Day at the Park

Paige, Bree, Connor and I took a trip to the park with Grandma last week. Connor made friends with a couple of girls...go Connor...while to girls played on the swings. I took a couple of pictures on Grandma's phone. My camera isn't working so I haven't been able to take any pictures of the kids lately. Everyone had fun and it was a beautiful day.


Bree loves the swings.


Paige is such a cutie!



Weeeeeee!!!!


Paige, with her hair in her face...drives me nuts!

So, Paige learned how to pedal the tricycle at therapy this week. She was so excited she rode right into another bike. She's really getting the hang of it. Bree took a few steps in the walker the same day. She looked like such a big girls standing so tall. I would be such a happy mommy if she could use the walker by October, but I know that's a huge goal to put on her. So, I'd be happy if she was just sitting unassisted by then. As for Paige, she is definately capable of walking with the walker by then. I guess we'll have to work as hard as we can, and see what our girls can accomplish in the next 6 months.

Our New Braces!

Wednesday was our trip to Shriner's Hospital in Tampa...mission...get DAFOs and evaluation for wheelchair and walker. The trip went as well as the last one...some screaming, some sleeping, and as always, lots of eating (little piggies). Today is our second day with the braces and so far so good. Bree was having some trouble with her muscles tightening, but she's learning to relax and has had them on for almost an hour now. Paige adapted well, but still makes attempts to rip the velcro off. Here are some picture I took of the girls and the Gait Trainer.

Paige taking Big Girl steps!
I know, I know! Get rid of the stinkin' binky!
Bree was a little scared at first.
Well looky there...I'm standing all by myself!

So now we have to wait for all the red tape to get sorted out before we get Bree's wheelchair and Paige's walker.

This is Bree's wheelchair. It will look a little different because they are adding a seating system as well.

This is Paige's exact walker!

It's flu season!

Fever and runny noses and body aches, oh my! It all started with me last week. I spent 4 days in bed with a 102 temp. and the worst body aches ever. It took a lot out of me and taking care of twins all day was very difficult. Luckily, my mom and Pete's mom came by to help out. Pete was amazing...he would come home after work and take care of the girls and house work. I'm so lucky to have him. I finally started to feel better on Monday; just in time for the girls to get sick. They spent two days in bed with diarrhea and vomiting. Bree had it first, then Paige. Bree is getting better, Paige is getting there. Hopefully tomorrow we'll all be back to our old selves. Connor and Peter got lucky this year. Connor spent most of his time with his dad and grandmother, who was visiting from MA. Pete had a flu shot last year, so the girls and I will definately get one this year.

Are we there yet?

I always knew that Tampa was a long drive, but until you have twin two year olds in the backseat, you'll never understand just how long. When we arrived the girls were evaluated by a nurse practitioner, who went over their lengthy medical history. She told us that Bree may need Botox injections in her legs to improve the high tone. This will help to prevent possible surgery on her tendons in order to lenghten them. We will see her again in six months, and at that time she will determine if Botox will be needed. We then spoke with someone from the seating department. He discussed with us the girls mobility options for school in October. It looks as though Bree will need a wheelchair and Paige may only need a walker. They will have a thorough evaluation in a month. Finally, the girls were casted for their braces. Basically, they take the same material used for casting broken bones and wrap it from their knees to their toes. Then, just before it is completely dry, they cut it off. They then use this mold to create braces that we will later have the girls fitted for. That was it for our visit with Shriner's Hospital and at the end of the day everyone was exhausted. Ten hours is a long day for anyone but we all held up...now we get to do it all over again on March 11.