An Angel Among Us

I already knew I was an Angel, when mom and dad found out.  I just couldn’t let them in on the secret until it was time.  Dr. Kwon (my neuro doctor) let mom and dad know last week that my test results showed that I had Angelman’s Syndrome (for more info go to the really cool Angelman Sydnrome Foundation link on the blog).  Now before you all go and get emotional, please let me tell you… I’m still the spunky two year old I was before we had a name for my gimmicks!  It’s not life threatening, but it will create some chaos for us once and a while.  I love chaos.  It’s also the reason why I put EVERYTHING in my mouth, why I am so cheerful and love the water, could you imagine if I wasn’t so happy and peppy? Pretty boring.  So what if my preferred method of communication is through signs and pictures, and it may take me longer to accomplish milestones.  At least I will have fun doing it!  Me, momma, and daddy plan on taking the bull by the horns and ride em cowboy.  We’ve met so many nice people on the Angelman’s listserv and through the ASF.  Theres a great community of friends out there, so don’t you worry!  We’re recruiting folks to donate to the Walk A Thon in May (20th), it will be my first official outing with other Angels- I can’t wait! (too bad it isn’t a swim a thon :-))  Let momma know if you want to contribute. 

So this weekend I went to swimming lessons and made momma get in, cuz I was cranky.  The water was a little chilly and I felt in order to fully relish in it’s frigidness, mom needed to get wet too!  We played the "wheels on the bus" and watched some of my friends swim too.  I got to stay up super late on Saturday because we went to a friend’s house.  It was so late when we got home, it was time for me to get up!  So I decided it might be nice to sleep with mom and dad (dad loves this because I get to play "wack a mole" to wake him up- just kidding).  Sunday we got up early and watched a movie, and Grampa Bob and Grandma Linda brought over scones (they were yummy).  Nana and Pen came by too later that evening and played.  That’s all for now.  Don’t forget to be nice to someone today (life’s too short to be nasty!)- Hugs and Kisses- AriBethyBoo

Happy Birthday to Coopie

My cousin Cooper turns 2 this weekend.  Her party was last Sunday, and we had a blast!  I got to hang with the whole McKay clan!  It was so much fun to see all my cousins & how big we all are getting.  My favorite part was the cake and the slinkies!  I also had my swimming lessons this week.  Ms. Lisa says that I am working very hard and that I am learning a lot in such a short time.  I can kick and move my arms.  I even let momma put my ear plugs in when they fall out.  I have a new sound too.  Sometimes when momma isn’t looking I try to say "b" or "bbbbbbbb" but not if she wants me to :)  We should be hearing from Dr. Kwon in Rochester tomorrow.  Mom and Dad will let everyone know what she says about the pictures of my chrome a zomes… bla bla bla… I’m all about the party and the water!  Check out the pictures mom finally got around to putting on the blog.  Aren’t we cute (me and coopie).  I hope that everyone enjoyed their first day of spring.  I certainly did.  Whomever ordered the snow and frigid temps should get a gold star (meaning no construction just yet).  Hugs and kisses to everyone.  Please email mom and let us know how you are doing!  I promise to make her read it to me out loud-  Later Gators!- Ari Beth Manning

Artfish

Wow what a busy weekend we had!  My Bubbe came from Florida to hang out, and brought some pretty nice weather to boot!  Momma, Dad, Aunt Susie, Sara, and Nana all went to the fundraiser for my school and bid on my artwork.  My stained glass class piece made the most money (thanks mom dad & nana).  Van Gogh has nothing on us I also had my first swimming lesson on Saturday.  Mom thinks I’m half fish, I dove right in and to my teacher.  I even wore my ear plugs for momma, although all I hear is bla bla bla with those things in.  My teacher, Miss Lisa, said I was awesome (of course would you expect anything less).  Boy that water wears me out, so I had to crash for about 4 hours.  Then I ate everything in sight.  I decided to pull an all nighter last night, cuz I thought mom and I needed some more alone time together.  Momma thinks this sleep idea is good for us, but I think it’s just another obstacle in my way to getting another snack!  I have to send a special shout out this time to a couple of people… Maggster and her rents- BonVoyage to Canada.  Keep in touch we’ll miss you here.  Jim & Dara we are keeping you in our prayers- I’m sending special giggles to you.  To Laura, Tommy, and Jazmin- good luck in Messy chew sats (Mass). Be sure to write.  With love to everyone- St. Patty’s day is coming, kiss one another- I’m Irish! Peace- AriBeth

March in like a LION

Holy cow man!  You should have seen it snow yesterday.  I was sooooo excited when I found out I was going to get to use my new snow suit and sled for something other than a place to take a nap!  Momma and Nana took me out in the foot of snow and we played and touched the cold white stuff that fell from the sky.  No snow day for the school kids though, ha ha ha!  I had an eventful trip to Rochester to see my new neurologist, and Dr Sulkes (he makes funny noises on my feet).  Dr. Kwon is my neurologist.  She says I make her smile.  That’s what I do best.  It was so hot in the office that mom and dad stripped me down and let me run around in my diaper.  I got lots of good stuff to eat to keep me on my best behavior (teddy grahams, cottage cheese, jello, cookies, juice).  We went out to eat a Pizzaria Uno and I had the best chicken fingers ever!  Mom and dad said that I was such a good girl (but I already knew that!).  Check back later this weekend to see my sledding pictures.  My bubbe comes up next week for a visit, it’ll probably snow, so she should bring lots of layers buurrrrrrr.  L8R - The Boo