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.

Shriner's here we come!

We finally made our appointment with Shriner's Hospital in Tampa. We're scheduled for February 11 to speak with the doctor about new DAFOs to replace the one's the girls outgrew months ago. DAFOs (Dynamic Ankle Foot Orthoses) are basically a brace the girls wear on their feet to help keep their ankles aligned properly to aid in standing and walking. They will have X-rays of their hips and legs, as well, to check for proper bone growth. Shriner's Hospital is a facility specifically for children with orthopedic and burn issues. They provide free services and will assist the girls with any future need...any equipment such as wheelchairs or walkers. This will be especially helpful when they start school after they turn 3 in October. We are toughing it out and making the 2 1/2 hour drive there and back the same day. We know if will be tough on the girls being in the car for 5 hours, in addition to the long appointment. It will be tough for us as well. I'll update you on how the appointment goes.

Long time...no post!

I feel like such a slacker for not updating the girls blog, but I've been so busy with all the wedding planning. So I'm finally taking time out of my busy day to let you know what's going on. The girls are doing great. Paige started Speech Therapy two weeks ago and is doing well so far. Right now they are working on labeling everyday items. For example, they will show her a flashcard of a banana and say "Here is a banana", then they will put an apple and a banana on the table and ask her to get the banana. She seems to understand, but when it come to "Give me the banana" she seems to lose it and just throws the banana to the floor. Besides that, she has developed quite the vocabulary. She loves to sing and says "I do it" "diga diga ba (take a bath), "walk (any time you stand her up she has to walk) and "what's that". She's definately aware of her surroundings...when we pull up to Aqua Park for swim therapy she'll say "pool, kick kick kick, and dig dig dig" which are words they use while she's in the water. Enough about Paige...now about Bree Bree. She is really coming along. We recently had to lower her bed. After going into her room one night, to find her standing up for the first time, we decided it was time. We actually caught her hung over the side of her bed, almost in Paige's bed. She's starting to gain some balance response when sitting and is starting to use her hands to hold herself up. While her development isn't as steading as we would like it, we're still proud of the little milestones she does reach. The best part is that she's been seizure free for almost a year. We're proud of our little angels.

Merry Christmas

Happy Halloween