Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Smell the Roses!

"We worry about what a child will become tomorrow,
yet we forget that he is someone today" ~Stacia Tauscher

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Charlotte and Early Intervention!




Charlotte was evaluated for Early Intervention last week. Wow it's only been a week and I can already see improvements in what they were saying she's delayed in.

We had a Physical Therapist and a Speech Therapist come for the evaluation. They were very nice ladies and I was grateful for their knowledge of what we can do to help Charlotte progress.

There were only one or two areas that she was behind in for her age. Mostly her neck and hands. She still is a bobble head and she still is mostly fisted and when I have her on the floor she is still usually laying all out flat. But since a week ago her head is not so wobbly and she's able to grab on to more things. She still keeps her hands fisted but she's getting better and when I have her on the floor she's wiggling all over and has maneuvered her self in a circle on her little blanket. she's still only going half way to roll over. She gets up on to her side then rolls back down onto her back. She is holding her head up way farther then she has before when I lay her on her tummy. She still hates tummy time but she's getting better at keeping her nose off the ground.

They recommended 2 times a month for physical therapy and one time a month for Infant Education. We can deal with that and see how well we learn and she learns. We'll have a nutritionist come out in a couple months to help us learn the right things to feed her as she's already showing signs of pooping problems. I don't want to add to that problem by feeding her the wrong things that will back her up...

I'm getting really frustrated with the Clinic at DC Childrens. I've called and emailed with no replies and I've sent all her medical records and still no reply. I need to get into see them soon. I hate that I have not made contact with the neurosurgeon.

Charlotte is so precious and is getting prettier and fun and a joy to be around more and more each day. She's laughing a lot now and smiles every time I smile at her. I can't believe she's almost 5 months. It's going by so fast! I just love her to pieces. I'm not the only one though, Kathryn adores her little sister and loves to give her kisses and hugs! Daddy loves Charlotte time too!

Day 1 and 2 of Jolene's Visit! Zoo and Park and Swimming

Day 1 We headed out to the DC National Zoo! We met up with one of Jolene's friends from New Mexico and walked around the Zoo. Man it was hot that day. I think the next time I go to the zoo it's going to be late September when it's not so hot. Anyway they have some cool animals and exhibits.

The Panda Bears. They were so cute. I wish they would have been out in their habitat but it was hot so I understand them wanting to be inside where it's a little cooler. This was really neat to see them though. I've never seen a Panda up close!






Take a look at this giant Iguana! Their reptile exhibit was awesome. All kinds of snakes, turtles, alligators and lizards. I found out the other day that Boa's live birth their babies. Crazy. I thought all snakes layed eggs.


These guys were just hanging around over our heads. They have a 'pen' so to speak on two ends of these ropes and they can go back and forth as they please. I don't know why they can do this and why they don't get away so to speak but they just go from one 'pen' to another along these ropes. The Ape exhibit would have been awesome if their were any apes in their homes. It was about noon and hot so I'm not suprised they were not there but I hope next time there will be out. They have some gorillas that I would love to see. They even have special rules not to look at the gorillas right in the eye as it spooks them and makes them mad.


Day 2 I don't have pictures of Day 2 because I gave Matthew the camera to take pictures on a nature walk he took the kids on the night before and I forgot to get the camera back in my purse as we left the next morning. We went to Clemyjontri park. It is a park designed specifically for kids with disabilities. So those in wheelchairs can still go to a park and enjoy themselves and have fun on all the stuff that is there. Kathryn had a blast. So did Deven and Tamera's kids. I for sure am going back there. It's not to far away and well I totally wore Kathryn out. Anyone who wants to come and play is welcome. I'll get some pictures next time so you can see how awesome it really is.

After the park we went and got take out Greek food for the moms and some McDonalds for the kiddo's and then ate at the pool that Tamera is a member off. We went swimming and Kathryn loved that! I wanted Charlotte to try but it was cold and she was asleep when we got ready to swim. Kathryn pooped in her swim diaper though. So GROSS! When will she learn that is not a good thing to do?

After swimming we were all tired so we all came home to get cleaned up and pick up Ji, Jolene's husband from the Airport and then off to Dinner at Tamera's. That was a nice evening and I got to get better acquainted with Tamera. I hope to do some more things with her and have Kathryn become friends with their little girl. More new friends. I love it!

Jolene really packed all our days with stuff to do and see. We had Saturday and Sunday morning off but all the rest of the time was one thing after another! It was awesome.

4th Anniversary











Matthew is the best husband and father to our girls. We've been through a lot together especially in the last year. Who else can be in a 12 x12 room for 3 months out of the year and never leave each others side besides bathroom breaks and sometimes that wasn't even done alone as I needed some help sometimes. I guess it's both of our passive behaviors that allowed us to not get on each others nerves and just enjoy our time together.

I look forward to the next 4 years and the next 4 years and on and on for eternity.

8/28 Restoring Honor Rally






I got to attend the Restoring Honor Rally at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28th. My Dad flew out to go and my cousin and his girlfriend also came out to go to the event. I'm glad they did because I probably wouldn't have gone if they didn't come and I could go with someone.


We left our house at 12:00 Midnight and parked at the park and ride stop in Vienna. We got to the memorial around 1:30am and set up the chairs and blankets. I'm glad I brought some blankets as it did get a little chilly. It was fun to listen to all the people around us. Everyone was so nice and excited to be at a rally about faith and not politics. It would have been so much better if there was a smoking ban.

We were about 100 yards from the front of the memorial. It was awesome. More people came all the time. By the end of it people were all the way back to the Washington Monument. I've read all the numbers of how many people were that and not that I've seen half million people before, but I would guess it was close to that! I am honored to be numbered in that group of people

It was such an awesome feeling to be there with so many people of all faiths. I love the idea of going back to the original meaning of the Purple Heart of earning a Badge of Merit. Meaning it's not just one act of bravery or such it's your whole life of who you are and what good you are doing in our community and the world. He gave out 3 badges of Merit, One for Faith, One for Hope and one for Charity. I just hope that one day I can be able to say I've done well enough to have earned a little of each of these honors.

Glen Beck challenged us all to Pray and have FAITH, to have HOPE in the Truth, and Have CHARITY beginning with your home. The whole article is here. He asked us to pray in our homes, and to pray so our kids could see us, that they will see that we are sincere about changing our lives and praying for guidance in a world so filled with challenges and hardships. That they see we rely on Someone higher then our selves for help.

I believe that if all half million and all those that listened in and have since watched the event would do those things our nation, our communities, our homes will be better places to live and we can once again have harmony in our lives.



Charles and Kim. So snugly!

My dad was such a trooper that night. Being our all day and then not getting any sleep that night and then going all day the next night. I'm sure this will be an event he won't forget, even if it is the hurt and sore feet that he remembers. I'm glad I got to share this experience with him.





The above video is some of Glen Becks beginning speech. It was awesome!