Home Is Where The Cheese Is

This weekend was hard for many reasons.

1. I was leaving Cameron for almost 3 days.

2. I was saying good-bye, to my beautiful friend Jewelyn.

3. I was leaving Cameron for almost 3 days.

I knew I was going to cry.

Admitting I was stressed out is sugar coating it.

I was scared out of my mind.

It was stressful, the upcoming services, driving alone, being away for so long but I knew if I didn't go, I would regret it.

I'm so lucky to have Paul. I don't really know if I would have went if he wasn't so supportive of me going.

So, I packed the night before & "planned" on leaving after Cameron went down for his first nap & then decided to leave at 8.

Well, after trying to leave several times, I ended up leaving after he went down for a nap. We said goodbye & Cameron started to reach out & cry for me.

*insert worst mama in the world feeling here*

I stayed a bit longer, we sang "the ants go marching", marveled at the wonder that is a ROCK and danced.

Then finally I was on my way.

The drive wasn't terribly bad. It was great to spend times with wonderful friends, missed family & driving through familiar roads.

The services were so beautiful. I was so nervous the day of. My palms were sweaty, my stomach was just in complete knots.

Then I arrived at the church.

All my anxiety just lifted & I knew I had made the right decision.

The services were beautiful, just as Jewelyn. Every moment was heartfelt & I was so relived I was not only a part of her celebration of life, but that she was & will forever be my friend.

My trip was short, bittersweet but full of love & priceless memories.

It's always wonderful to surround yourself with people who love you, for you.

So, of course coming home was the cherry on top!

I made excellent timing & was so happy to see my little man.

As I walked through the doors he smiled & then looked around as if he was thinking, "look! mama's back!"

I picked him up & he starting pulling himself up in excitement. It was the best welcome home hug.

Since it was still early a trip to the park was in order.

The famous, crawling is over rated, I can reach it streeeeetchhhhh.

We decided to feed the ducks.

Ok, Cameron ate but he was kind enough to let the ducks watch.

Paul joined us after work, ahhhh another face I've missed.

It was so nice relaxing & spending time together.

We walked around & found a bucket swing!

Cameron has yet to swing on his own, so I was (probably the most) excited. :D




Well, it looks and sounds like someone was a little excited too. *coughpaulcough*



After the park, we headed home just in time for Cameron's bath.
His new "game" is leaning over & reaching for toys.

Then, if they're just a wee bit out of his reach, he politely says, "mama can you get that for me?"



Ahhh, I've missed that face.

So very happy to be home with my boys, my beautiful family.

Cali, see ya in December!

Cameron fall down, go boom

With Paul's new work schedule we needed a sitter.

So, last Friday Cameron went to daycare for an hour, an hour.

Within that hour Cameron knocked "first bruise" from his check list.

Mr. Anti-Crawl-Don't-Worry-I-Can-Scoot-And-Reach did just that for a toy.

Somehow his revision to crawling didn't go according to plan.

He fell forward onto said toy and ate it, hard. :(

Miss Ruth gave him lots of love, poor guy.

He fell so hard the bruise was in the shape of the toy, boo hoo.

I wont' lie.

As soon as I saw him I freaked out.

He had a nasty diaper rash a few days ago. When I say nasty, it was bad, really, really bad.

I got a call from Miss Ellen & she said it looked like a hive.

Doing what I do best, I freak out & make a mad rash for the store.

After buying a bottle of Calamine I rush to daycare, turns out it's just a rash.

He's never had a diaper rash & I wasn't sure if it was a rash or allergic reaction to a new food.

So, I ran back out & bought Bag Balm (if you don't have it, get it today!) & oatmeal for his bath.

Now, a few days later I walk into the infant room & it looks like a hive across his face.

{{insert panic mode yet again}}}

I had to sign an incident report & joked about getting a copy for his baby book.

*sigh* He's a boy, I know this is the first of many but, *sigh*

As ironic as it may seem, that's a picture of Paul & Cameron playing "boop".

It started when Diana came down to visit.

She would say "Toques" & bump Cameron's head.

He had no idea what was going on.

Well now, Paul says "boop" and they butt heads. :/ Oh joy.

My bebe may try to act tough & butt heads withe the best of them.

But I know better. :)


Then, later that weekend Cameron woke up with a cold.

He rubs his nose when it runs, combine that with crankyness & you get another wound.

A scratch that ran from under his eye almost to his chin. :(



So, w/a bruise & battle wound I couldn't help but buy this shirt to celebrate the occasion.



Perfect, no? ;)

Seriously, how do you title a story like this one?

When most people ask how Cameron's doing I'll always make it a point to say, "he's still nosy".

Inquisitive, taking in the world, always wanting to be in the loop.

Call it what you want, my son is down right nosy.

Not sure where he got that trait from, hmmmm.

Being so inquisitive has led him to mimicking as well.

He's gone from mimicking noises, gestures, rubber neck syndrome & now this.

Last night we got home a tad late from daycare (read: I talked too long with Ruth).

We usually take out his red push car & walk all around the neighborhood.

Since we were already running late I decided to just carry Cameron.

We walked over to the poop zone.

Sadie is a poop champ. She doesn't put on a show, just takes care of business.

Oscar on the other hand is a PITA.

I mean, he needs coaching. :D

I'm usually quite patient w/his song & dance.

You can't look at him, he has to sniff over every inch 3x over, circles 3,423x then when you finally think he's going for it, he hears a noise & the process starts all over again.

Ugh.

I'll usually yell out, "POOP! OSCAR POOOOOOOOOOP!!!"

I am fully aware the neighbors peak out their window & judge.

I know & accept this.

But, I live w/freak dog & can yell if I please.

So, it didn't matter to Oscar that it was getting dark & Cameron needed his bath.

After pleading I finally told Cameron, "Tell Oscar to go poop."

Funny enough he started yelling out toward Oscar, da a-daaaaa!

So, here I am saying poop! Poooooooop, go poo poo!

And what do I feel?

Cameron bracing down.

He was bracing down, red in the face & grunting.

My son was trying to poop.

I've heard of sympathy pain, but he was taking it just a bit too far.

The princess, the giant & the squirrel.

Amazing, amazing, amazing.

The generosity of so many has been so amazing.

Kim has been receiving loads of donations.

A yard sale was held for the Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund. The girls raised $1,200, woo hoo!

Miss Gabrielle is finally home with daddy.

You can go here for updates & pictures.

She's just too precious for words, and that hair! You know I'm a sucker for wild hair. ;)

Speaking of hair you want to run through your fingers, Mr. Cameron is getting BIG-ger.

He just had his 9 month check up (insert hysterical crying).

Stats, 20.3 lbs & 26" long!

Our giant genes are starting to take over.

Since it was Paul's day off, he took over shot duty for this round.

He reported Cameron cried for a second.

Hmmm, that's not how I remember the last two visits.

There was screaming, pleading, scratching at the door to get out-oh wait, that was me.

My tough little man. The warrior Snoopy bandaid was kept for a warning to the Gu guey (sp?).

When I got home Paul met me outside, just to show pics & video from their day.

Isn't that just oozing of daddy love?

Here's a video of Cameron saying "ten".



Last but not least, climbing over Mt. Jackson to reach the camera (sorry, I don't now how to flip it).



I don't know what's more hysterical. Cameron leaping over or Paul's laugh. :)

And a few pics showing off my bebe.


Ahh, those squishable cheeks. He's hiding something in there, I'm almost certain.

Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund <3

I just get so overwhelmed by the positive response we've been recieving for Phillip & Gabrielle.

Thank you so much for not only taking the time to give your support, but for passing on the information to your friends & family.

A memorial fund as finally been set to receive any/all donations. We're still unclear on what type of formula Miss Gabby is taking, but all unused donations will be forwarded to the Liz Logelin Foundation.

So, in the end your generosity will help out a family that's in great need. <3

A PO Box has been set up to receive formula checks and diaper coupons.

Formula checks and diaper coupons can be sent to:
Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
PO Box 235971
Encinitas, CA 92023-5971

For those who want to send packages (larger than an envelope), the address for that is:
Brandi Futrell
c/o Jewelyn Okamoto Memorial Fund
14928 S. Maple Ave.
Gardena, CA 90248

Jewels, I just know you're smiling down & in disbelief.

You were & always will be forever loved.

We miss you, and Miss Gabby will not go without.

We will make sure of it!

Please, wake me up

Wow, today has certainly been surreal.

I've gone from disbelief, sad, angry to sad again.

My friend Noush called and not knowing otherwise, thought she was going to tell me about her trip.

I wish.

She had some unbelievable news about our friend Jewelyn.

A little back story, after having a loss her & her husband were finally expecting.

They found out it was a girl and in true Jewelyn style she wanted bunnies as her theme.

She loves bunnies.

No, not love, looooooooooves bunnies.

It didn't matter stuffed, print, real, bunnies always had a special place in her heart.

She was so obsessive, err- her love was so strong she would ask me to send her bunny gifts on Farm Town (a game on facebook aka cyber crack).

She carried their daughter Gabrielle full term, in fact she didn't go into labor until her due date!

It was no surprise to anyone that she was ready to have Miss Gabby.

She even joked about kicking her out.

Her humor was priceless. :)

Even the day Gabrielle was due to arrive she posted the following on her facebook;

Even with bouts of nausea for 18 weeks, I can honestly say I have enjoyed being pregnant these past 9 months, but I am also glad this journey is about to end, and start a new chapter in my life. I am 40 weeks pregnant... 0 day to go. ;-)

Unfortunatly, she didn't make it.

An emergency c-section was required to deliver little miss Gabrielle.

After the procedure, Jewelyn had complications & suffered from an amniotic fluid embolism &
disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

She lost brain activity & required life support.

Thoughts, prayers & well wishes went out to the family, but Jewelyn lost her battle.

She passed away today, at 11:30 PST

Jewelyn was a beautiful person, inside & out.

She had one of those personalities you just couldn't help but be drawn to and love.

Being in contact with her nephew I just know, Gabrielle will in her own way, know her mother.

She will always be told how wonderful a person her mother truly was to the world.

She leaves behind a beautiful family loving friends & made a differance in the world through teaching.

But, her true dream was finally met.

In the end she was finally a mother.

Amist all the sadness, reality will surely set in for her husband & will need all the support we can give him.

Not only will he have to face no longer having his best friend, he will need to care for his daughter.

I'm sure time off of work will begin to heal his heart.

A paypal account has been set up for her family so they can grief probably & not having to worry about finances, formula, clothing or whatever else may occur.

Donations can be sent to; 4jewelyn@gmail.com

100% of the donations will go directly to the family.

Times are financially tough for many of us, trust me I know.

Every little bit adds up & counts.

If you don't feel comfortable donating via paypal, you can also give a donation to the
Liz Logelin Foundation under Jewelyn's name.

The founder Matt has contacted my friend Kim, and is familier with Jewelyn & her story.

She was a giving, loving person.

I'm going to miss her greatly, but am blessed to say that she was my friend.

Please pray.

Baby Gabrielle, your mother was, and will forever be a beautiful person in my heart.

I know she will always be by your side, and I am thankful to have known her & privileged to call her my friend.

I truly am at a lost for words.

After the birth of her daughter, my friend Jewelyn faced complications & is now on life support.

To read further details, and to donate to her family please click here.

Times are financially tough for many of us, but every little bit helps.

More times than not, we take each other for granted.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter & remind them how much they mean to you.