tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22084111244996481422024-02-07T19:44:49.999-08:00Jason's Road to RecoveryUpdates throughout Jason's recovery processAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-72564612589908169542013-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:002013-07-09T06:07:33.066-07:00Two YearsTwo years.<br />
<br />
I've sat here for a bit now, staring at that first line. Two years. I'm not quite sure what to write, though, to commemorate (is that the right word? celebrate? acknowledge?) this day. <br />
<br />
Two years + one day ago we were still blissfully living in the before, and two years ago we learned how very quickly life can change. In the amount of time that it takes a bike wheel to go over a rock, our lives were upended. We've traveled a long road since that day and, as cliche as it may sound, we are stronger now than we were then. <br />
<br />
I've learned a lot in these two years. I now know that happiness is not the result of certain material conditions, but is rather a choice we actively make every day; that love is made sweeter by challenges and difficulties; that I'm good in a crisis and can handle more than I ever anticipated; that successful navigation of the murky waters of insurance often relies more on perseverance, and an unabashed willingness to constantly call doctors and vendors, than anything else; that children (or our child, at least) are remarkably adaptable; and more and more and more. With this blog, I've tried to focus on the positives, the strides forward, and obstacles overcome, as opposed to the challenges, heartbreak, and frustration that accompany a major injury. The struggles have certainly existed for us and our family, but looking back, I'm glad that this blog is more a testament to our triumphs than our struggles.<br />
<br />
This is a big day, medically speaking. With this day, we reach an important milestone in the SCI-world. Jason's injury is no longer classified as acute; he now has a chronic spinal cord injury. We also move out of the marriage "danger zone." The divorce rate is something like 75% after an SCI. At two years post, it returns to levels comparable to what is seen in the rest of the adult population. I can honestly say that I've never felt as if our marriage was in danger as a result of this injury, though there were moments of pure terror of the unknown in the beginning. (As an aside, I will add that I was terribly judgmental of the spouses who left after an injury. After mentoring a few spouses, and having the wisdom gained by time, I understand--even if I don't condone--their actions. There are NOT enough resources for spouses following an SCI, and more than one study has shown that it is the spouse, and not the person injured, who is at high-risk for long-term depression and other mental health issues. The medical and non-profit sectors are failing families by not focusing on the whole familial unit in the aftermath of catastrophic injury. Right now, surviving this type of injury with your marriage in tact depends a lot on 1) whether your marriage was good before hand and 2) if you have extended family members and friends willing to step in and help...for months. We were lucky to have both.) <br />
<br />
I want to recognize that this day is something different, that we are moving into a new world, a post-recovery world. So, I'm ending the blog. Don't be too alarmed, though. I'll still write about our family (mis)adventures, but I'll do so somewhere else. If you're interested in reading more about what we're up to, head over to http://leybas-after-recovery.blogspot.com/ Bookmark the page, sign up for email notifications, follow it--whatever your preference. If you decide to no longer follow us, then let me give you my thanks for being a part of this two year journey. Your support, virtual or otherwise, helped us get to the other side of this injury, and I'm profoundly appreciative of that.<br />
<br />
I don't plan on completely abandoning what has been written here. I'd like to write a book, even if it's just something for the consumption of family and friends (or maybe even a handbook for catastrophic injury for the newly injured), but I'm not sure how long that will take to put together, or if I'm ready to write about some of the harder moments in all of this. <br />
<br />
It is my hope that what has come through in the telling of our story is that, at the end of the day, this was a love story. A story of a family that faced rather unique challenges and made it through; a family that didn't just survive, but thrived in the face of adversity. And I hope you all got to a see a little glimpse into why Jason has such a strong hold on my heart. He is amazing, and there's nothing in my life that brings me greater joy than being his wife, and Savannah's momma. It's only fitting, then that I end this post--and this blog--with my favorite image of my two favorite people.<br />
<br />
Thank you for everything.<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
Ashley<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1XUMolKVfMKPRFrtfz4meBGFihaJlLSw_JJt8Or7ArIJRkxZI0GageuafZdXPOvG6DsB1t4R8RqbI0-S7Y7prPfhIHl5VBTBkz5D8eu3Qt1Q5SfyT9ZClQlXy3posKamklGBsBXLOrHi/s1600/021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1XUMolKVfMKPRFrtfz4meBGFihaJlLSw_JJt8Or7ArIJRkxZI0GageuafZdXPOvG6DsB1t4R8RqbI0-S7Y7prPfhIHl5VBTBkz5D8eu3Qt1Q5SfyT9ZClQlXy3posKamklGBsBXLOrHi/s320/021.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-8017251657538760902013-06-18T17:47:00.002-07:002013-06-18T17:50:36.149-07:00Kennedy Krieger Care Packages: We Need Your Help!<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As promised, your second post of the day, though this one is written by Jason's brother (with a few editorial additions on my part). Apologies for the random highlighting...blogger isn't cooperating with me tonight.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Hello, this is Nicholas, Jason's brother.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">This year, much like last year, donations are being collected to help aid families who have recently suffered a spinal cord injury (or other traumatic spinal/brain injury). This year, though, the donations are not for Santa Clara, they are instead for the Kennedy Krieger Institute's Pediatric Rehabilitation Center (</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/patient-care-programs/inpatient-programs/pediatric-rehabilitation-unit), a rehab center that specializes in SCI rehab for children from birth-21 years of age. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our goal is to assemble 40 care packages (1 for every patient) and also collect items to form a entertainment lending library for patients to borrow (this is especially useful at night, which are easily the most difficult times in the hospital, since there is not much scheduled and you are left to reflect on the enormity of your situation).</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are several ways for you to get involved. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You can mail individual items needed for care packages, or for the lending library. Some ideas for this include:</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><br /></span>
<br />
<ul><ul><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<li>Hygiene Products (toothbrushes and toothpaste have been donated).</li>
<ul>
<li>Face Wipes</li>
<li>Baby Wipes</li>
<li>Dental Floss</li>
<li>Travel Size Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash</li>
<li>Body Lotion </li>
<li>Nail Care Items (filing boards, clippers, etc)</li>
</ul>
<li>Entertainment (for various ages from toddler to young adult)</li>
<ul>
<li>Puzzles (crosswords, sudoku, word search, etc)</li>
<li>Reading Material (books, magazines, etc)</li>
<li>Art Supplies (crayons, coloring books, sketch pads, etc)</li>
</ul>
<li>Miscellaneous</li>
<ul>
<li>Water Bottles</li>
<li>Notes of Encouragement</li>
</ul>
<li>Items needed for common locations for all patients to borrow:</li>
<ul>
<li>Books</li>
<li>DVDs (only G, PG, and PG-13 rated please)</li>
</ul>
</span></ul>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span></ul>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222;"><b>These items can be mailed to: </b>Nicholas Ng, 13100 Peach Leaf Place, Fairfax, VA 22030. If you are in the NOVA area, I can also arrange to meet you to pick these items up.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 2. There is an Amazon wish-list set up at:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<ul><ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/1146UYEGJ93TT/ref=cm_wl_search_bin_1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">http://www.amazon.com/<wbr></wbr>registry/wishlist/<wbr></wbr>1146UYEGJ93TT/ref=cm_wl_<wbr></wbr>search_bin_1</span></a></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">If you buy something from the wish list, you can elect to have it mailed directly to me. If you do this, please send it as a gift, so that I know who sent it--I'd like to be able to thank you for your help!</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> 3. You can send me a check: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
</span><br />
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mail to: 13100 Peach Leaf Pl., Fairfax, VA, 22030 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you make it out to Nicholas Ng, I will purchase remaining items that are needed.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you make it out to Kennedy Krieger Institute, it will be sent directly to them, and will be used to purchase gas cards (many of the families can not afford the gas required to drive to Baltimore and stay with their child).</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">All of your donations are tax deductible, just be sure to provide me with a mailing address so that the form gets to the right place. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Thank you for your time and thank you in advance for all of your wonderful donations.</span><br style="color: #222222;" /><span style="color: #222222;">Sincerely,</span><span style="color: #222222;">Nicholas Ng</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">PS (From Ashley): Rehab is terrible and overwhelming and, ever since J left Santa Clara, I've been working, through the donation of care packages and other mentoring activities, to make it slightly less terrible for those who are there. I'm super excited that Nicholas is stepping up to help in such a big way. KKI holds a very special place in our heart--I truly credit them with a lot of Jason's recovery. We're swiftly approaching the two year anniversary of Jason's accident, and I could not think of a better way to honor him, and the strides he's made, than to donate to this drive. </span></span></span>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-39871356023574555562013-06-18T09:32:00.001-07:002013-06-18T09:32:11.071-07:00Wheelchair Travel: Boston EditionToday, dear readers, you get two posts for the price of one. I'll be writing a bit later to tell you about a fun service project Jason's brother, Nicholas, is doing for the inpatient children at Kennedy Krieger Institute. But, for now, Boston!<br />
<br />
I feel like we're becoming pros at this wheelchair travelling thing. The initial fear I had about flying post-injury is more or less gone, now that we know what to expect, and I know what I need to do to ensure that all goes smoothly for us both in flight and at our destination. We flew to Boston last week, and outside of some issues boarding our flight out of SFO, everything went great. We flew Virgin America (seriously, if you've not flown them yet, do so...so much better than the alternatives!) and arrived into Boston super early in the morning. Thankfully, our hotel didn't make us wait too long to get a room (we arrived at 8am, check-in was not til 4pm) and, even better, upgraded us (for free!) to a concierge level room. I'm not sure what motivated this upgrade, but we think it was what Jason and I refer to as a "gimp perk." Whatever the reason, I'm glad of it--we had beautiful views of the water and got access to the club lounge (which meant free breakfast, snacks throughout the day while I was writing up there, free appetizers and dessert at night....very nice). While Jason did the conference thing, I worked on my dissertation. I had originally planned to play tourist while in town, but the weather was not terribly cooperative, so, instead, I finished a dissertation chapter. Not a bad exchange, and I'm feeling a lot less stressed about writing today, so all's well. <br />
<br />
Jason gave the keynote address on the first official day of the conference, which he rocked. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsADahxbkZGCfcABhxbCDbp61zmlpXoxywrtoXCKfi8-2gCBRl3AJ3bijIcvGFj612sEyQoEbaPyxdxGJPMP2ZWAO06wejzL5677bah4lbKQ5aSC5jTuVDBQpKoc1cmikdBehvptxBZDF/s1600/FC53E060-16E7-4A61-B36F-B0509912FEC9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsADahxbkZGCfcABhxbCDbp61zmlpXoxywrtoXCKfi8-2gCBRl3AJ3bijIcvGFj612sEyQoEbaPyxdxGJPMP2ZWAO06wejzL5677bah4lbKQ5aSC5jTuVDBQpKoc1cmikdBehvptxBZDF/s320/FC53E060-16E7-4A61-B36F-B0509912FEC9.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jason giving his talk--I sat way in the back, so this isn't the best of photos. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbFkXZuI6tDMCfPPpUhwwxmDtc3viwtNNH7xgC71QAdBBvmTx5YjfqXZyJUki1nWlDTNuBCom30G2cctWdKak-a80sJ7pZhavbTrgGTksul-QLq4JTAS2xrbJps7ccdvJsgFGmi_W3YCv/s1600/158A4CD3-2B55-47DE-BA17-C3F80D259833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRbFkXZuI6tDMCfPPpUhwwxmDtc3viwtNNH7xgC71QAdBBvmTx5YjfqXZyJUki1nWlDTNuBCom30G2cctWdKak-a80sJ7pZhavbTrgGTksul-QLq4JTAS2xrbJps7ccdvJsgFGmi_W3YCv/s320/158A4CD3-2B55-47DE-BA17-C3F80D259833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Afterwards, we celebrated with well-earned margaritas!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_SvOmtEm0dxGLxlISqTIA-34L_INZuJzgbXm28X4Orbfc5ivwUEwgc7FfB0ujnK_J95uZF3q4a9ep5gKlAO56Shl6V8fnmSGr4enrmxOr894JnqNlI5vc5m5X4IQVDpNE3ggICGOKx8Q/s1600/81E3A920-5242-4860-AC95-795E9AF3DAF2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_SvOmtEm0dxGLxlISqTIA-34L_INZuJzgbXm28X4Orbfc5ivwUEwgc7FfB0ujnK_J95uZF3q4a9ep5gKlAO56Shl6V8fnmSGr4enrmxOr894JnqNlI5vc5m5X4IQVDpNE3ggICGOKx8Q/s320/81E3A920-5242-4860-AC95-795E9AF3DAF2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Selenium Committers</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXVsmY3Tc7G5E9jdZHMyFUswmyAOJpYrhhyvZ_VZvTwlpQbHg1iaas3Rc9UpxlL4S21ui0wVrGUEVqd46qRaSXOhgIbvNUedCXwGKythSBDTQBKnG24pkJIb4SPend-YJxIIlk2hjlZ83/s1600/7111E12B-319A-4B1A-B7CC-B6FEEC0FC3CE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXVsmY3Tc7G5E9jdZHMyFUswmyAOJpYrhhyvZ_VZvTwlpQbHg1iaas3Rc9UpxlL4S21ui0wVrGUEVqd46qRaSXOhgIbvNUedCXwGKythSBDTQBKnG24pkJIb4SPend-YJxIIlk2hjlZ83/s320/7111E12B-319A-4B1A-B7CC-B6FEEC0FC3CE.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dinner the last night of the conference...after 6 years in California, it's fun to be reminded that it rains some places in June :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Miss Sav stayed in California with her grandparents, so the Boston trip gave Jason and me a chance to go on dates and enjoy conversations with other adults. We enjoyed this tremendously (though, after our first night away, I was ready to be back with my girl). We got back home last Saturday afternoon and Jason enjoyed a quiet father's day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm starting a new job on Wednesday as a teaching consultant, which will have me out of the house quite a bit--more than I've ever worked out of the home since Sav was born. I certainly will appreciate all the good thoughts you can send me as we transition into this new working arrangement. I'm excited about the position--I'm passionate about teaching, so this is a good fit for me--but I'm worried about what this will do for dissertation writing (this post is through UC-Berkeley, and they are very supportive of my writing goals, so in theory this shouldn't be a problem) and, of course, for our family. Changes can be scary :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wishing you all a happy Tuesday. I'll be back in a few hours with more info about the KKI project.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-77073097846911562252013-05-26T10:13:00.001-07:002013-05-26T10:13:25.391-07:00DisneylandWe just returned from a wonderful 4 days in Disneyland, our first real vacation since Jason's accident (we've certainly travelled a lot since the accident, but always for work on physical therapy...this was just for fun). We drove down to Anaheim, something I was a little worried about prior to leaving. I wasn't sure how Jason would do in a car for 6-7 hours, or Savannah either for that matter. To help Jason, we bought a special cushion for the car that would make it easier on him--it seemed to work, thankfully. Keeping a three year old entertained for a long road trip required a bit more thought. We did the obvious--loaded up her iPad with movies/games/etc, but I also wanted activities for when she inevitably got tired of that. So, I broke out the car tray we bought for our trip to Tahoe--it's made of a soft material, so in the event of a car accident, it would collapse and not hurt her. It provided just enough stability for her to be able to color, play with dolls, and eat snacks. She wasn't a fan of this at 16 months old, but at 3 it worked perfectly. We'll definitely take it with us when we head East in July...we'll be driving from Baltimore to Beaufort this go round.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0xFVwzsrWFRtJ4EIDPp8WYG2ieBo9I-JcKsbaYdcxGVlXrO74VQqLcDswBNmKu9RfK21YrMOdmI3a2-dkP5BKCqqbbjtJggxihewojuVGChEEElw1gCQeuZeUV6McQNjr9htTtR8XTt/s1600/IMG_0751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn0xFVwzsrWFRtJ4EIDPp8WYG2ieBo9I-JcKsbaYdcxGVlXrO74VQqLcDswBNmKu9RfK21YrMOdmI3a2-dkP5BKCqqbbjtJggxihewojuVGChEEElw1gCQeuZeUV6McQNjr9htTtR8XTt/s320/IMG_0751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ready to head off on an adventure!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the weeks before we left, I also stocked up on lots of litte, $1-$2 toys/sticker sets/coloring books. If she got bored with one thing, Jason was able to reach in the magic bag o' toys and pull something new out for her. This worked perfectly...she was great for both car rides (and didn't sleep at all really...maybe a quick 20 minute nap?).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We didn't tell her where we were going--just that we were having an adventure. When we asked what she thought the adventure was, she had two ideas that were repeated quite frequently. The first was that we were going to San Diego (I thought this was rather specific, and odd, since we've never been there or talked about it, but she told us one of her teachers was going there, so I'm guessing this is where she got it); her second hope for our adventure was that we would milk cows...she likes farms, so I guess this wasn't too surprising....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we finally arrived at our hotel, the person checked us in mentioned that all the princesses lived nearby...her little mouth just formed an "O" and she got even more excited. It was awesome. We stayed at the Grand Californian, which is one of the Disney hotels...I can not say enough good things about this place. From an accessibility standpoint, it's hands down the best hotel we've stayed at--unlike other places that seem to just follow the letter of the law re: ADA, the folks at Disney seemed like they actually consulted a wheeler to see what would make life easier for them. The shower was set up so that J could actually use it independently--a first for us. Most of the time, the shower requires you to push your chair so far away (in order to prevent it from getting soaked) that you can't reach it post-shower. They even thought of little things...like a small threshold ramp, so that J could access the balcony.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKi8OwTVe_Klx90SlUP_nAKJ4vkRJJVUWWtu0dWLRZX40wq5lj4hf4286JrtnQ8WBMTUMOSVpEhnsVaIJ55qwNseGTeUcxPIKyCZTpORXVLdlOfb3g3RVOyxTAviJ2WFuo5HxPNvJ7CJ7/s1600/IMG_7602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKi8OwTVe_Klx90SlUP_nAKJ4vkRJJVUWWtu0dWLRZX40wq5lj4hf4286JrtnQ8WBMTUMOSVpEhnsVaIJ55qwNseGTeUcxPIKyCZTpORXVLdlOfb3g3RVOyxTAviJ2WFuo5HxPNvJ7CJ7/s320/IMG_7602.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beyond being incredibly accessible (which carried through the entire park...we didn't run into any problems the whole trip...so so nice), the hotel was just beautiful, and made it so easy to get to the parks. We will definitely stay there again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, to the fun bits--the parks! Savannah enjoyed (most) of the children's rides. She was less excited about the indoor rides, but eventually worked up the courage to do some of those (she really liked the Little Mermaid one...especially because we got a special car that the wheelchair could roll directly in to). The carousels were her absolute favorite..but more exciting than rides were the princesses. I totally underestimated the amount of time we'd spend waiting to meet princesses. She wanted to meet them all....so we did. We did a special lunch at Ariel's Grotto, which besides being pretty yummy, also allowed us to meet several princesses (less to stand in line for later). Sav was in heaven.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFOFHV63emFUHdxZ9wr3w0-kId1L1FSCqGIjnq1xVXDb7jovCk619uqTsQpoZO8XncIQz_HNrPIXvCTc4SJlt7k57tloD0iIMioho-ouOK1jWq4MNTce50OKh84O7oD9h8b6H-iGBY59a/s1600/IMG_0800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFOFHV63emFUHdxZ9wr3w0-kId1L1FSCqGIjnq1xVXDb7jovCk619uqTsQpoZO8XncIQz_HNrPIXvCTc4SJlt7k57tloD0iIMioho-ouOK1jWq4MNTce50OKh84O7oD9h8b6H-iGBY59a/s320/IMG_0800.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivquxucLdqkD_UqmB5RhFa2pFicTERJs2wF-bB0NRzwK5Zwc7P5SBtm-RSRLErwLWZAmsx8W3evQ9kmIxZysVcgqSPnrWGWGon16XcKq2RxTiSbOSUltlo5k05jzEMz1-QH2isUdv8aZOo/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivquxucLdqkD_UqmB5RhFa2pFicTERJs2wF-bB0NRzwK5Zwc7P5SBtm-RSRLErwLWZAmsx8W3evQ9kmIxZysVcgqSPnrWGWGon16XcKq2RxTiSbOSUltlo5k05jzEMz1-QH2isUdv8aZOo/s320/IMG_0804.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O3CKx_0QDMBymBGaF48T3_GXg5plMPDuPovwYbHa3TcM80LELXoaxEYMgLDknrTdyyBZFNOsGn__Orv69RDk4chv7kCYKHkRtpgrmGev13kg-EphTovif_YV5sCAjeL88iEBevzlbqhY/s1600/IMG_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9O3CKx_0QDMBymBGaF48T3_GXg5plMPDuPovwYbHa3TcM80LELXoaxEYMgLDknrTdyyBZFNOsGn__Orv69RDk4chv7kCYKHkRtpgrmGev13kg-EphTovif_YV5sCAjeL88iEBevzlbqhY/s320/IMG_0805.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0QhrM2GiAer2aZR-V0Ny4irzixLRNZJtmqefxvBHb411pDmAwHy00FcTAJMouzUFsWFtFoK75BcMiBTlKwRmi573m14YgWgMPzY-2313S32XeT_jqo9TvGMtKmCHMHdSV1Sd9YZ7OSni/s1600/IMG_0808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0QhrM2GiAer2aZR-V0Ny4irzixLRNZJtmqefxvBHb411pDmAwHy00FcTAJMouzUFsWFtFoK75BcMiBTlKwRmi573m14YgWgMPzY-2313S32XeT_jqo9TvGMtKmCHMHdSV1Sd9YZ7OSni/s320/IMG_0808.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT-mkwMUdDbrsZIsVxZ6lqS0CZbdIMRhLfIDsfdwsE6JWpnFBL2Q6iCD6y-Wq8KimykIk_YXHJf5TAoVG1WI16ONNU5xi1TB70bJ1UhthqlbgJvdf-4U5Sv3LU9i08sKu6s_kGfl5cA-Y/s1600/IMG_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYT-mkwMUdDbrsZIsVxZ6lqS0CZbdIMRhLfIDsfdwsE6JWpnFBL2Q6iCD6y-Wq8KimykIk_YXHJf5TAoVG1WI16ONNU5xi1TB70bJ1UhthqlbgJvdf-4U5Sv3LU9i08sKu6s_kGfl5cA-Y/s320/IMG_0811.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYb728PQ-rF9VKWV6b7dzkFGeu6kerzkh7fX4joTmHo5x_zjtj_yIWzyJMoHBBvALYSFK48Z9Fm2laVn4sm4aVZnfSTCEewfhJ-v6YLNz6Qcg_MFHXePHFbWWY-ZRMfPT6j-AQ1DYPccu/s1600/IMG_0812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYb728PQ-rF9VKWV6b7dzkFGeu6kerzkh7fX4joTmHo5x_zjtj_yIWzyJMoHBBvALYSFK48Z9Fm2laVn4sm4aVZnfSTCEewfhJ-v6YLNz6Qcg_MFHXePHFbWWY-ZRMfPT6j-AQ1DYPccu/s320/IMG_0812.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3jHRW0mnPdnkpn090N4RGHedR-TWibb4Wo2aVkQyPwfqZJUXxLZxbWOSl86M8lqKEa_8IZv0JS9srBLYqIzs5xXSTqAZtr7aSdYPOVlZgUxzj9GxLugk9gA9fA3mRnMECM8NwfYaW_Ek/s1600/IMG_0814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3jHRW0mnPdnkpn090N4RGHedR-TWibb4Wo2aVkQyPwfqZJUXxLZxbWOSl86M8lqKEa_8IZv0JS9srBLYqIzs5xXSTqAZtr7aSdYPOVlZgUxzj9GxLugk9gA9fA3mRnMECM8NwfYaW_Ek/s320/IMG_0814.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy to have met the princesses...and to have had a really big dessert!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After lunch, she napped (another good thing about staying at the park--can easily get back for nap time), and then we went to meet more princesses and watch the first parade. Jason's wheelchair gained us access to a very good parade spot. There's not much to recommend an SCI, but getting to the front of the lines and parade areas is certainly a perk of this injury.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZFKlq_Ldyqd7enUxMze8l2aqfW80q9k552F7xghCFMImX0atuz8wPTqLaJ8kKU0opGGUmlygvIWQ-g7Yjn9-JUxRfzANSoOyfZ98gN1y6jb4t6rihHQjL3E61HGqjgxBLWhTltQLnQRc/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZFKlq_Ldyqd7enUxMze8l2aqfW80q9k552F7xghCFMImX0atuz8wPTqLaJ8kKU0opGGUmlygvIWQ-g7Yjn9-JUxRfzANSoOyfZ98gN1y6jb4t6rihHQjL3E61HGqjgxBLWhTltQLnQRc/s320/IMG_0818.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChyGceOD9xNT5ZwxLHy_FWjfiYd_CDh9Z5kBl0aBGthAX1ayvO_Wi5Gx8fXsomFkuLI3jZElqS0y5_5thseOsegFmPytPIuLnYB03Y8W2DeP2HCnAfTVC4FdOtdA_Fu2NOpKtp2SCYtM-/s1600/IMG_0832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChyGceOD9xNT5ZwxLHy_FWjfiYd_CDh9Z5kBl0aBGthAX1ayvO_Wi5Gx8fXsomFkuLI3jZElqS0y5_5thseOsegFmPytPIuLnYB03Y8W2DeP2HCnAfTVC4FdOtdA_Fu2NOpKtp2SCYtM-/s320/IMG_0832.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCfdKcdci4GhZ7qIxvyOL6fgdXvTfwNcK5k2UZZRcpblaFBrq5NaN7fYGZfk_ArnEH3pc2lHMN06E1OPG39NTB4KYhNLdXwVAMHti2tjc_-I_otU8S-sHLTa9PCbn65ij4S1punI4Yyyz/s1600/IMG_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCfdKcdci4GhZ7qIxvyOL6fgdXvTfwNcK5k2UZZRcpblaFBrq5NaN7fYGZfk_ArnEH3pc2lHMN06E1OPG39NTB4KYhNLdXwVAMHti2tjc_-I_otU8S-sHLTa9PCbn65ij4S1punI4Yyyz/s320/IMG_0835.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rfZHvg-P7KqCQLPAI65DPlrPfIrcJxg6HoW02eivRpcRmO_isceqgnpvFDte7LrFTa07NyvIdwoiFLron6xYEf15g20jGOGP0nvYerRMvmM_vw5kSFV3BEVOILNe3etCgz3kneAvPvxW/s1600/IMG_7553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rfZHvg-P7KqCQLPAI65DPlrPfIrcJxg6HoW02eivRpcRmO_isceqgnpvFDte7LrFTa07NyvIdwoiFLron6xYEf15g20jGOGP0nvYerRMvmM_vw5kSFV3BEVOILNe3etCgz3kneAvPvxW/s320/IMG_7553.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ04QuLk2_rVV2zGXdYZqRNDWoKJs9JTTtlpIF29rY-F_IQPYorpGRYcFXpUX8AbBmnnfoLkSjMcnsZSPWQiIvamskkjGJaLy6bcF2FdEtteDoS9reZFXfKlmgL8hhstSf3e98AjRn67KX/s1600/IMG_7555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ04QuLk2_rVV2zGXdYZqRNDWoKJs9JTTtlpIF29rY-F_IQPYorpGRYcFXpUX8AbBmnnfoLkSjMcnsZSPWQiIvamskkjGJaLy6bcF2FdEtteDoS9reZFXfKlmgL8hhstSf3e98AjRn67KX/s320/IMG_7555.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the Dumbo ride...nearly all of the rides were accessible. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFkaD9h1p2EzwnRTJ4bt01SlK4D2-eeB0x6FKD5rGlnta1qZC0kl5rjx5E6mZ_Jwy7WnuPc47IOBCtyxfhIiwMOZS9GLzXB3Kwz9h607g46l9mi1QdYuQeMDN4sbY_nGzITCEriTF3jJu/s1600/IMG_7614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFkaD9h1p2EzwnRTJ4bt01SlK4D2-eeB0x6FKD5rGlnta1qZC0kl5rjx5E6mZ_Jwy7WnuPc47IOBCtyxfhIiwMOZS9GLzXB3Kwz9h607g46l9mi1QdYuQeMDN4sbY_nGzITCEriTF3jJu/s320/IMG_7614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I asked her to show me how excited she was, pre-parade!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-cBr2rLSaQModHLADi762NFAE_u4TYWqhK4ehcARFGzX6_mYdzNbG4oXg0t-0dOnopcAve0-TBIqzHtWmeHW7HGQSmydJzPOsolmRMlYOwyCz_lgtFGtJZB8JjYkpMKH1dyPLOsNnvUw/s1600/IMG_7654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-cBr2rLSaQModHLADi762NFAE_u4TYWqhK4ehcARFGzX6_mYdzNbG4oXg0t-0dOnopcAve0-TBIqzHtWmeHW7HGQSmydJzPOsolmRMlYOwyCz_lgtFGtJZB8JjYkpMKH1dyPLOsNnvUw/s320/IMG_7654.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f_Wh9PRiKoegj62Svcixp9dcBBJNfruWgCMEMUH40ZiecVvaeYu1ho_JX5CvVNb5B8YNF_CcpppdUTZouiM9yzZn7_1Eo5us2doiTA9GF291xOKjqgO_niALitTE4_qIdGY_oy33XIGg/s1600/IMG_7676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9f_Wh9PRiKoegj62Svcixp9dcBBJNfruWgCMEMUH40ZiecVvaeYu1ho_JX5CvVNb5B8YNF_CcpppdUTZouiM9yzZn7_1Eo5us2doiTA9GF291xOKjqgO_niALitTE4_qIdGY_oy33XIGg/s320/IMG_7676.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She got particularly excited about Peter Pan and Captain Hook!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our second full day in the parks was spent mostly in CA Adventure...again, lots of carousel rides (and very slow train rides!). Thankfully, Savannah is not a big fan of the Cars movie, so we avoided the huge lines there, spending most of our time in Bug Land and at the various Little Mermaid attractions. We also decided to try out the ferris wheel. This ride offers a twist on the traditional ferris wheel--some of the gondolas swing. From a distance, this looked like nice, gentle swinging, so we all got on. Jason transferred out of his chair and we enjoyed a nice, gentle ride up to the top. And then we came down...fast. And the swinging was not gentle anymore. I hate heights (and ferris wheels), so I was not feeling great. Savannah freaked out, and was clinging to me and then, from across the way, I could hear Jason yelling that he did not have enough trunk control to hold himself up with that type of swinging (there weren't really any places for him to get a good grip on the seats...). We were quite the spectacle...thankfully it ended before we all ended up in a puddle on the floor...in the future, we'll do the cars that don't move.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZH_I1pdobwNPs3YSd7LdblpUpS5oiod1xyfsAu-aQlHLFBErWL6xnCce-U0mDwYltXubxuAgDoko4uTaz7dvDvfg4p2JzAAGY-CQI8ev1TT3A7ljyXhamqE1dKG2s-ypSRiqObk-Wtvh/s1600/IMG_7708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZH_I1pdobwNPs3YSd7LdblpUpS5oiod1xyfsAu-aQlHLFBErWL6xnCce-U0mDwYltXubxuAgDoko4uTaz7dvDvfg4p2JzAAGY-CQI8ev1TT3A7ljyXhamqE1dKG2s-ypSRiqObk-Wtvh/s320/IMG_7708.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the ferris wheel, pre crazy swinging!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiZ_Lr9UjwwQrP1hKSfjoBBwC6t03_INeBjG4zki53Ws3CoN6OlElzUBQW3w_iJx5tKNx-CIQdYbrCkUPmdlvy90gNptnSRCLCAmhdmgjX7LI6n21BkD7EUkaP5ccbooSE-M9D7K-_a4K/s1600/IMG_7709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxiZ_Lr9UjwwQrP1hKSfjoBBwC6t03_INeBjG4zki53Ws3CoN6OlElzUBQW3w_iJx5tKNx-CIQdYbrCkUPmdlvy90gNptnSRCLCAmhdmgjX7LI6n21BkD7EUkaP5ccbooSE-M9D7K-_a4K/s320/IMG_7709.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That afternoon, we spent a good bit of time tracking down a balloon vendor so that Sav could get a Mickey balloon....she was very excited when we finally found him (this was way harder than it should have been!).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a7PTIDTYJV_z2EyX_pbIaujFJPvcoXVPTlKWrVAV2sCkp-fsYBsCG8RFqDcSueCS6noY9YNZRUMAeYeJJm5JbMjvL3JELMwIjUtj7uwTDJHXAGxHBMDR8gM5RUUyE4gefeSOejwJ8Pnw/s1600/IMG_7732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_a7PTIDTYJV_z2EyX_pbIaujFJPvcoXVPTlKWrVAV2sCkp-fsYBsCG8RFqDcSueCS6noY9YNZRUMAeYeJJm5JbMjvL3JELMwIjUtj7uwTDJHXAGxHBMDR8gM5RUUyE4gefeSOejwJ8Pnw/s320/IMG_7732.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We wrapped up our trip with another character meal--this time breakfast with Chip and Dale (and friends).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwpjuA534MGrMnepRSMZbl6FizRXCiz-izuRZ6ZVotrl7we5iijESP-QMIYmUxIYt2a8ZHF6d64V7V1xSFcINQnrinHC0YZNC42eYB2Fd5gSIBX5-P5vF7lEzSaetSjWSjuiHB0ERo-jw/s1600/IMG_7769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwpjuA534MGrMnepRSMZbl6FizRXCiz-izuRZ6ZVotrl7we5iijESP-QMIYmUxIYt2a8ZHF6d64V7V1xSFcINQnrinHC0YZNC42eYB2Fd5gSIBX5-P5vF7lEzSaetSjWSjuiHB0ERo-jw/s320/IMG_7769.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mickey mouse waffles!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2QDPv_vv4ZeaaJaBAUFJ76woSxKw0481cb94of57Bk1vY_5Mjh4jVBw94wYG2BiGge1mn8ydEwn60B7MCCQENtMOTtpZrvjdaU1lqkB0m026_hssnkWs9_WjxZbBQpVEtw2C1ZutzLX9/s1600/IMG_7774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2QDPv_vv4ZeaaJaBAUFJ76woSxKw0481cb94of57Bk1vY_5Mjh4jVBw94wYG2BiGge1mn8ydEwn60B7MCCQENtMOTtpZrvjdaU1lqkB0m026_hssnkWs9_WjxZbBQpVEtw2C1ZutzLX9/s320/IMG_7774.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All my fellow Nutmeg parents can probably appreciate how excited Sav was to meet some bears...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuvSRMDBZXvD2q2VYDfKH3JTTgAbD35vXS5i91dYhYf-104dN8Qx68_D0c_A6-d6sDK1G6d_WX5kII8mxx1p2S_8E9RHVGjJBdyuJEob_hL4OC4nRQLCPzxMvILC9d7d5d22LbpdhLnCi/s1600/IMG_7782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuvSRMDBZXvD2q2VYDfKH3JTTgAbD35vXS5i91dYhYf-104dN8Qx68_D0c_A6-d6sDK1G6d_WX5kII8mxx1p2S_8E9RHVGjJBdyuJEob_hL4OC4nRQLCPzxMvILC9d7d5d22LbpdhLnCi/s320/IMG_7782.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had such an amazing time, but are glad to be safely home and enjoying a quiet, long weekend. I hope you all enjoy the weekend, too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-42627780607893129442013-05-02T08:03:00.004-07:002013-05-02T08:03:56.838-07:00April Outings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
April wasn't all injury and illness...it was also a month of outings/parties/holidays/fun! A few months ago, Jason and I started talking about re-arranging his SCI-FIT schedule, so that we could have more time together as a family. Since October 2011, Jason has gone to SCI-FIT pretty much every Saturday, leaving home around 8am and returning around 1pm...by the time Savannah had her nap, this left very little time to do anything together as a family. So, as of April 1, Jason no longer does SCI-FIT on Saturdays (we now have the standing frame/glider, so he is able to get a lot of the gym workout done at home...he's still putting in at least three hours at SCI-FIT a week, though). We have made good use of our time together, going on lots of little outings with Savannah. Without further ado, this is what April looked like for us!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uQ1Pl9yAQIzAHE-fNPet73YKiwvmwLJvo-yM_XCzlyWVmQsLmYm3MyaFgnAysBZUW83k7xoAhSzKflhb_G0YS1GPBQ-hT-lRADzwbUnO3aL0Yb56JctvgrjcnqGCovTKM7t-2UdBgqoT/s1600/IMG_7263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uQ1Pl9yAQIzAHE-fNPet73YKiwvmwLJvo-yM_XCzlyWVmQsLmYm3MyaFgnAysBZUW83k7xoAhSzKflhb_G0YS1GPBQ-hT-lRADzwbUnO3aL0Yb56JctvgrjcnqGCovTKM7t-2UdBgqoT/s320/IMG_7263.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dying Easter eggs...a little tricky to do this one handed, but Sav did a great job!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWxATFNV9fpc3R_cyg9F5W_BHmK5uPnWaMUrWL7Bthezi32qSS1RH_nvMQ6FHFK97wjtX_d1L1H6aVRmzVkkR-B_9J14cG_lbITKLS9FoOExP6Tf7pbS0uQuSrN3BMWVRIVwmplaw2dg/s1600/IMG_7272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuWxATFNV9fpc3R_cyg9F5W_BHmK5uPnWaMUrWL7Bthezi32qSS1RH_nvMQ6FHFK97wjtX_d1L1H6aVRmzVkkR-B_9J14cG_lbITKLS9FoOExP6Tf7pbS0uQuSrN3BMWVRIVwmplaw2dg/s320/IMG_7272.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Easter bunny was good to her.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2Jb8fg1w-jNL8AlPIlReJLtHZBxj8Aoq5S-oAOlb3hQNG43VOQ8YwWGH15Qcr7o6FMiQiNqLgrHvS8JYrxYWks3vWaP6pYW2O2hHNSBS8FSipGUcju7H_xBLXVzOSrseM68iaOOxCLKt/s1600/IMG_7293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC2Jb8fg1w-jNL8AlPIlReJLtHZBxj8Aoq5S-oAOlb3hQNG43VOQ8YwWGH15Qcr7o6FMiQiNqLgrHvS8JYrxYWks3vWaP6pYW2O2hHNSBS8FSipGUcju7H_xBLXVzOSrseM68iaOOxCLKt/s320/IMG_7293.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I spent a morning in Savannah's classroom with her, post-collar bone fracture. I highly recommend all parents do this: one, I was super impressed with how all the teachers manage 18, 2-3 year olds (and the kids listen to them so well!), and two, I got to see what a normal day looks like for her, which was awesome.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgi_BB1FoZVPCU2hmParWBYG_madrCHAtbEkZxDXQTAfED9J5mRx7yZqoKrgzBx4MtRNJ8eJNICmy3RGp1-3WRazeDPwDD5xmr2oSUkPxmTAH4fs2XGyZs8Ro8mzLie9QA7Cb5KOXPzNW/s1600/IMG_7296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgi_BB1FoZVPCU2hmParWBYG_madrCHAtbEkZxDXQTAfED9J5mRx7yZqoKrgzBx4MtRNJ8eJNICmy3RGp1-3WRazeDPwDD5xmr2oSUkPxmTAH4fs2XGyZs8Ro8mzLie9QA7Cb5KOXPzNW/s320/IMG_7296.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Painting, one of her favorite activities.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttbx4TEPbII4kpVN7OlwRje8A9_cWN3eMOmZNjPqHai9W8ahmWFHRmTEzdd6Yb6E3CwZOtZkPHMhmMAtkLECFfLbAUPJKwvzGyVICDJ9kRMtyXlc_WIAxmBhaaMNXbsw3kHTxRx5l_wxY/s1600/IMG_7315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttbx4TEPbII4kpVN7OlwRje8A9_cWN3eMOmZNjPqHai9W8ahmWFHRmTEzdd6Yb6E3CwZOtZkPHMhmMAtkLECFfLbAUPJKwvzGyVICDJ9kRMtyXlc_WIAxmBhaaMNXbsw3kHTxRx5l_wxY/s320/IMG_7315.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah and I went to a tea room in Niles (called Thyme for Tea..HIGHLY recommend!). She got to have "tea" (apple juice in a tea pot) in a fancy cup, and lots of finger sandwiches and treats.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJeqEgKbwfF8-rhyphenhyphenItj97HBglT-kc0bQDRqsWZZHjTBN2nasTeXfq6DXGvPOsJfxWHnDx2_1oqMLDU70FQyaS863tEWRunu88SQSmWnCNquvhcT6gG8627bk-jH98wLAqNAeG44_8sMGd/s1600/IMG_7323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJeqEgKbwfF8-rhyphenhyphenItj97HBglT-kc0bQDRqsWZZHjTBN2nasTeXfq6DXGvPOsJfxWHnDx2_1oqMLDU70FQyaS863tEWRunu88SQSmWnCNquvhcT6gG8627bk-jH98wLAqNAeG44_8sMGd/s320/IMG_7323.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They even provide a big bin of hats for you to rummage through...I thought Savannah picked the perfect one for her little head :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-WtjywK0dLKCp5VGTH_D-HhdR2q-Ns9vplo8CTxsbaelUjzoFMHgZWPhcbLnQo5rqQdHLMx04c61BKjgpj9BxoSTzaYlgeub1a-QdUqDhJDu8JiHeNeuW4yYeyP50NguxmKjW292pPVL/s1600/IMG_7324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-WtjywK0dLKCp5VGTH_D-HhdR2q-Ns9vplo8CTxsbaelUjzoFMHgZWPhcbLnQo5rqQdHLMx04c61BKjgpj9BxoSTzaYlgeub1a-QdUqDhJDu8JiHeNeuW4yYeyP50NguxmKjW292pPVL/s320/IMG_7324.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnZ6cUVrbCD1T_3NfesCJcSDqLUYqmdMpFpJQHWKxvI2fq8sMEYpMnNCvz6XtZW7trt-vpeGPWIb1UEcY-tWv9zeSkzQcnbE4KQOPNp6cF9BqfrAnCfSPt9XLHqubXWiP0ZvNAFGYmZre/s1600/IMG_7336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnZ6cUVrbCD1T_3NfesCJcSDqLUYqmdMpFpJQHWKxvI2fq8sMEYpMnNCvz6XtZW7trt-vpeGPWIb1UEcY-tWv9zeSkzQcnbE4KQOPNp6cF9BqfrAnCfSPt9XLHqubXWiP0ZvNAFGYmZre/s320/IMG_7336.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbFZEMILmtYzA6wASnt0aL4DRD1yGjSjL6HWafaem8v0-3xQD9g6QupX9Pxy1ygD2ErI0hY_F3i_s_9TUKu19nwMa60aI54w0OJXz2I_IzztzCbfbkbPOG8HRADSKr97cmYo4nPNmi52l/s1600/IMG_7342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbFZEMILmtYzA6wASnt0aL4DRD1yGjSjL6HWafaem8v0-3xQD9g6QupX9Pxy1ygD2ErI0hY_F3i_s_9TUKu19nwMa60aI54w0OJXz2I_IzztzCbfbkbPOG8HRADSKr97cmYo4nPNmi52l/s320/IMG_7342.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cute kids plate of goodies.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme2NCnyzNDwUvuKDcm7CNLJNLj34nCKQmd-YsbGhqTCNETgHgUnT9FIsIge8GnjXkqq2NWcVYlFQfpu0w4zwwGpKeFcw6k6pZXsuempeOcM7waDidHUMb2tGapRx9kS9Oe3eGHjd8ku7G/s1600/IMG_7354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme2NCnyzNDwUvuKDcm7CNLJNLj34nCKQmd-YsbGhqTCNETgHgUnT9FIsIge8GnjXkqq2NWcVYlFQfpu0w4zwwGpKeFcw6k6pZXsuempeOcM7waDidHUMb2tGapRx9kS9Oe3eGHjd8ku7G/s320/IMG_7354.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Annual trip to Harley Farms to see the new baby goats...these had just been born within the last 24 hours!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53hxCJ5RuQwNWPc8oWM5kDyX6HnbJOv2f1DP5ywn35_7GtRaDnPnqtPwt2YbbX3bL_41n8n6FdO-l1xCk96ZsVx8qhJorOyDSXd9lUV-2r9t_YIeDkLno-GNGgQJbODzEPv18QwJAZ1Ss/s1600/IMG_7356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53hxCJ5RuQwNWPc8oWM5kDyX6HnbJOv2f1DP5ywn35_7GtRaDnPnqtPwt2YbbX3bL_41n8n6FdO-l1xCk96ZsVx8qhJorOyDSXd9lUV-2r9t_YIeDkLno-GNGgQJbODzEPv18QwJAZ1Ss/s320/IMG_7356.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah was initially wary...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nm2cj7Oazv1oIz6pXm6BzIXgReFmBti6I0LNoaYe2H5W8MUslz1ShBp6TMsX8MHfSv-YqZCpt6E-4QIUXOL4DU8sS9XQo7syrqEndZ_ojqTG2hbD1cjBoCS7fdjQkMNT2JvNXgpHjSnk/s1600/IMG_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Nm2cj7Oazv1oIz6pXm6BzIXgReFmBti6I0LNoaYe2H5W8MUslz1ShBp6TMsX8MHfSv-YqZCpt6E-4QIUXOL4DU8sS9XQo7syrqEndZ_ojqTG2hbD1cjBoCS7fdjQkMNT2JvNXgpHjSnk/s320/IMG_7364.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But she warmed up eventually (especially once one of her school friends joined in on the fun!)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsN7-YELDrihcVNWyPYG_sSK2l98f_n77sFYaD2Q-KLg3SKztBiE9LSNKYry7bSuPYze_suDfT8YUg8wyggZuS6ee-FctGiEo8_uV-1ZZhMk143aPYNnincIL-CkyRCfLFT4ENR83g8U8/s1600/IMG_7378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsN7-YELDrihcVNWyPYG_sSK2l98f_n77sFYaD2Q-KLg3SKztBiE9LSNKYry7bSuPYze_suDfT8YUg8wyggZuS6ee-FctGiEo8_uV-1ZZhMk143aPYNnincIL-CkyRCfLFT4ENR83g8U8/s320/IMG_7378.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots of picture walks....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT6i79G7ssJFKUtMMZnEtv38soha1QFuV7f851Nro79DkJti3DsClbIUxBezVCk2giTZc5LJ3d-aBWtp2TwKd6MCkuV6QnbHEBFSDwSxA2uvVYhXNZGrE8K_Ez_aaDvc8obJGhzKKAyot/s1600/IMG_7388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxT6i79G7ssJFKUtMMZnEtv38soha1QFuV7f851Nro79DkJti3DsClbIUxBezVCk2giTZc5LJ3d-aBWtp2TwKd6MCkuV6QnbHEBFSDwSxA2uvVYhXNZGrE8K_Ez_aaDvc8obJGhzKKAyot/s320/IMG_7388.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday morning "hike" on the Alameda Creek Trail</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeyeWY7ImaVxI0jNAWddUDOcWRt3klHOP-wExToR7KTNBbDIfJOQmsMFkkW2XGI4UVLp775aoYcix8w-Z7ZK6G85k2YbJ5bibPBpFlI03mIkaoGb1qoyIsdc7LKJhuDXgtyWFH1teNTOW/s1600/IMG_7392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeyeWY7ImaVxI0jNAWddUDOcWRt3klHOP-wExToR7KTNBbDIfJOQmsMFkkW2XGI4UVLp775aoYcix8w-Z7ZK6G85k2YbJ5bibPBpFlI03mIkaoGb1qoyIsdc7LKJhuDXgtyWFH1teNTOW/s320/IMG_7392.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO0aFa5ERWeGDrc5QwFs94O1enUE6i6S1S-nQBPuJGyCt7xKcBeg1P6FELTAomuGJJTBV4qDZciHpd6S83P7DxynrulCNKYUP-uNPP3GBeRRcpNoEqm_oBfnuKq8nbn5kQrseYJIF73fj/s1600/IMG_7401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO0aFa5ERWeGDrc5QwFs94O1enUE6i6S1S-nQBPuJGyCt7xKcBeg1P6FELTAomuGJJTBV4qDZciHpd6S83P7DxynrulCNKYUP-uNPP3GBeRRcpNoEqm_oBfnuKq8nbn5kQrseYJIF73fj/s320/IMG_7401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMByBWSTOSE0vxfxcurDsQJo4W72hs-oU6aTr-tRvCNPlBgLW2MU4flJkh9wfZBGDSqTeIm5xRtIaYUBlHekdpdx9GM9I5yxAMzTQO1KpKg6VkZIWHO4K4FQI7QucDFgh67vyj44yPoMJK/s1600/IMG_7403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMByBWSTOSE0vxfxcurDsQJo4W72hs-oU6aTr-tRvCNPlBgLW2MU4flJkh9wfZBGDSqTeIm5xRtIaYUBlHekdpdx9GM9I5yxAMzTQO1KpKg6VkZIWHO4K4FQI7QucDFgh67vyj44yPoMJK/s320/IMG_7403.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlR1QOLAcpzFCNoaRCoQ3ZEcBTjdnWSmJzuy22Cx8ZashqvWtWLxHmKwiZHtTMaqpAy-1n2zr9q5s_hB2VU1Z2mPN0UxoA5Gk9v1gtbqD0FQMZxWaodWixqCd8kw2_kToq3cVPOlvKFPW/s1600/IMG_7404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlR1QOLAcpzFCNoaRCoQ3ZEcBTjdnWSmJzuy22Cx8ZashqvWtWLxHmKwiZHtTMaqpAy-1n2zr9q5s_hB2VU1Z2mPN0UxoA5Gk9v1gtbqD0FQMZxWaodWixqCd8kw2_kToq3cVPOlvKFPW/s320/IMG_7404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes, I forget how beautiful NorCal is...it's nice to be reminded occasionally!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21dx6KILFrpPSRiwXyQdZzcgEmA_VVoNM6A1tzno3ScoOFVxrvEv_G0smigchan8Fee7VrbZguuNYHbR3BfAxljqLjzIl2-J3vcVRSE6OUMAl_BW6UIkUfDRMx0OT4RLaALqRLUa9qQ8s/s1600/IMG_7409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21dx6KILFrpPSRiwXyQdZzcgEmA_VVoNM6A1tzno3ScoOFVxrvEv_G0smigchan8Fee7VrbZguuNYHbR3BfAxljqLjzIl2-J3vcVRSE6OUMAl_BW6UIkUfDRMx0OT4RLaALqRLUa9qQ8s/s320/IMG_7409.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Post-walk lunch...tired girl.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMGB1RoqnnVX3h56gncd8llW18EGgs2A1zMcvqeq3ImVIQ0OWlC8H_yOssnZSqlmAvX23CLWQyLPRerTAaNtidSSC9YgnUjMN3mYgb2rIMMG77TNF2IRWh3M9Jun86jBA7X8q2SXzhZUK/s1600/IMG_7410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMGB1RoqnnVX3h56gncd8llW18EGgs2A1zMcvqeq3ImVIQ0OWlC8H_yOssnZSqlmAvX23CLWQyLPRerTAaNtidSSC9YgnUjMN3mYgb2rIMMG77TNF2IRWh3M9Jun86jBA7X8q2SXzhZUK/s320/IMG_7410.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And tired puppy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ku_zeejFVJbUvV2lAQX1WPWPru44DdPqsPzd3MbowDghDgE7n0wRih2Crf39vsvgLYJjBpC558y5uV-MciRHsIzidcXwvuE7KDt3S0z99DJc-qUW7HbVteDx9W_vpVgB895GVUWboFPU/s1600/IMG_7415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ku_zeejFVJbUvV2lAQX1WPWPru44DdPqsPzd3MbowDghDgE7n0wRih2Crf39vsvgLYJjBpC558y5uV-MciRHsIzidcXwvuE7KDt3S0z99DJc-qUW7HbVteDx9W_vpVgB895GVUWboFPU/s320/IMG_7415.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She's really been into dressing up the last few weeks...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4jmvG7_4Aqm8mVfFoDGA5ce2w0R5NlsZDHOcrdvNXdxaXvl1HR2p5CJ3fuB7yoLWT0iL50IavUh5DiKC_2_SWt0uQ-rtkFkahBIn1JBTnnFD0IM3ByxolbbWBdJC0h0X3-FzOCrpdFId/s1600/IMG_7421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4jmvG7_4Aqm8mVfFoDGA5ce2w0R5NlsZDHOcrdvNXdxaXvl1HR2p5CJ3fuB7yoLWT0iL50IavUh5DiKC_2_SWt0uQ-rtkFkahBIn1JBTnnFD0IM3ByxolbbWBdJC0h0X3-FzOCrpdFId/s320/IMG_7421.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQudr_OxaTr-A5PIe7uJ-lcSGjBKpVprKSUwtu56d39xFl5jxqp-_bGXQHCwnq4NTADcFdWDdTjg60jXmhcxxQTLo4HpKT5WTzLSlVVDYxK3rKpJ16Hr3bn97mp3-jWVLOzIdv9wHHEbh/s1600/IMG_7448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQudr_OxaTr-A5PIe7uJ-lcSGjBKpVprKSUwtu56d39xFl5jxqp-_bGXQHCwnq4NTADcFdWDdTjg60jXmhcxxQTLo4HpKT5WTzLSlVVDYxK3rKpJ16Hr3bn97mp3-jWVLOzIdv9wHHEbh/s320/IMG_7448.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At school, Savannah and her friends often talk about San Francisco, so we decided to actually take her there (horrible parents that we are, she'd only ever been once prior to this outing...)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDauKzsXqlOHpnYJbfbggnRLBBDwHtKYTUOAL_SoiQp48q5V96AkDMBqRIZbdHsmsiaXjennIHjY4vfa21w8cCAmKivIs63py31HQg5uY6gc76jcbCioN79oyfvOMeikZxpuD9bu89sG-2/s1600/IMG_7450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDauKzsXqlOHpnYJbfbggnRLBBDwHtKYTUOAL_SoiQp48q5V96AkDMBqRIZbdHsmsiaXjennIHjY4vfa21w8cCAmKivIs63py31HQg5uY6gc76jcbCioN79oyfvOMeikZxpuD9bu89sG-2/s320/IMG_7450.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She actually did enjoy the BART ride (I think this was her favorite part)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6yskpegXacl1FRi4BTA9xe3vRjd4x2TGrSOmp7Ssoc-aOGG8ylK54tFg2m2PaNFy8sdpEEVDHCcG1vINF3OnaIk6L-Ahst4_RsULULrwlhIoPLBuClsVvO4CRzB_Z_ZeQN2B4GvPK5gc/s1600/IMG_7451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6yskpegXacl1FRi4BTA9xe3vRjd4x2TGrSOmp7Ssoc-aOGG8ylK54tFg2m2PaNFy8sdpEEVDHCcG1vINF3OnaIk6L-Ahst4_RsULULrwlhIoPLBuClsVvO4CRzB_Z_ZeQN2B4GvPK5gc/s320/IMG_7451.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ferry Building, views of Bay bridge and Treasure Island</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiC5_e8N0EIGxAQ9bQsR1Ud-03Bb08uPwh67ySR4PqARh00_J36zqMxFa0YlGmqzy2gwwdzzD0igJBllnxwHOQQRBc-Ev8Fj5DaLErfLzyHHR_xboMtsxGEMNJnaxP8F6VrjmoHcw0CAe/s1600/IMG_7453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiC5_e8N0EIGxAQ9bQsR1Ud-03Bb08uPwh67ySR4PqARh00_J36zqMxFa0YlGmqzy2gwwdzzD0igJBllnxwHOQQRBc-Ev8Fj5DaLErfLzyHHR_xboMtsxGEMNJnaxP8F6VrjmoHcw0CAe/s320/IMG_7453.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got ice cream soon after arriving, then Savannah turned to us and said, "ok, now I want to go home." </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquy-_qiUEqMgndgSdFZm5w5bX4eUiEtA-lc2Xo2nwQyZD8yI_v-BTIBbt_-UgcMoabu_baHhpQrBGHrJj0WHJhzzDxCrpAPldLwVdtgxZL9XJQE1999LvqASRfAeVj0bg7tiI-PVl2Zwv/s1600/IMG_7472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhquy-_qiUEqMgndgSdFZm5w5bX4eUiEtA-lc2Xo2nwQyZD8yI_v-BTIBbt_-UgcMoabu_baHhpQrBGHrJj0WHJhzzDxCrpAPldLwVdtgxZL9XJQE1999LvqASRfAeVj0bg7tiI-PVl2Zwv/s320/IMG_7472.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We ended the month with a lovely birthday party for one of her best buddies. She was super excited to try out his baseball equipment!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueVbk9Ehnw6QonO49l6NDOG_LHhopJTWanNNz1qPZla_Y_Y9li6h5QmDGMjZ_i7pFC1aXu6EOnYYcrZhQqE2nasDMKAVXbXYR-gEIH5tMsbK1hC_Cf4f8kdXY5tOJ2WITcqOvcdx9SDaw/s1600/IMG_7484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueVbk9Ehnw6QonO49l6NDOG_LHhopJTWanNNz1qPZla_Y_Y9li6h5QmDGMjZ_i7pFC1aXu6EOnYYcrZhQqE2nasDMKAVXbXYR-gEIH5tMsbK1hC_Cf4f8kdXY5tOJ2WITcqOvcdx9SDaw/s320/IMG_7484.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And ice cream sandwiches, a first for her...she was a fan :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We're only a day and a bit into May, but it's already shaping up to be a great month. Classes ended at Berkeley yesterday, so I'll have more free time to dissertate (trying to finish up my second chapter in the next two weeks...), though I still will proctor my kids' final exam on May 17 (we got the 8am spot....woohooo! Nothing like leaving Fremont at 6 something in the morning to watch students take an exam for three hours). But, perhaps most excitingly...we're going to Disneyland on May 20! Our tickets and vacation package stuff came in the mail yesterday (we booked through AAA and, so far, I've been very impressed, both with price and the "extras" you get for going through them)...Savannah doesn't know about this trip, though I could probably tell her "we're going to Disneyland," and it wouldn't mean much to her....now, if I said "we're going to where the princesses live," that'd be something else entirely.... We're planning on just putting her in the car, and surprising her with Cinderella's castle....hopefully it works. I've found that, lots of times as a parent, when you're very excited about something you've planned for your child, their reaction doesn't always match up to your expectations (see this: http://www.babble.com/babble-voices/roadside-assistance-kristen-howerton/2013/04/23/epic-fail-disneyland-surprises-gone-wrong-alternate-title-kids-are-the-worst/). I'm hoping this is not one of those times :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-51944752768963336722013-04-24T08:52:00.001-07:002013-04-24T08:52:22.116-07:00Adventures with X-Rays!In the 2-3 weeks since I last wrote, Savannah has had a few more doctor's appointments and x-rays to check out her injured collarbone. Thankfully, everything looks great and she seems to be doing really well (honestly, after about 3-4 days, she was back to acting pretty normal). We did have a few worrisome days last week--her pediatrician called and said that the radiologist who reviewed her first set of x-rays had noticed some abnormalities/hazy spots on Savannah's lungs. Though her pediatrician was fairly certain this was just a bad x-ray and that nothing was actually wrong, as a parent, you can't help but worry. So, back to the x-ray tech we went. At first, Savannah seemed to like the idea of getting a picture taken of her lungs, and the chest x-ray is one of the easier ones to do. There was no laying down, she just had to stand still on a stool while the x-ray tech took two x-rays. The first one was done without any problem, but then Savannah had a change of heart about the whole process and decided she was done with it all. She jumped off the stool, and proceeded to run down the hall yelling, "I'm not going back in there" over and over again. I'm not quite sure what caused the meltdown (she later told me it was too loud), but I could not get her to calm down, no matter how much I reasoned/bribed/pleaded. Apparently, this is not terribly unusual, because the x-ray tech was prepared. Poor girl had to be velcro'ed down to a board that held her still for the last x-ray. Afterwards, when we walked out into the waiting room, a couple of people looked at me and said, "wow, guess she didn't want that done." Yeah, guess not. <br />
<br />
It took a few days, but Savannah's pediatrician got back in touch with me yesterday and said everything looked great. Which is wonderful, not only because she's healthy, but because I don't know what we'd have done if she needed another x-ray...<br />
<br />
The x-rays weren't our only medical adventure last week...in fact, it was a fairly bad week in general for Savannah. She woke up on Monday morning with a fever close to 104 degrees, so she stayed home from school with Jason. She seemed better Tuesday and Wednesday, so we chalked the fever up to just a random 24-hour bug. Then, Thursday night (this was after our x-ray adventures earlier in the day), she started vomiting...a lot. This is her second stomach flu and, like last time, she gives no warning when the vomiting is about to start. I was sitting with her on the couch chatting with Jason, and then all of a sudden, she's sick, everywhere. She was traumatized by it all (and, frankly, so was Jason...), but seemed to enjoy getting a second shower for the evening and another chance to play with her bath toys. It took her a good two-three days to get over that illness (and, knock on wood, no one else in the house has gotten it!). <br />
<br />
And that brings us to Sunday, when she woke up in tears because her knee hurt her. I think this was a bad case of "growing pains," but am not totally sure. She refused to walk more or less all day (she sat on the couch for a good 6 hours, asking us to bring her different toys that she wanted). I don't doubt that her knee hurt when she woke up, but I'm not sure it was painful all day, and am fairly certain that she enjoyed having everyone do as she bid. Her doing this also coincided with a week full of questions about why Daddy can't walk, though, so I'm wondering if her refusal to walk is related to that in some way? I don't think Savannah can remember a time when Jason was not in a wheelchair (she was 16 months old at the time of his accident), and she's always seemed pretty accepting of it (it is normal for her, after all). I probably need to think more about how we talk to her about SCI--when she asked last week, I told her he had an accident and now his legs don't work, which seemed to appease her. It might just be the age she's at--some of the other children in her class also seem to be more aware of Jason's wheelchair now than they have in the past. One of Savannah's friends asked him yesterday why he always brings that (his wheelchair) with him in the school. I imagine there are some resources out there for this type of thing..I just need to find them :)<br />
<br />
I hope you are all having a great week so far!<br />
<br />
All my love,<br />
AshleyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-68747009313171240492013-03-29T15:30:00.001-07:002013-03-29T15:30:21.752-07:00Update on SavannahAs some of you know, Savannah took a tumble off a play structure at school earlier this week and fractured her collarbone. After a rough first 24 hours (so thankful we've had wonderful doctors, both at the hospital and her pediatrician's office, throughout this...otherwise our girl might develop a real phobia of them!), and two less than restful nights, Sav seems to be doing really well. She'll be wearing the sling for 2-3 weeks (we go to Stanford in a few weeks for more xrays and will know more then about how long it should be immobilized), but should be back to a relatively normal routine sometime next week. Kids heal fast, apparently :)<br />
<br />
One of her teachers came by to see her yesterday, bringing with her a fantastic care package that really perked her up (Thank you Orchard friends!). She's up and about today, and is actually wearing her arm sling. Thanks for all the great messages of love and support..we have all appreciated it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7GfRpXdPTh0GqMeuH7pNSi7GRe5OhLYjxqXzrXLHDizhEK-YwhUnPBhz5oCxwagphkTJcroN3YOegZYcygDmRlRNnnboApRuOKZqTEJh8ln2ATRrob34voGMw3ONG1auILFGRUiNslKM/s1600/IMG_7229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7GfRpXdPTh0GqMeuH7pNSi7GRe5OhLYjxqXzrXLHDizhEK-YwhUnPBhz5oCxwagphkTJcroN3YOegZYcygDmRlRNnnboApRuOKZqTEJh8ln2ATRrob34voGMw3ONG1auILFGRUiNslKM/s320/IMG_7229.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Off to the doctor. VERY thankful we live within walking distance of her pediatrician...no need to mess with uncomfortable car seat straps!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD73-grxs6Z8XMPz5sz9z72UqmbvFLEJTO07X9Gk8f-ZPQKaRaf_zxvaBMofejtHhd4sEHsueli5HkRp04s0T5Bvy8udT6bzdcFRjEcYXU5FimXG8JCKtzgtD5BGydrZ6FOR9dgS73chI8/s1600/IMG_7235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD73-grxs6Z8XMPz5sz9z72UqmbvFLEJTO07X9Gk8f-ZPQKaRaf_zxvaBMofejtHhd4sEHsueli5HkRp04s0T5Bvy8udT6bzdcFRjEcYXU5FimXG8JCKtzgtD5BGydrZ6FOR9dgS73chI8/s320/IMG_7235.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy to get goodies from her friends at school!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZB0ylt8iXY3WWYp8mdAj5O6df-jSNOdeZX13jJ9IlAxyleuR5vGF4nNXrzJKdbthejQkl7YwBJM1NQJykXiEfWsPZUPHEkBZB0f-jBlNat7Ta4wrHINghp2QuESzrDQBGPl0sOuN1yh2/s1600/IMG_7242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZB0ylt8iXY3WWYp8mdAj5O6df-jSNOdeZX13jJ9IlAxyleuR5vGF4nNXrzJKdbthejQkl7YwBJM1NQJykXiEfWsPZUPHEkBZB0f-jBlNat7Ta4wrHINghp2QuESzrDQBGPl0sOuN1yh2/s320/IMG_7242.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wearing her sling....finally :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_401C2pnScjTRyqxXxULoR2Rt1lHalGB4A9_tlY1vzGemUpPS3d9V8-VKg7qhRwO6QREnwylPrjqiO73510EYe9rwAPxoFyD8-gGccyHJuN_5IoYpqXaCqIBPKEBvip0LdzmM0f6ThAfW/s1600/IMG_7243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_401C2pnScjTRyqxXxULoR2Rt1lHalGB4A9_tlY1vzGemUpPS3d9V8-VKg7qhRwO6QREnwylPrjqiO73510EYe9rwAPxoFyD8-gGccyHJuN_5IoYpqXaCqIBPKEBvip0LdzmM0f6ThAfW/s320/IMG_7243.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is pretty much what our days have looked like of late...I can quote Mickey Mouse </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clubhouse now...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3oGMTu4YDCnq4EJDdVRqkidoXAYeTu_hibyHaXyG8yjlhYRzovi32OnNtdNZoTqMwmZaWflNq0ucTaxAKUg5V8NPJqkBDU_moQ9wqMpoMoma1FxysZC_HhW7t3uYie5mxpJntlbgRKnv/s1600/IMG_7244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3oGMTu4YDCnq4EJDdVRqkidoXAYeTu_hibyHaXyG8yjlhYRzovi32OnNtdNZoTqMwmZaWflNq0ucTaxAKUg5V8NPJqkBDU_moQ9wqMpoMoma1FxysZC_HhW7t3uYie5mxpJntlbgRKnv/s320/IMG_7244.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Google+ Hangout with her Nutmeg classmates!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T-ldJaPg5Lsli6CfII8m_W3zCtqtZ_7GrG9BRTrg83-81DEKs9C0U0sI0qyOzhGutMkTucwJ7I90hGxD7YY4sttGbQQ77aQ7369zHnGotud9_MywYzg6M8Baosu-DoOmtkQAlYqj_ntR/s1600/IMG_7246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7T-ldJaPg5Lsli6CfII8m_W3zCtqtZ_7GrG9BRTrg83-81DEKs9C0U0sI0qyOzhGutMkTucwJ7I90hGxD7YY4sttGbQQ77aQ7369zHnGotud9_MywYzg6M8Baosu-DoOmtkQAlYqj_ntR/s320/IMG_7246.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She was soooo excited to see her friends!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits0bf-MufRaGQzY-uEu2Yfpynab-w55gnc9yEGFlu6Zf1zCtgzSYZ8005_jNYfFi7U3Ayf_H9d8d90ljdgS-1d_MDTaTsUTR6lvz0xhWiZDAjBoCGgFimFMiuEPTkkyx3XBEyhyphenhyphenMHSuTn/s1600/IMG_7252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits0bf-MufRaGQzY-uEu2Yfpynab-w55gnc9yEGFlu6Zf1zCtgzSYZ8005_jNYfFi7U3Ayf_H9d8d90ljdgS-1d_MDTaTsUTR6lvz0xhWiZDAjBoCGgFimFMiuEPTkkyx3XBEyhyphenhyphenMHSuTn/s320/IMG_7252.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, we needed a jacket for our walk, but she can't put her right arm through anything, so I wrapped her up in one of my scarves....this worked, except I accidentally wrapped both arms up :P</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJrTesVSAAbHfzuBCWJwLb37nAcGZF5Fw8fINIa2rFr4Jtn50VDiUEJN-8HETWqh1D3lDLkcQhs11g6GeChSjxOMBhcSQ7KopcjXzpbxhgsVyDXy64Hg2G2xbZ1R_QSiZaH7GUmFiV2Ys/s1600/IMG_7255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJrTesVSAAbHfzuBCWJwLb37nAcGZF5Fw8fINIa2rFr4Jtn50VDiUEJN-8HETWqh1D3lDLkcQhs11g6GeChSjxOMBhcSQ7KopcjXzpbxhgsVyDXy64Hg2G2xbZ1R_QSiZaH7GUmFiV2Ys/s320/IMG_7255.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Originally we had planned to take S to a real tea room for afternoon tea, but had to cancel this plan post-fall. I tried to make up for that today.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppIOuG6V9tvTEmSfGoL4cTe49q3ICjDh1IzFKMgGbr6nPM7w2GZkuB3-Qi8CLKDDzce-xQ3rNjSs3lYj-0TalMOEWvpjCgMixJMtzJbSoIzzNetnpzXdDayUWjxCDl5blDjtqox_dKIPh/s1600/IMG_7259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppIOuG6V9tvTEmSfGoL4cTe49q3ICjDh1IzFKMgGbr6nPM7w2GZkuB3-Qi8CLKDDzce-xQ3rNjSs3lYj-0TalMOEWvpjCgMixJMtzJbSoIzzNetnpzXdDayUWjxCDl5blDjtqox_dKIPh/s320/IMG_7259.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She's doing quite well with her left hand.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeC7k8hvrGn1cJvXdlJaNIb1nGgzBAdJYWsvOkNztNaxafdrI_A5iLRlfnU8WW8na_AFl0kH5UmTleChvWLcrOydIUiFH6fBo3ieW4babPbochyphenhyphenhvljyGriQgzt_iVIkKiI3lobnrgFi/s1600/IMG_7256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgeC7k8hvrGn1cJvXdlJaNIb1nGgzBAdJYWsvOkNztNaxafdrI_A5iLRlfnU8WW8na_AFl0kH5UmTleChvWLcrOydIUiFH6fBo3ieW4babPbochyphenhyphenhvljyGriQgzt_iVIkKiI3lobnrgFi/s320/IMG_7256.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thinking about which book she'd like me to read next!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you all are well and enjoying Easter weekend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of love, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-72453427829666065422013-03-27T08:57:00.003-07:002013-03-27T08:57:56.389-07:00The World According to SavannahSavannah's birthday was a few weeks ago and her "big" gift from us was a camera of her own (a Fisher Price toddler-proof digital camera). She loves taking our phones and snapping her own pictures, so we thought this would be a great gift. She has LOVED it, and is frequently taking pictures, or asking us to take pictures of her :)<br />
<br />
I thought I'd share what the world looks like to a three year old...and what she deems "photo-worthy"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_Yfjml6uJ34afszradcig-GC7sdNdHTWG1HEY5v5xZlkA5CdtjtLorQVc4ZvkBLI_FZCxI6az-_m3iVwuJntC9Nbjhlb9F1vodxEW2oJqGZvdWX8FYGBq_hDBsnCw0DhcvNb_BBlNDDB/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_Yfjml6uJ34afszradcig-GC7sdNdHTWG1HEY5v5xZlkA5CdtjtLorQVc4ZvkBLI_FZCxI6az-_m3iVwuJntC9Nbjhlb9F1vodxEW2oJqGZvdWX8FYGBq_hDBsnCw0DhcvNb_BBlNDDB/s320/IMG_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jason getting something out of the refrigerator</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcuDlN1uRgVnO78oYCgOLUN9NZTqsMLAgE1CJERHkqqgyd2-Riyu7OyflglazBOgEWRcZnh_GW-7qRP05qhMHn_0mvInWYMmDKWRoHuVNfmNT_dLxMUbYv12SswBat7iJNdx4YFAKcpMm/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcuDlN1uRgVnO78oYCgOLUN9NZTqsMLAgE1CJERHkqqgyd2-Riyu7OyflglazBOgEWRcZnh_GW-7qRP05qhMHn_0mvInWYMmDKWRoHuVNfmNT_dLxMUbYv12SswBat7iJNdx4YFAKcpMm/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Birthday Flowers</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f-qpfO5i63nb8EOKX1cV90LeLpR_odNItAS0o4hsNkjZTxlPdOhwIYwvp8_twqufKQ5ThsGwkw1nLjhcIuJUHC7-r0DWq3iZH3D0tDsV_1QZd0cjmAL1eTuNOH7P0fyNZPYQlFAOVJVc/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f-qpfO5i63nb8EOKX1cV90LeLpR_odNItAS0o4hsNkjZTxlPdOhwIYwvp8_twqufKQ5ThsGwkw1nLjhcIuJUHC7-r0DWq3iZH3D0tDsV_1QZd0cjmAL1eTuNOH7P0fyNZPYQlFAOVJVc/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her baby doll, Angel</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacJ634drjxiW7PX_ZXhMvh8BmlKbhkDR1sHiTkU8hXiTNZYLwxd2DquJb4GHGPFVOSEO8H398fQY44eyIubXcMJFo8rHPFQNoazQMPCVuC_r_fPn19qisWel1I1xQY6YohNkdRLdsCOIv/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacJ634drjxiW7PX_ZXhMvh8BmlKbhkDR1sHiTkU8hXiTNZYLwxd2DquJb4GHGPFVOSEO8H398fQY44eyIubXcMJFo8rHPFQNoazQMPCVuC_r_fPn19qisWel1I1xQY6YohNkdRLdsCOIv/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Daddy</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEKV8oGURH8S4Ut_TBbokf2FdPzNficDNQEfJJwEwN1n_E6Rw1TvMCIYotooldA3mxhIGDTperSm8R-0HJDud8N4lwqICLRxM1elEQyyRh02Pbw4a_SqCSBNuQQJFUsK8TZUhGt7vF3NA/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEKV8oGURH8S4Ut_TBbokf2FdPzNficDNQEfJJwEwN1n_E6Rw1TvMCIYotooldA3mxhIGDTperSm8R-0HJDud8N4lwqICLRxM1elEQyyRh02Pbw4a_SqCSBNuQQJFUsK8TZUhGt7vF3NA/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots of photos with little fingers in them :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmxomPSQPem4aXmCgautH0u1rGDZdLLaH1eqJjrneqSgwMUTIB-5GGbVdIjC1MgInS0FNjssRWC8pQ1LtbjQI3_UHmtS2QjoWrxixFJnxA5LPCvbaGcVv0-7s2F_B8rfJJCJ1cBHTBxnd/s1600/IMG_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmxomPSQPem4aXmCgautH0u1rGDZdLLaH1eqJjrneqSgwMUTIB-5GGbVdIjC1MgInS0FNjssRWC8pQ1LtbjQI3_UHmtS2QjoWrxixFJnxA5LPCvbaGcVv0-7s2F_B8rfJJCJ1cBHTBxnd/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
OUr front door, decorated for Spring</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZMjfBO1zXHJ_6WmU1o5U-zTeS6Cgi5qnUKqZd_pSN1vQ_8Mkd7WkKPKVnOTALcWmwwYUkkw4dA59ntUpBikjYmvRikYk-6mVOSh3lCe95ZHxRc-6i4yvOohT6HXuOZz4RO-hSDUNr0JU/s1600/IMG_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZMjfBO1zXHJ_6WmU1o5U-zTeS6Cgi5qnUKqZd_pSN1vQ_8Mkd7WkKPKVnOTALcWmwwYUkkw4dA59ntUpBikjYmvRikYk-6mVOSh3lCe95ZHxRc-6i4yvOohT6HXuOZz4RO-hSDUNr0JU/s320/IMG_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Balloons!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJS-XAUNuzGuguZx5C-HlB1odwRxCBaKOETn_57LKtPokjaiJNDxkpXKNWmyhTk3KkoKqdoDRcvyEX1WK21FG89Eeinn3yH327iN5SZm1C4dDvyN68d7zdt_4xvCV9hYe4ndAh6bnyzIz/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJS-XAUNuzGuguZx5C-HlB1odwRxCBaKOETn_57LKtPokjaiJNDxkpXKNWmyhTk3KkoKqdoDRcvyEX1WK21FG89Eeinn3yH327iN5SZm1C4dDvyN68d7zdt_4xvCV9hYe4ndAh6bnyzIz/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me, sitting with her at her table</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNQJ-ZS_LunotteZo38aopgxYpJRBaQs-shzoUk9iraLURywnyahZ5Z_6oH6YfaPnZzMhn3WyU3ZwScqANHKLzT7Y5-exg_Jo96VXIOPLbPc3RQ6XNUl5OQdNEH2ufYxaDPhD0UU8uWQm/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNQJ-ZS_LunotteZo38aopgxYpJRBaQs-shzoUk9iraLURywnyahZ5Z_6oH6YfaPnZzMhn3WyU3ZwScqANHKLzT7Y5-exg_Jo96VXIOPLbPc3RQ6XNUl5OQdNEH2ufYxaDPhD0UU8uWQm/s320/IMG_0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Milk...a very important part of her day</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FyQ-sVcR4rBM52Uj8ocPhBq01vlcr20GJZvMyCjT9twoPeFbQlbtf2yv1AZZjw1cCNVJA8-k0B59t-fdxR_TjeNJiXLjFZLsGKAzSJ0WertsNQmGFcPIdF89AxLiyqkBbAnBxNb3glG5/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FyQ-sVcR4rBM52Uj8ocPhBq01vlcr20GJZvMyCjT9twoPeFbQlbtf2yv1AZZjw1cCNVJA8-k0B59t-fdxR_TjeNJiXLjFZLsGKAzSJ0WertsNQmGFcPIdF89AxLiyqkBbAnBxNb3glG5/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah's "treasure box"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinALN_0G2lTwCUQpcGo-Vw_V-U6mUx5ieQyOaj1-kem7UGyT7PPJOjAZGhGnBU460SZfEdNt7g7g8RTX5V3FaXDytYGrNTnWRt7J59C6B_AzdnxfvPf9UP9gkim_MSoQqLibGrzXHgKoeP/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinALN_0G2lTwCUQpcGo-Vw_V-U6mUx5ieQyOaj1-kem7UGyT7PPJOjAZGhGnBU460SZfEdNt7g7g8RTX5V3FaXDytYGrNTnWRt7J59C6B_AzdnxfvPf9UP9gkim_MSoQqLibGrzXHgKoeP/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She asked me to take a picture of her...such a lovely girl</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2cVK8KuFNNm5YbOzNHupGfhzvflBBso7DBdEu5qPUBGQ25zM9HWO3MUiNGpD-fCygIG65mAEU0DFGEDLAykfNNMm4u2V1rX8tBK_Fkngvclb95zmseA7zLmnDmTsHDR6f6ZVXL8z4uyB/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2cVK8KuFNNm5YbOzNHupGfhzvflBBso7DBdEu5qPUBGQ25zM9HWO3MUiNGpD-fCygIG65mAEU0DFGEDLAykfNNMm4u2V1rX8tBK_Fkngvclb95zmseA7zLmnDmTsHDR6f6ZVXL8z4uyB/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Current crop of coloring books on her art table</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem0ULq3ERS-FE-GxSSUVJ5GWX-UkLWYr_Kik_HLR7zRm65IoPkyzsyHHY-4NQ9oZla0rcEmAnPwtNMNqYee6inatM-Tkhi_t81m4Qk7CfG-AgijUfqTzKoBQGAEHreeWFVfiobtih96N3/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjem0ULq3ERS-FE-GxSSUVJ5GWX-UkLWYr_Kik_HLR7zRm65IoPkyzsyHHY-4NQ9oZla0rcEmAnPwtNMNqYee6inatM-Tkhi_t81m4Qk7CfG-AgijUfqTzKoBQGAEHreeWFVfiobtih96N3/s320/IMG_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Window clings</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXzisdzEKb6jVxGEeuqHaQHBT3vyML8lLBzOi3X4wWe7rL2xB08v4-PGZhetmFNgF6UpRs3AeQjz6Bj6i4Oi7_V8SzQtWOAcB-oXs1nqicg_7MomtZyL-63FQbIMwPLZjfI7Ab-DtWsRK/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXzisdzEKb6jVxGEeuqHaQHBT3vyML8lLBzOi3X4wWe7rL2xB08v4-PGZhetmFNgF6UpRs3AeQjz6Bj6i4Oi7_V8SzQtWOAcB-oXs1nqicg_7MomtZyL-63FQbIMwPLZjfI7Ab-DtWsRK/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Uncle Nick...perpetually on the laptop!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNJHuBoWQPnHiEknGqcKwqWhMbyAmKAmUtli51lHY6PsfPJAyrNh8dqT5QUy48PKNKKjBKQDbX1EUIILt3py0OzxSXMOIpR9QEL7ahagIFQqfCnyiZjnSK8vM07ys8SLujXLyA9VLa7mK/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNJHuBoWQPnHiEknGqcKwqWhMbyAmKAmUtli51lHY6PsfPJAyrNh8dqT5QUy48PKNKKjBKQDbX1EUIILt3py0OzxSXMOIpR9QEL7ahagIFQqfCnyiZjnSK8vM07ys8SLujXLyA9VLa7mK/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo of her most recent piece of artwork</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Perhaps we have a budding photographer on our hands?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-67108945794383141412013-03-25T09:46:00.002-07:002013-03-25T09:46:47.580-07:0030, 3, and a very busy March!So I've been terrible about updates lately....big apologies for that. February and March were busy...busier than I expected. It was almost like I flipped over a page in my calendar (yes, despite Jason increasingly prodding me to go paperless, I still rely on a paper calendar to keep organized!) and realized that there were things planned every day for something like six weeks straight! So, here's a not-so-quick photographic recap of our late winter/early Spring (sorry East coasters...it is really spring here!).<br />
<br />
<b>Jason turned 30! </b><br />
I blogged about this last time, but he is now, officially, 30. We celebrated with 30 days of 30...a gift (some small, some not so small) every day for 30 days. It made his birthday a lot of fun. Savannah got in on it, which was great, but I think she might have unreasonable expectations re: her birthdays now :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbOQfQNgF7UoJV1rrQQ37tvGSderdiY212KDTXJWEOcbI74yWd-oiQT84VCIUaZnp5NvAZ6jUFSc0_CYFlib5QSw_ZPzbeAgUylVainmMzKk-81V5M55cNZqHKvil2fmlWA2oxa17v5TI/s1600/IMG_6691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbOQfQNgF7UoJV1rrQQ37tvGSderdiY212KDTXJWEOcbI74yWd-oiQT84VCIUaZnp5NvAZ6jUFSc0_CYFlib5QSw_ZPzbeAgUylVainmMzKk-81V5M55cNZqHKvil2fmlWA2oxa17v5TI/s320/IMG_6691.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little bit of decoration...Sav really loved this bit!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymes08ZsnBwQUiVCqjKNFO7pFNT_GaBJIU_WTh37PqzWgycUh1URve1HBsBK3hzi4Y1G7fwEWw3Vv8zRf2VJquh_MXCHSiK71ue2H7GR335CQAf-u9m9KY8vs0tbumvBSrDwwTK-WlNCu/s1600/IMG_6660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymes08ZsnBwQUiVCqjKNFO7pFNT_GaBJIU_WTh37PqzWgycUh1URve1HBsBK3hzi4Y1G7fwEWw3Vv8zRf2VJquh_MXCHSiK71ue2H7GR335CQAf-u9m9KY8vs0tbumvBSrDwwTK-WlNCu/s320/IMG_6660.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A new laptop! (not from me)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQELzYj1zTMrXoyXPCvySQM8uOOr63J4GKCq7rDRx0n9mN8FYXkjumbRTMnM8rihyphenhyphenKMgyaA7Dg5gYWTjVszCfC55Awc4flJkdNh8lAQpEqlxxaKzj0Vv6wDc90RXNI-fpsvjm-od2Ya_A/s1600/IMG_7053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQELzYj1zTMrXoyXPCvySQM8uOOr63J4GKCq7rDRx0n9mN8FYXkjumbRTMnM8rihyphenhyphenKMgyaA7Dg5gYWTjVszCfC55Awc4flJkdNh8lAQpEqlxxaKzj0Vv6wDc90RXNI-fpsvjm-od2Ya_A/s320/IMG_7053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah's contribution to Jason's birthday gifts.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>And then we all got sick!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Savannah has been a remarkably healthy child. She's gotten a few really random viruses (Roseola, Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease), but nothing too bad...until this winter. 3 ear infections, all in a row, plus pink eye in both eyes. Thankfully, no one else got the pink eye (not sure how we pulled that one off), though nearly all of us in the house have been dealing with sinus/allergy junk. I even got an ear infection, which I didn't think really happened in adults (tip: if you think you have a sinus infection, go to the doctor...if you wait, it can get worse and potentially become an ear infection). I really can empathize with her now about the non-fun-ness of the ear infection.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArTuf0kMVLNV9bMHou2cUniAm-wc-B-mpfcxjA9owt9Q_hy5Hq_1QSym1bmKRTYMfMhIu7yZt2xNLKEgx-7HsGPdK1iP3N-iJUV9Qg-yKWnWv9exwonnry51NkWqpWwub9s3RuJWe8kt8/s1600/IMG_6934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArTuf0kMVLNV9bMHou2cUniAm-wc-B-mpfcxjA9owt9Q_hy5Hq_1QSym1bmKRTYMfMhIu7yZt2xNLKEgx-7HsGPdK1iP3N-iJUV9Qg-yKWnWv9exwonnry51NkWqpWwub9s3RuJWe8kt8/s320/IMG_6934.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had lots of snuggly days on the couch.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR50wc47yzzVzdcXDyLSRj_P1pkJGZ5wKBoBJ7lFu7I6ietVXKGaJTFbZLx9q319IR1UI0bm8Yx-RdzxwdaYwrhUr7UjiA52o65uFu-UnhoXWvJwYEgZX9y7KkwBJvnezHddz5w_10uzJv/s1600/IMG_6744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR50wc47yzzVzdcXDyLSRj_P1pkJGZ5wKBoBJ7lFu7I6ietVXKGaJTFbZLx9q319IR1UI0bm8Yx-RdzxwdaYwrhUr7UjiA52o65uFu-UnhoXWvJwYEgZX9y7KkwBJvnezHddz5w_10uzJv/s320/IMG_6744.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One afternoon, I told Sav she could pick any of her movies to watch...she spent a lot of time thinking about this..carefully weighing all of her options. She finally chose Little Mermaid (excellent choice) and then our DVD player broke....boo.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Family Photos</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As is our tradition, we got some beautiful family photos taken in late February. Savannah wasn't entirely cooperative, but the photos came out great (See more at http://www.jamesthomaslong.com/blog/2013/03/06/fremont-ca-east-bay-family-photographer-family-of-3/)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMWWJb7iLGJt42Puuifhf0-ABheWNg1LvdaqX7jeedVpchnmc7vEyQVi8IH58Wqcj1c5EuTfzJyQ3Wyqw-BEZFbMokIElYXTwxyhy2BY-Zwz7US4xZ2YsK4495_KtPx6fkR1RJsR0AItN/s1600/IMG_7028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMWWJb7iLGJt42Puuifhf0-ABheWNg1LvdaqX7jeedVpchnmc7vEyQVi8IH58Wqcj1c5EuTfzJyQ3Wyqw-BEZFbMokIElYXTwxyhy2BY-Zwz7US4xZ2YsK4495_KtPx6fkR1RJsR0AItN/s320/IMG_7028.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDQVJFeGjnlFC9IxKbUKnxZEZ7OLnwTFmVZ-8nuWFQncvM4Owv-lrrUuGhXWGft2I39BodjuxpvU5zhQsUjyKx0xaGYxJAtVdxymkKs4DprF9uiU7JhtgYr9uoQkPiwNksVTEX9Z4yQmv/s1600/IMG_7037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDQVJFeGjnlFC9IxKbUKnxZEZ7OLnwTFmVZ-8nuWFQncvM4Owv-lrrUuGhXWGft2I39BodjuxpvU5zhQsUjyKx0xaGYxJAtVdxymkKs4DprF9uiU7JhtgYr9uoQkPiwNksVTEX9Z4yQmv/s320/IMG_7037.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Savannah is 3!!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On March 7, our little girl turned 3. I really feel like she was just born yesterday :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7LExtG2bo84tQet0p6qNLHG8mfFyk5oRzjXKDr98tLWCy2ZJFhsYORcSn6PDt7LOmZUgJMrsjStcDqoTz_aayMwC9xxLeP6cFfZekAU4lA2hVeedZVTVUtdIRcWQX86o-wS3EfTcwkzd/s1600/IMG_7081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7LExtG2bo84tQet0p6qNLHG8mfFyk5oRzjXKDr98tLWCy2ZJFhsYORcSn6PDt7LOmZUgJMrsjStcDqoTz_aayMwC9xxLeP6cFfZekAU4lA2hVeedZVTVUtdIRcWQX86o-wS3EfTcwkzd/s320/IMG_7081.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All dressed up for her school celebration!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWTuWYPfw6D6TmS7ZKa7ELdpUWnHTMsf_zQnn1QOaaA4qk1U1265NB2ptZSJkhWTlY85th4q6kEtQ8HCR_U6TcOOjN5wbJzjZRAqAlbPLZjX_pjswpQOZXueLpLVrjjygK-81T-kMQOK5/s1600/IMG_7096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWTuWYPfw6D6TmS7ZKa7ELdpUWnHTMsf_zQnn1QOaaA4qk1U1265NB2ptZSJkhWTlY85th4q6kEtQ8HCR_U6TcOOjN5wbJzjZRAqAlbPLZjX_pjswpQOZXueLpLVrjjygK-81T-kMQOK5/s320/IMG_7096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Presents! Balloons!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWtpie02ObOjGgBK09ouz65E6RQbPQRBITuC4BbAo-qMIkeq1jY-xnwqRXyKSE0NaC60fSOGuztJ3ZRP8HSKMwTbwT-OnvDezMrqzhjFXaltcaGHP-4wkom3L4dnAugxp7YPHQcXcl8IS/s1600/IMG_7097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWtpie02ObOjGgBK09ouz65E6RQbPQRBITuC4BbAo-qMIkeq1jY-xnwqRXyKSE0NaC60fSOGuztJ3ZRP8HSKMwTbwT-OnvDezMrqzhjFXaltcaGHP-4wkom3L4dnAugxp7YPHQcXcl8IS/s320/IMG_7097.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpn7sqmbPAgAR6DXKIM362ZQ0WmFAtAIAYg6EyiV5S6iWX75_JNohtSc0J3vuoKK5rqNo3j-uXqujoDOvHuceIYuK_a-5wFv8LjKzim8zSAJ7aulQqS0RFokpzZ4_Moa8Nl6K4EXRFvZz/s1600/IMG_7107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpn7sqmbPAgAR6DXKIM362ZQ0WmFAtAIAYg6EyiV5S6iWX75_JNohtSc0J3vuoKK5rqNo3j-uXqujoDOvHuceIYuK_a-5wFv8LjKzim8zSAJ7aulQqS0RFokpzZ4_Moa8Nl6K4EXRFvZz/s320/IMG_7107.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The one day of the year that a cake pop is acceptable breakfast fare.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWhjwo5mRdLYTFOy592oEb3EmWR6DcHCXFRx00m5y-yuDcklWlEOHX0jIpXapXvfuQaYHrLdgHaHFAKg5W5I0ni3HMzYkqfZL8kt5xSz0U45pV-XnmjkyNNejx2H4LkGqXao7SSQNHzkq/s1600/IMG_7114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWhjwo5mRdLYTFOy592oEb3EmWR6DcHCXFRx00m5y-yuDcklWlEOHX0jIpXapXvfuQaYHrLdgHaHFAKg5W5I0ni3HMzYkqfZL8kt5xSz0U45pV-XnmjkyNNejx2H4LkGqXao7SSQNHzkq/s320/IMG_7114.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She got a dress up box from her Mimi and GrandDad Leyba</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2e-arYKjJYV8y7CDDNREJ8YYv8_vIblZY8YeVqhaQNVWqewcMZAe85QkpOY-GaPyyM1k0NNk93gTp2dZn3C187wKeDhEmfq45Utka8Ir3R0rRXTiuZ_xywUIBy0WWargthh_-XA-4aTD/s1600/IMG_7122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2e-arYKjJYV8y7CDDNREJ8YYv8_vIblZY8YeVqhaQNVWqewcMZAe85QkpOY-GaPyyM1k0NNk93gTp2dZn3C187wKeDhEmfq45Utka8Ir3R0rRXTiuZ_xywUIBy0WWargthh_-XA-4aTD/s320/IMG_7122.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhwAl18W2fGqKdwdKK0ZBrLvgHeOdzc8dae4ApwpBzrKCJE-0HF2Rd93LqRyCZDfyy1tdz_RwXECs38GoMCYiBMqGX8WN3yn0kI0lYBjftfAB4RZlP3dSktfT0yw6XJpZ0M8bTxJG67vT/s1600/IMG_7148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhwAl18W2fGqKdwdKK0ZBrLvgHeOdzc8dae4ApwpBzrKCJE-0HF2Rd93LqRyCZDfyy1tdz_RwXECs38GoMCYiBMqGX8WN3yn0kI0lYBjftfAB4RZlP3dSktfT0yw6XJpZ0M8bTxJG67vT/s320/IMG_7148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She had a fun birthday party at CuriOdyssey with lots of her friends</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27OUnfCxVPJpSbiLA5Nz6L5V_mv0lMKnD9aEnrA0HVdLW2_frAGJBJqBywX6nRpahqFcf40mpZVWXHD8FlnkE1Ow7bT3Vm_X8fZCDvd7nQoTdno7gCBaAg7UzqptCBxNmRGpUHxmEjth2/s1600/IMG_7202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27OUnfCxVPJpSbiLA5Nz6L5V_mv0lMKnD9aEnrA0HVdLW2_frAGJBJqBywX6nRpahqFcf40mpZVWXHD8FlnkE1Ow7bT3Vm_X8fZCDvd7nQoTdno7gCBaAg7UzqptCBxNmRGpUHxmEjth2/s320/IMG_7202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Owl themed :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2kdq2EjdsU9oAMutTQZyF7ohncDjkgJOoh1hJHSNJF0IKDKS87c3F8IhN1N81yBXzVM_yuIueqyUXOtmYMA05kgMvR511H7XtQC8WrRPK5yhJf8niP6qWB1UargU7qyfUf8sdY_TLuVL/s1600/IMG_7153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE2kdq2EjdsU9oAMutTQZyF7ohncDjkgJOoh1hJHSNJF0IKDKS87c3F8IhN1N81yBXzVM_yuIueqyUXOtmYMA05kgMvR511H7XtQC8WrRPK5yhJf8niP6qWB1UargU7qyfUf8sdY_TLuVL/s320/IMG_7153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjHs5hVTup_2-GnCsDa92eG4OKAgCG4VOnMDip9_bsf__qCB4Sjb6C9Q4DV7JDSqZHfdc7mbWQjcNM7johaxgKY5ZphLqPcBUXXppk8LEYq5PvzaewukIVsP4i56DKunBZxRe435Wkdzv/s1600/IMG_7201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjHs5hVTup_2-GnCsDa92eG4OKAgCG4VOnMDip9_bsf__qCB4Sjb6C9Q4DV7JDSqZHfdc7mbWQjcNM7johaxgKY5ZphLqPcBUXXppk8LEYq5PvzaewukIVsP4i56DKunBZxRe435Wkdzv/s320/IMG_7201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
There was a face-painting faerie there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Conference fun!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I presented a paper on how a theatre crisis in 18th-century Edinburgh shows that the ministers within the Church of Scotland were beginning to understand morality in a new manner. I was lucky enough to land the 9am-day-after-daylight-savings-time spot.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zgBO-PInm_XyN42cv_8SPkXyFcsCrLDWXrz2uanVJzb6iwfPjTvggH9UGqsd1TrgxzJChpd-6D_84O-hPd3jFtOfawXaZIt1YpeUHXm52HKexPjPEKTDcA_6GNBKNN1X6bAmx_cet1kI/s1600/IMG_7144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zgBO-PInm_XyN42cv_8SPkXyFcsCrLDWXrz2uanVJzb6iwfPjTvggH9UGqsd1TrgxzJChpd-6D_84O-hPd3jFtOfawXaZIt1YpeUHXm52HKexPjPEKTDcA_6GNBKNN1X6bAmx_cet1kI/s320/IMG_7144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was well attended....(4 people did show up, actually...)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Spring has sprung!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The weather lately has been beautiful. Lots of al fresco dining, with yummy, fruity drinks for this momma.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcXGucVMHRgG0ohcV78ruWN1W07r2_6gRW0Ymj9w3mr-sLWWLil39hkAn-r58J37CbS1AgGrCuusECB1gBnaoPcNAppnn71zrBYyfwZEOt2laA1tgYG5wLyqNT5_KJTReGKjcxuICh7yZ/s1600/IMG_7216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcXGucVMHRgG0ohcV78ruWN1W07r2_6gRW0Ymj9w3mr-sLWWLil39hkAn-r58J37CbS1AgGrCuusECB1gBnaoPcNAppnn71zrBYyfwZEOt2laA1tgYG5wLyqNT5_KJTReGKjcxuICh7yZ/s320/IMG_7216.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was supposed to be in Switzerland this week (spring break for Cal, plus I have next week off too!), but the Genevan archives are closed for several days around Easter. Seemed silly to fly out so far only to get a handful of days in the archives. So, I've postponed til the summer. We've got a lot of fun stuff coming up in the next few months: Disneyland in May, Boston in early June (anyone there want to get together? J will be at a conference and I will have some free time!), Baltimore and the East coast in July...oh, and I turn 30 somewhere in there too :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you all are doing well!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-51545382770160999872013-01-31T10:30:00.000-08:002013-01-31T10:34:17.773-08:0030!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Jason's birthday is Saturday, and it's quite a big one this year: 30! So, to celebrate this most exciting day, here's a look back at the past ten years. J's 20s were pretty exciting, but I think the next ten years are going to be even better.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><b>2003 (Sophomore/Junior Year of College)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eGpA1ZGwUEGDDfqQmLO00-pozkqbHRhAztCTp-ZyPYffT7W2eSd9pcnDbm2NGmuxSYGc9Ga2n519Ypqt_RmNYKIyGT8Dj57BMLSEadi9Xn_hvkdPEQQ7opOapHlcOB-l-QqAzlVVQA4V/s1600/2003-013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eGpA1ZGwUEGDDfqQmLO00-pozkqbHRhAztCTp-ZyPYffT7W2eSd9pcnDbm2NGmuxSYGc9Ga2n519Ypqt_RmNYKIyGT8Dj57BMLSEadi9Xn_hvkdPEQQ7opOapHlcOB-l-QqAzlVVQA4V/s320/2003-013.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEc67QVBmx5X-Edg7bpWkiUGNJLB21DhVMIL1B9x1l3X4afhzuQ0IPVYCS6DDZMk3tqZQHfmIdA56f3wsmEJqJ7OhXJx-3Y-uOBoKTnh-tH63c-sCztVd_rR_VNd_CCY_YHU4YXFtyS-1/s1600/2003-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEc67QVBmx5X-Edg7bpWkiUGNJLB21DhVMIL1B9x1l3X4afhzuQ0IPVYCS6DDZMk3tqZQHfmIdA56f3wsmEJqJ7OhXJx-3Y-uOBoKTnh-tH63c-sCztVd_rR_VNd_CCY_YHU4YXFtyS-1/s320/2003-003.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2004: Graduate from Clemson University</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9sDPdeHBK8DkVLPq1vUPMWYIZFOQEStxPgubh3h9HP3PisawsPWUF9HmxiBOYTyLFuII1jvXyoZMUTGm9s8u5ScBLsxKkRwb-qXIyaXceJ2Cda1lQk75xE_OYPsmoCh1uJFQQyHA7pm0/s1600/2003-038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9sDPdeHBK8DkVLPq1vUPMWYIZFOQEStxPgubh3h9HP3PisawsPWUF9HmxiBOYTyLFuII1jvXyoZMUTGm9s8u5ScBLsxKkRwb-qXIyaXceJ2Cda1lQk75xE_OYPsmoCh1uJFQQyHA7pm0/s320/2003-038.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHOJOA-tsd_h9Z69efydhvgHEyZrlPYr3ScHaFWPCB2eUIbJDHkewuUd_OpqLUIkq-DX4wL8r8M2-1OCNSXVwlZUne4bCFmEmkenqPk3XabKOJ7dUxE_jvpeVOkVxjZiq4OFC-hNGcUwL/s1600/2003-039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHOJOA-tsd_h9Z69efydhvgHEyZrlPYr3ScHaFWPCB2eUIbJDHkewuUd_OpqLUIkq-DX4wL8r8M2-1OCNSXVwlZUne4bCFmEmkenqPk3XabKOJ7dUxE_jvpeVOkVxjZiq4OFC-hNGcUwL/s320/2003-039.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2005-2006: Graduate School at North Carolina State University</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHDuiBnXjjfaVXgxed5Ig59E3m3AmSG5qVJLHJr1E_V7YyS0sSjsVkj3FfMiOGhO7IV4gXKedefpLr_22DPDgqSdXF2NjkprZirf2FCUOYhr38UvwReZqTGDtp_Mr72q8oMNNk26LFKa6/s1600/2003-041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHDuiBnXjjfaVXgxed5Ig59E3m3AmSG5qVJLHJr1E_V7YyS0sSjsVkj3FfMiOGhO7IV4gXKedefpLr_22DPDgqSdXF2NjkprZirf2FCUOYhr38UvwReZqTGDtp_Mr72q8oMNNk26LFKa6/s320/2003-041.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDJrBI-dCsYlL1RgV41EvP6zW-mPsnH4oPj5yuvcv3Iys-y8YzRQgidnV8alGFE4BcdO5CIGvKI9qHwUZjDSjU8QPb2lPjR76t3inpWjfK1L_1FwsQ7n1k6WsyB_FsJ0ZI4jcVEY5zXFN/s1600/Pic+406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDJrBI-dCsYlL1RgV41EvP6zW-mPsnH4oPj5yuvcv3Iys-y8YzRQgidnV8alGFE4BcdO5CIGvKI9qHwUZjDSjU8QPb2lPjR76t3inpWjfK1L_1FwsQ7n1k6WsyB_FsJ0ZI4jcVEY5zXFN/s320/Pic+406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2007: A BIG year! Receive Master's Degree, Get Married, Move to CA!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOkH2TcdhNtqyn-6xsTa4ZOHeBetpoeYWDFT7nXQkfuR8SIPAuSPAwmH4VqK7SpklB7EBDcnMvAHKNNtwfGfR6Fd5ds97vvR9HkTPoBbOnEPVL0hNHih6AGrWpVVGg9ndzDhAzXP2vy82/s1600/Pic+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOkH2TcdhNtqyn-6xsTa4ZOHeBetpoeYWDFT7nXQkfuR8SIPAuSPAwmH4VqK7SpklB7EBDcnMvAHKNNtwfGfR6Fd5ds97vvR9HkTPoBbOnEPVL0hNHih6AGrWpVVGg9ndzDhAzXP2vy82/s320/Pic+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jason did, in fact, get his Master's, but he did not go to his graduation ceremony, so this photo of me at my graduation will have to suffice :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotwHZbAmTT3Zb6IWRNAqs1IUbVaPaBGxysdUw-uBBMR5wOYOQymnPj8FJASL3t4xbHBUTedTInfoi3y6TpGI5y0C3EWoJFzsEjZrec_DNliboixS_sqdD8-qj2cpQXt_v3_1D3p-hu0v7/s1600/Pic+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotwHZbAmTT3Zb6IWRNAqs1IUbVaPaBGxysdUw-uBBMR5wOYOQymnPj8FJASL3t4xbHBUTedTInfoi3y6TpGI5y0C3EWoJFzsEjZrec_DNliboixS_sqdD8-qj2cpQXt_v3_1D3p-hu0v7/s320/Pic+100.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes, we were actually married by someone who looked like Colonel Sanders...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKXfddZmf1HVOJdjeImXhrGkE7itMwPzZCJVZUr25bEGg2kiogEWHABzLHxNjlFV2fEmo6JaCcoOnhuGKM-eMY9yziCnDsNu213tnOUsS6hW4dgcnxRn8BNdP-9uoU7hswdnuzaVRGuVC/s1600/carrollwedding+132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKXfddZmf1HVOJdjeImXhrGkE7itMwPzZCJVZUr25bEGg2kiogEWHABzLHxNjlFV2fEmo6JaCcoOnhuGKM-eMY9yziCnDsNu213tnOUsS6hW4dgcnxRn8BNdP-9uoU7hswdnuzaVRGuVC/s320/carrollwedding+132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0HscroAv9KuaCLbyL41vBtZeGZpTbuaaf9iiBqjCnce_1KN3N664qWS2yuju_ahtA-MAUU9yWeFI2phE_z1IV7TDEnuOdMgX2UAGSA9IFPiPxH_FJ0aKXjC_RR5heHdJVCd61ZzKNtPX/s1600/carrollwedding+213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0HscroAv9KuaCLbyL41vBtZeGZpTbuaaf9iiBqjCnce_1KN3N664qWS2yuju_ahtA-MAUU9yWeFI2phE_z1IV7TDEnuOdMgX2UAGSA9IFPiPxH_FJ0aKXjC_RR5heHdJVCd61ZzKNtPX/s320/carrollwedding+213.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNuvhfu1yC_WT8WMxtqeIuQiwIRV_If-xOouPimQAWkh0r6wHXRGyDMGCT9bVVz5rfRwRqfZD-BIjZM7A-cJrmc2ulW3oQ0IdCmT0jEs3Tzy8nqw8KooWL0wMHhFUz2SnLZh3nSZF6B0X/s1600/Mission+Peak+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNuvhfu1yC_WT8WMxtqeIuQiwIRV_If-xOouPimQAWkh0r6wHXRGyDMGCT9bVVz5rfRwRqfZD-BIjZM7A-cJrmc2ulW3oQ0IdCmT0jEs3Tzy8nqw8KooWL0wMHhFUz2SnLZh3nSZF6B0X/s320/Mission+Peak+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hiking near our new home in Fremont, CA</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWLEu7vNAfArPFzZ6pzWQYUYN86DqFA1iz0e21CXx4L-jYzGz90vNx8FwdHIFu76xmkG6BH_bQdgATSgsqwhbSOmlavM_p1cZzj3yT1YxwPOGIJ-bJETSNKPJyFFOJhyjyysAGYUKgqG5/s1600/Golden+Gate+Park+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWLEu7vNAfArPFzZ6pzWQYUYN86DqFA1iz0e21CXx4L-jYzGz90vNx8FwdHIFu76xmkG6BH_bQdgATSgsqwhbSOmlavM_p1cZzj3yT1YxwPOGIJ-bJETSNKPJyFFOJhyjyysAGYUKgqG5/s320/Golden+Gate+Park+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2008-2009: Enjoying CA and newlywed life, plus we adopt Sonja!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P42-ceNQIIm3a3zqQ1EcIV4Fbe0x1gmqJvqefUDFUs4DXxB4IS7SILaP5r2ARUrDiI6-1UGnkZ5jvd73Uj6Dtewg2KxV-RFwXTkrzb7Ja47SBvX49jwu-CJE1Awi0OLo7v0jtcVWSWOS/s1600/Salzburg%252C+Austria+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P42-ceNQIIm3a3zqQ1EcIV4Fbe0x1gmqJvqefUDFUs4DXxB4IS7SILaP5r2ARUrDiI6-1UGnkZ5jvd73Uj6Dtewg2KxV-RFwXTkrzb7Ja47SBvX49jwu-CJE1Awi0OLo7v0jtcVWSWOS/s320/Salzburg%252C+Austria+063.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Belated honeymoon to Germany and Austria, March 2008</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIXTs1yUqBZjcdgN9zLhykyO5kPE6xT8aJEQLP_lkOaFTAFjhFZzIk6ECny3R_fOSIf8QNKOu_UuKhdIkzYg_PTPdRruTl3tNc17sAh7ByGecPprF4gojvhgmbRNXLeIWcohFY_w7Eef2/s1600/IMG_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIXTs1yUqBZjcdgN9zLhykyO5kPE6xT8aJEQLP_lkOaFTAFjhFZzIk6ECny3R_fOSIf8QNKOu_UuKhdIkzYg_PTPdRruTl3tNc17sAh7ByGecPprF4gojvhgmbRNXLeIWcohFY_w7Eef2/s320/IMG_0778.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First anniversary celebration in Napa</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl7HtsHrsMmIWhI25wihLP7zoButvimW6ETOvuF5l-yxnln17IvJ_VCCpANYnL9VGum-XTnKPBV3sTDrTT6xMlwzdDv-owU4PuBp3aLwpQMXVZ_RGlob-Ic9GeUSQ6LA1Vt0V-QzbPYni/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDl7HtsHrsMmIWhI25wihLP7zoButvimW6ETOvuF5l-yxnln17IvJ_VCCpANYnL9VGum-XTnKPBV3sTDrTT6xMlwzdDv-owU4PuBp3aLwpQMXVZ_RGlob-Ic9GeUSQ6LA1Vt0V-QzbPYni/s320/IMG_1840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanksgiving in Disneyworld, 2008</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQf_HQKt8NtU_VSYkc4M5yFdaIyV9o93miRs19mU5BL0Xgh5hE1H_taFREdXzizyLruQsXgOTR0PEhICVyOKSYvY9yIsYmpXtXOmsW2UuBYlHJolmfIEXugkrWfMy9JeKqelSOVzt5nv/s1600/IMG_1751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXQf_HQKt8NtU_VSYkc4M5yFdaIyV9o93miRs19mU5BL0Xgh5hE1H_taFREdXzizyLruQsXgOTR0PEhICVyOKSYvY9yIsYmpXtXOmsW2UuBYlHJolmfIEXugkrWfMy9JeKqelSOVzt5nv/s320/IMG_1751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIU1hgMc5JLu2kyy9QOvgYK1wThyphenhyphen_yGYlwlgn7sT3y7PXHoGFOeD4VXO0T4os3xBD8xUm8oI-qofwHMFckBlTuwDkdk3wfVOsjzZeD9zwUAIDs07T4PkdU_sEBwzaayOC8To5Ky7lO-rl/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIU1hgMc5JLu2kyy9QOvgYK1wThyphenhyphen_yGYlwlgn7sT3y7PXHoGFOeD4VXO0T4os3xBD8xUm8oI-qofwHMFckBlTuwDkdk3wfVOsjzZeD9zwUAIDs07T4PkdU_sEBwzaayOC8To5Ky7lO-rl/s320/IMG_1772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Js81fxW2L0CmDuDalpFmUPCvt4mY8qEQPYxfZvOvai3OMaHpE6jFWZnvtZ00WozDf5QgZ7wFjPAtBBc_bERCF2xtdRdbhIMZQVMgf0Z2Pye_zLtMVmIUjco3IcotHQTHDQKtun1Cj1R/s1600/IMG_2338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2Js81fxW2L0CmDuDalpFmUPCvt4mY8qEQPYxfZvOvai3OMaHpE6jFWZnvtZ00WozDf5QgZ7wFjPAtBBc_bERCF2xtdRdbhIMZQVMgf0Z2Pye_zLtMVmIUjco3IcotHQTHDQKtun1Cj1R/s320/IMG_2338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And, at the end of 2009, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of our little girl</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3SbE1N0wUs9PjPACXmLCUOFw78lFbtDh_feDocNm0ob2ba4R07oE7xkE2fXNxf2HLYaYbPViGvhWUJlLcXlC77GHORMPpqhdlfcOvuBLaVwO5TZa0d5aqw_qUYP8fEsVMJwEvh5n8-zE/s1600/IMG_2849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3SbE1N0wUs9PjPACXmLCUOFw78lFbtDh_feDocNm0ob2ba4R07oE7xkE2fXNxf2HLYaYbPViGvhWUJlLcXlC77GHORMPpqhdlfcOvuBLaVwO5TZa0d5aqw_qUYP8fEsVMJwEvh5n8-zE/s320/IMG_2849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2010: Best year yet, Savannah Grace arrives</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CMHnJd6vMUMIo9XUxlkNI9-rs09AOx1TPzHhl16Iwt-Sj9jIvB26TKZA0CJzWpvXFHlREM5f7Dl0YwQKx3eI7txlMzVdJTbw151MKlj8RCtlQYjM-nKb8m08LSE7nMpcn2Z9oIfZotHR/s1600/IMG_2947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CMHnJd6vMUMIo9XUxlkNI9-rs09AOx1TPzHhl16Iwt-Sj9jIvB26TKZA0CJzWpvXFHlREM5f7Dl0YwQKx3eI7txlMzVdJTbw151MKlj8RCtlQYjM-nKb8m08LSE7nMpcn2Z9oIfZotHR/s320/IMG_2947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoVTvJ61C2pE6ylQkwGNth_M-BObu2HYsvNbCkw_yWXY8NsAHQQHpvqCzWs2qYXVn64ZoI2fVF3ilg47896F8sprrwfbgWXzt785ofnm5AOrE9jPqO0Mm_bLpUUFdtw8KgTY3T87BV2Z/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoVTvJ61C2pE6ylQkwGNth_M-BObu2HYsvNbCkw_yWXY8NsAHQQHpvqCzWs2qYXVn64ZoI2fVF3ilg47896F8sprrwfbgWXzt785ofnm5AOrE9jPqO0Mm_bLpUUFdtw8KgTY3T87BV2Z/s320/25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3cAVyURTcf0gS5PqHQ5qtxLqfm_wLL4Dhd1TAvaD9F9MZV1N4cRhGBVmsI8dcfWAwRmckUyNLKbpqMUWu9cOvoLrnfdR8Xllfyd0FVhyphenhyphenHx-jfAqb58h8B3wI5felnVVa7KAMplzmxixR/s1600/47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3cAVyURTcf0gS5PqHQ5qtxLqfm_wLL4Dhd1TAvaD9F9MZV1N4cRhGBVmsI8dcfWAwRmckUyNLKbpqMUWu9cOvoLrnfdR8Xllfyd0FVhyphenhyphenHx-jfAqb58h8B3wI5felnVVa7KAMplzmxixR/s320/47.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvhIAnF4u-E3vnoSClLE4YWFGaaoquf4oARHws5Vpz3Jm9lOZbmEXcbcz7A24kYECBSqUdUVLGL9EmHeJtl49dkV41Z0Yn0QZnve8327ogDw7DGS4JMoK_uJoCtOxuEUWv-HKPtHL7Y4y/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvhIAnF4u-E3vnoSClLE4YWFGaaoquf4oARHws5Vpz3Jm9lOZbmEXcbcz7A24kYECBSqUdUVLGL9EmHeJtl49dkV41Z0Yn0QZnve8327ogDw7DGS4JMoK_uJoCtOxuEUWv-HKPtHL7Y4y/s320/IMG_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She actually was a really happy baby, but I think these crying photos are super cute!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6bcz84uFEHl-aubdpbNGQVgmXDXmfEUF8gFVEy2-mLFrWplLfSAPa3RMf8DuIEEbLoeVozk-R9DeNMW6PkbXfJ_2usmtxwhZnbpyF-NACRvj5Dgt78e0JjF4g3foKHQ8aGMkvIM-898e/s1600/IMG_3237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6bcz84uFEHl-aubdpbNGQVgmXDXmfEUF8gFVEy2-mLFrWplLfSAPa3RMf8DuIEEbLoeVozk-R9DeNMW6PkbXfJ_2usmtxwhZnbpyF-NACRvj5Dgt78e0JjF4g3foKHQ8aGMkvIM-898e/s320/IMG_3237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took her back East to show her off...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev9Hn-6o5mZquE0sZ_RlT7HhS8xxBEVNgQjS_zWGh3bGhv2M8d6Fb_6a6tynmdcEJHUhrIphWdQSDWV5AlSaywDu0ahf4MGJi9BuGRAuPR5pp5zKoKh2Kpyn5z-yjsTgbv24axtgim61U/s1600/IMG_3170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev9Hn-6o5mZquE0sZ_RlT7HhS8xxBEVNgQjS_zWGh3bGhv2M8d6Fb_6a6tynmdcEJHUhrIphWdQSDWV5AlSaywDu0ahf4MGJi9BuGRAuPR5pp5zKoKh2Kpyn5z-yjsTgbv24axtgim61U/s320/IMG_3170.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Furman University (Momma's Alma Mater)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGSRzIr6B0WRajtMk8t_AFssk7VvBhJ2moDlAHYXm9wkg1KsNsomlbJkvrViK5tNSeBrS6TKARZFdsITJnWuQsIFqMBFZ_E_o_e0hv47qBcaTGf1EIm4tMhra6GA51PU2NczEYTkCjNtx/s1600/IMG_3176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGSRzIr6B0WRajtMk8t_AFssk7VvBhJ2moDlAHYXm9wkg1KsNsomlbJkvrViK5tNSeBrS6TKARZFdsITJnWuQsIFqMBFZ_E_o_e0hv47qBcaTGf1EIm4tMhra6GA51PU2NczEYTkCjNtx/s320/IMG_3176.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Clemson University</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMfk-sRe-ySmXfGGoSfh5KA0ZpaI0IVns0X6Ngyf6z2VMlKZhNtxhsdb_uG3RjIaqXqdnxsNjeoFvqfROOxF3M-xkQVICqv5DSEparGiji-qZ7BjzpGerjh5xwAywf_jznkBgQLTmPfqi/s1600/IMG_3196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWMfk-sRe-ySmXfGGoSfh5KA0ZpaI0IVns0X6Ngyf6z2VMlKZhNtxhsdb_uG3RjIaqXqdnxsNjeoFvqfROOxF3M-xkQVICqv5DSEparGiji-qZ7BjzpGerjh5xwAywf_jznkBgQLTmPfqi/s320/IMG_3196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Visiting great grandparents in Walterboro, SC</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2011</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPRtMq7tKm_YijsGjxSlnyJwpPG3qUJEWYE_jI5kcQ6w9q2hm8Ca46fsMseR1-RQqZJC32GKq608JAH2QOaA_9jxcL55-IiPsUMIsqiXJtXZV79esp3o4ZY9oTK6n6tDDWIPRXCv8iyG9/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPRtMq7tKm_YijsGjxSlnyJwpPG3qUJEWYE_jI5kcQ6w9q2hm8Ca46fsMseR1-RQqZJC32GKq608JAH2QOaA_9jxcL55-IiPsUMIsqiXJtXZV79esp3o4ZY9oTK6n6tDDWIPRXCv8iyG9/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah is One!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYyh_Ke4h4rj1sPbqzmnpuyVR3ZUToxhVxKWH3iSNJsuutNXjfA5u1msAzm9Z6kzffScYAE0JDXUoH1num3gKMxdktvDrtsxNR3vw5aPJHi56J8RgWnNplXFIDqnT1ypJqxWF6_HOHpVS/s1600/05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYyh_Ke4h4rj1sPbqzmnpuyVR3ZUToxhVxKWH3iSNJsuutNXjfA5u1msAzm9Z6kzffScYAE0JDXUoH1num3gKMxdktvDrtsxNR3vw5aPJHi56J8RgWnNplXFIDqnT1ypJqxWF6_HOHpVS/s320/05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPq2XaVbugjsGogkqoQdpRhKRvVHlwuZAJVXJ-iBHHCcAWTTQgwrSMXlGQGq-Vdq1gPndFyXrFkCTjiHRgPl_P5dVyq6N44BmceBs6l6VTDw85HOo_eLMMUN9x6wKTysdWzTtKmE7JNhd/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPq2XaVbugjsGogkqoQdpRhKRvVHlwuZAJVXJ-iBHHCcAWTTQgwrSMXlGQGq-Vdq1gPndFyXrFkCTjiHRgPl_P5dVyq6N44BmceBs6l6VTDw85HOo_eLMMUN9x6wKTysdWzTtKmE7JNhd/s320/IMG_2309.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This photo used to make me really sad, but now I'm happy that the last photo I took before Jason's accident was of him walking with Savannah.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This photo was quickly followed by 5 weeks in the hospital.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUpK_xxHuDXNse_5B_ys5wFP0qPUhBbQxy7PqHppTFjQy-X-H4qbCEsXKmQbpgXEWBKklQl8py4my85TiYyGlyFxW1_L1HiMXYPJ71dbmgvd41yW9E97sBJiK1gq93BUQ6qX145UEsc6c/s1600/IMG_2350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUpK_xxHuDXNse_5B_ys5wFP0qPUhBbQxy7PqHppTFjQy-X-H4qbCEsXKmQbpgXEWBKklQl8py4my85TiYyGlyFxW1_L1HiMXYPJ71dbmgvd41yW9E97sBJiK1gq93BUQ6qX145UEsc6c/s320/IMG_2350.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGubY-mbp8K9-l3zWpLa_IUVtLLW99LsXPao0GG3O9UNWtNw1O0a2_Z565PtmJeKt3Uz7nGXf3Ji3qvkZsOm5XlaKNJ_AXncx5QMvmO1iBv1O0J-AZAQLkDbOc5AigJ3k1qZpHghcM25rr/s1600/IMG_2397+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGubY-mbp8K9-l3zWpLa_IUVtLLW99LsXPao0GG3O9UNWtNw1O0a2_Z565PtmJeKt3Uz7nGXf3Ji3qvkZsOm5XlaKNJ_AXncx5QMvmO1iBv1O0J-AZAQLkDbOc5AigJ3k1qZpHghcM25rr/s320/IMG_2397+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe8qCaMwONvTMZZWJRqwTF5k_eyQrIpMtCNKenmSdszJ3zzX08PHrczGsxJX7Ow2tDNtmvfGegijRyR92rYQYP1uHPO7-ZGH_6-nVJIGnBpr4i50v8Wr6075a2Q4U2OBHif-5NDJy8Cg1/s1600/IMG_2389+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe8qCaMwONvTMZZWJRqwTF5k_eyQrIpMtCNKenmSdszJ3zzX08PHrczGsxJX7Ow2tDNtmvfGegijRyR92rYQYP1uHPO7-ZGH_6-nVJIGnBpr4i50v8Wr6075a2Q4U2OBHif-5NDJy8Cg1/s320/IMG_2389+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But then Jason got to go home and we had to learn to adapt to this new life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw0UoJcgoORNjYr-DwkAd4C2Z0UQm3LMhrhAs1LHsD_KeSOZTSNr6syjgBhNxSSs3HLhCJGPplX2YX5rwOW3gkkkuxKKyC_jypbNHDB2XsqbGeijSVZDuwJYca9UTI72b_sVjwQjd65ne/s1600/IMG_2398+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXw0UoJcgoORNjYr-DwkAd4C2Z0UQm3LMhrhAs1LHsD_KeSOZTSNr6syjgBhNxSSs3HLhCJGPplX2YX5rwOW3gkkkuxKKyC_jypbNHDB2XsqbGeijSVZDuwJYca9UTI72b_sVjwQjd65ne/s320/IMG_2398+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>2012</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRIavRNloMrBZvQqX1pOtZlUGo5RoxZQFyyzm83BP9_PLBC6ohCWx_gE3t7bas4k5wHQnt7uvDW9HlYvCBgEeFn-OfRYzoF_9PVrMuYAa2Uhpdi-tZbJcL0_Ay8ygTiQgWJast0f_lMAQ/s1600/002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRIavRNloMrBZvQqX1pOtZlUGo5RoxZQFyyzm83BP9_PLBC6ohCWx_gE3t7bas4k5wHQnt7uvDW9HlYvCBgEeFn-OfRYzoF_9PVrMuYAa2Uhpdi-tZbJcL0_Ay8ygTiQgWJast0f_lMAQ/s320/002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah is two!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmqpl8uZfG5jqjiZuAoenGFz9qQMe1DhZJXGa-R-OQqbsyMFL1ZrwnQNtF0TgtQyroGjuhUX2_9Sh4sh-VwaXN4ZQ9na6eCpodZss9_6_OFaT3HuFvErf3Ni-cpQjz5usL1FlvcetfVem/s1600/030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmqpl8uZfG5jqjiZuAoenGFz9qQMe1DhZJXGa-R-OQqbsyMFL1ZrwnQNtF0TgtQyroGjuhUX2_9Sh4sh-VwaXN4ZQ9na6eCpodZss9_6_OFaT3HuFvErf3Ni-cpQjz5usL1FlvcetfVem/s320/030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6kz4MKgoAg4z1kqkz5M1reFRU58zn_QpCy7mVzwFalPL3xehv5aKjV6TX5Jf3j83XJYueBYlSUpkFnFBnE5IICHbNGUpTcliddVmxLsw6D9eUBAyPUgGEAUfUja54VDGDJD0mitX8Gg1/s1600/027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6kz4MKgoAg4z1kqkz5M1reFRU58zn_QpCy7mVzwFalPL3xehv5aKjV6TX5Jf3j83XJYueBYlSUpkFnFBnE5IICHbNGUpTcliddVmxLsw6D9eUBAyPUgGEAUfUja54VDGDJD0mitX8Gg1/s320/027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And Jason got to do a lot of cool things....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH5KrdMUnQfuk3oLoSikMeVEqMg12m8DGnnp_ehvWDxVGBpwtLzZuHDgMsNQXGvKLkFTngFtoIRNemDRsJdjAFJNTg8M_BFQB4OaEvGZDbyXgHGaQBA5Qjsk7vA34Jw6qd2lujz55Yywm/s1600/IMG_3788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisH5KrdMUnQfuk3oLoSikMeVEqMg12m8DGnnp_ehvWDxVGBpwtLzZuHDgMsNQXGvKLkFTngFtoIRNemDRsJdjAFJNTg8M_BFQB4OaEvGZDbyXgHGaQBA5Qjsk7vA34Jw6qd2lujz55Yywm/s320/IMG_3788.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like try out eLegs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlRGbBpjSdRIFJ-33_HFIwvS99yCUq9m7JqgpcVyNgeUbGJBX9I3_c-FGyzQBhfAu3-XnGvPGb8Laprugxbwn8Rrq8u8grubHNIh81-5qCiEEq4chpT6rCP9QhjEvawlMkf_kYBp-hVwK/s1600/IMG_4463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlRGbBpjSdRIFJ-33_HFIwvS99yCUq9m7JqgpcVyNgeUbGJBX9I3_c-FGyzQBhfAu3-XnGvPGb8Laprugxbwn8Rrq8u8grubHNIh81-5qCiEEq4chpT6rCP9QhjEvawlMkf_kYBp-hVwK/s320/IMG_4463.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And go to Kennedy Krieger for the first time (and walk!)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OxEgv6rFS0FZw3iqDc873ym7th3raZudL34lJ-S1App5YdifnxP6usm3p5ApzSt5bCINxMITYp6ibMo9I46NoIIGhUhJ5_4tBK26zNPNj_9ZmdxWrlx0UQqsSK6lk0Tgy-xho1h2goVP/s1600/IMG_4857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OxEgv6rFS0FZw3iqDc873ym7th3raZudL34lJ-S1App5YdifnxP6usm3p5ApzSt5bCINxMITYp6ibMo9I46NoIIGhUhJ5_4tBK26zNPNj_9ZmdxWrlx0UQqsSK6lk0Tgy-xho1h2goVP/s320/IMG_4857.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And stand at home for the first time in 13 months!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Qs55gSsMJeKFbwDHwb-0ulGz0ko5a-RpphjBiLTtJaTDuukxA22EBGdPjzPYaT1E1huMzQgDGjmrS18g6Aajy3jravC_rsD53MnBFVUQ3t6X8W-T_zLyWCWX658nBis5Hmf2Uo-Ac6rw/s1600/IMG_5988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Qs55gSsMJeKFbwDHwb-0ulGz0ko5a-RpphjBiLTtJaTDuukxA22EBGdPjzPYaT1E1huMzQgDGjmrS18g6Aajy3jravC_rsD53MnBFVUQ3t6X8W-T_zLyWCWX658nBis5Hmf2Uo-Ac6rw/s320/IMG_5988.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And then start walking at home!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2013</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year has already started off great.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Iggob_YnGzTyVfT79M-j5AZPl2yeNnh57Yz6o7qhe7LZxUFHE5S-yGBVODHEc5OPFyEUGMuQdwszPkePM-0krE2VV6Rr26dDw7f6X2DSw6S57c98kOU6x3kFcGowSvrc3n5eo13LPdbg/s1600/IMG_6423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Iggob_YnGzTyVfT79M-j5AZPl2yeNnh57Yz6o7qhe7LZxUFHE5S-yGBVODHEc5OPFyEUGMuQdwszPkePM-0krE2VV6Rr26dDw7f6X2DSw6S57c98kOU6x3kFcGowSvrc3n5eo13LPdbg/s320/IMG_6423.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went back to KKI.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzHHvREJkrzqSnLE0kdUuT-No8sRMkrEAlF29S72bJ6KcwyWBlOUA71hqpdWyW3HccfqaxQmd0RGPBjGwnrIGueUfHHdmPM25T5TrjJtis31w-HEYYaX76lSWVKjNp-d9BBt7idJ7bExn/s1600/IMG_6517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzHHvREJkrzqSnLE0kdUuT-No8sRMkrEAlF29S72bJ6KcwyWBlOUA71hqpdWyW3HccfqaxQmd0RGPBjGwnrIGueUfHHdmPM25T5TrjJtis31w-HEYYaX76lSWVKjNp-d9BBt7idJ7bExn/s320/IMG_6517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the aquarium :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm incredibly lucky to have Jason as my partner in life and love and parenting. I hope our 30s are as exciting as our 20s (though I could go the rest of my life without another traumatic injury, thankyouverymuch...and it should be mentioned I still get to enjoy my 20s for another 5 months).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Birthday, Jason.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-71053811466498988012013-01-20T07:38:00.001-08:002013-01-20T07:38:28.984-08:00And We're Home!Before we left our hotel for the airport yesterday morning, I asked Savannah if she was going to behave on the plane. She looked at me and laughed....uh oh. Early indications seemed to point towards a not so fun flying experience for Jason and me: Sav REFUSED to use the restroom at the airport before boarding the flight (this trip is our first post-potty training trip...she was great on the way out with letting me know when she needed to use the restroom....in the interim, however, an unfortunate incident involving an automatic toilet flushing while she was still on it had soured her to the idea of public restrooms), she also made quite the scene at airport security (this involved me running around security trying to catch her and ultimately throwing her over my shoulder to get her out of there....), and was generally uncooperative with everything leading up to boarding time. A miracle happened after boarding, though. She sat in her seat through takeoff, happily munching on a bagel and watching a TV show about penguins (I didn't even have to bribe her to stay in her seat!); once the seatbelt sign came off, she got out of her seat, but remained in our row, coloring, "reading" her I Spy books, playing apps on the iPad, and taking the occasional (short) nap. It was great. It was, dare I say it, pleasant. A word I never thought to associate with air travel with a toddler. She stuck to her guns about the not going to the bathroom while on the plane...meaning she went close to 12 hours without going to the bathroom. She told me at the outset that she would go potty when we got home...and that's what happened. Stubborn girl. <br />
<br />
Once we got off the plane, antics resumed....Sav didn't want to walk..she wanted to "swim" or crawl on the airport floors. Yuck. Oh well, she got a nice long bath when we got home and cleaned up just fine.<br />
<br />
If you're wondering about the wheelchair part of flying, I'm happy to report that that's become fairly easy. Security can be a bit of a hassle, depending on the airport (SFO and Heathrow are actually pretty wonderful), so we give ourselves extra time for that. Other than that, we give the people at the gate counter a heads-up that J will need an aisle chair, we board first and exit last. The good part about this is that there is no waiting for checked luggage...by the time we get to baggage claim, everything has arrived. I remember being so stressed about Jason's first post-injury flight about this time last year...in the span of one year, it's become no big deal. Most people don't know what we will need in terms of help, but they never hesitate to ask what we need and assure us that we can call on them for whatever during the flight. I think a lot of this varies by airlines, as we've heard some horror stories from other SCI-ers who have flown, but, so far, we've been lucky (other than having to assure the folks at the beginning of the flight and when booking our flight that, no really, he can't walk on to the plane...we really DO need the aisle chair...).<br />
<br />
So, we're home now. Up far too early today (hooray for jet lag and a toddler waking you up at 5am!). Loads of laundry and grocery shopping to get to...but quite happy to be home. <br />
<br />
<b>Quick KKI wrap up:</b><br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">What's New</i>:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Jason has hamstring reflexes..in both legs! Woohoo!</li>
<li>His PT could, at different points, feel ALL of his abs firing. Also now has some firing in glutes...also new!</li>
<li>Started a new med, called 4AP, that could <i>possibly</i> give him more function/movement back. It increases the speed at which the nerves fire down the spinal cord, meaning more signals sometimes get through. We're still in the early days of this and J doesn't go to a full dose til next week (it takes some getting use to...the major side effects are jitteriness and dizziness, both of which J has been experiencing...so we're slowly ramping it up). We'll see how it works for him...for some SCI-ers, it has dramatic results (we're talking going from the chair to walking).</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b><i>Moving Forward:</i></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Next visit will be the week of July 22. He will only go for one week that time...it will primarily be a check-up and time to fine-tune what he's doing at home. The PTs and doctors are really happy with his work at SCI-FIT and his progress.</li>
<li>Standing frame arrives on Thursday!</li>
</ul>
<div>
Love you all,</div>
</div>
<div>
Ashley</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-34919735245507941132013-01-17T14:58:00.002-08:002013-01-17T14:58:49.322-08:00Lots o' Pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Instead of lots of text today, I'm going to share lots of pictures. Here's what we've been up to!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3KSoJTY0d6kW0fJExME9PBVc41x6mzwDqBiNg3cNrVJKMkYmHoNDj0qfLzp0keYw6KZdmFcyEcGTOebuhnVoy-E7GdfB8yszvlK6iux3WUms86-b_CVGtQB0y4BwSHjc99lS_6VZ4OTh/s1600/IMG_6453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3KSoJTY0d6kW0fJExME9PBVc41x6mzwDqBiNg3cNrVJKMkYmHoNDj0qfLzp0keYw6KZdmFcyEcGTOebuhnVoy-E7GdfB8yszvlK6iux3WUms86-b_CVGtQB0y4BwSHjc99lS_6VZ4OTh/s320/IMG_6453.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sign is outside our elevator...can you spot the problem?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMnhVNPf6oxMOXyYant5UqZagRrSchMKLgk81f5cZlW6FSPHPergRaV-WhcgyrKWczHx8XW2m-y4EeLjGi1HuYnelk4SD4AyLzLj9l9BxLoQarUczOadNDPMjLn92TV-JNJ-iE81e6m-R/s1600/IMG_6457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgMnhVNPf6oxMOXyYant5UqZagRrSchMKLgk81f5cZlW6FSPHPergRaV-WhcgyrKWczHx8XW2m-y4EeLjGi1HuYnelk4SD4AyLzLj9l9BxLoQarUczOadNDPMjLn92TV-JNJ-iE81e6m-R/s320/IMG_6457.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Working on the abs and obliques...Jason wants to get one of these machines (coincidentally, these are for training skiers...apparently, you're supposed to stand on the black cushion and balance as you slide from side to side...one of the many ways the folks at KKI adapt other types of equipment to fit their needs).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CpxBTTjQDb9NZjV67wCXUho1JksIv6QgVrSUoXyTL-4PhsDm6JRhluLWDLC1nqq8gfOGVQMYd8RQJLmiG-D9nbd18YwW9J3AXz1hLG-4OtMutSzPOVybey3e5-gAp5BVMZsC_6uzZasC/s1600/IMG_6467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CpxBTTjQDb9NZjV67wCXUho1JksIv6QgVrSUoXyTL-4PhsDm6JRhluLWDLC1nqq8gfOGVQMYd8RQJLmiG-D9nbd18YwW9J3AXz1hLG-4OtMutSzPOVybey3e5-gAp5BVMZsC_6uzZasC/s320/IMG_6467.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A little aquatherapy</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuSpCtx3aPh4cj0IGpNR7fFU970ybzxxvdRq37fSzL42OLnlyb9YS4cXqSiGqtQalE6eiC3VjPv2mRj5tBlCDt6HZ8zOJE-W7yfrItrF8YUXK80SrhSEEhJT-9wUIiQI8rVRnHZ4984UT/s1600/IMG_6473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuSpCtx3aPh4cj0IGpNR7fFU970ybzxxvdRq37fSzL42OLnlyb9YS4cXqSiGqtQalE6eiC3VjPv2mRj5tBlCDt6HZ8zOJE-W7yfrItrF8YUXK80SrhSEEhJT-9wUIiQI8rVRnHZ4984UT/s320/IMG_6473.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While we spent the first week at KKI, Savannah was with Danny and Gail. She spent a lot of time working on puzzles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqaOMWHtVN9AvM9sTgrjesjftP53EEM6bmCgxaOV9SCzH5IgKkqPYqgwEf6h3eeRfp2K-vU5bjqxCk8u24ZnvF_rQxmbxEjjwLuqsdEDN89MWj_A5Ol8BDh1wLJL8axUnH3Sc1i4CiPAQ/s1600/IMG_6472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqaOMWHtVN9AvM9sTgrjesjftP53EEM6bmCgxaOV9SCzH5IgKkqPYqgwEf6h3eeRfp2K-vU5bjqxCk8u24ZnvF_rQxmbxEjjwLuqsdEDN89MWj_A5Ol8BDh1wLJL8axUnH3Sc1i4CiPAQ/s320/IMG_6472.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She helped with yard work...it was unseasonably warm last week.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2gaxmzBrOwihLoQ4Pzg-71abv-dF-VgqCu97ra7iJnewk9Gt2y2PGbBSXUODIWXN9vY2vzXRWovRFE1l-Zbs8arelAcw-ceHj9J1X5VaWS6Bdxf7ttsVdaU7SYf_UZCSrdQVB0sqI9eo/s1600/IMG_6470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2gaxmzBrOwihLoQ4Pzg-71abv-dF-VgqCu97ra7iJnewk9Gt2y2PGbBSXUODIWXN9vY2vzXRWovRFE1l-Zbs8arelAcw-ceHj9J1X5VaWS6Bdxf7ttsVdaU7SYf_UZCSrdQVB0sqI9eo/s320/IMG_6470.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And got some good quality time with Grandma.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWBPqu4n8udDylOE8JllK9h9sVUT9Xhtdw3SEAcbdHu_2EJUdDORxQwhcDBn0seWFeF601ixH2BLckEYW39s-Y7IpIyggIIlMOgadpE3WEZA1ldhD06cvgqFekrF60qWmPKafGwGykxk7/s1600/IMG_6478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWBPqu4n8udDylOE8JllK9h9sVUT9Xhtdw3SEAcbdHu_2EJUdDORxQwhcDBn0seWFeF601ixH2BLckEYW39s-Y7IpIyggIIlMOgadpE3WEZA1ldhD06cvgqFekrF60qWmPKafGwGykxk7/s320/IMG_6478.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When she returned to Baltimore, she was SO excited to go to the aquarium!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCxBoqlMvYyUUAd0dtFFnjUQnnUG2r3GwWP-eznwPO_bTdwZF__pRZ6F7lRSR_WXWotxT8m21W8cFyak8AW-FrQQLDf3R9L1h5WPS9l8fe_92PYDYOVUclNP09GoNmtCSE33tVoBSwZu9/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCxBoqlMvYyUUAd0dtFFnjUQnnUG2r3GwWP-eznwPO_bTdwZF__pRZ6F7lRSR_WXWotxT8m21W8cFyak8AW-FrQQLDf3R9L1h5WPS9l8fe_92PYDYOVUclNP09GoNmtCSE33tVoBSwZu9/s320/IMG_6482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Not the best picture of us...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjUpqZIz_nu6BeYegbMgRszaJnmEjt9l2zz6VYw09SjnH8n4G5DJZ3lNeuHWbwzOFDF9ULqWqQo1xlWygGS4dXqJl6jDmlu6QYl9Ky6kcpagcKQv4egyCflOMo8EJXNoNdalrxQyctotN/s1600/IMG_6488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjUpqZIz_nu6BeYegbMgRszaJnmEjt9l2zz6VYw09SjnH8n4G5DJZ3lNeuHWbwzOFDF9ULqWqQo1xlWygGS4dXqJl6jDmlu6QYl9Ky6kcpagcKQv4egyCflOMo8EJXNoNdalrxQyctotN/s320/IMG_6488.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjXdq6BZ4Qgcy-vjLJkO681KMiNIx0iuj0F8JzkDA59EE_GJvrcBxoj8RC1dpdFeJn15DkvtksuOOQFv9N4KsxgfEFgAO4CUBC4-hIrykmHcjWiRagJKMFVjW6lHuk6hzOtvuPv650Wee/s1600/IMG_6517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjXdq6BZ4Qgcy-vjLJkO681KMiNIx0iuj0F8JzkDA59EE_GJvrcBxoj8RC1dpdFeJn15DkvtksuOOQFv9N4KsxgfEFgAO4CUBC4-hIrykmHcjWiRagJKMFVjW6lHuk6hzOtvuPv650Wee/s320/IMG_6517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dolphin show</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnXKfjd2vEMY3XxQn4US-CdZUdmXAsRQCd3rWbbRNHpXZSMKgr9pfLlz-IcQGkAC1EEJfu-lyONSzYpPbTaMy2j-qiN9nvcbOvW4csXHbWS0uUEtryihrUZig0ZMTP_8G68-GPrP3NPNV/s1600/IMG_6530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnXKfjd2vEMY3XxQn4US-CdZUdmXAsRQCd3rWbbRNHpXZSMKgr9pfLlz-IcQGkAC1EEJfu-lyONSzYpPbTaMy2j-qiN9nvcbOvW4csXHbWS0uUEtryihrUZig0ZMTP_8G68-GPrP3NPNV/s320/IMG_6530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A day away with Mimi and Aunt Debbie...at the American Girls store!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xSJHa23iMZRvQ92lp_IKbftFD4HA-xFCkG77fBtagnZ4Xdth4zXK8pfsGjjPMlp9AZz9ZimIAfpXSwfAsOeb08LA35sak-QsGZ2Ql4H7NQZ7lC38PuYKEjsCq6p-_qOKl5vtl7_N7SKc/s1600/IMG_6525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xSJHa23iMZRvQ92lp_IKbftFD4HA-xFCkG77fBtagnZ4Xdth4zXK8pfsGjjPMlp9AZz9ZimIAfpXSwfAsOeb08LA35sak-QsGZ2Ql4H7NQZ7lC38PuYKEjsCq6p-_qOKl5vtl7_N7SKc/s320/IMG_6525.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Very excited about her new puppy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfhITc0cP8C4Fw4zRYDPJqj68PWMAnLinORcx-cLk9sQ427SNil6IA4txS76JwCMKkjh7t29U7wk3zp0fXuvOyaYZREf-ojr5ESx91HWvEJktJWefXwuGVvKC11XJHEp_nlcTl4AZDNuq/s1600/IMG_6538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnfhITc0cP8C4Fw4zRYDPJqj68PWMAnLinORcx-cLk9sQ427SNil6IA4txS76JwCMKkjh7t29U7wk3zp0fXuvOyaYZREf-ojr5ESx91HWvEJktJWefXwuGVvKC11XJHEp_nlcTl4AZDNuq/s320/IMG_6538.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Port Discovery Children's Museum</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexNx1WbarUydaAPeM3Jsb7v6WMtxXqOylzCMUYq5WUN6-l8h38PgB769JkrA3vijJRDH4BABfd5Xhu889b26NuneXHPaqCszVGUVxnSI7FiiC8LXb3dYzPGO6BsogGt7O0H0fmVEI6aFO/s1600/IMG_6546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexNx1WbarUydaAPeM3Jsb7v6WMtxXqOylzCMUYq5WUN6-l8h38PgB769JkrA3vijJRDH4BABfd5Xhu889b26NuneXHPaqCszVGUVxnSI7FiiC8LXb3dYzPGO6BsogGt7O0H0fmVEI6aFO/s320/IMG_6546.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIboIEK7pcvYABYFoa-giHmrd5jDlDu4QQG-D1O0H42dclHLX9cc0ih5xm0M1LRLqVLgLYe3LzFGMnwFr65WT3yC6_fwpRt39th21PKdigGC-OeMGopo8RDZGIa0bufY_d00F08xzz9Bc/s1600/IMG_6562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIboIEK7pcvYABYFoa-giHmrd5jDlDu4QQG-D1O0H42dclHLX9cc0ih5xm0M1LRLqVLgLYe3LzFGMnwFr65WT3yC6_fwpRt39th21PKdigGC-OeMGopo8RDZGIa0bufY_d00F08xzz9Bc/s320/IMG_6562.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22oRA3xX4LQMtfmMUIR3mGDi5rnEMD7jIRpZKjNG8c5EAw-jy1l6oWXufGUrvKoxfVTd8SRvZj6jCEeUtTJUsMGUGyNRsvSQ-AouggPxt1Fl5izwd4JtQA9laoeZAjUOI49I_9qKbactQ/s1600/IMG_6558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg22oRA3xX4LQMtfmMUIR3mGDi5rnEMD7jIRpZKjNG8c5EAw-jy1l6oWXufGUrvKoxfVTd8SRvZj6jCEeUtTJUsMGUGyNRsvSQ-AouggPxt1Fl5izwd4JtQA9laoeZAjUOI49I_9qKbactQ/s320/IMG_6558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyHL9VEJ8UWrYgmD0ZmsSSDq-Yleoj-qpRDLgJhyphenhyphenxYWiIr_XrKYU_CtctvUFG2vN0jjMOzLNy3V60lslgaUjbl7SdneNeZZn_lfhCb53C0Rw28oJekUOaQ86sNo3Cxt7hlBgJK1s2EKxA/s1600/IMG_6569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyHL9VEJ8UWrYgmD0ZmsSSDq-Yleoj-qpRDLgJhyphenhyphenxYWiIr_XrKYU_CtctvUFG2vN0jjMOzLNy3V60lslgaUjbl7SdneNeZZn_lfhCb53C0Rw28oJekUOaQ86sNo3Cxt7hlBgJK1s2EKxA/s320/IMG_6569.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Play date with an East Coast friend!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk60tP6n_UcjnuCSq3L1EjbQU4RvT3SO_YpAATAtGorx1z_jM5_mfj_26E4-bZaEfxAzpFqW33EL1_jh5bikud4sgxKUfzRKCQNzodQf7VG0cKPGAMU2zYxiw00imDJFF7Njz7nnUDNi0/s1600/IMG_6581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfk60tP6n_UcjnuCSq3L1EjbQU4RvT3SO_YpAATAtGorx1z_jM5_mfj_26E4-bZaEfxAzpFqW33EL1_jh5bikud4sgxKUfzRKCQNzodQf7VG0cKPGAMU2zYxiw00imDJFF7Njz7nnUDNi0/s320/IMG_6581.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lunch at KKI</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ObBbg_OgoUq-7zyRHIL_k7Nr4K-UsXsGbgNMActZZqLqvV7i2wq_NG_DAEo9ZUi2rIGFfYOEybQo0nIoP7UYUQTYnfV-58ccnAFKlc6j7YmRAL45i9QGArQW3PX_-3Yqa1VIX0DC-_Yl/s1600/IMG_6583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ObBbg_OgoUq-7zyRHIL_k7Nr4K-UsXsGbgNMActZZqLqvV7i2wq_NG_DAEo9ZUi2rIGFfYOEybQo0nIoP7UYUQTYnfV-58ccnAFKlc6j7YmRAL45i9QGArQW3PX_-3Yqa1VIX0DC-_Yl/s320/IMG_6583.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvIjGFkn1wWUgf3lNf3NBXjiVndS0fcItU81kJE0d9x8Llcg748HkXDz2pkbULeIL8eUQgWyk_SnHn4gQyIq_G-6Qh-45GTNohqb25B0fCu16PD-cwKTQs7gT9KAkNNOFDuz-2s7rXBM7/s1600/IMG_6585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvIjGFkn1wWUgf3lNf3NBXjiVndS0fcItU81kJE0d9x8Llcg748HkXDz2pkbULeIL8eUQgWyk_SnHn4gQyIq_G-6Qh-45GTNohqb25B0fCu16PD-cwKTQs7gT9KAkNNOFDuz-2s7rXBM7/s320/IMG_6585.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
KKI has a great area with toys for kids...including a playroom with free childcare (for children over 3 years old)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-8xadXROoEevk53v3ODajVhvpEGC4UnJT2u3bNeedQO9SD8a2MZPfDUQSYjkjBG1aDvSeQmZJzn0Ayfos-i4exh0NHvjNa__hf-ya6RplYIMJV5xOlLc3h1CaJjhkQ5uFS-HYkK5Q0CB/s1600/IMG_6595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-8xadXROoEevk53v3ODajVhvpEGC4UnJT2u3bNeedQO9SD8a2MZPfDUQSYjkjBG1aDvSeQmZJzn0Ayfos-i4exh0NHvjNa__hf-ya6RplYIMJV5xOlLc3h1CaJjhkQ5uFS-HYkK5Q0CB/s320/IMG_6595.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah wanted to go on the historic ships in the harbor, so off we went. It's MUCH colder this week!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9uG8DgNrpUawhM-P_b7ZOmwsSr3q2yqF8LQmJ8GbFtwcnu_d2bj4nA3gwhebDnWoMwNvlCp3ZUGaSKHAmjN98aoziHdF1UcVeosUQMJ2Tk6k1lL4fcD_VG2Sw2lU2c83f0b6wCKsnL9Y/s1600/IMG_6600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9uG8DgNrpUawhM-P_b7ZOmwsSr3q2yqF8LQmJ8GbFtwcnu_d2bj4nA3gwhebDnWoMwNvlCp3ZUGaSKHAmjN98aoziHdF1UcVeosUQMJ2Tk6k1lL4fcD_VG2Sw2lU2c83f0b6wCKsnL9Y/s320/IMG_6600.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxCraDa8vHcfXplPcefhL-ZyHrOO9PXwhLPO54nqPfOX-3jHlEjatSsdBvQYTNh1OrdUctGLEL0PIzyZ7wCpEZdzoJ0AXae8Vl2UVMosUCNPHvVZD4CmEQUy1rhpqKbneT32Gvtqy0jxH/s1600/IMG_6599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxCraDa8vHcfXplPcefhL-ZyHrOO9PXwhLPO54nqPfOX-3jHlEjatSsdBvQYTNh1OrdUctGLEL0PIzyZ7wCpEZdzoJ0AXae8Vl2UVMosUCNPHvVZD4CmEQUy1rhpqKbneT32Gvtqy0jxH/s320/IMG_6599.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1_QbqsQj41EpSmSQFSh-1cMV9IgHz4hyphenhyphenc6Mr3sg-0F-NzP6OGcGS1G18nvEUzIc1zll-qtBXCDEDHxh7vCztWlSFeqd1tf-jLQuUkrgzdznHSuM77Wk4YktMYhtPgSO-1Xw67Nnr5dVD/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1_QbqsQj41EpSmSQFSh-1cMV9IgHz4hyphenhyphenc6Mr3sg-0F-NzP6OGcGS1G18nvEUzIc1zll-qtBXCDEDHxh7vCztWlSFeqd1tf-jLQuUkrgzdznHSuM77Wk4YktMYhtPgSO-1Xw67Nnr5dVD/s320/IMG_6607.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After the boats, we went to the top of Baltimore's World Trade Center. We're a long way from home!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzfU874SkgvrsbcJxWYHEEZBgcgmOEVLt0WQzxcdXJLaT6F9LYoENRjYz4Go9BEp_O6_8fSC35xwFSvUp3H25huXwPE-KTBmY5qbjBzGpDOMcAOEytZrKDjJ6a8QMr-jKb1JZNaANmkQc/s1600/IMG_6609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzfU874SkgvrsbcJxWYHEEZBgcgmOEVLt0WQzxcdXJLaT6F9LYoENRjYz4Go9BEp_O6_8fSC35xwFSvUp3H25huXwPE-KTBmY5qbjBzGpDOMcAOEytZrKDjJ6a8QMr-jKb1JZNaANmkQc/s320/IMG_6609.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRbV30EJccKDVMMO9QLcKSKABoChE4kURVehJOt6YLvfp1LKjtcAquKv7tYAclyTV2sQ5zQzm_NSc5BvawPFis-mkIWZHHCBbVcMXUDG29k7z9S1q2ORBnEoYImMTedR_qyrL73nkRA5H/s1600/IMG_6608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRbV30EJccKDVMMO9QLcKSKABoChE4kURVehJOt6YLvfp1LKjtcAquKv7tYAclyTV2sQ5zQzm_NSc5BvawPFis-mkIWZHHCBbVcMXUDG29k7z9S1q2ORBnEoYImMTedR_qyrL73nkRA5H/s320/IMG_6608.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow is Jason's last PT session at KKI. He'll get his home program information and we'll schedule our next visit. We're also hoping to get in a morning visit to the aquarium. We fly back to CA on Saturday morning! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you all are well!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-83811668291245651482013-01-10T16:19:00.000-08:002013-01-10T16:19:03.238-08:0018 Months...and a dayAs of yesterday, Jason is 18 months post-injury. Sometimes it's hard to believe it has only been 18 months...it feels like we've been dealing with SCI for much longer than that. That being said, Jason has made a remarkable amount of progress in what is (in the SCI world at least) a very short period of time. We met with his primary doctor today at KKI and he had a (VERY) thorough exam. During the exam, the doctors (he had three today) found something new; he has reflexes in his right and left hamstrings now that he did not have six months ago. This <i>could</i> mean that some new nerve connections have been made. Or it could just be an interesting development that doesn't manifest as anything bigger. I'm choosing to be optimistic on this one and believe that exciting things are in the works. I'm looking forward to his next exam, which will be in July, right after he passes his two year anniversary.<br />
<br />
Today was also the day that I worked up the courage to ask a question I've kinda dreaded hearing the answer to: can we have more children? Going into today's meeting, I knew that having more children would not be a straightforward, simple endeavor. And not just because of whatever injuries Jason might have sustained-I have fertility issues. It was hard for me to get pregnant with Savannah; fertility drugs were required and it was a difficult process, both emotionally and physically. Obviously, I would go through all of that again and more to have our sweet girl. But I don't know that I have it in me to do it again. When we asked the doctor about more children, he seemed to think that it was completely realistic for us to have more...when I mentioned the problems I've had before, though, he seemed less confident. Also, once he remembered we already have one child, he gave the impression that we should be happy with that and not put ourselves through the fertility-wringer (he didn't say this in so many words, but it was implied...). I get the feeling that having another child might not be in the cards for us. I don't know how I feel about that. Mostly okay, I think. Maybe because we're not ready for another baby at this exact moment (I'd really love to finish my dissertation before thinking of adding to our family), I'm not too distraught? We'll see if this feeling lasts post-dissertation.<br />
<br />
Jason has been working hard during his PT sessions. This go round seems a lot more focused than his first visit. I think this PT is spending less time showing Jason all the different forms of therapy KKI offers, and is focusing instead on specific areas that Jason could improve. For the past few days, this has primarily been his core strength and his technique in the braces. We're learning a lot and Jason will be able to show his trainers at SCI-FIT some new exercises.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, he'll be doing some aqua therapy in addition to his land therapy. The we get to enjoy an unseasonably warm Baltimore weekend.<br />
<br />
Hope you all are well!<br />
<br />
Lots of love,<br />
AshleyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-87996172850424858862013-01-08T08:52:00.002-08:002013-01-08T08:52:53.652-08:00Round Two, Day One...and some fun with a fire alarm!Yesterday was Jason's first day of therapy at Kennedy Krieger, though to call it a day of therapy is a bit of an overstatement. It was more of a three hour long evaluation...checking in with what he's gained in the six months since he was last there. His PT checked every muscle group for signs of movement, measured his flexibility in the lower limbs, checked his balance, and gave him a walking test. We were pretty excited with the results. He now has verifiable muscle movement in his lower abs and hip flexors (last time it was a "flicker," but the PT said it was pretty strong this go round) and also has some movement in his glutes, which is totally new. Things are coming back online...albeit slowly :) <br />
<br />
His flexibility is pretty great, with the exception of his ankles. The PT gave us some exercises for that, though she did note that as soon as he could stand regularly (with the standing frame), the ankles would get stretched that way. Right after we talked about this, I got a call from our medical equipment supplier saying that the standing frame has (FINALLY) been delivered. Jason will be fitted for it the Thursday after we get back. Hallelujah, that only took six months (longer if you count our first, aborted, attempt to get one).<br />
<br />
The walking test measured how far Jason could walk in six minutes. He did this on the last day of his June visit and got to just around 100 feet. Yesterday he got a couple feet further. I think he would have really blown his previous test out of the water had we brought his KAFOs. Instead, he was using KKI's adjustable KAFOs, and he just wasn't as comfortable in them. When we come next, I'll find a way to safely transport his own braces...I imagine it will involve lots of bubble wrap and maybe a hard shell suitcase. <br />
<br />
The goals for this visit are to improve his walking (and his posture/technique while walking), and to build up his core strength. The PT was really happy with J's progress and mentioned that, assuming all goes well over the next two weeks, she's going to recommend that our next visit be for only one week. This is great because it will allow us a little more vacation :)<br />
<br />
For the most part, these first few days have been lovely. The one exception to this would be the 11:30PM fire alarm we got to experience on Sunday night. We're staying on the third floor of our hotel, so when the alarms started going off (we weren't in bed yet, so at least we didn't have to deal with trying to get dressed before getting out the door), we were faced with the prospect of getting Jason and his wheelchair down three flights of stairs. In theory, we know how to do this. The reality is that he's only ever practiced going down 3-4 stairs...not full flights of them. When we got to the stairwell, it was to be confronted with concrete stairs (I was hoping they'd at least be carpeted or something, just in case J fell). We were quite the sight to behold. Jason goes down stairs backwards in a wheelie, with one arm holding on to the stair railing and the other hand holding his wheel, making sure he's going straight. I was behind him, holding on to the back bar on the chair back, also helping him go straight. For the first flight of stairs, I tried to block the chair with my body, holding on to him down every step. This hurt...I've got the bruises to show that this wasn't a particularly good method for either of us. After the first flight, we both were more comfortable and felt reasonably confident that J wasn't going to fall down the stairs, so I backed off a little bit (still holding on to the back of the chair, but not with a death grip). Several people passed us, but, surprisingly (to me at least), only one man actually asked if we needed any help. Not sure if this meant we looked like we knew what we were doing, or if people were just concerned with getting themselves to safety. When we got to the lobby, we learned that it was a false alarm. Ugh. We had to wait about an hour in the lobby, though, because it took them forever at that time of night to get a security person to over-ride the alarm and let the elevators function again. Thankfully, Savannah was with Jason's parents, so we didn't have to worry about her in the midst of all of this, too. Oh well, alls well that ends well, right?<br />
<br />
Love you all,<br />
AshleyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-90282643214608121402013-01-06T16:05:00.001-08:002013-01-06T16:05:45.546-08:00Air Travel with a Two Year OldSo I've decided, after taking both daytime and overnight flights with Savannah in the past 6 months, that there is no "good" time to fly with a two year old....or at least not our two year old. This is not to say that Sav is a bad traveller. She's actually quite good-she didn't cry, talk loudly, get in other people's way, or act in any way that would disturb other travelers. She was, however, incredibly busy and fidgety...she kept me on my toes. I had to have a new activity, snack, or iPad app every 5-10 minutes it seemed. She's not at an age where she will sit still and calmly watch a movie for two hours (though I had delusions of this happening....). Here's what our cross-country travel looked like yesterday.....<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbikfQGYm5D7fei_XV3GmK0v4vxH-gElKjZTv4bDKRpCGxcMZzCW3QvoIUCgoSD6B0Via9GsCZJ0EFIDTFPz_TOKAm3OUCda_LRfe5Jn2h8lRfL2U0fshZzYM2iIrDwuTXasjMEeO2CNaP/s1600/IMG_6411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbikfQGYm5D7fei_XV3GmK0v4vxH-gElKjZTv4bDKRpCGxcMZzCW3QvoIUCgoSD6B0Via9GsCZJ0EFIDTFPz_TOKAm3OUCda_LRfe5Jn2h8lRfL2U0fshZzYM2iIrDwuTXasjMEeO2CNaP/s320/IMG_6411.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah's doll (whose name is either Marianne or Angel, depending on when you ask Sav) made the journey with us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09NoGf8ldGHtI2togpZhjQIcLa0i_0S_HFw5lS5i-245oAC0BLJ2kgi9tXzG-Pxbh2faJKTiAPm2AdG83qjNm1nArISK3bq726jK0orSTED6lgNpCISCeejgxh27hN2dg5ykUFihPKXD5/s1600/IMG_6414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh09NoGf8ldGHtI2togpZhjQIcLa0i_0S_HFw5lS5i-245oAC0BLJ2kgi9tXzG-Pxbh2faJKTiAPm2AdG83qjNm1nArISK3bq726jK0orSTED6lgNpCISCeejgxh27hN2dg5ykUFihPKXD5/s320/IMG_6414.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Super excited to go on an airplane!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdwDNg26p_OFUulyVGAfM3lLYvVc8BzxS2YBOhsYTI3JsjXJswCIsSJ9VUApqKjIgg9LGMs7ocUpcMKqmFcBmRRvxkqavAa_u_cCplTRbDxCo2ACZ3Zj8sXS-IruZPwAZc8ktQK4m5V6Y/s1600/IMG_6415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdwDNg26p_OFUulyVGAfM3lLYvVc8BzxS2YBOhsYTI3JsjXJswCIsSJ9VUApqKjIgg9LGMs7ocUpcMKqmFcBmRRvxkqavAa_u_cCplTRbDxCo2ACZ3Zj8sXS-IruZPwAZc8ktQK4m5V6Y/s320/IMG_6415.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After checking in, we went through security. Between managing Savannah and the wheelchair, this is normally quite the headache, but the folks at SFO let us go through the staff security check point, which meant we were the only ones there. We got to take our time, everyone was amazingly friendly, and, best of all, there was a huge window looking out over the runway, so Sav got to watch planes land while we took off shoes/took out laptops/etc/etc/etc. After all of that, we stopped for a quick bite to eat.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1kp063X40K-sXNy5-nboUd0Xa0fuft9sTHQTRodyX2HK2jRBciVSqojyFBl4lMys9voEtZJ9TFi7ylGWMSwWsyj44z1DE4_PYCiGRMyyCt9J8SHpy5v3FAZ_RISk4o0uZklS3DNBTCNU/s1600/IMG_6416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1kp063X40K-sXNy5-nboUd0Xa0fuft9sTHQTRodyX2HK2jRBciVSqojyFBl4lMys9voEtZJ9TFi7ylGWMSwWsyj44z1DE4_PYCiGRMyyCt9J8SHpy5v3FAZ_RISk4o0uZklS3DNBTCNU/s320/IMG_6416.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We let Savannah pick out a new <i>Llama Llama</i> book for the trip.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D8Opmt01Zrfc6dVpFxMsL0kg_bHZExjGMg3bTz1IEh_TT54RjQma6qLZjWeSDbXzLbRuwCzcWqFQfLgVCvyNZFsKApbZaGVkSZEyy_-jLza4N3EWqtBQZpaW5s7XVMGqJeTFEwa4eTgZ/s1600/IMG_6418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5D8Opmt01Zrfc6dVpFxMsL0kg_bHZExjGMg3bTz1IEh_TT54RjQma6qLZjWeSDbXzLbRuwCzcWqFQfLgVCvyNZFsKApbZaGVkSZEyy_-jLza4N3EWqtBQZpaW5s7XVMGqJeTFEwa4eTgZ/s320/IMG_6418.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Waiting patiently at the gate, with her travel backpack. We only use this for trips and she's not allowed to look inside until we're on the plane (this time, her backpack included "I Spy" puzzles, a coloring book, colored pencils, and her iPad, which was loaded with a few new apps).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5sTSFsIBR-eyPOGypA1aBbcwdFji7Z2U9Qtp__fzTTaZzbdUKXzVIIMJEIBQt-Dzb-Y3GOnrB6Uv4EJNUtLJddftlmGEKIETKS23ympbmpS2o8KlOCxVIg35ekOwtLamnaQ0z6yb4F9W/s1600/IMG_6420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5sTSFsIBR-eyPOGypA1aBbcwdFji7Z2U9Qtp__fzTTaZzbdUKXzVIIMJEIBQt-Dzb-Y3GOnrB6Uv4EJNUtLJddftlmGEKIETKS23ympbmpS2o8KlOCxVIg35ekOwtLamnaQ0z6yb4F9W/s320/IMG_6420.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB04jNwiEgx2gmWoGVj6iYai0DoM6wVoKVXwsLZ4sqkutgqqTsAN904GRr35NQDuZYcHpRzgQFGiq801U1iq9L4tmpKQvPkjbvAMbJFRQSoeBiErVkk0y8uI23BdnXWJmIevSfoNwm7EL/s1600/IMG_6422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTB04jNwiEgx2gmWoGVj6iYai0DoM6wVoKVXwsLZ4sqkutgqqTsAN904GRr35NQDuZYcHpRzgQFGiq801U1iq9L4tmpKQvPkjbvAMbJFRQSoeBiErVkk0y8uI23BdnXWJmIevSfoNwm7EL/s320/IMG_6422.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On board, playing with the in-flight entertainment system. Whenever possible, we fly Virgin America. Besides excellent service (seriously, our flight yesterday had some of the nicest flight attendants ever), they also boot up their entertainment system pre-departure and allow you to watch movies/TV shows during take-off. This might not be a big selling point for most, but the ability to watch "Madagascar 3" makes it much easier to keep a 2 year old seated and buckled up during the very long take-off period.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYglXAHleOkfWJwSLeHz_oevKXgsVpTtc4BswKzohvi1VTXeTei5cYmgr7S-mPUuagv0ZwFvhSqt5BLQRTeX8j6T2it4M8M_D6EjVQRCTM-kFEUxi5B8pmK5YiLmKL4BvttNhZxFn4fq0/s1600/IMG_6423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYglXAHleOkfWJwSLeHz_oevKXgsVpTtc4BswKzohvi1VTXeTei5cYmgr7S-mPUuagv0ZwFvhSqt5BLQRTeX8j6T2it4M8M_D6EjVQRCTM-kFEUxi5B8pmK5YiLmKL4BvttNhZxFn4fq0/s320/IMG_6423.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9lCneGBcIhdjk7oolAbZ_MayLGYTrXgY-kzeJQ0rPeyNf4Z-rVRp0XDA4qPCGG5dxljzlxFfsVuP6cQuc8GXjL0dERc3EC7XNuqyBXFcesA5KU5VmsIsOPHZL1vGOkGdzB8oSkXI7PG2/s1600/IMG_6424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9lCneGBcIhdjk7oolAbZ_MayLGYTrXgY-kzeJQ0rPeyNf4Z-rVRp0XDA4qPCGG5dxljzlxFfsVuP6cQuc8GXjL0dERc3EC7XNuqyBXFcesA5KU5VmsIsOPHZL1vGOkGdzB8oSkXI7PG2/s320/IMG_6424.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLDsenZTh6DUrtyI4SvWobGUxwDWE4SEoX-bQ0Py0CKbCrVmQtgZIgBtuJW_ZkFC9nmIkUfnBusQ3BiW6pTx0m7UVu6ZT_LILdp91hNo9IdqmKvoT0osRja0c35sHwQ-em4q4QrOEhRSf/s1600/IMG_6426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLDsenZTh6DUrtyI4SvWobGUxwDWE4SEoX-bQ0Py0CKbCrVmQtgZIgBtuJW_ZkFC9nmIkUfnBusQ3BiW6pTx0m7UVu6ZT_LILdp91hNo9IdqmKvoT0osRja0c35sHwQ-em4q4QrOEhRSf/s320/IMG_6426.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She shared her seat with her doll.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwcFMCSmQv-RzYlVYH5kdK08khhziOeuxPzm-VpPeJG7XfCD8S4tjUVtaVOexhY6f5Xl6nW-tc_4iDFdNhPeRlKhRVsAgNU4GNpkqZhV1glgdMf3FY6iDdByZEDCiKjG113qLkzHbN95H/s1600/IMG_6428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuwcFMCSmQv-RzYlVYH5kdK08khhziOeuxPzm-VpPeJG7XfCD8S4tjUVtaVOexhY6f5Xl6nW-tc_4iDFdNhPeRlKhRVsAgNU4GNpkqZhV1glgdMf3FY6iDdByZEDCiKjG113qLkzHbN95H/s320/IMG_6428.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Baby-sized headphones.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstSO-5mcharHgnDWPrxKjJEzoc0S5gIyIYNV3oDL1CHL5NjNVbCZwXhljjcPYkASZNmrrzH_Php165ULVji5IfMLrEHubetfb6yIG_ymuvrnoOI7v5QcTh7VR1nKLBUWsaCrEUOlo4LA1/s1600/IMG_6430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstSO-5mcharHgnDWPrxKjJEzoc0S5gIyIYNV3oDL1CHL5NjNVbCZwXhljjcPYkASZNmrrzH_Php165ULVji5IfMLrEHubetfb6yIG_ymuvrnoOI7v5QcTh7VR1nKLBUWsaCrEUOlo4LA1/s320/IMG_6430.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl7UjqmbjRpMv6y_GjDpg6JBqtXWBPBgl7AlyLcuzvp8tmrk_dWYFmEvnXEl4cyKexcEP4efP9eSZKUnBGWiSFdmiBX-yrHFsq5fYKgTsD-cTS2mjwK8Td6JEZ4S2uvaRv2I9UgQkzv4n/s1600/IMG_6432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl7UjqmbjRpMv6y_GjDpg6JBqtXWBPBgl7AlyLcuzvp8tmrk_dWYFmEvnXEl4cyKexcEP4efP9eSZKUnBGWiSFdmiBX-yrHFsq5fYKgTsD-cTS2mjwK8Td6JEZ4S2uvaRv2I9UgQkzv4n/s320/IMG_6432.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lunch was great-perfect for a toddler. Not a full meal, just lots of great food to snack on. Savannah approved :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFt8dkG2TcCUW5uPDKCDedYD5W3sJS-v6h4RK2lcs0PZcemGdBCGsV6oqcThcItxe2olO_K_jr1WHm0t_9m1X1qXWnRd6suHpzcq2ZTX_gu3uazIaWnXc5hxGIcjbR8oVYHmo3CtBh-GP/s1600/IMG_6431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFt8dkG2TcCUW5uPDKCDedYD5W3sJS-v6h4RK2lcs0PZcemGdBCGsV6oqcThcItxe2olO_K_jr1WHm0t_9m1X1qXWnRd6suHpzcq2ZTX_gu3uazIaWnXc5hxGIcjbR8oVYHmo3CtBh-GP/s320/IMG_6431.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Love the iPad for travel!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtLjMcF6Z9xf5hRc20ly6ke6sEU5bF5JCBKaxdP74zxVQ42QWU-l2ebSHDhMD1XDJNFwONcV5CeryzOF7ynXWZjbW8o_mksDrFmEwSTfeAiPFbn5SYd7an6qNrLwnQsNnLKyTflQMhmIC/s1600/IMG_6433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDtLjMcF6Z9xf5hRc20ly6ke6sEU5bF5JCBKaxdP74zxVQ42QWU-l2ebSHDhMD1XDJNFwONcV5CeryzOF7ynXWZjbW8o_mksDrFmEwSTfeAiPFbn5SYd7an6qNrLwnQsNnLKyTflQMhmIC/s320/IMG_6433.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Post-lunch set up. Whenever possible, we try to sit in the bulkhead aisle.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEsSknsjz90Fam6mlvhoW8Uaq85L_KpwnzS4x6f6fIayB3LsC5GwaGIkT17AvLDVyEOScgzbWTmaBVptRdq0otd7wyJttqC8jpPp0jObVgpH1yYFcsA0DPb5_YGgv_Syi3amz6Zy5KkGX/s1600/IMG_6437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEsSknsjz90Fam6mlvhoW8Uaq85L_KpwnzS4x6f6fIayB3LsC5GwaGIkT17AvLDVyEOScgzbWTmaBVptRdq0otd7wyJttqC8jpPp0jObVgpH1yYFcsA0DPb5_YGgv_Syi3amz6Zy5KkGX/s320/IMG_6437.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
VERY quick nap....maybe 30 minutes?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YVyhoMhCps4FajXSksSRq2L1q2ecTb1DlfY1saDGSVaTQV1B9zW9MvLGEZulkUx-uzUUPX7IbfrI77o8gZGu_ICRSo0wPEfzkEhGmxk2CF7rf212b5CiekGqALeTtDR0UvlWqCgeEfiX/s1600/IMG_6439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YVyhoMhCps4FajXSksSRq2L1q2ecTb1DlfY1saDGSVaTQV1B9zW9MvLGEZulkUx-uzUUPX7IbfrI77o8gZGu_ICRSo0wPEfzkEhGmxk2CF7rf212b5CiekGqALeTtDR0UvlWqCgeEfiX/s320/IMG_6439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In DC!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVkm0Kns4cjN-cJFUKFWXqCDZ9QkGGmYHS8OWG7CQMemU-DDdHtJZ0_e8ZnO9B7G6TE0t8HRQgoCNXgPacdg10u2eDN8fPPgIpJuNqB9aQGTJuPDqenFVmUTqbMt9NYz5CPrS9qHR0WM0/s1600/IMG_6443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVkm0Kns4cjN-cJFUKFWXqCDZ9QkGGmYHS8OWG7CQMemU-DDdHtJZ0_e8ZnO9B7G6TE0t8HRQgoCNXgPacdg10u2eDN8fPPgIpJuNqB9aQGTJuPDqenFVmUTqbMt9NYz5CPrS9qHR0WM0/s320/IMG_6443.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While waiting for Jason, she decided to "swim" all over the airport floor. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are all settled in to our hotel in Baltimore. It's very nice and in a great location: Starbucks and movie theatre attached to the hotel building, Whole Foods is a 2 minute walk, plus there are lots of great restaurants all around us. The room itself is also one of the better wheelchair accessible rooms we've seen thus far. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Savannah is spending this first week in Fairfax, VA with her grandparents, which will allow me to go to all of Jason's appointments this week. He starts at KKI tomorrow afternoon. We're both excited to see what kind of progress he'll make during this stay. During his last stay, Jason walked with the braces for the first time. Who knows what this trip holds in store for us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Probably lots of updates over the next two weeks-hope you don't get sick of me :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lots of love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-30970622454803761472012-12-26T09:38:00.003-08:002012-12-26T09:38:47.025-08:00Our ChristmasI hope this finds all of you enjoying a lovely (or not so lovely if you're dealing with this nasty Bay-area weather) day after Christmas with your family and friends. We had a great few days in the Leyba household.<br />
<br />
On Christmas Eve, Savannah and I baked red velvet cupcakes to be served with our Christmas dinner.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXvkYOmho0I13KhcSAHTgoUNR5vpayGtW5EHz8H0gn1Ws3BGnckjxkuRZBVyKeGRCLMAZ4kR9CYUZXLbjEWx_h6dP0JfwErlsQPmpX6lzL8FDpR3NDjAtImGzbmynjFcXDKJ8wjhHOf_t/s1600/IMG_6219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXvkYOmho0I13KhcSAHTgoUNR5vpayGtW5EHz8H0gn1Ws3BGnckjxkuRZBVyKeGRCLMAZ4kR9CYUZXLbjEWx_h6dP0JfwErlsQPmpX6lzL8FDpR3NDjAtImGzbmynjFcXDKJ8wjhHOf_t/s320/IMG_6219.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDMhFseJAO97_Av6kFdLyYvUza1ITeagWAMA8d-5XAxmTb8UHttfQW3wx_BXVJFD6394mrof5Sd-Fny-eHHRzwmMWqZa-MKNXF8xjtcGD2sLGiGLqcOsrMNve8LzN8LCQONOMwsSuyY6A/s1600/IMG_6221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDMhFseJAO97_Av6kFdLyYvUza1ITeagWAMA8d-5XAxmTb8UHttfQW3wx_BXVJFD6394mrof5Sd-Fny-eHHRzwmMWqZa-MKNXF8xjtcGD2sLGiGLqcOsrMNve8LzN8LCQONOMwsSuyY6A/s320/IMG_6221.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9oz7YE81VY_NS7pC8O5Kv82DhkifJ15TD1k96lRaezGF1mobjKc5KWUkoxb_0N_KKUfkCNF96FW-PMBNSPHn7XgVuJ8BVjubzGCJ4PoSAGmyGWC18a7oUUqHZXgSnxqfrUsMwBzWRVlJ/s1600/IMG_6223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9oz7YE81VY_NS7pC8O5Kv82DhkifJ15TD1k96lRaezGF1mobjKc5KWUkoxb_0N_KKUfkCNF96FW-PMBNSPHn7XgVuJ8BVjubzGCJ4PoSAGmyGWC18a7oUUqHZXgSnxqfrUsMwBzWRVlJ/s320/IMG_6223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCxr3yVP0OPZnfmtnTGeIMAfTS61OtmhJRoWGZXj9sT7rdR6WO_depkF7Wt75XhlDWVLk0jc8GywUJZkvUP3xlk-V5T-u4V3OqEggOp145KOyNUYd-nmGDKZBC5CKFuve1_Pqg-sEq1T5/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCxr3yVP0OPZnfmtnTGeIMAfTS61OtmhJRoWGZXj9sT7rdR6WO_depkF7Wt75XhlDWVLk0jc8GywUJZkvUP3xlk-V5T-u4V3OqEggOp145KOyNUYd-nmGDKZBC5CKFuve1_Pqg-sEq1T5/s320/IMG_6224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe1Jl1EcBr2p5zR1PwhNaGQBOsbCozZG46t2-uMiWzANLwb5anQEJr3WINfJJIA9F0EjLq8KHra9LFENl-QJanQ8l6Fo3raM0_eGXV6EY3gnf6gcM3N0BjyrdfWEOvWkVicqwpop_6-Zm/s1600/IMG_6225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCe1Jl1EcBr2p5zR1PwhNaGQBOsbCozZG46t2-uMiWzANLwb5anQEJr3WINfJJIA9F0EjLq8KHra9LFENl-QJanQ8l6Fo3raM0_eGXV6EY3gnf6gcM3N0BjyrdfWEOvWkVicqwpop_6-Zm/s320/IMG_6225.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, in keeping with one of our traditions, Jason, my brother, and I played board games while waiting for a certain little girl to get tired.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqOQRe-qVDVZR7jMu6J3nyo0qVfMPSiQ12xvO0hVBB7Nm3TyIikiqruzm7CcucX-r8fUDKE5duR8-KjqpgsZtQpItTDIwXPt6-4ltUVCsDbuNf_PAvXObrKblH68eaNMtKAjjPktR-cLF/s1600/IMG_6235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqOQRe-qVDVZR7jMu6J3nyo0qVfMPSiQ12xvO0hVBB7Nm3TyIikiqruzm7CcucX-r8fUDKE5duR8-KjqpgsZtQpItTDIwXPt6-4ltUVCsDbuNf_PAvXObrKblH68eaNMtKAjjPktR-cLF/s320/IMG_6235.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSuQfv1T9bChPZZamElUvfS7FIs8ESX3K2WRXT6-6a6u9GY4rpORJWBhgNCvsekbOalTuqUBqACuXyoI_3qKYvSq4dkBoyVqnvh5ClBFQ7fwVQIXHLfsVUM3jhbKvGBHq2EY0v6J1ugYX/s1600/IMG_6237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSuQfv1T9bChPZZamElUvfS7FIs8ESX3K2WRXT6-6a6u9GY4rpORJWBhgNCvsekbOalTuqUBqACuXyoI_3qKYvSq4dkBoyVqnvh5ClBFQ7fwVQIXHLfsVUM3jhbKvGBHq2EY0v6J1ugYX/s320/IMG_6237.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSADi76rVBBDejCfxGqXK5zSyGUYjYt3YO39y1FcK-tOqjA03K1KPmFxlbOGdOhVLk8sgPWpa8H3jEHp0ufAGUFkWU00NKzTxD-wXF1ZZHG8N6NiVUUsvH34UFKcChymKBrW8b46EtuMc/s1600/IMG_6240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoSADi76rVBBDejCfxGqXK5zSyGUYjYt3YO39y1FcK-tOqjA03K1KPmFxlbOGdOhVLk8sgPWpa8H3jEHp0ufAGUFkWU00NKzTxD-wXF1ZZHG8N6NiVUUsvH34UFKcChymKBrW8b46EtuMc/s320/IMG_6240.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got ready for Santa Claus's upcoming visit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvxCKzU0jgyDWCRxOa3M_jT5z48Ex9AklONmhf-B6uuV6tFzg9edwN0aK_BfUGUYO8gy1kkdw323aotcR8WTKKVY-DSKa8nSyv7rMugcjC85nqf61jj-PslbjxhgCvHZCSvAP0dP-RgJT/s1600/IMG_6243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvxCKzU0jgyDWCRxOa3M_jT5z48Ex9AklONmhf-B6uuV6tFzg9edwN0aK_BfUGUYO8gy1kkdw323aotcR8WTKKVY-DSKa8nSyv7rMugcjC85nqf61jj-PslbjxhgCvHZCSvAP0dP-RgJT/s320/IMG_6243.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Santa was good to Savannah.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGK6XcQA2VNfNiL5w6h7KfPwixeTWWgyTO8VpPjoZJXjAA4UV_P3YQMtDbBut49k4iZjaLH8PJSUXfcvQlxj1a8KI6cNJJqycuEX-y_OjL7o4ca4bTTNOrx7bZA44u42QIqLMF_u3TdGm/s1600/IMG_6246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGK6XcQA2VNfNiL5w6h7KfPwixeTWWgyTO8VpPjoZJXjAA4UV_P3YQMtDbBut49k4iZjaLH8PJSUXfcvQlxj1a8KI6cNJJqycuEX-y_OjL7o4ca4bTTNOrx7bZA44u42QIqLMF_u3TdGm/s320/IMG_6246.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> And he enjoyed the cookies and milk (though she was really mad that he ate them...one of the first things she said Christmas morning, was "where are my cookies?").</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6GG67YuZ5ZpzaIfHRoEQ73bJ6n6o_UPgwAU68b54Duz7Xjuv3OHSqSi6F_kchSXQTjYjQMg-74YXNla4S1hcgInZmAtNsckisnUTi5AOkqiNO7yOqVR7ZOL5EVl3t-w2nYu4Pz_L2Hza/s1600/IMG_6249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6GG67YuZ5ZpzaIfHRoEQ73bJ6n6o_UPgwAU68b54Duz7Xjuv3OHSqSi6F_kchSXQTjYjQMg-74YXNla4S1hcgInZmAtNsckisnUTi5AOkqiNO7yOqVR7ZOL5EVl3t-w2nYu4Pz_L2Hza/s320/IMG_6249.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He left her a lovely card.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVjMHl298QiYpf_Hyq54FLx1yBtAdtPBqzfTG0JPWsNdFAwmDoZaGvrdaFAXcr5VjrSyMfuGVJuOx7i-HEefrAZ72Xy_yhfYwDULFdpOJeX9mh2_p-vKShuawGBRvPVaDdvBWsfzUEtDA/s1600/IMG_6255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVjMHl298QiYpf_Hyq54FLx1yBtAdtPBqzfTG0JPWsNdFAwmDoZaGvrdaFAXcr5VjrSyMfuGVJuOx7i-HEefrAZ72Xy_yhfYwDULFdpOJeX9mh2_p-vKShuawGBRvPVaDdvBWsfzUEtDA/s320/IMG_6255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think she was most excited about the chocolate in her stocking (Santa, not Mrs. Claus, was responsible for the stocking....Santa went a little overboard with the sugar!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYunWxe-2C7lIoAj4jzogcWEn_0s9Ss375l7BA84jc2Gb8poNpCoS5v16XK1oCPQH5vHDp4vPJT1LTKMmx29cYF8rsS-UKAQONfiICwbl25ZtIcoD4kbHUagkCcVfNPCa7idAvyMMhW8F_/s1600/IMG_6259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYunWxe-2C7lIoAj4jzogcWEn_0s9Ss375l7BA84jc2Gb8poNpCoS5v16XK1oCPQH5vHDp4vPJT1LTKMmx29cYF8rsS-UKAQONfiICwbl25ZtIcoD4kbHUagkCcVfNPCa7idAvyMMhW8F_/s320/IMG_6259.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fresh morning buns and croissants for breakfast....oh so yummy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLGF8Q5MzzXRRXNqaF2wSeI4Gsf4hyuuc-sLdAcCqEmDqszmlkarjmym3JkSMXctQLEo_igraubsAapuVKKVismc1yQChKh3RPvTmSVPEL84Wa3koZJ4JTmYR6SwP4U1MytpGZzPu2Iab/s1600/IMG_6261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLGF8Q5MzzXRRXNqaF2wSeI4Gsf4hyuuc-sLdAcCqEmDqszmlkarjmym3JkSMXctQLEo_igraubsAapuVKKVismc1yQChKh3RPvTmSVPEL84Wa3koZJ4JTmYR6SwP4U1MytpGZzPu2Iab/s320/IMG_6261.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7nHeF_jBWRNe5fEztbQ6Gui5x3UHhZ134ggFDPLyBblyBvm9qmKbf7psUInxr7i7GNLgapnrdKJa0mATsp5dKEAwdTmGwWLlb1aKCEd_0I7RAg9tznr1IcQpvOfXmTYMLTvlltB0TlP3/s1600/IMG_6262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7nHeF_jBWRNe5fEztbQ6Gui5x3UHhZ134ggFDPLyBblyBvm9qmKbf7psUInxr7i7GNLgapnrdKJa0mATsp5dKEAwdTmGwWLlb1aKCEd_0I7RAg9tznr1IcQpvOfXmTYMLTvlltB0TlP3/s320/IMG_6262.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah's main gift was a new baby doll, which she loved and played with all day.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm30pzfaGHsyVilR0FsbSKLM1d00-pxQzmkSkmee5BvgE26PfdUzslpFykDXkrnhBhuWUBu7YAPxNQT_82dbh4k-QkYv-ILAKinWecqDK7fF7GcipFI04UNRSFIpcAxI_iAgs7YQ_x9cs/s1600/IMG_6265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJm30pzfaGHsyVilR0FsbSKLM1d00-pxQzmkSkmee5BvgE26PfdUzslpFykDXkrnhBhuWUBu7YAPxNQT_82dbh4k-QkYv-ILAKinWecqDK7fF7GcipFI04UNRSFIpcAxI_iAgs7YQ_x9cs/s320/IMG_6265.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUp9S7c87B8qahp2dpGKrgR6P4oQG4HwkRq_b8cDRNXLZ1wpIPgEC25DRJY8zx-7nzZeIwacWMzR-iSPoriWodj_0copRPp5S6C8uh9pFNJ9Tw5tzjXUNhT3l_GKAB8I7NSu08wBXfXB/s1600/IMG_6266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fUp9S7c87B8qahp2dpGKrgR6P4oQG4HwkRq_b8cDRNXLZ1wpIPgEC25DRJY8zx-7nzZeIwacWMzR-iSPoriWodj_0copRPp5S6C8uh9pFNJ9Tw5tzjXUNhT3l_GKAB8I7NSu08wBXfXB/s320/IMG_6266.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGxisFRGcPha_7YBrHdQoOI0QNsoXlC4AuYXjIxel6d127KQbfaMVi2d2MVcqZtEgBy1gAq88rGEwNCcd-KjjQKHhE6DZrmji0463BdwtqdvdkMpid5OxQY2_98C4EL3EXySO-hIv7Y8O/s1600/IMG_6274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGxisFRGcPha_7YBrHdQoOI0QNsoXlC4AuYXjIxel6d127KQbfaMVi2d2MVcqZtEgBy1gAq88rGEwNCcd-KjjQKHhE6DZrmji0463BdwtqdvdkMpid5OxQY2_98C4EL3EXySO-hIv7Y8O/s320/IMG_6274.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULjrx0j4hFUIAkozY0w-wBLYyzLWSwPrwBIra_cTHXF7RsdjTYwvakeQ9DXP1SVsIkbtnfKJkSFVxeaOdkQIJU7jMWzvPh77hNxZIJGDRtXS1HlChVQ5QzNwVGyVx_fIO4VANRbGpMaYM/s1600/IMG_6277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULjrx0j4hFUIAkozY0w-wBLYyzLWSwPrwBIra_cTHXF7RsdjTYwvakeQ9DXP1SVsIkbtnfKJkSFVxeaOdkQIJU7jMWzvPh77hNxZIJGDRtXS1HlChVQ5QzNwVGyVx_fIO4VANRbGpMaYM/s320/IMG_6277.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgO3YXU2cxjEue0Dtw4gAdfHy2U0Fm-y9VxZbqL7slbXuSj0axV4ZTjGBXTf6jKVw7Xie0ku_H7TZI4hEnNIgPGfEaa79INHUeq7ZleVYJW45wMtEIsnm7WiHi2S9ijKKhl9satHrlzW/s1600/IMG_6286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhgO3YXU2cxjEue0Dtw4gAdfHy2U0Fm-y9VxZbqL7slbXuSj0axV4ZTjGBXTf6jKVw7Xie0ku_H7TZI4hEnNIgPGfEaa79INHUeq7ZleVYJW45wMtEIsnm7WiHi2S9ijKKhl9satHrlzW/s320/IMG_6286.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dresser for baby clothes.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XK6B6IqI4Boh9S1OxNcX1dOhv91PzA_p95Bxuomhp6Acp_PH1eWNndCF837CBRvDLUAo0uuDdcuF2JZPEBLmYe5F9MeJE-9nqFv0CvDU7rz7QixcNOGfEcYHSl5BUJD7ecKb-VFzMIIt/s1600/IMG_6302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XK6B6IqI4Boh9S1OxNcX1dOhv91PzA_p95Bxuomhp6Acp_PH1eWNndCF837CBRvDLUAo0uuDdcuF2JZPEBLmYe5F9MeJE-9nqFv0CvDU7rz7QixcNOGfEcYHSl5BUJD7ecKb-VFzMIIt/s320/IMG_6302.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4MkV9XRO22ntn9ktiyqwUzDb2StOLAlHBG8MvanDhwm36K7LP-pHRVhTdDIxyoocAZDMTPA5LpJ_9oNNHlHXOcicOAnqDLW2DsXfWYFS0zu8KolGxC9R7KlY-110ukTO29xS5jU-x92H/s1600/IMG_6303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4MkV9XRO22ntn9ktiyqwUzDb2StOLAlHBG8MvanDhwm36K7LP-pHRVhTdDIxyoocAZDMTPA5LpJ_9oNNHlHXOcicOAnqDLW2DsXfWYFS0zu8KolGxC9R7KlY-110ukTO29xS5jU-x92H/s320/IMG_6303.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sav asked me for my phone and then proceeded to take photos of her baby, just like I take pictures of her :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIEq6w2XWASZ8Qqy_33pAQKP8fCK7-TK_ZON5B9NbZhLeU98ozKd2iLNus7V3Tmu1z0icGc0znk5-P-KhcoOTB06QJ7gwEJx8AU-ffmO_3IEDHWKXVHZJeMhLfmd4BVwWJbDxvn99rk3X/s1600/IMG_6313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIEq6w2XWASZ8Qqy_33pAQKP8fCK7-TK_ZON5B9NbZhLeU98ozKd2iLNus7V3Tmu1z0icGc0znk5-P-KhcoOTB06QJ7gwEJx8AU-ffmO_3IEDHWKXVHZJeMhLfmd4BVwWJbDxvn99rk3X/s320/IMG_6313.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christmas dinner...a mix of super unhealthy (but amazingly good) Southern fare and, in our one nod to healthiness, some veggies not casseroled or over cooked.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQOCzMvV3g5NRbU0n6wu78g-4J_eLg0FMR8zhwUOcMPhaAO-QI0EhRsa9Hhq6Aa8f4zr-7bgWvHycvFAdQr7lJ8ULn9E11vYMzT-ZzuXMUIzqarLx3slLoedTmHSjaPTWNxWXBMNtaLw4/s1600/IMG_6314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQOCzMvV3g5NRbU0n6wu78g-4J_eLg0FMR8zhwUOcMPhaAO-QI0EhRsa9Hhq6Aa8f4zr-7bgWvHycvFAdQr7lJ8ULn9E11vYMzT-ZzuXMUIzqarLx3slLoedTmHSjaPTWNxWXBMNtaLw4/s320/IMG_6314.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah read books to her baby before bed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-27964319974014985742012-12-22T09:36:00.001-08:002012-12-22T09:36:21.355-08:00Thursdays with SavannahFor over a year now, Jason has been going to SCI-FIT on Thursday afternoons. Because of the geography of this (SCI-FIT is in Pleasanton, Sav's school is in Sunnyvale...for non-Bay area folks, these are not very close to each other) and the fact that we are a single car family, I've always kept Savannah home from school on Thursdays. Before Jason could drive, we'd drop him at the gym and would hang out in Pleasanton....we'd get a late lunch, go shopping, go to the book store, play in a local park, whatever we wanted....I think I know all the kid-friendly places located within 20 miles of SCI-FIT :) Now that J can get himself to and from the gym, though, Sav and I stay close to home. Thursdays have become my favorite day...I try not to do any work (or, if work must be done, it happens while Sav is napping) and Savannah and I spend loads of quality time together. <br />
<br />
I thought I'd share a glimpse into the best part of my week....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02aNF114e4TfIzSFnAkriRX8VdEphx4TE5PM7O0jtGwvR9ubnfY3wrO72cIkcUl3J4beIYTIp6iMj3UPUJfeJszBrN95ueuOngUxy4Peu6X_VJUzdSh7DntZGFWoIth1f7ZLCh_nDyJqq/s1600/IMG_6182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02aNF114e4TfIzSFnAkriRX8VdEphx4TE5PM7O0jtGwvR9ubnfY3wrO72cIkcUl3J4beIYTIp6iMj3UPUJfeJszBrN95ueuOngUxy4Peu6X_VJUzdSh7DntZGFWoIth1f7ZLCh_nDyJqq/s320/IMG_6182.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This day began with a mild disagreement about how much cold-weather clothing she needed to wear. She's not a fan of heavy jackets...which doesn't bode well for our East coast trip in January :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQFoQGjop6OpmLXtDEDkG_rXT9Nnhe0LSqP5h_Wd8rv7YRUFwVx4n1t8jfAcHNnXOQOA9o_Is9dVm6np1CwTDQPjYLIAaPxre653A9wdQo-bDU4tvwZESpG5PYEOsrVTGyZCk0xzUIfB8/s1600/IMG_6185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQFoQGjop6OpmLXtDEDkG_rXT9Nnhe0LSqP5h_Wd8rv7YRUFwVx4n1t8jfAcHNnXOQOA9o_Is9dVm6np1CwTDQPjYLIAaPxre653A9wdQo-bDU4tvwZESpG5PYEOsrVTGyZCk0xzUIfB8/s320/IMG_6185.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Normally, we go to the Farmer's market that's across the street from our house on Thursday mornings, but it was closed this week for the holidays. So, we walked down to our local park and played. I think she was happy with the substitution.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZvavOs6wFNuA4Ukbyj5_6GVVTvwm2K_fpHRxZGusdh8TJMi3z7p-myulLmVEX0dMnvq6yqGnfdcIwgbm8v4dXOzjFQZhuNIg1QnJaVD94XtsLsr8nbG4gICsECCUWlzXKHfFNBlRoXOn/s1600/IMG_6190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZvavOs6wFNuA4Ukbyj5_6GVVTvwm2K_fpHRxZGusdh8TJMi3z7p-myulLmVEX0dMnvq6yqGnfdcIwgbm8v4dXOzjFQZhuNIg1QnJaVD94XtsLsr8nbG4gICsECCUWlzXKHfFNBlRoXOn/s320/IMG_6190.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq28uzUBdpSf2_YIruTqoKcJ794IhvY5Tylv66i4EYSDH7huCAr1TWJ59hnIt69CYALXrBVXHgc94nU-AbQaBytFLc7gjgGWWOYCuiReQSSf-Xx2KBR5B4MlbFrjA0oz3oCtSuwoeX-Drd/s1600/IMG_6191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq28uzUBdpSf2_YIruTqoKcJ794IhvY5Tylv66i4EYSDH7huCAr1TWJ59hnIt69CYALXrBVXHgc94nU-AbQaBytFLc7gjgGWWOYCuiReQSSf-Xx2KBR5B4MlbFrjA0oz3oCtSuwoeX-Drd/s320/IMG_6191.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5fqE02zgkbBkUB7AujQliazivNXggmLZWh4fD9Kef2nUzggTHYUj_PVTshtnSGmbCCT5F34LyShE3jihLzV2KffEoAXcbGneqAfrpt7GHPMb3aAIram8cS3ZTdnvtm9wafmAZaDlZikC/s1600/IMG_6193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5fqE02zgkbBkUB7AujQliazivNXggmLZWh4fD9Kef2nUzggTHYUj_PVTshtnSGmbCCT5F34LyShE3jihLzV2KffEoAXcbGneqAfrpt7GHPMb3aAIram8cS3ZTdnvtm9wafmAZaDlZikC/s320/IMG_6193.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sonja decided to get in on the sliding...Savannah started yelling, "No, Sonja! It's not your turn!"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh371JAZwo1HOu-syY97_Fidepddb549zmjGTbbwWxDgEAeGeEqx6FuFeU7BstN6Q4kC_mTauEbthNFU-6VvDqFyZcTxP7r-q3Csv4RnbYRxTz1Kv0r6Btj1u7l__oaVfCDjtepYM47oclW/s1600/IMG_6199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh371JAZwo1HOu-syY97_Fidepddb549zmjGTbbwWxDgEAeGeEqx6FuFeU7BstN6Q4kC_mTauEbthNFU-6VvDqFyZcTxP7r-q3Csv4RnbYRxTz1Kv0r6Btj1u7l__oaVfCDjtepYM47oclW/s320/IMG_6199.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The walking to and from the park, plus all the sliding and swinging, made for a tired little girl.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmNIYI-R5vx2Zc3q0vTJ7M-fSNlKndw7VgS_9XYD2atSumamfDkDbEPhh2u-WxirvDd67Y4-oRn-5e2SeXGLN5w-NcoWdBPJFA9Wx8Hha_Lm-052mKVHXuZ93M9iGX_pYUTFvQa1HP0Iy/s1600/IMG_6200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmNIYI-R5vx2Zc3q0vTJ7M-fSNlKndw7VgS_9XYD2atSumamfDkDbEPhh2u-WxirvDd67Y4-oRn-5e2SeXGLN5w-NcoWdBPJFA9Wx8Hha_Lm-052mKVHXuZ93M9iGX_pYUTFvQa1HP0Iy/s320/IMG_6200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Post-nap, we made cookies for Jason. She's quite the accomplished baker!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really love that I get to have this day with her each week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And, just because I've been fairly terrible with updates of late, here's some other things we've been up to!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbcCNt2B1uaEg8gogrWoYxZ8NZosmO-Vu7qjHMIam53dbSeGoUqdQ3qpRKVzBZ1qeUuU-OF5aiAJkOy63avw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a play date with one of Savannah's best friends at Studio Grow two weeks ago. This was filmed in the dance studio and, for me, is about the best visual for joy I've ever seen :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrESr2pajPfUKQds4tfJAsCITyME14FDnSxExWV3GJTfqgz0TFr9LZz1LpX6sxnTWmXZUDS3EoKBAojo4UcfYBF_pMQD-tMoSy2MFD6mtKzmjiJRs0gBcG6EfpWTGYtyd3dizPuORqMNj/s1600/IMG_6148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrESr2pajPfUKQds4tfJAsCITyME14FDnSxExWV3GJTfqgz0TFr9LZz1LpX6sxnTWmXZUDS3EoKBAojo4UcfYBF_pMQD-tMoSy2MFD6mtKzmjiJRs0gBcG6EfpWTGYtyd3dizPuORqMNj/s320/IMG_6148.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Savannah and I went to my department's holiday party. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNGBqo95Cdae01UTYLM5-ERFWz2kkpk4vYj2Lne0UPMYMzGtlPPLNI5XlypZaYByOTRUIK_y-RIjKv45-1uO56CsglN_8KIUbTHOApKJBZzoDkGCMtvfLstL0kb_39tlLqxASmDy9LQvt/s1600/IMG_6171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNGBqo95Cdae01UTYLM5-ERFWz2kkpk4vYj2Lne0UPMYMzGtlPPLNI5XlypZaYByOTRUIK_y-RIjKv45-1uO56CsglN_8KIUbTHOApKJBZzoDkGCMtvfLstL0kb_39tlLqxASmDy9LQvt/s320/IMG_6171.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jason has been using his braces around the house a lot more...this time standing sans walker. He was trying to determine if he could stand at the counter and use his laptop...not quite there yet.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY-TO4PyVdarGMytpyzekySrpU0VxXLyXV1JtYqTRqzng-MyuhaLxl2EvUgzY1ozTnQ1-lFXyOvx3Aoj6XzR9Sotjk6p5kpiR595La3pr5TjT5BzNwiNIVbnJkX5fdJvAcx4s1g1y9TCo/s1600/IMG_6174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY-TO4PyVdarGMytpyzekySrpU0VxXLyXV1JtYqTRqzng-MyuhaLxl2EvUgzY1ozTnQ1-lFXyOvx3Aoj6XzR9Sotjk6p5kpiR595La3pr5TjT5BzNwiNIVbnJkX5fdJvAcx4s1g1y9TCo/s320/IMG_6174.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But he can have some great daddy-daughter time with Savannah.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and that you are all able to spend time with the one's you love. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All my love,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-2525105456862633952012-12-02T08:54:00.001-08:002012-12-02T08:54:59.182-08:00Abilities Expo, Thanksgiving, Santa, and Some Pretty Amazing Videos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Everyone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I really need to get better about these updates, especially since my school schedule is slowing down at the moment (for a few weeks...everything ramps up again in January).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went to the Abilities Expo in San Jose a few weeks ago. When we went last year, we were very new to the SCI world and the whole experience was a bit overwhelming--information overload. This year was different-we knew what we wanted to look at (stuff for J's chair) and had a better time. It was amazing to see how many people we knew there-the SCI world, even in the vast Bay area, is quite small. It was also a day to realize how lucky we have been with J's injury. We've always been hesitant to feel better about our situation because people around us had it worse (worse injuries, more complications, etc etc), but it is hard not to have this happen--not to see that things could have been worse. The only way I can rationalize it is that I'm certain there are people that have looked at our family and been grateful for not having to walk (or wheel) in our shoes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a lovely Thanksgiving day. Savannah helped me bake and cook (she's quite the little chef). Another Cal grad student came over for dinner (he made the most amazing turkey) and we had a great dinner. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The real fun for me, though, came the next day when we started decorating for Christmas. We decorated a wonderful gingerbread house (this was mostly Jason and my brother, Bo--Savannah was more interested in hoarding the candy for herself). We also put up a tree, planted Amaryllis bulbs, put together a Christmas Lego scene, and assembled our Advent calendar (Savannah got her first prize from this yesterday...she's a fan).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYQpEqzTmPmgcR_Y25v9bb1cY9vB_k-_bI2G-1rboLnaR9EeiyktYrcoNrU0SHU3nLkbnMgecJh2YvcqnCQVD9-QnBznzpJFW8ww3Jgzii07tSlFpudCk1G8T7vpyn4xwaYERVuRui5EC/s1600/IMG_5976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYQpEqzTmPmgcR_Y25v9bb1cY9vB_k-_bI2G-1rboLnaR9EeiyktYrcoNrU0SHU3nLkbnMgecJh2YvcqnCQVD9-QnBznzpJFW8ww3Jgzii07tSlFpudCk1G8T7vpyn4xwaYERVuRui5EC/s320/IMG_5976.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFhjkLeu15tKbz3hog_nC9v4avg7T9U7AhS-ktP8CnE9BAT6qcO9H3bwTbMmZBkNqAF5pAv0cPrh3VxvJAhfCqj2mSpwPUUiEvUMPqiI__VD_aEj8unHw62qbc0GwtyXGo0P8E4svdWgS/s1600/IMG_5978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFhjkLeu15tKbz3hog_nC9v4avg7T9U7AhS-ktP8CnE9BAT6qcO9H3bwTbMmZBkNqAF5pAv0cPrh3VxvJAhfCqj2mSpwPUUiEvUMPqiI__VD_aEj8unHw62qbc0GwtyXGo0P8E4svdWgS/s320/IMG_5978.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM0o2I5u9lvylGcj-PQJTLZeojepAxTy3NDqWxtChhoJJ8Y2-0XOUkN4O9KMKDAeVRzK7KGgXlU2x5wzPwbxpsJJjjTCKYAxita03auc4VBeabTpsYnDwoKqK_2faEAmVq_UnkN3LlmZg/s1600/IMG_5980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM0o2I5u9lvylGcj-PQJTLZeojepAxTy3NDqWxtChhoJJ8Y2-0XOUkN4O9KMKDAeVRzK7KGgXlU2x5wzPwbxpsJJjjTCKYAxita03auc4VBeabTpsYnDwoKqK_2faEAmVq_UnkN3LlmZg/s320/IMG_5980.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdeo5twZqgjjcsLtv2V4aUrUSdsA4tOV-cnKC59x_g1aoJyPwF_ZYVpQDNHQR0WCH37P0a2mhM4Pi5WgBMJQwGfUKtRo0Ud-Q0zuqTiSjz9gpAww0xOSvMT46G6PTD8-Ta50_SuMMt77z/s1600/IMG_6002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdeo5twZqgjjcsLtv2V4aUrUSdsA4tOV-cnKC59x_g1aoJyPwF_ZYVpQDNHQR0WCH37P0a2mhM4Pi5WgBMJQwGfUKtRo0Ud-Q0zuqTiSjz9gpAww0xOSvMT46G6PTD8-Ta50_SuMMt77z/s320/IMG_6002.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Savannah also visited with Santa...for our Bay area parents, I strongly recommend the Santa at Stanford Shopping Center...he spent over 10 minutes with Sav. He read her a book about the North pole and gave her a cute little reindeer stuffed animal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65ZKaWU3gAmfHjif_cuHleYuC2EJEO_1Mxw4sEVe8UMdnwZ0bkvpBSOeVPrgTj1Pf8Ij9kb4AB-UvBLOTXDlRzPgGQcvMRCuOfMMR2m8tFSDcB0vTF4o-IHJV4SK5DRGCAX9XR_IOGMW/s1600/IMG_6013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65ZKaWU3gAmfHjif_cuHleYuC2EJEO_1Mxw4sEVe8UMdnwZ0bkvpBSOeVPrgTj1Pf8Ij9kb4AB-UvBLOTXDlRzPgGQcvMRCuOfMMR2m8tFSDcB0vTF4o-IHJV4SK5DRGCAX9XR_IOGMW/s320/IMG_6013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jason's mom, Gail, has been visiting with us for the past few days. On a normal day, Savannah is spoiled, but with Grandma in town? Wow, spoiling is in overdrive :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWRjrn9S4JLPiGOAKEr1tx3IL32tmqPIClqtR-JYTof52ShX6oFnZAwedFKqPmUA-LHfNxTTuwbQntywmlCnrxhyphenhyphenSAbljq1QjIMuq9mW1UoQxXclq69KFVI8T5TxfiMZT8W30-0NFqRZ8/s1600/IMG_6015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWRjrn9S4JLPiGOAKEr1tx3IL32tmqPIClqtR-JYTof52ShX6oFnZAwedFKqPmUA-LHfNxTTuwbQntywmlCnrxhyphenhyphenSAbljq1QjIMuq9mW1UoQxXclq69KFVI8T5TxfiMZT8W30-0NFqRZ8/s320/IMG_6015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But since Gail is in town, I was able to go with Jason to SCI-FIT yesterday and get some video footage of what he's up to these days....wow...I was so amazed at the progress he's made. Really impressive. I think the folks at Kennedy Krieger are really going to be excited about the gains he's had in the last 6 months (another reminder for MD folks, email me if you'd like to meet up while we're in town in January!). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJR2UYxzFxodjN6yTn9NGIq1NKxYYSeXG5kZLt_PZO3LBybCVxtCOiLtI1TCF3lhiPLZERhDCSPwT2i_o4Pg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Walking sideways</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzolhOdV09niJ96wdRmKfaoExINYlzPSR2VNGi-yLtOU46UTPAXqbqR0o944k38ZK_E2JqDKzK7A7h6lpaSvQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kicks!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwIIt26mCw3P_yCvEETFTvSAsfnTQr5tIJ0v3te0B50A8JRNOIwU3lMQqGh0qigq1TVhRg2wlSnublLBrSEcw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not entirely sure what this is called, but it looked difficult.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you all are having a great weekend (and for our bay area friends, staying dry in this torrential rain).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-84168592355032726742012-11-14T09:49:00.000-08:002012-11-14T09:49:00.952-08:00Long Overdue UpdateSorry that it has been so long since my last post. It has been so busy around here lately! It seems that all fellowship organizations and conference organizers conspired to make everything due on November 15 this year...so I've been crazily writing grant proposals, abstracts, paper proposals, budgets...oh, and a full draft of a chapter of my dissertation! Thankfully, I'm done. I'm actually proud of myself for getting all this wrapped up a few days ahead of schedule. Now I just have to wait several months to see if I'm awarded any of the grants...But, I imagine you're not here to read about my dissertation/fellowship progress.... <br />
<br />
The cushion, which I complained about in the last post, seems to be working out a lot better now. The jerry-rigging has held up and Jason has been a lot more comfortable. Thank goodness. We're headed to the Abilities Expo in San Jose this weekend to check out different parts for J's new chair. Hopefully, we'll get that at the beginning of next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other exciting developments in the last month:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>The standing frame has been ordered! We should have it in around 3 weeks! FINALLY-we've been waiting for close to a year for this...we're very excited.</li>
<li>We celebrated Halloween with Savannah, and took her trick-or-treating for the very first time. She seemed a little wary at first, but after the first house, she looked at us and said "Okay. We go to another house now."</li>
<li>Savannah and I spent an afternoon in San Mateo, watching airplanes land at SFO. She's rather obsessed with all forms of transportation at the moment, so this was about the best afternoon ever :)</li>
<li>We booked flights for our January trip to Baltimore. We're doing a daytime flight this time, in the hopes that Sav will not be overly tired and will enjoy the flight. Fingers crossed. Can't be worse than overly tired/overly excited Savannah of last June's flight.</li>
</ul>
<div>
And now..some photos!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLYqyM_VaLAU-0eTXCkmogJn0X4S0-xCo52mLR6Z2yCJd-n1OBruQRnhZ1Hk1DGbxirbHTVkBdArY3LkYVmTFeOSSnQ5VslGIEjNF33rTGwJAHiV-pj6jiFfgb27uN8TQPlDmJvBFtovq/s1600/IMG_5780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLYqyM_VaLAU-0eTXCkmogJn0X4S0-xCo52mLR6Z2yCJd-n1OBruQRnhZ1Hk1DGbxirbHTVkBdArY3LkYVmTFeOSSnQ5VslGIEjNF33rTGwJAHiV-pj6jiFfgb27uN8TQPlDmJvBFtovq/s320/IMG_5780.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Plane landing at SFO</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1q0ASDDaLsSHwSoN6Fbm-ggx-AXMpzt9SCDtGyW08E2D5J303Mx4P4iGCP046jqsclABfuNYf3EHnYGKxOdBRSNHBrOjYUy-c4CJRbD0qGn971vZ1kyGKyGrxuN6CoFqjo7JQVBZDFW/s1600/IMG_5835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED1q0ASDDaLsSHwSoN6Fbm-ggx-AXMpzt9SCDtGyW08E2D5J303Mx4P4iGCP046jqsclABfuNYf3EHnYGKxOdBRSNHBrOjYUy-c4CJRbD0qGn971vZ1kyGKyGrxuN6CoFqjo7JQVBZDFW/s320/IMG_5835.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
School Costume</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJOEaEnKuMWCi029xFoOIDuxg6C8Vrn9asCYIy2TkEEAyvnuntK_qZEqiD9IlBRGO8R3GTlyQdLx0DDuGPnxaK_M3tZ0irRX53dOpGqJhaDpln3UR7zULdciKpgQck42r4HZud-t3q1sc/s1600/IMG_5854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJOEaEnKuMWCi029xFoOIDuxg6C8Vrn9asCYIy2TkEEAyvnuntK_qZEqiD9IlBRGO8R3GTlyQdLx0DDuGPnxaK_M3tZ0irRX53dOpGqJhaDpln3UR7zULdciKpgQck42r4HZud-t3q1sc/s320/IMG_5854.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trick-or-treating costume</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh583yN3Awm109OSv49AQLimvcGYImd04SnPsxXJHclReJKgQFOoAlDyDyLP9XRualeZAFXLNh6JRTRRrAvf99jbQnVVzS0EsCgViilQt6NUEgkAze1tO3UQRTkMzyTN-G-Anvu7Gaotfa2/s1600/IMG_5855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh583yN3Awm109OSv49AQLimvcGYImd04SnPsxXJHclReJKgQFOoAlDyDyLP9XRualeZAFXLNh6JRTRRrAvf99jbQnVVzS0EsCgViilQt6NUEgkAze1tO3UQRTkMzyTN-G-Anvu7Gaotfa2/s320/IMG_5855.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jason putting the finishing touches on her whiskers</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwycf0izwVxNW-ALe-N77JqYNT8_EohFuSPZBWK8yewt2oIqr5mHyTL8tB3NBkFS-VurjzKq8cLmz4aODbjgQbZdJFRd3oMoUVpfZoue2Xa20hz4LlwDPYZHPjONbQoiG4Aupdjhl-BaZf/s1600/IMG_5880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwycf0izwVxNW-ALe-N77JqYNT8_EohFuSPZBWK8yewt2oIqr5mHyTL8tB3NBkFS-VurjzKq8cLmz4aODbjgQbZdJFRd3oMoUVpfZoue2Xa20hz4LlwDPYZHPjONbQoiG4Aupdjhl-BaZf/s320/IMG_5880.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Waiting in line to vote</div>
<br />
<span id="goog_421589683"></span><span id="goog_421589684"></span><br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-30221296699209714462012-10-12T09:09:00.002-07:002012-10-12T09:09:20.917-07:00The Wheelchair...ugh...Seriously, getting this chair fitted out properly is one of the most frustrating parts of this injury. You'd think it'd be a relatively uncomplicated to get properly measured for a chair, but no. Since every injury is different, every chair has to be different, so it becomes something of trial and error trying to figure out the best configuration. Jason enjoys looking into all of the equipment possibilities (very similar to what he did with his bike), but even he is getting annoyed by all of this, particularly when badly fitting parts end up causing him a lot of physical pain. <br />
<br />
The most recent development is a new cushion. We'd been waiting on this for quite a few weeks, so we were both excited to try out what is regarded as the best cushion for SCI injuries. It's custom fitted to Jason's body and, when used correctly, completely eliminates the possibility of pressure sores on the ischial bones. All very great features. (I will add here a gripe about insurance...we have a great policy and they only cover $250 for cushions...that seems like a sufficient amount until you begin looking into what cushions cost. LOTS more than $250...). When we picked the cushion up, his entire chair got a tune up. The folks at Wheelchairs of San Mateo are AMAZING and spent over two hours tweaking the chair, adjusting the back rest, changing out breaks, re-inflating tires, and more. We're so happy we chose to move our business to them...its' great to work with people who are invested in what they're doing and take pride in getting it right. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xi3kc-a3eGicIKiXmadECCViSQyO7HBSr81qgAoYgoug9eftVV4QV0MNzUAES5VqnLckVTbG8I0leo98JMlatwt99xwtCBvJR55pHhx8H09hXRKoRWnVsf12xa4kF_6LXnBlx6_9AMtm/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Xi3kc-a3eGicIKiXmadECCViSQyO7HBSr81qgAoYgoug9eftVV4QV0MNzUAES5VqnLckVTbG8I0leo98JMlatwt99xwtCBvJR55pHhx8H09hXRKoRWnVsf12xa4kF_6LXnBlx6_9AMtm/s320/IMG_5438.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
New cushion! Much better posture! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv1ZUsSoeLMhR2iQYClun2vgfCay9HgTDaqgyZy0GcVKxrxgWT14l-2K7Swa03K_iBz3D7A8_asZ9YkQC7Ot6bN_yrGxUYqRiN8DxzNRSdVTMXzqztRWjSgjdKyBTkHKEVRfE42UOLXRW/s1600/IMG_5439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZv1ZUsSoeLMhR2iQYClun2vgfCay9HgTDaqgyZy0GcVKxrxgWT14l-2K7Swa03K_iBz3D7A8_asZ9YkQC7Ot6bN_yrGxUYqRiN8DxzNRSdVTMXzqztRWjSgjdKyBTkHKEVRfE42UOLXRW/s320/IMG_5439.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
At first, it seemed like the cushion was working out really well, but after a few days, Jason was experiencing back pain and felt twisted in the seat. So, we went back to the wheelchair shop, where they were able to see a problem pretty quickly. The chair is just too big..Jason has too much room to move around and, when he does, he gets out of position on the cushion and problems ensue. The techs at the shop were able to jerry-rig the chair to work pretty well for now...lots of foam padding stuffed in to make it hard for his legs to move around. If you look at the first photo above, you can see his legs splayed out a bit...that shouldn't happen. He was given the bigger chair because, when he was originally fitted in the hospital, he had just lost something like 30 pounds. This dramatic weight loss is fairly common after a major injury, so the chair was ordered on the assumption that he would re-gain most, if not all, of the weight he lost. He didn't. He actually lost more. So now we need a new chair. We're hoping to hold off on ordering until after the Abilities Expo in November-that's when all the chair companies will be in town and he'll be able to try out a lot of different products and configurations. He knows what he wants on paper, and has researched and read reviews, but, as we've learned, just because something seems good on paper, doesn't mean it will work for him. Y'all keep us in our thoughts with this one...you'd think we'd have this sorted 15 months in, but no.... <br />
<br />
Other than this issue, things have been going well around here. We're all pretty busy right now-Jason is trying to adjust to his new role of tech lead for his team and I'm trying to furiously write a chapter of my dissertation before mailing out fellowship applications for next year. Teaching is going well...I'm enjoying being back in the classroom, but I'm glad I will be taking on lighter responsibilities in the spring (might be grading papers for a class, but no teaching duties). I'm cracking down on the dissertation. I'm ready to be done with it!<br />
<br />
We're finalizing our winter/spring plans at the moment. So far, it looks like we'll be back to Baltimore for round two with Kennedy Krieger from January 5-19. East coast/Baltimore folks, let us know if you'd like to meet up! We'll be staying in the Inner Harbor this go round (and not six blocks away at the top of a hill that's really difficult to get up in a wheelchair...) If I do end up taking on an academic position in the spring, we'll head back to CA immediately after that's finished. I also need to travel to Geneva, Switzerland for a couple of weeks in the spring...go enjoy the beauty of the Alps from the inside of the Genevan Archives D'Etat. <br />
<br />
And, for your viewing pleasure, a few photos of our gorgeous girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VL-N0zoFetW7SWXSuWIE18JWOBvIl0V3t7ucwsgcZFWabxspaj6JO4106lang2Rx3vs49WYZxs4wPr8JVwqgqMJQQPZvWkYv7f8zFPN0hcIfO2d6hOBOCVIMh5ag2w1ltXHR8MQj0EuM/s1600/IMG_5330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VL-N0zoFetW7SWXSuWIE18JWOBvIl0V3t7ucwsgcZFWabxspaj6JO4106lang2Rx3vs49WYZxs4wPr8JVwqgqMJQQPZvWkYv7f8zFPN0hcIfO2d6hOBOCVIMh5ag2w1ltXHR8MQj0EuM/s320/IMG_5330.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98vLKeOILAgZqHZHJasS8Fa2v5DaqNOWhDvBPv9jfpNd2CcKJnFRGHeIc_tTC172T0Jfibm0Lt0M6fOPrk5NDfpY-GMUQAbzZpKzb0JVEiysRr1MGEf6Xeb7hmtCU77jLQizrHviopLnN/s1600/IMG_5421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98vLKeOILAgZqHZHJasS8Fa2v5DaqNOWhDvBPv9jfpNd2CcKJnFRGHeIc_tTC172T0Jfibm0Lt0M6fOPrk5NDfpY-GMUQAbzZpKzb0JVEiysRr1MGEf6Xeb7hmtCU77jLQizrHviopLnN/s320/IMG_5421.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're still trying different ideas for Halloween.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NqO3e_o-VxxWj0mg4YkGI9T-0aukIJG3FsLEUnAHhtb3Bk-iA9b5hiC7uX_KlKzlJrjVOvK3rP0SA76mwAg8hGBDa76YOpP7QW7vbtR3kL3rYH-6hIi-9XZ82pSLY4sQlNGXTIIRrbM7/s1600/IMG_5447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NqO3e_o-VxxWj0mg4YkGI9T-0aukIJG3FsLEUnAHhtb3Bk-iA9b5hiC7uX_KlKzlJrjVOvK3rP0SA76mwAg8hGBDa76YOpP7QW7vbtR3kL3rYH-6hIi-9XZ82pSLY4sQlNGXTIIRrbM7/s320/IMG_5447.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another option, courtesy of the dress-up box.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSCSR7hfLdhjmNnIyawAAhYgTPXt4g6EtM4T7hi2XlPwPz6n4mLvofTFj4L4RtIn4xK6HB2VwgnZEGOUM2z4I88JXMNRIunJAO1yTodEaWnJ8wCFQFbdB4S_mSPbJ2g8yzV0EL9WQEf3s/s1600/IMG_5464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSCSR7hfLdhjmNnIyawAAhYgTPXt4g6EtM4T7hi2XlPwPz6n4mLvofTFj4L4RtIn4xK6HB2VwgnZEGOUM2z4I88JXMNRIunJAO1yTodEaWnJ8wCFQFbdB4S_mSPbJ2g8yzV0EL9WQEf3s/s320/IMG_5464.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ready for Baltimore in January!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M5-gqB6yeiMfPp0yW3O1WGmWqRz5i3dNHU_dakineuzYQPzmrRHTcQiOUvVGNnRohbe4uHlDgg0UpQ40gw96uvbIbRndXz3tg5YEm71A6slAgJCd_Va-3EXaJR4w2JaodpSu_xKqTGN8/s1600/IMG_5471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M5-gqB6yeiMfPp0yW3O1WGmWqRz5i3dNHU_dakineuzYQPzmrRHTcQiOUvVGNnRohbe4uHlDgg0UpQ40gw96uvbIbRndXz3tg5YEm71A6slAgJCd_Va-3EXaJR4w2JaodpSu_xKqTGN8/s320/IMG_5471.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Giggling with Daddy</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMCRO6ZUweNABwxwU08atPpCjhK4z-OsKY7npUi6ri1wcstDPIXFATuaH93L2HRQWhI5_Sd6P7d5wDZN8jiWAQTC4swmljABaLNM-nbEyqYzI6byCTVYY-7ZgSn5NskgmWor2dIOnA129/s1600/IMG_5502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMCRO6ZUweNABwxwU08atPpCjhK4z-OsKY7npUi6ri1wcstDPIXFATuaH93L2HRQWhI5_Sd6P7d5wDZN8jiWAQTC4swmljABaLNM-nbEyqYzI6byCTVYY-7ZgSn5NskgmWor2dIOnA129/s320/IMG_5502.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Love this girl.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-48092521832920937382012-09-25T10:32:00.001-07:002012-09-25T10:32:33.317-07:00Go Forward<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKDldByhOVgYJdesV6h2N9t0-KskZ1uV0tyA881fmh0Fe2v8yAab9AC3QQgt0JavzcTSPhtk8ui-FJGi6YAk4aytNDxcl9qKVmT_LeNt8Tw2rWE8cB3MVVRj6XqaA1ExHjf6gyg_kp_N-/s1600/IMG_5202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKDldByhOVgYJdesV6h2N9t0-KskZ1uV0tyA881fmh0Fe2v8yAab9AC3QQgt0JavzcTSPhtk8ui-FJGi6YAk4aytNDxcl9qKVmT_LeNt8Tw2rWE8cB3MVVRj6XqaA1ExHjf6gyg_kp_N-/s320/IMG_5202.jpg" title="" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
Today would have been Christopher Reeve's 60th birthday. To commemorate all that he did for SCI awareness and research, the Reeve foundation (which also celebrates its 30th anniversary today) has marked today "go forward" day. In addition to raising money, the Foundation is trying to raise more awareness about SCI, so that research for a cure can go forward. Additionally, September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month here in the US. It hasn't really gotten much attention, though...perhaps we need to get bracelets and adopt a SCI color :) If you're willing and able, I'd encourage you to head over to the Reeve Foundation website (www.christopherreeve.org) to donate to the cause today. <br />
<br />
The Reeve foundation is a great organization and one that, as of last Tuesday, I'm a part of. I'm now a certified Peer Mentor with the Peer and Family Suport Program that the Reeve Foundation runs. I went to a training seminar last week in Oakland and met all the organizers and the other peer mentors. It was great. I was the only able-bodied person there, so I was somewhat anxious about having any credibility with the group, but all was well. Once I pass my background check, I'll be able to go into the rehab centers and hospitals to meet with the newly injured and their families (Jason will help as much as work allows with this too...we're something of a package deal). My first goal, assuming Santa Clara allows it, is to set up a support group for spouses/partners/family members. There aren't enough resources out there for family members of the newly injured, so I'm hoping to close that gap a little bit. At least in the Bay area. <br />
<br />
In update news, Jason was able to do some advanced maneuvers in his braces this weekend. He can now go from standing (holding on to the walker) to laying on the ground, to back up to standing again. I'm hoping to go to SCI-FIT with him this weekend, so hopefully I can get some pictures of this. Sounds pretty awesome. <br />
<br />
I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of fall. We certainly are (though it'd be lovely if the temperature decided to stay on the cool side...).<br />
<br />
Love you all,<br />
<br />
Ashley<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-17157612246237593392012-09-12T17:03:00.001-07:002012-09-12T17:03:23.020-07:00Healthcare<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7620121645741165" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve wanted for some time to write about healthcare, and our experiences navigating insurance/doctors/medical companies. Not surprisingly, this is something close to my heart, and an issue that I’ve learned quite a lot about over the past 14 months. I’ve not really written about politics on this blog before, and it’s not my intention to make this a regular occurrence, but I feel like, in this particular case, it’s appropriate. A few caveats before I go on, though. I recognize that some (or maybe even most) of you won’t agree with my thoughts on this. I understand and respect that. My goal is not necessarily to change minds, so much as share with you some of the experiences we have had. I fully respect your right to disagree with my beliefs on this. That being said, I’ll get on my soapbox.... </span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7620121645741165" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I support Obamacare (though I don’t think it goes far enough...change sometimes needs to be incremental) and, quite honestly, the issue of healthcare alone is important enough to determine who I will vote for in two months (albeit there are a lot of other reasons I’ll be voting for Obama). This being said, very little of the healthcare act actually affects our family at this point. We have excellent insurance and, unlike a lot of other people who have had to deal with serious injury or illness, we’ve not had any problems with our carrier denying claims. We have savings and we have a great family support system that would have stepped in financially, had it been needed. There is, though, one aspect of Obamacare that does affect us quite a lot: the end of lifetime limits on insurance policies. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Prior to the AHA being passed, most policies had a limit on the amount of money an insurance company would pay out over their lifetime, an amount that, generally speaking, was in the million dollar range. This sounds like a lot of money. It IS a lot of money and, for most people, they’d never really come close to hitting this amount. But to anyone dealing with “catastrophic injury” (the official insurance-jargony term for what we’re dealing with), one million dollars goes very, very quickly. I don’t want to list out all of the bills we’ve gotten in the last 14 months, but I do want you to have some idea of what medical care costs...because I think that sometimes gets lost. I read a CNN article about this a few months ago, and someone noted that, even with a serious illness, it would take decades to hit a lifetime cap. Not true. Not even close. For </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">one week</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the ICU, our insurance company was charged $140,000. One week. Being airlifted off a mountain? $30,000. New wheelchair? $6,000. This is not even touching the other big expenses: neurosurgery, transportation to San Jose from Reno, four weeks of inpatient acute rehab, medicine to treat the infections he got while in said hospital, MRIs, CT Scans, physical therapy, braces of almost every conceivable variety, and on and on and on. We could hit one million dollars quite fast...Jason is only 29, after all. When the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of Obamacare in June, I watched nervously, literally feeling as if I would be sick...because if it got overturned, it would be hard to keep doing the things that have helped with Jason’s recovery. Not having to worry too much about medical bills has allowed us to pursue non-traditional therapies that insurance does not cover, namely SCI-FIT. We’re the lucky ones, though. We do have insurance and, if lifetime limits were re-instated, we’d be able to figure something out. Not everyone has that luxury. The average salary in the US is somewhere around $40,000. How do you deal with several hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills without completely ruining your life? What kind of payment plan do you work out with the hospital? Which brings me to my next point...</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7620121645741165" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, healthcare is an issue of compassion, of social justice, and simply taking care of people. In this country, we should not have people terrified of going bankrupt after a serious injury, or making medical decisions based entirely on financial concerns. I can assure you, that having a loved one in the ICU, or being told that they might die, or knowing that your world as you have known it is over, is enough. You don’t need more to worry about than that. You just don’t.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I recognize that there are those who will argue that the US can not afford this...can not afford for everyone to be insured. My response to that is two-fold. First, in 2010, the Congressional Budget Office projected that Obamacare would actually reduce the deficit by $124 billion over ten years (of course, this is a projection, and not perfect, but it is from a non-partisan source). Second, I think funding healthcare should be a priority and, too often in debates about budgets and deficits, we forget that we’re ultimately talking about what our country’s priorities are. Making sure our citizens are healthy should be a top priority: it is something in which we should invest. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Off of the soapbox now...back to your regularly-scheduled updates soon. </span></b>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-23505297531297536272012-09-02T15:40:00.003-07:002012-09-02T15:40:57.922-07:00Back on the Bike (well, sorta)Happy long, Labor Day weekend, everyone! So far, it's been a great one in the (very full) Leyba household. Right now, we've got family in town with us, so every space is occupied come bedtime, and Savannah is being incredibly spoiled :)<br />
<br />
Today was a big day for us...Savannah got her first bicycle! As I've written about in the past, this purchase/milestone was a tough one for us. Pre-accident, when J was involved in all the cycling events, we talked a lot about Savannah's first bike, and all the great things we could do with her once she got it. Obviously, things are a little bit different now. But, she's wanted one for a long time, and was promised that she'd get her very own bike once she was potty trained....so we headed out to the toy store today (I'm still not up for visiting the bike shop at the moment) and bought a tricycle and helmet (our girl is fearless, so this was absolutely necessary). It was assembled during nap time and waiting for her when she woke up. Were we to do something like this again, I'd wait til she was a little more awake before presenting her new toy to her...she was really confused by there being a bicycle in her living room! She's still getting used to it and, as the photos below show, she's not entirely clear on how to sit on it?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhducxpody_rqYhluopczHGGRhp8-4mHpKzd7L8nDymZ1h8Mue_Qg5T6G8JtGtstbgOmoiYzjlnBreR8GXW0GFmY_RUnCte2QIvAD3nSETuUPn6SspYk9L3sbQ48tE5O2ZeEnrGFnwf_8ma/s1600/IMG_5037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhducxpody_rqYhluopczHGGRhp8-4mHpKzd7L8nDymZ1h8Mue_Qg5T6G8JtGtstbgOmoiYzjlnBreR8GXW0GFmY_RUnCte2QIvAD3nSETuUPn6SspYk9L3sbQ48tE5O2ZeEnrGFnwf_8ma/s320/IMG_5037.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwYHcAS7jvgPD7dILhVnwvYkqjE1Hen8W4WYbq9HMODX7HrlTuaVEwptZzN3gqdu580w7m2H-A-VkJpD82Jnxu1peKQj8CU5uPREhAEqGoOXtUbofQJsqblazoPj8iap8MCc_Z7YCEyff/s1600/IMG_5038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwYHcAS7jvgPD7dILhVnwvYkqjE1Hen8W4WYbq9HMODX7HrlTuaVEwptZzN3gqdu580w7m2H-A-VkJpD82Jnxu1peKQj8CU5uPREhAEqGoOXtUbofQJsqblazoPj8iap8MCc_Z7YCEyff/s320/IMG_5038.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqzxLYUBqmzi9PIfmTen0yhw6XYZuGr2Z1Z8LzNNAcFVRKVi7kOijd57FyDVBUu3vWCn2EQYRi8rSXcfwz2Xma3midh-fISuck7GyzLeEE1qDo8u2XvXA5F1oLXPXGkTFzLQDWp9VvKzq/s1600/IMG_5047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqzxLYUBqmzi9PIfmTen0yhw6XYZuGr2Z1Z8LzNNAcFVRKVi7kOijd57FyDVBUu3vWCn2EQYRi8rSXcfwz2Xma3midh-fISuck7GyzLeEE1qDo8u2XvXA5F1oLXPXGkTFzLQDWp9VvKzq/s320/IMG_5047.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKurMaAyaOXPFAaWgx5urBI7o1Yo8ldXiCkE58pWTwJpI9kstdFYa3t-crOeWFIdchkvcHpeHmitu1BphQLEcb_N89zhsvkm9Yu4ZLTuFH0_-jzC39so9CErTsKOrcjTZu8H3Gf2PIXYWe/s1600/IMG_5048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKurMaAyaOXPFAaWgx5urBI7o1Yo8ldXiCkE58pWTwJpI9kstdFYa3t-crOeWFIdchkvcHpeHmitu1BphQLEcb_N89zhsvkm9Yu4ZLTuFH0_-jzC39so9CErTsKOrcjTZu8H3Gf2PIXYWe/s320/IMG_5048.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGOkMBDMYlHqp6iTLP-q0dMWSvzsCDBl-VLn8qIhHu9mwK9HE54jm0t8Qoy6v07trJpBbiV7Th2DTZRczX8IjIa5fNgG5k7fN9W6jIVY_J-2wehpLRdocoSe4RYKR1aTCiHS8LU8KfwH_/s1600/IMG_5051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGOkMBDMYlHqp6iTLP-q0dMWSvzsCDBl-VLn8qIhHu9mwK9HE54jm0t8Qoy6v07trJpBbiV7Th2DTZRczX8IjIa5fNgG5k7fN9W6jIVY_J-2wehpLRdocoSe4RYKR1aTCiHS8LU8KfwH_/s320/IMG_5051.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpMGST_lQXrZu0UkO4nou1DqxYQ4NPh-jLAGfZnHS65IgBsShTuSu44IvFnT11K36zw0g62gPKzTFdW8kEv9VruJevq1H_1h-GejmgUh9IFvJEOh3dlyQ_g4q2cuPQoE7bxogQCqvqgg/s1600/IMG_5052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpMGST_lQXrZu0UkO4nou1DqxYQ4NPh-jLAGfZnHS65IgBsShTuSu44IvFnT11K36zw0g62gPKzTFdW8kEv9VruJevq1H_1h-GejmgUh9IFvJEOh3dlyQ_g4q2cuPQoE7bxogQCqvqgg/s320/IMG_5052.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Contemplating the bike...Jason's KAFOs and walker in background</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm sure she'll be zooming around on it in no time. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In SCI-related news, Jason had a great session with his PT at Santa Clara last week. She's really impressed with his walking skills using the KAFOs....we set some new goals, one of which is for J to be able to walk into the restaurant (using braces and walker) for his 30th birthday in February. Amazingly, this is a realistic and reasonable goal at this point. As he was walking around the gym on Tuesday, one of his PTs from his inpatient days came to chat with me. She asked if, one year ago, I would've thought this possible. Honestly, I wouldn't have thought this was possible a few months ago...Jason continues to amaze and impress me. His quiet determination and resilience is something to behold. On the way back to work, I told him that I could plan a big party for his 30th with all our friends and family there (something I've wanted to do since he's come home from the hospital, since I firmly believe he deserves to be celebrated)...and then he could walk in and it would be incredible and people could clap for him. At which point, he looked at me and said that if that was my plan, he'd forego the braces for a while. He's not a fan of the spotlight...or parties. So, I'll just have to videotape it and post it here :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This week was also big for me...I interviewed to become a peer mentor for the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation, and the class I'm teaching met for the first time this semester. The interview went really well..I'll be finishing up training in mid-September for that, and then I'll be able to help the spouses/partners/families of those who are newly injured SCI-ers. There's a lot the doctors and hospitals can't tell you, so I'm hoping to be, at the least, a good resource for those new to this life. Teaching also went well, but first days generally do. Nothing too hard about handing out syllabi and making introductions. I did have to do a mini-lecture on the succession issues that caused the 1745 Jacobite rebellion...none of my students have had any Scottish history...but last week was light on teaching. This week will be different. Hopefully, though, it'll be just as good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tomorrow, we're off to the waterpark. Savannah is a HUGE fan of our local park, so we're hoping to enjoy it a few more times before summer comes to a close. Hope you all have a great day too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-70524819019701222152012-08-19T10:25:00.000-07:002012-08-19T10:25:03.636-07:00All Dressed UpWe went to a friend's wedding yesterday, which gave us the rare opportunity as a family to dress up a bit. We're more casual around the Leyba household, so this was definitely a fun treat (just to give you an idea of how often this happens, Jason's dress shirt was still in the dry cleaning bag from the last time he wore it....in 2007). Savannah was amazed to see her mommy wearing heels and daddy wearing a tie. I had planned on having my brother get a nice family photo of us all together, but (not surprisingly), we were running late and there was no time for that. So, instead, I've got a variety of shots...none with all of us together though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXkxkw4hsIza6id-IvxihOBrM3sDedg1U0JV65l1dNXega-DAftxA3p6AmNxJXww1w5hVGp17VjXcHN2KtYKlDwB4adSkU-oRIMOLSR0bs99IliD-gjm_-8hwfcwMeFtv54OP4xYNDtXP/s1600/IMG_4939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXkxkw4hsIza6id-IvxihOBrM3sDedg1U0JV65l1dNXega-DAftxA3p6AmNxJXww1w5hVGp17VjXcHN2KtYKlDwB4adSkU-oRIMOLSR0bs99IliD-gjm_-8hwfcwMeFtv54OP4xYNDtXP/s320/IMG_4939.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMoPrdst6Coixw1qy7pMKgElKFBFMEpt5PBfnwF_mQ0uy_tGLjTxLbjUu5vivFzliyFJ_eTkhFCdMPP6vwkBuZIMX5bc0_D1hVDda8_62qG2KKJg6HtspvzeNX44VX9nfbOgqCEgRVxx-/s1600/IMG_4943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMoPrdst6Coixw1qy7pMKgElKFBFMEpt5PBfnwF_mQ0uy_tGLjTxLbjUu5vivFzliyFJ_eTkhFCdMPP6vwkBuZIMX5bc0_D1hVDda8_62qG2KKJg6HtspvzeNX44VX9nfbOgqCEgRVxx-/s320/IMG_4943.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2nfT1C93-HXPIDY64OU6G5Zsa6z2dwUo0tnlpLIebawNmLCvI9jBN2IdE4L86ctKZEicQFehIKtZ6rEm7rRh9JzCnysuMeA2vKhXNbiQMz9A-O2m8kEw8QpYuO4XnyDl41k03CCXV3i8/s1600/IMG_4955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2nfT1C93-HXPIDY64OU6G5Zsa6z2dwUo0tnlpLIebawNmLCvI9jBN2IdE4L86ctKZEicQFehIKtZ6rEm7rRh9JzCnysuMeA2vKhXNbiQMz9A-O2m8kEw8QpYuO4XnyDl41k03CCXV3i8/s320/IMG_4955.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MHch8WRrAYONLV0_Bn5PDaD_MTR6OSxLE__e7ALUS6twaHN0dor5qWwG5cSewkF31h5b2cUMAHabvfmR5cFOW2JcKCjBJgXLO5nqrNceOKrQ9YZUcPtAXNUiS3IQhwSFmE3AuiB2l2qI/s1600/IMG_4967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MHch8WRrAYONLV0_Bn5PDaD_MTR6OSxLE__e7ALUS6twaHN0dor5qWwG5cSewkF31h5b2cUMAHabvfmR5cFOW2JcKCjBJgXLO5nqrNceOKrQ9YZUcPtAXNUiS3IQhwSFmE3AuiB2l2qI/s320/IMG_4967.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a lot of fun together, and Savannah enjoyed running all over the place with the other children who were there.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other news, we've begun potty training Savannah. So far, so good. I think she was ready for us to finally start this with her, which is why she's taken to it all so easily. She'll have her first day in the preschool room (!) tomorrow, and I think she'll be okay to ditch the diapers...fingers crossed anyways :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've also returned to teaching this semester (first day of class is the 29th, though I've been back on campus for a few weeks already taking care of all the prep work). Jason has started taking Savannah to school one day a week, which has gone surprisingly well. We were a little worried about how they'd do navigating the car seat situation, but it's gone fine so far.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jason is doing well...keeping up with his Kennedy Krieger home program. The paperwork has been submitted to insurance for the standing frame, so hopefully we'll hear back about that soon. We've been told that we should expect to be denied the first time around....so I'm gearing up for a battle with insurance....have all the abstracts from studies that prove the benefits of standing for folks with SCI. Though who knows, we've not been denied anything yet by insurance, so maybe we'll be pleasantly surprised.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope that all of you are enjoying the last days of summer. We're off to the water park to enjoy the warm weather!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love you all,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ashley</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208411124499648142.post-75940459806902526452012-08-04T15:45:00.000-07:002012-08-04T15:45:10.665-07:00Wheelchair Frustrations, Part 89674981One day, we'll have this wheelchair thing figured out. Sadly, that day is not today. After Jason's SCI-FIT session this morning (scroll to the bottom for a great video of him walking while there!), we headed to Pittsburg for a meeting with a seating specialist. We've known for a while that the cushion on J's chair was not right for him. It was uncomfortable and did not offer much in the way of support or pressure sore prevention. The folks at Kennedy Krieger tried to get him in with a specialist there, but there wasn't enough time for a full evaluation. Hence our journey today. After a few minutes with Antonio, the owner of the wheelchair shop, we realized we should have done this long ago. He knows wheelchairs, and he has a passion for getting it right and working with his client. That has been missing from the people we've dealt with previously....<br />
<br />
The cushion he has now is definitely wrong, so that's the first thing we need to fix. The specialist also recommended changing the foot rest height and angle, the "dump" (amount the seat angles down), the type of seat back he has (if we do this, it'll be his third seat back), and the amount of room he has around his thighs.... That's if we keep this chair. Right now, J is in an 18 inch chair....he <i>should</i> be in a 16 inch chair. Insurance only pays for a new chair every 3-5 years, so we're in the position of debating how many changes we should make to the current model before we just throw the whole thing out and start over agin, out of pocket. This has been one of my biggest frustrations over the last year. When Jason was fitted, he was only 2 weeks out from his accident, had 9 broken bones, and was in a full chest and neck brace. It was <b>not</b> an ideal time to be fitted for a chair. Not surprisingly, he's had problems, lots of problems, since getting his chair last fall. I really do not understand why hospitals fit you so soon...why they don't allow you to stay in a loaner chair at least until your bones have healed and you're out of the braces. It really wouldn't add that much time to the process, but it would lead to far fewer frustrations down the road.<br />
<br />
Anyways, enough of that rant. I can't complain too much. We're lucky enough to be able to make changes to the wheelchair in order to get it right for Jason. A lot of other people have to wait the 3-5 years in a bad chair before they can get anything fixed. I can't begin to imagine how much that negatively impacts their daily lives.<br />
<br />
Now, on to the video I mentioned earlier. Jason walking! Hope you enjoy :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxw0KgywhtN9jzWJaLh6jGygIGETYfFfjo3FOnHcdnA_Sjur3QZSQKyfWaxHGCaZ9gi0_5nR13-Fs8qg7X7cQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02402144711379350973noreply@blogger.com0