I thought I would have to teach my daughter about the world; turns out I have to teach the world about her. They see a girl who doesn't speak,
I see a miracle who doesn't need words.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  We definitely did!! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve celebration at my parent's house with my brother and sister-in-law, my sister and brother-in-law, his mom and dad and my nieces - and what a feast my parents prepared!  The kids had so much fun being together and opening their presents.  It was a late night for Alex and by the time we got home it was after 10:00, way past her 7:00 bedtime.  She was up at 3:50 in the morning and was squealing so loud she woke the entire house up - of course Zach came running into our room and wanted to know if Santa came and if it was time to open presents.  Ugh!  No, Zach, please, please go back to bed!  Thankfully he did, and I actually had to wake him up at 8:30 to tell him Santa had come.  I took him downstairs and he was so excited to see all the presents under the tree....BUT....he didn't want to open anything right away, he wanted to wait for Aaron to finish getting Alex ready and she was downstairs with him.  When they came downstairs, he STILL didn't want to open anything because he wanted to help Alex open her presents first.  I thought that was so sweet and kind of him.  No wonder Santa had him on the Nice List! :)

Christmas day we had a great brunch at our house with my parents and my girlfriend Dana.  And, IT SNOWED - on Christmas!  It was an awesome day being together and enjoying all the excitement in the house.  

Here's a little video from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...only 359 days until we get to do it all over again :)


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Where's Your Nose?!?

I realize that Alex is 9 and that this is a milestone most children accomplish before their first birthday, but this IS a MILESTONE!  I will take it at any age and be just as excited!!! 



Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Yellow Belt!

Zach got his yellow belt in Karate this Saturday!

He's worked really hard to earn it and we're very proud of him!!







Friday, December 10, 2010

Wow!

Back in August I posted about Alex and a the potential of her using an eye gaze system to communicate.  Yesterday her speech therapist FINALLY got the loaner system for Alex to use.  And.......she did AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  She calibrated the machine, with her OWN eyes on the VERY FIRST try, and for the entire hour that we were at therapy and on the machine she did EXACTLY what she needed to!!!  I can't even begin to express how exciting this is!  She asked for specific toys using her eyes, followed certain commands, and even told us FOUR consecutive times that she was feeling good!!  It was so incredibly awesome to see her using the machine...her therapist kept saying, this is "freakin" awesome!  She took pictures and video of what Alex was doing, and even admitted that she really didn't think Alex was capable of using the equipment.  I even think at one point she shed a tear :)  I KNEW all along that Alex could do it!  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting.  I can't wait for her next appointment so I can be prepared with my camera!!  Way to go Beans!!! (By the way, she KNEW she was doing an awesome job!  She kept smiling and laughing every time she did what we wanted her to!)  We still have a LONG way to go to justify this equipment, but what a great way to start off!!!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Here We Go Again....

Without going into detail, we are "nurseless" again.  I am so frustrated.  It is so hard having random strangers come into your home, have your children get attached, have them get to know details about you and your routines that normal people wouldn't know about you only to have them be gone in a matter of weeks.  I'm EXTREMELY frustrated for the reasons this last nurse didn't work out and I'm so frustrated that someone can come into our lives, see what we go through on a daily basis and basically just have no regard for anyone but themselves.  We so often think that because Alex cannot communicate that she doesn't understand what's going on, but I can tell you that she certainly does.  She was very upset when we Audretta left - she even went on a mini food strike.  When we discussed the newest nurse leaving she cried, and I mean cried.  It has an effect on Zach too - he talks about it, and he asks LOTS of questions.  I don't want a revolving door of people in and out of our lives, I don't want everyone to get attached and then have to deal with that person leaving in a short time frame.  Nursing is "supposed" to make our lives easier, but it honestly makes things very complicated and difficult.  I'm praying we find someone who will be a permanent fixture for a while - someone who will love their job and love and care for Alex -- I'm not sure if it's a pipe dream, but I can hope.

Sorry for the rant - like I said - I'm FRUSTRATED!