She Did It

After Liv got home from day care, we were all hanging out in the living room.  I had this feeling like she could take a couple of steps on her own today, AND SHE DID!  She took 3 steps about 4 different times.  She also stood by herself for about a minute.  I guess all of that walking with the walker around day care is really paying off.  But it does make her so tired.  She took a nap at 5 today.  She's my little hard worker!

Love Bug

Olivia is the most social person I know.  She just adores cuddling.  It's so cute that she rolls over to her side and grabs me and pulls me into her chest to snuggle.  She loves to rest her head on my shoulder all of the time.  Her favorite thing to do is sit with my husband and me on the couch.  She just think that it's the greatest thing that Drew and I hug.  If Drew and I are sitting with each other, she needs to sit on our laps.  She really does have an uplifting vibe about her.

Never Ending Rash

Liv has had this diaper rash for about a month now.  We have tried 3 different kinds of meds and today we were prescribed another.  I feel so bad for her.  I know it itches.  I'm hoping this works.

Heartbreaking

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/opinion/sunday/notes-from-a-dragon-mom.html?_r=1&src=tp&smid=fb-share

Left Behind

There's been times that we've missed out on things because Liv can't get around well.  Before the walker it was even harder.  It's not that I expect everyone to cater to Olivia's needs, that's my job.  But I wish there was a way to be included all the time.  I guess this is the way things are going to be and I need to accept them.  We can't go to parks with friends because Liv can't climb on anything.  We were supposed to go with friends to an orchard today but plans changed and they went to another orchard.  Since there were no pictures on the website, I had no idea if Liv would be able to walk around on pavement.  So we didn't go.  I met up with her nurse that has a disabled son at the original orchard and had a good time.  It breaks my heart to know that there are going to be times that we will be left out.  The children she grew up with are just getting too skilled for her. I guess I need to find a way to meet parents of special needs children.  I need to find kids that go at Liv's speed.


I don't want anyone to be upset when they read this.  This is a blog about how I feel and what's going on in my life with my child.  I needed to express this.  Please don't take this the wrong way.

Stomach Bug Again!!!

This child and this bug is out of control.  I guess that's why there was pooping issues this week.  She gave it to me and her sister, so we were throwing up last night.  I never had stomach viruses that made me throw up until I had Liv.  Despite how I felt last night, I couldn't stop thinking about how blessed I am to have her.  It brings tears to my eyes.  She is an amazing child.  She is very social.  Her therapist that see her at daycare were telling me that she walks up to the kids in the cribs and talks to them (well babbles).  She has to make her rounds to everyone, and this is true at church as well.  She totally ditches us and goes to see everyone else at church.  She's incredible.  I can't imagine life without her!

A Stinky Situation

Liv is on a new poop schedule.  It is when she leaves the house and is on the way to daycare.  The problem is that it goes everywhere.  I spend all this time dressing her up all cute to only be seen in the outfit for about 20 minutes by myself and my husband.  The other day it was so bad we had to wash the car seat 3 times.  Today we thought that Drew could leave a little later to take care of the problem.  She woke up this morning to poop on her bed.  So we thought at least he could leave on time today.  That was the wrong thought.  She pooped again before she left so I had to change her pants.  She also pooped on the way to school.  At least they got to see her cute outfit today.  I'm hoping for a solution.  Sorry if this is TMI. 

GI Update

We went to GI today to evaluate how she has been gaining weight.  She got up to the 10th percentile at 25.5 lbs.  The doctor was very impressed.  We are now reducing her pediasure intake during the day to give her the desire to eat foods more.  She lately has been showing that she wants to eat, so now she should express it even more.  I don't think the night time feeds will decrease any time soon, but that's ok because that's how we have a nurse to help out.

Walking

We decided not to use the stroller today, only the walker.  Wow Liv takes a long time.  She is so interested in everything that is going on around her that she doesn't walk.  Going through Ikea took forever.  At least we didn't have any time constraints.  It would have been easier to whip her in a stroller and go, but she needs the practice.  She loves her walker so much that she freaks out if we pick her up to carry her instead.  That girl is going to be walking by her 3rd birthday!

Insurance Issues

Tuesday was a crazy day!  I got a call around 10:30 am that Liv was no longer allowed to having a nursing staff overnight due to her being dropped from her insurance.  Of course I handed in all of the paperwork to solve the insurance problem, but they said it can take up to 30 days to get it.  I prayed a lot and made phone calls to see what I could accomplish to get Liv a nurse for the night.  I hate going to the welfare office, but it's amazing what you will do for your child.  The nurse that runs her daycare made a phone call to a friend that helps people who have fallen through the cracks of the system with their special needs children.  The reason she was dropped was because we never filled out a renewal.  I never knew about it.  I never knew she had a caseworker that was supposed to make sure it happened.  So the advocacy took our case.  We also found out that during this lapse, insurance will back pay any expenses occurring now.  The nursing agency pulled some strings to allow her to get services since they will get paid in the future.  So after all these calls and prayers, by 5:00, it was confirmed that she would have a nurse.  I never realized how much we depend on these services and how much of a blessing it is to have them for my baby.  Thank goodness for medical assistance for special needs children.  I can't even image how little my daughter would have if we didn't have it.  The insurance hasn't been settled yet, but everything is being taken care of, so I'm very happy.   It's nice to know that there are good people out there and you can lean on them at a time of need.