Saturday, April 28, 2012

Daisy Goes To Prom




I have been wanting to do some volunteering outside of my regular suburban stuff.  Today I went into the city to volunteer for a great organization that I have recently heard about and met a great 18 year old named Daisy.



The Glass Slipper Project collects new and almost-new formal dresses and accessories and provides them, free of charge, to students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire.  They distribute the dresses at the Glass Slipper "boutiques"each prom season, where each student receives individual assistance from a volunteer "personal shopper" as she shops for the dress of her dreams.
  
Today I was a personal shopper for Daisy.  She reminded me a lot of Gabby; she was certain of what she didn't like and pretty particular about getting exactly what she wanted.  She was not going to change her mind or let the idea of searching through thousands of dresses get in the way of her getting her dream prom dress.  


Daisy started by saying she wanted the color teal. We walked into the first room of dresses and as she browsed around, I found a really cute teal dress.  In predictable teenager fashion, her eyes got big with horror at my fashion suggestion.  She was polite and humble when telling me that my choice was not quite the one.  As the morning went on, we tried on pink, blue, brown, red, black and green.  After about 15-20 dresses, her Godmother decided to steer Daisy in a different direction and have her try on dresses that she may not necessarily like on the hanger, but they may look good on her.  


Off we go into the dressing room again.  Daisy tries on a beautiful red dress that fits her like it was made for her.  Her Godmother and I gasp as I zip up the last inch and we see her in this dress.  "This is the one!" we say in unison.  She is beaming, this could be the one.  There is another dress that she has brought into the dressing room, it is the very first teal dress I held up for her 2 hours ago!  She tries it on...."Oh my god, I love this dress!", is what she says:)  She tries on the red dress again and then the teal dress one more time.  This is truly the dress.  Her face beams in it, she is confident and feels beautiful.  It is glamorous with a touch of "bad-ass".   


Off we go to find shoes, make-up, jewelry, and accessories.  This part is easy now that we have found a dress.  3 hours later, Daisy and I hug, exchange emails (she promises to send me pictures from prom night!) and part ways.  She is excited, her Godmother is happy and I couldn't be more proud of the work that is being done today by this organization and the hundreds of volunteers that are working along side of me.

Gabby wanted to join me today, but you have to be 18 years old to volunteer.  She is looking forward to going along with me next year.  Anyone else want to join me?


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Happy Birthday Sinobia!!!



12 years ago, on April 11th, I woke up to a day full of things to do.  I was pregnant and scheduled to be induced the following day, as I had gotten too big and was completely miserable.  My original due date was April 14th, but my doctor gave in and agreed to let me pop early. 
I wanted to do my hair, finish my laundry, go to the grocery store and get a mani-pedi (I wanted to look good during labor). 

I woke up with contractions, but didn't pay them very much attention, as I was familiar with them from previous "pre-term" contraction scares.  I continued on with my day, visited my mom and returned home for a nap before my mani-pedi appointment.  Eric was home on this day too, I don't remember why.  He decided that he would run some errands while I took a nap.  The contractions were getting stronger, but I still continued to ignore them...I had to get things done.

Eric was gone about 30 minutes and I was laying in bed when all of a sudden my water broke!  Back then, 12 years ago, people still had pagers.  I paged Eric and sent a 911 message.  He immediately called home, to be informed that my water had broke and it was time to get to the hospital!

Flash forward and hour or so...I had refused to take any drugs for this birth.  I was going to go all the way, all natural.  I was so INSANE back then!  So, I am screaming at the top of my lungs, making a scene and scaring the shit out of Eric and everyone else in the maternity wing.  Gabby refuses to come into the room to see me, she is horrified by the sounds she hears coming out of my room.  My sister-in-law leaves the room (she blames it on my bad breath).  There is no doctor present, the nurses are trying to keep me calm, but I am in too much pain.

Finally I break down and decide, maybe an epidural is the way to go.  The nurses inform me that the anesthesiologist is in surgery and is not available.  Not available?????  I decide that I will endure the pain no longer and start to push!  The nurses are frantic, "You can't push now Tracy, you are not dilated enough and the doctor is not here yet.  She is on her way."  I don't care, I push anyway.  This baby had to come out right then! 
10 minutes later and about 6 pushes, Sinobia Carrie Aiden emerges into the world!  5 lbs. 14 oz. and 18 inches long. 

What a relief, what a joyful moment and what a beautiful blessing!

For 12 years, Sinobia has filled my life with love, joy and everlasting memories. She is an amazing little girl with a kind and generous heart.  She is my song-bird, always singing and my water-baby, always swimming.  She is confident, secure and a little cocky (as her sister would say).  She still is at times just as much of a "pain" as she was back in the hospital, but I wouldn't want her to be any other way:)

 
Happy Birthday Sinobia!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!


Happy Easter everyone!  Eric and Gabby have been in California for the past week on their first daddy/daughter college trip, so Sinobia and I have been spending our spring break together.  There has been lots of eating out, staying up late, sleeping late, pajama wearing, watching TV and goofing around.

We were slightly productive our first few days together; we visited the fabric store and crafted 2 homemade tutus for Sinobia.  The first one was a special "birthday" tutu (Sinobia's birthday is on April 11th) and our second one was an "Elmo-Easter" special tutu (beautifully modeled by Sinobia).  This second tutu looked especially cute with Sinobia's Elmo boots:)

Back to school tomorrow....I could certainly use a few more days of sleeping late, the past week has truly spoiled me.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

We Are Pissed At Cancer

Gabrielle and Papa in Michigan

I've been missing my dad.  He has been on my mind at random times of the day lately; 6:30 am on my way to work, 11:45 am recess time, 4:00 pm chauffeur duty, 10:00 pm bedtime.  The memories of him are so strong that I find myself getting choked up, holding back tears that are swelling up in my eyes.  

This summer will be the 4 year anniversary of his death.  Eric, myself and the girls watched as my dad, a once strong, confident, independent and proud man succumbed to cancer within a matter of 8 months.  We sat beside my dad and helped care for him the last 2 weeks of his life.  This was a difficult 2 weeks, but I put on my big-girl face and took over my dad's role as the rational, level headed family member.  I wanted my dad to be proud of me for taking charge of the situation.  I wanted him to know that I was there to take care of him the way that he had taken care of me all of my life, with unconditional and everlasting love.  

This 2 week period was especially hard of Gabby, who hasn't figured out just what is the appropriate way for her to deal with death.  Gabby was my dads first grand child.   He had so many hopes and dreams for her, all of which he thought he would be around to witness.  They would talk at length about when she "grew up" and what the future (and Papa) had in store for her.  They fought, much like he and I fought when I was little; mostly be cause they are so much alike (as I am so much like my dad as well).  He pushed her to be her very best, challenged her to think about the world differently and opened up a world of opportunities (and his wallet) to her with just one little "Please Papa".

It is because of loosing my dad that we are pissed at cancer.  We loathe cancer and many times fear it.  I think it is because of our intense feelings for this disease that Gabby decided to join the 2012 Relay for Life of Evanston this year.  Please visit her personal fundraising web page:


She states on her web page:

"I am participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life because I want to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.

Almost everyone has been touched by cancer, either through their own personal battle or through someone they love.  

Together, we can help make sure that Cancer never steals another year of someone's life!"

Halloween in Michigan with Papa