Not much new to report...

Darsie got her new DAFO and it fits so much better than the other one, which is nice to see. Sheila, her ELKs OT ordered her a thumb brace from a local company called Benik. I think this will be nice for Darsie because it actually has a small piece of plastic in the neoprene that will hold her thumb instead of her usual clenched inwards. Her DAFO has worked great wonders in helping to teach her to keep her heel down while walking and I'm really hoping that the new splint will help her out with her hand. I'd love to see her get more use out of it.

Christmas was great. We got to see lots of family which is always the best and ate way too many good meals.

Everyone has been happy and healthy so there just isn't much to report! Darsie has a new passion in drawing. Just in the past week or so we have blown through two packages of markers. This girl is a machine!

First Ultrasound!

We had our first ultrasound this past week and the baby looks perfect. My due date was moved up to the 11th (one whole day!) but we are just happy that the baby looks great!

DAFO Update

Darsie has been wearing her DAFO for about a week now and she is doing great with it! It doesn't seem to bother her and she just cruises around like her normal self. At night when we take her DAFO off and let her run around for a bit, she is already walking much better. She isn't up on her tippy toes on her right leg anymore. She still isn't walking flat, but I would say there is improvement there. We found some socks that have grip on the bottom for her to wear until we can find some shoes. We went out for my niece's birthday to the mall on Sunday and poor D took some nasty headers into the floor and bonked her nose. We went to a store afterwards and tried to find some shoes, but none of them were wide enough. So, I think I will talk to her PT about ordering some of the Hatchback Ava shoes today (http://www.hatchbacksfootwear.com/products/ava.htm?-session=CartID:C0A800151d71e14073hUu1F608C7).

Baby Update - Heartbeat!

I finally had my first OB appointment for the new baby on Monday (so, approximately 13 weeks). We got to hear the heartbeat which is always amazing, no matter how many times you have heard it. My OB calculated it to be at 150 bpm. My blood pressure is holding steady and looking good as well. I go in for an ultrasound tomorrow to really date the pregnancy, but I'm pretty sure my dates on on.

Just because...

I just had a comment from Loretta at Cascade DAFO about shoes for Darsie and her new brace and I just had to say that the folks at Cascade have been AWESOME since the beginning and I would highly recommend their services. Darsie's DAFO came back slightly too tall and they are making a brand new one for her and let us keep the other one for her to use while the new one is being constructed. They didn't hesitate one bit in going out of their way to help us out and we really appreciate that!

So anyways, thank you!

D's DAFO

Darsie received her DAFO today from her PT, Mr. Larry. She has hardly seemed to mind it except that they made it slightly too tall and so it cuts into the back of her leg a bit. She should have the correct height DAFO delivered by her next PT appointment.

My question is....does anybody out there know of a good site to order shoes for her through? I haven't even ventured to a shoe store yet, but I'm already dreading it. Our PT mentioned a couple of companies that make shoes specifically for orthotics but I'd like to see some more options. Anyone?

More on Sleep.

We switched D to a toddler bed and I'm happy to report that there have been no more nights on the couch. Instead, I lay down with Darsie in our bed to fall asleep, and then when Jeff and I go to bed, we move her to her bed. She is still waking up once in the night to eat, so I will lay down with her until she is asleep, and then back to bed I go. She actually likes the new bed and will crawl in and out of it during the day and lay a baby or two in there and cover them up. With her crib, she would just scream.

So, dare I say, a small step of progress? We still have a long ways to go...but we are working on it.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I'm really REALLY enjoying turkey sandwiches with lots of mayo and cheddar cheese right now. In fact, it is only 10 A.M. and I am enjoying one as we speak :)

Sleep....Precious Sleep

So, nobody around our house is getting much sleep these days. Darsie has decided that she can only sleep when slammed up against me. We have spent MANY night throughout the past two years in the recliner, on the couch, etc..etc. Let me just say that this girl will not sleep on her own. I think I can count on one hand how many times she has slept in her crib throughout the night in the past six months.

I've tried the Hyland sleep remedy - no luck. Friday my parents brought over a toddler bed that they were no longer using and we tried Darsie out in that. I ended up sleeping in her bed and she slept on the floor.

I'm getting very frustrated with the no sleep/poor sleep issue. I'm almost to the point of putting her in her crib and letting her cry. It doesn't seem like a fun option, but perhaps the best at this point. I just don't know.

With a face as cute as this, it is hard to be tough.

I used to make fun of Britney Spears...

I used to make fun of Britney Spears because of that interview where she couldn't remember how many weeks pregnant she was, but lately I'm finding myself in the same predicament, only I can't remember what my due date is...June 11th or 12th?

With Darsie I seemed to know how many weeks pregnant I was down to the millisecond and this time around I just don't have enough brain cells left or time to know that I am...9 weeks and, oh wait...10 weeks and 2 days.

So, anyways, the news on the street is that Darsie is going to be a big sister.

Hot Diggity Dog!

It is amazing how fast two weeks can go by before you realize you haven't blogged!

Not too much is going on around our parts. D was casted for a new orthotic last week at PT. It was kind of crazy...they actually put a cast on her leg and then cut it off. From there it goes to DAFO (the company) where they fill it with plaster and create the orthotic around that.

Her OT also gave her another brace for her hand. Her thumb has gotten really tight and she isn't using it too much.

And on the poop front, Darsie is now only getting bottles at night and sometimes first thing in the morning. With the less milk intake (she won't drink milk from a sippy) she isn't have so much constipation issues.

And in fact, this morning Darsie went potty on the toilet! I guess she is starting to show some interest in it.

Happy Halloween!

From our mermaid to yours, Happy Halloween!!!

I forgot all about Darsie's two year appointment!

In typical fashion of my family, it was a month late. I thought doctors were supposed to send out reminders or something? How in the world is a first time mom supposed to know when her daughter needs to be seen?

Anyways...

22 lbs.

32 inches long.

49 cm head.

Best of all, Darsie is ON THE CHARTS! Weight is at 5% and height is at 10%.

Time to get back into the swing of things

It is Fall here in the Pacific Northwest, so all excuses of a busy summer are invalid. It is time to get back to blogging!

Actually, there is not too much going on with Darsie at the moment. She was given the go-ahead for speech therapy a couple of weeks ago. We are now just waiting on the therapists to add her to their schedule.

She started attending a "preschool" with the therapy center in September. So far she has not let me leave her so I have been attending preschool every Tuesday and Thursday with the munchin and I have to say it has been a lot of fun. I have a feeling my days are "numbered" as she is starting to get more independent and play with the other kids a bit more.

Darsie has really impressed me with her "heart" and how she likes to help out the other kids. There is a little girl in her class that also has CP but a much more involved case. This girl is in a chair and requires a lot of assistance. For gross motor all of the kids go to the gym to play with balls, run around, chase each other, you get the idea. Well, we all started to get ready to go, and Darsie goes to help push this other little girl to the gym. Darsie has such a kind heart for a two year old. She is just amazing.


I want to thank everyone that has continued to follow this blog despite my absence as of late. I am going to do my best to post weekly, if not more!

Happy Fall! It is beautiful here in the Pacific Northwest and I count my blessings everyday that I am lucky to live here.

No photos...just great news.

Darsie is WALKING!!!!!!!! Alone, no hand holding, no screeching, just plain and beautiful walking!

Unbeknownst to us...she must have been practicing in her crib late at night (I would actually believe this if somehow each night we didn't end up together in the recliner).

Today she just took off. She can walk at least 30 feet, pause midstep, turn around, walk up and down ramps, walk over uneven surfaces. It is like she went from trying to walk to almost running in about, oh, half a second.

So, YEAH DARSIE!

Happy Second Birthday!

A little late...but Darsie turned two on September 19th!

I can't believe that she went from being this tiny thing:


To being this huge thing in just two years:



Happy birthday baby girl.

Party!

Sep 17, 2006 - 77 Photos

Summer Fun

A recent Friday night picnic at the playground. It is getting darker earlier here and colder, too. Summer is ending!!!

Long Time, No See

I know, I know..slacker central with the Darsie factor. Simply, not much is going on except for repeat therapy sessions, house building, and trying to jump start my new career in real estate (if you are thinking of buying or selling in Washington, talk to me!). Darsie is all over the place and in to everything! I need to get Jeff to put a latch on the under sink cabinet as that is Miss D's most FAVORITE spot to head to. She is getting closer and closer to walking everyday. Last night she took a couple of steps between Jeff and I.

Photos soon...I just have to get them off the camera!

Summertime......

We have been having a busy summer full of lots of fun and family and work. The fourth was great. Jeff put on a fantastic fireworks show for us and my family. He even had a great grand finale. In our county you can buy HUGE fireworks, so it is always great fun. All of our neighbors put on shows as well, so the whole sky is filled.

We have been spending lots of time in the pool (a 12' blow up pool...but still fun). Darsie loves to be thrown in the air and pushed through the water.

We are doing lots of fun therapy four days a week. I just found out yesterday that in September Darsie will be moved up the older group therapy preschool class. This one is two days a week and mama's aren't allowed!! It is going to be so tough leaving her!

And of course we are busy with the house! The interior walls have been framed in and the trusses are going up this weekend. It is so fun to see the new house coming along!

Update on D

I received Darsie's speech results the other day. At this time, she doesn't need speech but she will be reevaluated after she turns two. They gave us a couple of ideas to try out at home to get her going on talking/signing more. Those evaluations are always so tough. I don't know about other preemies...but Darsie is not a performer in the least bit. She tends to show her worst side when being evaluated. I think she knows what is oging on and likes to throw a monkey wrench.

She also crawled about 25 feet today. It wore her out but she did it! I can't wait to show Diane how well D is doing tomorrow.

Crawling, Cruising, Pulling Up

We've had a LOT of recent developmental developments here at the Darsie-Clan house lately. D has been cruising really well for awhile, but in the past week or so she has started pulling up. We've found her standing in the crib in the mornings sometimes.

But the biggest development - Darsie is CRAWLING!!! All of her therapists said she wouldn't since she hadn't done it yet and her right arm is pretty weak. But our little lady showed them!

Please excuse the smear of chocolate strategically placed on her onesie. We were enjoying a peanut butter chocolate granola bar prior to our photo op.

My All Time Favorite Childrens Book

Giraffes Can't Dance

This book is amazingly illustrated, well-written, and also manages to have a good "theme". We were given this book when Darsie was in the NICU and we probably read it at least once a day.

What??? I have a BLOG???

Sorry dear and faithful readers for my prolonged absence. Everything is fine and dandy here in Darsie-land, we are just caught up in getting our house built and the fine and HOT weather that we have been experiencing in the Pacific Northwest.

A quick synopsis of our week:

Monday - no Diane, she was sick
Tuesday - Yeah! Little Tykes at Hollyridge. There was only one other little girl, but it was fun still.
Wednesday - took my mom to the eye doctor because she was seeing spots.

Throw in a gazillion phone calls, a hyperactive puppy/dog, and a teething daughter and you've been in my shoes, too.

Hopefully some photos will make you all happy again.

18-month Appointment (3 months late!)

Today D had her 18-month appointment...a little late, but correct if we go by adjusted age!

Darsie is still a munchkin weighing in at a whopping 20 pounds! She is 31 inches tall and her head is 47.5 centimeters.

She is actually doing a really great job of keeping up with my growth at around the same time (at 12 months I was 17.5 lbs and 28 inches long and at 2 years I was 22 3/4 lbs. and 32 inches long).


We passed our inspections yesterday, too :)

Keep your fingers crossed!!!

We have two inspections at the house today.... temporary electricity AND foundation footings. If all goes well with the foundation then they will start pouring the concrete today. Hopefully the rain will stay away, too!

Happy Papa's Day!!

Just a quick photo montage of the man of my life and the most wonderful, loving, caring, giving, and supportive husband and papa in the world.

Thank you Jeff for being exactly who you are.

Happy Father's Day!!!! We Love You!