As we head back to school this week, I am reminded yet again of the truly amazing team of physicians, therapists, teachers, and babysitters that surround Zella daily. Thanks to their encouragement, in the last few weeks of summer Zella has hit milestones we never believed she would reach, namely walking. Simultaneously she has struggled with new self-injurious behavior, but team Z has pulled through and everyone is working hard to cooperatively manage these new challenges. Zella is loving her new preschool program at Apparo Academy. Teachers and staff have already gone above and beyond to make her feel right at home in her new space. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a sprawling metropolis to raise a child with ADNP syndrome. The only way to fully recognize the ... [Read More]
Summertime in Augusta
Nothing says summer like hitting 101 degrees A few days in to an amazing #Steichler vacation with our long time friends, just when I thought our life was finally slowing down, we got the call that our oldest had booked another acting gig. We were shocked and excited...especially when we found that he would begin filming less than a week later. Fast forward a few days - I managed to get 4 sitters to cover our atrocious post-vacation schedule. These sitters are amazing. Literally could not do life without them. Cole is having an excellent time and has the privilege of working with yet another amazing cast and crew. He turned 10 on set and stated it was "better than any birthday party!" The Georgia film industry has provided him with so many wonderful opportunities that he ... [Read More]
Cybex PRIAM 3-in-1 Travel System Review
A huge thank you to the Evenflo Savvy Parents Sampling Program for providing me with the Cybex PRIAM 3-in-1 Travel System in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed below are my own. At first glance I was shocked by the incredibly high-end look and feel of this stroller. The seat fabric is excellent quality and so easy to clean. And the design? Chic. Minimalist. Gorgeous. Thoughtful Details Leather-look accents on the belly bar, handlebar, and matching strap make this kid hauler stand out from the crowd...the crowd of single, double, convertible, and travel strollers hanging out in my garage at this precise moment. Thoughtful engineering for the PRIAM includes features like an intuitive standing fold (one that even the grandparents may be able to operate) ... [Read More]
Adulting: Nutrition Edition
Bad Habits I grew up in a house where we had a fairly balanced dinner each night, save for our trips to beloved Taco Bell in between Tuesday's dance and violin lessons. After-school snacks, however, were epic. Many afternoons I would come home from middle or high school and make and eat an ENTIRE box of Pasta Roni. I still love the stuff. I know. It's weird. I didn't calorie-count. If I was hungry, I ate what I wanted. It was glorious. Fast forward to college days. Suddenly I was on my own. Jake and I would frequent the Curb Cafe for a random assortment of (mostly) junk food - burgers, fries, quesadillas, the usual fast casual fare. We would "grocery shop" (and I definitely use that term loosely) at the Harris Teeter near Belmont. I'm fairly certain I never once picked up a ... [Read More]
Father’s Day: An Ode to Jake
When the bones are good, the rest don't matter...yeah the paint could peel, the glass could shatter. Let it rain, 'cause you and I remain the same. When there ain't a crack in the foundation, baby I know any storm we're facing will blow right over while we stay put. The house don't fall when the bones are good. Although I hear people speak to the huge, sometimes insurmountable difficulties marriage can bring, I have to admit...I have very little experience on that front. And don't misunderstand me - it has virtually nothing to do with me. I happened to have married one of the most selfless humans on the planet. This is perhaps my greatest achievement. You see Jake is no ordinary pediatrician-informatician-ADNP ambassador-father of five-husband. He is the dad who has ... [Read More]
Pumpkin Bread. In June.
A couple days ago I heard a tiny voice make a passionate request. "Mom - can you make pumpkin bread?" My initial thought was "...in June?" I associate pumpkin bread with all things fall...hot apple cider, pumpkin patch visits, unlimited fun sized 3 Musketeers bars, weather in the low 80s. You know. Fall. A quick pantry check revealed that indeed, we did have all the necessary ingredients. Plus no therapy appointments for another 3 hours. "Sure. Let's do it." A few months ago I had the most amazing pumpkin tea bread at my parents' house. My mom's good friend had made the bread and graciously shared the recipe with us. I made a couple small changes, but this simple yet delicious recipe comes to you straight from the kitchen of Ms. Mary Thompson. This pumpkin bread ... [Read More]
