Twenty Decembers

Merry Christmas 2012 from Living Leffew!

This is the most wonderful time of the year.  

In 1992, Todd and I started dating on December 14.

In 1994, Todd proposed to me on Christmas Day!

In 1996,  Todd and I had our first Christmas as husband and wife.

In 2000, we spent our Christmas in a new home.

In 2009, I found out I was pregnant with Laik on December 17!

In 2010, it was Laik's first Christmas and it snowed on Christmas Day.

Now, here in 2012, it is our 20th Christmas together!

Throughout those years, there are have been many memories made.  But the Christmas years with our precious Laik have been the best.  Laik's birthday is June 25, which makes his 1/2 birthday be December 25, on Christmas Day!  It may sound silly, but I think that is cool.  And celebrating Laik's birth in June and the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas is a reminder of how blessed our life is.

  

Todd and I are very lucky that our parents and siblings all live here in Chattanooga.  Our Christmas is always filled with family and friends, many that have been around so many years that they seem like family!  And for Laik, this means only one thing, he is constantly surrounded by people that love him.    

I'm looking forward to many, many, many more Christmas days with Todd and Laik!  I continue to be like a child anxiously awaiting Christmas morning to arrive.  Seeing the presents under the tree, the toys all out and the stockings filled gives me joy in my heart.  Thank goodness, Laik likes Santa Claus! Here's to the next twenty Decembers!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  May your day be merry and bright.  Most importantly, please don't forget:  Today is the day that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ!

Go Laik! Go!

Siskin Children's Institute is changing our lives!  And the lives of many other children in the Chattanooga area.  I'm sharing a recent email from Siskin that was sent to past, present and potential donors.  (I have pieced this post together, so the alignment may not be perfect.)

If you are interested in helping, tell them Laik sent you! ;o)

Don't forget to watch the video at the bottom of this page!

Many thanks!
Todd, Kim and Laik

You may have seen these blonde locks and this smiling face beaming back at you from a brochure you found in your mailbox recently. Two-year-old Laik Leffew is in Classroom 5 at the Siskin Early Learning Center-Downtown and, for the first time in his life, has experienced a freedom many of us take for granted.

"Within just several weeks, Laik became independent in his gait trainer, and now has the freedom of movement," said Lisa Spurlock, a physical therapy assistant who has been working with Laik and his family for almost a year. "He has independence now!"

Laik was diagnosed at birth with partial trisomy 12p, a rare chromosomal disorder that causes significant developmental delays. Laik first came through the Early Learning Center doors when he was 18 months old, and with the help of his loving family and teachers, he has made incredible progress! He now uses a gait trainer to help him develop skills for walking. And he flies across the playground and in the Institute's hallways.  

Laik is one of more than 2,000 children the Institute served last year through its early childhood education programs, the developmental pediatric center, the home visiting program and many other services. That's 33 percent more children than the previous year! And that's because of donors like you!

Your gift to the 365 Club means independence and mobility to Laik. The Institute is committed to providing a level of care that allows children to reach their full potential, but we can't do it without the support of generous donors like you.

You can feel confident that the full amount of your donation directly supports the children and families we serve. And if you give today, your donation will have double the impact! How? For every $1 donated, the Robert L. & Kathrina H. Maclellan Foundation will match it dollor for dollar up to $25,000.

Make a safe and secure online donation or mail your gift to:

Siskin Children's Institute

365 Club Annual Fund

1101 Carter Street

Chattanooga, TN  37402

Attn: Craig Ingvalson

Click here to watch Laik speed across the playground in his new gait trainer! 

Thanks to donors like you, Laik is moving alongside his friends and peers.

Click here to listen to Kim Leffew, Laik's mom, talk about her family's experience at the Institute

____________________________________________________________________

Keep up with the running tally of our 365 Club gift total

at siskin.org/365clubtotal.

  

Costume Drama...

My Granny Turner loved Halloween.  She was best known for her witch costume and her candy bowl that contained at least 1000, if not 2000, pieces of Double Bubble chewing gum.  Granny's house at 509 Spears Avenue was a hot spot for Trick-or-Treaters.  Every year, her "candy" was the same.  Every year, you were allowed "two pieces, only two pieces."  And every year, her bowl would be empty by the end of the evening!  And if someone showed up after that....they probably got a Little Debbie from the kitchen shelf!  No one left Mrs. Turner's without a treat.  Now, she was known to "trick" a few times, too!  One year, she crashed a party that some of the grandkids were attending.  She, in her witch costume, entered and wasn't recognized.  Until, she got tickled and laughed.  Disguise busted!!!  

Where am I going with all this nostalgia?  Well, Halloween on Spears was always fun and I want Laik to have just as many good Halloween memories as I do.  Granny had the right idea.  She did the same thing every year; the witch costume, Double Bubble chewing gum and laughter.  

But I, have costume drama!  Let me just tell you what I mean:

2010...the bunch of grapes!  I have a story to tell about those grapes.  Laik was just four months old and  I was clueless as to what his costume was going to be.  The problem with costumes is:  ME!  I do not like kids characters costumes, I don't like clothes that are scratchy, and I don't like the thought of someone else having the same costume at every street corner.  I do like being creative and sometimes, that isn't easy!  I thought making him a scarecrow and carrying him in the Baby Bjorn would be perfect.  On the dress rehearsal about, let's be serious, the night before Halloween, scarecrow idea....OUT!   So, here is the secret to the bunch of grapes....it was a dog costume!  I was walking through Target to get "treats" for my nephews ON Halloween Day.  And scampering through trying to come up with an idea of what my baby boy was going to be for his first Halloween.  I was walking the aisles, close to tears, and the yellow lab on the package caught my eye!  It was perfect, the velcro strap would hold the costume around the BabyBjorn and I could be the vine!  Thank you, God...John 15:5.   And that was Halloween 2010...the bunch of grapes!  And just as sweet!

2011...the year of the bubble bath!  Prior to Laik's birth, I took a bubble bath every night, yes, every night! (right now, I could count the number of bubble baths I have had since he was born on my fingers, and a few toes!)  Having a 16 month old, that was not walking really limited my options for costumes, so I thought.  The grapes had been cool the year before, so I knew I had to be creative.  He was definitely too heavy to carry, so stroller or wagon it had to be, but what???  And the bubble bath idea was just right.  We used his Radio Flyer wagon, foam board, a white goose down comforter, white balloons (attached with safety pins to the comforter) and added bath accessories.  With all that, Laik had his very own bubble bath in a rolling "claw-footed" tub....just like Mommy.  And that was Halloween 2011....who doesn't like a bubble bath?!?!

2012...Halloween was quickly approaching and my ideas were spinning about Laik's costume.  Due to the fact that Laik continues to be unable to walk, Todd and I knew that we would use the Radio Flyer again, or not, or so!
Idea #1:  To be Ravioli or Spaghetti and Meatballs...the kid loves both!
Idea #2:  Use his wheelchair and make it look like a Front-End Loader...This year there were numerous photos posted on Facebook of children in wheelchairs that had been decorated in really cool ways for Halloween.  There was an ice cream truck, a drummer in a band, and a front-end loader, etc. So, I brought his wheelchair home from Siskin (Friday prior to Halloween) to get ready for the big day.  All that Todd and I did was stare at it and we just could not make the front-end loader look the way we wanted it to look.
Idea #3:  A Duck Blind...this would be perfect!  Just put the grass around the chair, put a covered top on it and it would work.  WRONG!  Sit and stare, Round 2.  Pros outweighed the Cons; supporting the grass, keeping it out of the spokes, making sure it wasn't too high that Laik couldn't "see out"...blah, blah, blah, blah!
Idea #4:  A Duck Blind...with old faithful, Radio Flyer!  Let the construction begin...6:45pm Halloween Eve...construction ended, 12:30 am, Halloween Day!  (We always do our best work under pressure!)  As Todd and I sat admiring our (mostly, his) work at just after midnight, we were both smiling and could not wait to see our Carhartt camo-wearing two year old in the blind!  And this was Halloween 2012...

I limit my camo-wearing to actual hunts, but I was informed that I needed to match this evening!

Let's get this candy hunt started!!!

"where are we going?"

Waving and jabbering the entire way around the neighborhood.

He realized what was in the orange pumpkin!

Here's to many more memories, seeing witches, chewing Double Bubble, and laughing!!  

And to costume drama....

Happy Halloween  2012!

Pictures...

As I am piled up with a very precious, but irritable two year old, I decided to share some pictures. I've been away from the blog since June....sorry.

Summer camp was awesome this year. The beach was even better. I hit the softball field as soon as school started and finally, things are calming down.

Laik is doing very well and I'll share all the details in an upcoming post. But for now, enjoy a few pics from phone. Random, but I hope you like them! And by the way, if you can't tell, this kid is super happy and he makes me über happy!

Be well...

Splish! Splash! Laik's 2nd Birthday Bash!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday Laik Leffew!

He is not a fan of heat....nor was his cake!

Sweet boy, with curls!  

Add a Chester's Cheese Puff to a melting cake and whaa-la...Eat up!

I don't know why their eyes are closed, but it looks serious!

I think Laik is telling his daddy that he wants a swimming pool in the back yard! ;o)

A little more cake and this is a party!

Laik with all the cousins and friends!

Laik loves the water! 

The Lord knew he had to be a summer baby, because birthdays at the lake = fun....for everyone!

Happy Birthday Laik!

WE LOVE YOU...to the moon and back times three!

Everything is improving...

It has been quite a while since I last posted, but life has been full speed ahead! So, this post will probably be as random and jumbled as our last few months have been.

Laik is famous!  He is currently smiling all over Chattanooga and the surrounding areas on billboards!

"What's the smile of a little boy worth?"  To me....everything in the world!  Siskin Children's Institute is fabulous and if you want to know more....just visit the website  www.siskin.org  and if you feel the urge to donate to an institution that is helping children with special needs, tell them Laik sent you!  

Since beginning in December at the Institute, we have seen such improvement with Laik!  

Also, notice the "Champy's Fried Chicken" sign in the lower right corner of the photo....it's a great place to eat if you are in Chattanooga....go on in and let Laik smile at you while you gnaw on some chicken!  

Laik is also beginning to really get some golden locks!  On this afternoon in the car, I couldn't resist snapping his picture.

Sitting in the big chair at The Best ENT Office in Chattanooga!  Dr. St.Charles is great with Laik!
A ENT update:  after having about 4 ear infections, Laik had tubes inserted in March 2011.  Since then, no ear infections!  Yeah, but at this visit, we did learn the the tubes have moved into the ear canal, so it is a watch and see game....more tubes might be in our future.  But so far, so good.

Laik is all about feeding himself these days.  It is a mess for sure, but it does make me so happy!  He is making improvements with his feeding/eating.  He does great getting food off the tray and he will even take things from my hand in the car!!!!! (remember, a few post back, I mentioned that it would be so nice if he I could hand him things....now I can!  Thank you Lord!)  He will grab a fork or spoon, but would rather bang it on the table than scoop food and bring it to his mouth.  We continue to work on that.

Holding his bottle!!!  Is the fat lady singing?  She should be.  The days of constantly having to hold his bottle for him are over!  I do still have to hold it for him sometimes, but he is MILES better than before. He is also in the process of making the transition to a sippy cup.  I wanted to skip the sippy and go straight to the straw, but oh well.  Living with Laik and planning is like having a "birth plan"....it is gonna change or not happen.....So take it in stride and deal with it!

Another reason for the fat lady to sing.....NO MORE THICKENING!   Laik just passed his most recent swallow study last week!  Good-bye ThickIt!  He is a smidge uncoordinated with his swallowing, but he isn't aspirating!  GO LAIK!!!

Again, just a sweet little pic of my smiling boy!  His smile is infectious!  I love it!!!  This was one evening at about 11:00 pm....I have a night owl.  Not always, but he does seem to know when Friday and Saturday night roll around. (My mother has teased that my first words were, "Here's Johnny!" so the late nighter in him must be from me.)

Doing a little artwork on the playground.  Then he chose to use the pink chalk as a brow liner?!?!?

And, doing a little "patrol detail" on the playground.  Laik enjoys being in the cozy coupe police car, but currently, his only gear is REVERSE.  But all that is about to change, I think.  Two weeks ago, we had a fitting for a gait trainer.  Once that arrives, he will be in boot camp training with his PT and I'm sure it will be GAME ON.  Game on to see which one of them is the most stubborn.  Will Ms. Lisa give in or will Laik pop the clutch and grab 2nd gear, and start moving forward?  I'll keep you posted.

As always, Living Leffew is busy, but Laik sure is taking us places.  Places that I never thought I would have to travel, but the scenery is great each time we land.  The flight and landing can be rough, but the destination remains enlightening, because Laik is there!

The big 2nd birthday is just 11 days away.  I can't believe that our journey with Laik has already been two years, but I can't imagine life without him.

Summer has always been a time for fun. With Laik Leffew, it is certainly happening....Fun.

Fun with a capital F!

A friend like me...

Todd and I were told that it would be very unlikely to ever meet another child with Trisomy 12p.  Well, the odds must be in our favor because today, I did!  

Meet Brett, Drew and Laura Ketcham!

Unfortunately, Todd had to work today, but my mother and I were able to meet up with the Ketcham family in Atlanta at the home of Laura's parents.  (This was not Mother's first meeting with a Trisomy 12p family.  In September, while attending the UTC/Nebraska football game, Mother, my sister, brother-in-law and aunt were able to meet up with Kristin and Ellen Brown in Lincoln.)  How did I find these people?  FACEBOOK.  Of all of its many cons, one of its pros is the Trisomy 12P Parent Support Page.  That page has helped me to connect with numerous T12p families, but the families are all over the states and the world!  

I confess, when I first found the page, I was a silent stalker!  I never commented, but I looked at the photos and read the post, over and over!  Anything to give me some real insight to what the prognosis was going to look like in the future.  The paperwork we were given by doctors was full of medical jargon and research information that painted an ugly picture.  The FB page gave me exactly what I was looking for:  photos, not just statistics.  And Drew Ketcham caught my eye...I saw the blue-eyes, the blonde hair, the fair skin and I thought, that is what Laik is going to look like when he gets bigger.  

Long story, short:  I made up my mind that I wanted to meet the other families.  So, I sent messages, made phone calls, sent texts and emails, and today my first meeting happened.  I was anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time.  Many thoughts crossed my mind, I was full of questions, but then I got there...

I had a bit of a directional issue (easy to do in ATL) which had me a bit flustered and LATE! But, once I pulled into the driveway, weight literally lifted off of my shoulders.  Laura and her parents greeted us.  It was like pulling up to family we hadn't seen in a while.  I never once felt uncomfortable or out of place.  We introduced ourselves, hugged and went in to meet Brett and Drew.  And we found ourselves chatting in a thousand directions.  We put the boys on the floor to interact and then we just enjoyed the company of another family like us.  Brett stated it best, "we don't have to apologize, you are like us!"

We had lunch, we talked about everything from church with a special needs child to potty training to Disney World to beach vacations to schools to wheelchairs and vehicles.  

Then I took out my camera and started snapping photos of the boys.  It was interesting to watch them interact and check each other out.  Drew demonstrated his walking skills, as well as, his pretty savvy wheelchair maneuvering skills!  

I found myself watching Drew's every move.  I was trying to mentally document everything about him so I could relay the information to Todd. It was exciting to see him communicate with his parents.  

Laura commented on behaviors that Laik exhibited that reminded her of things Drew did when he was younger. 

We swapped stories.  

We "snuggied" the boys A LOT!  I spent a precious few minutes on the sofa with Drew.  He crawled up beside me and was so sweet.  He then proceeded to take his shoes off, spin around, put his feet in my lap and get comfy.  My heart was melting! 

Laik showed off his best "if you're happy and you know it" claps!

And there was a lot of sweetness, with jibberish talk, that I would love to know the meaning!

It was a site to behold.  Two boys, 5 years apart, with T12p just hanging out.

Their expressions in these photos could tell a story....enjoy them, I know I did!

It goes like this:  

Drew:  "and that is exactly how it happened"

Laik:  "seriously, I can't believe it!"

Drew:  "man, that is hilarious"

Laik:  "don't tell everyone!"

Drew:  "you always say that..."

Laik:  "I know..."

I can hear those deep little voices saying, "I didn't do it!"

One happy boy!  He was sneaking his way to try to escape out the side door!

I love this picture!  It's like two friends, laughing and deciding when they will do this again!

It was a good, good day!  We hope to meet up again....at the beach!  

Laura and I agreed, "It is what it is!"  

Here's to making more connections and meeting more new friends...like us!