This year Jack (or should I say Lightning McQueen) and I spent our Halloween trick-or-treating alongside a real-life superhero.  Teagan, who chose to dress-up as PJ Mask’s quick thinking, high flying Owelette, has spent the last eight months battling a villain that strikes hard and fast and has proven difficult to anticipate its next attack.  Although it has wreaked havoc on every aspect of her life, Teagan has stood tall, fought back and demonstrated the same amount of courage as only the bravest of superheroes.

Last March, at the age of five, Teagan was diagnosed with epilepsy.  Her official diagnosis came after a string of scary unexplained episodes that concluded with her first of many hospital visits.  These episodes set off a whirlwind of events over the last few months that has left us feeling baffled, frustrated and angry but no matter how difficult things have become, Teagan always seems to take them in stride.  Don’t get me wrong, I have had to do my fair share of begging, bribery and outrageous promises (I may be on the hook for a unicorn or two) and Teagan’s L.O.L Surprise doll collection is growing at an alarming rate, but in the end she has always stepped-up just like any great superhero would.

Life is certainly unpredictable but with the bad comes the good if you are willing to open your eyes and search for it.  Teagan and I discovered our silver lining during our second trip to the children’s hospital when we met another young family whose daughter is also battling this disease.  Teagan and “M” became fast friends, spending hours together in the playroom making bracelets and hosting numerous dinner parties throughout the week.  While Teagan was relatively new to the “hospital kid” scene, “M” had been through this before and helped to put Teagan’s mind at ease.  Her mother “K” and I shared stories about the girls and when it came time to leave, we exchanged information and promises to keep in touch.  Teagan celebrated her sixth birthday this summer and was elated to have “M” join her for the festivities.  I have found an invaluable friend in “K,” she is my sounding board when I am unsure of what’s next, always ready to lend an ear, and never failing to show her support for Teagan and I.

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month.  Did you know that epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease but the least understood?  Each year 150,000 more people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Over a lifetime 1 in 10 people will have a seizure and 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy.  For additional information on epilepsy, please visit the Epilepsy Foundation website.

Growing up I was a terrible eater and survived solely on the three most important food groups: chicken fingers and fries, Goldfish crackers and chocolate ice cream.  As I’ve gotten older, I’d like to think that my taste in food has matured a bit as I’ve added pizza, salads (getting better!) and lobster (yum!) to my list of favorites.  My brother begs to differ as he has lovingly referred to my taste in food as “that of a kindergartner.”  Well hey, I do eat most of my meals with a three and six-year-old.

As fate would have it, my son inherited my “picky eater” gene and refuses to eat anything but cheese and bananas.  I quickly learned that when you have a kid who feeds 99% of what you make for him to the dog that to outsmart a stubborn toddler you need to get creative.  Finding recipes that include his favorite foods are key so when I came across this recipe for banana pudding, I knew that I had to try it.  Guess what?  He loved it! (As evidence seen in the photos of a super happy and full toddler!)

Ingredients: Bananas, Instant Vanilla Pudding (one package), Milk, Mini Nilla Wafers, Sprinkles, Whipped Cream.

1. Following the instructions on the package to make instant vanilla pudding (we used Jello brand).
2. Add a few small wafers to the bottom of your glass.
3. Add a few scoops of vanilla pudding.
4. Add a layer of sliced bananas.
5. Add another layer of vanilla pudding.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until your glass is filled.
7. Add a dollop of whipped cream on top.
8. Add colorful sprinkles.

Happy eating!

On Saturday night I received a text from my brother, “Are you guys coming tomorrow?”  I mulled it over in my head, slept on it and then did some more mulling the next morning during my gym workout.  I was tired from a long week, but the weather was perfect, and the kids were begging to see their cousins, so I halfheartedly agreed.

We took the kids to the playground where they cheerfully bounced around from the swings to the giant slide across the monkey bars and back over to the swings where they competed to see who could swing the highest.  A sudden fear of heights abruptly ended that competition and the kids raced to the soccer fields to show off their skills to their uncle DJ.  The girls dribbled a bit and took a few shots but soon decided that it was time to focus on their beauty routine and needed to freshen up their “makeup.”  Jack made a beeline back to the playground where he scaled a rock wall and dared to jump from the top.  After giving me a near heart attack, we decided that a change in scenery and treating the kids to ice cream would quiet things down.  (Yes, we thought that giving sugar to the kid who thought that he had super powers and could fly off a rock wall was a great idea).

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The ice cream parlor was a quaint little shop adorned with 1960’s pop art that was run by an elderly hippie.  At the front of the shop stood a glass case that enclosed an assortment of unique and delicious looking waffle cones.  Teagan’s face light up with excitement as she pressed her hands into the glass. “Grandma, this cone has Lucky Charms on it!  It’s my favorite because it’s a unicorn cone.”  We chatted up the owner to find out how he made each of his special waffle cones so that we could re-create them at home.

We didn’t have to wait long because thanks to Mother Nature and the Indian summer that we’ve been having we had the perfect ice cream weather the very next day.  If you have a little one at home that loves unicorns, Lucky Charms or just ice cream (I proudly admit that I love all three!) here is the recipe to Teagan’s Unicorn Cones.

Teagan’s Unicorn Cones

Ingredients: Lucky Charms cereal, Marshmallows (Large), Waffle Cones

1. Place a handful of large marshmallows into a glass bowl and microwave at 10 second intervals until marshmallows are melted and hot.
2. Dip the waffle cones into the bowl of melted marshmallows.
3. Dip the waffle cone into a bowl of Lucky Charms cereal.
4. Place aside to cool.
5. Scoop a few scoops of your favorite ice cream into the cone and enjoy!

Sometimes we just need a little nudge to push us in the right direction.  Spending time with my family this weekend gave me some much-needed perspective and helped me re-focus my energy back onto projects that I’ve been and super excited about.  The kids had a blast racing around together and to top it off we scored this yummy new recipe.  

Every year, I spend the very last Sunday in April taking a brisk five mile walk with a few hundred of my closest friends to help support an amazing cause.  This incredible event is organized by the March of Dimes Foundation whose goal is to tackle the issues that threaten the health of every mom and every baby.

This year, Teagan and I bundled up and braved the early morning chill to walk in our third March for Babies walk.  While I first began walking in April 2015 as a way to cope after suffering my own loss, I now walk to remember and to honor my angel and to help others facing similar difficult situations.  I remember during the opening ceremonies at my very first event being taken aback by the families’ personal stories about how the March of Dimes Foundation stood by them and provided support during such a trying time in their lives.

Each year, the March of Dimes raises the bar not only on their fundraising goal but also on the activities at the event.  From a Budweiser Horse & Buggy ride to a DJ, a memory garden, the superhero sprint (for our superhero kids) and even a personal visit from Batman himself (in his Batmobile, of course!), this family friendly event is not only a fun day out but a great way to help support the health of all mothers and babies.

My favorite and most emotional part (yes, I still cry every time) is the reading of the babies’ names, those who we are celebrating and those who we are remembering.  After the reciting of the names, a bevy of doves are released and slowly circle the crowd before disappearing into the distance.  In that moment, when the doves are just a speck in the sky, I always feel thankful to be part of such a powerful cause.

I left my very first March for Babies walk not only with a sense of closure but also feeling as if I was not alone which was so important for me at the time.  Each year, I feel as if I’ve grown stronger and become more at peace with my own loss and I can only hope that others leave feeling the same.

If you’d like to consider donating to the March of Dimes Foundation or participating in one of their March for Babies walks, please visit their website.