Today at Physical Therapy in the pool with Debbie:
Debbie (pointing to the ceiling): "Look at that Lexi! Look what's up on the ceiling!"
Lexi: "yea..."
Debbie: "What is that?? Isn't it weird? It looks like ribbons dancing on the ceiling"
Lexi: "yea..."
Debbie: "What do you think it could be?!?!"
Lexi: "Well, maybe it's just the refrection of the water in the pool on the ceiling..."
Debbie was pretty amazed. There's not a thing wrong with this kids brain...just her legs that don't always work the right way. :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Done With MRIs!!
Yesterday Lexi had an MRI basically as a follow up to the untethering surgery she had two years ago. When we last visited Dr. Raffalli (her neurologist) in January, he still had some concerns about the stiffness of her legs and wanted to check to make sure the cord had not retethered, or we had missed something the first time. We felt pretty confident that she was fine, but we’re always happy to double check just to be sure (remember, we thought that we would find nothing on the first MRI…). This time we decided to scan the brain and spine because we hadn’t done the brain the first time, and that always bothered us and remained sort of a question mark.
So, yesterday Ahren, Lexi and I travelled (very early) into Children’s Hospital for the MRI. She was incredibly brave and handled all of it very well. The last time she had the MRI she was able to drink the sedation drug, but this time it had to be administered via an IV. She did not like having the IV in her hand at all, and who can really blame her?? So, they started the drug and she seemed to drop off pretty quickly. However, when we put her up on the table it was clear she wasn’t completely out yet. She fussed and squirmed while we tried to get her to relax. They administered the second dose in an attempt to get her to calm down but that too was ineffective. They started the scan, but after about ten minutes came in and told us that she was just moving too much. So, we switched to another drug (the same one she’d had the first time). They were able to give her up to four doses, but again, after each dose went in she continued to fuss and move. We were all very concerned that we’d have to come back another day and do it under general anesthesia. Finally, after a half hour and every drop of medication they could give her she settled down enough to get the scan done. All in all, we were in the MRI room for two full and stressful hours. During the scan I sat in the chair praying, while Ahren stood guard over Lexi, reporting to me after each test whether or not she had moved. We were both extremely relieved when the nurse came in and told us they had successfully completed the test.
Once the test was over we went to recovery. We were in there for another two hours as, after all those drugs, it was extremely difficult to wake her up. We tried about 4 different times, and were finally able to get her to open her eyes about half way. She guzzled some juice and snacks (her first thing to eat all day!!) and then fell asleep again. At that point we were finally able to take the IV out, the cardiac monitor and blood pressure cuff off, and take our sweet, sleepy angel home!
She was drowsy and dizzy for a few hours after, but after a good lunch, some juice, and a little Poppy time she was her happy little self again. A huge relief to all of us. It was an incredibly difficult day…it just never gets easier seeing your daughter have to go through such torturous tests…but in the end all is well.
Dr. Raffalli’s office called this morning to let us know the everything in the scan was completely normal!! There is no evidence of retethering, spinal cord deformity, or brain abnormality. She is 100% NORMAL!!! YAY!! What an enormous relief.
Additionally, what’s even better news is that we have finally found a physical therapist who sees Lexi as a whole person!!! She recognizes that every single one of her problem areas is interconnected, and she is working (quite effectively) to make ALL of Lexi work better. And the best part about it is that Lexi thinks it’s fun! She has no idea that she is working when Debbie has her riding the bike around the hospital, or playing on a new scooter. She even looks forward to doing her daily exercises, and often does more than she even has to do. It’s so overwhelming that after three and a half years we finally have someone who has given me real hope that Lexi will be keeping up with the other kids in no time.
As a matter of fact…after just three weeks of PT, Lexi has made tremendous gains in her ability to do things at home (use the potty herself, get dressed by herself, etc.) and she is like a new kid at gymnastics!! She has so much less fear, and so much more strength – it’s really tremendous. You can so clearly tell that her balance and core strength has improved in just three weeks, and that has given her so much more confidence.
We’re just simply bursting with joy.
So, yesterday Ahren, Lexi and I travelled (very early) into Children’s Hospital for the MRI. She was incredibly brave and handled all of it very well. The last time she had the MRI she was able to drink the sedation drug, but this time it had to be administered via an IV. She did not like having the IV in her hand at all, and who can really blame her?? So, they started the drug and she seemed to drop off pretty quickly. However, when we put her up on the table it was clear she wasn’t completely out yet. She fussed and squirmed while we tried to get her to relax. They administered the second dose in an attempt to get her to calm down but that too was ineffective. They started the scan, but after about ten minutes came in and told us that she was just moving too much. So, we switched to another drug (the same one she’d had the first time). They were able to give her up to four doses, but again, after each dose went in she continued to fuss and move. We were all very concerned that we’d have to come back another day and do it under general anesthesia. Finally, after a half hour and every drop of medication they could give her she settled down enough to get the scan done. All in all, we were in the MRI room for two full and stressful hours. During the scan I sat in the chair praying, while Ahren stood guard over Lexi, reporting to me after each test whether or not she had moved. We were both extremely relieved when the nurse came in and told us they had successfully completed the test.
Once the test was over we went to recovery. We were in there for another two hours as, after all those drugs, it was extremely difficult to wake her up. We tried about 4 different times, and were finally able to get her to open her eyes about half way. She guzzled some juice and snacks (her first thing to eat all day!!) and then fell asleep again. At that point we were finally able to take the IV out, the cardiac monitor and blood pressure cuff off, and take our sweet, sleepy angel home!
She was drowsy and dizzy for a few hours after, but after a good lunch, some juice, and a little Poppy time she was her happy little self again. A huge relief to all of us. It was an incredibly difficult day…it just never gets easier seeing your daughter have to go through such torturous tests…but in the end all is well.
Dr. Raffalli’s office called this morning to let us know the everything in the scan was completely normal!! There is no evidence of retethering, spinal cord deformity, or brain abnormality. She is 100% NORMAL!!! YAY!! What an enormous relief.
Additionally, what’s even better news is that we have finally found a physical therapist who sees Lexi as a whole person!!! She recognizes that every single one of her problem areas is interconnected, and she is working (quite effectively) to make ALL of Lexi work better. And the best part about it is that Lexi thinks it’s fun! She has no idea that she is working when Debbie has her riding the bike around the hospital, or playing on a new scooter. She even looks forward to doing her daily exercises, and often does more than she even has to do. It’s so overwhelming that after three and a half years we finally have someone who has given me real hope that Lexi will be keeping up with the other kids in no time.
As a matter of fact…after just three weeks of PT, Lexi has made tremendous gains in her ability to do things at home (use the potty herself, get dressed by herself, etc.) and she is like a new kid at gymnastics!! She has so much less fear, and so much more strength – it’s really tremendous. You can so clearly tell that her balance and core strength has improved in just three weeks, and that has given her so much more confidence.
We’re just simply bursting with joy.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Miss Independent
This morning Lexi used the potty all by herself. I don't mean that she successfully used the potty - she's been trained without accidents for 6 full months. But this morning she actually went into the bathroom, did NOT freak out that the light wasn't on, opened the lid, got herself on, peed, wiped, got herself off, flushed, pulled up underwear and pants, and came back. ALL BY HERSELF!!! And there was no screaming or whining! NONE!!!
This may not seem like such a big deal...it's an obvious next step once one is able to do each step independently with a parent standing by...but there have been days when I was sure I would be escorting Lexi to the potty until the day she got married (when her then husband would need to take over the unfortunate task...). This has mostly been due to the fact that if I am nursing Zachary then suddenly my once perfectly happy and independent little girl has a crisis of some sort..."Mommy, I am SOOOO thirsty and I cannot wait until you're finished feeding Zachy!" "Mommy, I need to use the potty and I need you to come with me because my tummy is telling me that it can't hold the peepee or poopy any longer." Or, the biggest crisis in the Lippman household, "ACK!!! A HAIR A HAIR A HAIR... mommy mommy please get rid of the hairrrrrrrrr............" (Yes, she is still afraid of hair, and I still can't figure out why). Any suggestion from me that she handle said problem on her own typically only delivers a string of incomprehensible whining that typically involves counter suggestions of using my one free arm to hoist her suddenly boneless body onto the toilet and to then contort myself in a way so that Zachary can simultaneously nurse and watch Lexi ("The Big Girl") use the potty. Up until the last couple of weeks I've been going along with these silly requests in a dual attempt to show Lexi that I can still be her Mommy even when Zachary needs me too, and to keep the mind numbing whining to a minimum so that I don't toss myself out of the nearest window. But lately I've been telling her that she needs to wait, and I will help her when I'm done. So, when I heard the pitter patter of her little feet heading in to see me this morning, I was prepared for the whine fest I was sure was about to ensue.
It began, "Mommy, I need to use the potty because my tummy is telling me that it can't hold in the peepee and poopy any longer."
Me - "Okay, can you go by yourself?"
Lexi - "Okay." OKAY?!?!?
She gave up that easily?? Well, surely she will discover the light is not on and fall into a puddle of sobs by the bathroom door until I rescue her... I listen...<pitter patter....toilet seat goes up...no whining or yelling...time passes...toilet seat falls down...toilet flushes...
Lexi - "Mommy!" (uh oh...here we go!) "I accidentally flushed the toilet before I wiped, and now I can't get the wipe to go down!"
Me - immediately throwing out suggestions, "Leave it there, I'll flush it later" "Just try flushing again"
And a second later she is standing next to me, "Don't worry Mom...I did it."
Me - "Okay, let's pull up your underwear."
Lexi - "I already did that mom...I'm just getting my pants....there. Done."
And there you have it folks. She can now use the potty all by herself. I'll start packing her bags for college...
This may not seem like such a big deal...it's an obvious next step once one is able to do each step independently with a parent standing by...but there have been days when I was sure I would be escorting Lexi to the potty until the day she got married (when her then husband would need to take over the unfortunate task...). This has mostly been due to the fact that if I am nursing Zachary then suddenly my once perfectly happy and independent little girl has a crisis of some sort..."Mommy, I am SOOOO thirsty and I cannot wait until you're finished feeding Zachy!" "Mommy, I need to use the potty and I need you to come with me because my tummy is telling me that it can't hold the peepee or poopy any longer." Or, the biggest crisis in the Lippman household, "ACK!!! A HAIR A HAIR A HAIR...
It began, "Mommy, I need to use the potty because my tummy is telling me that it can't hold in the peepee and poopy any longer."
Me - "Okay, can you go by yourself?"
Lexi - "Okay." OKAY?!?!?
She gave up that easily?? Well, surely she will discover the light is not on and fall into a puddle of sobs by the bathroom door until I rescue her... I listen...<pitter patter....toilet seat goes up...no whining or yelling...time passes...toilet seat falls down...toilet flushes...
Lexi - "Mommy!" (uh oh...here we go!) "I accidentally flushed the toilet before I wiped, and now I can't get the wipe to go down!"
Me - immediately throwing out suggestions, "Leave it there, I'll flush it later" "Just try flushing again"
And a second later she is standing next to me, "Don't worry Mom...I did it."
Me - "Okay, let's pull up your underwear."
Lexi - "I already did that mom...I'm just getting my pants....there. Done."
And there you have it folks. She can now use the potty all by herself. I'll start packing her bags for college...
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lexi Sings AND Dances
This video really requires no introduction. It's pretty darn cute. This is a little song and dance that Gigi taught her - and we all go around the house singing it. I apologize in advance for the fact that you too will have the darn song running through your head for the next week. But it's worth it. :) And yes...we are in the bathroom.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Zachary's Christening and Daycare
Zachary Thomas was Baptized on Sunday, February 22, 2009 in the Christening Gown that his Nana made. The ceremony was beautiful, and we had a blast at the party afterwards. He and his sister Lexi were both angels as always. Here are some pictures of him in the gown my Nana made, and also in the "Lambert" gown...
Poppy holding Zachary in the gown and jacket that Nana made, and Poppy once wore.
Poppy holding Zachary in the gown and jacket that Nana made, and Poppy once wore. 
Angelic...
It was a long day, but everyone had fun, and Lexi really enjoyed having the afternoon to play with her cousins.
On Tuesday, Zachary attended his first day of daycare as I went back to work. It's great being back at work, although I do miss my quiet time with Zachy...but, as expected, he did very well and was happy as a clam. It was so fun watching all the children clamor around the "baby section" trying to catch a glimpse of the new baby...as though he was the newest addition to the zoo exhibit. Lexi got to be the special big sister and go in to help Yaya feed her brover. She was so proud. And so it begins..."real life" being a WOHM of two (work out of the home mom of two).
Friday, February 20, 2009
Updates and Cute Alert!
We've had quite a bit going on lately, and it seems that I'm always too busy to update the blog! I have a few minutes now, so I wanted to post a quick update...
Today Lexi met her new Physical Therapist. I am SO thrilled with her for so many reasons - the biggest reason being that Lexi seems to love her! She is fantastic with Lexi - she talks right to her, asks her questions, really plays with her rather than forcing Lexi to do stuff she's not interested in, listens to my concerns, etc., etc. All in all she was just fantastic. As we left the facility Lexi was already talking excitedly about what she's going to get to do next week. I'm thrilled, and really have high hopes for the progress we will make with Debbie. She did find Lexi to be a little tight, but it she feels as though Lexi really has more stability issues, which, in her attempt to compensate for that, has caused some muscle imbalances, etc.
I just can't emphasize enough how happy I am with Debbie. Even though Lexi's "issues" are small in comparison to what some children deal with, they weigh heavily on me every day. I wish every day that I could wave a magic wand and make her better. I feel like we have been to one doctor, therapist, etc. after another who might fix one thing, but they just don't seem to be getting to the bottom of the problem. Debbie really seems to see Lexi's legs as part of the whole picture and I really feel like she is going to fix all of Lexi so that she will be able to keep up with all the other kids on the playground.
Zachary is continuing to be wonderful. He is still growing like a weed, and he seems like a different boy almost every day. He suffered his first cold last week while Ahren was away on a business trip in Las Vegas. That was a tough week for all of us - Ahren was unhappy to be away, Lexi was sick with her umpteenth cold of the month (after a previously very healthy winter!), Zach was dealing with his first cold, and I was hit with another bout of mastitis. But, we survived, and everyone was VERY happy when Daddy came home!
This week Zachary started shaking a rattle. It's very cute, although he still doesn't quite seem to understand what he's doing. He sure does love it, though. His favorite rattle is one that was Ahren's when he was a baby, so it's pretty cute to see Zachy using it. Zach has also become a bit of a thumb sucker. It was something we were trying to avoid, but he secretly learned his skill at night in his crib. For now we're pretty much letting it go, although encouraging the paci during the day when we can. For the most part, he only sucks his thumb at night, so hopefully it will be a relatively short lived habit that he only does to sleep.
This week is officially the end of my maternity leave. On Tuesday I'll be dropping both Lexi and Zachary off at Fadia's. I thought sending #2 to daycare would be easier than it was with #1, but I'm not so sure as the time approaches. I know Zachary will be in very good hands, and that his big sister will be there for him as well, but it's going to be tough to give up our alone time together.
And now, I have to return to our family game of Zingo...but I will leave you with some adorable pictures and probably the cutest video that was ever made...enjoy!
"Rock it! Yea!"
What a beauty!
Handsome boy!
Brother and Sister...
Today Lexi met her new Physical Therapist. I am SO thrilled with her for so many reasons - the biggest reason being that Lexi seems to love her! She is fantastic with Lexi - she talks right to her, asks her questions, really plays with her rather than forcing Lexi to do stuff she's not interested in, listens to my concerns, etc., etc. All in all she was just fantastic. As we left the facility Lexi was already talking excitedly about what she's going to get to do next week. I'm thrilled, and really have high hopes for the progress we will make with Debbie. She did find Lexi to be a little tight, but it she feels as though Lexi really has more stability issues, which, in her attempt to compensate for that, has caused some muscle imbalances, etc.
I just can't emphasize enough how happy I am with Debbie. Even though Lexi's "issues" are small in comparison to what some children deal with, they weigh heavily on me every day. I wish every day that I could wave a magic wand and make her better. I feel like we have been to one doctor, therapist, etc. after another who might fix one thing, but they just don't seem to be getting to the bottom of the problem. Debbie really seems to see Lexi's legs as part of the whole picture and I really feel like she is going to fix all of Lexi so that she will be able to keep up with all the other kids on the playground.
Zachary is continuing to be wonderful. He is still growing like a weed, and he seems like a different boy almost every day. He suffered his first cold last week while Ahren was away on a business trip in Las Vegas. That was a tough week for all of us - Ahren was unhappy to be away, Lexi was sick with her umpteenth cold of the month (after a previously very healthy winter!), Zach was dealing with his first cold, and I was hit with another bout of mastitis. But, we survived, and everyone was VERY happy when Daddy came home!
This week Zachary started shaking a rattle. It's very cute, although he still doesn't quite seem to understand what he's doing. He sure does love it, though. His favorite rattle is one that was Ahren's when he was a baby, so it's pretty cute to see Zachy using it. Zach has also become a bit of a thumb sucker. It was something we were trying to avoid, but he secretly learned his skill at night in his crib. For now we're pretty much letting it go, although encouraging the paci during the day when we can. For the most part, he only sucks his thumb at night, so hopefully it will be a relatively short lived habit that he only does to sleep.
This week is officially the end of my maternity leave. On Tuesday I'll be dropping both Lexi and Zachary off at Fadia's. I thought sending #2 to daycare would be easier than it was with #1, but I'm not so sure as the time approaches. I know Zachary will be in very good hands, and that his big sister will be there for him as well, but it's going to be tough to give up our alone time together.
And now, I have to return to our family game of Zingo...but I will leave you with some adorable pictures and probably the cutest video that was ever made...enjoy!
"Rock it! Yea!"
What a beauty!
Handsome boy!
Brother and Sister...Lexi Sings To Zachary...And He Sings Along...
Saturday, February 7, 2009
They Grow So Fast...
Zachary had his two month doctor's visit this week. It was a tough one for me, because he was receiving his first vaccines, and I have paid a lot more attention to vaccine issues since Lexi's horrible reaction when she was 15 months old. Luckily, our new doctor is slightly lenient about what she will allow us to do with the schedule, and the practice uses the combination shots that are the safest in my opinion. So, although I was a complete wreck about the whole thing, we both survived just fine, and Zach escaped with only two shots, and will still be up to date on his shots when he goes to daycare in a few short weeks! I really love our new doctor - she is young, sweet, and very good to the kids. She asks me about Lexi when she's not there, and never makes me feel rushed during our visits, even if I ask her a Lexi question during a Zach visit.
She was pretty impressed with Zachary this week. On Monday he laughed for the first time, which wasn't too surprising since he's been smiling (social smiles) since he was less than a week old. During the visit he was trying his best to learn a new trick - rolling off the exam table. He didn't succeed, but he just may have had I not been holding him. Dr. M and I laughed through the whole visit. Most impressive was how much he's grown!
Height - 25 1/2 inches tall - 98th percentile!! (Must be some Duda genes in this boy!)
Weight - 14 lbs. 3 ozs. - 90th percentile.
He's already wearing his 3-6 month clothes, and due to his ingrown toenails, we've had to cut holes in all of his p.j.s.
Zachary is really beginning to play now too. He's laughed a few times, enjoys batting at his toys, brings toys to his mouth, but most especially enjoys hanging out with his sister.
As for Lexi, she continues to be an excellent big sister! She's suffered with a few colds in the last few weeks, but she handles them like a champ. She's been coming up with some pretty funny stuff lately too...here's a sampling:
Lexi: "Mama, I need some juice. My lips are all chopped."
Lexi (after successfully pooping on the potty): "See Mama? I told you I ate enough vegetables to poop!"
Me (responding to Zachary crying while quickly trying to finish up an e-mail): "I know Zachy, Mommy hears you! I'm coming right now."
Lexi (without even looking up from her clay): "Zachy says, 'Really Mommy, because it looks like you're typing an e-mail to me..'"
Lexi: "Daddy, do you want to run some Ahren's with us?"
Ahren: "Some Ahrens? You're going to run me??"
Lexi: "No Daddy, sometimes people call going to stores 'running Ahrens'. Mommy and I are going to run some Ahrens. Do you want to come?"
And now, my poor, little sick girl needs me, so I have to run...
She was pretty impressed with Zachary this week. On Monday he laughed for the first time, which wasn't too surprising since he's been smiling (social smiles) since he was less than a week old. During the visit he was trying his best to learn a new trick - rolling off the exam table. He didn't succeed, but he just may have had I not been holding him. Dr. M and I laughed through the whole visit. Most impressive was how much he's grown!
Height - 25 1/2 inches tall - 98th percentile!! (Must be some Duda genes in this boy!)
Weight - 14 lbs. 3 ozs. - 90th percentile.
He's already wearing his 3-6 month clothes, and due to his ingrown toenails, we've had to cut holes in all of his p.j.s.
Zachary is really beginning to play now too. He's laughed a few times, enjoys batting at his toys, brings toys to his mouth, but most especially enjoys hanging out with his sister.
As for Lexi, she continues to be an excellent big sister! She's suffered with a few colds in the last few weeks, but she handles them like a champ. She's been coming up with some pretty funny stuff lately too...here's a sampling:
Lexi: "Mama, I need some juice. My lips are all chopped."
Lexi (after successfully pooping on the potty): "See Mama? I told you I ate enough vegetables to poop!"
Me (responding to Zachary crying while quickly trying to finish up an e-mail): "I know Zachy, Mommy hears you! I'm coming right now."
Lexi (without even looking up from her clay): "Zachy says, 'Really Mommy, because it looks like you're typing an e-mail to me..'"
Lexi: "Daddy, do you want to run some Ahren's with us?"
Ahren: "Some Ahrens? You're going to run me??"
Lexi: "No Daddy, sometimes people call going to stores 'running Ahrens'. Mommy and I are going to run some Ahrens. Do you want to come?"
And now, my poor, little sick girl needs me, so I have to run...
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