Yes, they are! Jacob is being a “pre” pre-teen. Hannah is on her way to 1st grade and Knoah is trying to crawl!

He can’t even sit up yet on his own and he is trying to wiggle his way across the floor. I try to help him by putting my hands behind his feet to give him something to push off. I can see it now, the boy nothing could stop!

Hannah decided today to earn some extra money…she made a sign proclaiming her product. “I am selling dirtballs”, “$1.00″. So, when she stood on the sidewalk proudly holding her sign for passing cars, smiling as big as could be, she turned around and said “mommy, it’s not working”. I felt bad and told her I didn’t think anyone would pay for dirtballs when dirt is free.

Later in the day she pulls a dollar out of her shorts and says “Look, that man bought them”. whne I asked in surprise, “who did”? She smiles and says…”daddy”.

She then tells me he put them with the flowers to help them grow and that she had a great idea!

Yes, she did.

Jacob stayed with my mom last night and most of the day. So Knoah and I were outside all day! He loves being outside. The light, the noises. He likes watching the birds flying around. I also had to carry him most of the day, he was having a needy day. I suppose that is okay, I enjoy holding him

Now, I am going to read it and report back!

 The Roloffs have a new book out!! It hit the bookshelves April 9, 2007. It is called Little People, Big Values.

I am hoping to get a copy of it to blog about it! For those of you that have never heard of the Roloffs (I know and we don’t even have cable!) they are a family of Little People and Average Height. it is a great show and has helped to educate the world about dwarfism, family structure and how they manage in a “Big World”.

There is Matt, the father, who has a type of dwarfism called Distrophic Dysplasia. Amy, the mother, who has Achondroplasia (same as Knoah), Jeremy, who is average height and a twin, Zack, who has Achondroplasia and the other twin. Molly, who is average height and the only daughter and Jacob, who is average height and the youngest.

It is a wonderful show on TLC. Matt and his family has help Little People of America by sitting on their board, orgainzing events and have even helped familied adopt out children with dwarfism (I can’t wait till we adopt!).

I am hoping that the Roloffs attend the 2008 National LPA Convention in Detroit so we can meet them. Actually, I can’t wait to attend to show off Knoah, he’s so cute!

But, their new book is out, so go buy it today and post back what you think! How has it shaped your views of Little People?

*Edited to add a period instead of the comma.*

 God assigns angels to do many things on earth. They are ministering
spirits sent to serve those who believe (Hebrews 1:14)

You won’t get this but I have to say…”My angel” sent us a card a few weeks ago, it actually may have been longer, the days sort of blend in at this point. I am late, very late and I feel bad!

I feel awful because I want to say THANK YOU, but I don’t know who to thank.

So, this is my open letter to you, “My Angel”.

Angel,

 Over the past several months, my family has been through some tough days, happy hours and sacred moments. Still, when it seems too much to handle, your thoughfulness and your kind acts remain with me.

There is never a day that I don’t wish to say Thank You or think about the words you have given me. In my silence, I am reminded that the world is not always a horrible place or things not as bad as they seem. I have been able to totally find peace with your help. My strength in God and the knowledge that he is always there, helps me get by. It is one thing to have people tell you face to face. It is far easier to question someones motive when you can see their expression. It is the face you can’t see, the one who doesn’t want acknowledgment, the one who understands without pity. You don’t look for a pat on the back or a big shiny star. You have given me the example of what I hope to be. I know you are a thoughful person, I know your faith is strong. I know you are the type of person I would feel unworthy of knowing. I feel like that with some people I know. I also know there is a reason certain people are placed in our lifes. Some are for support, some are there to test your abilities, some are behind the scenes either working against or for you. The people working against you are nothing more than a challenge to make you your best. The people working for you, those are the one’s to make you uphold your standards. They make you strive to do well and continue to overcome, make you WANT to make them proud.

I am no different than the next person, I want people to proud of me. I want to know I have been helpful, however small.

Angel, you are AWESOME! Your kindness (understatement) has been a path for me to follow. The fact that you went out of your way for us, twice, no less makes me want to sing you praise. God knows, I am only one third of what you are. Some day, I hope I can be everything you are, only me! The lord has given me so many blessings, I am greatful and privileged. You are that, a blessing. You have helped me give everything over to him. I thank you for that! 

Thank you for thinking about us!

Tonya Sweat

**I started this the night I got home…I know it’s late!!

 He did it!! He had two short episodes last night!!! We go back on the first to get the results, unless they call before hand.

Now he is wanting to have apnea alarms… it was only one, 23 seconds. It’s probably nothing. But really, can mom have a small break?

I feel good to be home. I missed the kids and Will. I missed the kids fighting and yelling at each other. Jacob making Hannah cry, Hannah kicking Jacob’s butt for making her cry.

Life has returned to ?normal?.

I am tired, being in the hospital doesn’t afford you a chance to relax. The pull out bed is not comfortable, Knoah was in this sky high crib that make me nervous wondering if the rail is latched tigh enough. You have to use a public shower and the restrooms…”I got blamed for what the pervious lady did”. LOL

I have to do something for dinner, but what I don’t know. We will more than likely order something in. I don’t feel like standing in front of the stove for an hour. I don’t feel like sitting in front of the computer for 5 minutes, I want to go to bed, but with Knoah’s episodes last night and him sleeping for 6 hours after, his schedule is gone.

Not really. I am hanging out in the hospital with Knoah. He is having his EEG. Poor baby has his head all wrapped up like a mummy. He is tolerating it very well. He hasn’t has any episodes though, drats!

Heather came up to visit us last night! I had fun! We just sat and talked. Laughed about the Tim Horton’s midnight worker. She has an interesting theory. The guy who waited on her must be working there for one reason “TimBit cravings”. Plausible!

Also, her navigation system, Betty, apparently has other plans for her. She programmed it to get her to the hospital and it was telling her, ALL DAY.

I had a good time. Knoah slept through our laughter. He is such a good baby. He is use to living in the Sweat household. Jacob and Hannah tend to be loud. Will tends to be loud. There is always excitment in our house. Kids playing, running around, Will and I talking and laughing. Knoah enjoys this. He is nosey. He likes watching us and listening to what is going on around him. Then he starts talking, babbling, joining in the conversation.

I have a GREAT family!!

Lee Ann Womack ” I hope you dance”

A HUGE Thanks to Rob at Techbox!

I am amazed at how big he has gotten! His personality is beaming through. Here he is with his Easter Cow!

He gets so excited when he sees his bottle and he is laughing more out loud. Today I was working with him to put some weight on his legs and he did two or three really good pushs! He’s such a big boy!

It’s hard to believe that we have made it this far. I went back a re-read some of my older posts. On POLP2, there are new moms just finding out their babies aren’t “measuring right”. I remember being there. The unknown, the what if’s. There are still alot of what if’s, but God has given me a peace about it all. Everything.

I still get scared, I still have moments of panic, but it lasts a second, then it’s okay. I know God will take care of it. I know he carries me when I no longer can walk, I know he is there holding my hand when I feel I am alone.

Sometimes I feel really alone, he is there though. I have to admit that I have yet to go to church to say what I need to say in his house. I still feel like I was given a stay.

I pray all the time, do you think he hears me? Do you think he knows how absolutely greatful I am that he has blessed me in so many ways? That I was choosen to live this life?

Everytime I look at Knoah I see how lucky I am. Every moment he his with us, I want to fall to the ground and give thanks. I would be on the floor all day though, I don’t know how that could help my family

Jacob and Hannah have dealt with this all so well. I told them I am leaving Tuesday to be with Knoah at the hospital. They want to come with me. They say it’s fun. Bless their hearts. No it’s not fun. It’s not fun to be away from them. It’s not fun to have to talk to daddy on the phone. It’s not fun to walk through those corridor’s alone. Watching people crying or laughing. Seeing mom’s visit their children or dad’s saying good bye at night. It’s not fun sitting in a room with your child’s head wrapped in gauze with little monitor’s all over. It’s not fun knowing what your child’s brain waves look like. Too much information.

I don’t long for another life, this is mine and I embrace it. We have to show them how to embrace their lives.

For the next week, I am going to challenge you to try something.

The average height of a little person is about 3′10″.

Take a ribbion, string or what ever and pin it to your clothes, then take another one a foot long and pin that a foot below the top of the ribbion. That is how tall you will be. Now go about your daily life imagining you are that tall.

What obstuctions do you face. What is easiest for you to reach. What is impossible. Would you need help at the grocery store, gas station, home?

What would you have to change to make yourself fit in this average height world?

Then come back here a post your comments, suggestions. I may find ideas to help Knoah!!

There are discussions going on right now about how to make our houses work for children with dwarfism.

Will and I have talked about bathroom issues and hygiene problems. Like Knoah won’t be able to wash his own hair and will he be able to use the restroom on his own…guys you know what I mean…(his arms can’t reach….)

We have all wood doors, that are 7-8 foot tall. I wonder if we could easily convert them to swinging doors. We also have a clawfoot tub that hits me at my thigh. Knoah certainly won’t manage getting in and out alone. Do we put in a bathroom his size?

I know how we will handle cabinets. I will place everything he needs into a lower cabinet and we will look into a dormsize fridge to install so he can get his cereal on his own. (You know, those Saturday mornings when the kids wake up at 6am)

We have been looking at tricycles his size and what would work best.

It just got me thinking, what ideas or issues do you see coming up with a person with short stature in an average height world?