Q: What is Piper Jane’s condition called and how does it effect her?
A: It’s called CCMS and it mostly effects Piper Jane physically, specifically with her respiratory system. There are many minor anomalies, but the bigger ones are that she has an underdeveloped chin, a severely crooked spine and is missing half of her rib cage. The combination of these problems prevents her from breathing on her own, so she relies on a ventilator. She requires so much support that it’s not safe for her to be home with us. Which is basically suck-central. If you want to read more posts that I’ve written about CCMS, click here, here, here and here.

Q: How old is Piper Jane?
A: It depends on when you read this. Right now she is 3 years, 7 months, 9 days, 9 hours and 26 minutes old. How obnoxious was that? She was born on May 21st, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. I’m jeal’ that she has a May birthday.

Q: Lots of people can live at home on ventilators, why do you choose to have Pippy in the hospital?
A: I know, thanks for rubbing it in! It would be completely dangerous to have a child so fragile and vent dependent away from regular doctor/nurse care. Plus we’re just not even allowed…meaning, it’s not even an option for us.

Q: Why did you move to NYC?
A: Because I wanted to real bad. I used to not have any obligations or responsibilities and I took full advantage of that by being carefree and adventurous. I lovingly pat my younger self on that back for that one (because now “responsibilities” seems to be my unwanted middle name). Maybe I didn’t get all “A”s back in trig, but I did fun things in my youth. So take that Mr. Hafen(<-trig teacher).

Q: Your husband is hot!
A: Thanks?

Q: Why do you blog?
A: I love to write stories of my experiences. I feel so comfortable writing and adding my own spice to make things funny or different (even if it just me and/or Jake laughing). At first I think it was just Jake and my sisters reading my blob, and that was all I ever expected. It has been so fun and flattering to gain more blob friends along the way and I look forward to comments, emails and following your blogs too. I’ve received so much love and support for Pip through blogging that I really feel pretty attached to it.

Q: How did you and Jake meet?
A: We met in February of 2005 just a month after I moved to NY. I had only made one friend in the city and she accidentally introduced us to each other. I say accidentally because I don’t think she knew we were going to marry each other’s a’s. Which we did about 2 years later. Holla’.

Q: How can I get into running?
A: So awesome! I support you running. The easiest way to get into running, is to force yourself to enjoy it. Don’t think about how much it hurts and instead think about the scenic path you’re running on and the rush you get from sweating. You’ll love it sooner than you imagined. Also, set goals! Sign up for a 5k, 10k or 1/2 marathon. Good luck!

Q: I’m traveling to NYC, what do you recommend?
A: I recommend you go to the top of the rock, row some boats in central park, take a jog along the hudson river path, see a show on broadway, eat a giant cookie at levain bakery, walk accross the brooklyn bridge, have brunch at kitchenette, see the NYC ballet, shop at uniqlo/h&m/zara/topshop/muji/madewell and any other little boutique you pass along the way, wander the pretty streets of the west village, go to the MOMA and the Met, get a real NY slice of pizza at Koronet, take the subway, get an italian pie (pizza) at Grimaldi’s or Patsy’s, go to the donut plant, have a cupcake at crumbs or billy’s or magnolia, watch some street performers at union sq or washington sq park, go to the brooklyn flea market, take the ferry to governor’s island for a picnic and bike riding, listen to some live jazz at smoke in harlem, check out times sq (I really do think tourists should go there, it’s basically awesome), look for celebrities, eat a burger at shake shack, get a drink from Starbucks and walk around the city admiring its beauty.