Sweet Josephine

My cousin, Josephine, was born on October 22, 2008. Shortly after birth, she was transported to Children's Hospital in Columbia due to Respiratory Distress. Josephine spent 8 days in the Neonatal ICU where she was diagnosed with Trisomy 18, or Edward's Syndrome.

What is Trisomy 18? Trisomy 18 is a genetic disorder associated with the presence of extra material from chromosome 18. Fifty percent of infants with this condition do not survive beyond the first week of life. Only 5 -10% of infants survive to their first birthday. The high mortality rate is usually due to the presence of cardiac and renal malformations, feeding difficulties, sepsis, and apnea caused bycentral nervous system defects. Severe psycho motor and growth retardation are invariably present in those who survive beyond infancy. The outcome is fatal - however, each case is unique and there is no timeline for Josephine's survival. Josephine has many of the outward characteristics as well as all four of the heart defects associated with T-18 - ventrical septal defect, atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosis, and narrowing of the aorta. She is fed through a feeding tube due to her small mouth and jaw and lack of the sucking/swallowing reflex. She also suffers from apneic episodes which require stimulation and the administration of oxygen until she begins to breathe again. She is currently being treated weekly by her pediatrician and has bi-weekly visits from a hospice nurse.

A blog has been started to host a benefit auction to help my Aunt Clara and Uncle Jon with Josephine's medical expenses. We are asking anyone how has been touched by Josephine's story, or by Trisomy 18 in any way to please bid on items in the auction. If you would like to make a monetary donation, that would be greatly appreciated as well.
THANK YOU!

There's just something about Girls and Pie

So at church I am one of the leaders for the "Faith in God Girls". I am over the 10 & 11yr girls. We meet every Tuesday and have an activity or lesson of some sort. For this weeks activity, in honor of the upcoming holiday, I had all the girls over to make some pies. (we had it as a combined activity with the older & younger girls, age 8-11) I had a total of 8 girls in my house & 2 leaders. It was great! I pre-made the dough. When the girls arrived they had to roll it out, fill it, and decide how to decorate their top. Timing seemed to work out almost perfect. Everyone got to take their pie home, except one. (thank goodness, otherwise I would have no pictures)

This is Yoko's Pumpkin Pie (as you can tell) I think it looks absolutely marvelous. In fact, they all did. I wanted to eat every single one! We had 2 cherry, 2 apple, apple crisp, peach, coconut cream & pumkin.

The reason I decided to do this activity, is because when I was in Young Women, Sister Slaton had us come over every year around Thanksgiving and make pie. This was always one of my favorite activities. So, this one's for you, Virgina Slaton, thanks for the great tradition!