best of her. From behind her wire-frame glasses, Sara’s brown eyes light up when she sees Addie and she pulls her in close to her body:

Addie and Sara

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When Addie and I first met Sara, we were new to the community. We were unsure and on new ground. It was at a meet-up for our district in Mystic, CT that we found local friends to help us navigate and we are so thankful for them. In truth, Addie and Sara are as different from each other as an AH child and LP. Their dysplasias are not the same and do not effect their bodies in the same way. Expanding our knowledge about dwarfism is a learning experience for all of us, and we are enjoying meeting such wonderful friends as we do! Best of luck to Sara as she embarks on her journey to DuPont for a sleep study, pulmonology appointment, and a knee surgery!

Thank you for learning with me this week. Please ask any questions via the “Contact” tab!

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February 11, 2013 · 8:11 am

Marvelous Monday!

Good morning! I hope everyone got themselves dugout from the Blizzard of 2013, incredibly inappropriately named Nemo, and their power back on! It was a cold one here, and once the house went below 50*, we all hopped in the car and headed to my in-laws, all 2 1/2 miles away, where they still had power. Read on!

On this Marvelous Monday, I want to direct you to a posting from last week. That is all is have to say about dwarfism for this Monday.  Please check out Let’s Change the World. If you want, you can join me in writing a thank you letter to Mr. Barry Spector at Gedney Foods, as well.

The address is: 2100 Stoughton Ave.; Chaska, MN  55318

Thank you to everyone for their continued support and the encouragement to keep pushing for the equality of Addie and the family that has surrounded us and helped us navigate this new world.

For my thankful of the week… there are not enough words. Did you know it snowed?

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We lost power around 11:30pm Friday night. Over 14 hours later, Carter was thrilled to be in the snow, while Addie was wrapped up like a mummy, but still freezing:

Snow angel, Carter Jay

Snow angel, Carter Jay

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Dave dug us out as best he could, and we headed 2 1/2 miles away to my in-laws’ house where they still had electricity and heat. This weekend, my in-laws were truly amazing. Dave, Addie and I showed up with bags of stuff, leaving our cold house behind. We spread everything we owned (or so it seemed) out across their kitchen table and then took over the couches. After calling National Grid and hearing we would be without power for at least the night, we realized that we could not go home to sleep without heat, as the house was well below 50*:

Dropping fast...

Dropping fast…

…so Dave and I left Addie, got back into the car, and went to the house to care for the dog and grab our PJs and some books to read to Addie before bed. It wasn’t the most comfortable stay, but as I braced myself and headed out of their house yesterday (Saturday) morning, leaving the family to sleep, I was thankful for the incredible back pain that replaced the inevitable frostbite we would have suffered at home.

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I pulled into our driveway at 6am to feed the dog and let him out, thankful the street lights were on. The house wasn’t warm yet, but Addie’s apnea monitor was blaring and all the lights were on! It was a sight I’d longed to see. I ran around the house stopping the drip from all the faucets, and turning off everything that was left on. The clocks were blinking 3:14, meaning we got power back well after midnight. I’m SO glad we had a warm place to sleep!

I went back to my in-laws where everyone was still asleep, and treated myself to a hot shower and pumped before anyone had the chance to need me. My mother-in-law made a big pot of coffee, then she and my father-in-law made ham, onion and mushroom omelets with a fruit bowl! I tried to nap on the couch before we headed home around 11 for Addie’s nap. We were warm, safe and loved for our first sleepover. I am so thankful they were there for us- I have no doubts they always will be.

Addie playing at grandma and grandpa's

Addie playing at grandma and grandpa’s… having a reverse problem!

As I unpacked our bags in our bedroom, I reminded Dave we needed to clear our sidewalks for the kids heading to school. The lowest point on the walk was about 3 1/2 feet, and seemed daunting. As I looked out the window to check it out, I noticed snow flying up in the sky and over our fence. Our neighbor was snow-blowing our walk for us! Knowing we are surrounded by such loving, caring and giving people really makes me feel warm inside… even when it’s below freezing outside. Our backs hurt and my nose is still cold, but as I bake sugar cookies for our neighbors and write a letter (from Addie) for my in-laws, I know that it could have been worse for us had we been alone, or had to take the babe to one of the warming centers where she would not have had a place of her own to sleep. I am thankful for love, which seems appropriate this week, doesn’t it?

Lastly, a random tidbit… I said I would write about movies sometimes, and so I will. I’m sure many of you have seen this film, as it’s not new, but for me, it was a first time: This is 40. It wasn’t some change-your-life-watch-this-movie-now type of thing, but it was certainly a poignant satirical movie that really brought marriage (in film) into a new light. If you read my post from yesterday, you know that my husband isn’t the most romantic man, however, we make it work because of love and life. This movie really hit home in the way that it shows sometimes what we think is the most important thing in the world, isn’t so for our spouse. Case-and-point: to prepare for the possibility (and it happened) of the power going out, I vacuumed the house because I CANNOT sit in my house when it’s dirty and stare at the animal hair and dragged in road salt. This was NOT at the top of Dave’s list. Oh well. He appreciated it, none-the-less, and watched Addie so I could get it done.  After watching the movie, I really took notice of how we both check-out of the time we have together by being on our phones playing games (him) or on Facebook (me). While I agree we all need time alone, trying to not take that time while we’re together remains important.

With Valentine’s Day coming up Thursday, it really is a great movie to balance out chick-flick and comedy. Happy viewing and happy Monday!

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February 4, 2013 · 10:31 am

Marvelous Monday!

It’s that time of the week again: MONDAY!

Let’s check in on the hot topic of dwarfism: This week I want to direct you to an amazing publication, local to South Florida, but available online to all mamas and papas: Babyourself.

It’s such an wonderful publication, that when I stumbled upon it from my sister (now a Floridian), I contacted the founder of the mag and asked for an issue to be sent to me. I read it cover-to-cover, looking at all the awesome information (the magazine’s featured pediatrician is not only full of wonderful medical insight, he’s a father seven times over!), reading up on caring for the babe AND me, checking out all the things to do in Florida and learning about sun-care for my sheltered New England beauty. The magazine doesn’t have an overly-local feel, and so I LOVE when my issues come in the mail. And then, a dream. I got an email from the woman who started it all, asking me if I wanted to write a piece for their upcoming issue focusing on the unexpected parts of parenthood. Did I ever! Reading my name under Contributing Writers was a dream come true.

And so, please check out my piece here (pages 14-15), as well as the whole read. I promise you will not be disappointed! Thank you for reading and sharing.

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This week I am thankful for things falling into place. When all your ducks (finally) fall into a row, and you’re able to accomplish what you need to, it makes a world of difference in your outlook. For me, that meant a return I was waiting for went through, and I was able to get my friend a gift. It all worked out seamlessly, and that makes me happy. Although I firmly believe material things are not worth most of the stress we put on them, when you find something that fits someone so right, you want to get it for them. It’s been a hard lesson for me to learn: you can’t buy everything you want. I have worked full-time since I was in my teens, and not working, paying massive insurance debts and raising a baby on one income in a bad economy isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t change my wants and desires. This week Amazon really pulled through for me, with excellent customer service, and the precise timing to accomplish just what I needed: the perfect gift and the perfect price.

Lastly, my random of the week is juicing. I want to say re-purpose or upcycle but, if I hear those phrases one more time, I may go crazy(-er)… but I guess that’s just what this is! I have been on a massive juicing kick since my mother-in-law gave me a juicer, and it’s been perfect, not just for me, but for Addie, too! I have been using the pulp from carrots, spinach, kale, apples, pears… to make her food! After I juice, I put some juice back in the pulp, then I cook it (carrots, kale, spin) or just mix with her yogurt (apples, pears) and we have no waste!

Happy juicing- I recommend it for all your I forgot to have breakfast, lunch, dinner moments, as well as for an afternoon treat. You’ve never had apple juice, til you’ve had apple juice… mix with some veggies- delicious! And happy EASY way to make some side dishes for your little ones :)

I wish everyone a happy week! (I was brief this week… I hope it makes up for my usual over-wording of life!)

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January 21, 2013 · 10:00 am

MM!

It’s another Marvelous Monday! Happy MLK Day. There are so many lessons I could touch upon on this important day, but what I hope to convey in every post in some way is equality. So, it’s Monday; let’s jump right in, shall we?!

What’s up with dwarfism this week in the Martinka house? Let me tell you! After family swim at the YMCA this week, a woman kept telling me how sweet Addie was and how small and tiny she is. She was a sweet, older woman, by no means old, but in her late 60′s. When she asked what size clothes Addie was wearing, I was so confused and sort-of annoyed I spouted, “Newborn pants, and 3 month onesies. She has achondroplasia, so she’ll always be small.” The woman looked confused. “Dwarfism,” I said. The woman smiled and grabbed Addie’s little fingers in her own. “With the right shots, she’ll be normal, right?” She asked.

For some reason, I remember learning about the pituitary gland in science class, and that height issues relating to it can be treated with growth hormone injections. “No,” I said calmly, “dwarfism cannot be treated, you’re thinking of injections for the pituitary glad. Addie will just be little.” Again, the woman smiled, seemingly surprised at my knowledge, continued talking about herself and how she doesn’t understand why her daughter-in-law expects her to care for her grandson… “Why did they have a child they had no daycare for?” she laughed. We briefly discussed how Story Time at the Warwick library is always too packed and I told her about the one on Fridays in Providence.

I put on my backpack (Dave makes me use the backpack to even the weight on my shoulders… it’s hideous) and picked Addie up in my arms. The woman, a solid 4 inches shorter than myself, patted my shoulder and said, “she is beautiful.” And that was it.

So this week I learned that when you explain things to some people, they don’t care. And that’s a good thing! This woman learned something new because deep inside the inner-workings of my brain, I’d remembered something I’d learned long ago. I wasn’t particularly pleased with the word normal, but to someone who doesn’t have a family member with dwarfism, that’s just what it is. People who are tall are normal, and people who are small are different. I am learning that people don’t think Addie is abnormal; there isn’t always a black to the white. Sometimes, words are just words and they’re not meant to hurt or offend. Just as the opposite of “love” is not “hate”, but “apathy”, the opposite of “normal” is not necessarily “abnormal”. Plus, Addie is normal… except she’s not. She sleeps through the night at 9 months old (the transition to her crib happened seamlessly), loves all food, hardly cries and she’s a little person. She’s not abnormal, just different. Heck… so am I!

9 months old!

9 months old!

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This week I am thankful for Netflix. I know it sounds strange… who is actually going to say they’re thankful for that? ME!

I watch one episode of some health-conscious show, like Workout, or a documentary like America the Beautiful, and I’m on the floor doing pushups. I don’t need motivation to workout, but when I turn Netflix on, I get sucked in and veg out, except when I watch something like these shows, then I get moving! Since beginning to watch more shows like this (10 days), I’ve worked out 4 times a week, and gone from 147 to 144.5 pounds. I’m really proud of myself… and I love Netflix for the inspiration to watch and move at the same time! Next time you’re in a slump… turn on a show about people who let themselves go, and it will get you up off your rear-end, too!

Finally… my random things of the week:

One… if you didn’t know, it’s National Hugging Day, so get on it…

Also, my hubby is leaving for London on business Wednesday-Sunday. I am super nervous about it… but I plan on being productive. My list of things to do after Addie goes to bed at 9pm include:
Blogging!!!
Giving myself a pedicure
Putting on a face mask
READING
Taking at least one long, hot bath
Running on the treadmill
and… blogging!

I am so excited to have what little “free time” I do have all to myself. I love my hubs, but we don’t see each other enough to take time apart. In truth, an extra hour in the day would mean time for me and time together, but alas, this business trip will serve as enough time apart for a lifetime! I’m so proud of him for creating this opportunity for himself- a business trip to London with the bosses… WHAT?! And I [already] can’t wait for him to get home!

I hope you’re all having a fabulous Monday!!!

Addie 9 months

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January 7, 2013 · 10:02 am

Marvelous Mondays!

In the spirit of starting new things for the New Year, I am starting Marvelous Monday! This will be my weekly thankful/educating post.

I found that during the month of October which is Dwarfism Awareness Month, I was posting facts about Addie and dwarfism, and people were amazed and eager to know more. This is  a GREAT thing, as I feel super excited to begin the year helping everyone learn! I have always loved teaching and tutoring, and I adore my baby girl- what better way to spend my days? For more info in the meantime, please visit Understanding Dwarfism on Facebook or on the web.

I also spent November thinking of things I was thankful for each day. While it is simple to find things I am thankful for, because I was only listing for 30 days, I wanted them to be spectacular and “deep”. Things like: I am thankful for Dr. Bober and his team at A.I. DuPont in Delaware. But, I also want to shout: I’m thankful for Sharpie markers. Those things are great for everything from labels to marking hands at a show (cheaper than paper tickets). And so, each Monday, I will share my thanks.

Lastly, as much as I LOVE my baby girl and she is my whole world (Dave and Carter and Morgan, too), I would love to have another baby someday and I don’t want to be so focused on Addie that another babe would feel sadly blog-less. I love this site and I hope to grow my followers and readers, thus I will also add one “random” thing in each MM post. Something like an awesome new recipe I tried, or great news, or a good movie I saw (I never go to the movies, so don’t count on that!).

I am hoping that my Monday blogs are something other bloggers may want to join in on, too! I truly want to give a light start to everyone’s week, while offering up some information about something people don’t know a lot about: Dwarfism.

If you have a child or family member you want to spread the word about, or some facts and information the public needs to know, I ask you, fellow bloggers, to share! Anything from autism to dementia, a charity you think needs a shout-out or a dog that needs rescuing. The young, old and everyone in between.

I hope everyone is having a Marvelous Monday! First post next week… and I already have a topic in mind!

If you have a question about dwarfism or Addie, please post in the comments or on Addie’s Facebook page. I will be answering weekly in my MM posts.

Please… keep sharing:

I am still not in contact with Gedney Foods, but have no fear. I have BIG plans for this project :)

Addie is thankful for snowsuits!

Addie is thankful for snowsuits!

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