Therapy and such

Emma did very well today at physical therapy. Amy has informed us that since Emma is doing so well she would like to cut our visits back to every other week. We will miss Amy but it will be nice not to have to drag her out there and get her around so many germs every week. If it doesn't work out we can always go back to weekly trips. The JD McCarty center is just such an awesome place and we love it.

Speaking of Amy I havent mentioned this before because I didn't want to ruin any suprise or jinx her but she is having a baby! A litle boy and she is due in July. I am just so thrilled for her, she will be such a good Mommy. She takes such good care of Emma for me. She hasnt spilled the beans on her son's name yet so we will just have to wait until July. CONGRATS AMY!!

We are still house hunting and hope to move in June if not before then, but I am thinking June. I am going to Dallas June 1-3 with my sister and leaving Emma with Daddy and brother and sister. I need a vacation. Its my first ever! :-) I will make sure to take pictures, as I know many of you will want to see them.

Emma is doing wonderfully and we appreciate everyone's prayers and good thoughts. THANK YOU!

Another quick update

Just an update, not much to talk about. Our computer was done for a few weeks so I didn't get to write. Sorry.

Emma is doing about the same. We have a chance of tornados today and I am running around like mad trying to get ready for them. Getting supplies packed and what not. The last weekend in March we were put in a surprise tornado warning and I was not prepared to seek shelter, we made it but it was chaos. Today I want to be ready. All of you from tornado alley know that its probably not a big deal but its better to be prepared.

I added a map to Emmas page go sign your name to it and it will show everyone's location. Our goal is to get someone saying prayers or thinking of Emma in all 50 states and throughout the world. So pass it on to friends if you would like. Its at the bottom of this page and will remain there for a while or click here:

Great pic drawn for Emma by her favorite girl cousin

Emma's cousin Liz drew her the best picture ever. Elizabeth is 12 and is a great little artist. Emma adores her. Emma is doing fine just wanting to share her pic, please leave comments on it, Elizabeth reads the blog and I want her to know how great she is.

March 13 Update

Just a little update, not much to say. Emma is feeling and doing fine. She is doing ok with her new hand splints she got at thearpy but she keeps getting out of them, the little stinker! Yesterday was our puppy Violet's birthday but we are having a "party" for her tonight.

We are planning on moving into a house soon. In the next month I hope. We are currently looking, we want to get Emma a bigger space and we for sure how to get Ella and Derek their own rooms since they drive each other nuts and are getting older and need their space. Ella tears up the bedroom and then Derek cries.

The other night Ella choked on a piece to a toy. She is ok, she never turned blue but was really scared and making funny noises. The hemilich and baby hemilich did not work on her but Dad managed to pull it out with his fingers (a last resort) so I urge all of you readers to watch out for the small things, even toys you think are safe aren't. This was part of a wind up toy they got at the doctors office of all places. Also brush up on your choking safety skills. We were very lucky we knew what to do.

Emma is still not sleeping very much at night, she slept 3 hours last night and is wide awake now, I bet she will be sleeping in the next hour or so and will sleep all day. We have made attempts to help keep her awake during the day and sleeping at night but she just wants to be a night owl like her dadddy I guess.

We lost some of our nursing so we are back down to 3 nights a week again. Very tiring on Mommy but Emma sleeps better those nights because I can turn all the lights out. We are just having issues with the nursing company getting us nurses that work out or can stay. DeLene is our only nurse now, and for those of you who have met her than you know what a blessing she is.

Hope everyone is well and that we have some good house hunting news to update you with soon. Have a wonderful week!

A little update

Emma has been off and on sick for a week or so but I think she is finally well. Now Ella has a fever and has been a huge grump. It was 102.2 when I checked early but its down now thanks to some motrin.

Emma has become great friends with her little boyfriend Danielthat we met on myspace. He send her presents today. His mom also made sure to send something to Derek and Ella too. The kids just thought it was Christmas when the UPS man showed up at the door. This new family we have made friends with have been a real God sent. Its nice to talk to someone who is going through and has been through a lot of the things we have. Plus its just nice to be able to chat with someone. Sometimes I get kind of bored hanging around watching kids all day.

Emma's stye is gone and her eye looks all pretty again. We went to therapy last week and Emma enjoyed seeing Amy again. We will see her again on Thur of this week and we are glad. Emma likes to get her work out and her cuddles from Amy.

Thank you all for sticking by and reading the blog here, I know that I don't update very often but sometimes that just means that life is moving along with no big issues to update on and that is a good thing.
God Bless all of you.

Something beautiful

Something so beautiful I just had to share with all our blog readers...

Some new pics of Emma

Update

Sorry I have not updated in so long, there hasn't been too much to talk about really. Emma has a slight cold today and fever, she is doing ok though, nothing major to talk about. She now has a total of 6 teeth! All still on the bottom but she is working on number 7 also on the bottom.

She has a boyfriend now. We met him on myspace. His name is Daniel and he has CP like Emma. He has a trach but no vent but looks just like Emma! He sent her a braclet for Valentines day and it says Daniels loves Emma on it, its adorable. His mom has been so sweet to me and has become a great friend, its great to met someone who knows about the things I am going through. His only downfall? Well he lives all the way in Michigan! Oh and he is 5 years old, so I guess Emma loves older men.

Emma got her very first stye in her eye, its almost gone now though. She reminded me of cousin Elizabeth when she got it, Elizabeth always used to get them. I have some new pics of Emma, I will post them in just a little while have to go tuck all the kiddos in bed!

Physical Therapy

Physical Therapy

Emma did well yesterday at therapy. Her therapist Amy is still so amazed at how well Emma's legs are doing since the botox. Shhh don't tell Amy but Emma and I have been working her legs lots and lots just to surprise her. Actually Emma has been doing all the hard work, Mommy just helps. She had a great work out yesterday.

She had hand splint made to keep her hands open, it took longer than they thought so we get the other hand done next week. Maria made her hand splints, Emma likes her but decided to roll her eyes at her a few times think she was thinking 'Come on already lady where are my splints!" it was cute.

Our friend Joel has gone to Heaven

A few posts back I told everyone to check out Joel's blog at http://weloveyoujoel.blogspot.com/index.html. Well Sweet little Joel passed away this afternoon. He was a fighter and was a sweet little angel from what I had read. It makes us remember our online friend Oliva that died this summer. It just seems to unfair that another innocent child has been lost, but I know God's will was done and that we should not question the Lord. Please continue to pray for Joel's family. They will need strength in the days to come

Here a sick kid, there a sick kid, everywhere a sick kid!

Emma is feeling better today, she has managed to stay yucky diaper free all last night and today. She is resting now and has been sleeping a lot but seems much happier today.

Ella is still feeling yucky too but is improving, she has a little cough and is sleepy but she is also jumping all over the house so I guess that means she is better.

Poor little Derek. He is still pretty sick. We took him to the doctor today because on top of the tummy thing he has a cough and his ear hurt. He has a double ear infection. Yes, that is 3 since September that he has had, for those of you keeping track. They called in some good medicine for him so hopefully he will be up and running soon. He missed 3 days of school last week, and Monday was a holiday. The school was closed for ice today and I am hoping it will be tomorrow too so we don't have to call him in again. He wants to go back to school bad, but I want to make sure he is better, the schools rules say you have to take your antibiotics for 24 hours first so we will see.

I am tired, on top of all this Emma's nurse DeLene has the stomach bug and was gone last night and will be sick tonight too, no replacement is available. We have no nurses on Wed night so I guess I will be on the couch 2 more nights. How fun is that?

I will keep everyone updated as to how our little squirts are doing.

Christmas Photos

Derek showing off his card
from Nanny and Poppy

Emma at the JD McCarty Center

Poppy and Ella

Daddy and Mommy

My new favorite picture

of Emma

Ella and an "OH HO" her word

for snowman.

Emma Ella and Derek

with the cards they got

Prayers for a friend

There is a family who really needs prayers. Everyone please check out their blog. http://weloveyoujoel.blogspot.com/index.html. His name is Joel and he is 3 and is so adorable. He is at Children's hospital in Oklahoma City. His story is amazing and he is in desperate need so everyone please pray for our "friend" Joel.

Long awaited update..

Sorry I haven't written in a while but we have been busy with life. Christmas went really well. Emma got lots of presents from Santa because she was a very good girl this year. Her favorite thing is her fish aquarium toy that lights up and sings that her Grandmother gave her. She loves to watch it, and will "cry" in her Emma squeaky language if she wants it turned on again when it stops.

Derek and Ella have both had the stomach bug for a week or so off and on. Derek missed 3 days of school last week. Ella is very grumpy and she has learned that when you throw up you have to put your head in the trash can Mommy has waiting. She does ok with it.

Last night Emma's nurse said Emma had diarrhea 2 times last night (I hope that is not to much information!) so I am hoping she isn't getting sick. She has no fever and is acting ok so maybe its just a fluke thing. Its not uncommon for her to occasionally get diarrhea.

We had an ice storm come in over the weekend. Its very cold and I don't think its is supposed to warm above freezing until Thur or Friday. We have therapy with Amy on Thur so I guess we will have to bundle up good.

Update Dec. 21, 2006

Emma went to therapy today. She well. It was nice for her to get to see Amy before Christmas. Emma got to see all the decorations out at the JD McCarty center again, she really liked that. I think she likes all the Christmas trees the best or the big Santa Claus out front.

We also got the base to her carseat delievered today. Actual its more than a car seat, its a "positioning system". So with this base it turns it into a chair with wheels she can sit in, inside the house. I haven't put her in it yet, want to wait until either the nurse is here or Dad is here to help me the first time, have to figure where to put her vent and what not. It will probably go on the new cart she has that holds her things.

Merry Christmas everyone. Please try to check back often, I plan on posting a few more times before Christmas since brother is out of school and we will be up to a lot with Emma.

Thanks!!!!!

Therapy today

Emma did pretty good today at therapy. Her Nanny and Poppy came and took lots of pictures, including pictures of her chair that Mommy decorated (you cant tell but the lights on her chair were lit up!) She had a spell when she wanted to use oxygen for a while but about half way through therapy decided enough was enough with the oxygen and started to breath better. Nothing to worry about, she is acting very healthy.

Amy think the botox worked great, she was very impressed with the way Emma's legs and hips were working. So that is a load off, I wasnt sure if it had been a success or not, but Amy's input is greatly appreciated and respected.

I am posting a slide show with music of the pictures we took today. I hope you like them. Thanks to Nanny and Poppy for taking them! I really think her Poppy was happy to get out there finally and see how great the center is and how great Emma does. Nanny was glad to have a repeat visit out there.

God Bless you all, I will have more updates very soon.

Special Message for Emma's Therapist Amy

Emma wants to put out a special message for her physical therapist Amy! CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT!!! Amy will be married June 2 if all goes as planned. Her ring is so pretty and Emma sure was eyeing the sparkles it made. Congratulations Amy, you deserve much happiness.

Somethning new to update!

Sorry I havent updated in so long, things have been kind of busy with the holidays. But guess what??? Emma has learned something new! When she is sitting/laying on the couch she has started to lift her head up and look around! She can get her head up about 2 inches or so off the couch. She loves being down at Ella's level and near the tv. She is a sweetie. I am so happy that she is working her head so well!

She has been such a good girl this year I bet she will get so many presents from Santa. We have missed PT due to a few things the last 4 weeks or so but go back to see Amy on Thur. Emma has missed her so much.

So far so good

Emma is still pain free and happy over her botox! I have not noticed any major change yet but havent done her streching yet today, so we will see in a while what is going on with her. I honestly dont know why some people make sure a big deal about botox. Emma has had no pain, no issues, no crying at all. I guess it is just diffrent for everyone.

Ella is coming home today from her Nanny's. She calls Nanny "Jean" and she says "football" she fed some goats the other day and called them "Puppy!" she thinks anything furry is a dog. Emma is excited to get her sister home.

Botox

Emma did pretty today with her botox. They started an iv to give her the sleepy medicine before hand, and they had told me the nasal drug would work. But they tried the iv and missed in her hand and it swelled up. Then tried her foot and got a good vein. She slept good and woke up with a few small holes poked him her back from the needles but other than that seems pretty normal. She is sleeping now, and is still a little loopie from her medicine. We arent really supposed to do any heavy stretching today but in a few days hope to see good results! WAY TO GO EMMA!! I was so proud of her today