It finally happened. I have waited for over a year for this day. There was a while that I thought it would never come.
I was sitting on the couch watching a show when Lauren stopped what she was doing and came over. For the next few minutes she proceeded to say every word in her vocabulary. Some were questions, but most were just comments that she says everyday. It was like she stored up a day's worth of talking and decided to let it all out in under two minutes.
Then the thought popped into my head that I knew was coming someday, "Is she ever going to stop talking?" I actually laughed after I heard myself say it. I've been waiting to say it because it means she is making great progress. Even though you can't un-ring this bell, I am happy that the day finally arrived.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Progress
You think you are doing a good job on your diet when all of a sudden something happens that makes you think that the progress you made was just a dream.
I was getting ice out of the freezer yesterday when out of nowhere, the alphabet song started playing. At first I thought I was going crazy. Then I realized that my stomach was pressing the button on a magnet that plays the ABC song. That's embarrassing. So much for feeling good about eating right.
I was getting ice out of the freezer yesterday when out of nowhere, the alphabet song started playing. At first I thought I was going crazy. Then I realized that my stomach was pressing the button on a magnet that plays the ABC song. That's embarrassing. So much for feeling good about eating right.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Helmet Head
Recently, Lauren got a scooter from her grandparents. Along with the scooter, they gave her a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads. Considering Lauren falls a lot (like me), it was a good addition.
After Lauren would finish playing with the scooter, she would keep the helmet on for a little while. I figured she just liked to feel safe long after the ride was over. Lately, however, the helmet has been going on and she never even touches the scooter. She just wears the helmet all day.
One day I came out of the room to find her with her pajama top, a pull-up, and her helmet on while sitting on the couch watching the Upside Down Show on the couch. Her hair wasn't even brushed and she hadn't even eaten breakfast, but the helmet was on. There were times I had to force her to take it off because she was running around the house with the helmet on sweating to death. She would just make laps around the house sweating with every step. She won't move an inch unless it was fastened under her chin with the strap.
Maybe she doesn't love the helmet. Maybe my house is just that dangerous for 3 year olds. Either way, it's a riot to watch.
After Lauren would finish playing with the scooter, she would keep the helmet on for a little while. I figured she just liked to feel safe long after the ride was over. Lately, however, the helmet has been going on and she never even touches the scooter. She just wears the helmet all day.
One day I came out of the room to find her with her pajama top, a pull-up, and her helmet on while sitting on the couch watching the Upside Down Show on the couch. Her hair wasn't even brushed and she hadn't even eaten breakfast, but the helmet was on. There were times I had to force her to take it off because she was running around the house with the helmet on sweating to death. She would just make laps around the house sweating with every step. She won't move an inch unless it was fastened under her chin with the strap.
Maybe she doesn't love the helmet. Maybe my house is just that dangerous for 3 year olds. Either way, it's a riot to watch.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
July 18
It's official. July 18th at 2:50, Lauren will have her surgery. Of course, I am a little nervous, but I know it is for the best. The only thing that concerns me more is that I have to keep food away from Lauren ALL day. The last time she is allowed to eat is 6:50 am. That's going to make for a long day.
Please keep her in your prayers that day. She had a really hard time waking up from the last time she was under anesthetics. I would really love it if everything went really smoothly. Thanks everyone!!!!
Please keep her in your prayers that day. She had a really hard time waking up from the last time she was under anesthetics. I would really love it if everything went really smoothly. Thanks everyone!!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Another Surgery
We went to Lauren's Orthopedic Surgeon to make sure everything was developing the way it should. It's just one of the many appointments we go to for preventative measures concerning the hemi-plagia. On our last visit, the doctor suggested an outpatient surgery that would help Lauren gain more movement with her foot allowing her to actually get her foot on the ground instead of walking on tip-toes. We mulled it over for a month and went back yesterday to talk more about it. We decided that it would be a good idea.
The doctor is going to lengthen her achillies tendon by making three little incisions at the ankle. He will then stretch her tendon and put her in a cast. As she heals, tendon will grow in the places that were cut, thereby, lengthening the tendon. There will be a week of recovery and 4 weeks in a cast. The actual surgery will take about 30 minutes.
There is a 5% chance that she will have to have this surgery again before age 10. Pretty good odds, I thought. There is also a little, to no chance that they will lengthen the tendon too much. With as tight as Lauren's foot is, there is really no way to lengthen too far.
There were a couple of other problems that the doctor noticed. He said that Lauren's tibia is still twisted. It happens to all babies when they are born, but naturally straighten as they develop. With the CP, Lauren's never fully straightened. He also said that her knee doesn't bend properly. He could graph a muscle from the front of her knee to the back to correct the problem. Both of those things are hours of surgery and very invasive. He wanted to try this first. He thinks that If we fix the walking, the other stuff might fix itself. I happen to agree with that idea.
We are waiting for the call back from the office to schedule our date. I'll keep you posted.
The doctor is going to lengthen her achillies tendon by making three little incisions at the ankle. He will then stretch her tendon and put her in a cast. As she heals, tendon will grow in the places that were cut, thereby, lengthening the tendon. There will be a week of recovery and 4 weeks in a cast. The actual surgery will take about 30 minutes.
There is a 5% chance that she will have to have this surgery again before age 10. Pretty good odds, I thought. There is also a little, to no chance that they will lengthen the tendon too much. With as tight as Lauren's foot is, there is really no way to lengthen too far.
There were a couple of other problems that the doctor noticed. He said that Lauren's tibia is still twisted. It happens to all babies when they are born, but naturally straighten as they develop. With the CP, Lauren's never fully straightened. He also said that her knee doesn't bend properly. He could graph a muscle from the front of her knee to the back to correct the problem. Both of those things are hours of surgery and very invasive. He wanted to try this first. He thinks that If we fix the walking, the other stuff might fix itself. I happen to agree with that idea.
We are waiting for the call back from the office to schedule our date. I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Vacation
I am back from a week long vacation and plunging head first into reality. There was a lot that happened so I thought I would give you the highlights of our Myrtle Beach adventure. So without further ado, here are the top ten things that happened on my vacation:
1) I burnt myself to a crisp. Apparently, people as fair as I am burn easily. Even with 50 sunscreen.
2) I peeled like a lizard and got burnt again. Apparently, the new skin underneath the burn is really sensitive even when wearing 50 sunscreen and a t-shirt over top the swimsuit. Who knew?
3) We stayed in a house named the Sea Unicorn. It looked like a mermaid from the 70's threw up all over the place.
4) The lady that owned the house owned a gazillion cats. Every time you stepped outside five or six would jump and run away. I had a heart attack everytime it happened thinking that some creature was going to jump at me and scratch my eyes out.
5) I tried to use self tanning cream. Me and self tanners are not friends. I look like a leopard. At least for the next three days anyway.
6) I hurt myself getting out of the shower. I have a baseball size bruise on my hip. I look like I got hit by a car. Don't ask, just know that I am a clumsy person.
7) Lauren learned to hold her nose and go under the water. The only problem is that she gets so excited that she laughs before her head comes back up and she chokes. Both funny and scary at the same time.
8) Lauren learned to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Patty Cake and has not stopped singing them since.
9) It only took us 4 hours to get to the beach. Lauren was an angel down and back.
10) Lauren had a great time playing with her cousins. She is so bored now that it is just me and Ty. She spent the day asking for her grammy, pap-pap, and her cousins.
It's good to be home. Can't wait to get into my own bed where I hopefully won't get hurt now that I am on home turf. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
1) I burnt myself to a crisp. Apparently, people as fair as I am burn easily. Even with 50 sunscreen.
2) I peeled like a lizard and got burnt again. Apparently, the new skin underneath the burn is really sensitive even when wearing 50 sunscreen and a t-shirt over top the swimsuit. Who knew?
3) We stayed in a house named the Sea Unicorn. It looked like a mermaid from the 70's threw up all over the place.
4) The lady that owned the house owned a gazillion cats. Every time you stepped outside five or six would jump and run away. I had a heart attack everytime it happened thinking that some creature was going to jump at me and scratch my eyes out.
5) I tried to use self tanning cream. Me and self tanners are not friends. I look like a leopard. At least for the next three days anyway.
6) I hurt myself getting out of the shower. I have a baseball size bruise on my hip. I look like I got hit by a car. Don't ask, just know that I am a clumsy person.
7) Lauren learned to hold her nose and go under the water. The only problem is that she gets so excited that she laughs before her head comes back up and she chokes. Both funny and scary at the same time.
8) Lauren learned to sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Patty Cake and has not stopped singing them since.
9) It only took us 4 hours to get to the beach. Lauren was an angel down and back.
10) Lauren had a great time playing with her cousins. She is so bored now that it is just me and Ty. She spent the day asking for her grammy, pap-pap, and her cousins.
It's good to be home. Can't wait to get into my own bed where I hopefully won't get hurt now that I am on home turf. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Close call
The hearing aids are fixed! Lauren's audiologist fixed Lauren's hearing aids in about 5 minutes and I felt much better. She fit me in between patients, cut a new tube and sent me on my way. I have never experienced relief like I did on that day. I think I am going to duct tape oven mitts on Lauren's hands when she gets on the bus.
Don't call DSS, I'm just kidding!
Don't call DSS, I'm just kidding!
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