Pictures and news

Whitney was on the news this morning! WOOD TV8 did a special for Conductive Education Awareness Day tomorrow. Click here to watch the short news clip.


I love to stand.


"Baby, walk, walk"


First snowman


My birthday is SO exciting!


Here is my Amtryke (a hand crank tricycle)

Walker?!

Today I went to pick up Whitney. The parents wait outside the classroom while someone helps the child walk, in whatever modified way they need, to the door. This gives all of the kids motivation to 'walk'. Whitney always uses a little chair or stool and walks backward, because her knees collapse, with someone helping shift her weight. Today she was trying out a walker! So, here she is, with someone helping her shift her weight, with a little walker! We were all very excited. Whitney began to wave to us and almost lost her balance but it was super cute. She was so proud of herself, which was a delight to see. She clapped for herself when she overheard me tell Matt and grandma.

We are moving up to 4 mornings a week for the last 3 sessions/months of the school year. She seems to be doing very well, so I hope the transition to 3-4 mornings will be smooth. This will enable us to keep her in BSF on Wednesdays as well.

The Nelson family has had to relocate to a hotel this past week. I walked in the house after Bible study on Wednesday to a flooded home. A PVC pipe broke in our upstairs bathroom and as Fiona said, "It is raining in my bedroom!". We hope to move back in tomorrow to a dry home and stay there while they re-do everything. It is going to be an interesting 6 week process. If you think of us please pray for patience, a positive attitude, and that we will be able to extend grace to those working on our home.

Forgetting the 'normal' things

Last night Whitney woke up screaming three times between 8 & 10. Now that she is two I can ask her where it is owie, knowing she may not be reliable. The first time she pointed to her shoulder, so I kissed her shoulder, snuggled with her and put her back down. The next two times she touched her shunt track which is about two inches above her ear. Naturally, this caused us to be concerned. We called the neurosurgeon and he said to go with our intuition and look for secondary signs. So, all night I kept her under close supervision hoping that it was an ear infection. I brought her in this morning and my hope was confirmed. Matt and I had to laugh that we hope for things like ear infections. It is quite funny.

Whitney did not got to Conductive Learning Center today but I did want to tell you all that last week she did great. I do not think she cried at all! It is hard for me to keep you as up to date on her progress this month since I am not there. I usually get a quick update when I pick her up but that is all. I have to admit that I have felt a loss of control not knowing exactly what it going on and Matt quickly confirmed for me that I have lost control. So, I think it is a good thing, although I would love to be a fly on the wall, that is for sure. (: I will keep you posted as I notice changes at home or when I get her report at the end of the month.

Birthday, Family, & Independence

First of all a belated happy birthday to my favorite, Matt. (: I am so thankful for my husband. I could not ask for a better man by my side.

We have been pretty busy with our family in the last few weeks. We were able to see a few of our Indiana nephews play high school basketball and stay the weekend with them. (Thanks for the great hospitality Michael & Becky!) The following weekend we celebrated Matt's birthday. This weekend we are living with my other brothers children for five days. I have come to the conclusion that it would be very difficult to have a family that spans 13 years. Toddlers and teenagers are a hard mix. (:

Thirdly, is Whitney's independence. Whitney started going to the Conductive Leaning Center on her own this week! That means I drop off my little two year old for three hours three times a week. She is doing a great job overall. Thankfully, she knows the place and the people well and we started transitioning her in January. The first day I think she was just excited to be there that she did not cry when I left. My dear new friend, Rachel, took Fiona & I out to distract me. She did such a good job that we lost track of time and were five minutes late picking her up! The second day I left the room and heard Whitney crying, "mommy, mommy". I have to tell you that I did pace the hall until she settled down. I just had to know she was okay. Then I went home with Fiona and went on a cleaning frenzy to distract myself.

We begin again on Monday followed by my favorite spina bifida moms for coffee!