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Monday, December 31, 2007
Just wanted to say to all HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
I really hope all of you have a healthy and prosperous New Year!!!!
I always get excited thinking about the year ahead.

What 2008 will bring the Bissol Family:
1. My Joey will turn 11 this year and begin middle school.
2. Olivia will turn 3 and hopefully be binky free and potty trained. She will also get to start at dance class.
3. Megan will turn 5 and will too hopefully be potty trained. She will perform in her 1st ever dance recital.
4. Me and Joe will celebrate 14 years together and 7 years of marriage.
5. We will welcome a nephew into the world in March
6. The girls will be getting big girl twin sleigh beds.
7. We will get to see all of our friends at the annual NDSC conference in Boston.
8. My parents will have been married for 24 years in June.

Tonight we will ring in the new year with our friends The Falkevitz Famimly, my sister and her boyfriend Will and our friends The DeJesus Family! I will take a ton of pictures to share. I hope to hear all of you banging your pots and pans!

Till next year!
Love,
Stephanie Bissol
Sunday, December 30, 2007
So I have been googling and researching the use of Ginko in children with Down Syndrome and I am liking what I am reading. Megan right now is not on any vitamin supplements. We did start with the Nutrivene in August but have since stopped when I lost my scooper in October. A poor excuse I know but I didn't want to guess on the scoop size. I have just re-ordered one so we will start it up again soon. I am just worried with her blood work being redone that it might mess with it.

I came across this website through the DSTNI yahoo group and it has made me more intrigued. It talks about the use of prozac and a protocol to use. Please check it out including the videos.
Changing Minds Fouondation

Any personal info anyone might have on this good or bad please let me know. Or if you want to share any more websites or research.
Thanks!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
THE PEOPLE DESERVE TO HEAR RON PAUL'S MESSAGE

December 28, 2007 10:39 pm EST

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA – According to the New Hampshire State Republican Party and an Associated Press report, Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul will be excluded from an upcoming forum of Republican candidates to be broadcast by Fox News on January 6, 2008.

“Given Ron Paul’s support in New Hampshire and his recent historic fundraising success, it is outrageous that Dr. Paul would be excluded,” said Ron Paul 2008 campaign chairman Kent Snyder. “Dr. Paul has consistently polled higher in New Hampshire than some of the other candidates who have been invited.”

Snyder continued, “Paul supporters should know that we are continuing to make inquiries with Fox News as to why they have apparently excluded Dr. Paul from this event.”
Friday, December 28, 2007
Seems there is no need to worry quite yet according to the specialists. The hematologist and GI doc want the blood work redone before we see them.
Will update after we do the blood work again.
I do not want to turn my families blog into a political forum BUT this upcoming presidential campaign is weighing heavily on my mind.
1st off Judicial Watch just released its list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians” for 2007...and who is on it do you ask...
4 of America's Choices for Presidential Candidacy

1. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY): In addition to her long and sordid ethics record, Senator Hillary Clinton took a lot of heat in 2007 – and rightly so – for blocking the release her official White House records. Many suspect these records contain a treasure trove of information related to her role in a number of serious Clinton-era scandals. Moreover, in March 2007, Judicial Watch filed an ethics complaint against Senator Clinton for filing false financial disclosure forms with the U.S. Senate (again). And Hillary’s top campaign contributor, Norman Hsu, was exposed as a felon and a fugitive from justice in 2007. Hsu pleaded guilt to one count of grand theft for defrauding investors as part of a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme.

2.Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY): Giuliani came under fire in late 2007 after it was discovered the former New York mayor’s office “billed obscure city agencies for tens of thousands of dollars in security expenses amassed during the time when he was beginning an extramarital relationship with future wife Judith Nathan in the Hamptons…” ABC News also reported that Giuliani provided Nathan with a police vehicle and a city driver at taxpayer expense. All of this news came on the heels of the federal indictment on corruption charges of Giuliani’s former Police Chief and business partner Bernard Kerik, who pleaded guilty in 2006 to accepting a $165,000 bribe in the form of renovations to his Bronx apartment from a construction company attempting to land city contracts.

3. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR): Governor Huckabee enjoyed a meteoric rise in the polls in December 2007, which prompted a more thorough review of his ethics record. According to The Associated Press: “[Huckabee’s] career has also been colored by 14 ethics complaints and a volley of questions about his integrity, ranging from his management of campaign cash to his use of a nonprofit organization to subsidize his income to his destruction of state computer files on his way out of the governor’s office.” And what was Governor Huckabee’s response to these ethics allegations? Rather than cooperating with investigators, Huckabee sued the state ethics commission twice and attempted to shut the ethics process down.

4. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL): A “Dishonorable Mention” last year, Senator Obama moves onto the “ten most wanted” list in 2007. In 2006, it was discovered that Obama was involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko. In 2007, more reports surfaced of deeper and suspicious business and political connections It was reported that just two months after he joined the Senate, Obama purchased $50,000 worth of stock in speculative companies whose major investors were his biggest campaign contributors. One of the companies was a biotech concern that benefited from legislation Obama pushed just two weeks after the senator purchased $5,000 of the company’s shares. Obama was also nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law.

Our government is corrupt and speaking the truth about it only seems to get you a label of "nut case"...why is this?
Washington is owned by the Corporate Media and all the candidates we have to choose from are in there pockets....The ONLY real choice to be "FREE" is to vote Ron Paul. We all need to vote in these Primaries...we can make a difference. Ron Paul has raised more money in 1 day than any other candidate in history and NONE of it was from corporate America....just people fed up with the BS of bureaucracy like me.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY
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no real updates yet. I talked to the ped today and he was still trying to get the doctors on the phone. I called and left a message with the head of the Trisomy 21 program at CHOP. I think a few people on here see her (Dr. Mary Pipan) to see if she could give my ped a little guidance.

My ped had messages in with a hemotologist, a GI and a cardiologist. Hopefully we will hear something today.

I am trying not to worry until there is something to worry about but you all know how hard that is when you are a mom. Megan is fine and seems healthy as a horse so that is reassuring...she ate her morning sausage as usual LOL
Monday, December 17, 2007
This morning I got a call from our Ped w/ Megan's blood work results.
Seems her hemoglobin is high and she is producing too many red blood cells. The ped then said that we need to go see a Cardiologist because he thinks she may have a murmur although he has never heard one....HUH? This ever happen to anyone else? What does this all mean. He said her heart is compensating for something and that is why she is producing so many red blood cells. Any info you could give me would be great.

Also, her Celiac test came back elevated for the antibody so now we have to go to a GI doc. Anyone with experience in this area please let me know.

Megan is very healthy. She has never had heart surgery and no problems were ever indicated to us until today. She also has given me no indication of a Celiac problem. Although her bowels are not regular but was told this is common in DS.

The doc is calling me back before Thursday to let me know what the other doctors say....he said he was going to call them and see what they thought and try to get us in for an emergency appointment.
Friday, December 14, 2007
I had to take a picture of my door for all to see how wonderful it is to have your house adorned with real life angels. This is my favorite part of Christmas when I get to open up these beautiful Christmas Cards. Today I got a total of 12 Christmas Cards in the mail and it put the biggest smile on my face.

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This post is also going to serve another purpose. My friend Melissa over at Banana Migraine is doing a Holiday Traditions Festival so bloggers can show off their Christmas decorations. So below please enjoy my sad Christmas tree (we bought it at the end of last year and didn't see it on display but we only paid $15 for it at Lowes) and my Manger (we do not put baby Jesus there until late Christmas Eve, my Mantel w/ every Christmas w/ Santa pictures and my new wreath Megan made me at school. Decorating the mantel is my favorite every year. I love hanging the stockings and remembering each Christmas by looking at how my kids have grown from Christmas past.
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And this is our outside decorations
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Thursday, December 13, 2007
So Monday Joe took Megan to get her blood work done since he had to go get his for his Colonoscopy. He said the people there were nasty. They were yelling at him to hold Megan down and just not doing a good job. They gave up and said oh well hope we got enough.
Well no they didn't. I got a call today saying I need to take her back in tomorrow.
The lady was very nice but this sucks for Megan and is holding up the results.
I will let you all know how it turns out tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
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So today at dance class it was parent visitation day. All the parents got to go into class and video and take pictures. Megan was SO BAD! Not her usual self. She was all over the place, licking the mirrors, pushing kids around, walking up to people's cameras and sticking her tongue out and putting her fingers in her ears (we call it the nanny nanny boo boo face) and not doing any of the dance moves. I was crying inside wishing for the bad behavior to stop. I had to walk out of the room to try and get her to cooperate.
After class, the aide took the kids out to the waiting room and the teacher spoke to the parents. She said:
"is there any questions regarding the class or the recital coming up in May? No....ok, well today as you can see was not our usual class. Megan was pushing and disruptive but I promise you all she has never been like this before, she usually is very good, I think having all the parents in made her a little excitable. All your kids have bad days now and then and today was obviously Megan's"
I was so very thankful that she said something. I know she loves Megan.
I don't want the other parents to think this is how she usually is....I always get such good reports from the teacher after class and today has just made me sick to my stomach. I just keep thinking that all the parents are probably saying things about Megan and it is killing me.
What got into her today?
It seems whenever the routine gets changed a little she acts up?
I have never been so embarrassed I just kept putting my face in my hands....and I kept giving her dirty looks to stop (sometimes that helps).
Too be honest I think it is me. I am the only person she acts up with...I am at a loss and so very upset. It just made me picture how the recital is going to be.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Yesterday was a great day! We got to meet our local down syndrome group for our annual Christmas party. The girls had a blast and looked beautiful in their dresses. They had a band playing Christmas music and then Santa came in and had all the kids sit on his lap. Can you believe I got all 3 kids to sit with Santa with no tears? I was in shock...but it happened. When Santa 1st walked in Megan ran screaming to me as fast as lightening so I am not really sure why she changed her mind. Maybe it was the present he was giving all the kids. Anyway, it was a blast and I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU to Mariah and Diana for doing a wonderful job of putting it all together!
I was gonna get the walk-in kitchen for the girls but I didn't want it sitting in the middle of the playroom taking up a bunch of room. I wanted something to push up against the wall, so after seeing very small kitchens I didn't like too much I ordered this:
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I am so excited for them to see it and play! Christmas is not to far away!
15 days and counting!!!!

What BIG gift did you buy for your little ones?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
1st can you say a prayer for my husbands mom. Her nursing home is closing after the holidays and so we have been looking for another home for her. We thought we found one but they just called to tell us that our mothers health is deteriorating quickly and she will need extra nursing care so they cannot except her. She is only 59 years old but has had a history of mental health issues which lead to her health issues today (diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, morbid obesity). It is very hard to find a place for her since she does not have much money left.
My MIL is fed up with life and is giving up. I know I pray for that little bit of herself inside that cannot come out and enjoy life, her family and herself. I know it is praying for a miracle but her life has just been so sad.

2nd, my Pop Pop. He is old and his health is deteriorating as well. He has been in pain for some time now and it has prevented him from traveling from FL to PA. I hugged him in August and almost knew it was the last time. Please pray for him to not have pain and to get through this so I and my children have more time with him.

3rd for all the kids in the world who are suffering may it be here in the US or abroad in those institutions. It is not fair and it breaks my heart to read about it and see it. Kate at Ramblings of an Interrupted Mom is having to watch her son Jake go through this now. Please pray that Jake goes in peace and with out pain.

Too much right now before Christmas. Prayers are so important.
Monday, December 3, 2007
David-Thank you for your email.
I hate to even have to respond to this but all we know as parents regarding this situation is that our kids did not get even playing time on the Front Court (regardless of deeper rooted issues). I would hate for this point to be overlooked with the excitement of reinstating Brian as coach and have everything that coach Rushing fought for to be ignored.
I can pretty much answer for all that we are ECSTATIC to have Brian back, but at what expense?
Is the schedule being changed? I did offer to help sit down and figure out the logistics of it all but have not gotten a response. As far as we know all 5/6 coaches agreed to make court time even.
Here is an email we just got regarding the situation. I am not sure how to feel.
I am glad we have him back but not sure at what expense? Do we have a right to question WHY the board reacted the way they did?


Parents,

Brian R will continue to be the coach for your son’s 5th and 6th grade basketball team.

On Saturday you may have observed the fall-out of an issue deeper rooted than the number of games played on a particular basketball court, which would be typically handled by the coach and the division commissioner.

The unfortunate part of the incident was that the kids and you were involved at all at any level of involvement. I think it is safe to say that both PRBL and Brian apologize for having played out their differences in front of you and your children. I also think it is also safe to say that neither PRBL nor Brian will again permit this to occur.

We all remain committed to making sure your kids have the best possible experience during the basketball season with PRBL and its coaches.

Please let me know if you have any questions or comments.


David K
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Megan had her 4 year check up on Friday. She got 3 shots while she was there. Her MMR, Flu and chicken pox vaccine. She was such a champ. I think she gave the tears for a lollipop.
Now get this...my girl has grown 2 inches this past year. I am not sure if I was watching the same girl grow cause I was worried she wasn't doing it.
She is now 35 inches tall and 34 lbs....WOW HUH?
She is getting sooo big. And she has been doing really well lately with keeping her glasses on.
We go this week to get the blood work done. She will have her thyroid checked, her blood cell count done and also get the Celiac test. Will update once again when I get those results.
Saturday, December 1, 2007

So you will not believe this crap. My son Joey is in a basketball league through our school district. We got the BEST coach. I came home after our 1st practice to tell Joe how motivating and awesome he was. I felt like he really cared about the boys learning the game. He gave them each a binder with all their plays in it so that they could study them. WOW Right?

Well, he sent out an email regarding our game schedule. There are 2 courts that 5th/6th play on..."The Front Court" and "The Back Court"...seems that the court time was not dispersed evenly. Check this out:


FrontBackTotal
Team 1549
Team 2549
Team 3459
Team 4909
Team 5549
Team 6549
Team 7639
Team 8639
Team 9549
Team 10549
Team 11459
Team 12549
Team 13459
Team 14279
Team 15549
Team 16459
Team 17729
Team 18459

Our team is Team 14....meaning we get 2 games on the front court. The front court is the good court. It has bleachers, a bench for the team, a score board and the back court has no space for the team to sit or the parents and is very uncomfortable and it is hard to bring the little kids. So you want to have your games on the Front Court. Check out Team 4. They have every single game on the Front court. They will not ever have to suffer through the pain of the back court....hmmmmm how did this happen?

Must have been an oversight...most the other teams are evenly dispersed between both gyms.

Well Joey's coach sent an email to the board of the league questioning this. (Team #4's coach is on the board) The response to Joey's coach was "please hand in your resignation"....WHAT....they can't be serious.

Joey's coach told us at practice what was going on and we were all shocked. The coach told us he had no plans of resigning or any reason to do so. So we thought it was the end.

NOPE! Today the cops were at the gym to keep our coach out! It was insane. A parent got a citation for calling the Team 4 coach the A-word and our coach was officially banned. So a double whammy to Team 14, no justice here but our team will not stop until this wrong is righted even if we have to strike the league.

Any ideas?