Thanks Sage!!

We want to thank Sage (and her mommy Ceelie) for all the GREAT DVDs that you passed along to Brooklyn! Charlie is especially thankful that none of them were Wiggles :) We also want to thank you for all of the books too - you know Brooklyn LOVES when we read to her! Sage....you are one little sweetheart for sharing your things with Brooklyn when you are done with them!

There is not much better in life than time spent loving on my kiddos

I (Kristin, Kelly's sister) have hijacked this blog!! :)

O.k. I need your help!! I know all of you out there that follow this blog love Kelly and the entire Butler family. Today in the Herald Republican, our local newspaper, there is an article about "Extreme Makeover:Home Edition" They are looking for a deserving Indiana family!!! I can't think of anyone more deserving!!!
Don't get me wrong...I am not saying that my sister's house is shabby by any means it is just that it is NOT handicapped accessible. Their family has been, well, I am not sure how to put this (my sister is the writer of the family) burdened with many difficulties over the past few years. As you well know Brooklyn has a diagnosis of Rett Syndrome which confines her to a chair and will soon need a wheel chair to move about. Charlie has recently discovered he has a rare disease known as Bechets...who knows what this will bring, even the doctors can't say for sure. Reading about it would stress any wife out, it can be a crippling disease and even lead to blindness. He currently battles chronic pain on a daily basis. Finally their latest bundle of joy, our lovable Boston who has been diagnosed with Down Syndrome.
One family should not have to endure such heartache not to mention all the therapists that are in and out of their house on a weekly basis :)
Our friend Janet contacted me to try and spread the word... We want to TRY and get them nominated for a makeover to help make their lives a little less of a struggle. We need your help! I am asking as many people as possible to write a letter of recommendation for them. In your letter explain how you know them and why you feel they are deserving. You can e-mail me your letters at kristinsmith8405@yahoo.com or directly to the show at castindiana@gmail.com It might be a great idea to send it both places. If the show sees what an AMAZING family they are and hear from all of you maybe they will agree with us that Kelly and her family should be the next family in Indiana to receive a home makeover!!
I also want to point out that Kelly works for the non-profit organization girlpower2cure. She raises money to help find a cure for Rett Syndrome. Unfortunately she no longer has an office, it has become Boston's nursery. (Her desk is literally in his closet) Wouldn't it be amazing to have a house that could meet all their needs:handicap accessible, maybe a therapy room and a home office for Kelly!
Drop me an e-mail with any questions...I hate to put pressure on you but the entries are due this Wednesday, February 10!!! Be sure to have the kids ages Brooklyn 4 and Boston 5 months
and that they live in Angola, Indiana 46703

Thank you for all your love and support,
Kristin (McNamara) Smith

My brother Boston is the featured baby on the Baby Be Blessed site this month! Be sure to check it out HERE!

Best Big Sister!

Boston adores his big sister already - look at him looking up at her! Two little sweethearts - I am the luckiest mommy!

We help stand Brooklyn up by his bassinet so they can hang out a little and "chat"

Our Buddy Hope

Yesterday Brooklyn and I met up with Kim and her daughters Hope and Natalie for pizza! Hope and Brooklyn ride horses together when the weather is warmer! It was so great to see them and to meet miss Natalie - who also came early like Boston - and is an ANGEL!! It was so great to see the girls interact over lunch. Hope was holding hands with Brooklyn and talking with her about their pizza. I loved it!

Hope - next time we will have a play date at our house :)

Poor thing was so tired this morning.......she must of had WAY too much fun with Miss Toni last night while daddy and I went to the movies!

Angela Martin tried out for American Idol again this year and is on her way back to Hollywood! Her daughter has Rett Syndrome! Lets cheer this amazing gal on this year! (and hope to get Rett Syndrome more TV time!!)

Game Night with Jackson

Pretty Pretty Princess is WAY more fun when Jackson is playing instead of mommy and daddy I think!

Two small steps for Brooklyn....one GIANT leap for mommy's heart!Normally Brooklyn only stands in her KidWalk at school, occasionally she will scoot herself backwards but no real forward motion yet.....UNTIL THIS WEEK!! She took TWO steps forward on her own on Wednesday and again two more on Friday! I am SO encouraged! She has not taken any steps on her own in a walker since she was two! Please pray that she continues to make progress with her walking - what a blessing!!!

Ingrid was on Parent's TV sharing the story of her daughter Sarah and their life with Rett Syndrome, she shares how Girl Power 2 Cure came to be! Thank you Ingrid for all of your continued hard work in your fight to raise awareness for all of our girls!!

Mommy and Brookie Bean

Man I love this little girl!!!!

Miracles DO Happen!

Click HERE or on the image above for details!

My hope is that this movie so so inspirational and motivating that we can get LOTS and LOTS of people psyched up to join us in April for our Dress Up 2 Cure event! After all.....we want to "Make our Miracle Happen" and CURE Rett Syndrome!!

Go Skins!!

We want to thank all of the teachers and staff at Caldwell Elementary School (my alma matter)! They sent us these great Caldwell Redskins t-shirts as well as a very generous donation towards our NICU bill for Boston. Growing up in a small town like Caldwell, OH was so amazing for me - the people there are all still like family.
I appreciate all of you "back home" that keep up with Brooklyn and Boston's blog and continue to pray for our family! We look forward to a trip to Caldwell this spring to thank you all in person!!!

Brooklyn spent some time snuggling with Boston before bed tonight.....man I love these two!