Disney

It's been almost a week since we went to Disney and I think the kids are finally caught up on their sleep and we are back in a normal routine!!

I have posted a video showing the pictures of our trip. There are of course a lot of them but hopefully the music helps them to pass quickly!! I love taking their pictures at every moment to capture their excitement and remember every piece of the trip!!

The flight to Orlando was great and the kids were very happy. It helped that Joey and Carlee were separated that we had several adults and older kids (Julia) to help out!

We spent the afternoon on Thursday getting settled into the hotel and ordering pizza for dinner. On Friday we were all up early and out the door by 8 am. We loaded into the 15 passenger van and headed to the Magic Kingdom. The kids all had a blast!! Joey met Mickey Mouse and loved the Buzz Lightyear ride! Carlee's favorite was the Dumbo ride - although she liked watching it go around while we waited in line more than actually riding on the ride.

Saturday was Animal Kingdom which was fun for the kids as well! Joey went on a rapid rivers type ride and thought it was hysterical when the water splashed up on him. He also got to meet Pluto and Goofy (who he calls "hot diggedy dog"). Aside from all the neat animal excursions and rides, we also saw the Nemo Musical.

Both park days included a parade of characters at the end of the day which both kids loved watching. At the Animal Kingdom parade Carlee was clapping to the music and waving to all the characters!

Sunday we took it easy and went to church and the pool. Then that night we went to Downtown Disney and ate dinner at the T-Rex Cafe as well as walked around. The Lego store was Joey's favorite, and Carlee loved dancing to the music!

The trip was such a blast and we made SO MANY awesome memories! The best part about it was that we got to do it with Noni and Popi and the Sallusti crew! I love when we are all together with the family and Joey and Carlee get to hang out and bond with their cousins, whom they adore!

A big THANK YOU to Noni and Popi for the trip of a lifetime!!

I can't get my video to upload to the blog so you will have to follow the link below to see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJuTSftIFiE

Joey's First Day of Preschool

So the day for Joey and I to part finally came today! :) He had his first REAL day of preschool today. Last year we did a program called Creative Parenting, which was a one hour condensed preschool with your mom - but other than that Joey had never been to school. No mother's morning out, no gym daycare. Aside from the occasional babysitter - Joey and I have been stuck like glue for the past 3 years.

So needless to say - this was a big step for him. And me.

Given his history, I expected today to be very difficult, but he actually handled it very well. I was so proud of him!

He started off the morning by telling me that he didn't want to go because he would be scared and he would cry. But when the time came to get in the car he grabbed his "pack pack" and ran out excitedly.



When we got there, we waited outside on the benches for a while and chatted with other early birds. This is when he started to look nervous (as you can see in the pic below). Then they opened the doors and the mass chaos of drop off began.



The hallway is a little narrow and Joey's is one of the first classrooms, so all the other kids and parents were streaming past us in a mass of people. He couldn't get to the hooks in the hallway to hang his back pack up quickly, so by the time he did all of the other kids had gone in. And I would say about 80% of them were crying. So as soon as he hung up his bag and knew it was time to say goodbye the tears started.



I gave him his kiss and hug and launched him into his teacher's arms. Then the door was quickly closed behind him. I could hear his screams above everybody else. And like a naughty parent, I lingered in the hallway and waited until I didn't hear him screaming anymore. Then one of the teachers came out and asked me to leave. :) I told her who Joey was and she said that she had just had a conversation with him about snack and that he wasn't crying anymore.

So I left. With tears coming down my face.

By the time I got to the car I had pulled myself together and Carlee and I drove home. It was a very quiet ride!!

Of course I was early to pick him up so I spied on him on the playground. He wasn't crying but wasn't running around enthusiastically like some of the kids. I could tell he was a little out of sorts being alone so that made me tear up again.

When the door opened for him to leave he ran out and said "Mommy, I cried a little bit. Can I still have a lollipop?" I guess he wasn't too traumatized!!

Once home he told me the following things about school:
1) "I cried a little bit."
2) "I sat on the fish." (his spot on the animal rug)
3) "I ate goldfish for snack."
4) "I played with the trains."
5) "On the playground I rode a bike." - when I asked if he played on the boat (Noah's Ark) he replied "Yes! There is a tunnel underneath, but I didn't go under cause it looked scary."
6) When I said that he gets to go back on Thursday he said "No mommy, my teachers said I can't go to school annnnnymore!"

So it sounds like he had a good day, but I have a feeling there will be some more crying on Thursday. And possibly for the next few weeks. But I am happy that he recovered quickly and I know that although he is shy and reserved at first, once he gets comfortable he will be able to enjoy school and have a great time!

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Here is his name on the door and a darling picture of him and Carlee hugging that melts my heart!

Check-Ups

Joey and Carlee are really growing up. This sounds corny to say, but when you step back and realize how fast things go you wish you could freeze time. My friend recently had a baby and we were all at our usual Einstein Bagels get together with the kids. As I watched her juggle her son and her newborn, I felt like it was just yesterday that I was doing that. But it wasn't - that was 15 months ago!!! I can't even believe HOW FAST these past 15 months have gone. The kids have grown up in a blink!

Joey and Carlee both had check-ups on Friday. Here are there latest stats as well as what is going on in their lives.

JOEY - 3 YEARS OLD



Height: 38.5 inches
Weight: 31 pounds

Joey just had his 3rd birthday! Amazing! I can hardly even remember 3 years ago!! He is doing SO MUCH now - I can hardly keep up! He has the most amazing spirit. He is fun, silly, and crazy all the time! The kid likes to have a good time and make everyone laugh. He is ALWAYS on the move. As long as he has an activity to do, then he is fairly well behaved. But if I have to attend to something other than him and he isn't occupied - forget it!! He is still the needy boy he has been since he was born. Still really attached to me and still super jealous of Carlee's place in our lives.
Joey and Carlee definitely have their moments, but lately he has started to be very sweet to her as well. I think it is helping that she can walk and communicate more with him. They laugh at each other and make silly faces and noises with each other. Joey gives her a zillion treats and snacks, and even helped her eat her cereal the other day. The sweet, loving side of Joey is definitely there and definitely a huge part of him. Joey continues to be very smart and a constant sales man! He listens to everything people are saying even when you think he is not paying attention. He remembers the littlest details from long ago and can charm just about anybody. As tough as he is, he is a true joy to be around and constantly makes me laugh.
As his vocabulary is continuing to develop he is saying the funniest things. For example, the other day he told me "Mom, read the instructions and that might help you out." This was after I told him I couldn't put a new toy together until Carlee took her nap.
He is also smartly figuring out how to get things he wants by making things up. He will ask me for a snack and if I say no, he'll respond "but daddy already told me I could!" If I check with Chris, 80% of the time Joey never even asked him! He tries to negotiate EVERYTHING and will wear you down until you give in. Or if you don't give in - get ready for the fake cry!! :)

Joey is about to hit a big milestone in his life as he gets ready to start preschool. He is already telling me that he wants me to stay with him because "I will be scared and I will cry." I am hoping that the transition for him is not as rough as I think it will be. It is going to be a MAJOR step for him to go somewhere without me, but he is ready for school. His mind needs the new stimulation as he is starting to get bored at home.
Joey got a new bed for his birthday which we finally set up last night. I will post pictures of his big boy room soon. It looks amazing! Of course, I got tears in my eyes when he jumped in bed last night - he is so grown up now. :(
He also got a bike with training wheels for is birthday but he has not actually been given it yet! We have had so much going on that Chris and I have not had time to set it up yet!! Soon though, we will bring that out and have fun teaching him how to ride it!
Joey has only been three for a couple of weeks and already he is doing so much! This is going to be a big year for him and we are excited to continue to watch him grow!!

CARLEE - 15 months



Height: 32 inches (90%)
Weight: 22 pounds 5 ounces (50%)

Carlee also has had a big explosion. She is walking exclusively and chatting up a storm. Her communication and play skills amaze me! The things she can do at 15 months are so far ahead of where Joey was at this age. 2nd child or girl? I don't know -but likely a combination of both! She has several words and sings songs that to me are understandable by the inflection in her voice. She can tell you with accuracy if she wants something or not - "ye huh" and "no." If it is time to go somewhere and I tell her to get her shoes she walks over to the shoe basket, picks out a pair of her shoes (always a matching pair) and brings them me! Speaking of shoes, she LOVES shoes!! She is constantly playing in the shoe basket and taking shoes on and off. She also loves to wear bracelets and is basically always carrying around a doll. These "little girl" things melt my heart and I love that she is a princess.
She likes to sing songs and play peek-a-boo. She always wants to be outside and would give her left arm for 5 minutes on the swing! She has fabulous play skills - she stacks up to 7 blocks and then knocks them over with delight, she organizes and puts things away for fun, she gives her dolls hugs and sucks of her binky, and she likes to throw and chase balls. She can entertain herself for LONG periods of time (as long as she is not interrupted by an un-named big brother), is independent and confident.
She also is quite demanding and like any toddler prefers to have her way. She lets you know when she is not happy with a situation or wants something you are not giving her with an ear piercing yell.
Carlee is at that wonderful age where everything she does is cute, new, and exciting. She can basically do no wrong right now! :) She loves music so I am going to start her in a music class while Joey is at school on Tuesdays. I'm looking forward to doing an activity with just her and giving her some special time with mommy!

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Here are a few recent pics of the two little gems in my life..

Joey being Joey

Bathtime

Longwood Gardens

Remember When

I am constantly amazed by Joey's fabulous memory! It always takes me by surprise when he talks about some distant event that happened ~ I don't know why but I guess I just didn't think a two year old would remember some of the things he does. But apparently the younger you are the more space you have to hold all of the little details of your life.

So tonight at dinner, Joey and I were talking about a play date he and Carlee had today. While we were at his friends house, they had a piece of furniture delivered. So Joey says to me, "I played trains, I played light saver bad guys, Kyle's daddy made me a hot dog, I had a Popsicle, and the box came - just like when Daddy's new chair came!" I was floored. The "box" he is referring to is the furniture that was delivered and "Daddy's chair" is a recliner that was delivered for our living room almost 8 months ago. I guess the furniture delivery truck was really exciting and worth remembering!!

So then, as I am cleaning up dinner and he is having a Popsicle for dessert (yes, his 2nd of the day!) he asks if he can get down from his chair at the table. I tell him he has to eat his Popsicle at the table. He replies, "Mommy, member when Daddy let me eat my Popsicle and walk all around?" Yes, Joey - but tonight you still have to eat your Popsicle at the table!! :)

Alzheimer's

Anyone who reads my blog is a close friend or family member, with a few exceptions, so by now everyone knows that my mom is in the final stages of Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.

It has always been a struggle, but for the past few months the reality of the situation has hit me harder than ever. Maybe it is because I have been able to visit more often, maybe it is because she is so close to the end. Whatever it is, I seem to go through waves of feeling okay and being really sad.

It kills me that she will never know Joey and Carlee - or worse, that they will never know her. At least once she is in Heaven she will be able to look at them and watch over them and share their joy. I find comfort in the fact that soon she WILL be able to know and see them. On the flip side, Joey and Carlee won't ever get to know her. She would have loved them so much and they would have loved her just as much right back.

I think about HOW MUCH my mom loves kids, especially little ones, and I just don't understand why she doesn't get to live long enough to enjoy her own grandchildren. I used to pray for her to get better. Then, as the years went on, I prayed for her to no longer be suffering. And now, lately, I find myself begging God to perform a miracle and cure her.

This fight feels so helpless to me. At times I look at Joey and Carlee and fear that I too will not be able to know their children. I hate that they may have to go through the same thing that I am going through. This disease is unfair for anybody - but it is just plain mean for it to happen to someone in their fifties.

But in the midst of all these emotions and feelings of defeat ~ my brother's girlfriend, Erin, did something wonderful. She organized a team to walk and raise money for the Alzheimer's Association. I know that the funds we raise will not do anything to help my mom - but hopefully they will keep other people from loosing their parent too early as well. Hopefully the money will fund research that will find a cure.

Being able to do SOMETHING to fight this dreadful disease takes away some of that helplessness and defeat. This walk is a gift and I thank Erin from the bottom of my heart for starting it. I have thought so many times about signing up to do a walk, but never had the energy to force myself to do it. It just seemed too sad.

Now that I have started raising money I feel empowered. Of course, with each donation I see I get tears in my eyes. Some of the people who have donated are friends I have not talked to in years. Some are close friends, others are family. Whomever it is, each donation shows me the huge amount of support I have from so many people. It truly touches my heart when people take time out of their lives to read our web page and donate their own hard earned money. I am happy to have the opportunity to take my own future back into my hands and do something about it. I became an advocate for the Alzheimer's Association and plan on doing this walk every year until a cure is finally found. I refuse to sit back and wait for this to happen to someone else I love. I refuse to do nothing while other people become sick.

Thank you Erin for your constant love and support of our family. You are an amazing, caring, and generous soul. Billy is beyond lucky to have you in his life, and so is the rest of our family. I will forever be grateful to you for helping me to regain power in a fight that quickly leaves you feeling defeated.

(If you are reading this and would like to join us in our fight, please visit my personal web page, and be sure to click on the link to our team web page as well.)

http://walktoendalz.kintera.org/atlanta/donnaberthelsen

Beach Days

Our month at the beach was as fun as we had expected!! Actually, it was more fun!

For me, the best part of living at the beach was how easily accessible things were. You could walk almost anywhere you needed to go, or if you drove it was a super short ride. In an entire month I used ONE tank of gas.

The second best part was hanging out so often with friends that we don't always get to see. It makes me want to be closer to all of them!

Joey and Carlee would tell you that their favorite parts were the beach and the boardwalk. Each of the kids had their favorite activities at both of these places. For Joey he most liked playing in the water at the beach and digging giant holes with Chris. At the boardwalk he liked to frequent the following rides: "the wheels on the bus," the helicopter, the train, and the boat. Except for the train, these were all quarter rides!! The biggest and most fun amusement ride he did was a mini-roller coaster. He rode with his hands in the air the whole way!!










Carlee also loved to play in the holes that we dug. She used the sides as slides, and slid in and out. At the boardwalk, she LOVED this very old Ferris wheel for one person. Each time we went back she would dive towards it when she saw it. We would put in the two quarters and as the seat went around her face would light up. As soon as it stopped she would burst into tears until you put more money in and it started again. She rode on it so many times that she started to know when it was about to end and would start crying right before it stopped!!





There also always seemed to be some sort of construction project going on near us. The best day was when they were fixing the road right in front of our house! I think Joey thought he was in heaven that day!



If there wasn't a road right next to us being fixed, there were lots of firetrucks, sand rakers, and bulldozers to be found along the way...






We did so many fun things while we were there - including going to the FREE Cape May Zoo. Joey and Carlee were enthralled with the goats - and of course, loved the train ride at the end!

We went to several fabulous parks (there were 5 within minutes of us to choose from), went to an amazing playgroup at a local church a few times, and ate ice cream almost every day!!!







During the week we would find random kids on the beach to play with, but would never see them again! On the weekends, we had lots of beach time with the Fannings (including many ice cream trips, dinner parties, and playtime). We also got to spend a weekend each with the Martells, the Halys, and the Hunters. We also got to have Chris' parents up for a long weekend.

All in all, I would say that Joey and Carlee are two of the luckiest kids around! They had a jam packed month with lots of fun, lots of great friends, and TONS of quality time with Mommy and Daddy!!

Potty Time!

So this week was potty training week! I've been prepared for months, but was just waiting for Joey to hit the 2.5 year mark. We were going to start over the weekend so both Chris and I could man the potty, but we ended up having plans all weekend - so on Monday morning I went at it alone.

The first day was crazy. Carlee was in one of her "moods" are wanted to be held allllll day. Joey's potty timer was going off every 20 minutes, and before long he was getting mad that his play was constantly getting interrupted. But after a success and the discovery of the treats, he was excited about going potty!

By Tuesday we had moved the timer to 30 minutes and he was doing great. Wednesday we increased to 45 minutes and by the afternoon abandoned the timer all together! He was doing so well and was going a long time without needing to go potty. So around 5:00 pm, after being stuck in the house for 3 days I decided to do a trial trip to CVS. It only takes us 3 minutes to get there, so I figured if he had an accident then no big deal.

Well after CVS I decided to get gas. And then it was nearing dinner time and Chris was coming home late. I had no intentions of cooking so I decided to push my luck and drive 15 minutes to Chick-fil-A to get soup for the kids. When we got there Joey BEGGED to eat inside. Carlee was a crab again and I weighed my options. Go home and listen to Carlee cry or eat out and take the chance that Joey would have to pee.

Remember, I had just planned on going to CVS, so I had NO potty supplies. No extra clothes, no toilet cover for the public restroom - nothing. And to top it all off, Joey had not gone to the bathroom since the morning. He even had a dry diaper after his nap!

After we sat down and began to eat, our friends Brittany (mom) and Owen (Joey's bud) happened to walk in to Chick-fil-A so they joined us for dinner. Once I had moral support I relaxed and figured if he peed everywhere at least I wouldn't be alone.

Toward the end of dinner he said it. "Mommy, I need to go potty!" So in the bathroom we went while Brittany watched Carlee. I lined the heck out of the toilet with 3 seat covers and propped him up. 2 seconds, then "I no need to go."

Back to dinner. 5 minutes later he asked to go again. Same routine. Same ending. By the time we got home it was 6:30 p.m. and after being home a few minutes Joey informed me that he needed to go potty. He ran in and did a MAJOR pee pee in the potty!!

I was so happy that he was able to hold it allllllll afternoon and not have an accident!

Today is Thursday and I didn't even bring out the timer. Joey has asked to go twice and went both times. Each time he has to go he has a REALLY small accident, but catches himself and then has a success on the potty.

I couldn't be more excited for him! He is doing so well and he is SO PROUD of himself! The look on his face when he yells "Mommy!! I went pee pee on potty!!" is absolutely adorable!

Here are a few pics of our potty process on day one!

DATA :)


TREAT BOX


GETTING HIS FIRST SNACK


WAITING FOR THE TRASH TRUCK WHILE GOING POTTY


LOOK AT MY PEE PEE!!