Disney World Photos (by Disney)

This is just the start of our Disney World photos. These were the photos taken by the Disney staff for the PhotoPass (one of the coolest services ever). So, this doesn't include the 100s of pictures taken by us. We're still very much enjoying our vacation right now in Marco Island, Florida.
More to come!!

Disability Tax Credit no more . . .

Okay . . . this is not the fun blog post about my beautiful family, or me falling down the steps on Friday while carrying Gavin (he's fine, btw), or even how crazy work is . . . this is just a pure rant.

I found out today that Utah canceled the Disability Tax credit that Gavin received for one year - in 2007. Come on, people!! Gavin qualifies for nothing. zero. zip. Not one penny of support for all of the equipment he needs (yes, think $1500 for each pair of ankle braces that he will wear for life, $1300 for each CT scan, and $1500 for his stander - just to name a few). And, Jeff and I are incredibly blessed that we prioritize and can afford these expenses. But, we work hard, darnit, and make a lot of sacrifices. So, I won't even get started on the mooching idiots that use my tax dollars to pay for their needs. I know there are people who truly need it, deserve it and are working hard, too. I'm not talking about them. But . . . ooooooo . . . this is just one more example of idiotic legislatures.

And, to be honest, the tax credit was SMALL . . . literally a few hundred dollars. Whatever. I am angry at Utah today.

Utah 0 - Canada 1

Guess Who Rode a Trike Today?

If that's not worth blogging about . . . I don't know what is. Gavin has come so far since we moved to Canada.

He first got a stander from the physical therapists in September . . . it may seem useless since he is completely bound to a metal frame. But, as both hips are out of socket, it is incredibly important for him to bear weight so that cartilage forms around the ball joints. Since both hips are out, this is not something they will correct. They have discovered after years of attempts, that spina bifida patients do not respond to surgery and hips pop back out of joint because they lack the nerves and muscles to hold them in place. Gavin was thrilled the first time we strapped him in to the stander that allowed him to stand up straight for the first time. And, Jeff and I were amazed that he was so much taller than we thought since we'd never seen him stand. Who knew?

Then, two weeks ago he graduated to a walker. The very first time Jeff propped him up at the walker, he was successful. The therapists could not believe that he was able to hold himself as upright as he does and with no practice. They say it is an indication of great trunk strength. It's a great validation since Jeff spends a lot of time working on strength exercises with our little man. And, the therapists also suggest that Gavin is definitely one of the most active spina bifida patients they have seen. I guess that's a bonus of having an absolutely unstoppable big sister.

On Friday Gavin gained another apparatus from the orthotics unit . . . twister cables. When Gavin stands, he is most comfortable with his toes pointing at each other, a full 90 degrees in from where they should be. The orthopedic surgeons confirmed that the rotation was not from his hips or twisted femurs (which were both possibilities), but from his ankles. The surgery last April helped to correct his clubbed feet, but considering their severity, they still curve sharply in post-operation. The "twister cables" are actually plastic strips that run from a harness around his waist down to his braces (where they screw in). They have joints that allow his knees to bend and they keep his toes pointing straight forward - all the time (which makes it really difficult to crawl, but good for walking).

So, today we attempted his first trike ride. And, we hadn't even finished strapping his shoes to the pedals with velcro before he took off across the kitchen and pedaled all the way to the front door. He was - as he is with every new movement or achievement - absolutely thrilled. We took him outside into the driveway and let him pedal back and forth over and over until we were all too cold. He was super fast pedaling towards the road and made it up the slight incline of the driveway with a lot of focus.

What an amazing kid . . . absolutely unbelievable. We are so proud. Nothing will stop him. And, this is just one more example of why you can never label people or set limits on what you think people are capable of.

The silver lining of our move has been a matter of refreshed expectations. Dr. Tayler, who delivered Gavin, was shocked a year later that he could even sit up on his own. All he had seen was the open cyst on his back and the first few weeks of his life.

Our Heber-based physical therapist, who helped Gavin relax his hips so that he could literally unfold and then helped him bend his knees, saw no possibilities of Gavin ever walking.

And then our Toronto-based physical therapist, who met Gavin when he was 17 months old and had no history or knowledge of the progress he had already made, saw no reason why he couldn't be a candidate for a walker. It was only last week that we showed her pictures of Gavin from birth through his first year. And, she said that had she been the therapist working with Gavin initially, she would never have suggested that he would be where he is today. She was absolutely stunned.

Now . . . all of this said . . . we have no idea of what is in store for our little one . . . or the mental, physical, or emotional battles that are ahead . . . and there will be many. But, our goal is to never put a limit on his potential. We want to push him to the very edge of abilities and not beyond. And, in the end, I think this is what we want for Gavin and Autumn. It's no different really. It's ultimately what every parent wants for their children.

I just feel lucky to be witness to such an amazing life. I am honored to be Gavin's mommy.

My excuses . . .

I want to confirm that I am not giving up on blogging. I'm coming back. And, I'll even make up some time . . . unfortunately, our Mac has literally 10s of thousands of huge pictures on it. So many that our poor computer is not cooperating anymore. I can't even describe the frustrations of the process involved with trying to extract the pictures from our camera to the Mac and then off to another computer with a workable (and tolerable) internet speed. Truly peeps . . . the Internet doesn't even respond on the poor Apple.

Let me be a warning to all of you moms out there that refuse to delete any picture of your little kiddies because you feel like every little moment and expression is one to be remembered forever. Soon those pictures will become Mt. Everest to you . . . scrapbooking, printing photos, and photo albums are all a thing of the past right now.

Anyway . . . faithful blog readers . . . stick with me.

Autumn's Canadian Preschool

Here's Autumn's first preschool class picture. I can't believe my sweet little girl is going to be 4 in a few short weeks. It pains me.

The girl on the back row in the middle with the feather is named Sonia. And, she is Autumn's best little friend at school. Apparently they are elitists and often exclude the other little girls, refusing to let them play at their table. Great.

And, yes . . . Canada is very multicultural. And, yes . . . that teacher on the left in the back row does scare me a bit.

Back in Time

I told Jeff that I really needed to add more to the blog. And, he said, "What, more about Edward?" And, even though I could definitely muster up at least one more post about my dear Edward . . . I am going to return to my dear, beloved family.

On Saturday, Jeff discovered that the melting snow had seeped into our basement spare room and soaked the carpet. On Sunday, I discovered that a box containing my scrapbooks, wedding photos and other albums was among the items most affected. I was somewhere between tears, anger and a complete melt-down. I spent the morning hanging, separating and drying my most precious pages and photos. Luckily, there was relatively little damage overall.

It was fun, however, looking through all of our albums after putting them away for a few years. Jeff and I are unusually lucky in that we have everything documented in photos since the very first day we met (April 8, 2000) when I was vacationing in Utah and visiting Cheri. And, I had stashed the only "baby" pictures that Jeff and I have of ourselves in the first few pages of our first album together. Clearly next time we both visit home, we need to bring a scanner and add to our very small collection.

Karen and Dad making potholders. When I was back in Virginia last time, my sister found a potholder-making kit that I have in a closet waiting for Autumn and I to put together. We used to make these all the time when I was young. It's such a fun craft.

Little mischevious Jeff . . . finally back in the kitchen after all these years.

Karen and sister, Amy. Such cute little girlies.

Jeff on his first birthday.

Apparently this is how I thought you held the phone. I see a definite resemblance to Gavin in this picture.

My sweet little Jeffrey about 4 months old.

Robert Pattinson - Singing "Let me Sign"

No one worry. I haven't REALLY lost my mind. I realize the difference between real life and fiction.

But, I find Rob Pattinson's voice along the lines of a very soulful Ben Harper . . . Tracy Chapman even. Anyway, I love it. Apparently he sings a few songs in the movie. There's another one called "Never Think" that is really nice.

This guy really is like Edward . . . except not a vampire, etc., etc.