Oh say can you see

Aiden is one Patriotic kid...

He stopped whatever he was doing to put his hand over his heart and sang right along with them.  Proud Mommy moment...

Sickness needs to go

This winter season has been brutal.  I am sure that I am not the only one feeling this way.  The weather has been up and down so much and I live in Florida -so I probably shouldn't complain too much.  We have finally gotten some warmer weather so this Mama is happy!
But along with the cold weather came...Aiden's allergies being all out of wack.  Izzy has been congested and coughing for months.  I am now dealing with strep that just wants to hang on and torture me for over a week.  Thankfully, Ryan and Ethan have stayed in the clear. 

We are getting in alot of cuddle sessions and lazy days.  That might be the only plus going on for us right now.

 Even Milo is milking it and begging for extra attention.

 Izzy has been loving our relaxing days and watching extra TV in bed.  Don't get too spoiled girl!!

My nurse, Izzy, is great- most of the time.  She loves to give kisses and pat my back but you can't take her too serious.  The next minute she might be blowing bubbles and sticking her tongue out.

Praying everyone gets over all the sickness quickly so we can enjoy the sunshine again!!                                

Biophilia Center

About a month ago, we were invited to the Biophilia Center for Special Needs day.  The boys have visited numerous times for field trips but this was our first trip to the Center.  The facilities were beautiful!! 
A lot of the animals have been rescued after an injury so most of the animals have "special needs" as well.

 Izzy and Daddy learning about Hawks. 

Ummm Daddy... what am I sitting on??  This center is used for Educational purposes as well so we enjoyed learning lots about different animals.

The big boys had so much fun as well!

This is the day that I actually saw Izzy crawl for the first time.  Yes, she is almost three and bi-passed crawling all together.  Just.not.interested.  I have mentioned before that Sister can be stubborn. 
Inside the center, there was a tunnel and Izzy crawled in and out continuously.  I think she would have stayed there all day but we had places to go and animals to see.
                                     
Taking turns holding snakes.  Izzy said Ewwww.  - takes after her Mommy.

The hills were the highlight of the trip.  Run free my children!!

Mrs T. would be super proud to see Izzy climbing the hills.  PT in everyday activities.

Mr. Mike was there with a touch tank.  Izzy enjoyed seeing all the different sea creatures and she even touched them!  I think Mr. Mike had something to do with that.  He was great with her and took special time to introduce her to all sorts of creatures.

Mr. Skunk.  He got a Ewwww from Izzy too. 

The boys were a little unsure of this big snake but they were troopers until he gave them a little squeeze. 

We had a fun day at the Center and I am sure that we will be returning soon to visit our new animal friends. 

Heart update

I am little late on updating on Izzy's annual cardiology appointment but that is my life lately.  Disorganized and late...
Early in February, I sent Izzy and Ryan to Pensacola for her heart appointment.  I got a call from a frustrated Daddy saying they weren't showing Izzy having an appointment and the doctor wasn't even in.  What?!?  My phone said we had an appointment and Mommy's phone calendar is always correct, right??
So, a few weeks later I actually made Izzy's appointment- for real this time- and I took off work to take her this time.  Ryan wasn't taking any chances with me this time.
When did my little girl get so big?!?

Then she tried to run away before they could call her name...  She didn't get very far though. 

 Waiting for our turn to see the tech...

Izzy did great and this year we got to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse during her Echo.  One of our favorite shows. 
She laid perfectly still the entire time and was awarded the "best patient of the day" award.

After the Echo, we went to see her nurse for the EKG and then meet with her doctor.

She wasn't too sure about all the wires but she laid still so it was over quickly.

She is continuing to grow and gain weight like a champ.  After her OHS, she stil has a few holes (VSD) and some leakage but nothing has grown or changed so we are still in the clear.  We got another good report for her annual and we go back in another year for a checkup. 
Yay for another healthy heart visit!!

Swinging

Swinging makes this little girl happy and so does that big brother in the background...

She giggled the entire time!

Preparing...

Today, Izzy and I met with 2 of her soon-to-be therapists within the school system.  Her birthday is just around the corner- May- and she will be "aging" out of the Early Steps program.  How can my little baby be turning 3?!?

We have decided to wait on enrolling her for PreK-D until August since her birthday is so close to the end of the school year. 
We went to the Elementary school and met with two very nice ladies that watched her interact and do tasks in order to get a good feel of her needs and evaluate her for our upcoming IEP meeting. (it wasn't nearly as scary as I had anticipated.) 
She did great with threading beads, drawing circles/lines, kicking/throwing the ball, tearing up paper- girl can destroy some paper.  We also saw were she still need extra help in certain areas.       

Sister loves people and doesn't tend to be shy- so that has never been a worry of mine.  If she happens to get shy, it will only be for a few minutes and then she owns the room.  She took immediately to the ladies.  Holding their hands while walking down the hallway and then went right to work following their directions.  He favorite word when they asked her if she could do something- Yep!

I have never been worried about her doing well within the program.  She has been going to daycare since she was 6 weeks old so she is used to structure and playing with her peers.  So, I can't figure out why I am so sad today.   She did awesome and I couldn't be more proud... but my heart hurts.   

My heart hurts and it is heavy.  I didn't want to leave her today.  I felt like I needed to hold on to her a little longer than usual. 
I know she has been so protected by our family, friends and then daycare.  Being in the school system can be exciting yet scary.  Will she be accepted??  Will she get the attention she needs???  Will kids make fun of her??  Will she________??  It can just go on and on.

I guess this can really be a fear for all of my kids but so much more for Izzy.  I don't want her to struggle and I want to protect her.  But I know she will have struggles and I can't protect her from everything.  I know she is so much stronger than I ever imagined.  She has overcome so much already in her short little life.  But... knowing that I can't be there to protect her from the world is scary. 
I wish the world would learn that everyone is different and that is ok.  People have come so far and are so much more accepting of differences now than before but we still have so far to go. 

This little girl doesn't see differences... she just sees you!  I strive everyday to be more like her.