Easter Weekend Picture Overload

What a whirlwind Easter weekend.  Everyone right now is at the book store while I’m blogging.  Then it’s lunch and my siblings all depart.  The amount of food that was consumed this one weekend could feed a nation.  I’m stuffed.  Friday we all hung out together since the weather was icky and Charlie painted one of my bathrooms. He was going to paint the one in the guest room.  I ran to Target I came back and screamed.  The color we had picked looked periwinkle instead of a silver sage on the wall.  Charlie said that’s why paint chips are not reliable.  So he painted the main floor one instead. 

Saturday morning was Build n’ Grow.  Uncle Steve and Preston built a birdhouse.

Saturday afternoon Preston played outside with Aunt Tinka and Uncle Steve where we found out that Preston throws left and bats baseballs left, yet writes with his right.  But before his adventures, it was egg dying time!  He even made an egg for Jesus.  He thought orange was a suitable color. Thank you Paula for the wax crayon!!!

Saturday night in true Raab tradition, it was off to Yamato.  I am so impressed that Preston eats dumplings and miso soup.  He’s awesome.

Easter morning Pres woke up and asked if the Easter Bunny hopped past the house.  I told him to go look and see if he left him a basket.  Sure enough, the Easter Bunny did not disappoint.  He finished his egg hunt in five minutes.  Next year the Easter Bunny may need to step up his Easter egg hiding skills.  After our egg hunt we went to my parents’ for him to get more Easter treats.

My parents made a delicious Easter feast.  We had our neighbors over as well.  It was such a nice day.  I leave you with some pictures of our holiday! Hope everyone had a very Happy Easter!

 

American Idol-Top 7 Perform

Tonight's theme was songs from the 21st Century. I start twitching because I know what's coming-Ryan says the rules are the songs had to be recorded from 2000 to today. NOOOOOOO! This is one of my biggest pet peeves (one of...because we all certainly know I have a lot of them). There was no year ZERO!!! That means that the millennium started in 2001, not 2000. Which is why I couldn't wait for January 1, 2000 so I didn't have to be bombarded with stories about the new millennium. ARGH! Moving on. Randy has replaced the word "pitchy" from previous seasons with the word "slay" which he said 657 times tonight. Why are his necklaces always mall kiosk jewelry big? We started the show with the rejects singing for us. I don't understand this. As I said before, when a person on Idol gets voted off they make them sing. WHY? This is the person America voted not to hear again. Now we have all the rejects back singing tonight. And how surprised were you to remember that Karen and Ashton were even ever on this season? I know!
I was also not a fan of the song choices tonight. You had from 2001 until today (or because Idol counts time wrong, you can chuck in 2000). I was surprised the Idol hopefuls passed up such chart toppers like, Terror Squad's "Lean Back", J-Kwon's "Tipsy" and the true lost hit, "Because I Got High" by Afroman.

1. Scotty-sang country-shocker. I think Scotty is a shoe in to win this thing. Country music has a huge fan base and Carrie Underwood may be the most popular Idol winner ever. But besides that, when Scotty goes back to school next year this guy has got it in the bag. I mean he is the number 1 prom date. If he were on Glee he would so not be getting the slushee to the face...even though he does sing.


2. James-He was asked how he comes up with ideas for his songs. He said that he gets a "vision." He lies. What he really does is pull tapes from two seasons ago, watches Adam Lambert perform and says, "Yeah. That. I'm going to do exactly what he does. Maybe add a piano on fire." This week he added in the cast of Drumline to help him out on this quest. The thing is, and what makes James amazing, is not his singing. It's his ability to make Randy forget that he saw these very same performances two seasons ago. It's uncanny.


3. Haley-So as I'm driving home tonight "Rolling in the Deep" came on the radio and I thought to myself (as I was singing my own Idol worthy rendition to the song) that someone should sing this on Idol. I have to say I think Haley did a good job with the song. The hair stylists also did a good job of taming her mane, because in auditions it was obvious L.A. has had some humidity this week. I hope she stays, even if she swings her arm like an elephant trunk.


4. Jacob-Someone make the torture that is Jacob singing stop! It's so not American Idol, pop music, bubblegum, Z100 (for my New Yorkers) type music. He's not even that good. I understand getting emotional during the song. I sometimes tear during Calloway's "I Wanna be Rich" but he was trying to use the emotion to cover up the fact that his singing is sub par. I was also a fan that Randy brought back a signature line of his during critique, "I wasn't like jumping up and down." I love this line. I've never really seen Randy jump up and down. I've seen him get excited, but not jump up and down. And even if Jacob sang the song well (which he didn't) it may not have been an appropriate song to jump up and down to.


5. Casey-As Josh so perfectly put it to me about Casey-he has the potential of being the homeless guy in the street who talks to himself. This is so spot on! We know this guy! His grunting that has found their way into the songs the past two weeks is borderline frightening. Also the creepy pedophile looks to the camera. What was that singing to J-Lo and then the kiss? It was so awkward I almost couldn't watch. He got so close she turned her head. Either of embarrassment, fear or his breath was lacking an Altoid. I think he kissed her to try to break the awkwardness. Of course this gave Ryan the excuse to remind America that Casey kissed the most beautiful girl in the world....and now I'm singing Prince.


6. Stefano-I mean seriously. If I were Usher I'd fly to L.A. and slap Stefano for that awful Usher-esque impression of dancing. Terrible. He was dressed like Pauly D and dancing like Usher and singing Ne-Yo. It was so horribly wrong. Jimmy began talking about how Stefano was so good looking and he did not have to beg for the girls' attention. Jimmy said he was not like Stefano in school. The girls didn't pay attention to Jimmy. Don't worry Jimmy. I'm pretty sure some of the guys that look like Stefano are now parking your Porsche. If I could go back in time, I wouldn't be looking for the pretty boy either....we ALL know how that turned out.


7. Lauren-came out in true Western Barbie fashion. I can't help but look at Lauren and just see extremes. Either she does well with this Idol thing and gets signed or she is a truck stop waitress serving meatloaf with sawmill gravy. I just see no happy medium. It's all or nothing. I hope it's all because if she doesn't make it it will kill her mother who is vicariously living through Lauren with hair extensions, makeup and maybe Botox in hopes to morph into a clone of her 16 year old daughter...or get to sing with Steven Tyler also. Who knows.

My pick to go home is Jacob.

Baltimore, Pjs and Grandma’s Birthday!

This is a picture dump post.  I have a lot of pictures!  Last weekend was the MD/VA POLP meet up (can I throw in another acronym)?  Jenn organized a trip tot eh Baltimore National Aquarium.  We had a blast.  The kids really enjoyed the dolphin show.  Preston was completely taken with seeing sharks that close up. And Paula is right-they have creepy eyes.  It’s so great to meet up with everyone. We have become such a close knit family! Here are some pictures of the adorable kiddos!

 

 

This was the day-Preston and Peyton.  They have become such good friends. 

This was just a great picture-the flowers in full bloom in the Inner Harbor!

This past week was Week of the Young Child at school.  Friday was pajama day.  Nothing is cooler when you are five than pajama day.  We got new Perry pjs, with a Perry sweatshirt! Very cool.

Preston also was the recipient of the following award-so perfect!

Today is my mother’s birthday. Preston was adorable picking out presents for her; pajamas, candles, stationary, earrings, etc. Then we took her out for brunch and made a home made cake.  Happy Birthday to the best mom and grandmother.

American Idol-Top 8 Perform

Housekeeping: The Pia Saga continues into this week. I must say, I was shocked that she got kicked off instead of say...Jacob. I understand she was a little Celine Dion-ish but she does have a pretty amazing voice and could be very marketable. She also still has hope. There is always the Daughtry factor. The major reason Pia was voted off and I agree with my friend Matt , is because the judge's are so syrupy sweet with their comments. There were times Simon was harsh. But he was usually right when it came to song choice. Now it's all, "You rock. You're so great. I love you." Even Randy has gone from, "Dude...dog....I wasn't really feeling it tonight from you...you know I love you but..." to "Dude....dog....you know what I love about you? THIS IS HOT!" It reminded me of a conversation I had with my friend Sammy. We were talking about how every parent thinks their child is super smart and bright. Sammy said, "Look, someone's got to be the dumb kid. Otherwise there would have been no valedictorian." So come on judges...someone's (ahem, Jacob) has to be the sucky one. Second, J-Lo was voted People's Most Beautiful Woman in the World. I very much wonder if she would have been crowned with this title if say...she wasn't the middle judge on American Idol? Not that she isn't gorgeous and I very much still want to be her a little bit, I just believe had she not been in the spotlight these past couple weeks the honor may have fallen to perhaps Kate Middleton? Just saying. Tonight was movie night. When I think movie songs, most of the song choices tonight would not have made my list. Off topic, I watched VH1's Top One Hit Wonders of the 90's and while I had most songs on my iPod, there were a few desperately missing, like "Life is a Highway", "I Like to Move It" and "Tootsie Roll." In similar vein, tonight there was a lacking of songs like "Up Where We Belong", "Fame" and "Against All Odds." Movie classics. For some reason, "Heavy Metal" (see infra) doesn't make my list.

1. Paul- Somewhere there is a guy who in the hair band hay day tailored suits for ultra skinny, doped up, rockers with perms who used Aqua Net. That guy is looking at Paul in tonight's reverse "Paradise City" suit and seeing dollar signs. He's thinking if this style takes off I am golden. He's pulling out his Skid Row cassettes and denim jacket with patches and hoping for a Warrant resurgence. I further wonder if Paul dropped yet another $4500 on this suit? And was it just me or did the Lita Ford wannabe on the sax sound like she was playing the intro to Saturday Night Live?


2. Lauren-So do you think tonight while Jimmy and Will I. Am basically bashed Miley Cyrus, she's sitting in her gabillion dollar mansion going, "Whatev. I was Hannah Freaking Montana. Who gives a flying damn if I can't sing? Doubt Lauren's face will ever be on a third graders' backpack." Lauren did sing the song well. I am also not going to lie that I was a tad jealous she was told by Steven that she moves him "beyond tears." I mean really think about that. Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, telling you that you move him...not to tears...but beyond that. Lucky girl.


3. Stefano- he picked a song by Boyz II Men from Boomerang. I absolutely hands down love Boomerang. I mean was there anything better than Eddie Murphy pretending to lose Kirby to pick up Mike Tyson's ex wife? (Maybe the only thing better was any line from Eddie Murphy in Coming to America). After the song I realized Randy was dressed tonight as if he could have been in the "Motownphilly" video with the tie and cardigan combo. They also said Stefano "slayed" the song. The chances of Stefano slaying that song were as likely as Eddie Murphy getting down with Eloise and her gnarly toes in Boomerang. "Marrrrrccccuuuusss."


4. Scotty-So remember on Friends when Rachel was drunk and left the "closure" message on Ross' answering machine (and throwing the cell phone into an ice bucket). Then Ross hears the message while she's trying to wrestle the phone back from him the next day and he says, "Over me? ....When were you....under me?" So when Scotty tonight said, "I'm going to go back to my country roots." I'm sitting on the couch with that Scooby Doo "Arruuu?" look thinking, "Dude when did you leave your country roots?" It's not as if last week he busted out a Craig Mack joint and tonight is back to country. I really do like Scotty a lot though and I think he may have this thing in the bag. Yesterday I dropped my car off for service and took the courtesy shuttle to work. Country station was on. You best believe Scotty's theme song was being played.....


5. Casey- First of all can we stop with the fog machine? Seriously? I'm not at my eighth grade dance doing the running man. Second, I love this song. But not when Casey sang it. I didn't know the title was "Nature Boy." It was featured in Moulin Rouge which is my sister's favorite movie and we've watched it over two dozen times. Is there a better line ever from a song, "The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is just to love and be loved in return?" No not really. Great song. Really wish Casey and his creepy camera faces he kept making didn't muck it up.


6. Haley-"Call Me" may not have been the best choice for Haley. And even though Steven loved her stained glass dress, I thought she should have been a little more 80's looking. But what got me was she was so much better than most of the others tonight, yet she got not so hot reviews. I'm not sure how Stefano slayed and Haley got trashed.


7. Jacob-Tonight he just hoped America liked his song. He didn't tell America that if he ended up in the bottom three we obviously did not look in the mirror. A bit more humbled tonight. Clay Aiken sang this song. He "slayed" that song when he did it. Jacob is so blah. Only to be followed by....


8. James and his ridiculous performance of "Heavy Metal." I don't really have much to say. He drives me batty with his wanting to be like Adam. I really at this point want Adam to return. James would not win in a sing off. Even though Adam's confidence drove me mad two seasons ago, his performance of "Mad World" would beat James any day.

My pick to go home: Stefano. (I'm going to keep picking him. It has to happen eventually).

From, “Why me?” to “Thankfully, me.”

On April 7, 2011, Preston took his kindergarten entrance exam. This picture was taken before we left. This is a milestone for any child.  After dropping him off at Montessori after his test I called my mother and cried.  I wasn’t crying only because how is it possible that Preston is already going to kindergarten?  I was crying because while waiting to take his test, I watched him walk up to children he didn’t know, sit down and start playing.  He shared toys.  I heard him say, “My name’s Preston.”

I have seen many blog posts lately regarding the “Why me” factor when it comes to our child’s dwarfism.  I’m hoping as one of the older parents with one of the older children, that I maybe can make that question become less frequently asked, if not obsolete.

If you go back to the very beginning of my blog, I wrote about Preston’s journey.  I wrote how when I told Marrah about Preston’s at that time, unknown diagnosis,she asked what she could do.  Through tears I told her, “Just love my son.”  And you know what?  That’s the only thing I have asked of everyone.  Just love my son (ok, I may also tell my mother he really truly does not need anymore summer clothes).  Don’t get me wrong.  I had my “why me” moments.  I would secretly laugh when people in stores would tell me Preston was going to be a football player because he was a true bruiser baby: seriously-here he is at 6 1/2 months:

I maybe am also one of the lucky ones.  Besides ear tubes (3 sets) and a tonsil/adenoid removal and the first two winter respiratory issues, Preston has not had many achon related issues.  He hit his milestones pretty quick for an achon baby (sitting around 7.5-8 months and walking/running at 16).  I also have never had any negativity surrounding us.  No one has ever made a derogatory comment (at least that I’ve heard).  I do get asked a lot how old he is; it is a rare occasion anyone asks a follow up question and I typically don’t feel the need to start educating everywhere we go.  I’ve never labeled Preston.  I hate the word dwarf.  I call him Preston.  He has dwarfism.  As I’ve said before it is part of him, it is part of what makes him who he is, but it’s not a full on definition.  If that were true I would go around saying, “Hi. I’m Kim, I’m average height.”  Because of Preston’s size though and his GIANT personality we tend to get a lot of attention.  The other thing he has going for him is he is an only child.  He is used to being the KING at all times.  We were in Friendly’s the other night after the kindergarten test and he was approached by two other classmates and then he turned around and befriended the kid behind him. I began talking to a couple across from us about him going to school and I mentioned he had dwarfism.  The woman said to me, “I honestly thought he was just younger until I heard you say he was going into kindergarten.”  Today on the soccer firled a grandmother approached me to tell me that Preston’s smile and his utter happiness while playing was a joy to watch.  And then she added how cute he was. For good measure let’s throw another baby picture in shall we?  9 months:

So when did the why mes stop?  Pretty quickly in my case. First of all I was a single mother getting a divorce when he was six months old.  I had issues that far exceeded the fact he happened to be blessed with dwarfism. Second, when Preston was young I wish there were blogs and Facebook.  Thankfully through the Yahoo POLP, I met Emily first.  I then was in touch with two local families in New York.  Then the blogs started and Facebook got popular and the POLP family grew.  I cannot imagine my life without some of these women in it.  I am literally hopping around in anticipation to see many tomorrow in Baltimore.  Had I not been given Preston, these wonderful people would never have come into my life.

Third, I admire Preston.  Preston has taught me.  Preston has shown me that life is not always the “prefect” picture you expect.  Preston has shown me that anything is possible-even playing soccer and being a good head and a half shorter than the others.  Preston has shown me the good in the world-that people are people despite their differences.  I can truly honestly tell you (and even my mother can attest to this, and she knows when I fib), that I don’t see height.  I used to measure Preston religiously to see if he gained 1/4 of a centimeter.  I now once every 6 months give him a height check if I notice his pants seem shorter. 

I know his final height is projected to be on the top of the achon scale and therefore limb lengthening is still in my cards for him because he really will be in height purgatory.  But I don’t think about that now.  Because it may never happen.  And I don’t care anymore if it does or doesn’t. I like Preston small.  He told me he loves being tiny. 

I think one of the reasons Preston is so positive is everyone that surrounds him has built his ego.  Told him nothing is impossible.  That’s why I was so angry at myself for trying to discourage soccer.  Preston is truly Mr. Mayor everywhere he goes.  The kids that are older in the after school program adore him and not one person has ever bullied him-in fact there are times Preston has been the aggressor. 

My advice? You have to try to stop being sad.  You were chosen for a reason.  Your child may get teased.  I’m average height.  I was teased for having big hair and wearing blue eye shadow.  I turned out ok.  Your child may struggle a little bit to get what comes naturally for others.  But on the flip side who says being tall is the answer? My brother is six foot five.  He told me he always hated being the tallest.  The tallest was the one singled out in school if there was a ruckus.  You can’t undo the achon, you have to just accept it.  It’s not going away.  You may hear some hurtful, disgusting, things.  Vent to your POLP family.  What parent at some point won’t see their child get hurt?  I was talking to Emily and she said something so awesome and I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing.  She says when she catches someone looking at Seamus she is so proud he is hers.  That sums up my feelings too.  I couldn’t of said it better.  I am so proud I am Preston’s mom.  I’m not saying you’ll always think it’s fair, but what in life is fair?  It’s going to be ok.  It may be a hard hurdle, but I never woke up in the morning saying, “Ah, Monday. And Preston has dwarfism.”  It just all starts fading away and at some point, you just never think about it.

So why did I cry after the kindergarten test?  Because my wish came true.  I just wanted people to love my son, accept my son, have my son accept himself.  I saw that wish 100% that day.  I can’t say anymore other than:

American Idol-Top 9 Perform

Rock and Roll Night. A few housekeeping items: Was Randy wearing pleather? I once procured pleather. It was a baby pink pleather mini skirt. I bought it when I was a senior in high school. And then took it to Albany with me for college. Because that was truly an essential for a place where it's -45 in October. It didn't get much use. I would like it better if Randy traded in the pleather for a signature cardigan. Second, J-L0 was all "Jenny from the Block" tonight. The accent, the hands going; true New Yorker. And Steven...well we all know my thoughts on Steven. If by chance you are unsure, I second Karen's emotion from last week's blog entry.

1. Jacob- Was going to sing "Let's Get it On." Instead, due to his moral convictions, he chose "Man in the Mirror." Thank goodness 50 Cent has not been inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame and it be suggested that Jacob sing "Magic Stick." Now you all know my deep deep love for Michael Jackson. But I find it funny Jacob does not want to sing a song about people "getting nasty" as he said, but he's totally cool with singing a song by a man who slept in beds with children. Just saying. And I love Michael. I really really do. But I still found that behavior odd. Anyway, that song is one of my favorites of all time and I'm not really a fan of anyone singing it but Michael. What really got my goat about Jacob was his comment that if he lands in the bottom 3 it's because America did not look at themselves in the mirror. I have no idea what that means. Is Jacob saying he's so good that America should vote and if they don't they are obviously mistaken and wrong? Perhaps Ryan should have given out 1-866-Idols-01 and called it a night.


2. Haley- My brother wants Haley to sing on his piano (according to him, no euphemism) and my friend Josh wants her to sing on his (perhaps a euphemism). I do not want her to sing on my piano (absolutely no euphemism), but I would like the name of her dental surgeon, because her teeth are gorgeous. How are they that white? I've done everything minus soaking my teeth in Clorox and they don't get that white. Amazing. She sang Janis Joplin's "Another Little Piece of my Heart" well, but I thought there was a tad too much growling. Kind of like the there was also a tad too much hair crimping. J-Lo, all caught up in the moment says, "You'll be around! You've shown them you'll be around for a minute!" Pretty sure a minute was not what Haley was going for. Pretty sure another eight weeks is the goal, but who am I?


3. Casey- Last week I said Casey should not have shaved the beard. My brother said he lost and therefore had to shave the beard. "Rule of the Beard" as he said. I respectfully disagree little brother. Actually Casey didn't lose, he was saved, turning his loss into a win-kind of like a reversed call in football after Coughlin challenges some rule no one knows and always wins. Hence he should have kept the beard. But the rule Casey is following is Rule of the Bass. Because you can't really go wrong lugging out the bass. The only low for me was Casey singing high on the final notes.


4. Lauren- Her version of "Natural Woman" I knew would be compared to Kelly Clarkson. Lauren really did a good job on the song though. It was her best performance in the past couple of weeks. Apparently did I catch Gwen Stefani was the fashion person pulling tonight together? I'm highly disappointed. Because Lauren's outfit was more akin to her either signing "Hazy Shade of Winter" or playing Patrick Dempsey's interest in Can't Buy Me Love. Then I noticed Christian Slater in the audience and said to myself. "Well he hasn't done anything in quite awhile." Only to be bashed over the head with at least five commercials for his new show coming up right after Idol. Of course.


5. James-He is just so irritating. I wish nothing more than Adam Lambert to come on stage and beat him up with an eyeliner pencil. If you wanted to take a risk on a slow rock song maybe 'Stairway to Heaven" would have been a better choice. I was so beyond bored with this performance. I'm beyond over James.


6. Scotty-I loved Will I Am breaking it down to Scotty and Scotty looking at him with that deer in headlights look. Also who let Scotty wear dual denim???? I mean come on! This kid is 16. 16! And he really has star potential. At 16 I had big issues too-my Sweet 16 candle lighting ceremony and my SO ex best friend going to homecoming with MY boyfriend. Scotty sings on Idol and attends red carpet events. I SO win. ;-)


7. Pia-Pia is just simply amazing...but for the Marisa Tomei "My Cousin Vinny"reject jumpsuit. Paired with the coiled necklace of course. What was that? Someone stop putting Pia in jumpsuits. They are not flattering. On anyone. Yes. I'm going there. Jumpsuits are AWFUL. They were awful in the 80's. They are awful brought back in 2011. Awful and no one looks good in them. It's a puffy blouse STITCHED to a pair of tapered leg pedal pushers. There is nothing good about this look. I should really tell all how I feel on this subject.


8. Stefano-First of all I hate the song, "When a Man Loves a Woman." Maybe because when Michael Bolton re-did the song it was played on every radio station ten times a day. Second, when Stefano looks into the camera and tries to be "hot" he reminds me of Joey Tribiani and I'm ready for a "How you doin'?" Third he's forgettable. There have been so many Idol hopefuls that sound like him. Every season has a Stefano. In fact I went back to old season blogs and I read about some of the contestants that I wouldn't recall if I tripped over them. The chances of Stefano becoming the Idol champ are about as great as Pres receiving the $19,714.07 in back support.


9. Paul-Jimmy wanted Paul to sing Johnny Cash as if he was...well..."messed up." You know Paul was like, "Dude! I can do that." And I'm pretty sure he did. I have to say he was pretty awesome tonight. I really wish he wouldn't wear skinny jeans. As adamant as I am about jumpsuits, I also feel very strongly about men in skinny jeans. Partially because I think they look weird, partially because I can't wear skinny jeans.

My pick to go home-Stefano.

Aunt Tinka’s Weekend, Art Show & Soccer!

I was away for the Virginia Trial Lawyer’s Conference for a few days.  Preston stayed with my parents.  My mother attended his art show.  Please excuse the outfit.  He was very much dressed to the nines, but there was an incident, so he wore CUBBY CLOTHES to his art show.  He was so proud of his work and has given me his Faberge egg for my office!!!   

My sister flew down this weekend to run the Monument Avenue 10K.  In this race, many of the runner dress up.  She went as the Dark Angel.  Here are her and Preston making their scary faces (with his Faberge egg).

They also attended Preston’s soccer game.  Preston is into being the clown in addition to playing.  Including telling everyone the wind blows him over, sitting in the goal, etc. 

And here is the action!!!! A couple of good kicks and then he falls-which watching back he thinks is hilarious!

He literally has been attached to Katie the entire weekend.  He is a little growth off of her leg!!

Then while eating an Italian ice he got “body” freeze instead of brain freeze.

Other pictures from the week:

The Lite Brite he did all by himself!

The 2011 Opening Day picture!

Good Luck Yanks!!!!