Pictures and More Pictures!

Chan and Moni by the pond

First day at the new house

HAPPY 12th Birthday Moni!!!

Chocolate Yum :)

Mom and her Sky

Got to Love that smile :)

Just out of the bath.....

Puppy Love!!!

Sky Loves his Elmo book!

National park Eichele

one of the ponds

Me and my high chair

Skys part of the living room

Our house from the pond

Do you think the older kids will swim in it this Summer?

Sorry No Pictures Yet

Everything is going great, kids are all happy and so are mom and dad. I havent put pictures up because Im waiting for Keith to set up the routers to the kids computers. I had to dump all my pictures from the camera into Chans computer, and I cant access them until were all connected, hopefully this weekend. Big Bug Hugs Sheila

Were back online :)

What a CRAZY past few weeks... It was a very long and hard move... I think it took Keith and I moving to really see how much we need each other to get things done. I would be home with Sky and he would be moving things in, and vies versa... But we made it, now the fun stuff unpacking whats left :( Ya know Im tired!!!! But I have to find the energy and get it done. Skylar and Moni and Chan LOVE the new house, the kids had so much fun sledding out past the barn when we had all the snow... Its been great to see then running around and playing. Oh and Bailey our dog... she is in heaven hear... She didnt know what to think of the ducks at first, but I think she is getting use to them.And Skylar he is just my amazing little man, he has done 110% better with this move, his secretions are way down, he is clear 98% of the time, and enjoying his time off his machine. He was off for 4 hours straight, and could have gone longer, but of course I had things I had to do... But as soon as all this moving stuff is done and I can focus 100% on Sky he will be off all day in a few weeks (Im pretty sure)... Theres lots and lots more to tell you all and TUNS of pictures. But Im going to have to post them Sunday.... Big Bug Hugs Sheila, Keith, Skylar, Moni and Chan

Moving Day YA

Well Keith has today and Monday off so we can get moved, and from what I can tell, he plans on having us at the house tonight... So if all goes well last night was our last night in the old house. We are all so excited!!! There are a few things he cant get out of here on his own, so they will have to stay behind until Sat, when we have a few friends coming to lend him a hand. Skylar is doing great! Were inside allot more now that its so cold out, but Im sure as it warms up we will start getting out and about, at least walking through he property, he is so going to love that. We will be off line for about 2 weeks, I dont know when Keith scheduled to have out internet hooked up, and were going through Dish so Im sure it will be a while.

So to all of our friends out there, it might take me a while to post. Keep your little ones safe, happy and warm. Connor I cant wait to see pictures from your party on Sunday, and I cant wait to read your feeling better and that nasty old cold is gone. And Izzy I cant wait to see all the cute pictures of you, Im sure your mama will be busy with the camera, and I cant wait to hear how your doing too. Im sure your going to be doing excellent, your such a cute little girl with an adorable smile. So I guess this is it, see you all in a few weeks!

Big Bug Hugs from Sky and all of us!!!!

Moving Moving Moving

I forgot how much I do not like moving... Boxes every where, and the mess. Well Im happy to say that I am almost done packing, I should be able to finish up tonight. I cant wait to get all this stuff out of here and into the house. I did some painting in the new house, but will finish once we are there. Its to hard leaving Sky home and only being able to be gone for a few hours, Ill get more done when we are there permanently. Skylar dosent know what to think ( I think) he looked at me like are you crazy, your putting all my toys in those boxes, And when I say boxes I mean boxes, Sky had 8 huge boxes of his stuff alone. I couldnt believe it! We have had a very busy couple of days, Keith celebrated his Birthday on the 5th, and we also lost one of beloved kittys that morning, so it was a little sad. But other then losing our kitty and packing we are all good and cant wait to get out of here!!!!!! 5 more days!!!!!

Happy New Year

Our New Year celebration was good, mellow but good. We had Monicas 1/2 sister Alyssa spend the night. Skylar enjoyed playing with Alyssa and of course the fireworks at midnight. Dad napped on the couch and Chan and Moni were busy with the PSP's. The past few days have been a little crazy!!! Ive got a big part of the house packed up and Im going to try to finish up the bottom floor today and start upstairs on Thursday. The goal is to be all packed by Sunday so I can have 5 days before we move to clean, clean, clean :) We are all very excited andcant wait for the move, its going to be a breath of fresh air! Keith and I have the keys, we got them on my birthday (what a gift) and we will be painting the inside Thursday, Fri, Sat and Sunday, having your own painting business is going to come in very handy. So wish us luck and wish mom some sanity through the craziness.

Skylars Dr Apt Today

OK we didnt go... Skylar was to have a regular check up at Childrens this morning. He has been doing so great, I canceled and rescheduled. I did speak with Dr Carter and he had no problem with me canceling, he said Skylar sounds like he is doing great and even gave me permission to increase his time off to 6 hours a day. They were a bit worried about his weight 3 months ago, but not anymore. Skylar is in the 75% tile on the growth charts, he hasnt lost weight but he is slowly gaining, in my book thats good. You dont want an over weight baby with SMA, its hard enough to move as it is... Anyways he is doing great and there are no worries or concerns. I love that I can talk to the docs there and we can change things with out Skylar always having to go in. Its great... So after we get moved I will start working with Sky on his 6 hours off the machine, Im sure he will do incredible...

Blessed Christmas Surprise

This was a great Christmas, it came a few days late, but none the less its nothing less then FANTASTIC! We have purchased our first home and we will be moving in a few weeks... We have such a little place now and this move is going to be a breath of fresh air... Were going from 1300 sq ft to 3000 sq ft and we cant wait!!!! And its on almost 6 acres... The next few weeks Im sure will be a little nuts with packing and cleaning, but I can not wait... I was ready to start packing today, but decided to wait until after my birthday on the 31st. Start the New Year out with a move, YEAH!!!! Oh yeah I forgot there are two ponds and there are ducks!!!! I cant wait to take Skylar down to feed the ducks, he is going to LOVE it!!!!

Our Christmas

Skylar this morning with his new tiger, Elmo book and Seattle Seahawks jersey... Santa was good to me, but then again Ive been so very good!!!!
Skylar with his new bug rug, and sassy toys... the bug rug is so cool, it sings and counts and plays music...

Miss Monica with her surprise gift from mom and dad... she wasnt expecting a PSP....

Chandler with his PSP.. he was hoping.. and as you can see his hopes came true... man you guys have some pretty nice parents....

Skylar right after opening his bug rug... I think he likes it :)

I know its on Christmas Eve, but in our house we have to do things earlier... Monica is already down at her dads celebrating there Christmas traditions and Chandler is with his mom doing her traditions. So we always start on the 22nd or the 23rd, that way the kids can at least enjoy there gifts for a little while before they have to go to there other parents. In all it was a great Christmas... Dad (Keith) he even got a PSP, and man was he HAPPY!!!! We hope your Holidays will be as memorable as ours... Merry Christmas

All My Kid-os This Christmas

I LOVE this... there is nothing better then haven my little man fall asleep in my arms!!!

Coffee Anyone?

Sitting Up

Ok my goal for Skylar was to have him sitting up like he did before he got sick in March. Well he is doing it.... Its not 100%, but he is working on it. Its been a long slow road, but this picture should show you his progress. My knee is resting slightly on his back as were are sitting on the couch. I will continue to work with him and who knows maybe in a month or two it will be 100%!!!

Refelection

Look at that smile, he is such a happy kid-o.
I love eating my hands, side time is fun I can find them easier

Ahh a new toy, a star and rings...hmmm let me see how it tastes

yeah its plastic

Skylar Said I Love You

I was so excited yesterday afternoon, Ive been working with Skylar on a few signs... And yesterday he said I Love You.. He touched his eye, placed his hand on his chest and then touched my arm. And then gave me a BIG smile! Well I cried of course, there is nothing more wonderful then hearing or in this case seeing you child say I Love You :)

He also has learned more, he brings his fingers to his lips and moves them back and fourth.Skylar is doing great with his strength, he has become allot more vocal the past few weeks, constantly babbling, and every once in a while throwing out a word or two. I Love it, its been so long not hearing his beautiful voice, and now he has found it again.

He has also remembered how to raspberry.... It is hilarious to see him raspberry. And he is becoming a great mimicker, what ever you do he is going to try it, and 80% of the time he does it.

Last night we had our BIG wind storm and lost the lights, but I got Skylar on all his portable equipment and he was a happy little man playing with his light up fish mobile. Daddy came home early to get everything in the house switched over to the generator, and low and be hold as soon as he was done the power was back on. Figures!

We are all doing well, and getting very excited for Christmas with our family and friends... The older kids Moni and Chan gaze the tree every day to see if mom has placed any new gifts under it... And let me tell you they know, even if its something little...We hope you are all doing well and that you have a bright and beautiful Holiday and a very Merry New Year.

Our Christmas Baby

Skylar is so cute, he had so much fun wearing mommys Christmas hat this morning, he kept trying to get the big ball of white in his mouth.

I LOVE To Go Bye-Bye

It was a rainey morning, but I didnt care... I Love when mom takes me with in the morning to drop Moni and Chan off at school....

Decorating For Christmas

Its a little dark but Skylar was putting his ornament on the tree.

Moni and Chan decorating the tree....

Skys all dressed up in lights...he loved the rope lights!!!!

I Love this picture the soft glow of the lights and the look on Skys face, he was pretty amazed with this rope light....

Christmas Wish Is Being Answered

Im hidding in the bows and paper, shhh it was sissys idea to make me a present!

I found out today that Skylar is on the list to do the trial at Stanford in a few months. I was told he couldnt be on the trail if still on the V-Pap. Well that was incorrect, because there are TY I children doing the trail now that are on Bi-Pap at night. So we are on track, I will keep working with Skylar and his time off, and who knows maybe he will be off the V-Pap by the time the trial starts. So my wish for him is starting to fall into place, there is always hope!!!

My Emotional Christmas Wish

My wish for Christmas this year isnt for me, or for gifts of plenty... Put its for my darling little man Skylar... I see him each and every day improve his movements, slight yes but improved. I see the look on his face when he places a ball in both hands and twirls it around, the amazement the fun. I know he knows no different then now, but my wish and prayer this Holiday Season is for my baby boy. There are miracles everyday, I pray and wish his miracle to come true. To be that little boy I see inside him, the one who wants to move around freely on his own and explore and play. I would give anything and everything for there to be a cure for his SMA, I would give anything and everything for my son... But until he receives his miracle I will love him daily, I will encourage him and help him to learn and develop, I will always be at his side... Skylar someday you'll be able to read this and I want you to know your Mommy Loves You So Very Much!!!! You are amazing!!!!!!


Information I just got from a friend who is caring for her Grand daughter with SMA TY I.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT
Chang et al. (2001) reported results suggesting that sodium butyrate may be helpful in the treatment of SMA. They found that this agent increased the amount of exon 7-containing SMN protein in lymphoid cell lines from SMA patients by changing the alternative splicing pattern of exon 7 in the SMN2 gene. Oral administration of sodium butyrate to intercrosses of heterozygous pregnant knockout-transgenic SMA-like mice decreased the birth rate of severe types of SMA-like mice, and SMA symptoms were ameliorated for all 3 types of SMA-like mice.


Brichta et al. (2003) showed that in fibroblast cultures derived from SMA patients treated with therapeutic doses of valproic acid, the level of full-length SMN2 mRNA/protein increased 2- to 4-fold. This upregulation of SMN was most likely attributable to increased levels of HTRA2-beta-1 (see 606441) as well as to SMN gene transcription activation. Valproic acid was also able to increase SMN protein levels through transcription activation in organotypic hippocampal rat brain slices. Additionally, valproic acid increased the expression of other serine-arginine (SR) family proteins, which may have important implications for other disorders affected by alternative splicing.


In fibroblast cultures from patients with SMA I, SMA II, or SMA III, Andreassi et al. (2004) found a significant increase in SMN2 gene expression (increase in SMN2 transcripts of 50 to 160% in SMA1, and of 80 to 400% in SMA2 and SMA3) and a more moderate increase in SMN protein expression in response to treatment with 4-phenylbutyrate (PBA). PBA treatment also resulted in an increase in the number of SMN-containing nuclear structures (GEMS). The authors suggested a potential use for PBA in treatment of various types of SMA.


Grzeschik et al. (2005) reported that cultured lymphocytes from patients with SMA showed increased production of the full-length SMN mRNA and protein in response to treatment with hydroxyurea. The findings suggested that hydroxyurea promoted inclusion of exon 7 during SMN2 transcription.

Getting Skylar Ready For Christmas

Mama has been putting my toys in boxes and wrapping them up with shinny paper, ribbons and bows. At first I wasnt to sure about it, but I like the ribbons and bows alot! Its kind of hard to get the paper off, but I can do it with a little help from my sissy... Mommy keeps telling me about all the packages that will be under the tree, and the decorations and lights. I cant wait to see them, I think I might really like them this year! And she has been telling me all about Santa and how he fills our stockings and leaves us gift on Christmas morning. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think he will be able to get much in my sock. And she keeps saying Ho Ho Ho, I think shes lost it, but I Love her so I just keep smiling….

Give me the ribbons and bows, please I like to pull them way out and watch then roll back up.

This is me just being silly!!!

New Pictures

I just adore his smile.... There is nothing better in the world... He is my precious little man!!!