February, 2010 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives February 2010

Prev Month( 1th ) Next Month( 3th )

Thank you Disney Social Media Moms – Live Blogging links from CutestKidEver

Posted on February 13, 2010 12:05 pm by TheAngelForever

As I sit here in my room at the Polynesian Resort, it is hard to believe that the week at Disney World is over. My family and I had a wonderful vacation and we had a magical experience at the Disney Social Media Celebration. I learned a lot at the event and met so many amazing people. My only regreat was I was not able to connect with more of the people that I have been chatting with online over the years. Hopefully I will see all of you at BlogHer in August.

Since this was my first conference, I was not ambitious enough to try live blogging. Luckily my fabulous friend Christina Gleason (@CutestKidEver) did. Here are the posts that she wrote about the events as they were unfolding in front of us:

Thank you again Christina. You did another outstanding job at live blogging for those of us there and others that want to follow along.

Once we get back home and settle in I will be writing more about our experience at this event. There is so much to share about the amazing speakers and family events that were held each evening. A big thank you to all of the Disney Cast Memebers and others that helped to make this magical event happen. I hope that this becomes a yearly tradition and we are invited back again. As big Disney fans, it made this conference even more special since it was for the entire family.

On that note I am off to finish packing up and check my sick little guy. My two year old son is not doing well and I hope he will be well enough for the flight.

Categories:
bloggy friends Disney looking back

Going to a blogging/social media conference

Posted on February 12, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

As I sit here typing this, we are a week away from when this will publish. I am scrambling to get everything together to head to my first ever blogging/social media conference. By the time you read this, I will be at Disney.

Disney Social Media Moms Celebration is from February 10-13 at Walt Disney World. Today I will be at the Contemporary Resort listening to some amazing people speak to those of us in attendance. Meanwhile, the boys will be out and about at Disney World taking it all in.

So my question to you this week:

Have you ever been to a blogging/social media conference? If you have which ones and what did you learn from the experience.

Hoping to meet more people at BlogHer ’10 in NYC this August.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.

Aloha #86

Categories:
Aloha Friday bloggy friends Disney

My angel forever – Cora’s Story in honor of congenital heart disease awareness week

Posted on February 11, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I have an Angel Forever.

Her arrival was a surprise. Found out Easter Sunday 2009 that she was on her way.

Her departure from this Earth was even more of surprise.

My daughter, Cora, died instantly.

She felt no pain.

Only my love.

As she nursed one moment.

Gone the next.

She’s done more in her five short days than anyone I know.

She is saving lives.

Cora McCormick passed away from congenital heart disease, or CHD, on December 6, 2009. Her heart defect went undetected in utero and after she was born. Cora, unfortunately isn’t alone, an estimated 1 in 100 babies are born with CHD each year. And, CHD is said to be the number one cause of infant death.

This week marks Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Week (February 7 to 14). Why is awareness important?

I had never heard of CHD until the coroner called. I spent my entire pregnancy researching, reading, and making sure my baby was born at her healthiest. I still can’t believe her heart wasn’t tested more.

There is no cure for CHD. In fact, not all CHDs can be detected, but I learned a simple test might have saved Cora. Something called a pulse oximetry test can screen for many CHDs when conducted at between 24 to 48 hours of age on a newborn.

Now, other mothers know about pulse oximetry. Now, every mother and father reading this post will know about CHD.

Cora does save lives. She could use your help.

Kristine Brite McCormick writes about Cora (almost) daily on her blog http://www.corasstory.org. If not on her blog, she can be found on Twitter, @kristinebrite or Cora’s Facebook Fan page, telling Cora’s Story. Follow Kristine for more information about congenital heart disease or to learn more about the acts of compassion and kindness Cora has inspired.

_______________________________________________________________

Note from Moi: A big hug and thank you to Kristine Brite McCormick for this absolutely beautiful tribute to her sweet angel Cora. Kristine is a hero, although she will not admit it. When faced with a parent’s worst nightmare, Kristine decided to lead a crusade in honor of her angel Cora. Together they help and educate more people about the hidden dangers of CHD.

Categories:
bloggy friends charity Guest post health awareness

Old style Disney Characters with Moi

Posted on February 10, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Categories:
Disney family looking back me moments photos vacation Wordless Wednesday

Mr. Independent at 2

Posted on February 9, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

Over the last few weeks, JSL has decided to spread his wings. He does not want assistance with anything and is trying anything/everything on his own. It ranges from putting shoes on, taking his coat/hat/boots off, climbing into the carseat, putting a cap on JSL style and building with LEGOs.

If you had asked me 3-4 weeks ago if I liked to get the little guy ready in the morning I would have said NO WAY!. Seriously, JSL would fight me over everything. He did not want to stop playing, he was interested in a show, he wanted to stay in his PJs. There was always a two year old excuse. Then I noticed something before a recent bath. JSL wanted to get undressed alone. He watched big brother do it and wanted to be a big boy. We let him do it. He refused any assistance until he could not figure out how to get long sleeve shirts off. This made the wheels spin.

Hmmm. . . could I use this technique in the morning?

What did I have to lose? I tried it out one morning not too long ago. He jumped down and started to strip off his clothing. He ran after each piece to put them into the hamper (one of his favorite things to do – even with clean items). I was floored with the excitement of this activity. The next morning he shocked me more. JSL actually ran out of my room and screamed it was time to get dressed and change diaper. WHOA! Next thing I knew this was what I saw:

JSL kept parading around the living room and dining room with his PJ "hat" on his head. He was hilarious. The little guy’s personality has been coming out more and more lately. He was even all smiles and fun when it was time to get the onesie off and go for the diaper change. Time for a little Peek-a-Boo first:

At this point he went to a blanket to get a diaper change and get dressed. As usual lately, JSL was transformed into "Baby JSL Pup-Pup!" Seriously, he will not reply to you unless you call him by this name. The silly "pup-pup" kept rolling around like a puppy and panting and pretending to give kisses like a dog.

This independence thing is nice. The only down side is when we are late getting out the door and a tantrum begins when I try helping JSL put on his shoes. Oy! I will cherish these fun and silly moments because I know they grow up way too quickly.