Fairy GodMAW Grants Princess Bella's WISH! Update 12/2 - One more sleep til Disney!

[chrissid7]

Chrissi - can I ask you how old Alyssa was when her growth stopped? Phoebe was at the top of the charts for height and 75 for weight all the way from infancy until about two years ago (age 6). It slowed down but she is still growing. I asked two of her docs about it recently and they weren't too concerned. Just said to keep an eye on it. The nutritionist said it is normal for girls to slow down during prepuberty. I'm thinking, if all girls slow down, she shouldn't be dropping on the girls' chart! I don't want to wait until it's too late.

Stefani - Glad to hear the party went well. Can't wait for details and pics!!!

It slowed quite a biit at 8 years old but stopped completely at 10 and she just fell off the chart. Most of oour trouble was that we just couldnt get enough calories in her. I boosted every bite od her food up but she just couldnt eat much at 1 time. She is small for 10 but im hoping that now she can get closer to the rest of the kids in her class.
Sorry I know I wasnt ahuge help, but I do understand you not wanting to wait. I kinda wish we had done something soon but we just kepy hoping that she was just going to start eating more. Its hard! I hope she Phoebe amps back up and then you have nothing to worry about! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[All7OfUs]

Just stopping by to say, Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope you have a wonderful day ahead of you!

Liesa

 

[StefaniLyn]

So sorry Bella is having to go through so much with eating. When Alyssa just quit growing and then fell off of the chart, it was a hard decision to get the feeding tube but we knew it was necessary. It is so frustrating not getting the answers you need. I hope the medicine works, but I totally get what you mean by needing the reason not just masking the problem.

I dealing with a lot ogf that lately myself with Alyssa's Seizure activity.

Cant wait to see pics from the send off and Im so excited for your trip!

Sometimes I wish we had never taken Bella's tube out but then I recall how much she hated it. She would literally try to rip her tube out when we tried to tube feed her. A lot of that probably was because of the rapid gastric emptying causing pain and discomfort as it is now. She associated that pain and discomfort with her tube and wanted it gone.

I hope you find some answers for Alyssa's siezures. I recall the frustration of the med game. I hope you find some anwers. Playing with meds, discovering funky side effects, and having no answers is so iritating!

Stefani, I take Metformin, and no, I am not diabetic, or even pre-diabetic. I don't know if I can help but feel free to pm me if you have non-urgent questions but can't wait for the doc.

Thanks so much. I will send you a PM. I am curious to hear your experience with it.

Stefani - Glad to hear the party went well. Can't wait for details and pics!!!

I am going to try and post the party details tonight. It's been a crazy 2 days with Thanksgiving and black friday shopping.

Hooray for the party! I can't wait to hear all about it and see the pics..you guys are so close now . I get you on the "tired" thing..try to get some rest before you leave if you can..I know, I know..too much to do, but try to fit it in for you! We're keeping Bella and your fam in our prayers, hopefully you'll get an answer sooner rather than later.

I am going to try and get a good nights sleep tonight after I post a couple of things here. I don't want to be exhausted for the beginning of the trip

It slowed quite a biit at 8 years old but stopped completely at 10 and she just fell off the chart. Most of oour trouble was that we just couldnt get enough calories in her. I boosted every bite od her food up but she just couldnt eat much at 1 time. She is small for 10 but im hoping that now she can get closer to the rest of the kids in her class.
Sorry I know I wasnt ahuge help, but I do understand you not wanting to wait. I kinda wish we had done something soon but we just kepy hoping that she was just going to start eating more. Its hard! I hope she Phoebe amps back up and then you have nothing to worry about! Happy Thanksgiving!

Ah, I remember those days! It sounds gross, but we used to add vegetable oil to Bella's yogurt to boost calories. Eeeewwww! I hope Phoebe is just waiting on a growth spurt that will come soon!

Just stopping by to say, Happy Thanksgiving!!! Hope you have a wonderful day ahead of you!

Liesa

Liesa thank you so much. Happy Thanksgiving to your family as well. I actually think I didn't touch the computer for a full 24 hours on Turkey day. That may be some sort of record for me!

 

[StefaniLyn]

Happy Thankgiving to all of my wonderful DIS friends. I have so many things to be thankful for, yourselves included. Your knowledge, kindness, and comfort are a blessing and I thank you all for that.

I am one of those crazy people who shops Black Friday. In fact, I'm so insane that because our local outlet mall opens up at 10pm on Thanksgiving Day, I feel there is no need to sleep that evening as my time would be better spent SHOPPING! I am now paying dearly for that thought as I am completely exhausted despite a short nap this afternoon. So tonight, dear friends, I am going to try and make this short and sweet!

Wish Party Pleasure

As promised, here are a handful of pictures from Bella's Wish Party. Bella invited 5 friends of hers from school and they enjoyed an afternoon of bowling and pizza! The girls had a blast and let me tell you it is so much fun to watch 5 year olds, some of whom probably weigh less than the ball, try and bowl. I found myself in giggle fits on multiple occasions! Did you know that even with bumpers in place it is possible to get a gutter ball?

I found these adorable plates a few months ago and I couldn't wait to use them for the party. Aren't they perfect!

Wish Granter Carrie with Bella and her party guests!

After bowling, we enjoyed some pizza. Bella ate popcorn.

Then Bella opened her gifts from Carrie and Make a Wish. AJ and Kennedy recieved gifts as well.

Bella and her friends with her Make A Wish gifts

After opening the gifts, Carrie gave us our information as well as our tickets, itinerary, and our expense check. She had us sign a few papers and then we wrapped up the party. We had such a wonderful time and despite my reservations, bowling turned out to be a perfect party place for Bella's Wish Party.

After we got home, I took this picture of Bella with her gifts (and AJ and Kennedy's too)

She loves her Minnie Mouse!

Camera Catastrophe

From my posts, you may be able to tell that I am pretty fond of taking pictures. For instance, on our first Disney trip, I took over 700 pictures. Our second trip was over 1,000. Do you believe me now?

I absolutely LOVE my camera - it is a Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. It has been my faithful companion through difficult hospitalizations, happy celebrations, and many other important events in our children's lives. I love taking pictures, and I feel lost without that ability.

I feel lost now. In the MIDDLE of Bella's Wish Party, my camera suddenly stopped working. It would turn on, focus to take the picture, and when I pushed the button harder, it would do . . . . . NOTHING! I freaked out!

I asked DH to run home and get DD10's camera. She follows in my footsteps and has a love for photography. Last Christmas, Santa gave her a 'real' digital camera. Thank goodness. So I finshed taking the party photos using DD10's camera. Also, one of Bella's friend's mom had a camera and she was kind enough to take lots of pictures and send them to me.

Once we returned home, the gravity of the situation set in. Something was seriously wrong with my camera. I tried different lenses, batteries, memory cards, etc. But it was all to no avail as the camera simply would not take a photo. I was 8 days away from Bella's Wish Trip and I feel like I've lost my best friend.

I could use AJ's, but I am so used to my semi-pro camera that I know I will be disappointed with the results. I'm kind of a camera snob.

I have a warranty on my camera, and DH took it to Best Buy this morning, but it will take several weeks to get it back. Yea for warranty, but boo hoo for the timing.

DH works at a store that sells electronics, so he is going to see if we can borrow a demo model for our trip. I'm not sure they will let him, but I don't know what else we can do at this point. I know it will work itself out in the end, but I am quite upset about the situation right now.

BIG GIVE GALORE

We have recieved 2 more Big Give packages!!!

The first was on Wednesday (sorry for the delay in posting)

I am soooo sorry, but I need to find the package to find out who it is from. I always take a photo of the label, but this time I didn't notice a glare in the picture right over the return address. Sorry! but THANK YOU!

AJ pulled it out and held it up to see who it would fit:

She was excited to present it to Kennedy who LOVED it! and had to try it on IMMEDIATELY!!!!

and Today, AJ recieved a package in the mail. She was especially helpful today as I 'recovered' from Black Friday so I thought it was almost like a little reward for her assistance. This package was from Leslie in Michigan. Her DISer name is 2cutekidz. AJ opened up the package and found:

a note - look at her eyes light up!

isn't it beautifully wrapped?

Inside was a big sister outfit for AJ to wear to coordinate, but not match, her sisters while at Disney World! She was extatic!

Thank you Leslie for the awesome outfit. AJ is so thrilled and cannot wait to wear it! She loves it so much. She even read me the washing instructions (label says wash inside out) twice to ensure that I didn't ruin her new favorite outfit!

 

[yinyanggirls]

What a fun party! The plates were perfect! Glad you had it there so you were close to home when the camera gave out. Oh man, I'd be totally stressing about the camera too. Do you have any friends or family that have a good enough camera that would let you borrow it?
The outfits are, as always, totally adorable. I love how AJ's coordinates, but not matches. She's a lovely young lady! No little girl clothes for her!

 

[revrob]

Happy Thankgiving to all of my wonderful DIS friends. I have so many things to be thankful for, yourselves included. Your knowledge, kindness, and comfort are a blessing and I thank you all for that.

I am one of those crazy people who shops Black Friday. In fact, I'm so insane that because our local outlet mall opens up at 10pm on Thanksgiving Day, I feel there is no need to sleep that evening as my time would be better spent SHOPPING! I am now paying dearly for that thought as I am completely exhausted despite a short nap this afternoon. So tonight, dear friends, I am going to try and make this short and sweet!

Wish Party Pleasure

As promised, here are a handful of pictures from Bella's Wish Party. Bella invited 5 friends of hers from school and they enjoyed an afternoon of bowling and pizza! The girls had a blast and let me tell you it is so much fun to watch 5 year olds, some of whom probably weigh less than the ball, try and bowl. I found myself in giggle fits on multiple occasions! Did you know that even with bumpers in place it is possible to get a gutter ball?

I found these adorable plates a few months ago and I couldn't wait to use them for the party. Aren't they perfect!

Wish Granter Carrie with Bella and her party guests!

After bowling, we enjoyed some pizza. Bella ate popcorn.

Then Bella opened her gifts from Carrie and Make a Wish. AJ and Kennedy recieved gifts as well.

Bella and her friends with her Make A Wish gifts

After opening the gifts, Carrie gave us our information as well as our tickets, itinerary, and our expense check. She had us sign a few papers and then we wrapped up the party. We had such a wonderful time and despite my reservations, bowling turned out to be a perfect party place for Bella's Wish Party.

After we got home, I took this picture of Bella with her gifts (and AJ and Kennedy's too)

She loves her Minnie Mouse!

Camera Catastrophe

From my posts, you may be able to tell that I am pretty fond of taking pictures. For instance, on our first Disney trip, I took over 700 pictures. Our second trip was over 1,000. Do you believe me now?

I absolutely LOVE my camera - it is a Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. It has been my faithful companion through difficult hospitalizations, happy celebrations, and many other important events in our children's lives. I love taking pictures, and I feel lost without that ability.

I feel lost now. In the MIDDLE of Bella's Wish Party, my camera suddenly stopped working. It would turn on, focus to take the picture, and when I pushed the button harder, it would do . . . . . NOTHING! I freaked out!

I asked DH to run home and get DD10's camera. She follows in my footsteps and has a love for photography. Last Christmas, Santa gave her a 'real' digital camera. Thank goodness. So I finshed taking the party photos using DD10's camera. Also, one of Bella's friend's mom had a camera and she was kind enough to take lots of pictures and send them to me.

Once we returned home, the gravity of the situation set in. Something was seriously wrong with my camera. I tried different lenses, batteries, memory cards, etc. But it was all to no avail as the camera simply would not take a photo. I was 8 days away from Bella's Wish Trip and I feel like I've lost my best friend.

I could use AJ's, but I am so used to my semi-pro camera that I know I will be disappointed with the results. I'm kind of a camera snob.

I have a warranty on my camera, and DH took it to Best Buy this morning, but it will take several weeks to get it back. Yea for warranty, but boo hoo for the timing.

DH works at a store that sells electronics, so he is going to see if we can borrow a demo model for our trip. I'm not sure they will let him, but I don't know what else we can do at this point. I know it will work itself out in the end, but I am quite upset about the situation right now.

BIG GIVE GALORE

We have recieved 2 more Big Give packages!!!

The first was on Wednesday (sorry for the delay in posting)

I am soooo sorry, but I need to find the package to find out who it is from. I always take a photo of the label, but this time I didn't notice a glare in the picture right over the return address. Sorry! but THANK YOU!

AJ pulled it out and held it up to see who it would fit:

She was excited to present it to Kennedy who LOVED it! and had to try it on IMMEDIATELY!!!!

and Today, AJ recieved a package in the mail. She was especially helpful today as I 'recovered' from Black Friday so I thought it was almost like a little reward for her assistance. This package was from Leslie in Michigan. Her DISer name is 2cutekidz. AJ opened up the package and found:

a note - look at her eyes light up!

isn't it beautifully wrapped?

Inside was a big sister outfit for AJ to wear to coordinate, but not match, her sisters while at Disney World! She was extatic!

Thank you Leslie for the awesome outfit. AJ is so thrilled and cannot wait to wear it! She loves it so much. She even read me the washing instructions (label says wash inside out) twice to ensure that I didn't ruin her new favorite outfit!

I'm so glad you guys now have received all of your animal kingdom inspired outfits! They're going to be precious!
I was the lucky one that was able to create Kennedy's skirt set - and I'm so pleased to see that she seemed to like it! I hope you guys have a FABULOUS trip! I hope to hear about it when you get home!

 

[All7OfUs]

I knew the bowling would work out great! They all look like they are having a blast.

AWWWW, nuts!! I can't believe your bad luck about the camera. Do you have a friend that would lend you one?

 

[kdzbear]

Your girls new outfits are so cute! I loved the pictures from the bowling party. I am so sad about your camera. I know that mine is also attached to my hip. I hope that there is a happy outcome with your trip so close!

 

[StefaniLyn]

What a fun party! The plates were perfect! Glad you had it there so you were close to home when the camera gave out. Oh man, I'd be totally stressing about the camera too. Do you have any friends or family that have a good enough camera that would let you borrow it?
The outfits are, as always, totally adorable. I love how AJ's coordinates, but not matches. She's a lovely young lady! No little girl clothes for her!

I hadn't even though of that! You are so right though, had we been at the pizza place, I probably wouldn't have had any photos from after my camera broke! As they say, everything happens for a reason . . .

DH is going to see if he can borrow a floor model from work. If not, my brother has my older Canon PowerShot Pro that I could use but he lives an hour and a half away and I don't really have the time to go get it this week.

AJ really is excited about her outfit. It made her feel better about the fact that I just purchased identical matching Christmas dresses for them yesterday! Poor kid!

I'm so glad you guys now have received all of your animal kingdom inspired outfits! They're going to be precious!
I was the lucky one that was able to create Kennedy's skirt set - and I'm so pleased to see that she seemed to like it! I hope you guys have a FABULOUS trip! I hope to hear about it when you get home!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your creation was just beautiful and PERFECT for my Kennedy! She loves the twirl factor and keeps asking me if she can "just peek at it" several times each day!

I knew the bowling would work out great! They all look like they are having a blast.

AWWWW, nuts!! I can't believe your bad luck about the camera. Do you have a friend that would lend you one?

It was a blast, and I'm glad Bella and her friends were able to try something new!

I am trying to stay positive about the camera situation. We're lucky it didn't break in Disney, right? Also, this is the 2nd time it has broken under warranty and if they can't fix it (and I am secretly hoping they can't) then I get a brand-spanking new one! It will all work out in the end.

Your girls new outfits are so cute! I loved the pictures from the bowling party. I am so sad about your camera. I know that mine is also attached to my hip. I hope that there is a happy outcome with your trip so close!

Thanks! The Big Give talent pool is unbelieveable! And I know it will all work out eventually. I hope.

 

[revrob]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Your creation was just beautiful and PERFECT for my Kennedy! She loves the twirl factor and keeps asking me if she can "just peek at it" several times each day!

That just SERIOUSLY made my day! I'm so glad!

 

[2cutekidz]

Bella's Wish party looked like so much fun! I hope you get everything worked out with your camera - I know I would be LOST without mine!

I'm so happy AJ likes her outfit, and I hope she won't be too warm in the jeans I wanted to make her something a little more "grown up" but was still cute. (Red looks GREAT on her too!)

 

[Momofwishkid]

Bella's party looks like it was a huge hit! Im so glad she had fun and your plates were perfect. Sorry about the camera I hope DH is able to get the one you want.
I so feel you on black friday shopping I too am a crazy one and didn't sleep at all was at the mall waiting in line from 1:00 in the morning. But hey I got some good deals. Hope you did too.
The new Big Give outfits are beautiful. I really love AJ's she looks wonderful in it.

 

[jessica52877]

The party looks like a blast! So much fun for the kids! I love the plates! Those were perfect!!

I just got the Canon T1i last month and so far I have loved it! I hope that you get something figured out before your trip. If you were closer you could borrow mine!

There is going to a package for you waiting when you get to GKTW! I'll PM you a few details later!

 

[aaronandterri]

looks like she had fun at the party, and those outfits are just adorable! x

terri x

 

[jham]

Love the party pictures! The kids look so cute trying to bowl. Sorry about your camera! I have the Rebel xsi and would feel the same way. Hopefully you can get a good backup for the trip. I love the AK outfits!

 

[StefaniLyn]

That just SERIOUSLY made my day! I'm so glad!

Thanks so much!

Bella's Wish party looked like so much fun! I hope you get everything worked out with your camera - I know I would be LOST without mine!

I'm so happy AJ likes her outfit, and I hope she won't be too warm in the jeans I wanted to make her something a little more "grown up" but was still cute. (Red looks GREAT on her too!)

I know the camera situation will work itself out. AJ wears jeans all the time, even in the summer occasionally, around here so I know she will be find at WDW in jeans. It's so perfect for her!

Bella's party looks like it was a huge hit! Im so glad she had fun and your plates were perfect. Sorry about the camera I hope DH is able to get the one you want.
I so feel you on black friday shopping I too am a crazy one and didn't sleep at all was at the mall waiting in line from 1:00 in the morning. But hey I got some good deals. Hope you did too.
The new Big Give outfits are beautiful. I really love AJ's she looks wonderful in it.

I got some great deals as well and crossed a whole bunch of peole off my LONG 'to buy for' list. The sad thing is, sales are so great on BF that half of the stuff I bought was for my house! I bought flooring and countertops, and a handful of other household things that were just too good to pass up. Unfortunately, I think I caught a Black Friday cold. Just a little case of the sniffles, but that's what I get for being awake for 36 hours straight!

The party looks like a blast! So much fun for the kids! I love the plates! Those were perfect!!

I just got the Canon T1i last month and so far I have loved it! I hope that you get something figured out before your trip. If you were closer you could borrow mine!

There is going to a package for you waiting when you get to GKTW! I'll PM you a few details later!

I am secretly hoping BB deems my camera unrepairable. This is the second time this year it has been serviced. If they can't fix it, they will replace it with, I think, a TSi. Ohhhhh . . . to have live view and video once again would be a dream!

Thanks for the info about the package. I wil keep an eye out for it.

looks like she had fun at the party, and those outfits are just adorable! x

terri x

Thanks Terri! The party was AWESOME. Even better than I anticipated and now Bella wants to have a bowling party for her birthday in April as well.

Love the party pictures! The kids look so cute trying to bowl. Sorry about your camera! I have the Rebel xsi and would feel the same way. Hopefully you can get a good backup for the trip. I love the AK outfits!

It's so fun watching 5 year olds bowl. I made sure to stay a couple of feet away when they were picking up the ball - I do value my toes and didn't want to lose one!

I hope to eventually have an xsi. We bought the extended 5 year warranty because I always end up breaking my cameras within 5 years. Not on purpose or even through neglect. I just take so many pictures the cameras eventually burn out. I am hoping to get an XSI if BB cannot fix my XTI.

 

[StefaniLyn]

I was hoping to post this yesterday, but as I'm still recovering from my Black Friday hangover, I went to bed early. We had 2 more BIG GIVE packages arrive in our mailbox on Saturday! The girls were again extrememly excited and VERY motivated to finish their chores. How am I ever going to get them to do chores anymore after the Big Give ends?

The first was from Maroo in Mississippi! DH grew up in Corinth, MS - did I ever mention that to you Maroo? His fondest memory of your great state is being paddled in kindergarten - and then laughing at the principal because it didn't hurt!

Ah, so where was I? Oh yes, the girls were drooling over the Big Give packages that had arrived at our home. They finished their chores lickety-split and they opened the first package. Bella picked this one first.

And she and Kennedy proceeded to tear off the tear strip to open it.

Inside were 5 AWESOME WISH t-shirts! One for each member of our family! The are absolutely perfect for our trip!

DH and I get a shirt too! Woo Hoo! Mine fits, I tried it on, but I suck at self portraits so I didn't even attempt one - sorry Maroo! DH was at work, but tried his on after he returned. It fits too! We love them and the longsleeves will be perfect for December in Florida!

Thank you so much Maroo! The shirts are perfect and we absolutely love them!

The second package was from Teresa in Michigan - DIS Name TeresaJoy. It was secured with lots of tape, so I had the honor of opening it with a scissors and thus no 'opening' photos. Inside was 3 bags, each with a note attached that had the girls' name on it.

The notes were written by Teresa but the artwork, well it was unsigned but I can only assume that it was done by VanGough or another amazing artist because the artwork was STUNNING.

Why didn't I get a picture of Kennedy? Probably because she was too busy RIPPING into the package because she was so excited.

Inside each bag, the girls found Gorgeous, exquisite, indredible ball gowns. Teresa, you really have outdone yourself. These dresses are AMAZING! The craftsmanship - simply incredible!
AJ tried hers on:

Then Kennedy:

And Isabella:

As you may recall, on one day of our trip, the girls will be going to Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique for princess makeovers. After that, we will be going to the Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian for dinner. The dinner is hosted by Cinderella, her stepsisters Anastasia and Druzilla, Prince Charming, and stepmother Lady Tremaine. Teresa knew this and had made similar costumes for her family's dinner at this event a few months ago. She was very excited to make dresses for my girls as well! So here I present (already practicing their characters) Evil Stepsisters Druzilla (AJ) and Anastasia (Kennedy) and Cinderella (Bella) ready for the ball!

When Teresa took her family, they captured their entrance on video. Teresa, I hope you don't mind that I'm posting this here as well. I will remove it if you want. So I showed my girls the video of Teresa's family at 1900 Park Fare.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v678/hkite/Disney 2009 4/?action=view&current=disneyoctober153.flv

And this is my girls' reaction:

Needless to say, the girls are now VERY, VERY excited about their dinner at 1900 Park Fare. They have been practicind their Cinderella characters ever since!!

Thank you so much Theresa (and Miss Lydia for her contribution as well - I have a feeling she may be the VanGough behind the drawings!). I can't wait for our BBB and 1900 PF Disney Day!

 

[yinyanggirls]

OMG, that is so funny!!! I take back my rant at you on Facebook. Thanks for including the video here. I understand the faces on your girls now!

(PS - I love the santa pic of Bella. She looks so sweet but just a tiny bit annoyed at the photographer making her wait!)

 

[Momofwishkid]

Oh my goodness those dresses are beautiful! Theresajoy really outdid herself The girls look stunning. I cant wait to see pics after BBB and the dinner. They will fit in perfectly.

 

[teresajoy]

Thank you so much for the wonderful pictures!!! This has just really made my day!! I had so much fun making these for your girls. I'm so glad you wanted me to do them for you. The girls all look gorgeous in the dresses!

I read Lydia what you wrote and she is simply beaming from ear to ear!!! And she said, "I know who Van Gogh is!" She is very happy that you liked the pictures!

I love the shirts Maroo sent too! Those look great!