First Roller Coaster

Yesterday (1/28/2012) Samuel went on his first ever roller coaster ride!  Here are a couple short videos of him on the coaster (He is sitting by David who is wearing a bright orange shirt), and the third video is a brief interview of Samuel's thoughts on his first roller coaster experience!



And here are some still photos

Waiting in the line for the roller coaster

Getting in - very excited and a little nervous!

We Need Help UPDATED

I don't know if any other statement is harder for me to say then, "I need help" and honestly if it didn't impact Samuel I would likely not ask.  But the fact that it does impact Samuel so much almost breaks my heart more because admiting that we need help to get him what he needs makes me feel a bit more like I am failing him.  I mean, he is my son so I feel it is my responsibility to get him what he needs, and admitting that I need help is humbling, to say the least. 
So, I am putting this out there for those who would like to help.

Most people are aware that Samuel was born with imperforate anus.  He has had several surgeries and he is doing very well.  He is a very happy and healthy little boy  He is growing quickly and amazes me every day with what he knows.  Since the moment he was born we have prayed that he would have the muscle needed to control his bowels. 
We have been surrounded by excellent medical providers and I found a group on Facebook that has helped me tremendously because of the knowledge shared by parents of other children with similar issues.  It is on the Facebook group that I learned of a treatment program at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital.  This program would be able to teach us and Samuel how to keep him clean and dry, and hopefully avoid any further surgery.  Because we would need to be in Cincinnati for over a week for the program I had tentatively planned to wait until the Summer of 2012 to get Samuel in.  However, at that same time there were budget cuts with my employer and it was decided that our insurance would change.  This means that as of January 1, 2012, this program would no longer be covered by my insurance.  I called the program and asked if there is any way we could get in by the end of the year and they have been excellent.  They worked us in to the December program! However, this means that I don't have 6 months to save and that is why we need help (plus, there is a huge disparity in temperatures between here and there in December!).  Although we don't have to pay hospital bills, we will still have many things that we need so that we can attend.

What we need:
(This is a list for me because when I see what I need to get it helps me to know what I need to be looking for on sale)

• 2 Airline Tickets to Cincinnati  (12/6-12/18) (Purchased)
• Hotel Accommodations  (12/6-12/18)  (In Process)
• Meals while in Cincinnati ....So many people have responded!
• Rental Car (12/6-12/18) ....This will also be covered, Thank you!
• Winter Coat for Samuel Yes!
• Winter Hat for Samuel   Yup, someone has one of those too!
• Winter gloves for Samuel  Yes!
• Long pants for Samuel (3T)  Yes!
• Long sleeved shirts for Samuel (3T)  Yes!
• Boots for Samuel (US Size 9 1/2)  Someone even had these!
• Prayers   Many, many people have answered our prayers.  Thank you so much!

So, if you are aware of anyone that may be able to help with the above or if you hear of any sales, please let me know!  I do have confidence that everything will work out.  I know that it is the right decision to go to this program and that it will bless Samuel's life.  Here is the website that explains the program better http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/colorectal/treatments/bowel-management/ .

November 10, 2011 Update
So, I was hoping for coupon codes and perhaps pointers on what companies were having good sales, and what happened far exceeded everything I could have hoped for.  My post on the blog had been up for maybe a minute, and so many people have said they wanted to help.  Within 24 hours, so many friends and family members had come forward wanting to help.  Now, only 3 days after the post, I am so overwhelmed with the love and kindness that you have all shown.  My hopes were surpassed in so many ways.  Thank you! 

And stay tuned, I will try to update the blog regularly with Samuel's progress! 

Standing Guard

A few weeks ago Samuel declared that there wa a monster under his bed.  I was tired, and I really just wanted to go to sleep.  But, anyone who has tried to convince a 3 year old that things are not as he thinks they are, knows that you could be in for a loooong conversation.  So, I peeked under Samuel's bed and had a chat with the monster.  I told the monster that even though he is a very friendly monster, he is not allowed to sleep under Samuel's bed.  No, he could not stay there, but he may sleep under my bed. 
To make sure that the monster didn't sneak back into Samuel's room and under his bed, we placed Winnie the Pooh under Samuel's bed to stand guard. 
Winnie the Pooh has been a great guard and the friendly monster has not been back under Samuel's bed.  Well, at least he hadn't been back, until tonight.  Samuel declared that the monster was again under his bed.  I checked with Winnie the Pooh and he confirmed that the monster had in fact tried to get back under Samuel's bed.   But, Pooh assured me that he was firm and made the monster leave immediately.  I am so grateful for Pooh.  Such a good little helper. 
Of course Samuel chuckles and thinks it is great when I converse with the monster and with Pooh.  We have fun together, the monster, Pooh, Samuel and I, and I really hope that these times will last for a long time and our memories of these times will last forever!

Free Museum Day

The museum we chose to go to last weekend was a children's museum in Lakeland. Samuel had a great time playing in the orange grove, fire truck, boat, and Publix grocery store!

I'm a GENIUS!

So yesterday Samuel and I stayed home.  We decided to have a lunch date and went to Samuel's favorite place, McDonalds!  We sat down and Samuel was trying to open his chocolate milk, but couldn't get it.  So I opened it and poured it in the cup for him.  At that moment Samuel looked at me in awe and said, "You're a genius."   I love me little guy!

Laundry

Sunday is our laundry day.  David does the bulk of our laundry and Samuel just loves to help! He is a good little helper!

Adventureland

Well, I didn't get a lot of pictures of Adventureland but I did remember to get out my camera when Samuel was riding a few rides.  He had a ball that day at the water park and I wish that I would have remember to take pictures of that too... oh well, at least I have the memory.

Hollywood Studios

We went to Hollywood studios with our good friends and we got to meet Phineas and Ferb....we will say that it was for Samuel that we waited in the line, but trully I think that David was the one who really wanted to meet them.  Honestly, our whole family enjoys the show!

We also met Buzz and Woody.  The line has really cute props for photos...if only my camera hadn't been acting up.  It wasn't taking pictures very well and it wasn't until the end of the like that I figured out that the setting had been changed to a night time/firework setting and that is why pictures weren't looking good.  Oh well, the pictures may be blurry, but I will still share :)

 

4th of July

For the Fourth of July we went to Busch Gardens.  We played at the splash pad, went on the train and so animals, and watched the fireworks.  It was a great day!