In a nutshell

We have so much to post and even more pictures. We still want to post recital pictures and July 4th pictures. Life is coming at us fast. We leave for vacation next week. Just wanted to give a quick update on Caroline. She is doing well. Her speech progress is slower than I would like. She gets easily frustrated at times and wants to do so much like everyone else. On the other hand has come far this past year. She is able to vocalize about 4 words clearly. She does jabber and babble now. She recognizes many signs about up to 15-20. She has the understanding and ability to sign 10- 12 signs, but does not seem to initiate them on her own. She will sign when I say the word. To see her sign book and cracker are precious!!! Her last OT evaluation said her age equivalent was on a 12 mo. scale. we are so very thankful for God's provision and keeping her healthy this year. We are blessed. She is doing fine with her stander and can stand 12 min about 3x a day right now. She thinks it is pretty neat to be as tall as Carley and to move around the house like she is walking is pretty cool too!!!! we try to make it fun and wheel her many places.
She gave up her bottles and now is on her cup full time. we are working on feeding with utensils and standing up with the stander. We have a new speech therapist that we will meet Friday. we are looking into some other therapies for Caroline's speech. I also look forward to meeting with the geneticist and getting our MRI on the way in the next few months.
Carley is doing well and loves to be at home playing, dogs, barbies, and anything art!!!!She has had a horrible stye for 6 weeks that they are telling me to leave absolutely alone after seeing 3 different doctors. We will see what happens. Carley loves to swim and we have to watch her because she has little fear right now since her swim lessons in June and July. We have had a busy summer and can not believe it is half way over.

More Birthday Pictures

Happy Birthday Caroline Age 2

Surgery Success

We are forever grateful for yet another successful procedure. Caroline recovered well with a little spunk and grumpiness. She was her usual self today and will have therapy this week as we try out the new stander. There is a small chance the area can become infected, but we will go back to remove stitches in two weeks. Thank you for all your continued support, encouragement and prayers.

Surgery today

Caroline has surgery at 8am to seal the hole where her tube was....it is outpatient. Pray she handles the procedure well.

Never a dull moment

So much to share in too little time. We went away to Orlando and meet special friends from College. It was a great time. The girls got to swim twice in the pool and visit with Julie, Evan and Jackson. Then we met my mom in Orland and went home with her for a couple of days. we and lots of rain, but still a nice time. The girls both had fevers and touch of a bug. Caroline's tube site is not closing and not healing well. Carley has a horrible stye on her eye and it is not better. we rushed home last night to get to the doctor here. Alas! the pediatrician is closed today. The pediatric surgeon called back and 2:30 and scheduled surgery for Monday am for Caroline's tube closure. I will send pictures soon of the stander and of recital just have been really overwhelmed and busy.

Longer Days are here

Longer days are here as far as summer and daylight go, but Caroline will appear taller and longer too! Our stander was delivered today. I was very excited. It was assembled, but I have not been trained on how to use it yet. Next week the PT is going to show me how to adjust each piece. It is cute and has lots of pink. We had to put Caroline in it and take a picture. She smiled and seemed to like it. Carley calls it her "Pink Wall - E". I think this is very cute!!! I was thinking it sort of looked like a robot myself, but she took the words right from my mouth today when she told me " It looks like a robot mommy." She was as excited as i was for Caroline today which made my heart smile. I really do think she loves Caroline even though it has been a long time coming. I will have Cam post pics soon.
Last weekend was a busy one!!!! It was Father's day and Carley's first recital for ballet and tap.We were able to see both sets of grandparents. I know this made Carley feel super special and important. Nana and Papa Abbott came from SC for a long weekend. We went to the pool to show off Carley's new swimming skills too. Nana found time to garden and spruce up the backyard too!!!! Carley was very pretty all dressed for her recital. She got up on stage and looked for us and waved and smiled pretty much during both of her performances. She did a few dance moves, but looked like she was having a ball. It was a great experience for the both of us. She is such a big girl and a big helper lately. She told me she wants to take a break from dance and try soccer next.