Before my son was born I prayed that he would be a leader among men. I prayed for him to have integrity and a heart for God and others. I prayed that he would help those in - and that he would stand up for others, those that maybe cannot do so for themselves,  as well as for his own beliefs. I prayed for him to be kind, loving, gentle yet firm. I prayed for him to do mighty and wondrous things in God's name. 

Within his first year of life I began witnessing some of these things come into fruition and through his short three years here on this earth I've seen it multiple. Just last week, as I was walking him into school he turned to me and said, "Stay here mommie." I was shocked. "Stay here?" I asked, "Stay here mommie." he repeated, this time throwing his hands in front of me to stop me. I stood baffled. He took his lunch box from me, slung his backpack - which is as big as he is I might add - over his back and walked himself into the gym at school. Of course I walked behind him and made sure the teacher knew he was there. How was this happening? He only turned 3 in April! As the tears stung my eyes I made my way back to my car before breaking down. I was so proud and so sad at the same time. How could my little boy be so independent? But he is, fiercely so. In all honestly, he's been independent since he could crawl, so this shouldn't have been a surprise.  He has to do everything himself, if you help him and he doesn't ask for it he will do it (whatever it is) all over again.

He is determined and knows what he wants, but he is loving and kind. Last week we went out to eat at a small establishment we've been going to for years. The owner let my son, GG, play with his son's toy. When his son returned i could tell that he wanted his toy back. GG, being the 3 year old that he is, did not want to give up said toy. "It's my toy." He said while looking defiantly at his dad and I. In my head I'm thinking, "... here we go, full on meltdown on the way.." I explained to him that the toy was in fact the little boy's. That the little boy let him play with it. My son took this all in and you could see his mind working around this, trying to understand. Finally it clicked. He got down and walked halfway to the owner of the toy, but then came back. Again, I explained and pointed out how nice it had been for him to share his toy. This time GG walked to the table where the little boy sat. Again he walked back to us with the toy. A few minutes later my son walked back to the table where the toy's little owner was sitting and place the toy on the table, he turned back to us and got halfway before he began crying. My husband swooped him up and we praised him. Needless to say we took him to the store to pick out a toy!! Here's the thing - at 3 years old it took him a few times, but he got it and he wanted to do the right thing even though it was extremely hard for him to do. At 3 years old he has more integrity than some adults I'm come across in life. 

I'm raising a leader. A strong-willed (wild) child. He never stops. He pushes and questions everything. Everything seems to turn into a fight at some point or another. That's when my husband points out, "You prayed for this." Yes, yes, I did. I prayed for this wonderful, determined, strong willed, wild, sweet, loving, silly little future leader. I wouldn't have him any other way. He is perfection to me even on the days where I feel like I'm failing as a mother - when I'm tired and frustrated and feel like I'm doing it all wrong. All he has to do is give me a smile or wrap his little arms around me for a hug and nothing else matters. He is everything I prayed for and more and I cannot wait to see the man he becomes. Until then I will remember to enjoy every single moment. 

Two years ago my only real experience with asthma had been few friends and my sweet little Chihuahua, Dink. Then the month after my son, GG, turned a year old (May of 2015) our personal journey with this breath taker began. What started as a cough and some raspy breathing turning into wheezing and my little guy gasping to get air. It was his first emergency visit. We were terrified and didn't know exactly what the culprit was, but the one thing I knew was that in a matter of hours my baby went from breathing normally to breathing fast, hard and struggling. At the hospital it was confirmed possible, but due to his age it wasn't official. At our follow up appointment we were told to keep him inside, given a plan of action and another follow up appointment three weeks later. Three weeks came and he could have breathing treatments spaced out more and was allowed outside for short periods for another month.

Over that first year it was off and on. He got hit with it hard again a month before his second birthday. Then for almost eight months it seemed to go dormant. During the past year it's been ear infections that we seem to be battling more or so I thought until we rounded a corner in life and ran smack back into the little air sucker - asthma.  Two week ago GG broke out in a rash and had a terrible time breathing. We ended up back in the ER. Unlike the first time, at this point, he'd already been officially diagnosed and we knew in part what we were dealing with. A respiratory therapist took time to come in and really schooled us on asthma. We learned things that the primary care doctors had never told us. 

I wanted to share all of this information with any and everyone. See, for me, I knew that asthma was dangerous, I knew that it could be deadly, but the gravity of how bad it is even when they're having an attack and you don't know it, is something I never thought about. For instance, a child can be wheezing even if you don't hear it. Did you know that? I didn't! 

If you or someone you know has a child with asthma, wrap your head around this - asthma kills over 3,000 Americans every year. Sometimes asthma is set off by viral infections, pollen, exposure to animals, or exercise. More Americans than ever before have asthma — about 24 million people in the U.S. have asthma. It is one of the most common and costly diseases.

I knew that wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath were from asthma, it's the most common talked about symptoms, BUT did you know that the following are symptoms as well:

1. Increased heart rate
2. Sneezing
3. Watery eyes
4. Runny nose
5. Chest or neck pulled in/shoulders hunched over
6. Tiredness
7. Tummy aches
8. Scratchy throat
9. Chest tightness

Did you also know that you can go weeks, months or years with no symptoms. It doesn't mean that you no longer have asthma. It just means that you haven't been triggered. Asthma DOES NOT go away, there is NO cure. 

Do you know what happens when someone is having an asthma attack? 
During the asthma attack, the muscles tighten around your airways and, the lining of the airways become swollen or inflamed and thicker mucus -- more than normal -- is produced. 



There should ALWAYS be a plan of action that anyone who may keep your child has on hand. Notice I said on hand. Instructions should be written down step-by-step and you should always go over it step-by-step with them as well. Make a copy for grandparent's homes, school, your house, the babysitter -- everyone! 

Seek medical help immediately for:

• Fast breathing with chest retractions (skin sucks in between or around the chest plate and/or rib bones when inhaling)
• Cyanosis (very pale or blue coloring in the face, lips, fingernails)
• Rapid movement of nostrils
• Ribs or stomach moving in and out deeply and rapidly
• Expanded chest that does not deflate when you exhale
• Infants with asthma who fail to respond to or recognize parents

I don't have to tell you how important your child is. See that little guy? He's my heart and I would never forgive myself if something happened to him from my lack of information. He will be three next month and it's still a struggle. I'm over protective and I'm okay with that. Knowing how deadly asthma can be I'd rather be safe then have anything happen to him that could be avoided. 

​Please share this with anyone you feel may need to know. It may save a life. I pray that the information I've included gets to those who could need it. 

We've taken Gregory to Disney for the past several years. Granted the first time he was 8 months. He stayed in his stroller while we enjoyed Mickey's Christmas and slept through it. Last year however he was able to ride several rides, but this year! Oh this year was magic! He's getting close to the big "3" now and the difference just the year made was amazing! 

A 2 year old at Disney- the thought may make you cringe. It use to make me cringe, I won't even lie! It was so much easier than taking a 1 year old. At 1 he got bored with so much. While there were things that held his attention (It's A Small World held it the longest!), there was still so much that he couldn't do yet. I'm not saying it wasn't fun, but it wasn't AS fun.

This year, at 2, when we told him who he was going to get to see he knew  who we were referring to and he was EXCITED! So excited in fact that he didn't sleep the night before, so yes, we greatly regretting not waiting until the morning of! This year was special. This year he was ready and boy did it make a difference! 

In my opinion there is no ideal age to take your little ones. If you want to take them when they're tiny babies, do it! When they're that little it's for you anyway, not them. 

I thought I'd share some tips with other toddler mommies out there! 

[01] Get the mydisneyexpericnce app. It's worth it! Find out if your park is doing the extra magic hour that day. If they are it means they're open an hour early and if you already have your ticket/magic band you can take advantage of this! Go early! Always go as early as you can!!

[02] Set your fast passes on your app! You can set 3 to begin with. DO IT! Once your three fast passes are out you can choose one at a time until you run out. Typically I think you get about three more, but with all the walking around and extras you may fit it, it's enough! 

[03] Your toddler can walk, does this mean ditch the stroller? While it would be so cool to go without - it's a must to have. Those little legs can only do so much and eventually that little one will need a nap! Take the stroller! 

[04] Take things that will fit under the stroller or on it. Don't make yourself drag around unneeded items all day. They get heavy very fast!

[05] Again, back to the app. This thing can show you restrooms AND baby centers. What's a baby center? Well, they're amazing for one! Baby centers are fully staffed and have all things baby! Here's a list of what they have: 

• Private nursing room with rocking chairs 
• Changing room with tables and a unisex bathroom 
• Feeding area with highchairs 
• Kitchen with microwave, oven and sink 
• Main room with television, table, chairs and sofa 
• On-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing for purchase

[06] Know what your toddler likes and aim for that. Know their limits. Don't push what you want because frankly, we all know, a toddler whats only what interests them! 

[07] HAVE FUN. Don't get caught up in rushing or getting to this or that. Just enjoy it.