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. ;)

Daddy's Log 20101024

Saturday morning Christina woke up at 03:00. To quote an old movie; "what does the '0' mean, oh my god it's early". Christina was wide eyed and cheery. We sat downstairs for a little while and then I told Christina she had to go back to bed. I put her back in bed with some hugs and kisses and crawled back into bed myself. I listened until the princess fell asleep. She slept in until about quarter to nine. We had several choices of activities for the day, but took it easy. I don't want Christina to get sick. It was rainy all day. We played a little, read a little, worked on some letters and sounds. She took a long nap too.

Christina has been very good about showing me what she would like to do. Friday night we did some walking. When she wanted to be done I asked what she wanted to do next. Christina tried to tell me, but I couldn't understand. I asked her to show me and she proceeded to wiggle around me and started walking again. She walked over to the stereo and looked at me with a smile. I turned on some music and we sang and danced. Christina gives me a proud look when I figure out what she is telling(or showing) me.

Saturday Christina woke up at three AM with a smile. I held her for a while sitting downstairs. Shortly later I told her it was bedtime and that she had to back to bed. No fussing at all and I went back to sleep after she did. A total of 30 minutes from the time she woke to the time I went back to sleep. A wonderful huge step for Christina. I am very proud of you Christina.

Christina was a little off, so we had a mellow day. Christina was in a good mood and extra giggly in the evening. I am hoping she does not get sick, it has been rainy and gloomy so we stayed indoors.

Good reading. It hit a little too hard to read thoroughly first time.

Not One of Those Mothers

Cheers and enjoy the day. Appreciate every moment.

To add to the reading list an article from the NY Times, A Hero or Just a Parent.

To share some of my thoughts/feelings.
"I don't know how you do it" or "I would never be able to handle what you go through with your child!"
These are things I like many other parents do NOT want to hear. Well meant, but you don't understand.

I too, as stated in the articles, am not special or have any outstanding qualities that anyone else does not have in them. I am a father and I love my child.
I love you Christina.

Today I was asked how I was doing; when I replied and returned the question, the reply was 'participating'. I knew then it was something I had to share and be sure was around for a long time. So to the web it goes.

How I am today? Participating.

Christina was full of energy this weekend. Saturday we played at the mall and met new people. Sunday we went to the pool and splashed until we turned blue.

Christina also wanted to enjoy the great outdoors this weekend. It was a little cool and she was not a fan of my wanting her to stay warm. The little firecracker walked and walked and walked. Christina wanted to walk on the sidewalk and the grass. To my surprise she also wanted to walk to the pine tree down the street which we always touch the needles to feel how prickly.

To go along with her endless energy was her endless vocalizing. Christina would start talking and I would put her on the spot and ask her to repeat it and to tell me more of her story. I got an ear full.

Daddy's Log 20101010

This weekend held a good workout. Christina had lots of energy and wanted to go go go. Saturday Christina was amazing; she wanted to walk outside, not in the gait trainer, so we walked up and down the sidewalk. With a couple of stops for her to get her legs going she walked several blocks. I had to reward her the best I could, so big hugs and a shoulder ride she got.

Friday Christina was full of hugs and looked adorable. After some play time we danced before bedtime.

Now that I used the word it is missing something; due to the use of the word 'amazing' in infomercials, it just doesn't have the ummpf it should. Makes me chuckle how every infomercial I see or hear uses the word 'amazing'. So when I use it to describe Christina or her activity it is best thought of as '$yf@#% amazing'.

Sunday Christina and I met Mark, Kelli, and the girls at the Y. We had a great time. A young boy in the locker room had questions about CP when he saw Christina. It gave me a good feeling to help someone understand more about CP.

Daddy's Log 20101003

I have been fighting off a cold and have been succesful so far. Burning the candle at both ends has not helped, but there are just so many hours in a day and stuff has to get done.

Friday night I started a roast in the crock pot. The roast barely fit and I have a big crock pot. We got one meal out of it so far and I figure leftovers should last me four more meals. I'll have two this week and freeze two.

Saturday night I started ribs in the oven. Hmmm, they smell good. Christina thinks it is funny when she watches me put more barbecue sauce on them. And when she feels the heat from the oven she gives a giggle. The first time I had a tough time figuring out what she was laughing at. Christina was in her gait trainer and no where near the oven. I did not pull the pan out, I just pulled out the rack and basted the ribs right in the oven. It took a while before the wave of heat reached Christina. When it did the giggles started. Now we open the oven door so Christina can feel the heat and for me to smell the ribs. Smiles for us both.

All weekend we kept things mellow, Christina is sick and I don't want it to get worse. I am hoping she gets over it quickly. We have kept it at bay so far. A good night's sleep on Friday helped. Saturday Christina woke up at 23:00. After some holding time in the chair she was ready to go back to bed. Smiling when I laid her down there was no fussing and only one peep after I closed the door.