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Thursday, August 28, 2008

Nutrition

Caroline is 15.5 pounds!!!! We went to see the nutritionist today to evaluate her diet and caloric intake. Since she is now a one year old we are moving up to big girl milk. It is not cow milk, but it is similar to a pediasure type product. It will still be delivered to our house with her pump bags and hopefully covered mostly by insurance. It is a higher calorie/ounce. We will adjust her feeds accordingly so she will still get 484 calories per her milk intake and the additional calories will come from solids. Lots of math and science behind these decisions. I gave her a taste of the new milk and she was not so keen. It is like a milkshake. Of course I tasted it first!!!! It is much more tastier than infant formula. No odor and it is vanilla flavored. Hopefully Carley does not get into it!!!!HA!HA! She is growing on nice curve on her growth chart. She is proportionate to herself. Her weight is just right - not too fat, but a little chubby. She appears chubbier due to her lack of muscle tone - which makes sense to me. Me too. We will start our new milk after our trip to avoid any complications. Have a safe holiday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

No news is good news

We are enjoying a week without tornado watches. We spent some time in the closet last week twice for tornadoes. Carley thought it was all fun and games. Caroline did not seem to mind it either. We are having a hot, dry day today, but do not fear we will get rain tonight and tomorrow. We are going to Greenville next weekend for birthday celebrations. I have made many connections this week and discovered Facebook. It is a crazy Internet world, but fun.
Caroline is doubling up on appt. this week for speech and PT since we missed some from Fay.
Carley has pre-school orientation on Friday. We also have two doctor appt this week. I am anxious to see what the nutritionist does to change Caroline's current diet. I hope she is open to my suggestions and listens to my concerns before her prescription arises. I am trying to win a minivan since we are not ready to buy one. You all pray my name gets picked from the drawing.
We live in our car and I would like leather seats and the room to move around and carry our life with us to doctor appt.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Tropical Storm Fay Pictures/Video



Our First Tropical Storm "Fay"


Well I was at home from work today to enjoy watching the effects of Tropical Storm FAY!
It has been raining for two day straight. So far we have had lots and lots of rain and heavy winds.

The power just went out and has now been out for about 2 hours. As soon as the power came back I decided to post on the blog. Kim and I had the girls take baths this morning and everyone got ready for the day because we figured the power would go out sometime during the day.

Kim and I decided to make this day as fun as we could because we knew we would be stuck in the house all day and were not sure if that would be with or without power.

We all got up and made breakfast. Carley helped me make pancakes for breakfast.

I went and got our tent out of the garage and set it up in the den and Carley and I played in the tent in the den.
Thanks to everyone for your calls to check on us. Were fine just hanging out waiting for the storm to pass.


Monday, August 18, 2008

Searching for Words

I read another blog of a very sweet, gifted mom who has three girls and she lost one a few months ago at birth. She is a true inspiration although I have not been able to meet her.
Her husband sings for Selah. Here is an excerpt from her blog that describes my feelings over the past year of our lives. I am not a beautiful writer, but she expresses things beautifully. Many people ask me how I deal with Caroline's life or condition or so many of the unknowns I face. I do not do it alone. I serve a God who hears me, he knows my name and he does taste the salt in my tears.

"The depth of sorrow has a way of changing the way you share your life, your heart, your God.
It makes you want to shout the name of Jesus because you realize that after all, in the very midst of it, He is real. It isn't just a big book. It's the truth, and it has changed me. "

Angie Smith

http://www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com/
if you ever have time check out this amazing blog!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Thoughts

Just wanted to write to say hello to some of you who may not know me. I am touched by meeting some of you online and hoping I have helped another family along the way of our path of discovery. I have come in contact with two old friends this past week and am so grateful for the Internet and it allowing people to be able to reach out and connect. I welcome e-mail and comments and usually will respond back to you as soon as possible. I truly am encouraged by those of you who take the time to learn about us and actually pray for our strength and Caroline's growth - it helps me one day at a time!!!!

We have recently gotten into watching John and Kate plus eight - it really gives us a laugh and helps us realize we could be busier and more stressed. It is a great show if you have never watched it. I had my eyes checked this am and now have to wear torc lenses - no big deal , but I can see better today!!!! We went to the outdoor mall today to walk around, eat lunch and to get ice cream. We are planning are Disney trip in October and looked at guide books and cameras - imagine that! I am not sure we really need another camera!!!! But it was fun. I would rather be looking at mini vans - but that is a long way off!!!!

Caroline starts speech therapy officially this week. I am uncertain that our speech therapist is the one for us. Pray for a peace and that I will be able to communicate to her my feelings. I am not sure she is compassionate , but maybe I am too sensitive. I usually am able to really discern people's motives and character and in all of our past experiences have not had this feeling. I may be able to put her on a wait list at the same therapy office we go to for PT.
Oh - BTW I love her new Physical Therapist she is more than loving and treats Caroline like her own!!!! She pushes her and challenges her to work hard. She told me she can tell we are exercising and working at home. She gives me little homework activities to do. it is most helpful.

Carley starts ballet and tap on Thursday - I am hoping she goes with the flow with her dance attire etc.....I will post pictures and a short comment Thursday night! She starts pre-school in a few short weeks too!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Blessed

This week I was able to attend a ceremony for a special needs school - Lake Hills. My dad - Frank Rebecky was instrumental in overseeing and implementing the entire building project. My my dad spent 10-12 hours a day for 15 months in Lake County, Florida. We never knew the impact of a this particular job would personally touch our family. Although Caroline may never attend this particular school it was an amazing project. I am proud of my dad! It gives each of us a deeper understanding for people, their lives, their children, their futures and their daily struggles. It keeps the focus off of ourselves and how truly special these kids' lives are and will continue to be. It is not a coincidence that Caroline was placed in our lives during my dad's building project. Caroline arrived 13 months ago and this project was started well before her arrival. I met the principals and some families along with their special needs children on Thursday morning. It was amazing to hear God's name mentioned not once or twice in this public school setting. His name was lifted up several times. The school board members had tears in their eyes as well as many public elected officials in that community. This may never make headline news, but it should. One lady spoke of how this place is like a sanctuary for these children to come and be taught at their level in a safe environment. Another man spoke about how eternity is the same for you and me as it will be for these children and how they are made in God's image. It was powerful and probably the best church service to many there who may have never heard Christ's love. This building will house 150 students this school year. The staff are truly dedicated to the cause of helping children and their families. I was able to met another family with a son who has special needs. he also has a mickey button. This family was able to answer my question and need for Caroline needing a mickey button placed by me or surgeons. She said it is not a law and you can still replace it yourself. She told me even my pediatrician can prescribe one. This was a personal answer to prayer and very helpful for me. I was able to talk to them about God and exchange e-mail addresses. God is Amazing!!!! He knows no distance!!!!

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Nap Time

We spent another fun day exploring the town. We went to JAX beach and walked on the pier and watched some people fish. Carley got to pet a live starfish, but we decided to throw him back because of the starfish story. You know that one don't you? We also visited some of the fun shops in the beach area.
Caroline loves the new double stroller. She sits up front every time and flaps her feet and claps her hands in the wind. It is too precious for words. Last weekends' adventure we went to St. Augustine and strolled both girls around the town, went out for lunch and got ice cream. Carley even rode the merry- go- round twice.
Then it is always the dreaded nap time. We try the whole ritual baths, pj's - it does not work. I think Carley is about to quit taking naps. It is a never ending battle. So she says to me:
I see a lot of stuffed animals in my room. We should give some away to some other children or maybe our neighbors. Maybe we should give Caroline's clothes away...........
I say, "Carley that is not nice."
She responds, "I am just telling a joke."
I have a great idea!!!! Let's give some of these stuffed animals away. Now let's spell sheep - S_H_E_E_P!!!! Anything to skip a nap!!!!!
meanwhile Caroline angelically sleeps in her room.