Cecily's Closet is busier than ever this month... We're trying some new things in hopes of helping more families on our shoe-string budget.  For example... instead of doing complete room makeovers for everyone - we'll spread them out so in some cases a child will receive a new bed, or new art, a mural or something that he or she needs to grow and thrive. We hate not being able to process every request we receive so our board of directors is having us try this approach to see how it works!

In addition, we're welcoming the addition of donated goods for the specific rooms we're actively working on.  If you know anyone who has these items or would be interested in donating them - please let us know!  We've got about four rooms in play right now and any of the following items would be greatly appreciated to help complete the fun spaces!

1) Train bed or train bedding in gently used condition

2) Gently used desk in cherry wood (or any wood that can be painted will likely work!)

3) A muralist that can work in a room in a pinch... for a 10x10 shared space in Chula Vista. The timeline is April.

4) A winning lotto tix!

I think the hardest thing about this charity is not being able to help everyone who sends us their story.  We're so small today but hopefully as our children grow we will be able to devote more time to this wonderful caus. We are committed to making a difference for children  with special needs in San Diego.  We welcome advice, comments, and your feedback. If you think we should be doing something differently please let us know.  Onwards and upwards!

                                             

Happy Birthday Cecily! Can you believe our little angel turns 2 tomorrow? We had a very small family party this weekend to celebrate this major milestone! (Cecily pictured above after the explosion of PINK presents). I would like to say - for the record - that I did not buy the tiara... it came from Grammy... but I was all too happy to dress her in pink and place it on her head. Cecily was a willing participant in this event and  when I tried to wear the tiara for a second she looked at me as if to say... "is it your birthday?"   I love Cecily's spunk and attitude. She has this way of looking at you that says "i have no time for your silliness...or I'm over you!" (Someone remind me of how cute I thought this was when she is older..."

Pinkie, (the adorable roller-skating dog pictured above) was a gift created and named by her adoring brother, Noah. He made it for Cecily at Build-a-Bear and he picked out everything himself, including the roller-skates and pink puppy house in the back. Cecily immediately grabbed the leash and I have to say she is quite fond of our new, furry, pet. Noah was so excited to give it to her and I love knowing that he made it special for her!

It has been such a wonderful week for our family. Cecily has been talking up a storm and we do mean talking... "Hello"... "I love you"...  "hi and Noah" - along with a whole lotta jibber jabber that she is quite excited about.  Today while driving down to Grammy's house I told Cecily and Noah we'd have a singing competition. I decided to have Cecily go first. After a lot of prompting and a lot of waiting she remained silent.  I called it a forfeit and moved on to Noah. Noah came up with a cute little tune and was rudely cut off by his sister upping the ante! She decided to string together some la la la's and some bababa's with some attitude. When it was my turn she decided to start squealing with the la la la's and Noah declared her the winner. (she was definitely the loudest). 

A year ago Cecily was discharged from the hospital around her birthday. She was in so much pain. We didn't know what to expect for her second year of life. Would she be in the hospital more? Would her feeding issues be resovled? Would she speak? Sit? Walk? Fast forward to now and it is hard to believe how much she has overcome in one year. She is a reminder every day to believe in the people you love. It is so much easier to believe than to worry, second-guess or underestimate.  Just this week Cecily increased her vocabulary, reached her feed rate goal, took a bolus feed through her g-tube, stood for over five minutes while playing with a new toy and gave us some serious attitude that requires some serious cognition! Plus, she is picking up real food and putting it in her mouth! In fact, she is putting everything in her mouth.

We are so proud of our little princess.  We are just as proud of her brother.  They love each other so much and seeing their affection, their funny glances and their embraces just makes us excited for tomorrow and beyond. Together they inspire us to be not just better parents, but to be better people. 

Thank you to our family and friends for supporting us and for helping to make Cecily's birthday such a magical day.  A special thank you to my husband Brien for always believing in me and for accepting me and my antics.  Onwards and upwards!

Exceptional Family Resource Center and the Down Syndrome Association of San Diego Invites You to Attend……
Planning a Secure Future for Your Child or Family Member with Special Needs - Helping to Ensure Quality of Life for Your Loved Ones with Special Needs.

Don’t leave your child’s or family member’s future up to chance... Let the professionals guide you in a step-by-step approach to protecting your child’s benefits and setting up a plan for future care. They will help you understand the benefits and necessity of setting up a special needs trust and sound financial plan, no matter your financial resources. Presented by Robert Friedman, Steve Morris, CLU and Mary Waltari, Esq.

PLEASE JOIN US on Saturday, March 5, 2011 from 9:30am -11:30am. Location: AREA Board XIII at 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 325, San Diego, CA 92108. 

Please RSVP TODAY to [email protected] or call 619.594.7389.
(No childcare available) 

Onwards and upwards!

What a week for Cecily. Despite having chicken pox this little tiger won't be tamed...but she did sit still long enough for Cassidy to give our happy girl two adorable french braids! Could she be any cuter? Oh I know that is not what you are supposed to say about your own child but she is just perfect to me in every way and I can't help myself!

This week she said "love mama" over and over and over again. She could never say it too many times. She has been reaching for my hands, hugging me, pulling me closer and it fuels my soul in ways I can't describe. When she wraps her little arms around me and pulls me close I just breathe her in and want to swallow her up.  She used to hate to be touched or cuddled. Holding hands or having her even hold onto you was simply out of the question. We respected Cecily's space and despite many tears when no one was looking  I refused to give up hope. What is life without hope? I imagined this day and now that it is here I am thrilled! I truly feel like Cecily is the best present. Every day we open a new gift and we celebrate together as a family.  Her Grandmother Judith said that Cecily was Christmas right before she passed. This has stuck with us and we couldn't agree more!

Today's present was yet another word.  She said  "down".  She can say "up" so we're very excited that she is picking up new word. We are so lucky to have a team of people that help us and dote on Cecily with love and care. 

Tonight when Daddy and Noah came home she welcomed them both with happy wails of "Baba" and "Dadda..." She still calls Noah her Baba and he is quick to point this out to anyone who hears her say it!

This weekend we had planned to complete our 10th room makeover. We got to meet the deserving family and I got a dose of inspiration. This baby and his Mom are the reason we founded Cecily's Closet.  You'll be hearing about their story soon but they have touched my heart and I know they will touch yours.  At our core we are here to offer hope. Every day is not easy. There are moments of panic and fear and worry. But there are wonderful moments when anything seems possible. And this is what we will celebrate. This is what will give us the fight to keep on going. After all there are hair bows waiting to be tied onto french braids, there are presents waiting to be opened and aren't you just a little bit curious about what tomorrow will bring? Onwards and upwards!