Daddy's Log 20110109

It was a great weekend. Christina started the weekend by spreading her super good mood to everyone. No one could resist her smiles and loads of stories.

Sunday we got our breath of fresh air and bundled up for outside. Christina loved it and I had to pull rank and tell her we were going inside. I wasn't cold yet and by the looks and sounds of things neither was she, but the dad feeling said 'no' go inside before feeling cold. Kids change a person, before I would have stayed outside most of the day and liked it. Now I worry too much about Christina.

Daddy's Log 20110105

So much to update, I don't know where to start. So we'll cover the basics. Christina is doing well. She had a respiratory infection for a few days over the holiday time. Christina maintained her good mood throughout even though she wasn't up for all the physical stuff. We enjoyed some mellow time.

The weather has given the days at work seem short, but tiring. With the colder temperatures I have not taken Christina outside to play. I am sure she would be warm enough all bundled up and would likely enjoy it. The dad voice in my head says no go. I think I may be getting old and over cautious.

The Christmas tree looked nice this year, but I am glad it will be down tomorrow. The holidays always bring a rush of things to do. It was nice to see friends and family. Christina looked beautiful in her Christmas dress.

I have been working on the slideshow web page and the new page is up. I have a few tweaks to do, but the pictures are up and only about a month behind. I also have been going through photos to print. I have well over 31,000 now and it would be nice to hang some new prints up. It is a slow process deciding which to print with so many. I have about half a year gone through. If anyone would like to go through pictures of Christina let me know via email and I will send you a link.

With Christina sick I am happy to say I have managed to stay well. Every few days I will get a little stuffy nose, but it only lasts for half a day. I really need more hours in a day or a better sleep schedule. Speaking of that, I am going to call it a night and watch a movie.

Daddy's Log 20101206

Saturday the family breakfast did not go as planned. Christina and I had fun together and made the best of it. We both ate a lot and were ready for a nap soon after we got home.

Sunday we went to the pool and enjoyed some splash time. We also went to grandma's to make cookies. Christina had a fun time and made cute reindeer cookies. It was just as enjoyable for me to watch her.

Kicking and splashing


Breakfast

Thanksgiving weekend is done. Lots and lots of food. Yum.

Christina ate like she had two hollow legs. She is a fan of turkey leftovers. And to my surprise she ate stuffing as well as she does mashed potatoes.

I am still concerned about the weakness in her legs and how quickly the Botox took effect in her arms. Her physiologist said that is normal, but I worry.

Christina and I have enjoyed telling stories to each other. I like to start with "Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess name Christina...". Christina gives me a smile and once in awhile she can't hold back a giggle.

Bath time has been hilarious with Christina laughing so hard she turns red. Christina also finds it amusing when she messes the towels up and I need to grab fresh ones. I can't help but to laugh with her.

Happy Thanksgiving

Christina was lots of help making our Thanksgiving dinner. Christina was up early and took a long nap after a big lunch.

Christina was also talkative giving lots of holiday wishes.

Angela dressed Christina in a pretty dress and her hair was done up to match.

Helping cook


Looking pretty

Christina enjoyed breakfast at grandmas on Sunday. Eggs, toast, milk, orange juice, and applesauce were enjoyed.

Christina's incoming teeth have been bothering her. Thank goodness for Anbesol. That has not kept her from being a chatter box. Christina likes to sing along to some of her favorite songs.

The Botox shots in Christina's arms have loosened the tone already. Christina has been reaching in and out wonderfully. This has also increased Christina's hand opening. Whether it is a bonus ability or desire I do not know, but it gives me a smile to watch.

I am a little concerned how quickly the Botox took affect. Generally it takes some time, not a lot, to have an affect on the muscles.

On another good note, Christina has avoided getting sick with the bugs going around.

The Phenol blocks in the legs have made walking a learning again for Christina. She seems to have the routine down pat and several of the times we walked she takes little purposeful steps. I can't explain it well, but if you could see a before and after you would be as proud as me.

With Thanksgiving coming up Christina accompanied me to the grocery store to pick out a turkey. This year Christina can say she is bigger than the turkey.

Surgery went well. Waiting for Christina to get out of recovery.

Christina is out of recovery. She looks more out of it than normal. It is so hard to see her like this.

Will update more when I can.

The next round of Phenol blocks and Botox injections is creeping upon us. The doctor visits are popular these weeks. Christina went to see the physiologist, optometrist, pediatrician, and was fitted for AFOs. Christina is 27.7 pounds and is 36 inches tall.

We took it easy this past weekend with surgery coming up and to avoid getting sick. Christina has a couple of molars coming in and Anbesol is her friend. Christina also had booster shots on Friday which throws things out of whack for a couple days.

Christina has been super talkative still and I think it keeps increasing. It is beautiful to listen to her. Grandma had the chance to listen to her tell a story to a friend on the phone.

Christina has also become very fond of playing with the flash cards. We always had fun going through the letters and words, but now Christina grabs them off the shelf to go through them. I am so proud of her as she takes each card from me, says the letter/word, and then hands the card back.

The new AFOs fit well and Christina does not mind wearing them. The AFOs still play havoc with Christina's tone and make it more difficult for the princess to take her steps, but stand back the lil' firecracker is exploding. Christina has the determination you think you would only see in the movies. As Christina took her steps I thought she would stop after just a few. The struggle was tough to watch and the faces she made led me to believe that should wouldn't go far; I was wrong. The smiles lightened everything when Christina reached her destination. I am not sure who had the bigger proud smile, Christina was very proud of herself.

I will try to post an update soon after the surgery appointment.

Daddy's Log 20101114

With the rainy weather and cooler temperatures we have been spending our time indoors, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Although it is the start of the feeling of being cooped up.

Christina has continued being more talkative and is taking it to the next level. She is more verbal each week. It seems speech is a favorite activity at school also. It is difficult to find a speech activity Christina is not willing to do.

Soon is Christina's surgery, it always gives me a queezy feeling as the time approaches. It has proven beneficial for Christina, but that feeling and thoughts of 'what if' swirls constantly. The doubts raise their heads higher and more often as the day of surgery approaches.

The next topic:
I have been working on some more web stuff. I am trying to consolidate pictures for everyone and make them easy to view online. The total is over 30,000. I'll figure out a reasonable layout and finish it up one of these days. I also setup another blog for a friend. You will have to be patient as he is learning to post and get the look just right. I will post a link here soon. I've been pondering doing more myself, but that would require a bigger step I am willing to take right now. Getting the pictures online done and updating the slideshow come first. I want to make the slideshow more customized towards Christina. I chuckle as that probably means I'll add some pink.

I have to share (again) a smile from Christina. I see it most often when Christina is walking and I am 'following' her. She turns her head and looks up at me with big eyes and a smile. Her eyes have a sparkle that says "I'm doing it dad". As I have said many times before children are pure and have an energy within them. Never could I have imagined the feeling when Christina shares that with me. Christina shares herself with every smile. And to add to my list of wonderful daddy moments, after supper tonight when I picked up Christina made me smile. Christina gave me a hug and I gave her a hug back, then she said "daddy", I replied "yes", and Christina followed with "I love you", I replied "I love you too". I had to give her another huge hug. As much as I run that through my mind and cherish every bit of it, the best part came after. The look on Christina's face as we looked at each other when she realized that I understood what she said and responded. That smile, the look in her eyes, the unspoken words "I'm proud of you daddy". That was the best part.

Time to update Christina's blog. Enjoy the day.

Sorry for the late update, it has been busy. Today Christina had an eye appointment and an appointment for her AFOs.

On a good note, Christina has been full of stories and talking away. Saturday morning I heard her singing to the music when she thought I couldn't hear her. She has such a beautiful voice.

We have been working a lot on sounds, letters and making choices. Christina definitely has her ideas for choices. There are days her age shines through.

Again Christina amazed me with her walking in the gait trainer. And when she was ready to stop, we chose a distance to finish and she continued to her destination. The little firecracker took off like a rocket when I told her I would give her a shoulder ride when she reached the end. I think I enjoy the shoulder rides as much as she does.

I can't forget to mention that Friday the princess wanted her dance with dad. This would be another one of those, who likes it more. ;)