So Long O's. . . we hope

Today was the day. After two years of staring at an ugly oxygen tank sitting on an even uglier purple bathmat, we called it quits. I called Praxair and requested a removal of the tank, the exchange of our oxygen concentrator (ours wasn't functioning properly) and a delivery of four E tanks (the size adults pull around in cages/carts.

Adeline has been off the O's for the better part of a year now. At this point, she is rarely on oxygen for illness and if she is, it is only for night time hours. I feel confident our E tanks would get us through an emergency and a car ride to the ER. As an alternative, there is always the option of the concentrator if I want to run up my energy bill and not be able hear anything over the hissing.

As our oxygen guy loaded up the H tank he looked at me and asked, "What is your back up?" Clearly that have seen premature removals in the past and don't want Adeline to find herself in a dangerous situation. I know we don't run this risk but hope that the removal doesn't jinx the long stretch of clear lungs we are experiencing. I would be happy to never have to tape another cannula to her face ever again. It maybe wishful thinking but certainly not out of the question.

Only time will tell.

Christmas

Although this post is long overdue, it is not because it lacks importance. We had the most wonderful Christmas season this year. We had daddy home for TWO whole weeks. Instead of multi-tasking, and juggling work and play, we were able to really enjoy our children. Simple activities like baking and wrapping were enjoyable because with Grammy and Papa around, the adults outnumbered the kids.We were also able to enjoy many of the holiday activities that our are has to offer.

These past two weeks allowed us to watch our children delight in their sisters, grandparents and even us old worn out parents. This time together gave both Alex and I a refreshing opportunity to fall in love with our girls all over again. Love them I do! I can officially say, "Freeze it!" I thought that would be years away but freeze it now. I don't want them any bigger, wiser or older. I am in the sweet spot of life and recognize how precious and brief this time is.

Miss Grace became the apple of our eye over these two weeks (no that wasn't a typo). She had us bent over laughing more times than not. I don't know how someone so funny and spirited can come from our genetic make up but it is sure a pleasure to have her around. When her spirits get her in trouble, she runs and puts herself in timeout which is so stinking cute. She loves to tell everyone hello and recently has started saying, "Hi Baby," very affectionately to us. Pretty cute coming from such a cute girl. I guess that is the difference with Lila when compared to her sisters. She knows she is cute and funny and uses it to her ability.

Savannah is growing both physically and emotionally right before our eyes. She told her teachers on the way into school today that she wears a size 6/7 now. It was a little sad when I discovered the jump in size. She also really demonstrated her maturity when participating in many of the holiday tasks. She took more delight in giving this season when compared to receiving. Spending hours in the kitchen with her baking cookies opened my eyes to the fact that my little girl isn't so little any more. What a delight she is to raise. She is perfection.

For the Belle, what can I say. This holiday was her homecoming anniversary. I remember the day we brought her home and how tiny and sick she was. This holiday, she was in the mix! Unwrapping gifts, getting excited to watch Elmo and participating in our crazy dance parties were only a few of the activities the highlighted her physical and cognitive growth. Keep it up baby girl!

Here are a few pictures of Christmas Eve. We went to an early church service and all three girls sat through it. Adeline had to get up to dance when we sang of course. Church was followed by dinner, spreading reindeer food, a Christmas story and a few gifts. Soon the girls were tucked in their beds and mommy and daddy were frantically getting ready for the morning ahead :)


As stated in our Christmas card, God certainly is shining his light on our family. We are rich in love, spirit and laughs. We have come a long ways over these past two years.









Never in a million years did I think we would go from this




to this in two short (depending on how you look at it) years. God is good.

Happy New Year

We rung it in a little early with a countdown on the porch and horn blowing. The horns were a big hit but were quickly moved indoors as the temperature was quite cold outside. Even The Belle could get her horn going. Not bad for premature lungs.

Hope you had an equally fun and possibly more adventurous New Year's Eve!

Brushing Therapy

We are on week two of Adeline's brushing program. This is a program designed for kids that are sensory defensive. That is Adeline in a nutshell. She doesn't like to hold hands, touch paint or (for the moment) get wet. It goes far beyond what I just mentioned but unless you are in my house everyday, there is really no way to get a handle on her sensory needs.

I have put the brushing program off until now because I knew I could never follow through on it when by myself. It involves stripping clothes off, brushing Adeline's back, arms, hands, legs and feet. We use the brushes in the picture above and apply quite a bit of pressure. The brushing is followed by joint compressions working from the shoulders down to the toes. This is her least favorite part. This kicker is that we have to do this five times a day. Yes, Occupational Therapists will tell you that it should only take five minutes but that does not include the dressing and redressing. The other complicating factor is that we are rarely home during the times that Adeline needs brushing.

Thankfully, daddy is home for these two weeks and we are on holiday which places us at home with an extra set of hands. Most days we get five brushes in. Adeline doesn't like it and I can't say that her defensiveness had decreased. We are half way through the two week program. Hopefully, I will be singing a different tune when it is over. I feel that Miss Belle puts up with a lot and being brushed five times a day is certainly not a walk in the park for any of us.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning couldn't have fulfilled me more. All of the hiding, closet wrapping and running from store to store paid off when I saw the delight in my girls' eyes. This video pretty much sums up my girls. . .

Savannah - So very sweet! You will hear her call for her sister because she isn't only excited for her gifts but for her sisters' as well. She also states in the clip, "Santa is so sweet," and, "I'm going to write him a thank you note." Write she did. Somehow she slipped away, wrote a card, addressed it and stamped it before 9:00 a.m. that morning.

Lila - Over the top excited about everything. You will hear her scream "Ernie," over and over again. Forget the the trampoline, she is stuck on the Ernie coloring book.

Adeline - My quiet observer. She stood back, observed the room and identified which gift she was going to get into first. Of course it was Lila's trampoline and not her garage full of cars. The trampoline is really for her physical development any way but we all know that Miss Grace is our jumping bean.

I must also note that this was the anniversary of Adeline's homecoming. Never in a million years would have I guess two years later she would be healthy, happy and jumping on a trampoline!

Christmas Philly Style

I had the pleasure (I really do mean pleasure) of accompanying Savannah with many classmates from her preschool into Philadelphia. The agenda, light show and more light shows. It seems that Philly has a new building peaking out of the skyline and it has a phenomenal light show. We also went to the classic light show at what used to be Wanamakers. It was Savannah's third time seeing it. Fortunate for us, a Dicken's Village was in the same building which afforded us the opportunity to wander through.

We ended up taking the train from Thorndale into Philly which was very exciting for the kiddos. From there, we hoofed it around the city. Although the kids were are only five, they did an excellent job of keeping up. Not one complaint from any of them!



Through the eyes of a child. . .


My favorite picture taken in the court yard of city hall. Check out the reflection in the ornament!

Savannah's Christmas Program

I had the pleasure of watching Savannah perform in her Christmas program. This will be her last program at the Brandywine School because next year she will be in Kindergarten! It amazes me how much she has grown since she started preschool. Her first Christmas program seems so long ago as I remember her barely moving her lips to the words and looking as though she just wanted it all to be over. This year was quite different. Of course, she is still the student that has her eyes on the teacher the entire time and worries if waving to me will get her in trouble. However, I saw some hints of enjoyment as she sang every song and did all of the motions. The program was very very nice. My favorite part was how the class entered the sancturay with battery operated tea light candles and singing a very soft Christmas song. I give their music teacher credit to have so many young children performing so nicely.