Daddy's Log 20101024

Saturday morning Christina woke up at 03:00. To quote an old movie; "what does the '0' mean, oh my god it's early". Christina was wide eyed and cheery. We sat downstairs for a little while and then I told Christina she had to go back to bed. I put her back in bed with some hugs and kisses and crawled back into bed myself. I listened until the princess fell asleep. She slept in until about quarter to nine. We had several choices of activities for the day, but took it easy. I don't want Christina to get sick. It was rainy all day. We played a little, read a little, worked on some letters and sounds. She took a long nap too.

Christina has been very good about showing me what she would like to do. Friday night we did some walking. When she wanted to be done I asked what she wanted to do next. Christina tried to tell me, but I couldn't understand. I asked her to show me and she proceeded to wiggle around me and started walking again. She walked over to the stereo and looked at me with a smile. I turned on some music and we sang and danced. Christina gives me a proud look when I figure out what she is telling(or showing) me.

Saturday Christina woke up at three AM with a smile. I held her for a while sitting downstairs. Shortly later I told her it was bedtime and that she had to back to bed. No fussing at all and I went back to sleep after she did. A total of 30 minutes from the time she woke to the time I went back to sleep. A wonderful huge step for Christina. I am very proud of you Christina.

Christina was a little off, so we had a mellow day. Christina was in a good mood and extra giggly in the evening. I am hoping she does not get sick, it has been rainy and gloomy so we stayed indoors.

Good reading. It hit a little too hard to read thoroughly first time.

Not One of Those Mothers

Cheers and enjoy the day. Appreciate every moment.

To add to the reading list an article from the NY Times, A Hero or Just a Parent.

To share some of my thoughts/feelings.
"I don't know how you do it" or "I would never be able to handle what you go through with your child!"
These are things I like many other parents do NOT want to hear. Well meant, but you don't understand.

I too, as stated in the articles, am not special or have any outstanding qualities that anyone else does not have in them. I am a father and I love my child.
I love you Christina.

Today I was asked how I was doing; when I replied and returned the question, the reply was 'participating'. I knew then it was something I had to share and be sure was around for a long time. So to the web it goes.

How I am today? Participating.

Christina was full of energy this weekend. Saturday we played at the mall and met new people. Sunday we went to the pool and splashed until we turned blue.

Christina also wanted to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend. It was a little cool and she was not a fan of my wanting her to stay warm. The little firecracker walked and walked and walked. Christina wanted to walk on the sidewalk and the grass. To my surprise she also wanted to walk to the pine tree down the street which we always touch the needles to feel how prickly.

To go along with her endless energy was her endless vocalizing. Christina would start talking and I would put her on the spot and ask her to repeat it and to tell me more of her story. I got an ear full.

Daddy's Log 20101010

This weekend held a good workout. Christina had lots of energy and wanted to go go go. Saturday Christina was amazing; she wanted to walk outside, not in the gait trainer, so we walked up and down the sidewalk. With a couple of stops for her to get her legs going she walked several blocks. I had to reward her the best I could, so big hugs and a shoulder ride she got.

Friday Christina was full of hugs and looked adorable. After some play time we danced before bedtime.

Now that I used the word it is missing something; due to the use of the word 'amazing' in infomercials, it just doesn't have the ummpf it should. Makes me chuckle how every infomercial I see or hear uses the word 'amazing'. So when I use it to describe Christina or her activity it is best thought of as '$yf@#% amazing'.

Sunday Christina and I met Mark, Kelli, and the girls at the Y. We had a great time. A young boy in the locker room had questions about CP when he saw Christina. It gave me a good feeling to help someone understand more about CP.

Daddy's Log 20101003

I have been fighting off a cold and have been succesful so far. Burning the candle at both ends has not helped, but there are just so many hours in a day and stuff has to get done.

Friday night I started a roast in the crock pot. The roast barely fit and I have a big crock pot. We got one meal out of it so far and I figure leftovers should last me four more meals. I'll have two this week and freeze two.

Saturday night I started ribs in the oven. Hmmm, they smell good. Christina thinks it is funny when she watches me put more barbecue sauce on them. And when she feels the heat from the oven she gives a giggle. The first time I had a tough time figuring out what she was laughing at. Christina was in her gait trainer and no where near the oven. I did not pull the pan out, I just pulled out the rack and basted the ribs right in the oven. It took a while before the wave of heat reached Christina. When it did the giggles started. Now we open the oven door so Christina can feel the heat and for me to smell the ribs. Smiles for us both.

All weekend we kept things mellow, Christina is sick and I don't want it to get worse. I am hoping she gets over it quickly. We have kept it at bay so far. A good night's sleep on Friday helped. Saturday Christina woke up at 23:00. After some holding time in the chair she was ready to go back to bed. Smiling when I laid her down there was no fussing and only one peep after I closed the door.

Christina has been a little under the weather. No fever, but a stuffy nose. And I think she is achy too. Friday was lots of cuddles and mellow time and an early bedtime routine.

Saturday the little firecracker slept in and woke up in a good mood. She seemed to feel better so we ventured to the mall. Christina did not sleep at nap time and by evening she was yawning and was looking run down. The stuffy nose got worse and Christina still seems achy. Sunday she slept in again and was in good spirits right from the start. We kept the day low key in hopes that she can get over this cold. It was nice in the sun so we bundled up and went for a short walk to get some fresh air.

Christina was in a cuddly mood all weekend. I have to admit I enjoyed the extra hugs, kisses, and snuggle time. Despite how she felt, Christina was good about doing her stretches. She even was ok with doing some extra stretches to make up for the lack of walking. It may have been the leg rubs and massages that helped. Christina even said and signed 'more' when I stopped during one of the back rubs.

What a princess.

Christina told me she had a good day at school today, the 30th. The little firecracker was in an exceptionally good mood when I picked her up. As soon as we got home she wanted to walk. Christina headed straight for the stairs and she was in a hurry. Up the stairs we went, her steps were beautiful. At the top she turned around, sat down, and looked at me with a smile. It was time to slide down the stairs and she was waiting for me.

Christina's good mood continued throughout the day. And for lunch, it is amazing how much she can eat.

Daddy's Log 20100927

Today Christina rode the school bus for the first time. All seemed to go well. Christina enjoys partaking in the same activities as the other children. I am sure she will enjoy the bus rides, at least for a while.

Sunday we went to the UCP Family Picnic. Christina ate well and enjoyed the time there overall. She won a few prizes and liked the music, singing, and cake walk.

I am not sure how to word it, but seeing Christina in her chair on the bus was difficult. Someday I may go into detail; for now, I'll leave it as it was difficult. For those of you who have sent kids off to school on the bus for the first time are probably relating thinking "yes, I remember those days". Thank you, but you would be wrong. Seeing her on the bus going to school was the easy part today. For those of you who 'see' what I do, thank you. And my thoughts are with you too.

Pictures

Bath Time
Bath picture removed per Angela's request.


Reading

Daddy and Christina

International Fall Festival Parade