Today is Christina's IEP meeting. I have mixed emotions about it as always. It is a similar feeling to going to one of Christina's doctor appointments.

On this last Saturday, May 1st, Christina received her first phone call. To explain some detail: Christina loves talking on the phone, and has been talking on the phone for a while. If you are on the phone she wants to be part of the conversation. When the call came on Saturday and they asked for her she heard her name and I had to hand her the phone right away. She was so excited to have someone call her.

This coming Saturday is a walk for UCP. Angela and Christina will be participating.

Christina has been taking wonderful steps in the gait trainer. She also likes to play catch while standing in the gait trainer. We have had really good luck with Christina sitting in her Kid Cart to do various activities while at Angela's or my house.

And, I can not forget to mention, Christina does an excellent job walking with her Benik vest on. The little firecracker takes off running. She is so proud of herself when she is able to get those legs moving. It is a beautiful site to look at her when she turns and looks up at you while we are walking. Her eyes are big and glowing and she has that "I'm doing it" smile.

I am going to work on the slideshow and try to get some more pics on there. They will not be in chronological order(probably bothers me more than anyone else).

Nothing scheduled in the near future for doctors. Still waiting for an appointment to be scheduled for Phenol blocks, Botox, and casting.

On Saturday Angela and Christina went to the Mommy and Me program at the UWEC Planetarium. Christina was able to see some of kids she met at other Mommy and Me activities.

Coming up is the UCP Walk that Angela and Christina will participate in.

Christina has been doing wonderful in her gait trainer. I am not sure how to even begin telling you how hard Christina trys. She grabs her handles and will grab them when reminded. Her little hands get sweaty and they slip. I also tried the arm strap and Christina tolerated it with no tears. She made a face, but no complaints.

Christina also used her Kid Kart to sit at the table and color. Christina knows what colors she wants to use and will also wait until I get it right when she wants a pen and not crayons.

I will also work on getting pictures up for you to see. As you all know we take lots and lots of pictures. To give you and idea, we are well over the 30,000 mark. That is only pictures of Christina and does not include videos.

Have a good day and enjoy the sunshine if you have it.

There has been a lot going on. I will give a brief update and try to catch up at a later time.

We went to see Dr. Moore and Dr. Burnstein on April 15th. Dr. Burnstein(neurologist) said Christina is doing wonderful and we do not need to see him anymore. Dr. Moore was also pleased with Christina's progress and we do not need to go back for a year.

Christina has been participating in the Young Athletes program and the last day was on April 22nd. Christina has made huge steps playing with the volunteers and coaches there. She received a reward and ribbon at the end of the program. We plan on participating again in the program this summer.

Christina has a runny nose again, but other than that she is healthy.

More when I can,
Derek

Christina's latest doctor appointments were on Thursday. We met with her neurologist and har developmental doctors.

The trip there went well. We took the van and listened to Christina's favorite traveling music. No tears!!! And no tears on the way home until we were a few miles from home. Christina needed to use the bathroom which brought the tears.

Christina does not have to go back to the neurologist. It was great news. It also was a little sad, we have been seeing Dr. Burnstein since Christina was a month old. He said Christina is doing awesome.

we don't see the Dr. Moore again for a year. He too is pleased with Christina's progress.

Christina had a bad night Thursday. We now think that the trips to the docs are that overwhelming for her and that it is not the car ride that pushes her senses to the point she vomits and does not sleep.

Christina may also have strep.

Happy Easter internet world!!!

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