It's Not A Goodbye, It's a See You Later

Those of you who have children receiving therapies from Early Start know that when your child turns 3, all services end.

Which brings me to show our last sessions with our beloved therapists from CRC.

Both Physical Therapist Karen and Early Interventionist Catherine have been with Moriah for the past year and a half. Through this time, they have loved on and helped our daughter grow in so many ways. They took the time to learn her favorite things, and incorporate them into therapy. They have taught me how to help Moriah play with goals and purpose. Overall, they were such awesome therapists and we were lucky to have them!

And because we are still very much apart of the CRC family, we left it at "see you later" and not "goodbye"

Thank you Karen and Catherine for everything!

One Year at CRC

Remember this last year? We were so nervous to leave our CVICU family at LPCH.

And then we experienced this...it definitely put us at ease, and made us feel like the Children's Recovery Center would become just another addition to our family.

We can't believe it has been one year, and we are marveling over how far she has come.

Moriah's days are filled with therapy and activities.

Signing with her deaf-blind therapist, Mariah

With Early Interventionist, Katherine, Music Therapist, Jody, and Physical Therapist, Karen

Sitting in big-girl-chair while getting medications from Nurse Brookie

Working with Occupational Therapist Marjorie and PT Karen

It has definitely been one year of recovery and rehabilitation. Despite all the ups and downs and steps forwards and steps backwards, she has made immense progress.

The hard work has paid off.

We love you CRC for all that you have done for our little girl.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Giddyup

Little did she know that she was going to ride a pony today...


Son Rise Equestrian came out to CRC and brought their pony, Blackie, for all the children to ride


This little munchkin was a bit unsure about the whole thing


There were a few tears shed


But she kept at it, and the staff at Son Rise handled her beautifully


And before I knew it, I had a little cowgirl on my hands!


But one thing is for sure, and that is that all little cowgirls need to take their naps or they turn into very grumpy cowgirls =)

Thank you Son Rise for helping us add to our list...ride a pony. CHECK!


Now off to bed I go before I turn into a grumpy Mama. Night night =)

CRC's Picnic at the Park

So, on Saturday, CRC hosted the most incredible BBQ for all the families. Through this time, we have talked about how much we love the staff at CRC, and how much they mean to us. It is obvious to see that they put their heart and soul into what they do, and that they really go above and beyond for the patients...this picnic that they hosted at the local park was no exception...

CRC Family

Chef/RT Brandon made the BEST BBQ ribs we have ever had!
Not only did the patient's families at CRC go, but so did the staff's families. I heard that 100 people RSVP'd - this was some picnic


CRC staff - they made several trips and transported all of the kids there via bus (Justin and I were able to walk there with M since we are signed off)


Henry's fam, along with Truong's and Nolan's family's


Marla and RT Izra


Mom, Nancy and daughter, Jocelyn


Preston's fam

Our lovely spot in the shade

Baba and Moriah

Moriah showing her grandmother all her tricks

Me and my happy girl - she loooved being outside

Even though I already fed this chunky monkey

She kept trying to eat those delicious ribs! One day, pumpkin, one day.

Flying with Daddy

And pulling off socks

They even organized an egg toss - watch out Justin!

(I was actually the one who ended up getting slimed...and then I chased my gloating husband and put egg yolk in his hair =) )

Everyone after the egg toss

CRC, all your effort and hard work definitely made a lasting impression on this family...

We love you guys!

She's A Baller, Shot Caller

You may or may not know the song =)

Justin's been saying it all weekend to Moriah because of how awesome she's been doing. We are officially up to 8 hours a day off the ventilator...it's unreal to even type that!!

We had a lazy, but enjoyable long weekend - since Justin had Monday off.

Birthday Party

On Saturday, we went over to the Adamis Family's house because it was Mercedes' 4th Birthday party. Baby Mia is at CRC with Moriah, but by exception, she was able to go over for a couple hours to celebrate her sister's Birthday with everyone.

Here is Mom, Rachael, putting sunblock on the birthday girl


Is it bad that I think this photo is so cute/funny? Moriah is having a crankypants moment - we had a couple of these over the weekend


RT Audrey, Nurse Poonam, and RT Jay were all there so that several of the kids from CRC could be there


Family picture


This another family from CRC who we've enjoyed getting to know. Their son Preston is at CRC. This is Dad, Cliff, Mom, Amber, and their girls, Chloe and Avery


Rachael with her baby, Mia

Happy Birthday Mercedes - we love you!

Independence Day

We didn't really do much to celebrate our country's Independence Day except to stick Moriah in a patriotic dress (thanks to Teta Vera who sent it in the mail just in time - thank you Teta!) and hang out at home


Happy July 4th! (a flag that MaryLou made with Moriah in play group)
We are so proud to live in this amazing country, and are so thankful to those who have fought (and continue to fight) for our nation.


Pool Time with Daddy

Another crankypants moment


Quick! Distract! =)


All better


Hanging at Home

Finally, one of our favorite parts of the weekend...
Moriah was so intrigued with Justin eating his dinner


Intrigued with his juice...please don't mind her creepy/favorite doll sitting next to her


Time to fly


I don't know how many times a day I brush that hair, and it ends up looking like this.
I guess that's what happens if you're a baller, shot caller ;-)


Hope you all had a good weekend too!

Lots of love,
Victoria

For Daddy

First off, I just wanted to follow up from last week. Everything went really well at LPCH. The procedures went smoothly, and we were back at CRC that evening. Our experience with the outpatient staff and Doctors truly confirmed why we moved to be close to that hospital. In the past, we've only had experience with the CVICU staff, and so I didn't know what to expect going into a different unit. However, everyone we came across was extremely kind, warm, and loving, and made me feel like a vital part of the team. M was a champ, and was back to her normal self the very next day. Let me tell you, it is SO NICE not to have the broviac anymore. As for the MRI, they did find four gall stones altogether, but they were not dislodged or causing issues in her gall bladder. We have yet to hear from Moriah's GI Doctor about what they are going to do about them - if anything at all.

Since Justin is still away for work, I'm letting him in on what his girl has been up to lately. Things have been rather calm, which is nice, and I've had nothing but a happy girl on my hands. She hasn't had anymore issues with pain for a couple weeks now, since they maxed out her Neurontin, and she is still going strong with being off the vent for 6 hours total. There is talk now about moving her up to 4 hour sprints, twice a day. Soooooo great!

Here we are enjoying the nice outdoors with Maji. She is doing a little weight-bearing on her feet


It only lasts for seconds, but it's still better than nothing. At least we can be outside,
off the vent, doing these exercises


While happy, Moriah's also been "naughty" and has been pulling her socks off about twenty times each day. Why not just leave them off, you ask? Because she pulls her pulseox probe (wire that lights up her toe) and sets off the alarms...this is the joy of having all the accessories...I've even seen the beginning signs of her pulling at her trach... I am not looking forward to facing that battle...you can see now why I'm happy the broviac is gone!


Smiling...with a really stretched out sock on her foot


Sporting a new swimsuit on pool day.
She got mad at me for making her wear her sunglasses, and she kept trying to take them off


She won


And last but not least, we have music therapy with Jodi!!
I have to be honest and admit that I had my doubts about music therapy for M. She cried and cried through the first few sessions, and was scared of all the noise and vibrations she would feel. Whenever Jodi would walk by her with the guitar, Moriah would cry and throw her hands as far back as she could so that she wouldn't have to touch anything (Jodi taught us that children with hearing impairments feel the vibrations of the instruments even more).

Over the past few months, through Jodi's passion, skill, and dedication, M can't get close enough to her when she plays the guitar!
For example:



And today, Jodi took Moriah on her lap, and let her explore the guitar herself. She loved it!



It's amazing to witness the progress that she is making right before our eyes...and I even think she might be taking after her Daddy from his college days


You all know that she's got one thing down....that CRAZY HAIR =)