$ 9 month pictures $

eli-james lohenaokealaka`i heide

9 months: 20 lbs. 30 in.

april 2010

sneak peek

took Lohena to get 9 month pictures. Compare.

Happy Feet

Marcus 1 week old September 2007

For my more recent followers, you may or may not know that our eldest son Marcus was born, with a club foot (a deformity which causes the foot to appear as if it is rotated internally at the ankle). We were completely shocked and had no idea because it was not caught during the ultra sound. Needless to say, I was not only exhausted physically, after labor, but the next few days that followed I was emotionally drained.

I was a little heart-broken, but mainly for my brand new, perfect little baby. After the initial shock and many tears, I knew that this was just the way it was going to be. So, I pulled myself together for my family, for Marcus and learned all about his club foot. I educated myself, told my friends and family and found a fantastic Dr. (Laurel Saliman, Swedish Orthopedic Specialist).

In the beginning I couldn't even look at the pictures of other children's feet on the pamphlets, it simply made me uneasy. But as time went one, I knew that we were lucky because his case wasn't so severe. Only his left foot, and I knew it really could have been a lot worse.

Marcus' first cast '07

After one week following his birth, he was placed in a series of set casts (up to the thigh to protect his knee). We did this process for about 3 months. On the final cast Dr. Saliman cut Marcus' Achilles tendon, casted his foot in a proper position and allowed it to re-attach. It was traumatic for Cameron and I since Marcus was awake and we each took on a limb to hold him down.

removing his cast at home, in the bathroom sink

After the 3 months of casts he was placed in "special shoes" (with the bar between) for another 3 months, straight, 23 hours a day. This was extremely difficult and is when we really had to trust our Dr., each other, and know that if we didn't do this, there was potential for relapse. This procedure is less abrasive, but very, very slow; taking anywhere from 3-5 years. In previous years, all the bones were broken and re-set usually causing arthritis at a very young age.

special shoes

Since Marcus was 6 months old he has worn his shoes everyday of his life. Naps and Nights. He is scheduled to do this until the age of 5. (Very expensive little shoes....but worth every penny!)

However, last week we went for our 2 1/2 year check-up. Dr. Saliman was so happy with his progress and foot function, she said she is considering him being done wearing his shoes at age 3. That is less than 6 months away!! If we do, it will be a brief 6 month trial without shoes and hopefully never again.

I left the office, SHOCKED and wondering how WEIRD our life will be without night-time shoes. This has just become the norm, that anything else just seems weird!

Marcus has developed normally walking at 12 months, running, jumping, and tippy-toeing all around. I even catch him walking in his special shoes and jumping around in them. (professional snowboarder/surfer?)


I am just so thankful for all of the experiences to learn and grow from our trials and more importantly our blessings!

Here's a list of some celebrities born with club feet:
TV:
Damon Wayans
Eric Richard
Dudley Moore

Sports:
Troy Aikman
Charles Woodson
Mia Hamm
Miguel Riffo
Kristi Yamaguchi

happy EASTER...egg hunt

This week leading up to Easter Sunday was surely an ugly one. The power flickered on and off, the trees shook in the wind, and the icy rain kept us indoors for most of the days. It was especially unfortunate since this week also happened to be Spring Break.

Despite the typical Washington weather, the kids had an absolute blast hanging out. We played outside when we could, we dyed Easter eggs, we attended an Easter egg hunt in the highlands, which ended in cold, wet, kids, crying and covered in mud. Miles and Marcus have finally reached the point of playing together in another room without supervision. So needless to say, it was CRAZY but tons of FUN!

Decorating mayhem

Sissel & the kids

Liam fell in the mud!

all the eggs

Lohena

I am so thankful that we were able to watch General Conference together as a family this Easter Sunday. I have a testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and know that our Prophet Thomas S. Monson is called of God to lead us away from temptation and keep us on the strait and narrow. I am eternally grateful for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, for through them all things are made possible. I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ and for the sacrifice he made for us. I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation and know that it is our duty as parents to rear our children in the right path that will lead them to salvation. I know that I will never truly and fully understand the amount of LOVE that the Lord and Jesus Christ demonstrated, and for that I am humbled. I cannot wait until that day when I will be able to return to Heavenly Father, with my eternal family by my side.

"No other success can compensate for failure in the home."

-Pres. David O. McKay

http://www.lds.org/

Kahuku Grown

featured againAlan Akina President of 101 Financial

Honolulu Advertiser March 30, 2010

"Fast-growing firm teaches basics of finance"

Some awards-Fastest growing 50, BBB Torch Award, & the Inc. 500

Potty Training Thumbs Up

Marcus 3/2010 potty training thumbs up

With the exception of night time, we are proud to announce that Marcus is potty trained. It was literally out of nowhere. One day Marcus just decided he was done wearing diapers and wanted to use to toilet. I introduced him to the toilet a few months back, but it didn't really stick; but now he enjoys using the potty and sometimes just sits there! I don't even have to ask him, he just goes to the bathroom and does his business. Today was the first time we went out for a long time, so I put a diaper on him, but while we were at the restaurant, he took care of some business there! I am just so proud of him.

NO MORE DIAPERS!

{This is what I chant to myself}

What the HAIL?

The weather here is so fickle.
Some days we bask in the sunlight, and others are spent like this.
I can't wait for summer!

crazy boys

I just love these guys!

Future Daddy $

I am sitting here at the computer when I see and hear Marcus scolding Makana (the little girl I watch every day) and I couldn't help but laugh.

She came over to him with a pair of the baby's pants. Marcus, being a defensive big brother, told her to put it back, and it went a little something like this.

Marcus: Put it back, Ana!
Makana: NO!
Marcus: Now!
Makana: NO!
Marcus: Listen! 3-2-1! okay, time out!
Me: It's okay, it's okay. she is fine.
Marcus: No, time out. (he took her hand and grabbed the pants and gave it to me.)

I couldn't help but laugh and thought,

Wow. That's what I sound like!

Well, they say imitation is the highest form of flattery.

You are invited

What: to a 101 Web Seminar

For many of my followers you have already noticed that I am really into paying off debts as fast as possible and allowing myself to be in great positions to create wealth. If you are skeptical, please know that I plan on having my car paid off by May and my home soon to follow.

I have gained knowledge using the 101 Financial program and want to share it with everyone, because I know it works. If you are interested, this week there will be a few Web Seminars taking place and you are invited to join.

When:
This week there will be 3 webinars-Wednesday the 17th and 2 on Thursday the 18th. What is a webinar? It is a 101 Financial Seminar that takes place on the Internet, so that we can talk to many people in many different places. A webinar is a virtual conference room where you enter into confidentially. There are no cameras and only one person talking- a real person. They will show you a power point and explain how 101 can change your life.

It is FREE, quick and if nothing else, great knowledge.

Where:
If you are interested please do not hesitate to contact me so that I can e-mail you the LINK and you can hear how my life & many other lives are changing and benefiting from this everyday!

R.S.V.P.
email me for the link- kamaileheide@yahoo.com

Have a 101`derful day!

for more info: www.101financial.com/camkam

While I was out

While I was in Hawaii,

Cameron wanted to surprise me;

so he added a really pretty back splash to the kitchen.

It's not completely finished, but I Love it!

06.30.10 the saga continues

it's here...


Check out this great MSN Video: 'Twilight Saga: Eclipse': June 30

Happy 8 months old

Eli-James Lohenaokealaka`i Heide 8 mo. old

8 months old today.

where did the time go?

what a joy & honor

to have in our eternal family.

i cannot imagine life without him.

we love you!

This is why it's hard to leave...

Beautiful Beaches

Sunshine (forgot how nice that was!)

Hanging out with the family

Uncle Piko & Cousin Kira

Grandma with her grand babies

(just missing Kamahele)

Good times...

As you know this trip was short. Kind of a tease. As I have gotten older and so have the children, it truly gets harder and harder to leave. Finally Marcus is comfortable around my family, and finally he and Kira are best buds. Marcus played so hard I hardly saw him. My mom was afraid he wasn't going to warn up to her and the first day we got in he wanted to go with grandma and uncle piko by himself. The next day he went with grandma to work. Everyday when Kira went to school he was so bummed and waited patiently for "dira" to return. We indulged in custard filled malasadas, shave ice with mochi, snow cap, and ice cream (dang thing cost $5) and lots of plate lunch. Even though Marcus kept telling grandma "Hawaii hot" he didn't want to leave her behind. And when grandpa dropped us off at the airport, and he didn't understand I struggled to fight back tears! As Cameron always says give me a week and I'll be fine. ;o)

I miss my family so much and am so thankful for all that they have given me.

Thank you for raising me in such a beautiful place. Thank you for exposing me to such a loving and extremely unique culture that cannot compare. I have truly been blessed to be so loved, I hope I can give the same things to my children.

we LOVE you!

We survived the TSUNAMI

In my family we call it "Durrett Luck". The can't-catch-a-break-all-you-can-do-is-laugh kind of luck. Although I may be a Heide now, the blood of the Durrett still runs strong. Needless to say, of course the already super short week that I am home, is the week that Hawaii has a tsunami warning and I am confined to the house all day with nothing to do; but listen to the same spiel on the news and fall in and out of some much needed sleep!

Luckily , we were able to keep ourselves entertained with Beatles Rock Band. {Marcus' favorite}

Marcus & Cousin Kira Tsunami 2010

Marcus wasn't plugged in and Kira can't really read, but they were still able to finish every song and with an average of 70%!