Game Plan...

It's that time of year again! When school is back in session and the mornings and evenings start getting cooler... it can only mean one thing.

No, not the time we start seeing Christmas decorations and cards in the stores. Although that is true.

No, not the beginning of "NO MORE LEG SHAVING UNTIL SUMMER!" season. Although that is most definitely true. Wait - unless you think that's really gross and then I'm totally kidding. Kind of.

It's that time of year when I'll obsess over my beloved Just Between Friends (Fall) Consignment Sale!! WOO HOO!! If you know me even just a tiny bit - you know I love my consignment sale. The JBF sale I go to is in Oaks, PA at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. If you live around here, come to the sale! I haven't been to any of the other surrounding JBF sales - but I know this one is the best. How could it not be? This was the sale that started Gavin stepping. Literally. The very first sale I went to, I bought a baby walker for $20.00 that looked brand new. I thought I got the best deal in the world. (Now that I'm a veteran shopper, I would have never paid $20 for a walker!) I was hoping, since Gavin would be supported in the sling seat, that my low tone boy would be motivated to take steps to move himself. It worked. Check out this throwback video (with a cameo by a baby Brian!)...

Looking back, I probably would have paid $200 for that walker if I had known it would have put the idea of stepping into Gavin's little head and given me that experience in my kitchen. It was a simple - but HUGE moment for both of us.

Back then, the twice a year sales were SO important to me. I had two boys very close in age - one with special needs who received a lot of therapy in our home. I was always looking for new toys to keep his therapy interesting. With such a HUGE selection, I could literally think through each therapy he received and get toys that would help him - with occupational therapy or physical therapy or feeding therapy and on and on. I have told this to so many special needs families over the years - it's really the best place to go for stimulating toys that won't break the bank. I've also told several families that have autistic children they should check out these sales. If your child is fixated on a toy - and you dread the day it breaks because it's not made anymore - you will likely find 20 of them at a JBF sale.

Now that Brian is older, I find I don't sell as much of his clothes. As boys grow, they get rougher and rougher on their clothes - and JBF is very strict about selling things in excellent condition. And Hope? Well she is definitely rougher than the average girl on her clothes. Especially this summer at "Camp Leong!" We spent so much time outside that some of her clothes - I wouldn't even GIVE them away!! So this time around, my selling pile was the smallest ever. I use a "valet tagger" that works for JBF to tag and deliver my clothes to the sale floor. It's the best decision I ever made a couple years back. The valet gets a cut of what I make (well deserved) - and I get to do more of this...

and a little of this...

a little of this...

and a LOT of this!!!!!!!

All while my lovely valet does all the work!

In just a couple weeks (September 21st!) I will be in line to shop on the presale day. My list will be made and I'll have a solid game plan before I go through those doors. I'll be on the hunt for Halloween costumes (which there will be racks and racks and racks to choose from)... Christmas presents for the kids (which will be easy)... snowsuits... and I'll of course have to check out the clothes. I should mention - this is totally the "testing ground" for some toys or video games that I'm just not sure Brian will like long enough to justify buying new - but he may be begging for. If I pay $5.00 for a game or a toy and he only plays with it a few times - I feel a lot better about it. (Then I turn around and sell it for $10. Just kidding!)

I started going to this sale because of Gavin so I suppose that's why I'm so emotionally attached and want to share it all with you twice a year. Whether you're expecting, a new Mom, an "old" Mom like me, have older kids or grandkids - or even if the only kids you have are your students or special needs clients - you won't regret going to the sale. You might even see me there! But listen - I will knock you down if you're holding the only Minecraft costume (if that even exists) in Brian's size. You've been warned. Ha!

If you want to join me, check out all the information on the JBF site HERE. You will need to get tickets to each sale event - and you can get them free by ordering them HERE.  You can also pay $10.00 to get in earlier (worth it!). This is what you'll see when you get to the ticket ordering page:

And here's the full sale schedule:

I'll be posting on September 21st in the morning during the pre-sale on Twitter, Instagram and my Facebook page so you can see what I'm finding for Brian and Hope! If you're wondering how to get in THAT early - consider volunteering to work at the sale. There are tons of volunteer opportunities and the more you work, the more you make and the earlier you get to shop! 

Hope to see you there! And if you do see me, please say hi. I love meeting people who have been reading - especially if they read during the Gavin days. Any chance I have to hear Gavin's name - it totally makes my day.

You can also find my friends at JBF all over social media - on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Hope To See You There!...

Today I had planned to write a post on my consigning experience with Just Between Friends.

Today I had also posted this cute photo of Hope on Instagram and my Facebook Page.

And today - almost like a gift - I received a super-snarky comment in my inbox!  

I typically just smirk, sometimes laugh and then delete these notes, but not tonight.  Tonight I'm going to share it to prove an important point.  Here is the note:

"If you want to be relatabel [sic] to your readers, you should really stop posting pictures of your daughter wearing expensive outfits.  Seriously who buys quilted patent boots and satin skirts for their toddler? I bet she will never wear that again and it was just on for one picture what a waste."

It's really easy - trust me, I know! - to assume things about someone based on what you see on the internet.  Lots of things have been assumed about me from "perfect marriage" to "perfect Mom" to "perfect Christian" to "perfect house" - I can't stress enough how UNTRUE all of those are.  Like, in a big way.  

As for Hope's outfit, let me break it down for you from head to toe:

Satin headband with flower:  bought on clearance at a store that was going out of business.  I think it was $3.00 - if that.

Black long sleeve tee shirt:  Children's place for $4.00 (cheaper after coupon!)

Silver Tu-Tu - a gift from a friend.

Black patent boots:  A last second decision at the register at Children's Place.  I turned and saw them... they were the last ones... they were Hope's size!... and they were on clearance.  I got them for... wait for it... $4.00!!

Pretty relatable, if you ask me!!

But I want to let you in on a little secret...

I love.

I live for...

the Just Between Friends Consignment Sale.  

If you've been reading a while, this is not news.

I love these sales because I live for a bargain - and I love to find unique things that I don't have to hunt around town and go to five different stores for - everything is all in one spot!

Since Gavin was two, I've been buying and selling at their twice a year sales.  It was how I kept toys constantly rotating in the playroom - hoping to keep things fun and interesting, especially during his daily therapies.  And it's also how I handled outfitting two boys!  Going to these sales almost felt like trading.  I'd sell a season's worth of clothes... and I'd buy a season's worth of clothes... and sometimes I'd break even.  How awesome is that??  My record for sales one year was close to $600!!

It can be daunting to start the process - deciding what to sell and organizing everything so you can tag each and every item.  It can be even harder to emotionally part with things.  I know this very well.  The sale before Gavin's death, I sold all the baby equipment we had been holding onto... we had been hoping we would need it.  Letting go of the equipment and the clothes and the baby toys was like letting go of a dream.  Then the sale after Gavin's death... I found myself buying baby equipment and clothes and toys for Hope!  

Now, here I am again.  Ed and I were holding onto Hope's things... hoping.  I didn't write about this - or really tell many people at all - but we lost a baby.  I was actually miscarrying on Hope's first birthday.  (It really has been a long Winter.)  So we are officially, officially done - but it doesn't make it any less difficult!  I had planned to start tagging everything to sell like I always do, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

So I came up with a solution that makes me feel better.  I have a friend who is expecting a girl... and a friend who just delivered a girl... so I packed up some of my favorite things of Hope's to give to them.  It makes me so, so happy to know that people I love have such special things of Hope's.  Then, I gathered all the other things I wanted to sell - including clothes Brian and Hope have outgrown and toys we're all sick of looking at - and I outsourced the job.

Just Between Friends has a "Valet Service!"  Basically, the "Valet" will price, tag and deliver your items to the sale and then you split the profits.  I packed up the clothes... 

... random toys...

...and bags of miscellaneous things, including these bottles I bought for Hope that she never once touched!

The Valet will make sense of it all for me - which is such a huge relief.  It allows me to do a lot more of this this month...

I was assigned a valet in my area and we met this weekend.  I gave her ideas of how I priced things and she'll take care of the rest!  Before she prints all the tags I'll be able to see them and make any changes, which is nice.  I've never used the Valet Service - but it was the perfect solution for me this year.  It saves me time and, quite frankly, it will spare me from some tears!

I love the consigning part - and it's fun to make money - so it was a little bit hard for me to make the final decision to valet.  But I can't put a price on stress relief - and the time it will free up - and having a big, clear spot in my basement where I can actually SEE the floor again.  Totally worth it.

If you live in the Philadelphia area and want to join me as a seller and shopper - there's still time!  Check out the JBF website for all the important information.  The sale is March 19-22.  Check out their Facebook Page, too, as they often do special giveaways - like "jump to the front of the line" passes, which are the BEST.  These sales get crowded and the lines, although they move fast, are still lines!  They also give early shopping passes to expectant Moms having their first baby, first time Grandparents, teachers and more.  Check out this link to see all the ways you can get in earlier than the public to shope.  I love this sale - can you tell?

Just one thing.  If you do go to the sale... and you see me shopping... and I look intense... don't be afraid to say hi.  But I won't talk long because what if someone grabs the smocked dress I can see out of the corner of my eye?!?  Or the last Star Wars anything??  I take my JBF shopping very seriously.

The sale is at the Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA - the same Expo Center where I had Gavin's Playground Party!  It opens to the public on Thursday, March 19 at 9am until 8pm.  Then, on Sunday, March 22, from 8-3 - many things will be marked 50% off to close the sale!

I'm going to write another post after the sale, like I always do, to show you some of the things I bought.  I am hoping to find some unique clothes - maybe special Easter outfits - and books by Brian's favorite author.

Hope to see you there!!

For a Girl Who Hates to Shop...

If you're a long time reader of this blog, you know that I hate to shop.  But, you also know that I LOVE to shop twice a year at a local consignment sale.  (Shopping for your kids is MUCH more fun than, say, shopping for jeans.  Or really, anything, as far as I'm concerned)

The Just Between Friends Sale happens in my town (and a town near you - look on their website!) twice a year.  There's a Fall sale and a Spring sale.  When Gavin and Brian were little, I was so grateful for these sales.  I was constantly buying and selling toys so I could keep the playroom exciting and interesting and motivating.  Gavin received his therapy in our home and they would use his own toys during sessions.  I also routinely rearranged the room - encouraging him to go look for his favorites in new places.  I was always wanting to motivate him to move his body on his own.  Being able to purchase so many toys (some were brand new or looked brand new!) for MUCH less than retail was a HUGE help.  Most sales I would sell a ton and buy a ton - pretty much breaking even.  It was like trading!

I have been hooked (and devoted) to this particular JBF sale for years.  At my very first sale, I bought a baby walker that looked brand new for less than $20.00.  My intention was to put Gavin in it (he was maybe 2 at the time?) to see if he would try to move himself forward.  It worked!  Gavin took his very first "steps" in this walker from a JBF sale.

I love writing posts after each sale to share my fun bargains - and this time is no exception.  I found some awesome toys and clothes for Brian and Hope!  The last two sales have been a bit of a bummer (understatement of the day) because I have such an emotional memory of searching for toys for Gavin.  But on the flip side - shopping for girly things is so new for me and... kind of fun!

The sale just started and the floors are PACKED with things.  If you've never been - it's impossible to really explain or even capture in photos just how massive the event is.  There are tables and tables and rows and rows of toys and books and games and more for infants, toddlers and big kids...

...and racks and racks and rows and rows of clothes.  This long row is just 6 month girls, if you can believe that.

Check out some of my deals....

Each of these items were FIVE dollars!

A beautiful cotton Ralph Lauren dress with matching bloomers.

I love these things - I got two of these "wearable blankets" for Hope to sleep in.

A blue Ralph Lauren t-shirt and a preppy pair of Gymboree shorts for Brian.

I'm no "fashionista," but I'm pretty sure this makes a really handsome outfit for ten bucks!

This is probably my favorite item for Hope - a gorgeous, perfect, old fashioned smock dress.  Honestly, this looks like something my Mom would have put on me.  I love it so much and hope it fits her this Saturday for her cousin's First Communion!

And another Ralph Lauren shirt.  Five bucks, people!!!

I use these cubicles and fabric drawers in the playroom to hide toys and diapers and burp cloths and they're pricey!!  I was just thinking that I needed to get a bigger one to hide more toys and I tripped over this at the sale - jackpot!  This entire system with the drawers was $40.00!

We are ready for pool and ocean season.  I got a float with a canopy for Hope... and a kickboard and boogie board for Brian.  He was STOKED.  All three cost me less than ten dollars.

Brian is having a love affair with Imaginext toys and I love to listen to him make up scenarios with all the different people.  This "Ninja Castle" set was brand new in the box for $20.  It normally sells for $45!

My favorite item for Brian, though, was this awesome Lego Table.  I wanted to get one for his room so he can keep them tucked away from his little sister who already likes to put everything in her mouth.  I can just see it now when she starts crawling.  Another reason why I'm happy to have things hidden in those fabric drawers!  Brian is so excited to have this fun table.  He's getting so good at creating Lego masterpieces!  The table was $25.00.

But my greatest deal of the day - and maybe the year - was this Fisher Price Rainforest Jumparoo.  The same one that I had for Gavin and Brian as babies.  It is in PERFECT (and I mean not a scratch or stain to see) condition.  I paid... wait for it... you won't believe it... FOURTEEN BUCKS!!!  If the person who sold this is reading (consigner W-826!) - THANK YOU so much.  It is so sentimental to have the same Jumparoo that we had for the boys back in our house for Hope.  Gavin was older when I was finally able to put him in it because of his low tone.  But when he did finally use it, it was a great way to strengthen his legs!  Not to mention, he loved to spin things and there are two great spin toys on it.  Watching Hope in this Jumparoo will make me so happy.  

I could go on and on and show you all the other great bargains I found, but I'd be wasting your time if you live nearby.  You really should get packed up and head over today.  The sale opened to the public this morning (Thursday, April 24th) - and if you go on Saturday things will be 50% off (a great time to shop for clothes).  It's at the Expo center - the same place I held Gavin's Playground Project!  I love this sale so much - can you tell?  

For this girl who hates to shop (and I really do) - I make a twice a year exception for this sale!  It's so much fun.

Just Between Friends Jackpot!...

For several years, I have been involved in a huge consignment sale twice a year called "Just Between Friends."  Every Spring and every Fall I buy and sell the boys things.  Toys, clothes - you name it.  The sale has come to mean a lot to me - and so have the two ladies who run it, Tracy and Beth.  It was at their very first sale that I bought a baby walker for Gavin - who was then about two years old.  I was hoping it would encourage him to try to move himself while being supported in an upright position... and it did!  From that moment on, I was hooked on JBF.  I was always on a mission to keep Gavin entertained and moving about the house - and stimulated.  I would rotate the toys in the playroom often to keep his interest - and then I'd rearrange often so he'd have to seek and find his favorite toys.  This consignment sale allowed me to buy a lot for Gavin - at really low prices.

I also made a lot of money selling things, too, and had been squirreling much of it away... little by little... thinking I would use it towards whatever big "special needs" purchase we'd make next for Gavin.  Instead, I have put that $600 I've kept in my jewelry box towards Gavin's Birthday Project.

This year, for this Fall sale, things were different.  I'm not selling very much - it's too difficult right now to part with Gavin's clothes.  And many of his favorite toys I've already cleaned up, covered in plastic and stored in the basement.  I know it will warm our hearts to see his little sister enjoy the same toys that he loved.  

I wasn't selling very much this time around... but I was on a mission to buy a lot!  At the JBF sales, the more you volunteer - the earlier you can get in to shop - and the more money you make on your sales.  I volunteer to bring food that is specified by the women that run the sale.  Four large pizzas and paper products and drinks for ten people.  I was lucky last year and this year to partner with my local Wegmans in King of Prussia, who graciously donated the food for me!  A big thank you to Tim, the service manager in the store, for helping me this year.  I feel like JBF is such a wonderful community event - allowing families to get the things they need for their children at very low prices.  And I feel the same way about Wegmans as they are so supportive of their local community and their shoppers.  Gavin and I met Kevin Lang, the general manager at the King of Prussia store, last year and he is really the kindest guy.

Today was the day I could get in to shop - I was probably the sixth person in there!  Miss Sara came along with me this morning to help me, which was fun and... to be honest... comforting.  I am so used to gravitating to things for Gavin and many times I choked back tears when I would see things that I would have absolutely bought for him.  But, there were also joyful moments - when I found the things I wanted for Hope.  I went in with a game plan and a map and Sara and I scooped up everything on my list.

Want to check out my bargains?? 

I loved Playtex Drop In Systems when Gavin and Brian were infants.  I exclusively pumped with Gavin so he always used bottles (if he wasn't on the feeding tube) - and I sometimes pumped and used bottles for Brian.  Just in case I pump for Hope, I got ALL of these boxes of (new in the box) Drop In liners, bottles, brand new nipples and also the box of assorted Vent Aire bottles.  Price for all of them?  $25.00  The Vent Aire starter set alone retails for $25.00!

A brand new in the box car seat base.  We needed an extra for Ed's car.  This base retails for $54.99 and I bought it for $25.00.  And I got car mirrors (so we can see Hope in her car seat from our rear view mirror) for $3.00 and $4.00.  They retail for $9.00.

I'm always a little leery to buy used DVDs as I've brought some home to find that they skip.  But I couldn't resist this brand new, sealed, box set of Baby Einstein DVDs.  All for $20.00.  Gavin LOVED these DVDs... especially "Baby Van Gogh" and "On the Go."

I picked out this brand new photo album for the many, many ultrasound photos I have of Hope for $3.00

My FAVORITE score - and something I was REALLY hoping to find - was this car seat swing.  You take the car seat and snap it onto this frame.  It swings and vibrates and plays music!  Brian LOVED this swing - and it's great to not have to wake a sleeping baby in their carseat once you get home!  This retails for $79.99.  I bought it for $13.00!!

Someone was selling a brand new box of Pampers Swaddlers (the only diapers we've used on the babies).  It retails for about $30.00 and I bought it for $15.00.  I also got a box of 3 Diaper Genie refills, which retails for about $25.00, for $10.00. 

I had reflux babies that liked to sleep on an incline, so I knew I wanted to have this wedge again.  I bought it for only $5.00, new in the box!  It retails for about $15.00.

I love these little "Bumbo Seats" - which sell for about $45.00.  I bought this (with the safety harnesses!) for $10.00.

I also stocked up on nursing pads - getting 180 new in the box pads plus 60 breast milk storage bags for $10.00.  The 180 nursing pads alone cost approximately $25.00.  I also got new in the box Thera Shells for $3.00.  They retail for about $17.00.  You use them for sore... oh, I'll spare you.  You can google them.  And the cute, pink dishwasher basket?  Fifty cents!

I also got some outfits for Hope... soccer balls and a toy for Brian's school... some awesome "in the package" Star Wars figures for Brian along with some other cool toys.  The only thing I didn't find that I was hoping to was a skeleton costume for Brian.  He's sure (Lord knows why!) he wants to be a skeleton for Halloween.  But all in all - I'd call the shopping trip a success.  It was a long day - but it's making me feel more "ready" for Hope... and more excited, as if that's possible.

If you live in my area, the sale is open to the public tomorrow!!  Click HERE for the details - or visit the JBF Facebook Page and meet my friends, Tracy and Beth.

And now... this bargain hunter must rest.

Try Some Jumping Jacks, People!...

I'm happy to report that Gavin's eye is fine.  Actually, it's more like huge and all encompassing relief.  If there's one thing I do NOT want to live through again, it's a corneal abrasion.  Oh - and also hearing the words, "Your son might lose his eye."

Gavin is not typical, as we all know, and that applies to pain tolerance as well.  Typically, a corneal abrasion would have most people (young or old) in excruciating pain.  That's not really true for Gavin.  His last corneal abrasion was so large - it was like a chunk was taken out of his eyeball.  He barely complained.  I'm not joking.  So we can't really judge whether we have a serious situation on our hands by his emotions.

Brian, on the other hand, is all about telling us every last feeling and emotion he has.  From the depths of his soul.  Especially if it involves someone (like me) denying him snacks before dinner.  Nobody knows the trouble Brian's seen.

Lately I have been up to my eyeballs in busywork.  I've been getting ready for the Spring "Just Between Friends" consignment sale which I participate in twice a year.  Before each of these sales, I have my own sale at home.  I advertise on Craig's List...people make appointments to come over...and they shop in my dining room where I have all the items set up.  I even have a rolling rack where I hang all the clothes.  I do this for a few reasons.  One, it helps me to organize all of the things I want to sell in one place.  Two, I can sell the things without anyone taking commission from me (which they will do at the consignment sale).  And three, the more I sell means the less I have to tag and schlep to the consignment sale!  This home sale was the smallest I've ever had - and I put every last baby item we had been holding onto in the dining room.  Including our high chairs with their matching custom made covers.  They are tough to say goodbye to!  My home sale is over and I am so psyched that I ended up making a little over $600!!  That's just selling clothes and toys and a few pieces of baby equipment!!  So now I'm tagging the leftovers for the big sale next week.  It's been easy to explain to Brian why his toys are walking out the door when I tell him that I'll be bringing home a new selection next week!

I've also been dealing with re-authorizations for Gavin's medicaid and home health services, which always takes up a lot of my time.  And fielding phone calls from therapists, most of whom I've never met, that are setting up evaluations with Gavin for his Kindergarten transition.  I love phone calls from people we've yet to meet that want to talk about Gavin.  Love them.  This means I can ramble on and on and wow them with one story after another about our superhero.  I don't mean to ramble... and I can't help it if they are wowed... it's just me relaying information about Gavin's life.  But, I do have one ulterior motive.  I want them to feel invested in him.  I want them to get excited to meet him.  I want them to also feel that they want the best for him... and to set him up for success.  The truth is, Gavin does have an unusual and inspiring life story already - and everyone that has been put in his path over the last five years has been touched by his journey.  I feel so lucky to be his Mom.  And all the busywork and paperwork and phone calls and insurance crap and all of it... it's worth it.  Compared to the work that he puts in every single day?  It's nothing.

Yesterday's post about the word "Retarded" inspired some rude, immature and - well - let's just say "uninspired" comments.  I deleted all of them.  And I don't feel bad about it.  I'm unsure why people want to go out of their way to block other people who are trying to do something good in the world (and I'm not just talking about my small post... there are lots and lots and lots of people who are hoping to convince people to drop the "R" word).  But the hate and vitriol and lame excuses are getting tiresome.  And, to be honest, they just shine a spotlight on the true colors of that individual.  So... I deleted all the comments and washed my hands.

Today is a new day - and I will end this happy, positive post with yet another public service announcement.  Please stay healthy.  And before you decide to write something hateful or mean on someone's blog - try some jumping jacks to get rid of your stress.

Click Here!  Brian will show you how!

A Very Special Tomato...

So much has happened since I wrote on Friday!  

I made a huge batch of Veggie Stew for Gavin - and this time added a new ingredient.  Fresh Beets!  I've never had beets that weren't from a can, so this was all new to me.  Sara and I found instructions on You Tube and discovered that you could use the greens as well as the beets.  Gavin really likes beets so this should be a delicious batch for him.  The amount I make typically lasts about two months.  This time, Gavin was right in there helping me as I pureed it all.

And I'm grateful to Miss Sara, of course, for helping me peel and chop pounds of Parsnips and celery!

During stew making, I got word from the wheelchair clinic that they were going to have a Convaid Rodeo in that afternoon if I wanted to come by to see it.  This is the "adaptive stroller" that is more like an umbrella stroller that I want for Gavin.  It will grow with him for many years - and comes with tie downs that he can use on the bus!  Gavin and I jumped in the car and took the hour drive to the hospital to see if we liked this chair.  I do.  A lot.

There's only one problem.  It's highly unlikely that insurance will cover it.  They only cover one wheelchair every three years...and we just ordered his regular wheelchair.  This Convaid Rodeo starts at well over $2,000 - and that's just the BASE model.  They charge you extra for everything.  Kind of a crime.

But it sure folds down flat, doesn't it?

Brian stayed home with Sara while we went to the hospital.  He had a tough day with a bad cold, so I was really grateful to have Sara at the house so Gavin and I could do this together.  The chair was not the correct size for him, obviously, but I can tell he'd be very comfortable in there!!

I've been searching to find a used one that would fit him and meet our specifications (some have a lot of supports that he wouldn't need - some don't have enough, etc.) - but no luck yet.  That's the bad news.

Want the good news???

Remember my home Craig's List sale?  In the end, I made $406.50.  Everything I didn't sell at home, I put in the Just Between Friend's Consignment sale.  My total gross sales there came to $677.75. When they take out the consigner fees, I will get a check for $464.43.  Follow so far?  So all in all - selling my stuff brought in $870.93!!

And then - Saturday.  Saturday morning I pulled $250.00 out of my stash...picked up a box of Cheez Its and a bag of Tootsie Pops (road trip essentials, yes?)...picked up my Mom and we drove and drove and drove to Queens, New York.  I was meeting a woman to buy the other adaptive stroller I wanted for Gavin - the Special Tomato EIO Push Chair.  My Mom and I shared the box of Cheez Its and a bunch of stories during the long ride...and enjoyed the beautiful, sunny day.  When we finally arrived at their house, she was sitting outside with the stroller and her adorable daughter.

Their daughter's story is similar to Gavin's!  In the beginning they were told all the negative things and, like us, they ran out and bought everything and anything to help.  Their daughter is also mostly undiagnosed - just like Gavin.  But also, like Gavin, she surprised everyone with her progress. She is now walking and communicating!!  Seeing her walk and wave to us - and knowing she's the same age as Gavin - gave me such hope!!  I wish I had taken their picture!!

They never ended up using that Special Tomato chair for their own little special tomato because she never needed it!  The plastic was still on the chair!  Gavin looks great in it...and it will grow with him for several years.

He can even lay flat and fall asleep in here if he was that kind of kid!

And it passed Brian's inspection.  Whew!

But that wasn't the luckiest moment of our trip.

They also wanted to give us (yes, GIVE US!) a Leckey Squiggles Stander.  Gavin had this same stander way back when.  We ended up giving it to our friend, Karen, for her newly adopted daughter.  We know what a great stander it is.  I plan to give it to Gavin's classroom - there are a couple friends of his that could really benefit from using it at school.  

But even that wasn't the luckiest moment of our trip...

...because in the end, I bonded with a total stranger.  There's something about being able to talk to another special needs Mom.  We just 'got each other' without having to say much.  We stood in the driveway and chatted for some time.  And we vowed to stay in touch.  I'm actually hoping they will drive down soon to spend the day with us.  I do believe that meeting this family on Craig's List was not by chance.  I have a feeling we will be very good friends.  Life is so interesting, eh?

The rest of the weekend was low key.  Brian continued to get better while Gavin continued to get worse.  When Gavin is congested, everything is hard.  Eating...drinking...and sleeping.  He's still very pleasant, though!  There were a couple "boogie baths" to help clear out his nose and lots of suction.  Gavin won't be going to school tomorrow, which is such a bummer.

But Brian had more pep - especially today!  The two of us played "Pirates" outside on the playground.  You should see him scale that rock wall - he's so fast!

And so proud when he gets to the top!

 And I was so happy to have him "catch me" as I came down the slide.

When I came in from playing with him outside, Ed took over inside so I could snuggle with a sick Gavin.  But I couldn't resist capturing this on film.  Ed said they were playing "Drive Through" with the play kitchen... 

There is nothing more attractive than a man who plays with his children.

Oh, well...maybe one thing.  A man who cooks well.  On that note, Ed just told me that dinner is served.

I love my little family.