Dogaru Twins

Every now and then you come across a story that moves you. I mean, really truly moves you. Where you can’t stop thinking about them, they’re always on your mind. The Dogaru Twins did that to me.

I was watching Dateline MSNBC a few weeks ago. It was about conjoined twins who were successfully separated. I checked online for a follow up to the story and came across another set of conjoined twins in the search result.

The Dogaru Twins are 4 years old now and are joined at the head. Dad’s a Byzantine Catholic Priest and mom’s a nurse. They also have an older 6 year old sister. Maybe because the twins have never looked at one another in the eye or maybe they can’t be separated or maybe because there hasn’t been an update since last year, I haven’t stopped thinking about them since I found out about them last week. Instead, I searched all weekend for articles and updates. I’ve found more info about them, such as their condition occurs once out of 2.5 million and that only 10% of cases such as theirs live to 10 years of age.

It’s heartbreaking and I’ve thought about them and prayed for them. I just don’t understand why babies and little children have to suffer. They’re so beautiful and innocent, it tears me apart. And of course, I think of my own babies and how much they're able to do that the Dogaru girls cannot. Every day I'm thankful for L&B and after learning of the Anna & Tati, I'm even more grateful.

This morning I called the Childrens Hospital (that was going to do the surgery) for an update and there is none. They’re not checked in the hospital and they don’t even know if they’re still in the states OR if they’re still alive.

I poured all my energy this morning into finding how the twins are doing. I found articles written a year ago and contacted the writer (she no longer works for the newspaper, so then I had to do a little research on her!). Fortunately she emailed me back immediately and gave me a couple of leads. Out of the three, two fell through but I hit jackpot with the last. She suggested I contact the World Craniofacial Foundation. They helped the Dogarus and have kept in touch with them. When I called and asked for an update, the operator put me through Sue, the VP of the organization, who’s close to the family. Although she wasn’t at liberty to discuss their medical case with me, she did tell me the girls are still here in the U.S. and happy. I noticed she didn’t say ‘healthy’, but they’re happy. They’re four years old and just graduated preschool. They recently received a customized bike as a gift and are real girly-girls.

Sue relayed the cutest story to me. She visited the family recently. Anastasia, the larger twin in front, was playing happily with a doll house. Their mother, Claudia, gave a smaller house for Tatiana to play with. Anatasia got so engrossed, at one point she looked up and asked, ‘Where’s Tati?’ Tatiana replied, ‘I’m right here.’ Oh my gosh, Anastasia genuinely forgot they were attached! They both laughed over it. They’re happy for the time being, but as they get older everything is going to get more difficult for them.

Sue did give me some hopeful news, there’s a possibility of a surgery to separate them, giving them a chance at a longer life. Coincidentally she’s working on an update on the girls for the website. Hopefully it’ll be up sometime this week.

In the meantime, I’ve made a donation to the WCF and am putting together a care package for the girls. They don’t know who I am, but they’ve moved me so much I just want to send them a little something to let them know how much they mean to me.

I’m comforted to know they’re happy. I just pray for a miracle for them.

Baby Eggi

I read an article in the LA Times recently about a clothing line called Baby Eggi. Of course with a name like that, I had to mention it on our blog! Sounds cool, having a tat artist create for kids clothes. Those will be some truly hip babes! And best of all, a portion (20%) of the sales go to charity.

Oliver's DNA result

Several months ago, I sent away for a DNA test kit for Oliver. Since he’s a rescue pup, we have no idea what he is. We’ve been curious what his mix is and people ask all the time about him. He’s a great dog, although he does like to lick a little too much. He’s extremely friendly and loves to play with other dogs. Size or appearance doesn’t matter to him, he’s an equal opportunity canine lover. He’ll go right up to a Pit Bull or Great Dane and play with them as much as a Dachshund or Corgi. Therefore, I couldn’t resist when I came across the opportunity to find out what he is. DNA testing says he’s Chihuahua, Daschund and Irish Terrier. There may be other breeds in there as well, because they don’t test all of them. I’m satisfied with the results and confirmed our suspicions of what we thought all along. We think there might be some Pug in him too because his face is a little scrunched up and wrinkly like one.

Before we found out, we thought he might be part wiener and when Gymboree had an autumn wiener dog line, I had to get the outfits for L&B. It was my intention to have a photo shoot of the kids in their outfits with Oliver. Like other the best-laid plans gone awry, it never happened. The kids are almost too big for the clothes and summer is approaching, so we did an impromptu shoot this past weekend.

I envisioned the kids sitting or standing nicely with Oliver in between them. That so DID NOT happen. It was an ordeal to try to get all 3 of them in the same frame. Finally we had to resort to dog treats. We never had the kids give the treats before because 1) we were afraid they’d eat them (which they tried) or 2) Oliver might get too excited and nip their hands for the treats (which he did not - Good Puppy!). I didn’t get any great still shots, but I did get this cute video.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yes, it’s my birthday and a good one at that. No need to remind anyone how old I am, just know that it was a big one. Oh my!

The day started great, Mike got my car washed and picked up bagels for breakfast. The doorbell rang and I got a delivery from Snookies Cookies. OMG, if you’ve never had Snookies Cookies, you are seriously missing out. They deliver freshly baked cookies to your door. My wonderful friend, Dana, ordered me every single flavor as well as a carton of milk in a bucket of ice. Not only does this satisfy my sweet tooth, but makes me feel young again. Seriously, how can you beat milk & cookies?



Over breakfast Mike filled me in on what he planned. We were going to Palm Springs taking the tram.

Parking lot of the tram station.

Boarding the tram that holds 80 ppl. It also revolves 360 degrees the entire way up and down.

Pointing out the view to the kids.

Luke didn't like being in the tram, it freaked him out.

We had lunch at the top, Peaks restaurant with its amazing views. The next table over, there was another family celebrating a birthday. The mom’s was May 19th (my Dad’s birthday too) and the dad’s was May 22nd (same as me). Not only that, but they had a 6 mos old baby named Lucas! After lunch, we met another family who had a 1 year old. Guess what his name is? Yup, another Lucas! 'Luke/Lucas' isn’t even on the Social Security Popular Baby Names for 2007!



Bree, my animal lover, freaking out over the 'pet' squirrel they have at the restaurant. She doesn't like rodents.

Look at the sky's reflection on the windows.

Me trying to coax a smile out of Luke.

Mike hamming it up for the camera.

Twins in sync.

The second part he planned was a shopping trip at an outlet mall. Desert Hills Premium Outlet is one of the nicest ones. I was most excited they had a Gymboree store! Of course, I’m human and was also happy to see D&G, Gucci, Burberry, Crate & Barrel, Le Creuset and others. Unbelievably, though, it started raining HARD. So much so, it was impossible to do any shopping. Can you believe I walked away with socks, bib and a hat from Gymboree and nothing else?!?!? Yes, that was a bit of a let down.

Even though there was snow on the freeway (really really bizarre weather, esp for CA at the end of May!), we made it home fine. Here I got to open my presents and cards and eat thai take out. I got my choice of an extravagant gift, a practical gift and a sentimental gift. I’m not sure about the extravagant one, it’s too hard to justify although I did get a mini van last birthday! My practical one is a Blue Tooth Head Set for the car since it’ll be mandatory to have hands free in CA beginning next month. And the sentimental one is a framed picture of me and the kids.


The fun doesn’t end there. Saturday, we’re going to a place I’ve been dying to check out – Sprinkles Cupcakes. I guess we’re taking the goods to our friends for dinner. Authentic home made Italian food and cupcakes. Yummo!

Sunday, he arranged a shopping day with my sisters at Americana. It’s a new shopping center, like The Grove in LA. Very cool, very hip – I’m just looking forward to hanging out with mi hermanas.

Lastly, he called my junior high best friend, Gloria, and scheduled a haircut for me on Monday. Gloria is the only person that’s cut my hair for the past 20+ years. Even when I lived abroad, I always waited to have my hair cut by her. We’re all going to lunch afterwards.

What about Friday you ask? Well he had planned to take me to sushi at our favorite place but our sitter (his mom) isn’t available. I haven’t been there since before we got married, Mike went the night before our wedding with our out of town guests. Yes, it’s been a long time but I hear it’s still really good and he’s still known as the sushi nazi. This is the second time we’ve struck out. I’m beginning to wonder if Mike and I will ever go on a date sans kids. So much for me boasting we were going to have a date every month. I think we’ve been on 3 total and the kids will be 16 months next week.

So yes, I know my husband rocks and now so do you. Thanks Mike, Luke & Bree for a wonderful birthday.