Physical Therapy

We are now in full swing with physical therapy. Liv is really doing great, in both the pool and on land - we have been alternating for a couple of weeks now. She has been having fun with all kinds of activities that are making her stronger and more confident to try new things all by herself. There she confidently walks up and down stairs all by herself - with the use of railings on both sides that she can reach - walks balance beams, one foot in front of the other - with a hand for assistance - plays with all kinds of "new" puzzles, balls, and a wall filled with a "her-size" wooden kitchen with food and dishes in every drawer, door, and on every shelf. It has become a fun weekly trip.

We sadly moved our favorite tiny cousin and her mom and dad to Des Moines (happily helped they unload boxes and share their few first meals in their new home.) We will greatly miss them being here, but we are so glad they are close enough for what will hopefully turn into frequent weekend visits!

We still miss you just as much!

For those of you who don't already know, 2009 and 2010 were both full of excitement and full of sadness. Robert and I were engaged on Christmas of 2008. While we were planning a September 2009 wedding, we toured Israel with our church that March. We planned and participated in a wonderful missions trip to Malawi, Africa in June. We bought a house in August. We celebrated with 740+ of our closest family and friends. Feeding them all in less than an hour due to my dad's amazing organization skills. It was a beautiful celebration of the love of Christ and the gift of love He gave us to give to each other. That Thanksgiving we were telling our families that we were expecting. That Christmas, it had only been one year since we had been engaged. In February of 2010, we had a sonogram that confirmed we were having a girl. The following Sunday, on my desk in the church office, I found a framed photo of our daughter that said, "love at first sight", a gift from my dad.

On March 11, 2010, my dad passed away suddenly. Today, we miss him just as much. We know that he is celebrating eternal life without anymore pain or sadness with our Lord and Savior Jesus. The only things that make it "easier" is remembering his life here and knowing that we will see him again.

Snow days

She wasn't sure at first that she wanted to go outside in the cold.

This is the first time she was actually old enough to think of asking to play outside in the snow.

She loved warming up with a good bowl of chicken noodle soup. In her own words, "dad made it" but "mom made it good". She also had her first taste of hot chocolate (as far as I know.)

We made our first snowman and stopped to listen to the train going by in the distance.

Happy Plate, Happy Momma

When it comes to eating, I am so happy to finally hear the words, "I want some more, momma." We never heard that before our trip to Shriner's. Gaining some more weight, along with simple exercises with play will help O get stronger and more confident with walking. She has already been standing for much longer periods than she ever did before her fracture, and she almost always chooses walking over being carried.

Our first week of potty training was a success. A few minor accidents, but nothing major. We've always said we had an easy baby and this proves it again.

Successful Potty Training Weekend

This has been a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It is such a joy to watch my daughter grow, and learn, and get excited about her accomplishments. Those sweet moments when time seems to stop and she is telling me a story or singing a song, while waiting to "go".... I love those moments. 

I have not followed it to a T, but I used a lot of the ideas this mom used:

Potty-Training-Part-1

We are not done yet, but we are a lot more far along than I thought we would be.

There was a song CarrieSueMist made up in high school that I have been singing to O this weekend. Day 2, she had already started singing it all by herself. Robert says, "You guys need to finish that song! Write some verses to it."

I gotta go pee pee, I do, I do

I gotta go pee pee

I gotta go, go, go

I gotta GO... GO

(I couldn't figure out how to rotate it, but it's still cute)

Twenty-twelve

Looking back at 2012, it was full of unanswered questions, as well as many questions answered, uncertainty and tears, as well as security and a greater joy that remains. I am so thankful to our God who remains faithful regardless of our circumstances. He who has begun a good work in us will continue until it is completed (Phil. 1:6).

In 2013, I'm looking forward to falling more in love with Jesus, more in love with my husband, for more opportunities to grow in faith and for more ministry opportunities, and watching our daughter grow in strength and in truth.

Bigger, Stronger, Smarter

Sweets is eating a lot better since the cast came off. She had actually gained weight rather that losing it while the cast was on. Since the cast has been off, she is continuing to gain weight well. 

She has been crawling around the house since the day after the cast came off, and yesterday she had built enough strength back up to pull up to a stand and even walk a bit with help! 

We met to see a wonderful specialist yesterday. She is reviewing Sweets' labs and x-rays and had a few new insights for us. We will gain a little more knowledge after our appointment with another specialist this coming Monday that we have heard great things about. So far almost all of her labs are looking good! That means doctors are narrowing down what they think might be going on.

While waiting to see the doctor, we looked out the 6th floor window spotting school buses, city buses, people walking, and dogs!

Just yesterday, Sweets pushed a chair up to the kitchen sink, crawled up and was reaching to turn on the water. Turn your head for one minute.... She's obviously getting her strength back.

She has been saying a lot of stuff lately that have us wondering

"How does she know how to say all that?"

And she's been singing a lot too. 

"Tinkle Tinkle lil-le stars, how I wonder what you are, up a world so high, like a diamond in the sky." 

Knowing her ABC's and 123's.

So cute.