Reflecting Back
January 17, 2012 By 1 Comment
Today I was thinking back to the day that I thought of Little Hand Big Heart. I can remember sitting on my coach and all the sudden the phrase “Little Hand Big Heart” hit me like a ton of bricks. I was actually so overwhelmed with that phrase that I started to cry. Why… Because I knew it was God talking to me. And I knew then what he wanted me to do.
God wanted me to share our story with the world. He wanted us to make the world more aware of what Amniotic Band Syndrome was and how it has effected us. But more than anything God wanted us to support others who have been effected by Amniotic Band Syndrome and to show everyone that even though Haylee has a limb dificiantcy that she still leads a normal life because we have raised her to know that just because she might be missing something does not mean she can’t be just like everyone else.
I started this site on April 10th, 2008. Can you believe it has been that long? And I can’t tell you how many people we have spoke to since then. How many families we have touched in one way or another. How many people that have told us thanks to us sharing our stories and life they have realized that everything will be ok.
We are so happy to have helped all those we have helped so far and we plan helping more and more.
Our goal for this year is to think about writing a book about Haylee’s life so far, and also we would like to get our name out there more and maybe start talking to hospitals and things so that when mom’s are faced with ABS they know there are people out there that are in the same shoes as them and it will be ok.
What would you like to see out of us this year?
P.S. The image above is what Little Hand Big Heart looked like when it first started….
Sometimes She Does Not Need to Say a Word
January 9, 2012 By 2 Comments
There are times in Haylee’s life when she does not have to say a word to express her feelings. Amniotic Band Syndrome has left me speechless a few times and so I am sure there are times when Haylee is also at a lost of words.
Haylee is beginning to get her own personalality and really just finally becoming her own person. So as she put her hand up I had to snap a picture and wonder what is she thinking. Does she wonder if animals are also born with little paws? Does she even really think about her little hand or is it just so normal and natural now that she does not even really remember half the time.
A little bit after this picture was taken we were walking and a little girl noticed her hand and ran over to her Dad and started asking questions. The Dad tried to pull the little girl away. And I watched as Haylee’s face went from a frown to a smile as she stode up straight and tall and walked over to the little girl and her Dad and said to the Dad. “It is ok. I was born this way and if she wants to ask questions I would rather her do that than stare.” My jaw hit the floor. The Dad said. “I am so sorry.” Haylee said, “Don’t be sorry, next time just let her ask.” Haylee then went on to tell the little girl all about her little hand. It made me one proud Mama.
Sometimes we have to explain and other times we just have to be silent.
But please remember if your child sees something different on someone don’t let them stare. We would rather you ask than stare.
Sometimes they just need to snuggle…
November 30, 2011 By 1 Comment
Amniotic Band has caused us to have lots of ups but we still do have a few downs. Times when we just need to snuggle and remind our kids they are perfect no matter what other people say. But there are also times when a word or a look can really hurt our kids feelings.
I have to admit Haylee has a pretty tough skin. People can stare at her and make comments and normally it just bounces right off or she comments about it we talk about it and then it is done. But there are other times when even the smallest thing really gets to her. Amniotic Band Syndrome make her skin as tough as it is because she does look different but that tough skin does not mean that her feelings don’t get hurt just like everyone elses.
I can normally tell when something is bothering her. Either she will just come out and say what is on her mind or she ends up going into her own world. And when she is in her own world I need to give her space until she is ready to snuggle.
One thing I have learned from Haylee is that sometimes she just needs to snuggle and pretend that she is normal like any other two handed child. She knows that she has no fingers but sometimes in her own little world she pretends she does have two hands.
Recently her and I were talking about her little hand and she said to me, “Mom why do you wish you had a little hand?” I said, “Because it is so cute and cool.” She said, ” Mom I wish for just one day I could have two hands to see what it feels like to have two hands. I don’t want it for every just one day.” It broke my heart to hear her say that. And that was a snuggle time when I knew that no matter what I said it did not matter that she just needed some extra love.
Don’t get me wrong these conversations are few and far between and half the time as soon as it comes out her mouth it is done but these conversations still come up and it is at that time that I have to just remind her that we love her just the way she is and that God made her that way for a reason. A very special reason.
Teaching our kids how important saving money is
November 10, 2011 By 1 Comment
This post was underwritten by BMO Harris Bank, which offers a matching $25 on a new savings account opened for your child through their Helpful Steps for Parents program. Learn more at bmoharris.com/parents.
I remember when I was growing up that I never receive allowance. Yes I did chores but it was part of every day living not part of doing it so I could earn money. I remember asking for money and normally it being handed to me. I also remember never being taught the importance of money and saving money. Because it was always just handed to me I never really knew what it was like to earn money and save money.
Once I was old enough to be out on my own I had no idea how to manage money, save money or spend money. I blew everything I made right away and then struggled until the next paycheck. I did not know what a budget was or even how to write a check or get a checking account. I did not know that if I wrote a check without money in the bank than I had to pay that money back plus some. I literally ruined my credit at a very young age.
But as I got older and wiser I guess you could say it finally hit me. What I need to do to make it in life. I had to learn to save money, budget, and make my money last. And ever since than I haven been on a long hard road to building my credit back up. I vowed to teach my children the value of a dollar and how to save, spend, and donate money.
Since our kids were very young we taught them that they had to work for their money and that if they wanted to buy something they could do one of two things. They could either use their own money or if they really wanted it they could borrow from us but they would need to pay us back. We have been teaching them how to make a budget. How to save their money and not spend it right away. We have taught them that if you really want it you need to think about it for at least a week before you purchase it. Research it and make sure you can’t find it anywhere else cheaper.
But most importantly we have taught them the value of a dollar and how to save their money. They don’t waste their money. Both of our youngest kids save their money and even use their own money to buy Christmas presents for the family. Not to bad for a 16 year old and a 10 year old huh???
What are you doing to teach your kids how important saving your money and the value of a dollar?
I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. To learn more about BMO Harris Bank, visit their website http://bmoharris.com/parents.
Halloween Fun with a Little Hand
November 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Well as always Halloween was a great time. Haylee has always loved Halloween because of the candy. But she also loves it because it is the one time of the year where she can dress up and be anyone she wants to be.
This year she dressed up as a blood vampiress.. She was super cute and brought home a ton of candy.
Haylee has also adapted very well to carrying her trick or treat basket on her little hand so that she can get candy with her big hand. The only little problem we had this year was her little hand got a little cold.
How was your Halloween?
Zhu Zhu For Me Zhu Zhu For You
September 5, 2011 By 55 Comments
I remember when Zhu Zhu’s first came out and Haylee begged me for a Zhu Zhu pet. I will admit I did not give in at first. But since that day the Zhu-niverse has expanded, I finally gave in and now have many Zhu Zhu’s in my house.
Many years and Zhu Zhu’s later we now have a whole Zhu-niverse in my daughters room. We have pets, puppies, hamsters, kung Zhu’s and so many different things to play with that on a good day I can’t even count how many there are and don’t think we could ever get bored playing with Zhu Zhu’s.
One of my favorite things about Zhu Zhu’s is that you can’t out grow them. My 9 year old daughter has them, my 5 year old nephew has them, and my 10 year old niece even collects them. Recently, we have added a new Zhu Zhu Puppy, Zhu Zhu Puppy outfit and Fun Time Laundry Room to my daughters never ending Zhu-niverse. And I have to be the first to admit that both my daughter and myself have had an amazing time playing, dressing, and washing her Zhu Zhu puppies cloths. I think that thing that made me really smile about the Laundry Room was the fact that even Zhu Zhu Puppies need to wash their cloths and take care of themselves.
We have had so much fun with our Zhu Zhu puppy and outfit that we have the opportunity to share a Zhu Zhu puppy and outfit with you. All you need to do is leave us a comment telling us who in your house or family would like to adopt a Zhu Zhu Puppy and why you think they would like to Adopt one. We will choose the winners on September 12th.
Why We Love Crocs
August 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment
So as many of you know we are madly in love with crocs. But not because of the same reasons that average person is. Have you ever gone into a croc store and really looked around? First if you have not you have to go do it and plan to send half they day there madly in love with everything you see. But it is not because of all the pretty colors and different styles.
It is because Crocs slip on. And for us that is awesome. Because with one hand, tying your shoes is very hard. With crocs they have so many different styles of shoes that we can find slip on shoes for just about all seasons.
Crocs not only had 10 fingered kids in mind when they created crocs but they also had our kids with special needs in mind. They make it so easy for our kids to still be stylish but also be able to slip on these shoes and go.
Haylee loves this because she does not have to ask her teachers or friends at school to help her lace her shoes up.
So the next time you go to buy a awesome pair of shoes.. remember who makes buying shoes super easy.. CROCS…..
Thank you to Crocs for sponsoring this blog post. Please click here to learn more about Crocs’ new Back to School line. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.
