Sunday Christina and I went to the Watermelon Festival. It was the first time either of us has gone. It is kinda of a flea market and we had fun looking around. Of course Christina ate lots of watermelon. We saw some friends there and had a nice visit too.

Saturday Christina and I enjoyed spending time in the water. Christina walked a lot and very well. After much walking we did lots of jumping and splashing. Christina needed a break, so did I, and then after drinks a short rest she wanted back in the water.

We had grandma over for dinner. Pam sent spaghetti over and it was delicious.

Christina is finding it humorous when she or myself loses an earring back.

I have continued to upload pictures of Christina to the web. I have also added the need for a password. Please email me for a username and password for access.

I will continue to update Christina's slideshow with no need for a username or password. The slideshow does not get updated as often.

If you do not have my personal email address, please contact me through the blog.

Daddy's Log : 20100725

It is another Sunday and I find myself missing Christina more than usual. The house is a mess; dishes, laundry, vacumming, picking up. Nothing unusual; however, feels overwhelming.

Christina's reflux is continuing to act up. I am starting to shift from watchful to concerned. Angela has not heard from Dr. Aru, Christina's gastroenterologist.

I have also noticed that Christina's sensory triggers have not subsided even with the addition of brushing during the day. Brushing has helped in the past, but does not seem to be helping now. Perhaps it is helping and her sensors are that sensitive.

Again it was brought up to have Christina see a counselor. Angela stated she has not had luck finding a counselor. I will begin my search today. It was stated that Christina's different abilities make it difficult for her to communicate. Specifically not being able to draw and being non-verbal. Frustrating, Christina is one of the most communicable people I know. Who has trouble communicating? Sorry venting. I feel it is the adult's responsibility to listen and understand the child, not the child's responsibility to find a language the adult understands.

On a happy note, Christina and I enjoyed the weekend. I will post more detail on her blog, http://www.christinakademan.com.

DQ Miracle Treat Day August 5th, 2010

Buy a Blizzard at participating Dairy Queens and $1.00 goes to the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. For us the local is Gillette Children's Hospital. Yes, Christina has been there.

Here is the link for the site with more information, http://www.miracletreatday.com/.

NOT ALL of the DQ's in town participate.

My favorite DQ:
Dairy Queen Brazier
3057 N Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Others that DO participate are:
Dairy Queen Brazier
2801 Golf Rd
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Dairy Queen/Orange Julius Treat Ctr
4800 Golf Rd
Ste 139 Oakwood Mall
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Dairy Queen Brazier
2451 Birch St
Eau Claire, WI 54703

DQ Miracle Treat Day August 5th, 2010

Buy a Blizzard at participating Dairy Queens and $1.00 goes to the local Children's Miracle Network Hospital. For us the local is Gillette Children's Hospital. Yes, Christina has been there.

Here is the link for the site with more information, http://www.miracletreatday.com/.

NOT ALL of the DQ's in town participate.

My favorite DQ:
Dairy Queen Brazier
3057 N Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI 54703.

Others that DO participate are:
Dairy Queen Brazier
2801 Golf Rd
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Dairy Queen/Orange Julius Treat Ctr
4800 Golf Rd
Ste 139 Oakwood Mall
Eau Claire, WI 54701

Dairy Queen Brazier
2451 Birch St
Eau Claire, WI 54703

Daddy's Log - 20100722

Christina had ST at 10:00. We stopped in at UCP-WCW to say hi before speech started. Christina did very well in speech, only one week left(two sessions).

Christina has been a little off for the past couple of weeks. I can't say exactly what it is, but it is becoming a concern. I spoke with Angela about it this morning and both of us are considering Christina see a counselor. The signs/symptoms point to depression. I feel a heavy weight pulling me down thinking of that.

Daddy's Log Supplemental
I spoke with Angela again this evening about counseling for Christina. We also discussed the varies therapies Christina receives and/or does not receive. I must find a way to discuss these items with Christina. I have not pushed the issue when Christina does not want to discuss them. That will have to change.

Flipping through the channels after work one night I found Star Trek. It happened to be showing a spot with the usual "Captain's log, star date...". It made me think(and chuckle), "Daddy's log, date ....". After laughing to myself it sounded like it may be a good idea. Heck the blog is a journal, why not follow a similar style. So here you go, the start of the Daddy Log.

Daddy Log - 20100718
Christina and I went to Grandma Kar's this afternoon. We saw Dan, Sheri, James, Robyn, and Dylan. Christina walked in her gait trainer on the patio. She did super well. It was hot out today and Christina and I were wet from sweat. The look of pride on Christina's face when she reached her goal made it all worth it for me.

Daddy Log - 20100717
Saturday. We played outside for a short time. Christina and I walked around in the pool and did some jumping. It was too hot to be out for any length of time. So we did lots of walking in the house.

Christina has also been working on choices. We put various flash cards in the switch and she hits the button to answer. The flash cards we got from our last speech session came in very handy for our bedtime story. We read one or two pages from a book. I let Christina choose how much we read. So the "All Done" and "More" card was helpful.

Daddy Log - 20100716
Friday night Christina did not fall asleep very early. She wanted to go to bed, but talked up a storm. She slept in late Saturday morning. It threw the day off a little, but we were back on track by Saturday night. The siren went off not too long after Christina went to bed. I was worried it would wake her up. She stirred and made some noise, but went right back to sleep. The lighting was beautiful to watch.

Pictures of the firecracker. Updates below.

Christina practicing her speech.	Working hard in the gait trainer.
Reading with grandma.	Morning stretches.

Christina and I went to Grandma Kar's on Sunday we saw Dan, Sheri, James, Robyn, and Dylan. Christina walked in her gait trainer on the patio. She did super well.

Saturday we played outside for a short time. Christina and I walked around in the pool and did some jumping. It was too hot to be out for any length of time. So we did lots of walking in the house.

Christina has also been working on choices. We put various flash cards in the switch and she hits the button to answer. The flash cards we got from our last speech session came in very handy for our bedtime story. We read one or two pages from a book. I let Christina choose how much we read. So the "All Done" and "More" cards were helpful.

Christina has been doing very well with her speech therapy. She has been making choices and has more opportunity to 'voice' her thoughts.

More details and pictures to come, but here is a quick bit. Christina loves being outside and really likes the water. Whether it is a pool, lake, river, or sprinkler; she always has a good time.

We've been taking it easy with the gait trainer after the Phenol blocks and Botox, but Christina has done well the time she has used it.

Playing in the pool.

This past weekend Christina and I went to the pool with grandma. Christina did very well and we had a blast. She takes such high steps in the water.

We also went to the park on Saturday. The slide is always a hit. And the sand makes for a good workout for Christina.