The iPhone - 48 hours later

I finally got my iPhone people. I was able to pre-order it last Saturday, the 8th and I received it this past Saturday, the 15th.  (getting in my hands is another story in itself, thanks ONLY to my friend Todd...)

Love at first sight, it was.

How great are these cupcakes?
I found them HERE, though I can't find the original source.

Call me a nerd - don't worry, my husband has been for 2 days - I like gadgets. I like playing with technology.  I've already downloaded 18 apps (17 free, mind you).  If you didn't know, Saturday was the ridiculous-fake-card-company-created-holiday Sweetest Day. I told Ryan I was making out with my new phone for Sweetest Day. He didn't really find me amusing.  Wah.

I want more, so tell me:

• What are your favorite apps?  
• Which ones can't you live without?  
• Which ones are a waste of time?
• Fun apps for toddlers?

Surgery Update

As you've read below, my friend Samantha had a double lung transplant on Friday.  Just scroll down for the info.

To update you all - her surgery went very well. The doctors say it couldn't have gone better.  Within 6 hours of the surgery, Sam was still sedated, but had already taken some breaths on her own.  Amazing.

Think about that for a minute.  A 6+ hour surgery - her lungs completely removed from her body and new donor lungs placed - think of the absolute complexity of that - and then within just a few hours her body is able to take some breaths for itself. Without the use of a machine.

Mind blowing.

The next morning (Saturday), Sam was awake, looking good and even able to communicate a big via hand gestures.  Things were looking great at this point.

Today is turning out to be a little rough for her.  She has developed a fever and pneumonia, but the doctors explain that this happens.  They've got her on some extra antibiotics.

Please, if you haven't yet or if you have - keep Samantha in your prayers.

AND....   #DONATELIFE

Today is a day dreams are made of

Today, RIGHT NOW, my friend Samantha is undergoing a lung transplant.

We SHE has been waiting for this day for years.

Nearly six years ago, when she was in her early 20s, Sam was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension.  As of today, there is no known cure for PH.  Sam's life lies in the hope that these new lungs work for her.

Sam texted me this morning just before 5 am:

"I got the call, I have to be in Cleveland at 830am I'm getting lungs today!"

Can you imagine telling your friends that?  Oh SAM!  I'm so ridiculously excited for you.  We knew this day was coming. We knew you'd be moved up high enough on the list and we knew a matching donor would be found. But wow. It's TODAY.

My every moment so far today has been consumed by thoughts of Sam. Tears come and go. Tears not so much of fear, but of pure hope and excitement.  Sam has a long road ahead of her. It will be rough. But there is a big rainbow waiting for her at the end of that road. I'm sure of it.

So I'm asking all of you - all of my internet friends - to say a prayer today for my friend Samantha. Pray for her, pray for her family, pray for the donor's family and pray for her entire medical team at the Cleveland Clinic.  Say a hundred prayers. Send hugs. Just think about her.

Thanks.

It was the BEST of times, it was (sometimes) the worst of times

That's how I'd like to describe these past few months. This girl is SO MUCH FUN. This girl also PUSHES EVERY BUTTON possible. It's normal. She's learning about the world. She's learning about herself. I'm learning. Frustrations come in pretty large packages around here. She wants, but she's still learning how to communicate.  What a simple little thing we adults take for granted.


Today my Jocelyn is 18 months old.
There is nothing baby left.


Her words amaze me, however. I tried making a list a couple weeks ago. I stopped somewhere between 60 and 70 words. She's starting to put 2 words together.  New words seem to come every day. I'm amazed every time I hear something new.

She tries to make people laugh. (if she's comfortable enough with you) She's got quite a bit of humor inside her little body and mind. She has this almost fake laugh she does just to get other people going.

She's not that great of an eater, but put any kind of fruit in front of her and she'll practically inhale it. Cheese is a close second. Rarely do we get her to eat any meat, unless it's a hot dog.

Caillou.  Holy Crapballs, Caillou.  That's all.

Books and music are still the most wonderful thing ever. The marching band at the local high school football games seem to be the best thing every invented.  She dances. All the time.

She gives the BEST kisses. Her hugs aren't too shabby either.

There's so much more...but I'm sure you're bored already.
On to pictures:

Learning how to swing a golf club with Daddy!

The strut.

Dreamy.

Crazy, happy Ladybug.

This picture makes me think of me. I don't know, there's something about it that looks like my toddler pictures.

The nightly walking of her baby.

I just love this one. So intense.

She's looking for ants. Then she stomps on them.

Could this face be any cuter?

Riding her bike. I LOVE this thing. It's perfect for toddlers.

HEY! It's ME!
(rugrat)

These next two? Hold on people. These next two pictures just melt me.

Her eyes just penetrate.  I feel like she's looking right into my soul. She knows.

And then innocence. Pure toddler vulnerability.