Search This Blog

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

VACATION '09











Vacation officially started at 7:20am on Tues. July 14, 2009. Renee wanted to leave by 4:30 but got out voted. Just for the record......I WAS up at 4am and making pancakes at 4:15am!




Once we got the family loaded up it was time to head to New Hampshire. We made one pit stop and arrived in North Conway by 11am. We stayed in Bartlett, NH at the North Colony Motel. The place was immaculate and very accommodating. The have a nice pool and a great play area for the kids. While in NH we went to Story Land, hit the outlets, went for a ride on the HOBO RAILROAD, took a walk to the Old Man in the Mountain, walked to the Basin, and Clark's Trading Post gift shop. The kids were very good and Abby was amazing. She still managed to nap on schedule and sleep through the night. At Story Land she went on several rides and played in the sand box.








On Friday it was time to head to Queensbury, NY to the Great Escape Lodge. We set the GPS to avoid freeways so we could take a nice scenic ride through NH and VT. It took about 4 hours to get there. The kids had no idea what we were going there for. When they ever saw the indoor water park, they flipped out!!!!! Once we checked into the rooms the kids went to the water park. We finally talked them into having dinner. They were such fish while we were there. There was also an arcade and other activities that you could pay for. On Sat. night, the kids did s'mores with Scooby Doo (Brooke's favorite character).




We went mini golfing one day, the guys went and played lazer tag and rode go carts while the girls hung out and rented a movie. One day I went into Lake George Village to scope things out. There were so many little shops (Eric still thinks I did not buy anything, lol...just kidding). I did get something small for all the kids.




We were having such a great time that we ended up staying one extra night. On Monday the kids went back to the lazy river (in the water park) for one last hurrah. We pack up the van and left about 10:45am and got home about 2:15pm.




Now we are tired, broke, hungry, and in a mess. Thinking about posting for a housekeeper on Craig's list because we got so spoiled on vacation...HA HA.

GO, ABBY, GO







OK, I know it has been months since the last post but it is worth the wait!!!!!! Abigail has exploded in the last month. She started sensory integration therapy and crainosacral therapy.
The sensory therapy has been SO awesome for her. They do a lot of swinging, bouncing, brushing and vibrations on her. It seemed to us that right after her first appointment she was a different baby.

She is now getting into a sit by herself. She is still trying hard to get out of a sit the correct way. She is commando crawling and knows exactly where she wants to go and what she wants when she gets there! She is now eating many different textures and self feeding herself "finger foods". She is finally using a sippy cup and off the bottle!!!! WOO HOO!!!! She is doing great touching grass, sand and other textures and just starting to mouth objects.

And the best of all.......she is communicating! She now raises her arms to be picked up, reaches out for you, waves, blows kisses, gives high fives and is recognizing basic sign language and even doing the "more" sign herself.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

One Year and Easter Pictures
















GREAT, GREAT, GREAT NEWS!!!


Abby had her urology appt. on 4/2. The ultrasound showed no fluid on the kidneys. The VCUG showed NO REFLUX!!!! She does not have to go back to urology for 1 whole year!!!! This is the best news we have gotten in a long time!!!! She may still be prone to getting bladder infections but at least they will not damage her kidneys. The Dr. says it will be more annoying than damaging. This kid has paid her dues!

The Gang




Report cards just came out and the kids did great!!!! Logan went up in a lot and Brooke made honor roll (again!). Soccer season just started. Both kids have practice on Wed. nights at 2 different fields, of course. Opening day is 4/25.

Abby is continuing with therapy and making strides every day. She still has out patient PT twice a week and in home PT twice a month. Now that she is one, she has a teacher once a month and OT twice a month.
We have an ENT follow up on 4/14 and a hearing test. She has neuro in May and the eye Dr. in June.

Look Who's One
















Abby turned one on March 27th. We had a big party for her on the 28th. She was in such a good mood and had a great day. It was so great that all most all of our family and friend could be there. The theme of her party was Rubber Duckie. I made her a duck cake that actually came out pretty good. I also made her a "Crabby" Abby cake. Brooke and Logan made duck cut out cookies for the kids to frost at the party. The weather was beautiful and she got a lot of great gifts. There was way too much food!!!!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

We Have A Sitter!!!!

Abby is finally sitting unsupported!!!! She is still a bit wobbly and will fall back, but not nearly as often as before. She is eating lots of different things and starting to self feed. She is trying to crawl. I have no doubt that once she masters sitting she will be crawling all over. We can't wait to start baby proofing!!!! (Someone remind me that I just said that once she is into everything, lol)

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Our Troublemakers















Abby's Progress




Abby still goes to PT twice a week and gets birth to three services at home. She is really working hard and has come a long way! She is still working at independant sitting, crawling and weight bearing on legs. She is talking up a storm and rolling all over trying to get into trouble! Her urology appt. is fast approaching, we are hoping for good news!

Logan's basketball

Logans recreation season has ended. Logan learned a lot about the game and some new skills. He had fun but is talking about doing hockey again next winter (woo hoo!!). He is now looking forward to spring soccer.

7 and 0


Brooke just finished her basketball season UNDEFEATED!!!!!!! She played point guard for the last game and did really well. She had never played this position before and showed a lot of potential. Congrats on a great season Brooke!!!! Now it is on to Wizard of Oz. She is playing the part of a munchkin and Thursday is opening night. Break a leg!!!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Thursday, January 29, 2009

So Much To Say...







Well, all the kids are keeping us very busy. Logan (to the left in the shorts, dribbling)is doing his basketball on Saturdays now and Brooke has her basketball twice a week and she is also practicing for The Wizard of Oz. She also had 8 teeth pulled this week and got $10 from the Tooth Fairy! Abby is doing wonderful. She rolls all over now and is getting into mischief! We find her playing in the DVDs and sometimes she rolls into things and gets stuck. We have been waiting for this moment! She is talking up a storm now too. She says Mama, Hi, and makes lots of other noises like the B sound, S sound and T sound. HMMMM.... I feel like I am forgetting something, but what? OH, she is now saying DA DA!!!!!!!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Birth to Three came today

Where do I start? Abby's therapist got to see her rolling over. Now that she has started, she goes from one end of the room to the other. She worked on "crawling" to toys. Ab was starting to scoot on her belly, with help. She also worked on getting into and out of sit positions. Still is still very awkward for me. I also have some practicing to do. She was able to prop on her arms for about 6 seconds and did well propped and side sitting. She did some weight bearing exercises for her legs. She worked very hard for about 40 min. and definitely earned her nap today!!

Monday, January 19, 2009

WOO HOO ABBY!!!

Well....on Saturday, Brooke told us that Abby rolled from her back to her belly. Today, Eric was able to confirm that. Keep it up kido!!!!!!!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Abby update







Abby had PT on Wed. This was a new therapist, so it was more of a meet and greet. On Thurs. Birth to Three came out and worked Abby very hard. She did a lot on the therapy ball and lots of sitting. She was helping Abby get into a sit position from being on her belly. As you can see in the first picture (the one on the table) she was very floppy a couple weeks ago. Abby will now sit for a few seconds without support and is still learning to roll onto her belly. It is amazing how much stronger she gets everyday. The B-3 therapist was very happy with the strides she has made. Now that her head control is better, we really need to work on upper body and core strength.
ABBY IS NOW SAYING MAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo...sorry daddy :(

Brooke's game 1/16/09

WOW...What a game!!!! Brooke's team won 16-4. Brooke took three shots and GOT ONE IN!!!!
This was her first basket in a game! She got the rebound and went right up with it!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Today's ENT Appointment


Abby had her ENT follow up today. I am happy to report that her ears were free from fluid!!! Her initial hearing test that was done in December showed mild conductive hearing loss. It was decided at her appt. today that she would be followed up in 3 months with a regular hearing test and. Eric and I feel that she is hearing better. She reacts to sounds and her name from the side and behind, instead of straight on. Her balance also seems to be improved!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Brooke's first game


Brooke had her first game last night. They won with a score of 10-3, even though someone on her team shot on the wrong basket...oops!!! Brooke did great in warm ups and took to shots during the game. She had some great passes and did a terrific job on defense. Maybe next game she will have some numbers on the board!!
(Brooke is in the orange shorts, #14)

Abby update


I have been doing a lot of searching online for different ideas, suggestions and thoughts regarding all of Ab's medical issues. I came across a message board and started talking with other moms. One suggestion for "tummy time" was to use a portable dvd player on the floor with her Baby Einstein video. It worked great!!! 20 min the first night and 16 min the second night.


Abby has really improved over the past week. She seems to be getting stronger and will now turn toward someone calling her name and some sounds!!!! She is rolling over like a mad woman from tummy to back. Now that she has master this skill, it has been so hard to keep her on her belly!! She rolls onto her sides easily and with help did roll from back to belly twice last night. Currently she wears a patch on her right eye for 2 hours a day to strengthen her left eye, which is just a little lazy. She loves to make eye contact and will laugh at just about anything!


Today is the last day of the meds for her infection and tomorrow she will go back on the preventative meds.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Past and Current Meds.

Preventative or treatment meds, past and present
Furadantin
Keflex
Amoxicillin
Bactrum
Macrobid (currently)
Cipro
Ampicillin (IV)
gentamicin (IV)

Others
Iron (currently)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Upcoming appts. for Abby 2009

Jan 15 (thurs) Birth to Three 11:00am
Jan 21 (mon) Birth to Three 9:00am
Jan 21 (mon) PT 2:00pm
Jan 23 (fri) Renal Ultrasound 10:0am, Urology 10:45am with Dr. Makari
Jan 28 (wed) PT 2:0pm
Jan 29 (thurs) 6 week eye f/u with Dr. Mitchell 11:15am
Jan 30 (fri) PT 2:00pm
Feb 10 (tues) Neurology f/u with Dr. Kleiman 10:00am
April 14 (tues) Audiology 9:0am, ENT 10:15am with Dr. Batti. Hearing test and office visit.

TAYLOR





This is my stepdaughter Taylor. She is 11 and in the sixth grade. She is a good student. She is artistic and very good when it comes to electronics. She enjoys music and Hanna Montana. She likes to play Wii and DS.

Crabby Abby, before and after

















Some before and after pics of Abby's eyes.

BROOKE














This is my wonderful fourth grader, Brooke. She is 9 years old and has many accomplishments. She has received Student of Month twice, Student of the Marking period, CMT award, and Perfect Attendance. Brooke plays soccer and is in her second season of basketball. She has improved a ton! She has played softball in the past as well as dance and ice skating. She is a great asset in the kitchen. She is a great big sister and a big help around the house.