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Sunday, February 13, 2011
Friday, July 16, 2010
Love, loss...cheese crackers and the longest post ever.
As most of you probably already know, we lost our baby girl, Corinne. We had a beautiful service and I'm glad we did. Z will have a place to visit his sister when he is old enough to understand.
Lastly, Z had his friend Christian over to play. They had a blast!! Swimming, coloring, playing their instruments and generally tearing it up! Enjoy some pictures...
Corinne - you are a part of our family forever and always. A moment in our arms, forever in our heart. May 21, 2010.
A dear friend started a March of Dimes page for her...I am so in awe of how wonderful my friends are sometimes...over $1100 raised to fight prematurity...
I thought long and hard about this blog post because part of me wanted to skip over the last couple months...this is Zack's blog...but the truth is that this weighed heavily on our family and still does. Zack included. He really is a tough awesome kid, though...he fared 6 days without me and did a great job for Kevin. He visited me in the hospital every night...the first night was tough as he didn't realize it wasn't about HIM...once he found nurses to blow up latex glove balloons and he was thrilled. Kevin was also an amazing single dad...I couldn't ask for a better family. Thank you to everyone who visited me, sent cards, helped out with Z...it meant more than you know. You are true friends.
The positive side of things is that Z made some great strides with eating. I'm happy to report that my kid is a snacker...he SNACKS...sits in his chair munching away on cheese crackers looking all normal...it's pretty neat. We're still working on an actual meal, but he has come SO far...a few months ago we were still covered in puke...now we are generally puke free and he CAN eat. We are still getting past mental blocks and behavioral issues, but we are making forward progress. Z sits with us at dinner and several nights in a row has actually consumed most of what was on his plate. (pickle slices, cheese, and a couple ritz)..come on now...that's ALMOST a meal!!! He's so proud to show me he's actually swallowed...see the video below...
Most people think I'm nuts, but my fellow moms of non eaters know what a HUGE accomplishment this is...no pomp, no circumstance...just cheese crackers.
We also made a river trip with our friends Tiffany, Paul, Sierra and Connor over the Fourth of July and had a wonderful time...here are some pictures...
Lastly, Z had his friend Christian over to play. They had a blast!! Swimming, coloring, playing their instruments and generally tearing it up! Enjoy some pictures...
There's more...I'm so far behind, but I had to get this post done. Moving on isn't quite what we've done, but we're not standing still either. Zack would never allow it...and I thank him for that.
Thank you again for all your support...
xo
Kevin, Janet and Zack
Saturday, April 24, 2010
March of Dimes Walk 2010
Sorry for two posts so close together, but Z is asleep and I need to take advantage of that!! Today was our second annual March of Dimes walk. Team Zack Attack was well represented! Thank you SO MUCH to those of you who donated. Walking through the crowd and seeing all of the preemie kids who are thriving thanks to the support of the MOD makes it all so worthwhile! We raised over $2600 and had so much fun at the same time. here are a few pictures...the rest can be seen on my Facebook page. 
Baby sister...no mama...no sister!
That is the response I got when I told Z he was going to have a sister...I'll have to work on that attitude since there's not much he can do to avoid it at this point. In any event, we're excited! We will have a little girl joining us in September (and not a minute sooner). Here's her first couple of close ups...many many many many more to come!!! :)
Monday, February 15, 2010
it's been awhile!!
Hello all, I thought I'd take advantage of this lovely President's Day to update the blog...Facebook has become so popular that I've really let this lag. Anyway...here's the important stuff. The puking has all but stopped...does he still puke...sure! Once in a while, but it's TOTALLY manageable. In fact, I'm actually afraid to type this for fear of jinxing anything. Back in the middle of 2009 he was still puking 150 times a month...now we're in single digits! I'll take that anyday. We're off almost all meds and he's doing great.
In general, however, life has been so much better for all of us in a short time...We can take Zack places without 8 changes of clothing and 10 towels...I don't feed him holding a bowl anymore...the stress level is way down...all welcome changes. We hope to only see him progress from here.
Thanksgiving at Aunt Sharley's house:
Thanks for reading! Here's to a burger in 2010!!!!
Feeding is a completely different issue. He's still scared to eat and he just doesn't have the skills he needs...all those things that are a natural progression for most children just never happened for Zack because he was too busy vomiting. Food has made him so uncomfortable for 2 years that NOT eating is just easier. I'm happy to report that he's definitely a little more experimental, but it's incredibly slow progress. We're working hard on that front.
In general, however, life has been so much better for all of us in a short time...We can take Zack places without 8 changes of clothing and 10 towels...I don't feed him holding a bowl anymore...the stress level is way down...all welcome changes. We hope to only see him progress from here.
On the FUN side, Z is smart and funny and is SUCH a happy kid. He loves people and his friends. he loves school and being outside. He's a joy to everyone around him. Here are some pictures from his recent adventures.
Thanksgiving at Aunt Sharley's house:
Having a blast
Playing with Aunt Kim.
Christmas morning at home and afternoon at Aunt Sharley's:
(notice the pointed toes...I'm so proud!)
New Year's Day...a walk in the park with Storm:
Thanks for reading! Here's to a burger in 2010!!!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Happy Halloween!
Halloween is an event at the Landrum house...lots of decorations....LOTS of trick or treaters. Z went trick or treating for the first time. We couldn't get him to say it, but he did great nonetheless! He didn't even mind his costume...there is no cuter Lemur than mine...rest assured! Z was also very helpful giving out candy and yelling BYE BYE to everyone as they left. Enjoy a few pictures of the pumpkin patch adventures and the big night! 
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Z makes a run for the border!
It's October...and if you know the Landrum's, that means CABO! This was Z's 3rd trip down to the Tropic of Capricorn and we had a BLAST! He did really well on the plane (thank you Yo Gabba Gabba!) and was pretty much a perfect angel the whole time...with the exception of a knife throwing incident at the Cabo Wabo breaking a glass (I apologize profusely to Sammy Hagar!). In any event, we had a little hurricane weather, but that didn't stop Z from splashing every day to his heart's content! Here are some pictures. The rest can be found here:
and here:
Family portrait at the beach
JUMP!
Mom and Z
SPLASH!
Hangin' at the Cabo Wabo
Seven Beautiful Sunrises
Monday, September 28, 2009
Zack Attack's 2nd Annual Birthday Bash
Well, Z turned 2 today, but we had an awesome Rock Star party on Saturday. He had a blast and everything went SO well. There were lots of kids and not ONE meltdown! Z has friends this year, so they came and partied, too! Time has really flown by. Two years already?? In any event, I couldn't be prouder of Z...he's SUCH a trooper and his dad and I just love him to bits.
Here are some pictures...ALL of the one million pictures I took along with my buddy Adrian can be found here:
Monday, August 10, 2009
July...where have we been?
More like where HAVEN'T we been! Zack's had so many summer adventures that we haven't had time to blog, but ohhhh we've taken pictures...now it's time to catch you up!
Medical Update
Zack had his PH probe done at UCLA. They put a wire probe down his nose to just above his stomach to measure how much he refluxes and how acidic it is. The probe placement was traumatic, but it was quick and he did SO well in the 24 hours he had it in. He was a real champ and I was so proud of him. He also had his Gastric Emptying Study (how fast he digests food) in July and although it was unpleasant (more for me than him!), he did well. I just spoke with the doctor the other day and his stomach doesn't empty like they would like, but not nearly as bad as we thought. The probe actually told us that he is refluxing MUCH less than he was. He actually might be growing out of the medical part of this. His vomiting (sorry people, but if you know Z, you've probably seen him puke!) has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. We have actually had several vomit-free days. I couldn't have said that four months ago. We are very pleased with that. We are now left with the aversions that his medical problems have ingrained in him, however...that's another battle and we're working on it. Someday he'll enjoy eating...I hope. Anyway, there's your Z medical update.
Marcie's Big Birthday Bash
My best friend Marcie had an awesome birthday party at her parents stunning home in Camarillo. It was a pool party, so NOONE had as much fun as Zack. I loved seeing Mouse and we had a great day splashing around!
Kim's Big Day
On Saturday, July 25th, I got a call from my sister Kim that she was getting married the next day on Coronado Island. For those of you outside of Socal, that is about 2 1/2 hours from my house on the most heavily traveled freeway in California. Although we battled with how to deal with the trip and a toddler on such short notice, I ultimately knew I had to be there. We were not able to take that Monday off, so we knew it would be up and back the same day...and the wedding was at 7pm!!! We drove down uneventfully with Z sleeping the whole way. We got ready at my mom's hotel and except for starting a few minutes late, the sunset ceremony went off without a hitch. It was gorgeous and I took TONS of pictures, some of which you can view here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29015&id=1028109097&l=063ce896c5
Our trip home starting out after dinner at about 10:30 was a little harder (mostly on poor kevin at the wheel). Parts of the freeway were closed and we ended up on a couple detours...we didn't get to bed until after 2am! zzzzz. Once again, Z slept all the way, so he was FINE the next day while we were zombies! In any event, congrats Kim and Greg!! We were so happy to share your day with you.
August Adventures
Descanso Garden
A gorgeous day and a really beautiful way to spend it. I can't wait to go back in April or May when everything is in bloom! Z got to see turtles, frogs, tons of squirrels and even a deer! Here is a link to all the pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29418&id=1028109097&l=52c4b7618f
Here are a couple pictures from the day:
(this one is for Aunt Sharley!)
...and last but NOT least...Z's first trip to Malibu!
We decided the Sunday was a great day for the beach...and we were right! We went early, so Kev could surf and when the clouds burned off it was gorgeous! Z had been to the beach in Cabo, but he was too young to really enjoy it...not this time! He threw sand everywhere, dug holes, filled his bucket! The water made him a little nervous, but he squealed while we chased the waves...here is a link to a few extra pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30069&id=1028109097&l=0c823cac36
To "tide" you over...(come on now, that was FUNNY!) here are a couple extras:
Someday, young grasshopper, this will all be yours!
That's all for now. I hope you feel all caught up! I'll be back with more of the Adventures of Super Z soon!
Medical Update
Zack had his PH probe done at UCLA. They put a wire probe down his nose to just above his stomach to measure how much he refluxes and how acidic it is. The probe placement was traumatic, but it was quick and he did SO well in the 24 hours he had it in. He was a real champ and I was so proud of him. He also had his Gastric Emptying Study (how fast he digests food) in July and although it was unpleasant (more for me than him!), he did well. I just spoke with the doctor the other day and his stomach doesn't empty like they would like, but not nearly as bad as we thought. The probe actually told us that he is refluxing MUCH less than he was. He actually might be growing out of the medical part of this. His vomiting (sorry people, but if you know Z, you've probably seen him puke!) has decreased SIGNIFICANTLY. We have actually had several vomit-free days. I couldn't have said that four months ago. We are very pleased with that. We are now left with the aversions that his medical problems have ingrained in him, however...that's another battle and we're working on it. Someday he'll enjoy eating...I hope. Anyway, there's your Z medical update.
Marcie's Big Birthday Bash
My best friend Marcie had an awesome birthday party at her parents stunning home in Camarillo. It was a pool party, so NOONE had as much fun as Zack. I loved seeing Mouse and we had a great day splashing around!
Kim's Big Day
On Saturday, July 25th, I got a call from my sister Kim that she was getting married the next day on Coronado Island. For those of you outside of Socal, that is about 2 1/2 hours from my house on the most heavily traveled freeway in California. Although we battled with how to deal with the trip and a toddler on such short notice, I ultimately knew I had to be there. We were not able to take that Monday off, so we knew it would be up and back the same day...and the wedding was at 7pm!!! We drove down uneventfully with Z sleeping the whole way. We got ready at my mom's hotel and except for starting a few minutes late, the sunset ceremony went off without a hitch. It was gorgeous and I took TONS of pictures, some of which you can view here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29015&id=1028109097&l=063ce896c5
Our trip home starting out after dinner at about 10:30 was a little harder (mostly on poor kevin at the wheel). Parts of the freeway were closed and we ended up on a couple detours...we didn't get to bed until after 2am! zzzzz. Once again, Z slept all the way, so he was FINE the next day while we were zombies! In any event, congrats Kim and Greg!! We were so happy to share your day with you.
August Adventures
Descanso Garden
A gorgeous day and a really beautiful way to spend it. I can't wait to go back in April or May when everything is in bloom! Z got to see turtles, frogs, tons of squirrels and even a deer! Here is a link to all the pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29418&id=1028109097&l=52c4b7618f
Here are a couple pictures from the day:
(this one is for Aunt Sharley!)
...and last but NOT least...Z's first trip to Malibu!
We decided the Sunday was a great day for the beach...and we were right! We went early, so Kev could surf and when the clouds burned off it was gorgeous! Z had been to the beach in Cabo, but he was too young to really enjoy it...not this time! He threw sand everywhere, dug holes, filled his bucket! The water made him a little nervous, but he squealed while we chased the waves...here is a link to a few extra pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=30069&id=1028109097&l=0c823cac36
To "tide" you over...(come on now, that was FUNNY!) here are a couple extras:
Someday, young grasshopper, this will all be yours!
That's all for now. I hope you feel all caught up! I'll be back with more of the Adventures of Super Z soon!
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