Colorado

Micah and I haven't taken a vacation with just our family since our Honeymoon so he came home from work one day and said lets go to Colorado! I was all about this idea, first of all because my husband has never suggested a vacation and second he served his mission there so I knew we would both enjoy it. First we stayed in Colorado Springs at a beautiful hotel called the Broadmoor. Our view was awesome. Everything about this place was awesome. It was right against the mountains. I loved staying there! If I could live at the Broadmoore I would live in Colorado Springs! We went to the Cheyenne Mountain zoo. You can get really close to the animals which was fun. Sadie fed a giraffe. She wasn't sure if she liked that or not.

Our view!!!

Happy after a long day at the zoo!

After Colorado Springs we went and stayed in Downtown Denver at this boutique hotel called Hotel Monaco. They put us in " the 60's artists suite"! We are talking beads, lava lamps and a giant peace sign! I thought it was so fabulous! Micah on the other hand was not expecting such a hippie room. He picked the hotel so there wasn't much grounds to argue. At this hotel they bring you a gold fish to be your pet during the stay. Sadie was over the moon about this! Of course we had to get her one as soon as we got home. I loved staying here, you could walk all over downtown to shops and restaurants. The city was so fun and surprisingly clean.

We went to the Denver art museum and the Natural Science museum . We tried to cram in all we could without me getting too winded being almost 5 months pregnant and all. It was a super fun trip . It was fun to see everywhere Micah lived on his mission and all the stories that went with it. I have a new appreciation for all he did there 7 years ago. Thanks for the fun vacation Love!!!

Match Box Twenty

This last Thursday I went out for a girls night with my sister in law Holy. It was so incredibly fun. We went browsing around South Coast Plaza then stuffed ourselves with the most divine dinner and then to top off the night we went to a Match Box Twenty concert. I remember being 14 years old and having a big crush on Rob Thomas. Any teenager who watched MTV and saw that "Push" video probably did. Any way I had to laugh at myself with how giddy I felt to finally see him live. He was so fantastic! I still wouldn't trade my Micah in for 100 Rob Thomas' but I did feel like a little girl with a tiny little crush. It was funny. It felt so good to go out and have fun. I really needed that!!!! So thanks Holly for sharing such a fun time with me!

Sand Sand Sand

So we finally made it to the beach this summer. It was such an exasperating event that it's taken me a couple of weeks just to write about it. I went with my friends and there little ones and let me just say that I could not have done that with out them! I feel so handicap being pregnant with a 35 pound child that can't walk yet. Thank goodness for those girls, I would have died just unloading and loading my car of all that is required to take an almost 2 year old to the beach. Lets just say that Sadie's excitment for the sand and ocean made it so worth it!  Unfortunatly my dream of taking a million adorable pictures of Sadie playing at the beach did not happen. Everytime I put her down this was her crawling sraight for the waves as fast as she could. She has no fear of the water and I could either wreck my camera and save my child from being washed away or take a picture of her being washed away sooo......

This is how we kept her ashore. Thankyou Mellisa for having the foresight to bring the baby pool! 

I think all of us moms are probly kicking ourselves for not taking a group picture of the kids but I know I wasn't the only one worn out and overwhelmed by the amount of sand these little ones managed to eat or rub in eyes, hair ,and EVERYWERE! The pictures I did manage to get will be fun to look back on. So here is Ellie. Her mom, my friend Roxanne is pregnant too! So we were helpless together.

Here is Aftyn, she loves the water and sand as much as Sadie.

Easton knew what I was up to and didn't want any part of it. Sorry Amy I tried!

The Assessment

Sadie had her assessment from the regional center on Monday. It was a very good experience. The nurse and therapist they sent were very pleasant and helpful. The therapist played with Sadie and did some simple tests while the nurse asked me questions about Sadie's behavior. In the end they both concluded that Sadie is extremely behind in receptive and expressive communication, gross motor(walking), and social and emotional skills. In Adaptive, Fine motor and cognitive she wasn't too behind in fact she was advanced in some things, so it was "scattered" as they say. The hardest part was them telling me that she had many red flags for autism. They assured me not to worry it wasn't a diagnosis but there is a lot of things she needs just incase. So they started today with therapy. The same therapist comes to my house twice a week to work with Sadie. Then we will be starting physical therapy soon once a week. Next month Sadie will be starting an autism program where someone will be coming to my home 9 hours a week, so everyday, to work on specific goals. I am just so grateful there is help like this out there! It is such a blessing, this whole program is at no cost. I just feel like sharing all this because if someone didn't share there experience with me I would not know what to do and may have wasted more precious time. I'm trying to stay very positive, but I do have to be prepared that it will take at least a couple years of this to catch her up and depending on her diagnosis it could be a life long process. Every time  we look at Sadie we feel so blessed to have her sweet spirit in or family. Micah and I would do anything in the world for her and now we feel like we are actually doing something to help her be able to learn, grow and understand better and that feels like such a relief!

The Bathing Beauty

Summer time is Sadie's season! She is loving the water! I have been taking more and more trips to the community pool and in-between she is all about Nana's baby pool or this little water activity table we got for her to play with on the porch. I knew since she was in my tummy that she was going to be a water baby. Every time I would get in the pool for water aerobics or just for a swim she would kick like crazy! She has no fear (which probably isn't good). If I wasn't holding her in the pool she would try to jump in and swim herself. I can pretty much say that she doesn't ever put up much of a fuss for anything but when we pry her away from the water there is kicking and screaming like the world has never seen. I recently got Sadie in for her hearing test and of course her hearing is perfect, so now I feel like there is a million other things to eliminate. On the 14th a teacher and therapist from the regional center are coming to access her so I am waiting for that and then we will go from there. Thank you again for everyones help and concern.  In the mean time we will be making the most of this already super hot summer.

Info is Power

I just want to thank everyone for your calls and messages. Ever since I've finally started to talk about our concerns with Sadie, I've gotten so much help and so many suggestions. A friend in my ward put me in contact with a lady in Orange County that went through the same thing with her son and she gave me so much info. I guess there is a California Department of Development and they apparently have regional centers everywhere. Anyway I called the regional center for my county and they are going to send someone to my home to assess my child. If they feel she is behind in development they will help me out with additional services. This process will take a couple weeks but  it is all at no cost. So I feel like I'm doing something (while I'm waiting for the hearing test which is so far away). I don't understand why doctors don't offer up this information to you! I mean really, I feel so empowered by this little bit of info that was not easy to come by. So I am going to keep everyone updated incase you come across someone having similar issues.  Thank you everyone again for your lovely words and help.  

Having a bad night

I am in tears tonight, I am frustrated and just plain desperate! I figured I would  just to vent to my dear friends and family who are my blog readers. I haven't mentioned much the problems Sadie is having. She is 20 moths old in 4 days and she is still not walking or saying any words.  My other huge concern is that she won't respond to her name or anything unless she can see me. I've known there is something wrong for a few months. The thought that there was anything mentally wrong with her was just devastating to me. Not that I would love her any less but I would just be sad for anything she would miss out on. As I watch her more and more I've realized that mentally she is a bright little girl. She remembers routines, she mimics movements, she remembers hand motions to songs. She does pretty much what any other 20 month old can do except walk and talk. I saw my doctor last month and he was a little concerned about her not responding but not about her walking. He had her do a hyper-thyroid blood test, I guess that can cause slow development, but it came back negative. He mentioned that maybe we should do a hearing test but if one was done when she was a newborn (which it was) then that probably wasn't a problem. This left me with the usual solution everyone gives me which is just wait a couple months she will start when she wants. I can only thrive off that for so long people! I just feel like every week I let pass by is crucial development time and I'm not doing anything to help her. After a couple days of thinking I called the doctor back to ask about the hearing test. He had me call the San diego Children's Hospital and they explained a little more. They want to do a BAER -Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response test. They would have to sedate Sadie (scary) and monitor her brain activity during a series of sounds. I immediately felt like I needed to do this test no matter what so they checked their schedule and the soonest test available is the end of Aug! Are you kidding me! That is forever away. They said there is always cancellations due to kids being sick so that is what I am praying for, not so much that other peoples kids will be sick but that there will be a cancellation soon. In the meantime I am researching any other possible problems. I've even heard that a food allergy can cause slow development in walking and talking so like I said I'm desperate and just trying to get answers so we can help her as early as possible. Loss of hearing fits the best( in my mind) so far. Maybe it contributes to her equilibrium being off and thats why she won't walk without help. I truly hope and pray she is just taking her sweet time and nothing is wrong, however I feel like I need to know if there is something wrong  just in case so we can deal with it early on. I never knew I could feel so helpless as a mom. I wish scheduling happened on a desperation basis I would win a sooner date on their calendar for sure. I realize that their are so many other parents that have to deal with more difficult circumstances, people I hear about and people I know, I just want to know what our circumstance is. Goodness I'm going on and on but it does feel good to talk or write about it.

To Jessi:

My little sis is graduating! I'm so excited for you Jess. This will be such a fun time in your life. Make the most of it. You have time to take risks and follow dreams. Be brave or fake it! The appearance of confidence will get you where you want to be. This is also the time to get ahead and plan for your future before the family you will have someday makes beautiful ripples in your water that is your ever changing life. Know that sometimes you can paddle to your hearts content but sometimes the current takes you to better places. I love You. Love, Nick

Sadie's going to be a big sis!

Okay so I haven't blogged in forever and this is why.... we are expecting baby number 2 ("the duce"-for you Dana)!!!!!! We are so excited! This baby is due around Dec 30th!!! Holidays will be crazy this year but maybe it will help the end not drag on forever. Although we are so delighted it is has been hard for me to find joy in spending all my time with my head in the toilet or laying lifeless on the couch. I have tried to be creative with activities for Sadie besides watching her shows and reading books, but it is quite difficult when you can't even lift your head. Any ideas? We took out a box of oatmeal and cups and let her go to town on her craft mat while I laid there on the floor, she had a blast. Today is one of the first days I feel slightly normal plus my friend Angelina, at the salon just trimmed and styled my hair for me so I actually look normal for once (why does that always make a world of difference?). Anyways I'm feeling better and so I thought I should catch up on blogging while this lasts.

Sandiego Wild Animal Park

It was a free day at the Wild Animal Park so my friend Amy and I braved the hot hot sun and crowds with our kids. It was actually quite fun and I think we can both agree we got some needed exercise and sun.

The rhinos were feeling generous and giving free rides as well.

What is Easton so concerned about?....

Ohhh!

All Dolled Up

It was my little sisters prom yesterday. Jessi and Cassi looked so beautiful! My other sister Jacki and I had fun getting them ready (like for the past three weeks). I forgot how much was involved in prom. A girl sure does go through a lot for this. Jessi went with her friend, Jared and Cassi went with her boyfriend ,Steven (lucky boys!). I remember back when they would play dress up and now they are gorgeous young women. Were did the time go?

I just LOVE them to pieces!

Jacki made Cassi's corsage and bu tinier. This picture does not do it justice, they were so lovely!

Why must little feet grow to big for little shoes?

Soon to walk and not to crawl.

A swifter parting from my reach.

Not but a moment from a fall.

I live for these moments we'll one day beseech.

How I will miss these little shoes. -NS

I'd be lying if I said this was the first time this has happened. It is in fact the second, but instead of grabbing the vacuum right away I grabbed my camera. It's hard not to laugh when those big blue eyes are starring up at you as she continues to shake every last bit of baby powder out. I always wish I had a video camera strapped to my forehead at all times. I don't ever want to forget all this.

Mini's Cupcakes

Another fabulous idea Maria had was to go to this adorable little cupcake shop in Salt Lake called Mini's. They had sweet little cupcakes and a cute vintage setting, who could ask for more? I think Maria and I can both laugh when we think about the shear giddiness on our faces that comes with eating all those cupcakes. I love that I have a friend who can enjoy these silly things as much as me.

The Salt Lake Temple

When Sadie and I went to Utah to visit Maria and Abbey, our last day there we did what we called the grand finale. First We went to temple square. I always forget how wonderful it is to just be outside of the Temple until I get there. It was so beautiful. I love the Salt Lake temple it is my favorite. The girls enjoyed the reflection pool more then the view but it was fun to show Sadie the temple. Abbey being two couldn't stop talking about it all day.

Sadie's photo shoot

My dear friend Maria took these exquisite pictures of Sadie. I really can't thank her enough she does such an incredible job. Really, with a camera and a few jelly beans she can work wonders! Maria gave me a few lessons in photoshop and then we edited them with a vintage look. I think they came out lovely.