“Walkin’ in a winter wonderland!”

Happy holidays everyone! If you’re not having a white Christmas where you are, you should head on over to Pompey where it is quite literally, a winter Wonderland. Pictures to follow.
I was just checking out this blog, and it’s been AGES since I’ve updated. I mean, I didn’t even give you a Thanksgiving update. Here it is… Steve carved his first bird…

And Katie hosted a post-Thanksgiving dinner at her house that Martha Stewart would be proud of. A great time was had by all.
What’s new with Sarai in the past 6 weeks? Well, a couple things. First of all, I should probably tell you just so we’re all on the same page here, that Sarai was officially diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. It’s not an easy pill to swallow, but we’ve known it was coming for ages (since she was a month old actually) but it’s still not easy to accept. The doctor who finally gave us the “diagnosis” said about three times in conversation, “Well, you know, with any child with CP….” before I finally interrupted him and said, “So you’re saying she has CP? Because you’re the first person to say that.” He looked like he got a little nervous, then told me what I already know; It doesn’t change a single thing. She’s doing great, she’s got the motivation to move, she’s got personality to boot, and he is confident that she’ll walk someday.

So even with a not-great diagnosis (which I’m not even sure is official), we left the appointment feeling pretty optimistic. He wanted us to see an orthopedist because he was concerned her spine may be curving a little… “you know, with any child with CP.” So we went to an orthopedist.

We were told by Sarai’s occupational therapist that the orthopedist might scare us a little (that he may want a lot of bracing to get her standing/walking/sitting). I went in with an open mind and prepared for anything. This is how our conversation went.
Dr: So what’s going on with your daughter?

Me: Well, she was a preemie, she has PVL and recently one of her doctors said she has CP, but I’m not sure if that’s official yet and I’m not used to hearing it, so I don’t know.

Dr: Well, that IS what she has.

Me: Well, I know, but I’m not used to it and I haven’t seen it in writing.

Dr: But that IS what she has.

Me: Ok….. ?

Dr: Let’s take a look at her.


I put her on the table and not 10 seconds later the doctor literally threw his hands up and said, “She looks GREAT!”

He said , “You’re going to have to keep an eye on this one, she’s going to be trouble! I can tell! She’s going to be a walker!” He was not at all concerned that her spine was curving, but said it is something that could happen in the future, so we’ll keep following up with him. He also didn’t think any bracing would be helpful to her, that the more time she spends exploring her world on the floor in a natural way the better. Amen, mister! I like that guy!

Sarai did get a prone stander.

The stander will help her to bear weight in her hips in proper alignment. She seems to like it, for short periods at a time. Yvonne got her a license plate for it…

… just in case we mix it up with anyone else’s prone stander in the house. (Thanks Yvonne, we love it!)

We’ve come to realize that Sarai really loves music, and not your typical lullabies, but popular hip hop and RnB.  I can’t get this girl to watch Little Bear or The Wonder Pets, but she’ll sit still for the AMTV: Morning Hot Mix for a Beyonce video! 

The other day, while she lay mesmerized by Rihanna, I started running around getting things done in the house.  I thought, “She’s being so good, she’s so quite!”  Next thing I hear is, “swish, swish, swish…” and this is what I saw… 

(Trying to make her getaway!)

She’s turning into quite the Christmas rascal.  And I love it!

You are just going to have to wait for Santa, little lady!

Other than all that (isn’t that enough?) I’ve been busy, busy with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. I’ve baked no less than 3 million cookies and even made some homemade body scrub for Sarai’s wonderful therapists.

We don’t have any snow in Orange County, but we’re getting our fill this weekend in Syracuse! Just in time for Santa. I can’t believe tomorrow’s Christmas Eve! We’ve got a busy couple days ahead filled with family and food, and I’m going to love every minute of it. In the spirit of the holiday season, here’s a new twist on a Christmas oldie…

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
(or a cat)

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief,

and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.

Yadda, yadda, yadda....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!