.............................Wrap up of 2009

What a year its been. I for one am glad 2009 is over with and 2010 is beginning. Just like many every year I make a resolution to lose weight and never do it, so this year I am looking at things differently. I am hoping this year brings family together even more than ever. There have been some major changes in all of our lives this year and it just makes you realize family is what you need. Everything else is materialistic.

2009 in review:

January- Marissa tried out for the girls basketball team and made it. We where very proud of her.

February-Was a very tough month. We spent almost 2 weeks in Boston for Zachary's surgery on his leg.


March- Zach was still recovering, and Marissa finished up basketball not doing to bad I must say for her first time.

April- Zach finally got out of his body cast, Marissa found out she made the National Junior Honor Society Friends & family also helped put on a benefit to help support us for the medical bills from this huge surgery Zachary underwent in February. Thank you everyone that came out to support us. It was truly amazing the amount of people there (we actually ran out of food). Zachary enjoyed his day with his special visitor Abner from the Auburn Doubledays.

May- Zachary's 6th bday, Marissa made the school softball team and had her 10th yr dance recital and got a award for it. Out of the 10 yrs she had been dancing the most important year to her so far we had a costume malfunction and thats all she talks about to this day. Part of her 1/2 skirt came unpinned during her dance, but she kept on dancing like nothing ever happened.


June- Zachary had his Kindergarden graduation & walking with a walker for the first time since February, Marissa started summer softball league, and finished the school year with a 95 average. She worked very hard to achieve that and was rewarded pretty well (see August)

July- Marissa's 13th bday, we had a dance party for her, she went camping with Nonnie Judi for 1 week, Zach is still recovering and going to therapy 2-3 times a week. He is atleast walking with his walker more and more and not getting as tired. Doubledays baseball is in full swing

August- What a month this was. Marissa went to LasVegas to visit Uncle Tony & Gracie for 2 weeks (that was her reward for the 95 average). Yes 13 and in Vegas for 2 weeks. She had the time of her life and can't wait to go back. While she was in Vegas Rob, Zachary & I went to Niagara Falls (my first time ever) and then up to Toronto to watch the Blue Jays vs Yankees. A friend of ours B.C. plays for them and treated us to the games we saw and got us field passes. Yes we went on the field and met alot of the Yankees along with the Blue Jays. Derek Jeter even gave Zachary his bat. We also had a appointment in Boston and Dr. Spencer told us Zachary is doing very well and he can stop using the walker as tolerated. Zachary was very happy with that and hasn't used it since. We don't have to go back until the spring now for his check up.


September- Well before the kids went back to school we went to Toronto again to watch them play the Yankees again. (Thanks again B.C) This time we didn't get to go on the field but we got to bring Marissa & Nonnie Judi and met some good friends there (Josh, Julie & Shawn). While at the game we ran into a former Doubledays players father and he recognized Zachary after a couple years (how could you forget our Zachary?) After we spent 3 days in Toronto we stopped in Niagara Falls for the night and walked around with the kids. Then back to school it was. As school started up so didn't everything else, Soccer and Dance for Marissa. Zachary is in 1st grade while Marissa is in 8th. At the end of the Month Zachary & I went to Disney for a week. This was a trip for Zachary for being brave and strong for everything he had gone through the months prior. Thanks to a special friend who made this trip happen, without her generous support I wouldn't of been able to see such big smiles on my little guys face for a week.

October- Just a regular month nothing real exciting happening for this month. Zachary started swim lessons for a extra therapy since he only goes to Therapy 1x a week now. We did put our house on the Market in hopes to sell it so we can get a bigger house. We do have a couple houses in mind but can't do anything till this one sells.

November- The month of thanks. We spent alot of time together and had a very nice Thanksgiving. We only had to travel to Nonnie Judi's so that wasn't bad. I of course did my annual all nighter. Was up around 8am on Thanksgiving, then didn't go to bed until 9pm on Friday night. Yep I am one of those crazy people out shopping all night for the black friday rush. We always start at the outlet mall in Waterloo, then this year we went to Ithaca by 4am for all the sales there. Boy does my sister and I have some stories about this years adventures. (Thanks Dick-which is my Tom-Tom LOL)

December- I started school back up, we had a great Christmas Holiday and the kids where very happy. We did cut back alot this year, but the kids didn't seem to mind. We haven't had that much snow so they are kinding bumming since we usually go sledding over Christmas break.

So other than that the usual stuff went on. But those are the highlights and I sure hope I didn't forget anything or anyone. If I did I am sorry and will try better next year. LOL

............................Wordless Wednesday

.............................Wordless Wednesday

..............................Update

Sorry I have been away, but I have been very busy trying to get my Christmas shopping done early, everything is wrapped so far, and having showings of the house since its on the market. I really hate selling/buying a house but we really need something bigger.

Anyway, nothing is new in the medical aspect. We are just awaiting for Zachary test date for his MRI & EEG. The medicine seems to be not working as good as it was (he has built up his tolerance level and its weakening now) but if we give him more MG of the medicine it them really snows him and we refuse to have him like a Zombie all the time. So hopefully the test will show something and maybe they will have to change his medicine and go from there.

This past week was awful busy with Marissa. She made her Confirmation on Tuesday night. I will have pictures to come once I get them downloaded. Then on Wednesday she had rehearsal for her Christmas dance show and the show was on Thursday while Zach & I went to the Craig Morgan concert at Turning Stone Casino. I felt so bad because it was the first dance thing I have missed in 11 years, but had purchased the concert tickets in September before we knew about the dance recital. Anyway Nonnie, Daddy & Aunt Bev went while Papa Tony played Santa. She had lots of support there for her. Thank god for video!!!!!

I start back at school on the 26th. So times will be very hectic around here until we all get back into that routine again. So all in all we are all healthy and doing well. Just waiting for some snow to fall. Not a lot but just enough to really make it feel like Christmas.

................Wordless Wednesday

........................Latest Dr. Reports

Last week was very busy for us with Dr. Appointments. On Wednesday 12/4 we took Zachary to the Neuro Dr. in Rochester. Dr. Laurie Zwetsch. Laurie was truly amazing and I was nerveous myself going in there. Zach was ok until they called him and did his initial assessment. BP 136/99. Slightly high (can you say anxiety) for a little guy. Well once we got in the room with Laurie Zach was trying to cover up his anxiety by being cute and funny but she could see right through him she said. The apt. went on with many questions and 2 1/2 hrs later we walked out of there with some answers for his headaches.

1. They are referring to them as ice pick migraines
2. They think he is having seizures but not the body motion part. Just the part in the brain. (So overwhelming I forgot the name of them. I will look into it again)
3. They are putting him on medicine to help with anxiety/headaches hopefully it will help
4. Ordered another MRI with contrast so he has to be sedated (Again, and i am not to happy about this. The poor kid is constantly getting put asleep for all these tests and I worry its not good for him)
5. EEG is ordered
6. Appointment to see a Dr. Ran Ambar. I guess this Dr. teaches kids how to deal with their anxiety, fears, pain and so forth. We are going to give him a try and see if we can do something naturally for Zach so he doesn't have to be on meds for a long time.

As the tests are done and we learn more I will post to keep you all updated.

On Friday, Zachary had his eye appointment. To say the least that didn't go to well for "Mom". Zachary was awesome (I think the medicine is working on the anxiety side) he did all his test for Dr. Noel and was just great. Well come to find out his left eye has gotten worse so we have to get new glasses AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I just bought him new glasses in June so "Mom" was not very happy. We have no vision ins. since Robs work doesn't carry it. Also on top of getting new glasses again Zachary has to wear a patch on his Right eye for 4 hrs a day again every day. He was not happy over hearing that. I don't blame him because he can't hardly see out of his Left eye so they are covering the Right (good one) and pretty much leaving him blind. Ok he isn't blind but everything is very fuzzy to him in the left eye. They are going to give him 2 months and see if it helps and if not we go back and they decide from there what to do.

So since all of that, Zachary has only had a few headaches and nothing compared to what he was having before. The couple he has had recently have been very minor and easy to deal with. Thank God. Something is working for our boy. As for wearing the patch, Monday was a hard day because he thought everyone was going to laugh at him so he didn't want to go to school let alone wear the patch. The day went well and no one laughed at him. (Why do little kids have to worry about such a little issue? People need to teach their children to be nice more often)

I will take a few pics and post later of Zachary & His patch. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers for answers from the tests once they are scheduled.

...........................Halloween

Me & my nephew Carter. He is so stinking cute

Zachary & Carter

Zachary out trick or treating as a race car driver

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Another year down of Halloween festivities. This year Marissa went trick or treating with her friends and for once didn't bring her camera to take pictures of herself. So with that said I have no pictures of her :(

Zachary had a party in school and also went trick or treating. He didn't want to go with my mom at the nursing home or to the YMCA Halloween party. So on Halloween night we headed over to Nonnie Judi's house and after about 1/2 block he was done. He is not a big walker or person to talk to strangers so Halloween is not his thing. I may sound like a scrooge, but honestly I would rather take the kids to the store and buy them what they really like but for the fun we have to experience atleast friends and family for trick or treating. The pictures are from the holiday festivities.

....................More Savings

OK I think I may need some help. I am admitting----I am addicted to saving money right now!!!!!

I know its not a bad thing, but I stalk the computer like there is no tomorrow looking for great coupons. Today I had some extra time so I headed over to Skaneateles to CVS & PC. We don't have either here in Auburn so after you see my bargains you will understand how the 10 min drive (8 miles) was well worth the trip.

CVS:

SOBE Life water 2/1.69 had a .25 coupon making the product 1.44 for 2
SOBE Life water 2/1.69 had a .25 coupon

Glade sense & spray 5.00 had a 4.00 coupon making product 1.00

Glade reed diffuser 6.99 minus 6.99 in ECB for next store purchase and I had a 3.00 coupon so I actually made 3.00 on this deal

Neosporin Lip therapy on sale for 2.89 I had a 3.00 coupon so product was free
Neosporin Lip therapy on sale for 2.89 I had a 3.00 coupon so product was free

Schick razors (don't know about you but i refuse to pay for razors so if they shave they are good. LOL) I head right to the travel section and pick up a pack of 2 schick razors for 1.29 and have a 2.00 off any schick razor so guess what FREE!!!!!!! I did this for 3 packs that gives me 6 razors (your typical pack size of regular package) for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

then I got some Halloween candy (4 packs) 2/5.00 total of 10.00 I had a coupon buy 3 bags get 4th free (8.50 now) and then I had a 5.00 coupon from taking a CVS survey on the computer so I got 3 bags of candy for 3.50. Trick or treaters are going to love our house this year. I got the good stuff. LOL

So my grand total for all of that was 9.08 plus tax which brings it to 11.38 and I got a 6.99 ECB to use on my next trip. So all in all my total out of pocket could be figured at $4.39.

Glad I trecked over there for these wonderful bargains.

..............saving some $$$

I have been very busy these last few weeks collecting my coupons to get a nice stash growing. I have found a couple websites where these wonderful ladies pretty much list out the sale ads and what coupons to use and where to get them if you don't have them. I can give you an example of some awesome deals I got this week by clipping some coupons and reading a blog:

Walgreens:

3 bottles of Triaminic @ 4.99 each (14.97) - $8.00 instant store rebate=$6.97 -3.50 (coupon from 10/18 ad off of 2 bottles of Triamini) and -1.50 (coupon from 10/18 ad off of 1 bottle)= GRAND TOTAL 2.47 for 3 bottle of Triaminic

Zantac 8.99 - 8.99 (instant store rebate)-1.00 (coupon from 10/18) = GRAND TOTAL +1.00 (Yep I made money on that one)

Oral B toothbrushes on sale 2/6.00 - 3.00 (instant rebate)- 1.00 (I used 1.00 coupons) = GRAND TOTAL $1.00 for 2 toothbrushes.

Just a couple examples of my purchases. I will be making more when I go to CVS later this week. My big bargain at CVS will be Halloween candy. I will be getting bags of candy for less than $1.00 each when most stores have it for 1.99-2.50 a bag. Trick or Treaters will love my house this year.

So jump over to www.wickedcooldeals.com or moneysavingmom.com

.......................House is on the Market

Yup...we finally did it. We have been looking on and off for some time now for a bigger house and nothing has really hit us like a house we found on Sunday. What a great day that was.

We have our eyes on a house that is double in size of our current house and in a great location. We are praying things go our way and we sell our house and they accept our offer for this new house. We can't put a offer in quite yet though. We need to have a offer on ours first so it looks good with the bank. This is a very exciting yet scary time for all of us.

SO if you could please think about us and hope & pray we can sell our house fairly quickly and then get accepted on the new house. That house is currently vacant and has been on the market since August so we don't have to jump on it the same day like we did for our current house. Our current house had like 5 offers all at once and that was just as nerve wracking as to who would be the lucky buyer. Great things do come to those that wait.

..................Progress

We are having great progress from Zachary these days. It starts out we started him in swim lessons (he knows how to swim but we thought a little aqua therapy would be great for him) and he is doing awesome in it with the kicking motion and bending of him knee more and more. He has been increasing his weights at therapy and doing more rep's of the exercises and has mastered the bear crawl as Dale calls it. Zachary is actually flying through that exercise now and just 2 weeks ago he struggled to do it about 10 ft.

Zachary has been dealing with headaches since August on a daily basis sometimes being so bad he is yelling his head is going to explode. Well I kept saying I think his back is out or something because I know I get them when mine is out. Well the peditrician said no thats not it, they ordered a MRI and it had no change so they ruled out the cysts bothering him. Well they started him on med which we thought was helping but after a few weeks the headaches where just as intense. Well after our Disney trip I insisted his PT check his back (he is a chiropractor also) so he did and realigned his back. He said it was a little out of wack so lets see how this works and we can readjust again if needed. Well we are entering week 3 of no headaches since that adjustment. I knew that was the issue just if people would listen to me sometimes I do know what I am talking about.

So all in all we have had a wonderful couple of weeks of progress in many areas. Thank you God

.............................Wordless Wednesday

.................................Back from Vacation

This is from the Safari at Animal Kingdom. The Giraffes where so close this time so I was clicking away because I love Giraffes.

Hello all. I know its been awhile but we where preparing for vacation, making sure school work was done before vacation and running like crazy with Marissa's schedule. We started the year off with soccer practice everyday after school and dance 2x a week. Well Marissa got asked to move into the teen class so that means longer dance on Tuesday (went from 6-7 to 6-830 now) and added Wednesday night also. So now 3 nights in a row of dance lessons. She is loving it so we can't complain.

September 23-29th Zachary & I went to DisneyWorld. We had a blast. We got to see lots of characters that we have never seen there, and the waits where very short for most things until the weekend came along then they jumped up big time. Luckily we had a guest assistance pass for Zachary so we got on everything almost immediately. They treat it as a fast pass for everything even character meet and greets. We also did the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. That was alot of fun. They close the park to only the people that bought tickets so crowds are alot less, they get to go trick or treating throughout the park and they have TONS of characters out with a really good parade. So here are a couple of pics from our vacation.

Zachary & his stash of candy from Trick or Treating in the Magic Kingdom

Zach & Lightning McQueen This and Handy Manny are all he wanted to see at Hollywood Studios.

...................First day of school for 2009-2010 school year

Yesterday was the first day of school for the kiddos. Zachary is going into 1st grade and Marissa is going into 8th grade. I can't believe 8th grade already. Before I know it she will be off to college. Both kids got up with out a problem and actually had a good 1st day - so they say. And to top it off I only had to buy 1 binder. Usually they come home with lists of new stuff they need that wasn't on their school supply list or the teacher changes their minds but not this year. Well hopefully it will be a great year for both.

......................MRI report

Well we got the report back on Zachary regarding his headaches and the dr says it shows no changes since the previous MRI in '05. It does say he has 2 subarachnoid cysts which will need to be followed. Dr is stumped as to why the headaches since no major changes. They started him on a medication to see if that helps and I thought oh my gos the first 3 days on it. He was miserable, falling asleep in the middle of the day, and the headaches seemed worse. He would grab his head and just yell his head was going to explode. Well he has been on it for 1 week now and we have been since friday without a headache. So that would be 3 days so far. Thank god because there was nothing I could do for him but give him tylonal & motrin and hope it would kick in. They are sending the MRI to Boston for the dr's to look at there and see what they think. So we are still up int he air.

................headaches

Zachary has been getting headaches for awhile now, and it has only gotten worse so I took him to the dr and they ordered him a MRI. I took him today for it so we should know more tom. I hope its nothing, but why the headaches? He wakes up in the middle of the night with them really bad that I have been giving him the stronger medicine which I don't like to do unless I have to.

So please say some prayers for us.

........................Wordless Wednesday

...........................Counting down

Zachary & I are counting down the days till our special trip to Disney in September. We are at 29 days and counting. Every morning Zachary wakes me up and tells me how many days are left. I think he is really getting excited now. We are going to be meeting some friends of ours and that just adds to the excitement.

Last week Zachary had abscessed tooth so I took him to the dentist and they referred us to the oral surgeon and he went in the next day and got his front top tooth pulled. He looks silly now since the other front tooth has moved crooked a little. The oral surgeon said his adult tooth still has to finish developing so it will be some time before his adult tooth comes in. Poor kiddo nothing can go easy for him. I can't believe he still hasn't lost a tooth on his own yet. He turned 6 in May, and most of his friends have lost atleast 1 if not 3-4 already. Oh well no sense in rushing it, it allows him to still look like a little boy. (Ha Ha)

School starts in about 2 weeks and neither child is looking forward to it. Marissa is entering 8th grade, and Zachary 1st. School shopping was quite a trip this year. Zachary has his own personality and taste of clothese. T-shirts & jeans if he had his own way. He tells me he won't wear polo shirts because they are "Fancy". Marissa on the other hand is a little picky but we can atleast reason with her. Shoes on the other hand no reasoning in that area. Otherwise all-in-all it was a ok day shopping.

..................Wordless Wednesday

.............................Awesome Appointment

Yesterday we went to Boston for another check up on Zachary from his surgery & to see a new specialist. Well it was just a awesome day all the way around. We got in early for all appointments so that meant we got on the road early and home at a decent hour. LOL

First appointment was a ultrasound on his back & hip regarding the bruise he keeps getting. Then we went to the specialist. Well they believe its from the rob hitting a vessel and breaking it open so then the blood absorbs into the surrounding tissues. Seeing Zachary is so active there is nothing they can do and until the rod goes down when he grows it will keep flairing up. Thank god it wasn't something more serious.

Our last appointment was with Dr. Spencer and she is VERY pleased with his progress. She said he will have the on and off pain for some time and especially when the weather changes. They are going to still watch the rod in the Tibia but as of right now nothing to be active on. She said he can go back to gym class and playing baseball all to his tolerance level. We have 1 very happy little boy right now. He also doesn't need the walker to walk with anymore.

Thanks all for the concerns and prayers for this recent appointment. Everything was answered and looks good for the future.

........................>Wordless Wednesday

.........................Its been awhile

"The man who made it all happen....>Brett Cecil"
Thanks Brett!!!

Zachary meeting Derek Jeter with Brett holding him.

Zachary & Jorge Posada

Me & my man crush...>Nick Swisher

1 Mesmorized little boy

Its been awhile since I posted, mainly because we haven't had much going on. Last week Marissa went to camp with the family and had a blast. She then came home for 1 1/2 days and flew off to Vegas for 2 weeks. I know people are like why are you letting her go that far by herself, well its a direct flight (we put her on the plane) and her uncle will be at the gate to get her off. After we saw her go up in the air Rob, Zachary & myself took off for Niagara Falls then onto to Toronto for a couple baseball games. We had the best time there and can't thank our special friend enough for the opportunity he gave our son.

Zachary will be finishing up his summer program in 2 weeks, and we are headed back to Boston next week for a check up and to see the new specialist for Zachary. I just finished pharmacology at the local community college and got a B+. I am so excited over that grade I can't even think about it without getting all excited again.