8-14-10

Wow, what a busy week we have had, a super amazing, busy week!
I forgot to add in a few weeks ago, Quinn, Casey, and Annette painted the most beautiful painting!

Grandma Vicki, Quinn and a good book, what more can a grandchild want?
Monday Grandma Vicki came to Lincoln to help with the Zeman Art room, getting it ready for this next year. We took a break from working for Quinn to get measured for new magic shoes. We settled on a butterfly design, and it would have looked very lovely with purple straps, but Quinn very clearly picked yellow, so yellow will be what they will be.

Here we are in the process of having her shoes fitted. We will pick up the actual shoes in a few weeks! Yeah for new shoes!

Tuesday we started off at school and spent part of the afternoon at the 10 /11 TV studios. Quinn and Grandma Vicki looked so good sitting in the Newsroom, and of all days I forgot my camera. I don't usually like to talk about my ventures on here that are not Quinn based, but I'm one of six women who are on a journey, the American Heart Association Better U challenge, to change our lives and our hearts. It's a twelve week program where I will focus on me and my health. I'm thankful that they are willing to watch Quinn there while I get my rear into shape, and my mind full of the knowledge that I need to do this for the rest of my life. I filled out paper work and went through an interview and was lucky enough to have been selected to change my life. There are six of us along with a TV news anchor and radio talk show DJ that are all going to be on this journey together. We will have a very busy schedule meeting with personal trainers, dietitians, and speakers, doing all kinds of workouts, eating healthy, all that stuff. We will also be journaling about our experiences, so it's going to be a big deal with a lot of accountability, so I'm ready, I'm nervous and excited, but I'm ready. When the website is ready, I'll put a connection on here for you to go to.
It's a free website where anyone can go through the process with us online, so you can read our blogs, (I'll be double blogging) and get healthy along with us. Also if you see the commercial online or on channel 11, when you see me, listen very carefully for Quinn in the background, as she loved the studio and sang and sang while we were taping. I had to tape my part a few times so Quinn was not quite so loud on it.

Bright and early at Chrissy's house. We have to get use to the early mornings again!

Wednesday was my first day back to school, and in turn was Quinn's first full day with Chrissy. She loved it and loves Chrissy to pieces. Over the last few days they have had friends over to play, went to therapy, the library, and volunteered at the county fair. One afternoon Chrissy got Quinn to take 22 steps! Wow, that does not happen very much at our house! They have been busy.

Thursday after I picked Quinn up from Chrissy's, we rested, that was good.

Here is Quinn with her main Excite Teacher, Miss Rachael. We are getting excited for school.

Look at our great support system now!
Friday we had a meeting at Riley School to fill out papers and meet the team of people working with Quinn as she starts the Excite program during the mornings. I have to say I have always said I loved my job with Lincoln Public Schools, but seeing it from a parent perspective, with a daughter who needs more services then most students, I was amazed and so impressed by the time we were done with the meeting. We have so many teachers, and therapists, and support staff that are excited and want to work with Quinn. It was bitter sweet at the same time, because as we are gaining some amazing people, we are also loosing some wonderful people. So I send out a very sincere thank you to our old caseworker, Physical therapist, Occupational therapist, and Vision therapist. I can only be thankful because I believe we will stay in contact one way or another. Quinn was wonderful throughout the very long meeting and then got to see her classroom. She was acting a bit upset, and
Chrissy picked up on that right away, and figured out Quinn was a bit sad that the other kids were not there. I've been telling people that I'm worried Quinn is going to be scared the first few days of school, but after today, I'm not sure that will be the case. She loved all the people and her teachers are all wonderful, so this should be great. I've talked to the nurse for along time, and still have more paperwork to fill out, but we are getting closer to starting. We have even met the person who will probably be her one on one Para, and she is going to be amazing as well. I'll talk more about that soon. To finish out the day, Quinn did the best at water therapy then she ever has. So all the stimulation she has been getting is not wearing her out, she is sleeping great, and working so hard when she is awake. She is still fighting a bit of a cold, but what a great week we have had.

Here are Jill, and Catalina, a big thank you to both of you, and Jen for all your hard work and inspiration you have given to us, we are grateful! We also give a big welcome to Miss Rachael, we are also looking forward to a great future!

Here is to many more amazing weeks!

8-7-10

Here is part of the family. Riley, Grandma Vicki, Paige, Morgan, Quinn and I. What a great family.
Here are Morgan and Quinn talking and loving each other up.
These next couple pictures are out at the farm after we fed a couple baby cows, Kristin and Karissa were so much fun to be with. Wow, Karissa was so wonderful with Quinn.

Sadly here is our last official visit with Jen, I am sure thankful for all her help with Quinn, and I sure hope we stay in touch and that maybe she will be assigned at a school Quinn goes to in the future. She is an amazing Physical Therapist. We have been so lucky with all the people working with Quinn.
Here is a bad phone picture at the County fair with Lynn, Lucas, Kathy,Quinn, and I, where Quinn and Lucas loved the animals.

Wow it’s been a busy week and we am tired! So hopefully this makes sense.

We started off the weekend visiting the Norfolk area, where we played with friends and visited Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Steve. We got to watch a deer and her two babies run all over the yard. I saw them and carefully picked Quinn up to get her over to the window, and it always takes her a bit to focus to see what is going on and I was hoping they would not run off before Quinn could focus in and see them, and we got to watch them for a good 20 minutes, it was amazing! Those babies were running and jumping all over, and wow, they can move. Quinn was turning her head to watch them, so I knew she was watching them. We followed that up by getting to feed some calves, and it was hot by then and I was not sure if Quinn was really paying attention or if she was in her own world, at that time. Hours later when she was with Grandma Vicki, she started mooing, so that was good to hear. She is such a stinker, sometimes I’m not sure if she is really paying attention or not, but wow does she ever pay attention, even when I’m not sure if she is. Yeah Quinn!

We also got to hang out with family, which is always a wonderful thing. We got to spend time with Morgan, Paige, Riley, Tom, and Alex. Quinn tends to not do much talking when she is around people she does not know, but as she was hanging out with Morgan, who had to have told her she loved her, 20 times, Quinn looked at Morgan and said “I love you, Morgan.” Plain as day. I had to let Morgan know what a big deal that is, because she does not talk to very many people, so that was wonderful!

Goodness, she did well at therapy this week, even though she has a bit of a cold. We started off going to see Suzanne and Stacie, and while we were waiting to get in, Diane walked out to meet a different kiddo, but Quinn wanted to talk to Diane, so she started babbling and getting loud to get her attention, Diane stopped to tell Quinn hello, and then turned back around to talk to her student, and Quinn was not done talking, so she lurched out of grandma’s arms to rest her head on Diane, so Diane was super sweet and loved up on Quinn a bit, and then Quinn was happy and I just sat there in awe of Quinn, recognizing Diane, and not wanting to be done getting her message across until she had some loving! Way to go again Quinn.

Quinn has had a couple of little marks on her left foot lately, and so we have not been wearing her “magic” shoes. I’ve come to find out the marks are not from her shoes, they are from the way she rubs her foot on her wheelchair, and so her shoes are going to help her not make that mark, but we have that fixed too thanks to Chrissy and the guys at Hangers. Well, when we were in therapy, Suzanne asked Quinn if her foot hurt? Quinn said “yes” in this pitiful tone, with a pout on her lips, making her look so sad, and so Suzanne gave Quinn extra attention and Quinn was eating it up. So I asked Quinn, does your knee hurt? “Yes” was her reply, So does your elbow hurt? “Yes”, does your nose hurt? “yes”, so I think all in all she is just fine! Wow, is she ever figuring out how to get the attention she so desperately wants!

We also hit the county fair the other day where she had fun watching and listening to the chickens, and today we met up and talked to our architect more about the house we might be building. So we are still asking for prayers for this one to sell. Wow, are there ever a lot of great people out there.

We also got our first call from Lincoln Public Schools, the nutritionist called to talk to me about feedings with her. We don’t think she will need to do a feeding at school, but we did talk about her eating orally when they try different things out here and there. It was such a positive call, wanting to make sure she is included in every experience, and I hung up even more excited for her school experience. We are going to have a great year!

July 29th

Another fun filled summer week. We played with a few of my old high school classmates this last weekend, and it’s always good to hear from them that they see improvement in Quinn. The biggest thing that was commented on was how her disposition changes if I am in the room or out of the room. Good to hear that she wants to be with me, but at the same time it makes me a bit nervous for school to be starting up here soon.


We have also been enjoying the weather. Blue has decided to be Quinn’s nurse maid, and as I’m working to pull weeds or water or tend to this our that outside, Blue tends to Quinn. It’s adorable! I’ve caught him sleeping on the job, but I think I’ll keep him.

The for sale sign is in the yard, and so now we are on the mission of keeping the house picked up and ready for a moments notice to be shown. We were putting in an offer on a lot to build on, but there was a bidding war between a few other folks and I was not going to get involved in that, so we are waiting things out, and saying some prayers for the right situation to happen, when ever that may be. I’m hoping sooner rather then later, but we will see. So after cleaning windows again, and bathrooms again, I’ve been working on my sewing skills, they still have a long way to go, but I’ve made up some pillows to go with Quinn’s chairs that will be at school and at Chrissy’s house. Sometimes they just look to theraputic, for lack of a better word, and I wanted them to look cuter, as well as having them help hold her head in better alignment, and help her arms get into a better position to work.


Quinn has had a week of ups and downs. She has not felt super, and has been sick one day, then the next day she is good again. She has been doing a good job eating again. So I’m thankful for that. Yesterday we went back to Madonna for our therapy session. She did great, the gal that heads up her group, talked about how she was in a much better mood and did a great job playing with the therapy dogs that were there. My group had a super speaker talking about wholist medicine. He talked about pressure points and finding ways to let stress go, as well as lots of facts on the space and people around you making as big of a difference as the drugs you are given. I came out of it thankful that Quinn loves music and how it can relax and help the brain continue to heal, so we are on the right track there, and there are some new types of music I’m going to look into. I’m also going to look into essential oils more, he talked a lot about them, so give me some time to do research and I’ll share a few of those tips on what I find.

I’ve also been busy creating a book about Quinn and all her stuff, this will be sent to school with her, so folks can read about her and see her in the way I see her. AS she does not tend to make great first impressions, and I don’t blame her, but as I say in the book, just give her some love and attention and watch for some amazing inspiration! OK, well I’m off to read some books with Quinn and keep tiding up the house. I’m hopinn this might be a trend that I get use to having a sparce house and keeping it clean. It’s pretty nice, and currently there are only three things that I wish I would not have packed, and of course can’t get to the boxes they are in. Oh, well, I guess I don’t really need them!
Blessing to you all!
Susan

July 23, 2010

Let Me Win
But if I cannot win,
let me be brave
in the attempt.
..... Special Olympics Athletes Oath

Here are Quinn, Amy and me at the special olympics right here in Lincoln Nebraska!

Here is Quinn working with Diane and it seems like she was more interested in watching herself in the mirror.
Here she is with her new Physical Therapist, Suzanne, and just check out the big smile in the second picture.

Wow, I don’t know where summer is going, but it’s sure going there fast! It’s been a busy week. Quinn went from not feeling super great last week, to doing so much better this week, and what a week we have had. We started off by going to the National Special Olympics, right here in Lincoln Nebraska. We watched swimming with Amy on Monday, and I teared up a few times watching how some of those athletes, as well as their parents, wear their heart on their sleeve. They show the right way to live! The athletes and parents both, are inspiring. One swimmer got to the starting block and turned around and yelled “I love you mom”, that got me emotional, the love in that building was amazing. The high fives, the fist bumps, the hugs, the comradely, the parents we met who loved their son more then anything and were happy to talk about him, tearing up and being overjoyed to have him in their lives, but when his event came up, they were on their feet, done talking and focused, and more then excited to go congratulate him afterwards. It was an amazing day. Throughout the week we also watched track and field, checked out the family center, and flag football. Quinn got a bit warm outside, but loved it, she loved swimming the most. I was a bit concerned that she would get upset because we were not getting in the pool, and sometimes yelling scares her, but I saw non of that, she was excited and so content to be there, as was I, it was an amazing experience that I wish so many people could experience! I was humbled and empowered by the experiences. At the same time I felt like Quinn was accepted with open arms and that was also an amazing feeling. We have been so fortunate to have acceptance everywhere, but being at this event with Quinn was totally calming and wonderful! What an amazing group of people, the volunteers, parents, and athletes, just amazing! I volunteered at bowling and was amazed, I had four gentlemen at my table and they were wonderful. I had to work hard not to cry from pure joy a few times, but held it together. There were bowlers of all kinds, some were in wheelchairs and I helped a blind bowler and one experience I had was getting the privilege of letting him know when he got a strike, and we would celebrate with all the folks around us. What an amazing experience.

Well other news, it’s interesting how life and therapy are following the same trail as our life. We are packing up with one therapist and starting a new journey with another one, with a few more changes to come. We had our final therapy session with Jen, and I am thankful we will see her a few more times with transition meetings for school, and I hope we stay in contact after that, she is such a good person and has so many ideals she shares with us, so I’m glad we are not ending everything, just therapies, so we will not have any more therapy sessions in our home, now those will take place at Riley Elementary during her school day. So to Jen we send out a big thank-you. We ended therapy on a super note. Quinn was standing with Jen’s help and started taking a step, then decided against it. Jen asked Quinn to take 5 steps to mom, then she could be done, and what a great ending that would be, so with help, Quinn worked crazy hard, falling over her own feet, but at the same time being so successful, and took exactly 5 steps then launched herself at me. How amazing she is, she did exactly 5 and worked so hard to get those feet to move to make Jen proud and was done. What an amazing girl we have! Sadly I did not get a picture of them, so when we get together next time we will need to get one.

Crazy enough we also just got a new therapist at Handprints, Suzanne, and she is working hard with Quinn already. I give her props for working so hard, as Quinn does not tend to work to hard for anyone new for awhile, yet I started seeing some sparks and what a difference a week makes, we all saw improvements in what Quinn was willing to do. Thankfully we still have Stacie and we are hoping Diane finds time to work Quinn into her afternoon schedule, as we have to switch times around with Quinn being in pre-pre-school this fall. We also will continue water therapy at Madonna and are crossing our fingers to get the same Friday afternoon slot since it would work great with our schedules.

As for house news, please keep praying, we are planning on getting ours on the market this week, and might have more news to share next week, we will see what God’s plan is for us. I’m glad I was distracted with other things this week to keep me from dwelling on that.

Blessings! Thanks for checking in on us!
Susan

July 15, 2010

I just love the faces she makes when she sleeps.

We have had a busy week. Quinn is still trying to catch up on sleep from our trip, and then here I am hauling her all around to different houses, only to see that there is something structurally here or there that would make it very hard to modify. There have been a few contenders, only to have them shot down because of one thing or another that just can’t be modified. We have had good news on the home front, we have a realtor who has fallen under Quinn’s loving personality, and is helping us sell our house and is working so hard to help us find something that we can move into or land we can build on. We also have talked to our architect that has told me he will be with us until we either kick him out or we have a house that works for Quinn. I guarantee I won’t be doing any kicking out! I just thank God for bringing people into our lives at the most wonderful times. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, so I’m not going to put the cart before the horse and all, but please just keep praying for things to go smoothly and for Quinn to stay calm with the whole process. She woke up this morning throwing up. That does not make me happy so we canceled therapy and swimming, and I’m going to spend the day with her instead of cleaning the house, so that is probably good for both of us. Yesterday we got her new car seat and I think she got a little over heated being out in the sun for just a few minutes, then going back and forth from hot to cool, was probably not good for her either. We did make it to the support group and play group. I always get a lot out of it, and Quinn loves playing, but not so much yesterday, I think her goal was not to fall asleep, because she was needing a nap so bad and was sound asleep by the time I got her out to the car, then as I was getting her belted in she had a panic attack of sorts, being so tired and hot, we had to just relax and calm her down for a few minutes. As of right now, she is breathing calmly and trying to relax. I’m hoping she takes a long nap, as she really needs it, but her schedule and mine tend to vary on what she wants to do, so we will see.
Love to you all, this week has reminded me how fortune we are. I’m nervous and excited for the future, so will just try to keep being thankful.
Susan

July 10th, 2010

Here we are at Sun Studio, Memphis TN, we took a week off to go see Grandpa Ron and took Grandma Martha to Memphis with us. Here is where Quinn showed us I don’t know what I’m talking about. I get done saying she will not eat ice cream, and then she shared one with Grandpa.


The two of them just loving on each other!


This is the best three generation picture we got, as we were waiting to see the Peabody Duck Walk.

It’s been a busy week, went from working like crazy on the house thanks to some wonderful friends and a very busy mom, thanks a bunch. To escaping from Lincoln for a few days and going to Memphis to see family. It was a great escape but I don’t think we got in all that much rest and relaxation. Quinn had a few good naps but by the end of the week she was breathing pretty heavy. She did not show off to the extent that she has sometimes. She did stay nice and relaxed with her hands and did a good job looking around. Once when grandpa Ron was pushing her in her stroller, she grabbed on the bars of her chair, like she was worried he was going to tip her out. Another fun story – the one where she proves me wrong, yet again. We were at Sun Studio’s going on a tour, and they don’t let kids take the tour, so Grandpa Ron stayed with Quinn, and they were going to have a Coke float, well I said that Quinn does not like ice cream, and when I got out of the tour, she had eaten a bunch of ice cream and was opening her mouth for more. She continues to prove me wrong and I’ll take it. As for her talking to anyone down here, not a word. Lots of weird breathing and cooing, but no real words in front of family. One of these times she will show off with the words, I know it. Past that, she was up for lots of site seeing and lots of love.

This next week gets Quinn back to therapy appointments and me back to researching houses and talking to architects, and continuing to educate myself on what will be best for us in the short run and the long run. So I just need to keep praying and educating myself and hope that God will help the right thing come to us. I’m not going to let a little thing like a house burden me to much. We have other things to deal with, so we will just keep fighting our way through all of this! Thanks to Grandpa Ron and our great family for loving up Quinn and praying for Great Grandpa Harold that he keeps getting better. It’s been a busy fun week and I’m ready for a nap!

On the trip home Quinn did great for the first six hours, then she was done and started breathing all crazy and would not calm down, so I pulled off the road and got us a hotel room and as soon as I got her out of the car she was just fine. Her breathing calmed down and she was happy as can be. Hmmmm, I guess I am not the boss in this family. Oh well, an early night, a swimming pool and HBO, so I guess it worked out pretty good!

July 1, 2010

Keeping this one short and sweet! We have had lots of folks over helping us get things in order to sell the house. I had my first break down last night and cried because selling a house is much more expensive then I thought. Then Quinn started crying because I was crying and in turn I started crying worse, lets just say a good night sleep helped, and waiting to put it on the market for a few days to do a few more touch ups, was nice as well.


Working so hard means playing a little and so here are Quinn and Kaleb at the zoo catching butterflies and feeding lama's, even thought the butterflies freaked her out a little, she had so much fun. Does she ever love her cousin Kaleb, and he in turn is so good to her! Quinn has been doing good, she knows something is out of the usual with the house and at times seems to be stressed, while at other times is calm and cool. So all in all she has had a good but busy week. This next week should be the same, busy busy busy! So we will find some time to play while getting things done!

Love to you all! I was again reminded this week the preciousness of life, and am so very thankful for Quinn and having her affect my life in such an amazing way!