2nd Annual NICU Nurses Cookie Drive

Emerson and Mommy at Winnie Palmers tree 2008.
Emerson and Mommy at Winnie Palmers tree 2009.

Tracey, Sandi, and I collecting cookies at the DSACF office.

This weekend our family and friends came together to collect cookies for NICU nurses and staff. We then partnered together with the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida and were able to distribute cookies to 5 Central Florida NICU's and the PCICU at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Many children with DS also spend time in the PCICU after repairing heart defects so we couldn't forget these precious individuals. Everytime our family goes back to visit, it brings back so many emotions! These nurses, doctors, and staff will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We would like to send our deepest thanks for our friends and family who helped spread cheer to these wonderful professionals this Holiday Season!

Rainy Day Haircuts

Ok, so I was bored and thought Emerson needed a trim?!? I always envisioned Emerson's first haircut to be an exciting event! Now, I actually think I'm going to have to take her to a professional to fix what I started. Maybe we'll make an event out of the "First Fixing" haircut!

Santa, Santa Everywhere!

Aunt Megan, Austin, Mommy, Santa, and Little E at Cypress Grove Park
Emerson with Santa at the DSACF Holiday Party.
Our Family at the DSACF Holiday Party.

Santa has offically come to Orlando! It's funny how we keep running into him! Lots of fun, lots of memories!

Our Thanksgiving Miracle

This Thanksgiving, our family is thankful for so many things. Of course, our Sweet Little Emerson is on the top of that list!! While visiting family, Emerson decided that she was ready to "hands and knees" crawl (rather than army crawl) across the floor. Travis and I have been waiting for this moment for so long! I was so excited I called E's physical therapist on her day off. Sorry Rebecca! :-)

So...I want to give a huge shout out for the wonderful team of professionals that work so hard with our family to better Emerson's future! We are truly THANKFUL for you!

Good friends, Good pig, and Good cameras!

This past weekend we had a neighborhood pig roast! The guys were so excited, they got up at 7am to start cooking. I was a little nervous about eating the pig but Travis sure did enjoy it! He is already trying to figure out how to build a smoker for himself?!? Our sweet neighbor, Kendra got a new camera for her birthday so we had to test it out on Emerson. As always, she hammed it up! :-)

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day!



I had to take a picture of the two dressed in their red, white, and blue. My sweet husband got Emerson all ready in her outfit to go enjoy the Veteran's Day parade in Downtown Orlando. Travis is on Daddy Duty so I can recover/rest after gum graft surgery that I had on Tuesday afternoon. I'm so grateful for such a great husband!!

Universal Day

Universal Studios kindly invited the Down syndrome Association to bring 4 family members for a day of fun at the park! Emerson invited mommy, Grammy, and Uncle Justin (Daddy had to work). We had a BLAST! Universal Studios treated us like Rock Stars!! We had a cookie buffet, our own tour guides, Fast Pass tickets, our own photo shot with Barney and friends, and free parking! We are already looking forward to this event next year!
THANK YOU Universal Studios for the awesome day with family and friends!!


The one and only Barney!!

Emerson and Baby Bop (I think?)

After a long day, Emerson takes a nap with the girls!

Emerson and one of her buds, Ferris.

Grammy on baby duty while the adults go on a ride! Good thing these babies are SO GOOD!

Cardiologist Approval!

Emerson just got home from her 6 month post surgery check-up/ sedated Echo! Her heart is working wonderfully and there is NO leakage! We couldn't ask for a better check-up. We have officially graduated to once a year appointments with Dr. Fleishman. HOORAY!!!!

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was much more enjoyable because we were NOT in the NICU. Emerson had tons of fun with her friends at Rockers and Rollers and our neighborhood get together! She was a champ on Halloween night and stayed out trick or treating until 9:45! Daddy has been enjoying all of her candy! :-)

The Cutest Pumpkin in the Patch

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Emerson's New Look

Emerson can offically see! Hooray!

She got her first pair of glasses today (pink, of course). She is actually wearing them more than I thought. Hopefully, her world will start opening up!!!




*Please excuse the snot and hair! It was hard enough to get the glasses on and take a picture. :-)

Buddy Walk 2009

This past Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL day.
Our family would like to THANK anyone who had a part of this years Buddy Walk. Emerson's Entourage was a huge success! Our team won 2nd place for most walkers and most money raised!!!! Way to represent!

We are so thankful for ALL of our friends and family. Emerson is soooo loved :-)

Dunk for Down Syndrome

Today, Red Bug Elementary put on a fundraiser called Dunk for Down syndrome. They asked each child to bring in a dollar to dunk their teacher and/or principal. All money raised goes to Emerson's Entourage! I'm thrilled to announce that they raised $1200!!!
Emerson had a great time hanging out with some new and old friends. She was such a sport hanging out in the heat!


My second grade co-workers.


Dr. Gooch (principal) dressed for the occasion.


The crowd of kids when we got to school. This is only the third grade crowd.


A humongous THANK YOU to Mrs. Segrest for being such an advocate for Miss Emerson. She made this event happen and we are forever grateful for her support!

Buddy Walk- October 17th

The Buddy Walk is just around the corner and we are SO excited. Just wanted to pass on some last minute details regarding the big day!

DONATIONS
For those who are/or have been so gracious to donate to Emerson’s Entourage….October 9th at 4 pm is the deadline to have all money collected to count towards Top Fundraising Teams. We are currently in 3rd place!!!

REGISTER
The first 2,000 people to register on the Firstgiving site will be given a free Chick-Fil-a sandwich and drink at the event. If you have not registered yet, you can do it quickly on www.firstgiving.com/laurenfrosch. It will save you time on the day of the event.

PARKING

Free parking is available in both Landmark parking garages. These garages are off of Robinson Street. *Southbound lane of Eola will be closed for the event.*

ARRIVAL

Team pictures begin at 8:00am, so we need all of our walkers to arrive by 8am. They determine the largest team based on the number of walkers in the photograph... so please don't be late. The southbound lane of Eola Drive will be closed for the event. We will have our team tent set up on this closed street to meet, pass out shirts, and walk together to team photographs.

SHIRTS
Travis will be getting to Lake Eola at 7:30am with washed Emerson Entourage t-shirts. My cousin ordered and paid for 110 shirts (variety of sizes). They will be handed out on a first come, first serve base.

AFTER PARTY
For those of you who would like to join us, we will be going to the Tijuana Flats on South Orange Ave. after the event. We have notified the management to expect a large group! J

Travis and I will both have our cell phones on us the day of the event.
Travis 321.246.1308
Lauren 321.287.6684

Emerson is such a lucky little girl to have so many people who love her! Our family hopes that WE all can pass on knowledge and support for Down syndrome Awareness.

EMERSON’S ENTOURAGE ROCKS!!!!

Inspiration

Check out this site. It was sent to me by another mom who has a child with DS. It is truly beautiful!

http://andycamphotovideo.com/scarritt-bennett/josh-bernadettes-wedding-at-vanderbilts-scarritt-bennett-chapel-in-nashville/

365 Days Old

Yes, it's true..Little Emerson is ONE! Where does the time go? It's just so crazy how much life has changed from one year ago. Travis and I never knew how much love we could have for one precious little baby. We surely never could have predicted how much of an impact one little baby would have on so many!!


Backyard decorations





Thank you Aunt Audrey and Uncle Brian for my new cool chalkboard bench!


"I don't like cupcakes!"


Grammy and Little E dressed for the occasion.


My SUPER CUTE cake made by Aunt Megan! THANKS!


My polka dot food! Yum!!



Thanks Mrs. Segrest for my birthday get-up! :-)

On Saturday we had a small Polka Dot Party for Emerson to celebrate her bithday! She had a great time with her little neighborhood friends and immediate family members. Her new playroom is now fully stocked with a TON of new toys and she will continue to be the best dressed baby in Orlando! :-)