Life Is So Very Precious

A beautiful girl I was friendly with growing up and had the pleasure of seeing in recent years,  passed away this weekend.  She left behind her high school sweetheart who was also her husband and her four children.  Her life was cut short much too early.  It is sad and scary to lose someone suddenly.  When someone your own age passes away,  it stops you in your tracks.  It makes you really think.  This could have just as easily been me.  In this case,  it really made my mind also wander off  in a different direction.  Probably because of the way dear Sue was taken from us.  She was in the hospital having knee surgery.  I am told it was routine knee surgery.  We all know what I think of that word "routine".  I don't believe any hospital stay is ever routine so let's just she was in the hospital having knee surgery and leave it at that.  A few days later a blood clot went to her lungs.  She went into cardiac arrest.  She passed away.
 

It is hard for me not to think of Kalvin's upcoming surgery.  Is it absolutely necessary for his survival?  Is it worth the risk?  It is hard not to run through the "what ifs?"

It is hard to fully imagine the pain Sue's family is feeling right now and the loss they will endure forever.  Her three sons.  Her daughter,  her youngest and her only girl now motherless.  It is just too sad.  I can't wipe away the image of her husband kissing her goodbye and then sending her off into surgery;  thinking she would be home in a few days.  I wonder how I will be able to kiss Kalvin goodbye on June 27th  and not think of Sue.
 

 I wonder why.   Why would this happen?   And I think,  why not?   Bad things happen to good people too.   And then I think,  why not me?  Or Kalvin?   Surgery is scary.   I know Kalvin's  biggest fear is a needle.   He is happy to go to the doctor's,  even to stay in the hospital as long as we are with him and there are no needles involved.  If he only knew,  the needles are by far the least of his worries.
 

Just when I was warming up to the "summer of surgeries"  (June 27th and August 8th),  I find myself bulldozed over by fear, panic, and sadness.  I know we have to move forward with the plan for the artery stretching surgery on Kalvin's leg, but it just got a lot harder to digest.

 Please keep Sue's family in your prayers.
And hug your loved ones a little tighter.

Easing Anxiety With Each Game

Kalvin was playing street hockey with his dad when he got a ball in the nose.  An instant bloody nose.  His second bloody nose to date.  You can see the blood on his Bruins jersey.  His puffy nose.  His watery eyes.  So I guess it's official.  He is now a true hockey player.

 

 

Sports have been such a great distraction for Kalvin.  For his anxious mind.  Sports give him a lot to focus on.  The players.  The rules.  The talk shows.  He loves to watch [and play] hockey, baseball, and football.  Tonight I caught him watching fishing on NESN.

 

 

This is all new.  We only started watching hockey last year when Chris Kreider was pulled up from BC to play for the Rangers in the playoffs.  Kal was so excited to watch.  Kal was glued to the screen just waiting to see Chris' line skate.  His whole head would move as he followed Chris around on the ice.  Add a goal or two by young Chris and Kal was absolutely beside himself with joy.  I had never seen him so engaged and excited about something before.  Well, maybe Michael Jackson for a while.  It gave me such great feeling to see him so happy and so involved.  It was just good clean fun for the whole family to watch Chris soar and Kalvin right along with him.

 

Please note the sparkling purple slippers leftover from the Michael Jackson days.

 

This past fall, Lars and I were away for a weekend and my parents stayed with the kids.  It happened to be the weekend of the big Ohio State Michigan game.  A big event in my family.  Kalvin instantly became a Buckeye fan.  Not sure if it was the hot dogs or drinking out of a thermos while watching the game, but he was hooked.  And it helped that Ohio State won!  Then the Patriots followed.  Kalvin would plan all week for the big game.  This really kept him busy.  No one could know more about Tom Brady (and Gisele).  Kal would call grandpa during the games.  Several times.  They'd go over the plays.  Strategies.  Hoot and holler.  There was no turning back.

 

 

 

 

 Kalvin was devastated when the NHL season was delayed this year, but we made it to a Connecticut Whales game to watch Chris play.  It was great fun.  Chris even threw him a few pucks and a towel or two.  He was in his glory. 

  

 

And Finn enjoyed the popcorn.

 

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to skate at the TD garden.  Not sure who was more excited.  Lars or Kalvin?

 

For sure Finn was most excited about the food buffet.

 

 

 Now that the Bruins are playing...and in the playoffs.  Well, you can just imagine the excitement.

Kal went to his first Bruins game at the TD Garden.  It was right after the Boston Marathon tragedy.  Spirit in the Garden reached new heights.   Kalvin took it all in.   He insisted on buying the big bear claw and cheering madly with it.  Throughout the entire game.  Such fun.

Thanks goodness for DVR's so Kal can watch the second half of all the night games the next morning.  You know when he is up at 6 am.  Seven days a week.

We have been trying to figure out what has helped to ease Kalvin's anxieties this year.  They are still present,  but there has been a remarkable difference since January.  After the Marathon tragedies,  I noticed how Boston sports really helped unite the city.   Gave us something positive to focus on.  Preoccupy our minds for a few hours during a very stressful time.  We have always had tremendous spirit and pride here in Boston.  Well, obviously because we have the best teams,  but the spirit was never more passionate and united.  I started to think about Kalvin and his stresses.   I have to think sports have played a huge part in easing his mind.  Giving him something to talk to his classmates about.  Something fun to occupy his mind on a regular basis.  Sports really are just a great way for everyone to get involved.  Be a part of a team.  Lots of fun...especially when your team wins.

And now, as Kalvin says, "IT'S SPIRIT TIME!"

GO BRUINS!!
GO CHRIS KREIDER!!

Taking It All In

We can not express how touched we are

by all those who supported Kalvin's Zipper Klub.

By walking with us and/or donating
to the Congenital Heart Walk! 

By designing our Zipper Klub t-shirts. 

Thank you so much, Mary Rich!

We had a beautiful day to walk.   

The sun was shining.

We mingled with friends and family. 

We laughed.

We saw our precious baby Isabelle looking brighter and cuter than ever.

And Kalvin took it all in.

A Bagpiper led our way.

As we came together to walk for a common cause.

 And even though some of us didn't appear to want to get out of bed in the morning...

We had a fabulous time.

What a Klub!

We more than doubled our goal and raised over $5,300...and final numbers are still being tallied.

Kalvin's Zipper Klub's Page

The Children's Heart Foundation is very near and dear to our hearts.  They do amazing work that all children benefit from.

Children's Heart Foundation

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Children's Heart Foundation

COME WALK WITH US OR DONATE TO OUR TEAM

 on Saturday, April 27th

ONE or TWO MILES

around beautiful Boston Common

to support The Children’s Heart Foundation!

Visit our web site and join our team:

Kalvin's Zipper Klub

Thank you to all those who have all ready made a donation-Emilio Straubel.  We greatly appreciate your support.  This is a great cause and one that is so near and dear to our hearts.

We are walking to support the Children’s Heart Foundation, the goal of The Children’s Heart Foundation is to bring health, hope and happiness to children impacted by congenital heart defects, the number one birth defect in the United States. We accomplish this goal by funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects.

Most people are unaware that Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in America, affecting approximately one in one hundred, or 40,000 newborns each year. CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect-related deaths and sadly 20 percent of children who make it through birth will not survive past their first birthday.

Although a child is born every 15 minutes with a CHD, research continues to be grossly under-funded in America. Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of a penny is directed toward congenital heart defect research.

As the country’s leading organization solely committed to CHD research funding, The Children’s Heart Foundation dedicates itself to bringing health, hope and happiness to children and families impacted by a CHD.

CHF has funded over $5.3 million of vital, life-saving CHD research since its inception.

Please consider joining our team. Just click the link above and donate and / OR sign up-it will be lots of fun!!  Every donation counts.

Many Thanks and Much Love,

Kristen, Lars, Kalvin and Finn



Braces... at Seven years Old?

Before braces.

Kalvin was scheduled to get braces on his teeth back in January.  You may remember this post:  A Silver Lining.  We delayed the braces a few times for various reasons, but we finally went through with it.  The braces are not to straighten his teeth,  but to move the lower teeth and jaw back. 

Originally, the orthodontist talked about putting a palate expander in his mouth, but due to Kalvin's overactive gag reflex,  they decided the braces would be a better option at this time.  Kalvin has a severe under bite that is causing his top and bottom teeth to rub together which is causing damage and actually moving his upper teeth and jaw.  We could not post pone the application any longer-the teeth and gums are progressively getting worse..

Kalvin was such a brave boy!  He did not complain at all.  He was very excited to get the colors yellow and black on his braces...like the Boston Bruins.  Kalvin is going to his first Bruin's game this weekend where he is excited to show his support with his new smile!

They applied the bottom braces today.  The wire will be applied in a few weeks.

The top braces will be applied once the bottom teeth have moved back a bit a bit. 

 

After braces.

What a year 2013 has turned out to be for Kalvin!

Update: Kalvin had his top braces applied in January 2014!  Read all about it here.

Boston Strong

Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering.  Please stand strong against violence and bullying of all shapes and sizes.

Together, we can all make a difference.

 

Three Years Ago...

Finn was born!  I can't believe our baby is now three!  Finn is so much fun.  I really wish I could freeze him right here at this age.  He is just so cute.  The things he says.  The things he does.  His exuberance.  His anger.  One of the ways we celebrate everyone's birthday in our family is with a dinner at the local Mexican Restaurant-Casa Blanca.  The kids absolutely love it there and even have their favorite waiter, Juan! 

When it is your birthday at Casa Blanca, you get to wear the birthday hat-a sombrero! Finn was a little unsure of the birthday hat this year, but he did end up wearing it while the wait-staff sang and danced around our table.

We also had a family celebration at home.  More yummy cake and ice cream! Hmm, this boy has no problem with chocolate cake!!

Kalvin, not so much chocolate cake...yet.  He is still covering his mouth.

Finn loved his presents this year. He couldn't wait to open them up and see what was inside. He also loves birthday cards! He reads them all and is very curious who they are from. So cute!

Happy Birthday Littles...we love you!!

Finn is a little "miracle" himself.  Most medical doctors said it was impossible for me to have another child, but four years later he was conceived.  I worked with many people to bring Finn into this world naturally, but the one who originally made me believe it was possible was Julia Indichova.  Julia's work is amazing.  Julia is amazing.  I worked with Julia diligently for three years.  Walking the journey towards my baby those three years with Julia and other Fertile Heart Mommas,  made me a better person and a better mother.  The tools I learned from Julia can be applied to many more life challenges.   Julia's work is itself a miracle.

www.fertileheart.com. 

Please read what Julia has written on the recent events in Boston.  She is truly a woman of peace.

Fertile Heart Boston