From our weekend with the Loffler Family - what cute kids!!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
A new look at the world
Callie had her function vision test today from the State. We recently requested they come do this testing so we would know how Callie uses her vision. Well we were a bit surprised to learn Callie has Cortical Vision Impairment.I had never been told this before so you can imagine my surprise! I am still learning exactly what it is - so far I know it has to do with the brain, not the eye. We have a lot of learning ahead of us. The great news however is Callie's functional vision - meaning how she uses her vision is the same as a typical 14 month old. She does has a spot mid line that is a little more difficult for her to see, however she has learned to turn her head slightly to see better. We also learned that she is more light sensitive than Zak so we will need to get her a good pair of sunglasses too, hopefully she will wear them. I got a great education on sunglasses as well which was very helpful. I just love the people from WI center for the blind and visually impaired, they are always so helpful and full of information.
This past weekend we had Heidi and the kids over. It was so nice to see them and spend some time together. We miss them already! We made a double batch of egg rolls, there favorite food to make when they come. Chris's cousin and parents also came to help. There were over 100 rolls! WOW. and they were yummy! Everyone was able to take some home and we stocked the freezer. I think we are set for a while. The kids and Chris enjoyed playing Wii, Heidi and I caught up and told old stories from High School. That is when you know you are getting old. When you can start telling stories. I never thought I would do that! LOL.
This past weekend we had Heidi and the kids over. It was so nice to see them and spend some time together. We miss them already! We made a double batch of egg rolls, there favorite food to make when they come. Chris's cousin and parents also came to help. There were over 100 rolls! WOW. and they were yummy! Everyone was able to take some home and we stocked the freezer. I think we are set for a while. The kids and Chris enjoyed playing Wii, Heidi and I caught up and told old stories from High School. That is when you know you are getting old. When you can start telling stories. I never thought I would do that! LOL.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
HUGE Accomplishments
Having special needs children is always about celebrating the small things in life. You learn to appreciate moments. I remember celebrating when Zak first found toys, When Callie first smiled, When either one slept for more than 4 hours, when they first tolerated a whole therapy session. These are the moments we celebrate.
Today I pulled in the driveway. The windows were open and the therapist was already here for Callie. I thought it was another typical day in the Teeters house. I could hear laughter and co-motion, but 2 nurses and a therapist - I did not think much. Then I walked in the basement door and the noise was louder as I thought to myself what the heck is going on. This sounds like an exciting session. I got to the top of the steps to hear pounding, Laughter and major excitement. What is going on? Zak was crawling!!! I started to cry. I was so excited and the dreams were coming true.. our little boy is figuring out how to get around other then rolling and scooting. I have dreamt of seeing him do this since the day he was born. We have watched him take a few steps here and there, but nothing like this. It was truly amazing. All I could do was stare, smile and cry! This was the second time today he did this. Way to go Zak.
Today I pulled in the driveway. The windows were open and the therapist was already here for Callie. I thought it was another typical day in the Teeters house. I could hear laughter and co-motion, but 2 nurses and a therapist - I did not think much. Then I walked in the basement door and the noise was louder as I thought to myself what the heck is going on. This sounds like an exciting session. I got to the top of the steps to hear pounding, Laughter and major excitement. What is going on? Zak was crawling!!! I started to cry. I was so excited and the dreams were coming true.. our little boy is figuring out how to get around other then rolling and scooting. I have dreamt of seeing him do this since the day he was born. We have watched him take a few steps here and there, but nothing like this. It was truly amazing. All I could do was stare, smile and cry! This was the second time today he did this. Way to go Zak.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Cami Mountain at our House
Cami Mountain (News line 9 Multimedia Journalist for wake up) and Tom (photographer) were at our house tonight to do a story on the kids and our family. They were here for a few hours and it was like visiting with an old friend. She is an amazing person with a lot of talent, we cannot wait to see the final product! Our story will be aired May 4th and 5th on the morning show and probably the 10pm. As it gets closer we will have some more details. Be sure to tune in. What a great opportunity to share our story with the community! Both kids did great (and Sammi too).
Monday, April 19, 2010
A Weekend.. not as planned
We were looking forward to a nice weekend with our friends from Minnesota. Finally a weekend to spend with each other just catching up. I warned them early in the week the kids were sick. Everyone knows us... if someone is sick you better tell us. The last thing we want is a cold. I just assume everyone gets sick as easily as the kids. They said no matter what they will be coming. I could not wait. Unfortunately, on Friday Chris was feeling terrible and decided he better go into walk in. Determined it was just a sinus infection. Come to find out he had a case of strep and double ear infection. OH MY! My first thought, my poor husband. Immediately followed by sadness. There was no way the weekend was going to happen and I sure hope it is not spent running the kids to the clinic. This was the first time since Zak was born strep was in the house. I had no idea if he would get it not having tonsils anymore. Thank god - as he was watching over us! Zak seems to still be doing well (just at the tail end of his cold). Callie was already on antibiotics so hopefully she won't get it and if she does the antibiotic covered it. So needless to say the weekend has been spent cleaning the germs. Today the nurses spent the day cleaning toys again. Hopefully we can beat this one. And ya know I must say. Chris does not get sick often, but when he is sick and I am not you know it is bad.
So Sunday I spent the morning at a coffee shop putting some things together with a close friend. Then I went home and putzed around the house. I bent over and my whole back just gave out. It has been a while since that happened. The worst part. I could not even lift Callie.. which meant not even a chance with Zak. UGH! Do you know how hard it is to lift a 32 pound child when you cannot bend. Thankfully I was able to get into the chiropractor today and I already feel better. I guess there comes a point when your body can only handle so much before another adjustment it needed. I just love the chiropractor!
Don't forget.. there is still time to join us in our walk to fight heart Disease! Click on the link to the right to Donate in honor of a loved one, Family, friend or to sponsor our Kids!
Also, we love to hear your comments. We often get busy and do not have time to write each one of you, but we do think of you! Thanks for taking time to catch up on our lives!
So Sunday I spent the morning at a coffee shop putting some things together with a close friend. Then I went home and putzed around the house. I bent over and my whole back just gave out. It has been a while since that happened. The worst part. I could not even lift Callie.. which meant not even a chance with Zak. UGH! Do you know how hard it is to lift a 32 pound child when you cannot bend. Thankfully I was able to get into the chiropractor today and I already feel better. I guess there comes a point when your body can only handle so much before another adjustment it needed. I just love the chiropractor!
Don't forget.. there is still time to join us in our walk to fight heart Disease! Click on the link to the right to Donate in honor of a loved one, Family, friend or to sponsor our Kids!
Also, we love to hear your comments. We often get busy and do not have time to write each one of you, but we do think of you! Thanks for taking time to catch up on our lives!
Monday, April 12, 2010
House work
The weekend was full of projects around the house! Saturday was spent outside! It was perfect working weather, I even got a burn! I should have known better too. We dug out all the raspberries in our planter and moved them to Mom and Dad's house. There must have been 30 plants. We should have counted! To think we planted 5 of them 2 years ago. Hopefully most of them will make it and we will have lots of berries. Then we put out the fountain and re mulched. It looks so nice. We also put up the trampoline for the first time in 5 years! (Since Zak was born.) It was fun to bounce, I forgot how good of a work out you can get. Zak bounced too! At first he hated it. Granted he hates the outdoors most of the time. Then he got into it and started to laugh. Sammi also got her turn. I really need to video tape her and send it to Americas Funniest Video. I cannot stop laughing. She pounces, must think something is under her.
Sunday was full of indoor projects! We finished our painting in the basement. All of the Ugly Yellow striped paneling is gone! More toys have been put away, the basement is all clean –ok well mostly clean.
We lost more fish! Seriously, I cannot keep fish alive. I am thinking it is time for the tank to be sold. We just bought 8 new fish since we were down to 1 and he was lonely. One of them brought Ick to the tank. We lost “Old Guy” that was the one we have had for a while and needed a friend. All the tetras and now have 3 guppies. Anyone want fish? We originally got the tank from winning Fair Fish – They were Zak’s fish. I love to sit and watch them, it is relaxing, but the headache they bring is really not worth it. Zak will look at the tank, but he would rather stick his hand in.
Last night Zak came down with a cold.. bummer. We were doing so well too. I hear it is really going around. Seems like everyone has a sick child. I guess we were doomed. He had a horrible night, poor guy. Snot everywhere! Probably no school tomorrow. The nurses at home were busy cleaning all the toys today! I pray Callie does not get it and Zak can get healthy quickly without any doctor visits.
We also had Callie into the clinic again today. Her feeding tube site is getting more red. I remember going through these stages with Zak when his site was new too. I am actually surprised the site has been doing so well. It has been 5 months since her surgery. So much for our Month of April without Doctors. We knew it was bound to happen. So she has a pretty bad infection. The Doctor said if it does not get much better soon we will be in Marshfield with IV antibiotics. We pray it heals soon! Also her right ear tube fell out at the clinic so we kept it. It is so tiny! Smaller then the typically since she was only 7lb when it was put in. Also she has a double ear infection! WOW. Poor little girl, she really does not act miserable, but she has to be.
This weekend we have some very close friends coming to visit from MN. I hope our kids are healthy enough for them to come. It sounds like they will be here either way. They have 4 kids, so between their family activities, sports, church and our kids with illness and hospital visits it is so hard to get together. We miss them and cannot wait to see everyone. This past weekend when we were cleaning we found pictures of the kids when they were probably 3 or 4 years old.. now they are 11 and 13. Wow how kids grow so quickly!
Sunday was full of indoor projects! We finished our painting in the basement. All of the Ugly Yellow striped paneling is gone! More toys have been put away, the basement is all clean –ok well mostly clean.
We lost more fish! Seriously, I cannot keep fish alive. I am thinking it is time for the tank to be sold. We just bought 8 new fish since we were down to 1 and he was lonely. One of them brought Ick to the tank. We lost “Old Guy” that was the one we have had for a while and needed a friend. All the tetras and now have 3 guppies. Anyone want fish? We originally got the tank from winning Fair Fish – They were Zak’s fish. I love to sit and watch them, it is relaxing, but the headache they bring is really not worth it. Zak will look at the tank, but he would rather stick his hand in.
Last night Zak came down with a cold.. bummer. We were doing so well too. I hear it is really going around. Seems like everyone has a sick child. I guess we were doomed. He had a horrible night, poor guy. Snot everywhere! Probably no school tomorrow. The nurses at home were busy cleaning all the toys today! I pray Callie does not get it and Zak can get healthy quickly without any doctor visits.
We also had Callie into the clinic again today. Her feeding tube site is getting more red. I remember going through these stages with Zak when his site was new too. I am actually surprised the site has been doing so well. It has been 5 months since her surgery. So much for our Month of April without Doctors. We knew it was bound to happen. So she has a pretty bad infection. The Doctor said if it does not get much better soon we will be in Marshfield with IV antibiotics. We pray it heals soon! Also her right ear tube fell out at the clinic so we kept it. It is so tiny! Smaller then the typically since she was only 7lb when it was put in. Also she has a double ear infection! WOW. Poor little girl, she really does not act miserable, but she has to be.
This weekend we have some very close friends coming to visit from MN. I hope our kids are healthy enough for them to come. It sounds like they will be here either way. They have 4 kids, so between their family activities, sports, church and our kids with illness and hospital visits it is so hard to get together. We miss them and cannot wait to see everyone. This past weekend when we were cleaning we found pictures of the kids when they were probably 3 or 4 years old.. now they are 11 and 13. Wow how kids grow so quickly!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Support Us in our Walk
May 15th is the American Heart Walk in Wausau! Our family will be walking in Honor of our Children – Both Zak and Callie have pulmonary Stenosis which means the valve that pumps blood to the lungs is thickened reducing blood flow. Zak’s heart has been getting better as he grows, but Callie’s has been getting worse. At her 1 year checkup we were told for the first time her heart stabilized, which means it did not get worse. We go to the doctor every 3 months praying to hear it is getting better. We also walk in honor of Grandpa George and Aunt Judy who are very near and dear to our hearts and Family and Friends with heart disease or a history of strokes.
It’s personal. With heart disease and stroke taking more lives than the next seven causes of death combined, you can’t help but make it personal. We are walking in the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk for those already affected, and we are walking to make sure that everyone is aware of their personal risks, to create hope that we can make someone else’s future bright.
Our personal goal is to raise funds for the American Heart Association and we need your help to reach our donation goal. We are raising critical dollars for heart disease and stroke research and education. You can “walk with us” by making a donation online by May 14th. Click on the link below and you will be taken to our personal donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer to donate less, you can do so by sending a check made payable to the American Heart Association directly to us.
If you would like to join our team and walk with us on May 8th send me an e-mail to join our team!
Click here to Follow This Link to visit our personal web page and help us in our efforts to support American Heart Association-WI Wausau
Your support has brought hope to those personally affected and at risk of heart disease and stroke.
It’s personal. With heart disease and stroke taking more lives than the next seven causes of death combined, you can’t help but make it personal. We are walking in the American Heart Association Start! Heart Walk for those already affected, and we are walking to make sure that everyone is aware of their personal risks, to create hope that we can make someone else’s future bright.
Our personal goal is to raise funds for the American Heart Association and we need your help to reach our donation goal. We are raising critical dollars for heart disease and stroke research and education. You can “walk with us” by making a donation online by May 14th. Click on the link below and you will be taken to our personal donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation. The American Heart Association's online fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. If you prefer to donate less, you can do so by sending a check made payable to the American Heart Association directly to us.
If you would like to join our team and walk with us on May 8th send me an e-mail to join our team!
Click here to Follow This Link to visit our personal web page and help us in our efforts to support American Heart Association-WI Wausau
Your support has brought hope to those personally affected and at risk of heart disease and stroke.
Happy Birthday Zak
Wednesday Zak turned 5. We now tell him he is a whole hand old! I don't feel 5 years older, but wow how time does fly. It is so hard to believe how far we have come as a family. Zak is truly an amazing boy. We did not do much for his actual birthday as we were working and trying to get things done around the house. We did have a party a few weeks earlier.
Happy Easter to everyone. We were up at 4:45 this morning to spend our morning watching the sun rise! We went to sunrise service up on top of rib mountain. Grandma stayed home watching the kids. Then we came home and picked them up and supported the youth group by eating breakfast at church. Thankfully it was a nice year to be up on the mountain. In years past I remember freezing. Then we had everyone at our house for a meal. It was nice to see Chris's family.
Happy Easter to everyone. We were up at 4:45 this morning to spend our morning watching the sun rise! We went to sunrise service up on top of rib mountain. Grandma stayed home watching the kids. Then we came home and picked them up and supported the youth group by eating breakfast at church. Thankfully it was a nice year to be up on the mountain. In years past I remember freezing. Then we had everyone at our house for a meal. It was nice to see Chris's family.
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