iFratelli's Give Back Night

Dough Nation Night Totally Rocked!  First of all we LOVE iFratelli's - second so many people came out to support our team!

 It was so cool to walk into the restaurant and see Linda, Micki, Jamie Mays and her family, Barbara and Ray Vick, Julie Garcia and Julia Landry.  The girls were especially excited to see Mrs. West.  She was their first care giver up until a year ago for Livi and they will always hold a special place in their hearts for her.  Look at Juliana's smile with her!

Adventure at North Park Mall

Headed out to North Park for new lenses in Juliana's glasses.  We love the mall.  Here is Juliana at the Disney Store.  Her favorite store.  She really wanted Lamby - from Doc McStuffins.  I decided against it since I'm pretty sure we have at least 20,000 stuffed animals. But that was a pretty compelling face.

 Here was Liv amongst the tropical plants at the mall.  She told me she was in a jungle!

 And this is where Olivia prefers to shop - NOT!

Time for a Change

So, here's the thing. Juliana has a very hard time staying awake through out a day.  Part of that is due to the fact that she takes a large amount of seizure meds that do cause drowsiness and the other part is simply put she has Rett Syndrome; and everything she does requires so much work that even the most menial of tasks for her takes so much.  So much physically and so much mentally.  So, what do you do?  Well, initially we tried Ritalin, but this is what it did to my girl.

 And for those that know my girl, this is not her!  She is the most mellow, happy-go-lucky kind of girl.  The girl in this picture is a very agitated, impatient and sad girl. 

So we said goodbye to Ritalin and hello to a new type of drug (Thank you so much Dr. Djukic).  And I am so happy to say that our girl is back! It's so sad to say that I hadn't realized that Juliana stopped laughing the whole time she was on Ritalin.  The momement I heard that contagious giggle come out of her I realized just how long it had been since we heard it.  I missed her so much and I am so glad to have my giggle box back.  She is still struggling with staying awake all day at school, but I'll take a giggles anytime over grouchy girl.  The rest we will figure out.

Olivia being Olivia

These glasses came on a Minnie Mouse doll that Juliana got for her birthday, but Olivia decided they looked better on her.  She called them her spy glasses.  Ok.

 

Juliana's Real Birthday

Happy Birthday to my dear sweet Juliana.  You have grown into quite an amazing little girl.  You continue to teach and inspire everyone who you meet.  May God keep you safe and healthy, and keep that light in you so strong.  We love you!

 We let Juliana choose where she wanted to go to dinner, because if you read the previous post the girl did not want a big party.  So she chose Chili's

In attendance at this fancy shin-dig were Aunt Linda, Mickey, Claudia, Ashley, Liv and us.  Here she is getting spoiled by everyone, AGAIN!

 She is really into babies these days so she was thrilled that both Ashley & Linda gave her babies this year.

Livi is Self Sufficient

Yup, you heard it correctly.  She is four and completely self sufficient.  She asked, "Can I make my own sandwich." To which I answered, "Why certainly!".  And she did it.  One open faced sandwich complete with turkey, mayo and cheese and cherry tomatoes on the side.  She even got herself a glass of water!  Watch out I may have her cook Thanksgiving dinner this year!

Juliana's Birthday - Babes Style

So, we aren't the sharpest tools in the shed.  It only took of 5 years of Juliana throwing up on her birthday to finally ask the question, "Do you want a birthday party with 50 plus people in attendance?"  Her answer was a very clear NO!  I asked her if she wanted birthday cake, to which she answered - YES! and then I asked if she wanted presents to which she answered - YES!  So, if you didn't get an invitation this year, it wasn't because you were left off the list.  It was because we were honoring what Juliana asked for, which was a low key party with just a few people, cake and gifts.  So since the El Paso Family was in town we decided to go Babe's Style.  Babe's is a Chicken Farm that serves the freshest and best chicken ever!  And if it's your birthday you get to put this disgusting old worn-by-a-million-people hat!

 And since Daddy's had just passed we decided he could also take a picture.

 And since Opi's had also just passed we thought. . . . . . well Opi didn't agree.

 And it wasn't Gabbi's birthday, I just figured since she was starting high school it would make a good black mail photo



 Then we headed home for the presents part

 Auntie Laura got her a cute new purse with lip gloss inside and crayons and a coloring book.

 And a cool Mickey Mouse shirt!  He never gets old!

 And Omi got her the cutest Hello Kitty jogging suit.