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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Sam Starts Therapy

In what was nothing short of a miracle, (I'll explain in a minute) Sam started therapy on Tuesday. She is going to the Good Samaritan Children's Therapy Unit, which is amazing. It is fairly new, totally current and has a wonderful reputation. It's said to be better than some of the pediatric hospital's therapy programs in the area. All great, but that means we were told there is a six month, to a year, waiting list. Sam was moved to the top of the list, but they told us to expect to wait a couple of months, then Sam would get in physical therapy (which would be better than nothing) and then in a few more months, an occupational therapy (what she really needs)spot would open up. In three weeks total, Sam is now in occupational therapy. Her first session was on Tuesday. It was an evaluation, so I'm still not really sure what OT is like for a six month old. I have to say I'm curious... After months of not seeing any changes in Sam's development, she has been making some progress the last couple of weeks. Which is so fun. It's like a party every time she does something new. However, she is still at a 2.5 delay (I'm not sure exactly what that means, we are still learning, but that's a large delay, we are told) She doesn't use her left arm and hand like she should and doesn't move her arms to the midline. She is working very, very hard just to hold herself up and not fall over, and just do do the normal things. She doesn't have good muscle tone or development. She also doesn't make eye contact if you are too close to her. She'll only do it across the room, and then she loves to smile at you. So what does all this mean? We don't know. These are just the symptoms of... something... She has an appointment on the 26th of this month with a pediatric neurologist and I'm hoping we might have an idea of what we're looking at after that. It's comforting to know that our Heavenly Father is watching over our daughter and opening doors for her.

In related news... Tom's start date for his new job in Idaho has been moved to July 19th (from April 12th) as we need to evaluate what is best for Sam and we just don't have enough information yet to make that kind of decision. Luckily, his boss wants him to stay here and we have the freedom to either make the transfer or deny it without repercussion. Another blessing from our Father in Heaven. We are aware of His love and compassion and caring on a daily basis. The doors of Heaven really do open for us. All we have to do is be looking and the blessings will be there. Even when it seems hard, we are surrounded by our Savior's love. Always.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Puppy Love

In all reality, as a woman, with a husband, I hate valentines day. I'd 100 times rather get flowers randomly, than because it's a stupid holiday... but as a mother, I LOVE this day. It's so fun. Perhaps it's all the pink and red and hearts? What better holiday for four girls? Perhaps it's all the fun crafts to do with the kids? Or perhaps it's just because I like to get a little carried away... Here is what carried us away this year...

These cute guys are what Brooke and I made for her class' valentines. We hooked on a little card she made that said "I'm Dog-gone glad you're in my class!" And Viola! Instantly, I'm the coolest mom in the world. We had a great time. Brooke cut out all the hearts, put all the wiskers on, and put all the eyes and noses on as well. I think I might have to make these every valentine's day.

The twins mostly helped by eating the extra dough and a LOT of those mini chocolate chips...








Thursday, February 12, 2009

Quote of the Day

Alix: "Whoa! Look at Sam-0's crazy, old man hair!"


In case any of you crazy old men wondered what your hair looks like to a three year old...

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Trapped!

We are trapped. Literally. In our own home. Yesterday there were a couple of stray dogs running around the neighborhood. Fine. Someone else's problem, right? Not quite. For some reason in the night, the two dogs took up residence on our front porch. Apparently our Welcome mat is more welcoming than the neighbors... Anyway, much to Tom's surprise at 4:45 this morning, he opened the door to snarls and growls. Perfect. He tried to sneak out the backyard, through a gate. Apparently dogs have pretty good hearing... Anyway, he finally got the guts (or stupidity?) up to just walk past them. He did however have his pulled pork sandwich leftovers ready to throw down if needed... He made it to his car with all body parts intact. Great. Now what about the rest of us? Like my terrified-of-all-moving-animals children are going to walk past those growling dogs to get Brooke on the bus? Not a chance. Ever. So we are waiting for animal control to open. Oh. And did I mention we are showing the house today at 1:30? Perfect. Those dogs had better be gone!


Friday, January 30, 2009

Octopus For Dinner

What do you fix for dinner when you have eight (yes, really, EIGHT) hungry kids in your house? Octopus of course.


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As I have been getting a few comments on what the green stuff is... The octopus is a hotdog that you cut the bottom into "legs" and then boil them and they curl up like that. Then paint on a face in mustard. The "seaweed" is just raman noodles that are boiled in water with green food coloring. Drain the water and you are left with excellent tasting seaweed!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Life Goes On...

Having learned that it is awkward and hard to put a normal "nothing" post following one of deep revelation and seriousness, we will just have to forge forward together. There is nothing to report regarding Sam, but be confident that I will post any changes or news that we do get. So, life goes on. And here is a...
Quote of the Day:
"Erin! You can't draw in that!"
Erin - "But mom, I'm just writing in Brooke's diarrhea!"

Huh. And all this time I thought it was a journal...

This is Erin and the beautiful, sparkly doll we made together.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sweet, Sweet Sam

This isn't an easy post to write. But I figure that if you care enough about my family to still be reading my blog, you care enough to pray with us as well. We have had concerns for Sam's development for a while now. I've had a feeling that all was not "right" with her since I was pregnant. It has been quite the roller coaster and I think it's possible that we just got on the ride. Sam had an appointment yesterday with the neuro-development team at Mary Bridge. She is at about the level of a two to three month old. She turns six months old in a couple of days. We knew that she wasn't laughing yet, and that she didn't initiate smiles, and that you have to force her to make eye contact. We thought it was all social stuff. It's not. She also has really poor muscle tone in her arms and shoulders. And doesn't sit up like she should, and doesn't roll over like she should. I'm not sure why the physical bad news makes this so much bigger to me. Maybe it hits too close to home. My brothers, Daniel, Stephen, and Michail died from spinal muscular atrophy and Tom's brother, Wes is in the end stages of muscular dystrophy. I don't think she has either of those things, but it's, all of a sudden, scary. Sam has had wonderful blessings and they give us so much hope and peace. I guess what we are feeling is turmoil. I am also overcome with gratitude for my own problems. As I was sitting in the waiting room surrounded by really sick kids and these amazing mothers (Shout out to Tiffany. I don't know how you do it...) I was so thankful to be there with my sweet, sweet daughter. She is so wonderful and just draws people in. I don't think most people would guess that there is a problem. She seems so normal. But nothing makes her excited, and, on the other hand, nothing makes her mad. The neuro-development people were excited to see her, because most of the "too good" babies aren't diagnosed until they go to school. It's hard to explain to mom's of fussy babies that you are concerned because your baby is just too good. From here, we still don't know much, but it feels like we are headed in the right direction. It feels good. She has an appointment with a pediatric neurologist and will start occupational therapy once a week. She also qualifies for a bunch of programs run by the county and will have a nurse coming in to the house to work with her here. Her sisters are good for her, they told us it's great that she's not an only child. Apparently being born into chaos does have it's advantages... As I'm typing this, Sam-o is laying on the floor, watching the twins do puzzles. She just smiled at me, and I feel peace. This sweet child has been sent to us for a reason. We'll do whatever it takes to help her succeed. We love our Sam.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Little Shop of Horrors

As evening fell, there was peace to be had in land of Bishop. A scream rends the the silence. Then sobbing fills the air. As well as the pounding of smallish feet running for safety. Upon further, wary investigation... A horror and tragedy of epic proportion was discovered. Erin and Alix had taken shears to several members of our extended family. I know you're picturing bloody stab wounds, but... it was worse... Bald "My Little Ponies", shorn "Sleeping Beauty", "Braid My Hair Dora" with no braid left... It was a massacre of beautious locks. Brooke was sobbing over the demise of Mariposa and the twins were sobbing over the demise of their fun. And also their spankings... I was away at the gym when all the drama went down. When I got back to the land of Bishop, Brooke was huddled in the fetal position, still not over the terror of the evening, clutching her ruined dolls. Erin and Alix, sound asleep. So peaceful. So sweet. So banned for life from scissors... As I surveyed the remains of our beloved family members, I couldn't help but burst into (somewhat histerical) laughter. All the new fancy Christmas Barbies now have the same hair cut as I do. At least it's a great cut...

As you can tell from the giant mound of multi-colored hair, I have quite a few more bald ponies and Barbies yet to find...

And looke, the one green pony with pink hair? Still has hair! How did she get so lucky? I'd rather Barbie hair than twin hair, if I have to choose...

Sunday, January 11, 2009

First Real Food

Alas. What a pity. I tried so hard to help Sam make a big 'ol mess on her face with her first time eating real food, but it just didn't happen... Not even a spot on that pristine bib. She didn't love it, but she certainly didn't spit it out either. Perhaps it was the ease with wich I can feed just one baby at a time. No switching back and forth, trying to catch the cereal as it goes spitting down the face of the other twin... This picture is the messiest it got. She had trouble realizing that she can't feed herself yet. Anyhoo... she's doing fine and now she's just one of the big girls.


Thursday, January 08, 2009

Quote of the Day

The girls were playing "family" and all wanted to babies. But you apparently need a mommy to play family. So Alix walked up to Tom, loving touched his face and said,
"You have beautiful girlie eyes, so YOU can be the mommy!"

Oh. Well. If that's the only requirement, I've been doing too much!