I am looking forward to Christina looking for her Easter basket. And, if I can plan around the rain we will hunt for candy filled eggs outside.

Dinner is prepped and looking yummy. Nothing traditional. Steak and mashed potatoes. Sauted onions and mushrooms. Haven't decided on a veggie yet, either brocoli, carrots, asparagus, or none.

Happy Easter!!!

A warm and sunny day here meant Christina and spent lots of time outside. We went for several walks and walked barefoot in the grass. Christina loves the feeling on her toes, even the prickly brown grass.

I tried to convince Christina to help me color eggs for Easter, but she wanted me to hold her so we argued and I ended up coloring them. I also packed some plastic eggs with candy. The plan is to stash some around the yard and have Christina look for them. I'll have her hunt for her Easter basket too.

Other updates are the same 'ol stuff. Still not sleeping well and my eating habits are not getting better. Stress, ugh.

For those who are aware, happy Holy Thursday.
Derek

It was a pretty good weekend. Saturday, Christina and I met some of the extended family for breakfast. We had to get up early and had an hour drive. Christina was a wonderful little girl. The car ride went well there and back and she was more cheery than me for that time of the morning. Christina sat on grandpa's lap with only a few tears to start and then it was talking and telling stories.

Both of us were a little off the rest of the day. We were tired and Christina did not want to nap. Mid afternoon I held Christina for a nap and ended up falling asleep too. There are times I miss those days and it was nice to have Christina take a nap laying on me.

Sunday we went to the park and met Sheri and Dylan there. Christina enjoyed being there, but was a little leery of everything. We also went for a walk in the morning. It was sunny and the temp was workable.

Easter is coming up and I think we are going to stay home. I'm still undecided if I'm going to make a big dinner. It has been awhile and I miss cooking a big meal.

Still working on pictures.

We have had wonderful weather here. This past weekend Christina and I spent a lot of time outside. Now if only I can get everything done in the house.

Christina and I went to the Children's Museum for the first time on Sunday. We met Dan, Sheri, and Dylan there. It was fun, going to definately go again.

The family breakfast is coming up and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again.

For those of you who check out the pictures online, I am working on them to make it more user friendly and efficient. Slowly I should add.

It's been a long time since I updated the blog. There has been a lot going on. Let's work backwards...

Yesterday, Feb 13th, we met dad/grandpa for breakfast. We got to see James also. Christina ate very well and shared her smiles with everyone. That afternoon we went to the Wissota Winter Classic. It is a benefit for UCP. We stayed for a few hours and had fun.

Christina had a doctor appointment this past Thursday. The appointment went well. We talked about the next round of Phenol and Botox. Also about casting. We also met the orthopedist who will be following Christina.

The UCP Telethon on Jan 30th went well also. It was an experience and Christina did wonderful. We went late morning and then took a nap and went back late afternoon. Unfortunately we did not make it to Snowbiz. Christina needed her nap in the afternoon and was beat by evening.

Life has been hectic and tough on many levels covering several topics I will not go into. I will sum it up by saying life sucks, and I am not happy.

That's enough of an update. If you would like to know more details send me an email.

Derek

Well the procedure went well, of course holding Christina down in the OR is one of the worst things in the world. But she made it through with no complications. We did decide that next time to use versed, heavy sedation drug, to help make the going to sleep easier and she will forget most of everything that occurs.  After the OR we all went swimming to make part of the day fun.

The trip up there went very well not one tear. I even got pulled over and she did not cry with flashing lights in the back. THe journey home was not so great but at least there was one good way. 

Today we filmed the UCP commercial for the Wissota winter classic. Of course Christina wanted Daddy. She is anti mommy since the OR episode and will be for a few days.  Her and Daddy looked very cute.

So we are back to getting back on schedule. Yes I know that is redundant but oh well.  Jan 21 we will find out if Christina will go to school more days during the week.

Well we are off to the cities for another round of phenol botox. I am sure all will go just fine but it still is an uneasy feeling. I am sure that the trip up there will be the most painful part of the journey.

Well, lately Christina has been a chatter box and it is so wonderful to hear her voice. She has made huge leaps lately as well as growing. She is 3 feet and 24 lbs. I remember when she was just 2.2 lbs. It seems like yesterday she was just a wee baby. Now she is a big princess. She gets on the  upset side if you call her a baby.

She is doing very well in school and looks forward to going. This year she made Derek and I the best Christmas present ever. A cookie jar with her picture on it and all in her paint job. It is the most beautiful cookie jar ever.

Christina had a great Christmas and of course Santa made a long visit. Speaking of Santa we went again this year to see him at the mall and  he remembered Christina by name from last year. She waved and pulled on his beard.  We now have a whole princess town with tunnels and balls and a tinker bell tent too. She just loves to be in there. All the other toys are just better when they are in the tents.

Christina had more pictures done for the UCP event coming up and on Wednesday we will be filming a commercial for the Wissota Winter classic. UCP is going to have her running all year, but very excited about it. We all feel so blessed that Christina was chosen.

I will keep everyone up to date after the surgery or I will have Daddy post something.

We wish everyone a very merry Christmas. We are getting ready to open presents. Yippy yippy... more later.

Last night we opened a gift from Christina and it was the most wonderful gift ever. Both of us were in tears.

On a different note phenol botox is scheduled for Jan 5 at 7 am. Thank you UCP for helping out with the hotel stay.

Christina did not sleep well last night. Angela got up with her and managed to get her back down quite some time later by laying in bed with her.

I woke up before the alarm, oh joy. So after I get some coffee in me, I get a message to check out Facebook. And what do my wondering eyes see, nothing. I woke Angela to see if she wanted to get up and if she would get up to talk to me. We are having issues for lack of a better of describing. It seems there are things going on I am only partially aware of. So I asked Angela to fill in some of the details and we argued.

The day was stressful for both of us. I am still sick and my voice is going and Angela is still sick too. Neither of us showing signs of getting better.

Angela and Christina went to the mall to see Santa. They had their pictures taken and Christina enjoyed tugging at Santa's beard and playing with Rudolph. The picture looks very nice.

After work was tense. I am ready for my night smoke and to head to bed.

Today Christina had another good day at school, she told me all about it. Angela had a doctor appointment and I met them at the clinic.

Angela and I planned to go have a drink after I got home from work. All you parents know, sometimes things do not go as planned. All three of us did get to spend the evening together shopping. We walked through the whole store and found lots of cute things for Christina and Angela. And found a cool toy for Christina, santa may have gotten it for her.

I'm not a huge fan of shopping and clothes shopping may be towards the bottom of that list, but I enjoyed very much spending the evening with my girls. I'd do it again.

Dishes are done, coffee is ready, time for a smoke, and bed. Still could use that drink.