Conner's garden 2010

Very exciting to see blooms in Conner's garden already!!! Many more to come, but the Magnolia is just stunning right now.

The next Gov????

This little piece was featured in March's issue of the Baltimore Magazine and how special is it that Conner was featured as #1. Although not formally announced, we are anticipating that former Governor Ehrlich will be running again. Needless to say he will have our vote!

Since Conner's diagnosis we were fortunate enough to introduce Conner to Governor Ehrlich. We shared Conner's story with him and his wife and they then shared our journey with us. Governor Ehrlich has always been a great support to us - he is compassionate and caring. You know you have truly impacted someone when they hold your son as he is dying and they are shedding tears with you. We are thankful that now 3 years since Conner's death he is still remembered and that Governor (maybe soon to be active Governor) Ehrlich is helping us teach the world about Tay-Sachs!

Soooooo......if he decides to run again - our vote is going to Governor Ehrlich!

Avery 18 1/2 months

Hard to believe little Avery is growing up. She has added "uh oh" and "yummm" to her words list which brings her total to 4 words. We also got the official word that Avery is scheduled for her appointment and surgery for the beginning of June. These photos were from our little 18 month photoshoot - she was not very cooperative. She is teething up a storm - cutting 3/4 molars and one lateral incisor, so there have been a lot of fun times in the Hopf house. Also.....have you all seen the March issue of Baltimore Magazine? Post details later.

Suddenly it's March?

March means we are getting closer to spring and getting these children outdoors!!!! We have had snow on the ground for a month now and since it's all melting - the yard is like a mud pit (and with three golden retrievers - I mean that literally!) I cannot wait to start spending some time outside.

Avery is now 18 months old and at her last appointment she was 32 inches (77%) 22.8 pounds (23%) so she is getting taller and staying thin! The doctor wasnt concerned about speech - she spent some time watching her interact with me (while she was wearing only a diaper and snow boots because she insisted) and felt confident that she is doing really well and her receptive language is great and the expressive language is on it's way. Avery understands just about everything we tell her - getting a specific toy, body parts, putting stuff in the trash (even though sometimes she does that all by herself and we find toys and sippy cups in the trash) and tons of other things. So for now, we hear "duh" all day for "dog" and wait for more words to come along! We are still waiting to hear a final confirmation on UCLA, but we are planning for the beginning of June.