Monday, October 19, 2009

Daddy's Home. . . For Good


After two long years apart, Alex has given up his in TX to work from HOME. Although Hitachi has been a tremendous blessing, we decided the distance was taking too much of a toll on our family. Much to our surprise, our good friend in North Carolina who has recently gone into business for himself, asked Alex if he would like to buy into the company and become a partner. After much consideration, we recognize that working for oneself has many inherent risks, Alex quit his job in TX and has become a consultant working from home. Alex has been moonlighting with his friend for almost a year now and we both feel as though the pipeline is strong - it better be, there are seven children riding on this partnership.

We are excited to start this new chapter in our lives. In fact, things have already changed. We just spent four days in the Poconos (shh, the kids played hookie for this) relaxing and trying to wrap our heads around the fact that we don't have to count down the days until Daddy's next departure.

I have never had the pleasure of help in the mornings. Even when Alex worked locally, he was well on his way to work by the time the rest of us were waking up. I have had to plan (like I can do this) to be sick when Alex is at home. Over the past two years, each doctor appointment, grocery store trip, and errand has been done with all three of my girls with the exception of the few times Alex has been here or friends have helped out. To have two sets of hands to start our day and end our day is a fantastic change. In the end, our goal isn't money, the best house, nicest car, or fanciest vacations. Our success will be measured by the family time we are able to provide for our kids. I would say we got off to a pretty good start these last four days!! I think we all feel whole again.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Hippotherapy Anniversary





It has been one year since Adeline started Hippotherapy. It is a combination of speech and physical therapy and we both love it. She was the smallest client they had taken on but boy how she has grown. I walked in last night to observe through the window and looked away since the child on the horse riding past was too big to be mine. It was her, and I was shocked. Adeline was sitting up tall and strong. A year ago, she was hunched over and breathing fast. I am so proud.

We grew carrots this year and never picked them out of our garden. I decided we should take them to feed the horse (Lila stayed back with Daddy.) The wiggly leaves were sure to give Adeline a challenge. To my surprise, you put that girl in a barn and she can do things I would swear she couldn't. She put her helmet away, up high and oddly stacked, and went right to the feeding bucket. She had no fear of the large horse walking by her and wasn't put off by the wiggly carrot. Adeline stuffed it in the bowl and headed right toward Chloe. The last time I saw her do this, she needed a lot of physical support. Feeding the horse out of the bowl requires strength because the horse pushes down rather hard on the bowl. You can see her little muscles working and white fingertips squeezing the bucket tight. What a big girl.

On a speech note, Miss Heather is currently reevaluating The Belle. It takes multiple sessions to complete the tests but so far so good. She has made so much progress. I am anxious to hear where she falls!!





Thursday, October 8, 2009

Merry Mead 2009

Harvest season is here which means the farms are up and running in our neck of the woods. We trekked to Merry Mead farm for our annual apple slinging. We had a great time which was coupled with fantastic weather, almost too hot. Below is an album of photos I put together (double click for larger viewing). I had to include the very short video clips too. I can't stress enough how amazing it is to sit and watch our girls take part in the festivities full force this year. Adeline was tentative and needed much holding but participated in EVERYTHING, even face painting. Need I say, there once was a time. . .






Best yet is Savannah's concentrated apple slinging with Lila trying to climb into the apple bin behind the scenes. By this time in the day, the apple man knew her by name (listen for him in the first part of the clip). Not sure if it is a good thing??

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

October

It seems like fall is more abrasive than I remember.

So far this month. . .

The heat is on

The girls are in footed PJs

Adeline and Lila have ear infections

All three have coughs

The little girls have noses that require blowing

I, for the first time in two years, had Alex fly home from TX because I couldn't take care of the girls. Yep, even Mommy needs a sick day.

Is summer here yet?

Monday, October 5, 2009

Uh Oh

"Adeline Grace! No No!"

That is what I have heard every time Adeline has made a wrong move today. Possibly Lila Grace thinks Grace is more of a condemnation than middle name. Guess we better work on that one.

Friday, October 2, 2009

A Summer Accomplishment



Full Cirlcle


As mentioned a few times before, we are finding many full circle moments in our lives. Now that the twins are the same age that Savannah was when they were born, I am showered with flashbacks of emotions that ruled our lives three years ago.

Today, Lila Grace had her Get Acquainted Tea at school. All of the parents come and watch both three year old classes sing a few songs followed by snacks and fellowship. It is a bit overwhelming for the kids to walk into a room filled with parents who have their cameras firing. Lila didn't know we would be there (most kids didn't know what was really going on). She followed her line in the room and then spied her daddy. While most kids were still and shy, we could hear, "Oh, hi Daddy, hi!" Oh look, it's Daddy." She repeated this and even tried to come over to him. We didn't get it on video because Daddy was too busy being a proud parent. I quickly grabbed the camera and went to a spot where I could grab some pictures and Miss Grace spied me as well. Unfortunately the discovery prevented her from doing any of the song or motions. I am not sure she would have anyway.

The full circle moment was when we were leaving the tea. We bumped into Mrs. K the preschool's director. She said watching Lila point out her parents while being so full of life and health brought her to tears. As she welled up she reminded me of the thank you note I had sent her three years ago with the girls' footprints on the front cover. A tearful Mrs. K reminded me that this tea was more than a proud moment in my life. It is miraculous. Lila Grace stood could be heard signing very nicely as the classes walked down the hallway, was (for this occasion) the kid that everyone thought was cute and sweet, and didn't differ from her neurotypical peers one bit. I know I always say it but never in a million a years. . .

Savannah's Get Acquainted Tea
Here is a clip of Lila discovering me. The second is her being cute and then hearing her teacher talk about the lollipop center pieces. The way to Lila's heart has always been lollipops (Let's not forget that Savannah wasn't allowed to have lollipops until she was three and a half. Hmmmm)