Today Christina has her first teeth cleaning. It will be her second dentist appointment. The first one went well. They did not do much. Just a check up. Today though, today I am a little skeptical at how Christina will react.

I'm feeling a bit sick. I need a goodnight sleep and the chance to sleep in.

James and Robyn came over yesterday. We all had a nice visit. Christina is getting better socializing.

I made breakfast for everyone. It was Sunday, pancakes for breakfast. Christina ate a lot for breakfast.

James and I swung Christina on the sheet. She really enjoyed it and showed James the more sign.

Robyn read to Christina. They enjoyed a couple of Dr.Suess books. Christina did very well.

Christina also showed how well she can run in the gait trainer. She did very well. We did not have her braces on for that.

We all made it in one piece. The trip on Friday and the trip on Tuesday are officially over and we made it. Boy it was a long week thank goodness it is over. We have one more appointment in December and then January and I should have a long break... Doctor appointment free for a while unless something comes up.

I of course did not like the trip either time and I let mom and dad know about it. So I got my AFO's and they are very cute. Thank daddy for picking such a great pattern to go on them. I already got compliments. I do find that it is hard to walk in the AFO's but mommy will get me doing it in no time.

Today mommy and I went to Walmart and got a ham for dinner and guess what? I liked the car ride. HA HA We also got peanut butter chips so we can make peanut butter brownies tomorrow. I like to help and of course eat the brownie batter. Who doesn't ?

The eye doctor appointment didn't go well.

To start, Christina cried all the way there. Not a surprise. The assistant that looked at Christina first was not aware of Christina's sensory issues. She scared Christina often. Not on purpose, but we tried to tell her tips to help prepare Christina and she didn't seem to listen.

By the time the doctor looked at Christina she was not cooperative at all. He has to pry and hold her eyes open. That made her all the more upset.

And of course, Christina cried all the way home.

The news from the doc was the same for the most part. What we did learn is that the nerve endings in both eyes are smaller than normal and pale in color. And, her brain probably does not process the information as it should. More than likely due to the PVL.

Last night, Christina woke up about 03:30 and her and I had a snack. She did not want me to sit in the chair, she prefers I walk around. I stood my ground and we sat in the chair. We both ended up falling asleep and managed a couple more hours of sleep.

Evan and Cole are coming over to play while Angela and Crystal go shopping. Time to go.

Tomorrow is Christina eye doctor appointment. It has been about six months since we saw Dr. Engle last.

Like all the other doctor appointments, this one is already starting to drain me. I think it is getting to Angela too.

Christina, Angela, Orion and myself have also been a bit under the weather. I think it is the sinus illness going around again.

Time to resize and crop some photos for the header pic.

We finally picked up a kitten. We took a trip to the Humane Association and took a liking to a short-haired tabby.

Picking out a name proved to be as difficult as finding the right name for Christina. Orion is what seems to fit the little fur ball.

We looked for a name that meant companion and then he surprised us and protected Christina from her friend Cole. So we searched for names meaning protector also. Orion it is.

Christina is also doing very well in her gait trainer. She is taking steps and wants to walk. The poor girl wants to walk more than her legs can go.

Orion wants attention.

On Friday mommy, Crystal, Cole, and I went to the mall and had lunch at Arby's. I rode in Cole's double stroller with Cole. He sat in his big brothers spot and I sat in Cole's spot. It was real fun. I can't wait to do that again.

On Sunday mommy and I went to our neighbors house. They have a 5 year old little boy and we played. It was real fun. They have a big dogie, but he didn't bother me. Can't wait to go over and play again.

Well things got kind of busy around here.... Here is whats new... IFSP was 11-11-08

I have been walking in my gait trainer real well. I move my legs all by my self. I even walked for Katie during therapy. I am so proud of myself and so are mommy and daddy. I really like to walk.  I had my IFSP meeting for birth to there and that is when everyone gets together to discuss how far I have come and new goals that we should all work for. It went pretty well. Daddy came home for the meeting. We are talking about touring a school for me with in the next 4-6 months. When I turn 3 I start school. Mommy is very worried and I think daddy is too. Anyway I have come real far in 6 months. That is how often we do the IFSP meetings.

TIME STAMP IS WRONG 11-14-08 - Is the date today for the doctor

I had a doctor appointment in the cities today it was with Dr. Engle. He is the eye doc. I haven't seen him min a year. The news is pretty much the same. No glasses because they  will not help me. My vision issues are more with the brain than the eye. I have damage to the optic nerves that is the same as before he just said that it is more apparent than a year ago. Now Dr. Engle said that the nerves are also on the small side. None of this can be fixed and no one will be able to tell what I can see until I can tell everyone.

The car ride was absolutely horrible. I was up from midnight until 3 in the afternoon when we got home. I was not a very pleasant person to be around.

Mommies view on the news....

We all hate to go to the doctors and get news that we do not want to hear. It is hard and it hurts but what the doctors say does not change what Christina has accomplished so far. No doctor can take away or change who Christina is.  So we all go and roll with the news because it will never change anything- Christina is  a healthy and absolutely amazing little girl in everything that she does.

Guess what???? I walked up and down the hall way 3 times in my gait trainer and I moved my feet all by my self  mommy didn't move them once. It was real hard work but I did it.

Mommy was so proud of me and I was real proud of myself too.

Happy Halloween!!!

It was a busy weekend for all of us. To start, Friday Christina and Angela stooped at the office to show off Christina's costume. After work we had dinner and went to see a few of the neighbors. Christina is loaded up on chocolate for awhile.

On Saturday, Christina and I went to the store and picked up cat supplies. You name it we got it. Covered everything. Then after lunch Christina took a nap. The plan was that all of us would go pick up the kitten for Christina. She had other plans, and slept. So I went to pick up the latest addition to the family by myself.

Hans Solo is the name of the kitten we picked up for Christina. We did not pick the name. He was brought to the Humane Association and named there. We opted not to change it and call him Hans for short.

Hans seems to have made himself at home. Christina seems to have warmed up to Hans also.

Guess what I got an early Christmas present...... His name is Hans Solo. Mommy and daddy got me a baby kitty. He is so cute. I was a little jealous at first but I am over that now. Everyone is adjusting well and he has been here since Saturday.

On Halloween I was a bat girl. Mom and I went to Coffee Grounds and then to see dad at work and show the office my costume. Auntie Maria, mom and I went out and had Mexican food for lunch. I was real tired so I came home for a long nap. I sure needed it. When dad got home we all had dinner and I got dressed up again and we went to the neighbors for trick or treat's.

Here are some pictures of me as bat girl and my new kitty....

Oh ya and daddy got me a bean bag chair, it is pink. We got it when we got Hans his stuff.


Mom and I at the office


Daddy and I getting ready to go trick or treating


Flying Bat Girl!!!!


Mom and I at lunch with auntie Maria


Hans Solo and I getting to know each other


More of Hans Solo and I


Isn't he cute ????

Beautiful Christina went to bed for me last night. Angela hasn't felt well and was already asleep. So, Christina and I did our bed time routine with bath and meds and then laid down without mommy.

It took some convincing and some walking around, but Christina fell asleep for me. I was very pleased to have made the next step.

Derek