Monday, January 30th, 2012

World RARE Disease Day is February 29th - 30 days from today.  Why is the number 30 so significant?  30% of children with a rare disease will die by the age of 5. 

Nager Syndrome is considered rare.  Depending on where you look on the internet, there are between 75-125 cases reported.  When Peyton was first diagnosed by her clinical features she was only a few days old.  The geneticist pulled out an old book to show us a photo of a child with the syndrome.  The geneticist made a copy of the information for us.  Were it not for the Nager and Miller Foundation website and the internet in general, those few paragraphs would have been all the reference material we would have had. 
Like many families who have children with a rare disease, we are often educating the physicians treating Peyton about Nager Syndrome.  One of my first experiences was sitting in an ER and having the resident come back and tell us that she had just spent several minutes on the internet trying to find out more about the syndrome to assist her in treating Peyton.  Ever since then, I decided I needed to be more prepared and put together a hand out for specialists, pediatricians and therapists on what Nager Syndrome was and what clinical features Peyton did or did not have. 

When I began blogging, we had no idea the specific syndrome Peyton had.  But as a result of continuing the blog after her birth if you do a search on the internet for Nager Syndrome and look at the images section "Pictures of Nager Syndrome" you will see several photos of her.  Some may consider that an invasion of privacy but for the Nager families that are to come, I want them to have more than just an outdated black and white photo and a few paragraphs as they start on their journey.  I want them to see that a child with Nager will certainly have challenges but their lives can be rich and full - as their lives as their parents will be as well.  Without the internet and organizations like the RARE project, all of us who are touched by a rare disease would be even more isolated.  And really, the term "rare" is relative when you read these statistics:

* 1 in 10 Americans is affected by rare disease.  That's over 30 million people.  30 million Americans is more than the total number of people living worldwide with cancer.
* An estimated 350 million people are affected by rare disease worldwide.
* There are more than 7,000 rare diseases with some affecting less than 100 people.  75% of rare disease affect children.
* These rare conditions are chronic, life threatening and FATAL.  There are NO cures for any rare disease, and only 5% of the diseases have any type of treatment.
* Over 50% of Rare Diseases have no foundations, advocacy group or community support.

So what can you do on February 29th to bring awareness to Nager Syndrome and all rare diseases?

1. Help unite 1 Million for Rare on the Global Genes Poject Facebook page so that we can increase awareness to the rare disease community.
2. Wear that you care (using jeans to call attention to genes that can cause rare disease) and encourage others to do so.  Share your photos on Facebook of your jean support.
3. Donate a bracelet to the 7000 bracelets for hope campaign.

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

If there is anything more fun then making a mess it is making a mess with a friend!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

It's only been a week since we first went to see the otters, but Colin hadn't been to see them yet so Jackson and I were eager to be his tour guides!  We got there just as the doors opened so we had a few minutes of hanging out with the otters before anyone else was around.  While Mommy and I were hanging out in the otter cave that pops up into their enclosure, the otter walked right up against the glass.  He was so close I was a little startled at first but quickly got over my fear and was very interested in everything he was doing.  I was a little sad when we had to leave, but Grandma Glenda has already promised to take me again later this week.

Peyton Nicole Smith

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

A note from Mommy:

In the bath tub tonight, Peyton and I had a conversation about swimming.  Now this has been a hot topic in our household because Peyton has requested many times over the last year to be able to go swimming and we have to explain how dangerous it would be to get water in her trach.  She was having her Barbie swim in the water.  While doing this, she commented to me that because Jackson doesn't have a trach he can swim.  Then she added that because Traiton doesn't have a trach he can swim too.  I agreed with her and told her that in the future if her trach comes out she can go swimming.  She pointed to her trach and seemed concerned and pointed out that she would still have a hole there.  The kid is sharp, she realizes that even if we pull the trach out there is a still a hole for the water to go into.  So then I explained that if she doesn't need her trach any more the hole will eventually go away.  She seemed to understand and we moved on to another topic.  It wasn't a particularly earth shattering discussion but what I was struck by was as she pointed out all the people who could swim, she wasn't unhappy or disappointed that she isn't able to.  I am certainly not devastated at the thought of her not being able to swim but I have been worried that she might be secretly sad about it.  She continues to show me all the time that she accepts her life just the way it is. I am not so naive to think that will always be the case, but what a lesson to learn from a 4 year old.  She really teaches me that no one else can define the value of a life except the person living it.

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

The secret of dealing successfully with a child is not to be its parent. ~Mell Lazarus


A note from Mommy:
 
Although I never expected parenting to be a walk in the park, I don't think I was prepared for how quickly Peyton could figure out what "buttons" to push and how often she would choose to push them!  Looking back age 2 seemed like a minor blip in the grand parenting scale and then age 3 started to really test out our parenting abilities.  Age 4 has been a 1 step forward 2 step back type of experience.  The number one biggest issue we struggle with is Peyton's constant acting out towards the dogs.  For some reason, this is a button she has been pushing since she was 2.  There have been moments in the last few months that she has demonstrated how sweetly she can treat the dogs (that would be the one step forward) but then moments later she will come up and hit at them for no apparent reason (and that would be the two steps back).  At times, it even seems like she is doing it without even thinking - a body memory that is so ingrained it's as if her hand or foot has a mind of it's own!  There are certainly other undesirable behaviors, but this is the one we correct more than any other and for the longest amount of time. 
 
So when the local school district was offering an 8 week parenting class for $30 a person and it happened to fall on the same night we had already scheduled respite hours each week I figured it was meant to be.  Tonight was the first night but our respite nurse called out sick so a heartbroken thrilled Travis had to stay home with P so I could attend.  There were 4 other parents in the class.  The three other women had husbands that were all supposed to attend but magically there was an excuse for everyone of them ; ).  All four of us had children in the 4-7 range with three of us specifically wanting to address issues with their 4 year olds.  The last parent to arrive was the father of an adult child, 14 year old son and 8 year old daughter.  His concerns were in regards to the 14 year old.  The instructor is a LCSW who worked at PCMC for a number of years specifically interacting with children who had been abused.  She also spent about a decade in the schools on a program for teachers.  It's hard to tell where the next 7 weeks will take us but if nothing else I can tell I will find some kindred spirits in the mom's of these other 4 year olds!

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

You can call Mommy a little too efficient after today's appointment (she never realized that was actually possible).  When she scheduled the follow up appointment with Dr Morales today she figured with all the electronic medical records and technology it should be no problem for him to get the CT scan for the appointment this morning.  Although the written report was completed and the 2D scan was available, apparently the 3D scan was not.  He didn't feel comfortable making a decision on which surgery to proceed with until he had a chance to see it.  Since he is out of the office all next week it is unlikely he will get back to Mommy until the 31st or after.  He did decide after looking at Peyton more closely that her jaw is much to tight not to proceed with doing the joint surgery sooner rather than later even if she is not a great candidate for compliance using the Therabite afterwards.  The question to be answered by the CT scan is which surgery to do first - joint repair using a rib graft or another jaw distraction.  Despite not knowing which surgery, we went ahead and got on the schedule for 4/16 because there will be surgery one way or the other!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

Before Dr. Morales can decide which surgery to do next - my joints or another jaw distraction - he needed an updated CT scan.  After rescheduling it multiple times due to my ongoing colds last month, the day finally arrived.  Due to my complete freak outs for xrays, Mommy planned another sedated CT.  This always requires a lot more planning because of the anesthesia.  When Mommy broke the news this morning that I needed to go to the hospital I was pretty sad and on the way there I was very quiet as I contemplated what was to come.  After checking in, they took me back to the pre sedation area where a child life representative was waiting to entertain me.  She brought some toys to keep me occupied but she also brought something else with her I hadn't seen before.  It was a book of photos taken of a little boy my age throughout the process of getting the CT scan.  While we waited for the Versed, Mommy and I looked through the photos and talked about what would happen.  I was pretty relaxed and Mommy thought maybe I wouldn't need the anesthesia after all.  The nurse went ahead and gave me the Versed anyway since it would just relax me further and while we waited for it to take effect, I "practiced" laying on the bed like I would need to during the procedure.  Thirty minutes later, I wasn't really feeling the Versed yet but Mommy was feeling positive that I would be able to do it with out the anesthesia.  Mommy carried me down the hall and was able to stay right next to me the whole time.  I could see a beautiful cloudy sky mural above me as well as the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the TV and just as we had practiced, I held really still and "froze" like Yo Gabba Gabba.   Within just a few minutes it was all over and Mommy snapped the picture above before I got to go pick out some treasures from the treasure box.  I told Mommy I was so happy that it was all over!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

I have been on pins and needles waiting for the Living Planet Aquarium to unveil it's newest additions - the river otters!  They officially opened up on Thursday but the place has been packed with visitors.  So Jackson and I and our mommies went this morning as soon as they opened.  Jackson and I could have stayed watching them all day - espescially because one kept coming right up to the glass to see us.  As a special treat on the way out they were giving away Otter Pops - what a perfect ending!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Friday, January 13th, 2012

I have a new obsession, it is the red talking germ.  Now, Mommy isn't actually sure if this is what the red talking germ looks like but it will have to work for now.  This all began about 10 days ago when I spent all day talking to Grandma Glenda about the red germ.  When Mommy came to pick me up I started in with her about it as well.  Grandma and Mommy were both stumped but I was insistent.  Later that evening, Grandma thought she solved the mystery.  Apparently, there is a Clorox commercial that takes place in the kitchen and there is a red puppet that is a germ that talks during the commercial.  For the next 2 hours, Mommy scoured the internet to try to find the commercial but was never able to track it down.  10 days later, Mommy and Daddy have yet to even see the commercial.  But in the abscence of the commercial, I have now become obsessed with all things germ and Clorox related. Every time a Clorox commercial comes on (any type of Clorox commercial) I get super excited and force my parents to watch it.  I have also become an expert on the Clorox logo and when shopping in the grocery store the cleaning products aisle has now become my favorite spot in the world.  Last weekend Daddy purchased a case load of Clorox bleach and I was in heavan.  A few days later when Grandma bought some cleaning supplies that were not Clorox brand I gave her quite the tongue lashing!

I am also refusing to sleep in my bedroom.  A few weeks ago it was due to the Grinch but now it is because the red talking germ keeps bothering me.  I had the great idea to have the Grinch eat the red germ but quickly changed my mind and now I intend to use my purple wand to cast a spell and make him leave.  Since my parents now trade off with me in bed with them each night they are hoping I move on to a new obsession sooner rather than later!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

Here I am in my pink glasses.  Pretty cute huh!  It is taking me some time to get used to wearing glasses, they end up pushed on to the top of my head pretty frequently but with my parents encouragement I am wearing them more and more.  Daddy has already started calling me "four eyes" to prepare me for the mean kids at school in my future - isn't that sweet of him?

Peyton Nicole Smith

Monday, January 9th, 2012

A note from Mommy:

I have neglected to blog about a very special gift that arrived in my mailbox during the mad holiday rush.  Several years ago I became aware of the Global Genes project.  Peyton may be one of only 100 or so diagnosed cases of Nager Syndrome, but rare diseases impact millions.  As the Global Genes website says:

Rare Disease affects over 350 million people worldwide, and the largest percentage are children. There are over 7,000 rare diseases that have been identified all with very unique needs, but many with little to no support. Although each individual disease may only impact a few, together the impact is in the millions. Rare disease is not so rare.

As part of the Global Genes Project, they started the 7000 Bracelets For Hope.  To help show support and bring awareness to families of children with rare disease, Global Genes solicited 7000 jewelry designers to create a blue bracelet.  I had signed up so long ago I had forgotten all about it and then right before Christmas I received my blue bracelet.  It is beautiful and the note that came along with it brought tears to my eyes:

"When your life is about caring for a chronically ill child, I suspect you seldom get to think about pretty things for yourself.  This bracelet is for you!  May it bring a smile to your face to know that others care!"

Eileen Bednarz was the jewelry designer and she is Vice President and Creative Director of Second Chance Websites LLC.  Thank you Eileen for the time and sentiment that went into making this bracelet.   I will keep this bracelet safe until Peyton is old enough that I can explain the story behind it and how it is an example of how there are  certainly wonderful people in the world. 

February 29th is Rare Disease Day 2012.  Please help bring awareness to rare diseases like Nager Syndrome by wearing jeans or a denim ribbon.

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

A note from Mommy:

I know I have blogged about this in the past to some extent but it is still something I am not quite sure how to handle.

On Saturday, Peyton accompanied us on a multitude of errands - pet store, optical shop, Jiffy Lube, grocery store and Home Depot.  While Travis went off to look at non-fun stuff like a blanket for the water heater, Peyton and I headed to the paint area.  Along the way, a Home Depot employee stopped us and asked if he could give Peyton a sucker.  I agreed and Peyton was super happy.  On we went to the paint area and picked out a sparkly pink paint for her bed.  The whole time she kept insisting that we had to hurry and find Travis to show off the sucker she had gotten.  As Travis headed to the check out line with his purchase, the same Home Depot employee found us again.  He asked what was on Peyton's neck (she was wearing her HME) and I responded that it was a tracheostomy.  He then asked if we were familiar with their Saturday morning program for kids.  Apparently they have a different project each week that the kids work on and take home with them and he thought she would love coming.  He then handed me the project from earlier in the day and said, "We normally don't give these out, but she is such a special girl." 

As I thought about the experience later, I went back and forth in my mind about what happened.  Peyton is special for many reasons and not all of them are related to her syndrome and the physical anomolies that go along with it.  But at times, I think that is what she is recognized for.  It is ironic to me that we try to have her live as "normal" a life as possible, but in many respects society seems hell bent on calling attention to all her differences - positively and negatively both.  Earlier the same day we were eating at Village Inn and I noticed lots of stares, mostly from elderly patrons.  When I mentioned it to Travis he said, "Well they probably haven't seen any kids like her before because they probably died at birth" to which I responded "or those kids were institutionalized".  Both are true.

But as I was considering the long term effects of her being singled out so often in public situations, I also considered the fact that people probably notice her for other reasons besides the medical ones - we just don't realize it.  Because one thing about Peyton is that she is a social creature - she loves people and she is not shy.  I am struggling with the best way to describe her to those who may only know her via the blog but the best word is probably "alive".  When Peyton is strolling down the aisles of Home Depot or at the table at Village Inn or anywhere else - you notice her because she is so animated and alive!  She is not the kid hiding behind her parent - she is out in front singing, dancing, skipping, talking and interacting with her with all those who come in contact with her.  So I still think I am doing her a diservice by assuming she is noticed just for her tracheostomy or her hearing aids because in all reality she is probably noticed just as much for her winning personality.  In the end, it is that winning personality that she will need in the tough years to come.  I am so grateful that she is such a charmer, because she is helping to dispel myths people may have about children like her.  She is one of the cutest ambassadors for those encountering a trach for the first time and hopefully making the path way a little easier for those kiddos with trach who are to come behind her.  So whatever the reason the Home Depot employee approached her, I am just so glad he did!

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

A picture of what is to come...  Today I went to the eye doctor and after some tests, dilating my eyes and an eye exam I ended up with a prescription for glasses.  Mommy wasn't surprised but she was a little shocked when she found out my vision at 4 years old is worse than my Daddy's!  I was sorely disappointed that I wasn't walking out of the office with a pair of glasses but Mommy took me by a optical shop and I picked out some frames.  Because my ears are so low set, it is kind of challenging to find frames to fit.  Mommy had me try on a special kind called Miraflex that are flexible plastic with an attached strap.  They only had three in stock - pink, blue and purple.  The purple didn't really fit so Mommy picked out the pink and blue ones. In 7-10 days I will get to finally take them home!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012

My room is looking every more girly!  For Christmas, Uncle Steve got me a rainbow canopy.  Then my parents got me a pony bed set in pink and green.  Next up on the list is to paint my bed, paint the walls and get some new furniture - all things to come in the new year.

Peyton Nicole Smith

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

This is what I can do in about 10 minutes with some Hello Kitty eye shadow!

Peyton Nicole Smith

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

A note from Mommy:

I have always been a voracious reader (when time permits) and when Travis bought me a Kindle I instantly fell in love with it.  I have read books I never would have found locally and with Kindle's sale books each month, I have read books I would have passed up in a book store.  I just finished reading The Boy in The Moon:  A Father's Journey to Understand His Extraordinary Boy by Ian Brown.  It was a fascinating and sobering look at a father's experience raising a child with a rare genetic syndrome.  Not only does his son have physical deformities, but he also has a developmental age of just a few years old.  There were many times that I had to stop reading for a moment and take a breath because it brought up memories of the first year with Peyton when her medical issues and constant appointments was so overwhelming.  He also talks about the impact such a needy child has on a marriage and I could completely understand.  There is no "happily ever after" to this story as is the case with many families who have a child with a syndrome, but it was the first book I have read that I felt the author was completely honest about his feelings - good, bad and ugly.  So if you get a chance, check it out.

Monday, January 2nd, 2012

Happy New Year!  I know, I know it has been a long time since I have written but we have all been so busy. 

First off, the results from the testing of my secretions after Dr Norlin's appointment came back positive again for pseudmonas and streptopneumococcal.  So after consulting my pulmonologist and the Infectious Disease clinic at the U, Dr Norlin put me on a round of different antibiotics.

On November 9th, Daddy, Mommy and I went to Yo Gabba Gabba Live!  Last year it was in a much bigger venue.  This year they had it in a smaller location but had two showings.  We went to the late showing but it was still pretty packed.  In the course of a few hours I went from the highest of highs (see the first photo waiting for them to go on stage) to the lowest of lows (see the last photo) when it came to an end.  The last part of the tv episodes as well as the live show is the goodbye song and that's when I burst into tears and proceeded to cry as we exited Kingsbury Hall, made our way to the car and all the way home!  As we were passing other parents leaving the show with their children they all thought it was super sweet that I was so upset - but I was sincerely sad - and asked immeadiately for Daddy and Mommy to look up on the computer when Yo Gabba Gabba would return.

A few days later, on November 13th I got to see Disney on Ice.  Since cousin Jackson was headed to Tennessee for Thanksgiving, my Mommy's side of the family had Thanksgiving dinner a little early.  Unfortunately, after sitting down with his loaded plate with all the trimmings, my Uncle Shawn choked on a piece of turkey and headed to the ER.  We heard he was doing okay so Mommy and I, Jackson and Aunt Kristin and Traiton and Uncle Jason went ahead and went to Disney on Ice as planned.  Despite bringing the light wand from the prior show in the spring, I insisted on having a new $22 light wand.  We had a great time and can't wait for the Disney on Ice to return in the spring with a Toy Story theme.

On November 16th, my parents celebrated their five year wedding anniversary.  The standard theme is wood so Mommy gave Daddy a wooden watch and Daddy gave Mommy a rocking chair from Cracker Barrel.  They finally opened up the bottle of wine they had bought on their honeymoon in Napa and had been saving.  It wasn't their most exciting anniversary but as I get older they will be able to take their long awaited honeymoon to Hawaii that they had originally planned.

On December 3rd, Jackson and I had a sleep over at his house when his parents were out of town.  We had lots of fun building forts from furniture, blankets and couch cushions.  There was a little drama when it finally came time to go to sleep but Mommy put Jackson and I in our own blow up beds on opposite sides of the room and we were both asleep before 10 pm.

On the medical front, on December 7th, Grandma Glenda, Mommy and I went to see Dr Morales for a six month check up.  When Mommy mentioned that I had an upcoming appointment with another doctor to determine when to implant my BAHA's, Dr Morales advised against it.  He said it would interfere with his reconstruction of my outer ears.  Since Mommy has never heard any doctor ever mention doing any cosmetic surgery on my outer ears she had Dr Morales explain further.  Apparently as part of his grand surgical plan for me, he wants to build up the top of my ear to make it more closely resemble what a normal ear would look like.  Because that surgical site as well as the sites for my other jaw surgeries could interfere with where my BAHA's are implanted he doesn't recommend those surgeries until several years from now.  To determine which surgery comes next, he wants another CT scan and then a follow up visit.  One positive to visiting Primary Children's during the holidays was a chance to see the Snoopy tree in the lobby.  I got to pose with a giant Snoopy on my way out!

On December 14th I received the long awaited news my parents had heard rumored about for several weeks - I was getting "kicked out" of my second preschool.  That's right just like this time last year, my new preschool run by the school district decided that I was just doing too well to qualify any longer for the special needs preschool.  According to the teachers I am well prepared for a main stream kindergarten class next year.  In fact they said I am very "assertive" about my wants and needs despite my speech issues so they aren't worried about me fitting in one bit!

In the midst of my last few days at school I was on to my third cold of the season.  It happened to be just ending as it was time for my six month pediatric follow up appointment on December 15th.  Unfortunately, the trach smell was back so Dr Norlin's replacement took another sample of my secretions for testing. Since I hate having that done and was already ticked off, Mommy went ahead and have them give me my kindergarten shots (3) to get that out of the way.  The pediatrician called Mommy on Saturday night to let her know it looked as if I was back growing the bugs again.  She had called the pulmonologist and they had recommended not treating the stuff this time as long as I was feeling okay.  The pulmonologist indicated that the bugs would probably just make my secretions thicker if I did happen to be sick. Mommy should have known that was the kiss of death because later that night I started developing my standard fever which is the calm before the storm of my cold.  I was healthy for all of 48 hours before I was now coming down with my 4th cold of the season - just in time Hanukkah and Christmas!

While Grandma Glenda and Papa were having their carpet replaced by hardwood floors, they needed to spend a night away from the house while the sealer cured.  While they went away to a hotel, Mommy and Daddy offered to take their three dogs.  With our two that made five in bed with Mommy that night.  (Daddy was smart and slept in the spare bedroom!)

On December 20th, Mommy hosted a first night of Hanukkah party for Uncle Jeff.  She invited her side of the family and Daddy's side of the family.  Mommy went all out with lots of Hanukkah decorations and she prepared a traditional Jewish meal from scratch - challah bread, mandelbrot, potato latkes, applesauce, mulled wine and brisket.  Check out her bread below!  Everyone had a great time trying new foods and think this should be an annual event.

 My cold had hit hard right before Hanukkah so by December 22nd, Mommy thought I was probably well enough to go see Arthur Christmas with Jackson.  We made it about 1/2 way through the movie until Jackson decided he would prefer to play the games then sit through the movie any longer.  Despite not seeing the entire movie, I was thrilled to pose with the Chipmunks in the lobby.

For the last few years, I have spent the night at Grandma and Papa's house on Christmas Eve but I was still battling the cold.  Over the last week I was waking up almost every night coughing that led to vomiting.  So after opening lots of presents at Jackson's house Christmas Eve with Mommy's side of the family, we went home after a quick stop at the Smith's to drop off cookies for Santa.  Mommy turned on Sprout so I could see everyone was sleeping and fell asleep before 10 pm.  Luckily for my parents, I had a good night's sleep before getting up and getting to the Smith's at 8 am for round 2 of the gift opening.  We had a little breather at home where I got to play with some gifts before heading to Karen's house for the 3rd and final round of presents. 

I was still not getting over my cold so on December 27th, Mommy and I went back to Dr Norlin's office and saw a new pediatrician.  Mommy wasn't necessarily looking for antibiotics but was concerned that even after using steroids for 4-5 days and my rescue meds, I was having asthma attacks several times each day - usually one occurring in the middle of the night.  Mommy wasn't sure how much of it was related to the pseudomonas and streptopneumoccocal.  After discussing my case with the pulmonologist, the pediatrician went ahead and prescibed another antibiotic to try to treat the bugs a third time. 

On December 28th, my parents got a night away and went to see the Transiberian Orchestra concert.  Although they had tickets a few years ago in Sacramento, they didn't end up attending so they were both excited.  Mommy had bought the tickets a few months ago and had no idea the tickets were so good - they were row 13 on the floor!  TSO peformed for almost 3 hours straight and it was quite the show with lights, lasers, fire and snow!  But one of the best parts for Mommy was when TSO presented Shriner's Hospital with $7000.  TSO always donates $1 of every ticket sale to a local charity - so cool!

New Year's Eve was pretty quiet this year.  I was starting to feel a little better so Mommy and I met Uncle Lonnie, Aunt Kristin and Jackson at Krista and Tony's house where Jackson and I got to play with Ava.  Mommy and I headed home by 8 pm and Daddy arrived home from seeing a movie with Uncle Jeff around 10:30.  Mommy was beat and went to bed but Daddy and I stayed up to watch the fireworks together.  So now you are all caught up and my New Year's resolution is to try to be a better blogger in 2012!

Peyton Nicole Smith