Video of the Stander

Read the post below for details and pictures. Here's a video of Zach in his stander:

…And He’s Off!

Zachary’s stander came today.  He looks so stinkin’ cute in it.  It’s such a tiny thing, especially compared to the one we’ve been using.  Even though it took a few times adjusting everything (thanks to his therapist), he seemed to really like it and caught on really quickly that he can actually move around in this thing.  It will still take a lot of practice to learn how to really go, but we’re all excited.

Jaiden was so cute when they brought it.  He wheeled it all over the house and wanted to write Zach’s name on it and when Zach woke up from his nap, Jaiden took it in to show him.  He calls it his wheelbarrow.  Jaiden is really good about taking care of Zach and helping him and it was so cute to see him as he showed Zach his “wheelbarrow.”

Cupcakes and more cupcakes

I love fall. But it is really bad because it really puts me in a baking mood. So, I bake and bake and bake.... it's a good thing we have neighbors to share with! Both of these recipes are from Wendy Paul's book, 101 Gourmet Cupcakes in 10 Minutes.

These are the Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes. I didn't have strawberries so I used rasberries instead. Super super yummy. Everyone loved them. I gave some to my neighbors and sent some to work with Carlos. And what to do with the little bits of cupcake leftover from scooping out the middle?...

Make Trifle!

We had a Halloween food night for Relief Society and so I made the Harvest Pumpkin Cupcakes but baked them in my mini bundt pan (LOVE IT) and then stuck two together to form a pumpkin. I tinted the cream cheese frosting orange and thinned it a little so I could pour it over the pumpkins. I used a green candy slice cut in half for the stem. I also sprinkled orange glitter sprinkles on top. I thought they turned out cute and they tasted good too! There were a lot of cute ideas that people brought.

Nobody Doesn't Like Sara Lee

I could have sworn that whenever they sing the little jingle at the end of a Sara Lee commercial, that they say "Nobody does it like Sara Lee." That's what I have always believed. But today, as a parked at Orson Gygi and looked across the street, the building there said "Nobody doesn't like Sara Lee." I stand corrected!

Check out these retro commercials and see what you think, just when they say that specific phrase. And get a laugh in the process!

Thanks, Aubrey, for the Inspiration

For some reason, it had never occurred to me that I could bag just a little bit of corn.  I always thought that I had to have at least a small mountain of the stuff before I could do that.  So thanks for helping me to see the stupidity of my ways! 

I got about 35 ears of corn for $.10/each and got some bagged.  It didn’t come out as creamy as a like but still tastes really good.  And of course, I had to get pictures.

Here are some of the finished bags.  And the pictures prove I did it!  Yay for me!

Conference Naps

I guess Austin was pretty tired during the Saturday afternoon session of Conference!

I moved him to the couch and this is how he ended up.

Zach wasn’t interested in napping in his crib but couldn’t hold out either.

The rest of us got our winks in too, but didn’t get caught on camera! 

Conference was great though and the messages were, as always, so timely, needed and inspiring.  I loved it.

My baby gained a pound in a matter of minutes.

We went to get something important yesterday.  Zach’s first set of braces.  They had taken the molds in September and we went to get them fitted and pick them up.  He also got a snazzy new pair of sneakers to wear with them.  They are made for braces, with more room inside.  When I picked him up after they were all on, he seemed much heavier. 

Okay, weighing everything later, it was only but  I think that I’m not used to much weight on his feet and it just feels different!

Here’s they are!

And the cute boy!

Spina Bifida Awareness Month

Breast Cancer is such a big thing that affects so many people and, having worked with screening for and helping women with breast cancer, I know that it is something that needs awareness and a cure needs to be found. So much media and attention is focused on Breast Cancer Awareness Month that most of us have (or had) any idea that this is also Spina Bifida Awareness Month. I never knew until last year.

I am copying this from another blog of a family with a baby with Spina Bifida. It's a good summary of what SB is. If you want more information, these are a couple of good sites:

http://www.cdc.gov/features/spinabifida/

http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2642323/k.8E10/Spina_Bifida.htm

You can also visit Zachary's Blog for more links, just look at the sidebar.

"An average of 8 babies every day are born with Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. There are over 60 million women in the U.S. who could become pregnant and each one is at risk of having a baby born with Spina Bifida."

"Spina bifida is a major birth defect of a baby's spine. It is one of the most common, permanently disabling birth defects in the United States. Spina bifida occurs within the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. It happens when the spine and back bones do not close all the way. When this happens, the spinal cord and back bones do not form as they should. A sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby's back. Much of the time, part of the spinal cord is in this sac and it is damaged.

Most children born with spina bifida live full lives, though they often have lifelong disabilities and need many surgeries. Some of the problems that a person born with spina bifida might face include:

• Not being able to move lower parts of their body. (Some might need to use crutches, braces, or wheelchairs to get around.)

• Loss of bowel and bladder control. (Some might wear protective clothing. Others learn new ways to empty their bladders and bowels.)

• Fluid building up and putting pressure on the brain (hydrocephalus), which needs to be fixed with an operation.

• Allergy to latex (a created material found in some rubber-type products such as balloons or hospital gloves).

All children born with spina bifida don't have the same needs. Some children have problems that are much more severe than others. Even so, with the right care, most of these children will grow up to lead full and productive lives.Learn what spina bifida is, how it can be prevented, and where to find resources for those affected."

Zach is doing great and we are so glad that he is part of our family. Here he is, Flying High!