Starting off the New Year Right

We had our spina bifida clinic appointment on Wednesday, and got good reports across the board. While we didn't see neurosurgery, because we just saw them in November, we did see all of the clinic regulars (pediatrician, orthpaedist, nurse practitioner, and physical therapist), as well as NOPCO (orthotists), and urology. While neursurgery used to be the appointment I most anticipated, now it is physical therapy. I am so eager to be sure that Oli is on the right track, and to figure out how we can help him along in his journey to walking.

Overall, we learned that he is in the 5th percentile for height and 55th for weight, so we have to make sure that we make smart food choices for him moving forward. He is a slight 30 lbs., so it is no emergency, but still something to watch for. We most likely have to up his Miralax (laxative) and keep up with his daily enemas (to get him on a bowel management routine that will enable him to be socially continent). He is on the right track walking, but not nearly ready for reduced bracing (bummer, because I can't wait to get rid of his HKAFOs), and his feet remain "tight" (wanting desperately to go back to the club foot position) but manageable. Perhaps most importantly, we learned from his renal ultrasound that he has "normal bladder and bilateral kidneys" (direct quote from his u/s report). While we knew we weren't having any problems in this area, it is always nice to have a medical confirmation. All this, and we were in and out in just about five hours. That sounds like a lot, but is a best-case scenario for clinic day.

What a great way to start off the new year!

Happy Holidays!

After a fun night of opening gifts, hanging with family, and eating traditional pea and potato soup at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve, the kids were wiped out. Mac managed to get up by 7:45, but Oli wouldn't budge.

Oliver slept in while Mac opened her stocking.Meanwhile, his stocking waited.


After the gift extravaganza at home, off to Christmas with Grandpa George and Grandma Pat...


After Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa, we went to Nanny and PopPops. Tim has those pictures, but you can imagine a true gift opening extravaganza.
And finally, a few days later, Christmas at Aunt Beth and Uncle Mike's. We are truly a blessed family to have so much fun and love in our lives!

Taking Our Show on the Road

Mackensie has been performing in quite a few shows, lately. We go to a wonderful church, with a wonderful youth program. They give the kids lots of opportunities to get involved and show their skills. This hasn't always worked for us in the past - I'm sure everyone remembers last year's Christmas show that involved Mackensie running from stage to audience a record number of times and ultimately taking and throwing one of the necklaces meant for baby Jesus. I was going to keep her out of the play this year just to be on the safe side -- Mac is a great performer, but a bit unpredictable in the behavior department. However, they asked her to be in it, so it's on them. In the meantime (I suppose gearing up to the holiday performance), Mac has sung in two different church performances over the last three weeks. The picture is from the first performance, in full choir get up. The video clips are from this past Sunday. It was a surprise to me and Mac -- we had no idea she was going to sing. But she picked up the words quickly, and gave it her all. One of the other parishioners even said she was the "most enthusiastic." Check out clip number 3, "The Finale" for her most enthusiastic performance.
The Opener

The Middle

The Finale

When Princesses Meet

Very rarely is Mac rendered speechless...

In Case Ruling the World Doesn't Work Out

Mac can always be a director.