Practice makes perfect!

Patrick is riding a bike!!!!

Ok, it's a toddler bike, with training wheels... but, but, this is such a HUGE milestone! He had a small bike at home, and he just was never able to step on the pedals and ride. Instead, he would place his feet on the floor and sort of walk while sitting on the bike. I know many kids with Oculomotor Apraxia find riding a bike very challenging. We tried so many times to the point that I was sure he would be at least 7 years old before he was able to ride a bike.

Glad he proved me wrong!

The grandparents gave Patrick and Robbie a bike to each as birthday gifts (he turned 5). We visited them over Christmas and New Years, and while the kids were excited with their bikes, as soon as Patrick got on his bike, he began to "walk" with the bike. His dad, his grandpa, his grandma and myself tried teaching him how to use his feet to pedal but it was like he didn't have the coordination nor the strength to do it.

It was cold outside so everyday we went down to the basement to spend a few minutes practicing. I figured if we practiced 5 minutes every day he would get there sooner rather than later. It only took 4 days for him to do it! Then the weather warmed up enough for him to try his recently acquired skills in the backyard, and he was thrilled! I'm so proud of my little guy. When vacation was over and we came back home, we had a couple of not-so-cold days and he rode his bike around the block while we walked the dog. He is so proud of himself and enjoys doing it.

Can't wait for spring so he can ride it more, and maybe he can teach his little brother how to do it!

Practice, practice, practice. That's all it takes.

Happy New Year!

"This is Amazing!"

Patrick was adopting a destroyer mode lately. It was as if every toy or art supply was asking him to destroy it, or throw it, or make an absolute mess with it just for the sake of it. He also likes to make his brother upset all the time -on his defense, it's quite easy (and funny) to upset Robbie, so I feel like he doesn't do it to be mean, but he just simply enjoys it in a fun way. Whatever the reason, I had been raising my voice more than usual and getting upset at him too often that I thought we needed a break, in the form of a mommy/son fun time.

So we went to Six Flags.

I figured if we went during the week, it would be less crowded (toddlers aren't fond of waiting 20 minutes in line for a 1 minute ride) so I had him miss a school day and instead I took him on a date to Six Flags. If you know Patrick, you know he doesn't like heights and hates uneven and narrow paths. He can get panicky if he has to walk on a balance beam by himself, or at the edge of a sidewalk. You can see the scare in his eyes when we have attempted to put him on a bike. Even though he is almost 5, he is still really really careful when walking down the stairs or getting out of the car.

Knowing this, we used to think he would hate amusement parks, but before making that call, we let him try and judge for himself. We have made a commitment to not put limits on him just because of his health condition, so I think he had just learned to walk when we took him to a fair for first time. While he hated the carousel (he used to be scared of animals, specially fake animals) he loved the other rides. My husband and I were really amazed at how much he enjoyed his time at the fair, so we take him to fairs or amusement parks every now and then.

I took him last Fall to Six Flags but we couldn't get into too many things as it was more crowded and he was younger. This time, however, he was tall enough to get on some more intense rides (as intense as they can be for children) and those were his favorite ones! There was hardly anybody at the park so there was no waiting time, and we got to ride 2 or 3 times on his favorite ones. We got on about everything that was aimed for his age (luckily there were many rides) spending about 6 hours on a wonderful date.

This is the first time we go on these rides since his vocabulary improved enough to share his feelings. Like I said, I knew he liked these rides, but it was a whole other story to finally hear from him things like "this is amazing!" and "this feels good, mommy!"  while on the roller coasters.

I loved every second of it, even the time when we got stuck on a ride and I imagined ourselves on the local news while being rescued (it was fixed few minutes later without news or rescue team involved!) The great panoramic view from above allowed Patrick to see all the rides near to us, so instead of panicking, he began to point at the rides he wanted to ride next. "I want to ride that one!" "I want that one, too!" "Look, mommy! That one! Thaaaat one!" As he was doing this, I couldn't imagine a better person to be stuck on the ride with.

I loved every second of it, even the time when he cried and cried because he wasn't allowed to go on the crazy big rides for adults. I was happy to see him so upset about it because I'm an adrenaline junkie, or at least I used to be when I was younger, and his father is not and never was. So seeing him so upset about not being able to get on those rides made me feel like he got that from me, that he is like me, and that we can have so much fun at these rides when he grows and is allowed to go on them. I look forward to it already!

It was lovely, refreshing, fun, peaceful, blissful, and all the positive feelings you can think of. Towards the end we played one of those games where you shoot a target with water, and we won 2 superhero capes. He was so excited to win and to wear his cape. As we were leaving, he looked at me and said "mommy, I want to run". I agreed, and he ran and ran so happy with his superhero cape pretending to be a superhero. As I was trying to catch up to his fast running, he came back to me and began to run around me. I told him he was my hero, then he stopped to ask me to put my cape on. I take that as his way of telling me that I'm his hero as well =)

Indeed it was amazing. Indeed it felt good, son. 

You made it so.

Things I have learned from raising a son with OMA

Things I have learned from raising my son with Ocular Motor Apraxia:

1. I need to believe more in God and my son, than in his brain scan and what we have been told about it.
   
   
2. His struggles and challenges affect me (emotionally) more than they affect him. He is actually quite oblivious about them.
   
   
3. He shouldn't be protected in a bubble. If I want him to have a life similar to his brother's, then he should be allowed to experience and live like his brother.
   
   
4. When he is faced with a challenge, I must remember the many things he has overcome in the past. He has succeeded before and this time won't be any different.
   
   
5. I pay too much attention to the bad times, when in reality there is only one melt-down for every 20 giggles.
   
   
6. There are many people willing to help you. They may be family, they may be friends, they may be neither yet become both.
   
   
7. There are many people in need of help. I can be that help, and so is my son.
   
   
8. If he is ever looked down on, we will remember to look up (to God). He won't know low self-esteem as long as his heart knows he is His child, made to His image.
   
   
9. It's nice if a child knows the letters and numbers, but it's best if he knows that he is loved and cared for. He also must know that doing good things is better than doing things well.
   
   
10. Our tiny obstacles pale in comparison to what other people get to experience. If they are able to stay positive and hopeful, we must do so as well.
    
    
11. Some of the things he can't do, and some behaviors he may show, aren't triggered by his health condition, but rather because he is just a toddler, or a boy, or a human being.
    
    
12. Praying really helps. It gives me peace, it gives me hope, and it has brought me miracles.
    
    
13. There is a life purpose in each individual. My son's health condition doesn't stop him from having a life purpose, in fact, his may be extra special and I can't wait for him to grow and discover it.
    
    
14. Seeing how hard he worked to accomplish the things that for most come naturally, has made me appreciate the wonder in simple things that otherwise would have gone unnoticed.
    
    
15. I love him, not more, not less, not any different from his brother. Love sees beyond our eyes, and this is why he will always be capable of being loved by others.
    
    
16. His body (including his brain) may be affected by his health condition, but his mind and soul aren't. These are the ones that truly matter anyway.
    
    
17. Things do get better through the months and years. We are better because of all we have lived and learned. We are better because of everything I just said, and the things I can't even find the words for.

Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve

I have written a number of posts where I've talked about all the challenges that we face dealing with our son's significant developmental delays. Keeping a positive mental attitude has been the greatest aid in keeping us going and keeping us hopeful of a brighter tomorrow.

I have been somewhat involved with the Napoleon Hill Foundation for a few years now, but it wasn't until I wrote my last post on October, that I realized that many of Napoleon Hill's keys to success are being constantly implemented on my family's life. As I wrote about the difficulties my son had matching the skills of his peers -and how I used to get sad and feel self-pity thinking I had in front of me a situation I could not control; and how, I slowly began to overcome my doubts and started to believe more in my son, in God, and all the resources we had available to us- I realized how much Napoleon Hill's philosophy was helping me help my son.

Coincidentally, for this 2015, the Napoleon Hill Foundation is writing on their weekly Ezine children stories (literature) that relate to Napoleon Hill's keys to Success. This was to me, another "sign" that the philosophy can very well be applied to children, to children like mine. I wanted more of that food. I wanted to learn more about the philosophy, and I wanted to become a lot more disciplined, too. You see, I have so many ideas to help out my son and many other parents around world, but I have struggled putting my ideas to work. Procrastination and not having a set schedule to organize my everyday life was getting the best of me, so looking for help I decided to start a Distance Learning Course with the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

The first week, we had to decide on our Major Definite Purpose. I knew what it was, but the necessary steps to accomplish it were vague. I never put too much thought into it, let alone write about it. But this time, the course required that I explained it, and by writing down my purpose and my plan to accomplish it, it became more clear. Realizing all the work and time required to accomplish my goal, it became clear to me that if I were to continue the way I had, I wouldn't get too far, or it would take me longer.

Like I said, I'm not as productive when I don't have schedules/deadlines, so I had to start there. Who says stay-at-home moms don't need schedules? And by that, I don't mean just writing down the Pediatrician appointments, school meetings, soccer practice... I mean, having a set schedule, from the moment I wake up, to the moment I go to bed. From the weekly time I have to set out to work on my blog, to read, to spend just in myself, to the time I need to spend sitting down (or running around) with my children and forget about everything else. From the time I need to spend doing house chores, groceries and cook, to the doctor and therapists appointments, and to the time I have to invest to accomplish my Major Definite Purpose. Of course there is time for improvisation, too -that free time where nothing is scheduled and I can just be spontaneous and do what I want... or what is needed.

Kids like Patrick, as it also happens with kids who have Autism, benefit significantly from schedules. As a matter of fact, not having a schedule on their lives makes them uneasy and uncooperative. I have known this for awhile but I don't know why on earth it took me this long to do something about it. But we are on tract now. I'm wearing the Positive Mental Attitude hat, and this time I'm actually working towards my goal, too. You will hear from me more often, and you will see good things are coming for the Ocular Motor Apraxia community. If you want to get involved, just send me an email, because I will need help! I'm committed. My son is my motive, and I'm going to make it happen, because like Napoleon Hill said: Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.

Cheers to a better, brighter and healthier 2015!

Patrick made a friend with OMA

On my last post I mentioned I recently joined a Facebook group for people who have Ocular Motor Apraxia. Right after I joined the group, I asked if anyone on there lived in the area, because I was hoping to do a play date and get to learn more about what other people in my area are doing to help their kids.

It turns out, out of the 300+ active members of the group, the person who told me about this group and myself are the only ones living in the area. I realized then, as people were commenting, that many of them don't even live in United States. However, one person living in North Carolina said she and her family were coming to DC to visit some friends and would like to meet with us. The mother and I started an email exchange and we decided to have them over at our house. I was curious to ask her tons of questions about her son, but I figured it was best to wait until we met. Finally the day arrived, and we met at our house. We spent around 3 hours talking and discovering how many similarities our children had.

To begin, our OMA kids are boys. They also turned 3 this year (Patrick being older than Brendan by a couple of weeks). They have one healthy brother (Patrick's is younger by two years, Brendan's is older by almost two years).

In the ways they have developed, there are also similarities. Patrick and Brendan walked around the age of two, have same level of speech delay, a bit of balance and coordination issues, their feet pronate and so they both wear the same type of braces, and neither one have had an specific diagnosis other than Ocular Motor Apraxia. Other areas seem to be perfectly normal in both kids, with the only difference being that Patrick has some constipation issues, while Brendan's head thrusts some times. Brendan seems to be somewhat ahead on fine motor skills, while Patrick seems to be somewhat ahead on gross motor skills. Neither one of them is potty trained, although neither one of the parents have tried too hard... we are kind of waiting for them to show that they are ready so we can start the transition.

Their likes and habits are similar, too. When I opened the door, my husband was in the living room waiting for them. I tried to say hello to everyone and didn't pay attention to something my husband did: As Brendan was coming into the house, his tongue was sticking out a bit, holding it between the lower front teeth and his lip, just like Patrick does. My husband told me later that when he saw that, he knew immediately that of their two boys, Brendan was the one like Patrick. As we chat through the afternoon, we learned that they both enjoy water, cuddling with the parents more than the usual, are sweet, and good brothers. They both recently discovered they don't want to be dressed so it's a battle putting clothes on them. Neither one is a fan of the TV, but both love music. While the siblings were playing and acting like nothing was going on, Brendan and Patrick knew something was going on and they proceeded to act with caution. They were checking out the whole situation before they decided to start playing. And only after playing for awhile on their own, they decided to approach each other. Talk about similar personalities!

Brendan has a very nice family. I was very excited to see both mom and dad totally hands on. The way Brendan's parents have dealt with his condition, is the same way we have dealt with Patrick's condition. We both know very little about their diagnosis, and even though that was a burden at the beginning, now both parents feel that's actually an opportunity to not let our kids be defined by an illness. We don't know what to expect, so we take care of the obstacles as they come, if they come. We are trying to raise them as if they were two perfectly healthy children, but of course, not losing sight of their small disadvantages, like speech delay, for which we take action and help them with whatever is needed.

Brendan hasn't had an MRI, but I have the feeling that if he had one, his brain would look almost identical to Patrick's. As much as I wish there were not other children with rare disorders, it's also comforting to know that there is someone out there so similar to your son. That are parents out there going through the same exact thing you are going through. This must be a gift from God. At some point I was going bananas, because I felt that either there were healthy kids, or there were very sick kids. No kids like Patrick. The kids with OMA I learned about online, also have other diagnosis, symptoms, conditions... that Patrick doesn't have. Patrick's development is a little slow, but he can do anything and is very healthy otherwise, so I feel blessed that we found a friend for Patrick, just like him.

We all find friends we can relate to. With some, we have same likes in music, with some others is politics, or religion, or hobbies. Think of every friend you have and you will find you have something in common with everyone of them. Patrick just met a friend that has almost everything in common, even that rare thing in the eyes called Ocular Motor Apraxia. I'm looking forward to see how our kids develop, and if their likes and hobbies continue to grow similar. I'm looking forward to more play dates with them, and while we are some miles away and may not be able to see each other too often, I know we parents will do our best to keep the friendship to provide our kids with opportunities to spend some time together every now and then.

Merry Christmas Brendan and family.

Antibiotics during pregnancy: Cause of Patrick's health issues?

Last year, I wrote a post titled Could I have prevented Patrick's health issues?  The conclusion was that I couldn't have. Fast forward to today, there is a chance that I could have prevented Patrick's health issues after all.

A few months ago, I came across an article that talked about speech delay, something we have been dealing with in the past months. The article talked about a study performed to find out how antibiotics affected children while in the womb. The fact is, I have read in MANY places how antibiotics during pregnancy could cause most of the health issues that Patrick currently has, but I really didn't pay much attention to any of that simply because I didn't take antibiotics during my pregnancy. This time, however, in the study performed, women who took antibiotics up to one month before conception where considered as "having taken antibiotics during pregnancy".

I took antibiotics within one month before Patrick's conception.

On February of 2010 I got sick with a bad cold. It was a Saturday when I was feeling the worst so my husband took me to an Urgent Care. It turned out I had pneumonia. The doctor wrote a prescription for an antibiotic and sent me home. The medicine was making me feel very nauseous and sleepy but after a few days I started to feel better. I made an appointment with a family care physician anyway, whom I saw the following Monday and who has become our family physician ever since.

Couple months after the incident, I found out I was expecting my first child. I was (and am) completely sure that I didn't take the medicine while being pregnant so I knew Patrick couldn't possibly be affected by it. That's what I had believed all along up until the day I read the article. To read that women who took antibiotics up to one month before conception were considered at risk gave me the chills. Patrick was believed to be past his due date when I was induced, but once he was born, the doctor said that he was actually born two to three weeks early. So we don't know for sure how many days are from the last dose of antibiotics to his conception day. It may be slightly over one month, or it could be couple weeks.

 Also, I recall that when I saw the family physician, she said she didn't understand why the doctor at the urgent care had given me that particular antibiotic, because it was so strong that the symptoms are awful, and so she didn't like to prescribe them. So there is a possibility that with the medicine being so strong, it could have taken longer for my system to finally be antibiotic-free. This makes me so angry and sad, because regardless of whether Patrick was affected by it or not, to know that antibiotics could potentially harm babies that are still to be conceived makes me wonder why doctors don't have the courtesy to tell you so. They sure tell you to not take certain medicines if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, but they won't tell you to wait at least a month or two after the last dose to get pregnant, specially with drugs that could potentially harm the baby in the womb.

I guess I will never know for sure whether or not taking antibiotics before conceiving Patrick was the cause of his health issues, and while some may think there is not point on worrying about "what if", I thought it was important to write this to make women aware of the dangers of antibiotics during pregnancy, even if you aren't pregnant just yet.

I would have never guessed it!

A few months ago, a friend from college came to USA on a tour that included New York and Washington, DC. Since I moved to this country 7 years ago, I rarely get to see friends from my hometown or from college, so I was super excited to see her while she was in town. We were able to spend almost a whole day together. We took her to see the monuments (my husband loves giving a monument tour to friends and family), I brought her to my house and we had lunch nearby, and we also enjoyed a stroll with the kids in a wonderful evening in Washington, DC. It was so much fun to see an old friend, but it was also a very comforting visit, here is why:

We studied Communications together, we were in the same class for 4 years. Anyone you ask, they will tell you she was one of the smartest girls in the class. She had briefly lived in United States, so she speaks both English and Spanish. She lost her mother at a young age, but if anything, it gives the impression that such experience made her acquire a "motherly" attitude towards her friends: always looking out for everyone, and always willing to give you a hand. She is a good speaker. Never afraid to stand in front of an audience and talk, and she always has something to say, as she is a very well informed woman. She loves to travel around the world, and enjoys her current job as wedding planner at the Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. I was very impressed to hear the jobs she has held since she left college, and overall I could say she is having a very successful and happy life.

She asked me if I was planning on teaching my kids both English and Spanish, to what I said yes, and I added about how we put a temporary hold on Patrick, because he has speech delay, so I'm mostly interested in getting him to say basic things in our home's primary language (English). Then she said the words I never imagine I would hear from her: I had speech delay when I was a kid.

Then she went on to telling me about her numerous speech therapies and occupational therapies, all the medical appointments, the things she couldn't do as a child, her fine motor skills issues, her development delays... and all her challenges. The more she talked, the more I could relate -or Patrick, for that matter. She was familiar with all the things I told her about him, and I just couldn't believe she was telling me she went through all that herself. She, the girl that has absolutely no problem giving a public speech (and is good at it), the girl who is successful in her Public Relations job providing costumer service in an international arena.

She gave me so much hope. I would have never guessed it. How's it possible that she had so much trouble (medically speaking) growing up when she was a child, but now there is no resemble of it? What developmental delays? I could easily joke (not really) that she was actually way ahead than most in my class. She looks and is perfectly healthy now.

One day, my little boy will be a grown up man, and will tell a friend about his developmental delays and the medical issues he had as a child, and the friend he is talking to, will look straight at him, with a sincere surprised expression in his face and say: I would have never guessed it! I know in my heart this will be possible one day. At moments I felt like I was kind of hoping too much for Patrick and therefore expecting too much from him, but she overcame her obstacles, and the end results are priceless and flawless. Now, more than ever, I'm determined to help Patrick overcome his very own obstacles, because thanks to God they are temporary.

Cheers to you, my dear friend!

A very special day

 I'm going to take a quick break from the Overcoming Behavior Issues series, to write about the busy day we had yesterday.

Patrick graduated from the Infant and Toddler Connection (ITC) of Fairfax-Falls Church. This is the therapies service that we have been receiving for almost two years now. I have made mention of the ITC in several posts on this blog, but to recap, here are 3 important points:

1) By suggestion of his neurologist, Patrick began receiving services from ITC when he was 1 year old. There is no minimum age, but the maximum age is 3, which he will be in November. Patrick will continue to receive tailored education for his special needs, but this time in a school setting. He begins classes in 3 weeks!

2) Patrick started with Physical Therapy twice a month. After a year of PT, it was suggested that he also took Speech Therapy, which he had three times a month. Due to the vast improvements in the physical area, Patrick stopped receiving PT about three months ago, and started receiving Occupational Therapy instead.

Patrick's Physical Therapist and Coordinator

Patrick's Speech Therapist

3) Each of the three therapists he had all this time, came to our house for an hour each time. Every 6 months he was evaluated and new goals were set. During that hour, we would play with Patrick to find out where he was lagging behind, and they would give me suggestions on what to do and how to help him reach each goal that was set.

The graduation was a very nice event. It went from 11:30 to 13:30 at the Van Dyck park in Fairfax, VA. The therapists, coordinators and office staff were there to celebrate the children and their families who had been working so hard all this time. My husband took the day off so the whole family was able to see Patrick receive his Diploma and the cute gifts that were given. Here are some pictures of the event:

So serious for the graduation photo!

Mommy, stop trying to make me smile!

Receiving gifts from the Mayor

Patrick was amazed by the guitar player. He played our song "You are my sunshine"

Bubbles!

Ham smile!

Patrick played, played and played non-stop!

Showing off his graduate shirt and the star he received from the Sheriff

 After the event, we headed to Great Waves Water Park in Alexandria to celebrate. Patrick loves anything water (baths, water parks, sprayground, hoses, beaches, pools... toilets and sinks!) so we figured a water park would be the perfect place to take him. Melanie (Robbie's godmother) was kind enough to gift the entry passes.

Great Waves Water Park

This area reminded him of his favorite Sprayground

Water, water, water!!!

Patrick made a friend

Robbie had loads of fun, too!

Daddy and Robbie playing peek-a-boo!

Robbie was exhausted at the end

Patrick is never tired apparently

Silly mommy made Patrick pose for this pic

Surfin'!

It was a very special day in our lives. I don't think Patrick would be where he is at without the help of his therapists. I have learned so much about my son and how to help him thanks to them. Patrick was a trooper the whole time since we started this journey, he has come a long way and we are very proud parents! We love you Patrick!

January-April Recap

When I wrote the recap for May and June, I realized I hadn't written one since the beginning of the year. So here it is:

March:

Ha! I don't even remember what happened on January and February, other than being sleep deprived thanks to the newborn/toddler combo.

So, March:
The first week of March, we drove to Northwest Indiana to visit Tim's parents, and then drove to St. Louis to visit Tim's sister and the extended family. Patrick has a memorable picture with Tim, his dad, and his grandfather, making it a 4 generations of Williamson men. Now that Robbie has joined the family, we had to get the 4-generations picture again.

4 generations!

Patrick being silly with Great Grandpa Williamson

We took our dog Lobo on the road trip with us, and he was surprisingly very well behaved. It was also the first snow experience for Robbie, here is a video.

The kids with daddy and Nana

Patrick enjoyed eating the delicious desserts that grandma "nana" baked for us. We all put a few pounds on.

Tim was a best man at a friend's wedding, who also happened to be the best man at our wedding. The wedding was in Indianapolis and we had a really good time. The kids stayed at the hotel with the grandparents and their aunt.

The bride and groom

Tim giving the toast -the speech was great!

Tim with our friend Aric and the groom.

 April:

I grew up in a small town called Lagunas, in the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. Lagunas is one of those cities that are built after a company settles there. The cement factory Cruz Azul settled there in the 1940s, and since then began to build a city for its employees. Houses, schools, churches, stores, recreational areas... about 95% of what Lagunas is today, was built by Cruz Azul. My family works for the cement company (as does about everyone who lives there) so I was born and raised there. Cruz Azul has a soccer team. Soccer is big in Mexico, and Cruz Azul happens to be one of the big teams there, often making it to the finals. I mention all this because I used to play soccer (middle school through university) and I miss it so much I can't wait for my kids to be old enough to play with me. In the meantime, we are content to just watch the matches every now and then. Cruz Azul was in a couple of tournaments this year, winning one in April, which was the perfect excuse for everyone in the house to wear their jerseys!

Team Cruz Azul!

Other than that, we were pretty much at home busy with the 2 kiddos, and every now and then with 3, as I have been babysitting a friend's baby. He (yes, another boy!) is just 3 weeks younger than Robbie, which is perfect because they play together, and Patrick loves having him around, too. We get to see him once or twice a month, so at least every month we get our baby Sam dose.

Planning a strike?

--
If you are here for the developmental delays info and such, stay tuned for my next post, this is my last family-related story in a little while.

May Recap (Baptism, Disney and family visit)

Here is the family Recap for May:

We celebrated Robbie's Baptism. The Ceremony was held at St. Louis Catholic Church, and the reception was held at the Stone Mansion. It was a good time. We were specially happy to have my parents and brother (coming from Mexico) and Tim's parents and sister (coming from the Midwest) joining us for the celebration.

Robbie in his Christening gown

The proud grandmothers!

Have I ever mentioned that the first time I came to the U.S. was as an Au pair? It was almost 7 years ago, right after I finished college. As an Au pair, I had the blessing of taking care of two adorable children. They and their parents are truly wonderful people, and despite that I only lived with them for 1 year, they treat me and mines as their family, so to make it more "official" we asked the mom, Melanie, to be Robbie's Godmother*. From Tim's side, we chose the Godfather*, Mike, who is one of Tim's best friends. I have probably mentioned him and his nice family a number of times on my posts, when I refer to "our friends from New Jersey" (also Patrick's Godparents are our friends from NJ). Robbie's Godfather and his family will soon become "our friends from PA" as they are moving to a beautiful house there in the next few weeks.

The Priest, Tim, Melanie, Mike and Robbie.

After the Baptism, we drove to Orlando with my parents and brother. They wanted to go to Disney and we couldn't say no, of course. I've been wanting to go to Universal Studios to check out the Harry Potter castle and all, so the first day of park visits, that's where we went. There was nothing for Patrick and Robbie to enjoy there, because they are too young, so it was more of a park visit for Tim and I than for the kids. We will make sure to take them back to the Disney parks when they are at least 6 years old.

Mommy and Patrick about to get eaten

We stayed at the Orange Lake Resort (a good friend of us had time share there and was kind enough to let us use it). The cabana was spacious and the hotel was huge, but the best part was the lazy river, where Tim, the kiddos and I spent the second day (while my family was at Epcot -Tim and I have been there before), with breaks to eat and rest at the hammocks. I know, I want to go back like... tomorrow -today is not a possibility since I still would need to pack everyone's suitcases.

Robbie is underneath the white hat!

My kiddos chilling... Jeez, I can't believe I have two boys!

The third day we went to visit some family members in Tampa, while my parents were at Magic Kingdom (of all parks, they said this was the best by far, so now I can't wait to visit) while we were in Tampa, we ate at Columbia, a Spanish restaurant that claims to be Florida's oldest Restaurant. The food was great!

Robbie with his third cousin, Carolyn

Patrick is a people's person (specially if they are blond)

Having both sets of grandparents in town during the Baptism weekend, we decided to get some professional photos by Peter Stepanek at the Glenview Mansion. It was a good time and we got many cute pictures, here are a couple of them.

The whole family!

Auntie Cath with the kids

My boys

It sure was a busy end of the month!

*For Church purposes, we can only select one Godfather, and one Godmother. Traditionally, someone chooses one from the mom's side, and the other one from the dad's side. However, we consider both sets of couples as Robbie's godparents (so for us, he has two Godfathers and two Godmothers) we did the same with Patrick.