Outstanding Student

So we're going on the 4th week of school for Konnor. It's been a great experience for him as he enters EAK. He has been eager to wake up in the morning and go to school. He's excited to tell us about what he learns at school. We can tell he's ready to be challenged because he already knew a lot of the things he has learned in the past week. That doesn't stop him from exceling. His teacher, Mr. Long is happy to have him in his class. Each weekly report has been "Outstanding" with wonderful comments from his teacher.

Even though it's sometimes hard to believe that our boy is such a great listener at school and such an outstanding student, it makes us happy. I guess many kids are "different" at home versus the way they are at school. What a way to make parents PROUD!

Mommy's Little Helper

It's great that I can now start giving the boys chores other than cleaning up their toys. They love doing things that make them feel they are helping. One of Kameron's new chore is feeding Meka. He checks overtime he is in the kitchen and always gives Meka a treat.

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Lessons to Raising a son

A quote my cousin Joel shared with me :

"1. Be around 2. Be his father, not his friend. If you don't understand the diference, imagine his confusion when you discipline him. 3. Be a good husband. Show his mom respect @ all times. 4. Be home for dinner. 5. Be his hero --Harry Harrison Jr."

 

New Buddies

Looks like someone found a new place to sleep. Since we moved into the new place, our cat Meka has not come into Kameron's room unless I was in there. Lately, we've notice she's been sleeping with Kameron...on the nights he sleeps in his own room.(Which will be a topic for another post)

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Konnor, always our entertainer

Came across an old video of KONNOR entertaining the whole entire mall. Guess he was always our "entertainer" since he was young. Thanks to my sister for capturing this.

Konnor the Entertainer

This was taken at a mall, well the only mall in Hemet, CA. Hemet Valley Mall

Sprinkles Cupcakes comes to San Diego

Of course I had to make a trip to our local Sprinkles store now that I don't have to wait til I'm in Arizona for my fix. After dropping off Konnor at school this morning, Kameron and I headed over to La Jolla. Through traffic on the 52, thick fog throughout the drive..we made it to the parking lot 10 minutes after they opened...and yes, there was already a line!!

Since I had tried most of the flavors before, I decided to try something different. The cupcake haul from this trip: Red Velvet (my fave), Chocolate coconut, Vanila-Milk Chocolate with sprinkles, Choclate Marshmellow and Peanut Butter chocolate.

Of course we waited til we got home to devour these. I had to do my best to save the Chocolate Coconut ones for Kevin. I must say, we love Sprinkles as we do our other local cupcake stores here.

Thank you for FINALLY opening a store in San Diego! You'll be seeing us again...SOON!

First Day of School: Konnor

Oh my! Is it that time already? Konnor started his first day of school today at Pride Academy. Bless his little heart, he was so excited and anxious to begin. We've always known he needed a challenge as he learned things fairly quickly. We were happy to hear that the Santee school district offered EAK (Early Acceptance to Kindergarten). Once we enrolled Konnor he counted down the days.

Although it was a scary feeling for us as parents, Konnor showed nothing but enthusiasm. First day of school was orientation. Parents were able to sit with the students, meet other students and parents, get to know the teacher and the curriculum.

We are excited knowing that Konnor is excited to be starting school. I'll have to get used to my baby boy being gone for half the day, while Kameron and I are home together. But it's great to know that Konnor will be with other kids and learning more. My biggest concern is that he doesn't get "too bored" with pre-school information he'll be relearning at the beginning of the class.

Febrile Seizures is NOT normal to ME, a Mother.

After a horrific scare, Kameron was transmitted to ER via ambulance. Here he is taking a breathing treatment in the hospital. 01.05.11

It all started Sunday night, a night of high temperatures and vomiting. During the night I heard choking. I ran into his room and saw my son in the most uncomfortable position. He looked like he was having a seizure. Although I wasn't sure since I have never had experienced one, I screamed for Kevin to come to Kameron's room. It was about 12:30am. I started to cry, not knowing what to do. He was choking, shaking, mumbling, but not opening his eyes. I held him in my arms and tried to wake him up. As he tried, his eyes slightly opened, but looked as they they were rolling back. I panicked. We put a cold compress on his head and body to bring down the temperature and after what seemed like forever (but was about less than a few minutez) we finally got him to respond and open his eyes. Although he was very droggy and still warm, he woke up and started to vomit. He had not been able to keep the fever reducing medicine down all night so that explained the high temperature. After everything was calm and the vomiting stopped, I tried to stay up with Kameron. He was so exhausted but as a Mom, I was afraid to let him fall back asleep and choke again. After 2 hours he finally fell asleep.

The next morning he was still warm and vomiting so I called his Dr. I had to wait until she called me back. So as I showered and got ready, Kevin had put Kameron in our bed to rest. Since he was still running a fever we gave him medicine and a cold towel on his head and back. As I got out of the shower I saw Kameron shaking, eyes rolled back, tense, stiff body, fists clenched....he was definitely having a seizure. I didn't know what to do. I screamed for Kevin (he was downstairs) and I cried hysterically. "Call 911, call 911!!" Kevin called 911 and I was just trying to get Kameron to respond to me. Again, what seemed like hours, (Kevin said it must've been about 40 seconds) Kameron layed still and I cried, thinking he was gone. The lady on the 911 call told Kevin to tell me to calm down, check to see if Kameron was breathing, lay him on his side and wait til the medics arrived. Of course that was not easy to do. I didn't want to leave his side. But of course I had just gotten out of the shower and had nothing but my robe. Kevin told him to get dressed so I can go with Kameron in the ambulance. The Fire Department, Police and Medics arrived within minutes.

When they arrived they did what they needed to do. Took his vitals and started to ask us questions. Kameron was still "unresponsive" at the time. He was still breathing and his vitals were ok so they weren't concern. But as a Mom...this was the worst day of my life!!! They all kept telling me to that it was normal, all kids go through this at least once between the age of 2months to 6 years old. That wasn't comforting, knowing that it was MY son going through it and that Konnor never had. As we got into the ambulance, Kameron was still unresponsive. They didn't allow me to ride in the back with him but in the front of the ambulance. All I could hear is them taking vitals and talking. I still didn't hear my son. After about 15-20 minutes we arrived at Kaiser and I finally heard my son crying, looking for me. I ran to the back of the ambulance and with a sigh of relief, my heart smiled. He was responding, looking for me and kept saying, "I want to go home" as he looked around at each medic that was with him.

Of course we went through the routine checkups, tests, lab work..etc in Emergency. The hours went on and it was still nerve racking. I had to keep calling Kevin, keeping him posted. I worried about Konnor too. I didn't know how much he saw when Kameron was having his seizure, or how much he saw when the medics were there. I'm sure it had to be scary for him as well seeing that happen to his little brother. Everyone was super attentive in ER. They immediately had him on an IV for fluids and wanted him to rest. He was such a trooper as they poked him for blood and the IV. Blood work results showed high count of white blood cells, which meant he was fighting an infection. Xrays results showed he still had signs of pneumonia (he was diagnosed with pneumonia in early December, which he was antibiotics for) as well as a viral and bacterial infection. Geez....my poor baby. They treated him with antibiotics and more fluids. The nurses kept him smiling with tons of stickers, which he loves. They promised him snacks and apple juice once the Dr. gave him the OK. As sick as he was and as uncomfortable he must've been, he was still in good spirits. I sat beside his bed the whole time just talking to him, we sang songs, he played games on my cellphone and we chatted. Of course he had no idea what happened and in a way, I'm glad he didn't. It was definitely not a sight for any parent to go through. He was cool and calm and didn't fight to go home. Although every now and then he did express that he wanted to just rest in his own bed at home. (I don't blame him) 



Checked into Pediatrics and SMILING

 

After a few hours they admitted us into Pediatrics where they wanted to keep an eye on him and make sure he didn't spike a fever again. By then he was able to eat, drink and be more comfortable in his own room. Because he was still contagious, we were lucky to receive a room to ourselves.  

I stayed with Kameron through the night. Konnor and Kevin came and brought us food and some of Kameron's favorite things. Konnor even let him borrow his blanket. Kameron enjoyed being able to watch TV as he pleased, didn't have to fight with his brother over the TV and toys. Since he was considered "contagious" he wasn't allow to enjoy the playful rooms of the Pediatrics playroom, but he was able to watch DVDs, play Wii in the room and order any snacks and foods that he wanted. He was loving the attention!!

Quote: Kameron

"Mommy, I love You 100 times" - Kameron McMaster

It's a New Year, New Beginnings

Another year has come and gone. 2010 has definitely flown by us. We were blessed to have had the love and memories of family, friends and outings throughout the year. We have had some challenges and changes through the year which has made us as a family stronger and closer.

With the New Year, we start to think about the new beginnings we will have. We've got plenty of trips planned for the year, new things we want to try or do and most importantly some new additions to our extended family. YES, there are lots of babies amongst our families and friends.
Konnor is still continuing in his music lessons. He's been doing a great job. He will soon be starting EAK (Early Acceptance to Kindergarten) and he also wants to do Karate or Teeball. Kameron wants to also join something so I think it'll be a busy season. Kevin is still in the Masters Program at University of Redlands and I'm continuing in the BSIT - Visual Communications at University of Phoenix. We're all pretty busy but we make time to enjoy eachother and our friends and family as often as possible. So here's to a new year...new beginnings.

Christmas Eve

We decided to have a quiet Christmas Eve at home...just the FOUR of us. Of course, it was also because we were all still recovering from being sick. We couldn't take the boys to Christmas Eve mass since they were still coughing and contagious. 

We spent the afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma McMaster. There we opened and exchanged gifts. The boys were interested in board games this year and they definitely got their share of games. The received Connect Four, Operation, a standing mic for our comedian, Kameron and a Table Top Air Hockey Set.



At Grandpa and Grandma McMaster's house

 

Before opening their stockings

After leaving Grandpa & Grandma's we had Pho (vietnamese soup) for dinner then spent the evening at home tracking Santa, opening stocking stuffers and watching movies. The boys were so excited to open something tonight and we could tell they couldn't wait.

Being that we've had the tree up since the beginning of November and presents piled under the tree for the past month, they were anxious. They knew they had some presents under the tree (since they could read their own names). There was one gift in particular that Konnor peaked at everyday..little did he know it wasn't a big surprise, but a surprise for his toys. LOL

We had fun encouraging the boys to track Santa. Since Konnor is very interested in maps, locations and geography, he had a ball. Every few seconds he would refresh the laptop and read (or try to read) the city Santa was in. He watched all the videos of the past cities and countries Santa had visited and anxiously waited for his arrival in CALIFORNIA!
 

Tracking Santa

Maybe I need to look closer












Konnor tried with all his might to stay awake. Being that he's the one that sleeps early, he really tried to track Santa until he got to California. Unfortunately he fell asleep by 11:30pm...but Kameron was still wide awake waiting for Santa. As soon as it hit midnight, we went upstairs and turned out the lights so that Santa could do his magic. Kameron was sure to leave Santa his milk and cookies we made.

I've never really had a quite Christmas Eve. This quite night made me reminisce about years ago as a child. I remember growing up spending Christmas Eve in Seaside, CA with all the family. Aunts, Uncles, cousins, Grandparents and neighbors. It was always exciting to be with FAMILY. The smell of the delicious food my Grandparents were always cooking all night long filled the house. The laughter of all the kids (including myself). We had traveled from San Diego to Monterey every year to celebrate Christmas with the rest of our family.

As we grow our family and start our own traditions, this year will be spent together as FOUR. It at times felt lonely for me, even though I had the 3 most important boys with me, but I did miss the times as a child celebrating with our large family. Maybe it had something to do with missing my Grandma this year. It was our first year without her. Her passing 8 months ago is still hard to deal with, some days harder than others. But I know she is always watching down on us smiling.

Balloons for Great Mama

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A Day for Thanks!

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Wishing you all a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Your children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson

Visiting my LOVED ONES

On our road trip back home from Fairfield, we stopped to say Hello to my Grandma and my other relatives. It's been almost 7 months since the passing of my Grandma Nellie Concepcion. It's been a rough road. I know it's never easy losing a loved one. I've had many people in life pass early and leave me. I've been able to learn to deal with that at a very young age. Kevin and I made sure to stop by Seaside, where my Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Darlene and Great Grandparents are buried together.

Never the less, it wasn't easy to sit at this quiet grave and "talk" to my Grandma. I miss her deeply. I'm even in tears while blogging this!

Staump Productions Fall Concert 2010

This was an exciting night for both our family as well as the Staump Productions family. It was the Fall Concert at Lakeside Middle School. For us, this was Konnor's first stage performance EVER! Maria Staump, his keyboard and guitar instructor and Tim Staump, his drum instructor was thoughtful enough to allow him to play even though he is just a month and half into his lessons with the production company. They thought he'd enjoy it...and so he did! He didn't hesitate at all to partake in the concert. We are thankful he doesn't have "stage fright", but I'll have to work with him on his "stage presence" as he was a bit aprehensive when I had to keep telling him to SMILE! The whole point was him to have fun..and that he did! Click the link below to see the video.

Fall Concert "You and Me"

Here are a few pics to share Konnor's passion

Konnor's rendition of "Billionaire" - Bruno Mars

Konnor has become intrigued and very interested in music and instruments. As you can see from previous posts, he thinks he’s a ROCKSTAR already. He loves to sing, but his passion is in the instruments, especially the DRUMS. Here is just hanging out at home and decided to sing “Billionaire” by Travie McCoy and Bruno Mars. He loves the song and always sings it. He especially likes the version from Glee! By no means is he properly playing the correct chords on the ukelele, but he thinks he is. He knows most of the chorus and can sing it over and over. Watch out Bruno Mars…

Konnor singing "Billionaire"

Quote of the Day

"Three things are needed for a good life: "Good Friends, Good Food, and Good Song." -Jason Zebehazy
     

Konnor and Mommy Date Night: JONAS Brothers Concert

Standing in line ready with
all his Jonas Brothers Gear

September 16, 2010 Chula Vista, CA - I knew quite some time that JONAS was coming to San Diego. Konnor expressed how much he wanted to go. With his behavior, Kevin and I had told him that he needed to work on his behavior and his chores and we would think about it.

A day before the concert I surprised him and told him we were going somewhere special...just Konnor and Mommy. We had dinner together at our "date" place - CPK. California Pizza Kitchen was the first restaurant Konnor and I had gone to, together..without Daddy. After dinner we headed over to the Cricket Theater in Chula Vista for the Jonas Brothers/Camp Rock 2 concert.

Striking a pose

Being in an ampitheater with thousands of screaming girls was nuts. Konnor was cool, calm and collect and just enjoyed rocking out and singing along. It got quite cold through the night and Konnor did such a great job fighting his sleep to finish the concert. It was hard being that his normal bedtime is at 8:30pm-9pm. In the end we both had a great time. A part of me felt like a kid again. The best thing was to see my son happy and enjoying a concert of one of his favorite boy bands. ;-)

The sign he made for JB's

Rocking his JB necklaces from Mama

Jonas Brothers



"JONAS ROCKS"


                                           

Find us on Tumblr

So I was introduced to tumblr by several friends and I thought to check it out. Yet, another social network. I'm such a sucker for these things. So yes, I decided to join and start my own tumblr blog. Being that I was able to download the Blackberry app I figured it was easier to post and blog since I always had my phone in hand. So here it goes. Let's see if I can manage both blogs. To keep up to date, check out both ..Live..Laugh..Love.. and Our Family Blog.