Sisters and Best Friends

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Happy Birthday

To my husband, Ryan. Hope you had a great birthday (even with a pouting wife whose team lost.) We love you so much!












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PROUD

Great season and an even greater team! Proud to be from Wichita!





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Just Keep. . .Running!

So, my running hit a little snag. Well, actually a pretty big snag as it started killing my knees. They felt like they were going to collapse when I ran and hurt for days afterwards. But I didn't want to just give up. So I went into a local running store where they evaluate your gait and determine the best kind of shoes for you. It turns out I over pronate which means my foot rolls inward. So, I just needed a more supportive shoe to stabilize my foot. I bought a pair of Brooks running shoes and it made a world of difference!!




So, this weekend I begin my 3rd week with high hopes that I will be able to continue! Possible 5k on May 24th??? We will see.

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Go Shox!

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16 Months

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Hall of Fame

World Autism Awareness Day

I thought this would be a tough blog post for me to write, but as I form the words in my mind, I don’t believe that to be the case. 

For years after Olivia was born, I wondered what she would have been like had she been born full term.  If I could take away her rough start and have her grow up with Logan, I would do it in a heartbeat.  But, as Olivia grew and her personality emerged. . .I fell in love with exactly who she is.  I don’t care what she “would” have been like because she is perfect as she is.  She is the Olivia we all know and love.

Recently, we took her to a child psychologist so that we could help her in some areas that are difficult for her.  She has some sensory processing difficulties and breaks down in tears over a pair of jeans or a shirt that doesn’t feel just right.  Eating and gaining weight are still challenges and her anxiety can be pretty severe.  I feel that life is only going to get tougher and I want to give her all the coping skills and strategies available. 

We found that Olivia does have autism spectrum disorder.  You never want to use your child’s name and the word autism in the same sentence.  However, I don’t see it as anything “wrong” with her.  Olivia is Olivia and I love everything about her.

I debated about whether to discuss it on the blog.  On the one hand, this blog is meant to raise awareness and educate people on the effects of extreme prematurity.  Autism and extreme prematurity go hand in hand quite often.  I always want to help others going through a similar journey.  But, on the other hand, I want to protect my child from being labeled before people get to know her.  The scary incident a few weeks back helped me to decide that it is worth sharing.  It takes Olivia a little bit longer to process information such as “Look out! There’s a car!”  As she stood frozen, trying to process what was being said, a car backed into her, knocked her down onto the concrete and she suffered a mild concussion.  She does require a bit more attention than your normal 6 1/2 year old. To keep her safe, I feel others need to be aware of this and it is what prompted me to share the news of her diagnosis.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day so I thought today would be appropriate to share the news. Autism has many faces and no two children are the same.  Olivia is at the high functioning end of the spectrum with fairly mild characteristics.  As her mother, it’s my job to make sure she gets all the tools available in order to be successful. I’m not content with her being successful “as a 23 weeker.”  I want her to achieve all that she wants in life. . . as a person like you or me.  I hope her diagnosis helps people understand what she needs and not define who she is.  She is an awe-inspiring, sweet, funny, energetic, one of a kind girl.  High functioning autism is just one tiny facet of who she is.  I hope everyone who crosses her path in life is able to see just how amazing she is.   

March for Babies

Please consider clicking over on the March of Dimes banner to your right. I would love for you to sign up to walk on our team for the March for Babies on May 3rd. If you can't make it, please consider a donation (no matter how small) to our team. Our family believes that even the smallest of things can make the biggest difference. I can't imagine a life without my sweet, funny and energetic Olivia. The March of Dimes played a part in that through their research and tireless efforts to save even the smallest of babies. Thank you so much for all of your support!





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Winning The Race

For many, many years I have wanted to be a runner. I like the solitude of it. As a mom, you tend to forget what that word even means. I like how it transforms not only your body, but your mind. And for many, many years I have struggled with fatigue, depression, anxiety, restless legs, high blood sugar, migraines, etc. I finally decided to do something about it, lace up my sneakers and run! (Although I had to find the right kind of shoes because I get shin splints easily.)

I have an app on my phone, C25K, and each week it gradually builds you up to run a 5K with an initial combination of walking and running. I'm almost done with my second week which is the most I've ever done. I'm pretty proud of myself for doing something for ME, although it's for my family too. Olivia has been complaining when I leave and I try to explain to her that she should want me to go.

"Don't you want a mom who isn't tired all the time?"

It took a little convincing and then she started cheering me on. I told Ryan that is why I want to run a 5K. I want to hear Olivia cheering "Go mommy! You can do it!" Olivia then told me she would be happy to do it. . .as long as I'm winning. LOL! She'd better just hope that I finish or rather that I start to begin with.

Tonight when I got back (after showing Olivia the gorgeous moon) she asked,"Did you win, mom?"

I checked off another day, so yes, I won.



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Olivia The Ambassador

15 Month Checkup

Better late than never, right? Abigail has been sick for the past couple weeks with a horrible cough so I had to reschedule it. We finally went yesterday and you know that you have no worries about your child when you spend it talking about your other child. Here are Abigail's stats (if I don't put them on the blog, I will lose the paper and forget them.)

Weight: 24 lbs - 63rd percentile
Height: 30.5 inches - 43rd percentile
Head circumference: 48 cm - 90th percentile

Holy cow, she has a big head. No wonder I can't get shirts to fit her because I can't get them over her head. But, it has to be big for her big 'ole brain. This girl is so very smart. She is very advanced for her age in the things she is able to do. She has already used the potty about 4-5 times and knows exactly what she is supposed to do. And she thinks she needs to do everything big sister does. She also already knows how to throw a temper tantrum and can be very very stubborn. And at this age she still looks really cute doing it. LOL! She is very sweet, very loving and loves cuddling up in the chair to read books.



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Thankful

I'm thankful for each and every day with my two girls and feel so blessed to be their mom.





Olivia went back to school today and is doing well.

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Scary Evening

First I'll start by saying that Olivia is okay, but it's been a rough evening. A friend from school who lives down the street invited Olivia over to play. This was the first time she has been over to a friend's house to play without me there. So, kind of a big step for me (and her.) Afterwards they were just going to walk her home since it's just down the street. While walking home on the sidewalk with her friend and her friend's mom, a car backed into Olivia. It bumped her just hard enough to knock her backwards and she hit her head on the concrete. Imagine my complete horror when I heard this news (and I know her friend's mom was pretty upset as well.)

We spent the evening at the ER because Olivia was throwing up, which is very dangerous with a head injury. They did a ct scan which showed no bleeding, but she does have a mild concussion. We are home now, but have to keep a close eye on her for the next 72 hours. Please say a prayer for a quick and full recovery.

After losing Logan, I am (as expected) very protective of Olivia. And just when I feel like I'm getting a hold of my anxiety, something like this happens. And years of therapy come undone. You just never know what each day holds.

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T Shirts Are Here

The t shirts came this week. I will be busy distributing them to you throughout the next week! Here is Olivia modeling hers:






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Sick and then sick again

It's always the same: Olivia gets sick, then Abigail, then me, then Ryan. And the cycle keeps repeating itself. We are on our second round of the crud now. I'm thankful it's not the more serious stuff going around, but the amount of coughing and snot in this house is ridiculous. Poor Abigail keeps throwing up due to her congestion. I'm ready for Spring!!

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Restful Legs

As many of you know, I have suffered with severe restless legs for the past 3-4 years. I've literally taken every prescription medication for them including Requip, Neupro, Lortab, etc. Many of the prescriptions have unwanted side effects that I can't handle. On a whim I purchased Hyland's Restful Legs. If you suffer with restless legs, you MUST purchase these:




I don't always believe in homeopathic remedies, but I will never be without these again. I've gone a week without any other restless legs medication. Just these little miracle pills that you dissolve under your tongue. Amazing!!

If you do try them, I'd be curious to learn how they work for you. I am so grateful to have stumbled across them!

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Oh These Two

Trying to get a picture of these two is hilarious at times!

Okay, SMILE!

Huh?



Abigail clearly thinks her sister is nuts. LOL!



Apparently I said," Don't look at the camera and make a silly face."



Eh. This will have to do for now. But boy aren't they cute?





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T Shirt Campaign

Thank you to those who purchased Olivia and Logan team t shirts. We raised $380 and sold 34 t shirts! Wow! They should be delivered to me around March 10th and I will deliver to each of you. Thanks again for your support of our team and of the March of Dimes!


2014 Wichita March of Dimes Ambassador





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Sisterly Love

Abigail is always looking up to her big sister. She actually wanted Olivia to pick her up. Haha! They are only 10 lbs (and 5 years) apart.




Love these two sweeties. Love Abigail's facial expressions.




The face below is the one Abigail gives me when she is doing something she is not supposed to be doing. Such an ornery little thing. LOL!




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