Thank You Monteleone's Ristorante!!!!

The girls and I just had the pleasure of attending the 1st Annual Monteleone's Fundraiser in honor of Juliana. Let me tell you how serious El Paso is about finding a cure for Rett Syndrome. We were absolutely floored by the support in this community. We didn't meet a single stranger that day. Everyone that came, came with a heart full of hope and belief that one day we will find a cure. We were genuinely touched by all the people that helped put this together. Some helped by way of selling tickets, others donated prizes or goods, and others donated their time to work. Here are just a few of the many people it took to put this special day together. We cannot express enough gratitude for your hope & love for Juliana and will be forever grateful to everyone who helped make this day possible. When we find a cure, please know it will be because of each and everyone of you that walked this journey with us hand and hand! We love you all & GO GIRL POWER!

Olivia Graduates from Swim School!

This is just another quick video of Olivia's last class. As only my luck would have it, shortly after I took this short video, my camera ran out of memory so this was it. Luckily Uncle Ray was there again and took some shots from his phone. I will post more when he sends them. This video may not seem that interesting, but please keep in mind that she is wearing 2 swim diapers, one regular diaper, sweat pants, long sleeved shirt, light jacket, socks and tennis shoes. My girl is amazing!

Livi's Swimming Lessons!!!!

So happy to report that Olivia is almost finished with swimming lessons. Don't get me wrong, we loved the lessons, but hated the drive. It was about 50 miles round trip for us. That is a lot for someone that hates driving. But having said all of that, check out my baby girl! The course we took is called Infant Swim Resource (google it - it's amazing) and basically they focus on survival versus strokes so that in the event that she ever accidentally fell in, she would have skills to save herself. So in order to complete the course you have to be able to perform these skills fully clothed. The video below shows her floating wearing, a swim diaper, a regular diaper, clothes, socks and tennis shoes.



Tomorrow we have to have winter dress. I will try to get video tomorrow since it is our last day!

The Problem with Film Cameras . . .

The problem with film cameras is that it takes me forever to actually take the film to get developed and then another eternity to go pick up the film once it's ready. But thank goodness, these pictures were worth the wait. We bought a disposable waterproof camera in the beginning of June because we were going to our friend Kolton's birthday party at Bedford Splash. Although it was pretty hot, my girls had a blast!

Here is Juliana sporting her new Minnie Mouse swim suit that Aunt Gale found her!

Here I am with Amy and the watermelon monster. I swear, I think she could live on watermelon if we let her!

Here is Livi with our friend Lindsay. She looks adorable with her little baby bump. I think Livi was trying to butter up her future mother-in-law!

Here is Livi working on her tan

Juliana decided she needed some color too! Good thing they are wearing their shades!

Her future's so bright . . . She has to wear shades!

She needed to cool off!

Us too!

One of just a few "Family Photos"

Awwww. Aren't they cute!

I think it's nap time.

It's DEMI LOVATO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes - my friends, it is Demi Lovato! Our good friends Micki & Gabbi (who are on the Dream Team) actually got to meet her. And wait, it gets better, they were smart enough to give to Demi, the Official Team Juliana - Girl Power 2 Cure T-Shirt as well as Juliana's card. Demi actually said that Juliana was adorable!!!! We love you Demi! Hey - Demi would be an awesome performer for our big fundraiser . . . What do you say, Demi? Maybe our shirt will make a guest appearance on her Disney show Sonny with a Chance or maybe at one of her upcoming concerts!!!!!

Go Team!!!!

My Little Catholic Olivia

Funny thing - so we are swimming tonight and Olivia is playing by the steps which is right near the jacuzzi. I notice she is dipping her finger in the jacuzzi and sort of wiping it on her forehead. It takes me a few times to realize that she thinks the jacuzzi is like the fountain of holy water at church and she is making her best attempt to make the sign of the cross on her forehead. Got to love that kid!

Swimming!

Nothing says summer like a nice evening swim. Melissa, David and Kayla came to visit for the week. They were a huge help after Juliana's surgery. Here we are all in the pool.

And here is Daddy and our little mermaid. I swear she is always so happy in the water!

And here is a video of Olivia swimming. As you can see, the lessons are paying off!

Juliana's Dream Team - Part II

Just wanted to introduce a few more members of the Juliana Dream Team.

Serving the Austin Area . . . . MICKI HILL!!!!!!!!!!

Serving the El Paso Area . . . OPI & OMI!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also serving the El Paso Area. . . Laura & Gary Monteleone! And let me tell you the El Paso crew is already off to an amazing start. Stay tuned to hear what all they are planning!

Time with Omi & Opi

While Omi & Opi were in town we got to go see the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium! It is amazing! Here is a picture in one of the sky boxes. I think Opi could get used to this.

We actually got to see them laying down the first strip of AstroTurf.

Here is Omi and Olivia in the locker rooms. Calm down girls there are no players in there today!

Here are my happy girls at the stadium. Who knew they loved those cowboys so much.

4th of July - Finally!!!

Let's just say this Fourth of July was H-O-T!!!! This is us at the Irving Parade. It was a blast. Of course Opi and Auntie Laura didn't make it for the parade. I guess it was a bit too early for them. Here is Omi and Gary!

And here is the rest of the Parade Crew!

And here is a beautiful picture of Aunt Linda with her best parade face!

Here is Livi directing the marching band that was passing by. I think she's a natural.

I think Juliana also enjoyed the music!

Here is Uncle Gary wearing the "women's" shirt that we got by mistake. Sorry Uncle Gary.

So while everyone was here we got into a nasty habit of going for ice cream or frozen custard every night. For some reason my clothes are feeling tight. Anyway, Juliana LOVED it and LOVED every second she spent with her Auntie Laura and Uncle Gary. She adores them, I just wish they lived closer. By the way, did you notice that she looks more like her Auntie Laura than she does Roger or I? I think we should start calling her "Mini Laura".

So we wanted to take a picture of Olivia with her God parents the way Juliana did with hers, but Olivia didn't like that idea. Here is Ray doing his best Olivia impersonation.

Aunt Julie didn't have any luck either.

And to end the evening, here is a video of Juliana and her wonderful giggle!

On our way to pick up McDonalds with a fairly happy and very sleepy Juliana. Thanks for everyone's prayers!

We are now in observation. She's doing well so far.

Juliana is out of surgery. Just spoke to the Dr. and everything went well. Waiting to see her now.

Just got taken back. She was really calm and relaxed. Dr. said procedure would only take about 30 - 40 min. I'll update you as soon as we see her

Still waiting. She had a pretty major melt down but she is in really cute baby scrubs now and they just gave her something to calm her down a bit and she is out

So we just checked in at Children's hospital in Dallas for Juliana's eye surgery. Wish us luck for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

Best Day Yet!

I have to say, I believe this was the best day we've had all summer! It was not a special day, and nothing really eventful happened, but the day was just "easy". When I say "easy" I mean, everything went as planned and no surprises. Olivia had a great day at swim lessons. Juliana had a great therapy session this morning and she ate like a champ today. Both girls were in an exceptionally good mood all day. Olivia made me laugh for a better part of the day. We had a blast at Chuck E. Cheese. And the best part of all is that Juliana took a ONE HOUR NAP today! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard correctly ONE HOUR!!!! She has not been napping at all this summer unless we were in the car, so this was a real treat. It's days like these that make me LOVE being at home with my two little ladies. So after such a great day, we decided that we all deserved some frozen custard, so you guessed it, we went to Freddy's again where we met up with Gale & Amy and we laughed like I hadn't laughed in a really long time. I missed them while they were in Arkansas!

Anyway, enjoy the pictures from Chuck E. Cheese!


I think this is the best pizza she had ever tasted!


Olivia loved it too!



This is our friend Gabbi - I guess it was amazing pizza!



Here is Livi driving Miss Juliana!



She's always a little leery of Barney


I guess she decided he was ok!

She had never met Bob before!

Let's just say she was a little smitten with Bob.

Olivia was going to have a talk with Bob before she would let Juliana date him! She's always looking out for her sissy.

This was their ride in the General Lee!

Ride 'em Cow Girls!