Thank you everyone for your wonderful thoughts and prayers! |
Claire's
Journal -- Month 52 |
July
10 |
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Mom
woke up at 5am, and couldn't get back to sleep. Claire was snoozing
just fine, but mom had a lot of things on her mind. By 6:30am
mom was exhausted, but finally fell asleep, only to get up at
7am and suddenly find herself in a rush to get the kids ready
and out the door. Dad worked on Big sis, who is usually the biggest
cost in time in the mornings, but she was pretty fired up as
she had a field trip today... lucky for dad. |
July
9 |
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Claire
slept through the night and when mom checked in on her this
morning, she was completely turned around. Where her feet were,
now was where her head was... she had some kind of dreams.
Today
is Claire's big sister's birthday. The morning started with
presents and then off to summer camp and daycare for the kids.
Claire slept all morning and didn't wake up much for anything.
Mom doesn't know if she needs to be concerned with Claire's
grogginess, or see it as extra sleep needed for a growning
girl.
Claire ate well at school and had her OT visit. She's getting really
good at sitting by herself or sitting in someone's lap. Mom got her
home, it was a very hot day. Claire sat in her stroller, just hanging
out. Mom picked Claire up and the little peanut had the biggest grin...
there wasn't a tooth that wasn't showing. Really melts a mama's heart,
no matter what kind of day she's had, that Baire smile is so contagious.
Big sis decided she wanted a Happy
Meal for her Birthday Dinner. Mom and dad had sandwiches. Neighbors
came over for birthday cake and it was a nice evening sitting around
the table eating cake and chatting. Claire was great about staying
awake until just after her dinner, then meds and off to sleep. What
a darling child. |
July
8 |
|
Claire
had a nice morning, up for church and slept through the second
half of mass, then during social time in the hall afterwards.
She was awake much of the day.
In the evening, she went to sleep around 6 or 7pm and continued
to sleep in her stroller until mom woke her around 10:30pm
for meds and late dinner. It was all mom could do to feed
that Peanut her mashed potatoes and applesauce (enhanced with
calorie powder) and then change her diaper... and off back
to sleep she was. She went right to sleep, no party this evening.
|
July
6 |
|
Mom
left for work this morning before Claire woke up. Dad is home
with the kids today as none of them have camp or school this
week. Mom made up a big tub of rice cereal, soy milk, yogurt,
applesauce, duocal and a little vegie oil. She's hoping that
will help dad out during to day so he won't have to think about
what to throw in the food today. Tonight mom will whip up a
batch of mashed potatoes and get Claire back on her super hi-carb
diet again. |
July
5 |
|
Today
the family heads back home from Grandparents. It is typically
a long drive, but the motivation to pack up and get on the
road eludes mom and dad, so they didn't get out of town until
about 6pm. It was so nice relaxing all morning, big sis got
in one last swim in the pool, etc.
The drive back wasn't too bad, hit some rain, and thought they'd
hit one really bad storm, but evidently the storm had moved
to the north as they breezed by it with only a little rain
on the windshield before returning home... quite unheard of
when traveling in the south in the summer in the afternoon.
Mom was happy about that tho.
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July
4 |
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What
a fun day. Mom sat around with her family and played poker
while the kids were still visiting dad's family with dad. Claire
got a bath and sat with mom for a while until she fell asleep.
Mom layed her down and, of course, she woke up and fought going
back to sleep, but sleep won out as she lay in the 'bean bag'
in front of the tv watching everyone. Later in the day, mom
made big sis a birthday cookie for the celebration of the birthday
later. Dad came home with the sibs in time for a swim and lunch.
After playing in the pool, Claire got a new diaper and clothes
change and back to snoozin' in the bag chair again. The kids
continued to play in the pool until the hot dogs were ready
and everyone sat down for a meal, then cookie, then presents.
Then off to Claire's uncle's home to watch fireworks. He has
a rooftop by the beach and it overlooks several cities' firework
shows. The night was cool and so were Claire's little toes.
It was like a cool pre-fall evening, and that was probably
because there was rain off to the south, but none found at
the near-beach house. |
July
3 |
|
Dad
took the sibs down to South Florida to visit his family and
mom stayed at Claire's grandparents with Claire. Mom and her
mom and sister took Claire shopping. Later, mom and Claire
had a nice time in the pool, under the umbrella that Gpa put
over the steps, so mom could sit with Claire on her lap. Claire
really enjoyed the pool, it was relatively warm and she especially
enjoyed kicking the water. |
July
1 |
|
Mom's
adorably sweet sister, with the help of Grandma, watched the
kids while mom and dad went over to Port Canaveral for the
night. They got a nice room overlooking the Cocoa Beach Pier,
enjoyed dinner at one of the restaurants on the pier and walked
around. It was Sunday, so no bands or crazy parties, just a
very relaxed atmosphere. They bought drinks and sat on the
balcony for a bit before retiring for the evening. A very fun
anniversary - their 18th. |
June
29 |
|
After
work, mom and dad loaded up the kids and were off to the Grandparents
for the weekend and onto July 4 for festivities. Claire was
big on putting her fingers in her mouth much of the time, and
mom forgot her arm thingies, so mom had to hold her hands much
of the ride. |
June
27 |
|
Claire
missed PT today as her therapist was out of the office. When
she misses private therapy, it really magifies how bad it is
that she doesn't get any PT at her school over the summer...
wait... she does get it once a month, and that is a result
of mom ranting... to me this is all so very insane, the public
school is suppose to provide PT, Claire needs it at least 3
times a week, and when she misses her private PT, she doesn't
get any PT for 2 weeks. Mom works with her in the meanwhile,
but mom isnt' a professional, and Claire needs more PT than
mom can provide anyway. Mom has been noticing Claire keeping
her legs bent and tho mom has been working on that, it would
be nice if Claire had more of that throughout the day while
at daycare. |
June
26 |
|
Claire
is
still having her late night parties in her bed. The feet are
kicking and the happy sounds. Last night mom went in and checked
on Claire before mom went to bed and the grins were just enormous.
Mom couldn't resist a little tummy tickle and kiss on the head
before leaving the 'fun' baby... hoping without the excitement
of mom, that Claire would get to sleep... and hoping without
the excitement of Claire, that mom would get some sleep.
Claire was up early talking to mom and so mom got her up early
and fed her a half breakfast to hold her over until breakfast
at school. The sibs needed to be at camp early as they had
early field trips, so dad dropped them off before heading to
the track as he's been doing in the morning for some jogging
at a local high school.
|
June
20 |
|
Claire
had a really nice day at home with mom.
She slept in and got a late med, but she didn't care, of course. Mom was on the phone about her OT with her teacher. Evidently, they signed her up for OT on Wednesday at noon, but she doesn't go to school on Wednesdays - and she has PT at 12:30pm on Wednesdays. Mom noticed the schedule when Claire started back at school (about her second week back mom saw a schedule on the wall) and mentioned to her teacher that the day for OT was the day Claire wasn't at school and they decided they would see if it could be changed. Claire's teacher called today and said that Wed was the day the OT came to that school and it wasn't very likely she would even get OT unless she was able to come on Wed for her OT. After a few calls, mom and the OT talked and he was willing to look into another day for Claire's OT, so she wouldn't do without it. It would be a hardship for mom to get Claire to her school and then get her to her PT, which she pays for, and if got there late, she would still pay for the slot. She really appreciated the OT calling and trying to work something out, he seems very nice and wants what is best for the child. He even mentioned that he was a bit sad that Claire had missed so much already, and he'd missed her as well.
Claire had her PT today. She doesn't get it at her school, but mom thinks she may get it once a month, depending on the scheduling again, for sure. The session went great. She sat up, holding onto bars in front of her and onto a table in front of her. She seemed to like it and her collarbone didn't seem to be an issue at all.
When they got home, Claire was full of herself, probably just so proud from her session she wanted to tell someone, so they called Grandma and Grandpa and Claire gave them an earful. Gma said it sounded like she was really saying words... and to Claire, I'm sure they were real words... it was very enjoyable listening to her go on and on.
By the way, you may notice that the address of this website has changed. Check it out. ;o) |
June
19 |
|
Claire
was up early but didn't make a peep, so mom got ready for work
and went to get her out of her bed and she was just hanging
out. Mom reached for her and Claire let out a big streeeeetch.
She does that every morning and mom gives her a moment to stretch
out the arms and legs... it is cute to watch.
Diapey change, meds and off to school, then mom dropping off
big sis at daycamp and then mom off to school.
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June
18 |
|
A
relatively fun day for Claire as she was off to school and
her teacher from school was now at summer school! It was comforting
for mom and Claire to have her there, she just knows Claire
well, as do the other teachers, but the more who know her,
the better.
After work and school, mom rushed to pick up the girls as they
were all going to a 'healing mass' for a dear friend who has
liver cancer and it has spread. Their family had gone to Boston,
so they weren't at the mass, but Claire went to the mass with
her family. She was a little loud before the mass started,
but once it started she settled down and fell asleep in her
daddy's arms.
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June
17 |
|
Father's
day festivities got off to a nice start. Dad got to sleep in
until about 9pm, and the children, including Claire as her
older brother got her from her bed, paraded in with gifts,
including one very fancy bird feeder. Sort of a cage of metal...
squirrel proof. Afterwards, it was mass and then home. Everyone
took naps. Dad watched golf on tv as he'd been doing much of
the weekend. Mom teased Claire's big brother that there was
a tie and it would be extended until Monday, oh the look on
his face. He appeared to have seen enough golf for quite a
while. It's always more fun to play than watch anyway. |
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June
16 |
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Claire was up early and sounded hungry, so mom got up with her, fed her and put her back to bed. and mom went back to bed. Claire was up a bit later with the family, but fell asleep in her chaire, so dad put her back to bed, then she was awake in the afternoon and mom fed her. Claire was acting tired again, so mom put her to bed, but she wasn't sleepy, so she hung out with mom in the afternoon while mom cleaned the house. |
June
14 |
|
Orthoped
dr called today and said that Claire can do whatever she was
doing before the broken collar bone (hopefully not whatever
she did that broke it of course). Just wants us to watch her
and if she is uncomfortable, then of course, stop whatever
it is, but for the most part, she should be in good shape. |
June
13 |
|
Claire
had a nice morning. Mom was busy with work stuff, so Claire
didn't get the attention she deserved, but she was fine with
that as she is typically fine with anything. She ate a lot
and slept alot. In mom's book, anytime you can do a lot of
those two things, it is a banner day! Claire's appetite has
certainly picked up lately and just after feeding her, her
hand goes right back in her mouth as if it is time to eat.
So mom tops her off. Guessing the little peanut needs more
food in her bowl at mealtime. Typically, it is filled up and
when she eats it all, the meal is considered over... maybe
she just needs an added snack, or some duocal added to her
meal to fill her up a little more.
She had PT today. Mom had left a message at the orthoped dr
office to see what Claire's PT limitations were, but hadn't
heard back, so the PT worked on leg strength and sitting.
Claire did great, she sits so well now... still needed some
assistance, but less than ever.
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