Just Pictures

Professional photo day:

Even though Alex is not sharing his smile here,

it was honestly the BEST one taken of the family photos. 

I didn't realize until AFTER the photos were done,

When we had planned our outfits

we were supposed to be holding the opposite kid.

Argh. 

Here is the ONLY one we managed to get 

of BOTH boys.

Another ARGH for mommy

Any one who has ever met Alex

or has heard me talk about him

knows that he has the most awesome smiles

BUT........

you have to earn them!

Nope

this poor photographer

didn't have a chance. 

As Alex's Uncle Alan says:

"this kid doesn't mess around."

But on another note,

doesn't he look so.....

gulp.....

grown up here?

Meet Nicholas

Here's the boy that DOES like

to mess around.......

This is his FAVORITE hat

He decided to put Alex's lovey on his head

all by himself.

Such a ham!!!!

Needless to say 

Mommy was very disappointed that we didn't get to capture

any of Alex's sweet expressions

So part two session by wannabe photographer (mommy)

commenced as soon as we got home:

Alex holding his lovey

in his mouth...

He usually only needs his lovey

at nap and bedtime

OR

traumatizing events

(like above photography session)

Here he comes.....

The Alex WE know and love so well

and since this has turned into a picture-fest,

here's a few more I just have to share:

Getting ready for Easter

Who is that Bucketed boot wearing boy?

Silly Nicholas ofcourse

We have tried to meet the Easter Bunny twice now

This is as close as we get

only puts on a smile

when he waves "bye-bye"

Spring means.........

It has been unusually spring like this past week here in upstate NY, and we're LOVING it!!!!!

Warning: LOTS of pictures ahead.

Some are taken with my phone so not the best quality

but the cutest subjects nevertheless...

Spring means......

Getting out the hats.....

 

and not taking them off even when we're inside.......

 

because we're cool like that....

 

W'sup

Spring means.....

wearing our shades...

and dusting off our car 

to take it for a spin.....

 

A full year later, 

this is STILL his favorite thing to play with outside.

(thank you Grandma and Papa)

 

 

In case you hadn't guessed:

Tongue hanging out = sheer happiness

 

Spring means.....

getting the bubbles out:

Alex is ALL about it this year

 

 

 

Spring means....

bird watching

     spring means.....

wonderment 

(I checked, its totally a word!)

 

and worm finding

 

 

 

Spring means.....

park going

 

Alex totally unconvinced about this swing business

 

this is his pleading "get me out of this thing" look

 

Nicholas liking it only a little more

 

Spring means

getting dirty:

 

Nicholas even sitting on the ground

  just outside of the dirt is progress

for him....ha,ha

Spring means......

LOTS of walk taking....

 

 

and wheel racing

Here's Alex getting into his racing position.

no seriously, he is FAST!!!!  

Well, except when its time to go inside...

 

 

Spring means....

Happiness!!!!

A way that ALL mothers can help

I have a confession.....


I've seen this and another opportunity to be a part of a research study looking into causes of 


Spina Bifida and I've been reluctant to participate.

Why???

I don't know. Something about it made me feel like if I participated it would mean that I 

didn't love Alex just the way God made him. 

Crazy, right? I can't really explain it but thats just how I felt. 

I've done a lot of growing these last few years. Alex and his brother have taught me more

than I could ever teach them about life and I know there's a million more lessons in store.

Alex is AWESOME just the way he is, and he is HAPPY in a way that just makes my heart

smile!!!! But I'm sure if he could tell me, he'd say he'd love to be Alex without that little part

of him called Spina Bifida. 

So in hopes that future "Alex's" don't have to learn this life with Spina Bifida in it, I finally

completed my part. 

Please help do the same :

Please help us learn more about the causes of Spina Bifida. 


Click on the link below.


The study is open to ALL mothers---with AND without a child born with Spina Bifida.


There are just a few on line questions to answer and then a simple saliva test will be mailed 

to you if you meet the criteria.

Please just take a few minutes to hopefully be a part of some answers.

Thank you!!!

http://sbgenetics.org/sbgenetics/enrollment.html

What Are 'Controls' and Why Are They Important?

The Spina Bifida Genetics Research Project needs both mothers who have a child affected by spina bifida and mothers who do not have a child affected a birth defect.  In research projects, individuals who have the disease or condition are designated "cases" and those individuals without the disease or condition are designated "controls".  For this study, mothers who have a child with spina bifida, and mothers who do not have a child affected by a birth defect will be the controls. Our research project will compare the genetic profiles of the cases to the genetic profiles of the controls. Statistical analysis is used to determine an association between specific genetic factors and the occurrence of spina bifida.