Happenings

Sadie is scooting around in a circle using her bottom and legs.  I am so proud!  I can get her to turn in a complete circle by luring her with goldfish :)  She loves music so much! If I turn it off in the car, she wails like crazy.  She has quite a fan club at Ben's school. The family eats lunch together when we get a chance and at least 8 girls come up onto the stage and love on her.  They are so sweet!

I paid $800 in therapy bills this week :( I've tried so hard to get her more benefits, but to no avail.  I'm not giving up, though.

I received a traffic ticket in the mail for running a red light.  Those darn cameras! Tried to blame it on Greg, but looked at the calendar and saw he was working that day...

Ben is doing great in school.  He was Ronald Reagan for the Famous Americans Week and he did a wonderful job with his speech.  When he is proud or feeling lovey, he rubs my back. So sweet!  The other night, I caught him with his head lamp (a gift from dad) on and was about to get onto him, then realized he was reading the Bible :)

We are still waiting on the Nebraska offer.  I'm a bit annoyed, as I need to order his school supplies for next year and schedule swimming and camp for summer.  I'm not waiting much longer!  He has another interview in Georgetown on Monday.

Greg is working like crazy as usual!

Loved the royal wedding! Stared at our wedding pictures for a long time after :) 

Getting ready for Ben's 8th birthday!

Some recent pics I've not posted:

Palm Sunday

Dyeing Eggs

Easter 2011

Morning Curls

Sick

I am so very sick. On day 2 of antibiotics, but still running a fever of 102. The meds are strong and giving me nausea/vomiting, so I am also taking phenergan at night.  Not sure what I have - either a sinus infection or strep, but I thought for sure it was flu.  My body just aches and I cannot be up for long.  So glad Greg is home for a few days :) Sadie and Ben are so happy to have some time with him.

Not Loving It

Can you see her enthusiasm?

Arm immobilizers work, though.  She is keeping her glasses on more and more each day.

She is also breaking dishes.  We will put her plate 2 feet away and she will find a way to grab it, including pulling the tablecloth off of the table.  When this girl is hungry, she's hungry :) Just like her momma.

No pictures, but Friday we went to the zoo and she stared at the animals so intently.  We only made it through ten because she was staring so seriously, I hated to take her to the next exhibit.

Yesterday, we went to Lleyton's 2nd birthday party.  He has severe hypotonia and epilepsy.  It was wonderful to celebrate his life :)

We are off to church soon.  I need some quiet time :)

Truth Be Told

When I was a child, I was so interested in children with special needs. Really. I remember thinking I could have a child with Down's Syndrome or any other syndrome.  I think God listened.

Sometimes I tell God "You chose the wrong person. I can't do this. It hurts too bad.".

Sadie had a very detailed exam at the developmental pediatrician.  Her diagnosis was a little hard to hear.

Congenital Cerebral Palsy
Mental Retardation
Severe Hypotonia

It's never easy to process, and it has taken me at least 48 hours to swallow the prognosis.

On the positive side, having this diagnosis will help Sadie get more therapy :)  I refuse to drown in this.  It only fuels me to try harder to help her.

I love her more than I can say.  She is such an amazing child.  I can't wait for her to get up every morning.  She is missing her daddy so much and calling every man she sees "dada".  I can't wait for him to get home :)

Feeling the Same

Sadie is not accustomed to a 6 am wake-up call, but with Daddy in Nebraska, I have no choice but to wake her at that time to get her fed and dressed in order to get Ben to school on time.  She woke up 3 times last night.  I think she just knows when her Daddy is gone.  Finally, I had to let her cry it out :(
No, she is not wearing a "half shirt". She just has a full belly.

She had OT this morning, a trip to the park, lunch, and is now down for nap.

This afternoon, Ben has an eye appointment, then Cub Scouts.

In the morning, Sadie has an appointment in Tyler with a developmental pediatrician, who will give us some guidelines on her goals :)

Greg is safe and sound in Nebraska and we miss him so much, but love that he is able to visit with his family :)

On the menu: stuffed pork chops and rice

Sunday

Bullet points because I'm tired :)

-Nursery duty at church; we had already seen Greg off for his trip to Nebraska, but he was sweet enough to come by church and give us a little more love.  Guess who rec'd the most hugs/kisses? Yep, it was Miss Sadie :)

-Lunch with my babies - I'm still amazed at how much Ben can consume and only weigh 50 lbs! No fair!

-Grocery store

-Nap for Sadie; piano practice for Ben

-The movie Hop with the kids

-Quick dinner, then baths

-Almost bedtime... Yippee!

-Greg is safely in Nebraska - so thankful!

Wild West Saturday

Today we went to the fair grounds to watch a reenactment of the 1894 bank robbery in Longview.  Ben was VERY interested, as there was lots of fake shooting and cowboys everywhere.  Thank goodness Sadie loves loud noises.  There were so many children who had to leave the arena screaming.  Sadie and Ben enjoyed the petting zoo (piggies, goats, llamas, etc.). Ben jumped in both jump houses and crafted a "sheriff badge".  When we left, the temperature was 94 degrees!  Can't believe it is already that warm!

In other news, Greg is taking a 4 day trip to Nebraska beginning tomorrow.  Would you please pray for his safety?  We will miss him so much. He is such a great father and husband.  Last night, he looked up the name of one of the princesses on Sadie's pajamas because I didn't know her name and he just had to find out :) 

Birthday

I started off the day with a trip to the track.  Did more stands this time, and I am definitely feeling it this morning.  I then scurried around to get everyone ready for the day. Ben needed to be at school by 7:30 for assembly and Sadie needed to be at Windridge to ride by 8:30 (a 30 minute drive away).  I fed her "breakfast" (yogurt pretzels) at the grocery store in between :) Later, Sadie and I met Greg for a real breakfast.  It is becoming very clear to me that Sadie will start requiring her own plate.  I ordered eggs Benedict and she ate more than half! I planned on cleaning the house upon arrival home, but Sadie decided she would not be napping, so I was only able to put up the laundry and make my bed :) Picked up Ben from school and went to buy the weekly toy.  This may sound like he is spoiled, but if he makes "green" all week and does all of his chores, he is able to get something $10 or under. He cannot open the toy until all chores are done.  Yesterday, he cleaned his room, unloaded the dishwasher, picked up toys in Sadie's room, and cleaned out my car.  I wanted him to vacuum, but he isn't able to do that yet :( Can't wait for that!

Greg was working, but made every attempt to make my day special.  I received these in the mail from my sweet husband.

Ben asked me which card I liked best. You know what my response was.  I love when he picks out his own card and signs it.  He even signed it for Sadie :)

My sweet family gave me some great gifts as well.

Matching shams for my duvet from my mom

A check from my mother-in-law, Debbie - can't go wrong with $

A gift card for Ulta from my sister - we all know I could use this

Sadie gave me a great gift by wearing her arm immobilizers and glasses for over 2 hours!

Greg arrived home with sushi (woohoo!) and we all (minus Sadie who had early bed due to poor napping) listened to our new audio book.



Ben asked if he could sleep with me and I obliged.  He was out within 30 seconds and didn't kick me constantly :)

What a great birthday!