Year End

I'm so Thankful for this year. Children's Miracle Network and CT Children's Medical Center have been incredible to us. I find it amazing that many of the families we met have no idea how they have changed our lives. I will never, ever take Adam or Rebecca's health for granted. A healthy child is such a gift that sadly not all parents get.

Becca has learned that no matter what a person looks like on the outside, they are the the same as her on the inside. That is a life lesson that unfortunately not everyone learns. I'm so proud of my little 6 year old!

Many people will ask me how I handled Becca being so sick for so long, I think in many ways our "ordeal" was easier. Becca was a newborn and will never remember what she went through, I didn't have to explain to my child that she was sick and I didn't have to answer her questions. How did Gary and I pull through seeing our tiny one pound baby Becca so sick? We had a wonderful family and friends did anything we needed to support us and Becca had wonderful nurses and Doctors that helped us through. I cannot say enough about the staff at CT Children's Medical Center (CCMC)! The most important answer to how we got through it.... We did for Becca! When your child is sick or hurt they need you! They need you to be strong and to be their biggest support system. There is nothing more important in life than your child!

We will forever remember the children that we met this year, each one of them holds a very special place in my heart. I admire all the parents of these children! To the parents of a sick or severely injured child, my heart goes out to you. I can not imagine anything harder to go through. It's not an easy road by any means, but some of us do have to go through it.

To Children's Miracle Network, Walmart, Sam's club and all of the other sponsors Thank You! This year has been incredible and went by much to quickly! The trip we had was fantastic and a dream come true! To CT Children's Medical Center and NICU staff.... Thank You from the bottom of my heart. Thanks to you, I have a healthy 6 year old! Honestly 6 years ago I didn't know if that would be the case! Thank You, Thank, You, Thank You!

Toy Drive 2009

Walmart stores across CT had toy drives to benefit CT Children's Medical Center through out the month of December. Sadly all of them, but one were while Becca was in school. Christmas Eve was the last toy drive at the Wallingford store. Becca had no school that day so we went. Becca brought a toy. I really want her to learn to give back to CCMC, they have done do much for us! Many CT pageant winners were there to help pass out fliers and promote the hospital. Becca was crowned by one of them... I really need to ask Scott her name. We had a blast! Becca passed out fliers and people donating seemed to really enjoy meeting Becca. Thanks to all who donated to the toy drive, the toys went to a really great cause!

This had been an incredible year, I can not believe that it's over! Thank you to CT Children's Medical Center and Scott for picking Becca to be the champion in 2009, Thank You to Children's Miracle Network, and Thank you to Walmart and Sam's club for sponsoring our amazing trip!

Teddy Bear Tea for CCMC!

Today we went to an event for CCMC (CT Children's Medical Center) not as the Champion Family, but as supporters of CCMC. Max Downtown hosted an event called Teddy Bear Tea. Money raised went to CCMC. It was great. Every child was given a bear with their name on it as a place card. They had a woman going around offering the kids temporary tattoos. There was a Guy in costume walking around and talking to the kids... yes talking ... that was a first for us...usually the characters don't talk LOL. The adults were given packs of tea to take home and enjoy. Becca loved the cinnamon tea she chose. The sugar was dyed pink, purple and green. The PB&J sandwiches were bear shaped and different colors. We ate finger sandwiches and scones and tiny little desserts, everything that would could imagine for a tea party. It was wonderful. The kids that attended were asked to bring a toy to donate to children at CCMC. Becca brought two board games. I love being able to combine fun and learning in the same event! It's good for her to learn to give back to the hospital that gave her so much!!!! It's funny because many people on the wait staff, knew Becca when we walked in. (This was not their first CCMC event) Becca still does not understand why people want to talk to her or why they know her name and story. She always seems shocked and almost shy when people talk to her. For those that know Becca personally.... we all know that she is not shy! he he he All the little girls were dressed to the nines! Becca loves to dress up!
This was an incredible event and I'm so happy that we were able to go and spend a great afternoon with the girls (My Mom and sisters Wendy and Sara) and raise money for CCMC at the same time. I hope they do it next year and this becomes a Christmas tradition!

Big D 102.9 DRC Radiothon

September 3,4 and 5 was the radio thon. I found myself constantly listening to the radio fascinated with all the families stories. Becca, Gary and I were interviewed and on air Sat. for the NICU hour. Just from a few family members and Gary and I, we were able to donate $400. My goal is to raise $1000.00 for next year. I answered phone from 1-4. Of course I did have to take a few brakes. Jerry Kristopher did get me crying when I was answering calls. He came over to the phone bank and asked, "Where do you think your daughter would be without CCMC." I answered truthfully, I don't think we would have here. CCMC is an incredible hospital that has done so much for our family. How do you Thank the Doctors and Nurses that saved you daughters' life on so many occasions that I have lost count. I can not even put into words how it feels when you watch your tiny daughter stop breathing and watch the Nurses, usually Kathy come running and have to "bag" your daughter to get her to start breathing again. You feel helpless and scared and you try not to think about it. If you stop and think about it while it's happening you have a melt down. God Bless all that work in CCMC. Everyone on staff is amazing! I'm proud to say that over $229k was raised and the past record was blown out of the water! Thank You to all who donated and to all who worked on it!

American Legion Thanks!

This weekend is the Annual meeting for the American Legion. I found out today that CT was the first state the the American legion walk a thon benefiting Children's Miracle Network took place! Yeah CT! The reason that we went today was to thank them for raising $15,000.00 that beautiful day in April. Rebecca was presented with a nice jacket with her Name embroidered on it and the CCMC, CMN, and the American Legion logos on it. She was also given an American Legion teddy bear. They have beautiful posters of her... a shot that was taken in October 08 and a picture when she was only 2 days old! My how far she has come! I told Becca's story and then Scott our go to guy (fundraiser coordinator) and Jerry Kristopher (DJ from DRC) were presented with plaques to thank them for all their work with the walk a thon!
Scott and I also got to thank the Woman's Auxiliary for helping with the walk a thon. There was another collection in the meeting and another $400 and something was raised! These are great people and we enjoyed our day with them! Thank You American Legion for all your hard work!

Magazine Shoot

Becca was chosen this month to be one of 6 children featured in Hartford Magazine for Ct Children's Medical Center. As always this was an incredible experience. I was interviewed about Becca's story. It has to be written in 75 words or less. Then it was Becca 's photo shoot. She did really well in the beginning towards the end she was really getting tired! The magazine hits News stands on July 19th!
It was a big day on Friday, it was also her Kindergarten Graduation. The graduation was so cute! They sang 6 song about how kindergarten was fun, but it's time to move on to first grade. Each child got a diploma and they wore graduation hats. I'm so proud of my little champion!

Miracle Ride

The Miracle ride was today. The weather was amazing! In the 80's for CT that is rare... April is an iffy month it could be snowing, hailing, raining cats and dogs or beautiful. Today was beautiful! From what I understand this was a record breaking turnout! My mom stayed an watched all the bikers leave... she said some were rushing up last minute to register. We met some amazing, big hearted people! Becca had a blast and even picked out which bike she wants to have when she gets older... A pink Harley... not a bad choice...LOL This was my first time speaking in front of a crowd so big, they made it so easy! All the money raised will go to specific equipment that the NICU is in need of! All of you know how I feel about the NICU, so it was wonderful to find that out. The ride started at the old Newington Children's Hospital, the bikers rode past CCMC and then off to Granby, High Meadow! All you Newington kids must have fond memories of High Meadow! I know I do... it hasn't changed. The pool was opened! Trying to convince the kids that yes it is hot, but no you can not swim in April did not go over well...LOL Thanks to everyone that rode and to everyone that sponsored the ride!

Walk A Thon

Yesterday was the walk a thon for the American Legion. There was a total of 7 walks we went to the Bristol walk. We had so much fun! The kids loved running around the beautiful park. The people participating in the walk loved talking to us and hearing Becca's story. Some of the people bringing money did do the walk, many brought their money and hung out! It seems as though there was a good turn out. I can not wait to hear the dollar amout that was raised. We were asked to come to the annual meeting for the American Legion in July, so that everyone would be able to meet Becca. We can't wait! Jerry Kristopher came and so did Rocky from the Rock Cats. It always amazes me that we are thanked for going to the events, when the truth is we love going! We go to thank the people that are giving money to Children's Miracle Network!

Rock Cats

Becca was asked to the the Rock Cats ball girl for their opening game last night. We had so much fun! We had seats in the luxury box, which I must say was great to have with Becca and Adam there is no way both of them would have been able to sit for the whole game. Adam loved that he was able to freely go in and out of the suite. Becca did so well! Her job was to run on the Field and bring the pitcher the ball! The kids, Gary and I had a great time at the game! As we were leaving Rocky the rock cat came to the suite! The kids had a ball with him! Adam did not...lol. The VIP treatment we have been receiving has been amazing! Thanks Rock Cats and Ct Children's Medical Center!

Becca and Adam at the Capital... and then the big tada!

Becca and Sleeping Beauty, Champions group pic and The kids with Miss America, Adam's love!

Some of the Disney Stars we met.

Becca with her medal and her Bibbity Bobbity Apointment

Becca getting her medal! Adam sleeping through the award ceremony, it goes to show you a baby can sleep through anything if they are tired!