At the Fair Pt 2

We had so much fun the first time, we went back for more this past weekend. This time we heard Brooks and Dunn sing and then went back to the carnival for more fun. Kelsey sat on Daddy's shoulders for part of it, the first time we could really feel comfortable in letting her do that. Her balance is so much better now, and she just perched up there and hung on.

She liked the lights and music, and we sang together. Yes, she was very vocal and tuned right in.

At the carnival, Kelsey took several steps. We love it when she "walks" for us.

We watched the rides go again. One of the ones she really liked to watch were the giant bears.

As we were watching them and she was standing like such a big girl, the attendant came over and asked if we would like to ride. We said we didn't have tickets and he said he had just the bear for us.

We all enjoyed a funnel cake with plenty of powdered sugar on top.

We enjoyed visiting and petting the horses in the barn and Kelsey tried out the wagon.


This wasn't the first time she tried out a wagon, though she probably doesn't remember this one...(at ~22 weeks in Mommy's tummy - June 2007)
We also again collected several stuffed animals from friendly carnival workers along the way.


Here are some other pictures of the fun we had at the fair.

Just A Swing'n

Kelsey did so good yesterday at school. Gramma Karen even came along to join in the fun.

The best part was swinging on the swing. She sat on the swing all by herself while Debbie spun her around.

Her arms were WAYYYY UP holding on and she was able to balance in this position while holding on. What a gift. (she had only been able to do one arm up at a time while she prop sits)

Hopefully soon this will translate into being able to be hands free while sitting!

Amazing Weekend

Amazing Weekend. It was quite an eventful weekend for Kelsey. Friday Night at Crown Center at the free Eddie Money Concert, she enjoyed the sounds, music, and sitting next to a waterfall wall fountain, as well as watching again the synchronize fountains the kids are playing in.


Saturday, Daddy went to watch the airshow from the bluff , and took Kelsey. She was especially vocal when the f-16 and f-18 flew over, loudly. She loves talking to new noises, such as the vacuum cleaner. She saw a little boy, who was 3 1/2, but Kelsey was taller than him. WE stopped by crown Center between airshow events, and watched the same fountains in a synchronized show to music, which includes water cannons shooting many feet in the air, a couple stories high.

She was talking to the fountains, and lunging toward them. I wanted her to see them in the daylight too.

Between performances, we went back to the car, and she sat in the front seat "unattended", needing no help staying up. I held the bottle for her, while actually laying against the car, and she quickly ate for me, about the best she has ever done, with few breaks, and mostly without spilling a drop. Had about 3 ounces in about 5 minutes.

Getting very good at eating, and had some bites of my hamburger bun.


Sunday, we both went back to the show to see then best act, the F-16, and somehow it got delayed about 30 minutes, and Kelly talked with lady that gave her some nice comments about how cute Kelsey is, and about her relative with Downs Syndrome, and how he does better than the doctors said.

We also went to an free exhibit back at Crown Center of art made of Legos.


It seemed refreshing for Kelly to hear this. I am grateful for all she is doing, and the more I focus on that, she just seems to be exponentially excelling at doing things.

We went to Applebees to eat quesadillas, and she had some of that too. sitting up, paying attention to all that is going on around her.

Having her own ideas of going to look at things, she was trying to go see the mini blinds they have. Balancing better. We were leaving, and her tone had her arms limited to about a 45deg angle up, but put her feet on the floor, and picked her up hopping along, and she loved it. I would think her arms would hurt, but she liked it.

We did the steps, one by one, and she talked and laughed, and kept saying, go.... go. Also through the parking lot. Just like more switches came on.

She seems to be getting it all together, making all her connections. What an amazing weekend! Tuesday Night we ate at Jose Pepper's, and Kelsey sat up well, by herself, looked as if she was falling forward, then caught herself, set herself back, and smiled.

Doing it several more times, she would laugh. "That is my new trick...Balance!"

Many bites of re-fried beans, some rice, although didn't quite know what to do with that. Most of everything stayed in. Really seems to like the cornbread!

Eating like a big girl. Mommy says "Soon, we will have to buy her own kids meals." [1/2 hour to write these posts! not complaining, just...wow. 1/2 hour to review all that kelsey did this weekend. all the smiles, all the joy, and accomplishment, pride, excitement. relief. all reviewed, in 30 minutes, really, writing all about the fair would take an hour.]

IT is so nice, and refreshing, to see her. I have always been a quiet champion of Kelsey, and knew she would be able to do whatever she wanted. I have always believed.

It is so nice to just see what seems like all these switches coming on. She will be walking, crawling, etc, just soon after 2 years. Just seems like such a little person now. Just so connected to her now. It could be difficult for someone to do anything other than work with her, while seeing these great results!

I think that is the best thing for her. IT is a blessing that we don't have someone to watch her, and just include her in everything.

Looking back, I told her the other day, asked if she knew how lucky she is. I asked her if she knew any kids her age who had gone to Disney, on a cruise, to a different county, to concerts....heck, I think I just figured out she has been to more concerts than I did prior to 21!

Likely more in 23 months that I did in 23 years! I think she just gets to see and do so much, it is helping her grow and see all she could be doing, where most kids in a similar situation would see minimal, and "normal" kids would just be home with a sitter often. I think this is paying off for all of us. I think we have more fun including her and showing her things than just doing it.

Sure, away time can be nice, but I get alot out of having my little buddy just constantly looking around, and looking up at me and smiling, talking, having a great time. I am blessed.

8/26/09 7:45a

~Daddy

Kendall's Hope

One of the things about having a child with special challenges is you are constantly seeking information, constantly looking for someone like you that is on the same path as you, hopefully a little further along and still going. :)

One of our friends that we follow online is going through some tough stuff right now. Kendall shares many of Kelsey’s diagnosis’s. Kendall is younger than Kelsey and her strong mommy has faced a lot.

So please go give her mommy some encouragement if you have time and prayers if you have the inclination.

http://kendallbriggs.blogspot.com/

Thanks!

8/18, early am. I brought Kelsey in the office with me to do some work, as she was not sleeping, in her bed, in ours, in her seat. She was fine hanging out with me sitting in her highback chair, which sits her up tall. She sneezed strongly, and leaned forward. Then, as I am looking at her and talking to her, she rolled over the side and face planted in the carpet. I went and grabbed her to see if she was OK, and she had her pout going with that lower lip almost over her nose! She was ready to cry, then looked around at where she was, as if to say, "Wow, i did that myself! I just jumped up out of my chair! So she just went with arms and legs, and wiggled and crawled (scooted, crawled about a foot, and talked and talked, excitedly about it. She is getting good at coordinating the rolling side to side while pulling a leg. Pulling her arms up, she still resembles a turtle a bit, very slow motioned and deliberate.

Kelsey's first downpour rain shower I can remember. We got out of the car, and just got dumped on. She jumped and shook and complained, and then we got inside, and she laughed , and seemed to think it was pretty funny. 8/19

I was going to Sedalia, I was going to the Fair, to see how many people, would love our Kelsey there....

At the Fair

We just got back from the MO State Fair. 8/15. Kelsey loved it.

We saw a Shriner's food booth, and since they are going to help with Kelsey at one of their hospitals, Kelly thought we should buy something from them. So we did.

Kelly took Kelsey out of the stroller and said I want to introduce you to Kelsey". You, the Shriner's, are going to help her at your hospital. She has Cerebral Palsy, and we just wanted to say thanks for the help you give many children like Kelsey.

The man working said "oh my" when we mentioned CP. He brought back the food we ordered, and handed back the money and shook his head with a smile.

I was sad they didn't take the money, as that was the main point, was to help out those helping us out. But, we are great receivers of gifts, so we simply accepted with a sincere thank you.

We listened to the concert, and then went through along the way to the carnival. Kelsey loved the lights. She was talking, and jumping. She loved seeing the giant ride-in bear, bumble bee, and fish rides.

She loved the lights and music and watching the adult rides go around and around. She was talking to the Ferris Wheel at the end, even after it seemed like she was tired out.

People loved seeing her, talking to and playing with her. A worker played 'get your nose', and she laughed. I was playing with her with them, and showing her the stuffed animals, lights, etc. She was so happy.

A carnival worker called us over as we were walking away. Very strongly he urged me to come back, saying "Dad, come here". I turned around, and he was waving me over very animatedly. He called to another worker on the other side for a toy. He said, "No, the big one!".

He gave us a large lion, larger than Kelsey! Here is the irony. We always say to her, what does the bear say, and she says aaaar, after we say roaaaaaaaar, well, really, now we don't even have to say it but after she does. Roaaaaaaar! That's right Kelsey. Both the same for the bear and the lion. My parents bank had a one day give away, and I went in to do some business for them, and a worker told me to sign up for the bear give away. I put in an entry, and it was for a bear that Kelsey had seen a couple days earlier, and when i showed her, and said what does the bear say, she said arrrrrr, as usual. I thought, that would be nice. Now, here was the chance to get that bear for her. Albeit a bit too big, taking up floor space.

I thought later, I should have put my parents name in too, Kelly's etc. Even Kelsey's. I Found out later it was just that one day, and somehow, we didn't win. Seems odd. It was a perfect fit for her, perfect timing, etc. But just not there, not meant to be.

So now, back to tonight, and the LION. The other animal she talks to. FREE. A gift from...... ? Is that a sign, or what? Grateful to know someone is watching over us/her, and what a sign to show us! Helping her talk as best as she can at the moment.

Walking back with her in the stroller and a lot of the way back in the car, she just talked and talked to it, each time we showed it to her and or made the roar. Now, that isn't all.

The trifecta: Another worker gave her a small colorful stuffed fish. Something that will go great with Kelsey singing "all the fish are swimming in the water" song. People love giving Kelsey things. We are grateful to get them, we are great receivers of all that life and people provide us, and put everything we are given to use. We are grateful we can share her smile, personality, and adorableness with so many.

We are thankful for a second great night out in a row with her having lots of fun, for Kelsey, and us. How much fun and joy to see her react and enjoy whatever we do with her, at home, or out and about.

Tonight, she thought she was at Disney World again!

~Daddy


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Dancing with Daddy

I walked in the room and danced to some funny music, and Kelsey just laughed. and kicked, running/dancing in her seat, yet, she was looking at the ceiling. She must have terrific peripheral vision. I cannot tell how in the world she could see me from that angle, and i was quiet enough she didn't hear me dancing! 8/15

~Daddy

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Friday night movie

Friday night we went to Crown Center, we thought to a concert, but it was the outdoor movie.

They have these computerized fountains that spring up from the pavement, then disipate back down to a pool under the cracks. She just stood in it, and watched them come up in sequence, one to the other, and talked each time, all excited, time after time, talking each time they came up, or went away, saying "Go!"

We venture into the Hotel, and she loved the waterfall on the rocks, the fountains out front too.

We would say tired, tired tired, as she had bent over, looking tired, and then "I'm awake", and she would jump up! Over and Over again. Just anticipating it, and laugh.... then wait and look for us to make sure we were both watching her, and even jump while bending, up, and laugh loudly.

~Daddy

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Kelsey goes to a Party

Kelsey went to her first "friend" birthday party last week. She had so much fun.

Isabella turned two years old! and we were able to help her celebrate.

When we arrived, Isabella was sitting in her chair with her magic wand, looking like a sweet birthday princess.

Both of the girls seemed pleased to see each other after two weeks apart. (school has been closed for vacation)

Kelsey brought Isabella some bubbles and a Dora shirt. It made me so happy to see Isabella get excited when she saw Dora on the shirt!

We also got to swim in Isabella's pool. Kelsey had such fun kicking and playing. Isabella shared her turtle float. It was perfect because it allowed Kelsey to prop with her hands in front of her to keep her head up nice.

As the swimming wore on, I would ask Kelsey if she was ready to get out. She would say "OOOOOOOO" (no) and start kicking furiously.

We had a great time and it was sad when the party was over!

Daddy's finally gotten around to updates

Kelsey just talked to me, said about 3 things, multiple times, and smiled after each, also reached up and grabbed and held my chin for quite a while, then I touched hers, and she smiled, now singing "She's Everything" by Brad Paisley , she's singing back to me, and now now Emerson Drive 7/15/09 12:26a Last night, for 20 minutes, rode a new board with rollers, like a skateboard, only wider, while sitting Indian style, would say go, then laugh when it hit Kelly's legs. Did it over, and over and over. Then, laid herself forward, and when we said up, up, she would sit up and balanced!

I went in to looked at her last night, was sleeping. I said a prayer for her, and her hand was open, fingers out, sleeping soundly. I gave a kiss toward her, with minimal sound, and in her sleep, she smacked her lips a kiss back 7/4/09 2:39p

Found an interesting way of feeding Kelsey I was running around the house doing projects, from room to room, and would give her a bite of food, maybe 2, then run to do something, coming back through, another bite, and on, and on, over about an hour. She ate the whole jar of food with about 5 scoops of rice cereal, plus some milk in between. 8/3/09.

I played with Kelsey tonight, she was close to crawling again, gets a bit of succes and the legs go wild! just not quite all together yet. Not yet shifting the weight back to the legs, or if does, just once, then flat on the stomach. She was THROWING the spinner balls off her high chair tray. One was about 8 feet away. We tried walking, using her feet on my feet, but that frustrated her after a couple steps, think might have been overextending. Then i would hold her up, and counting with my feet, left, right, saying ONE, TWO, and bounce her with the steps, which made her eventually stop the hop and take steps. The whole time, when i paused, she would say "one". So later, i was holding her and she just started a whole sentence or paragraph of something. I said, " good talking Kelsey, I love you Kelsey", and she replied, "I love daddy", or "I love you daddy", just plain as day on the I love and daddy, but not sure if the you was there or just a transition sound to Daddy.8/3/09