Help! (OFF TOPIC) "Little Black Dress"

One of my best friends Sara is getting married June 13th!  We were sitting together today looking at dresses for her bridesmaids to wear.  We came across this dress and it's THE ONE!  However, we're looking for it in black.  We've checked so many different sites but can't find anything close to this design.

Portrait Collar Taffeta Dress

Wanna get googling to help us?  Please reply here with your links and ideas!!  Also, we're looking for a catalog order kind of dress preferably less than $70!

Thanks in advance!!

Ups and Downs!

Jack is feeling much better.  Still coughing but no more fever!!  He'll be back to school on Monday -- YIPPY!!!!  

On the down note, Morgan woke up with a fever yesterday.  She's not as sickly as Jack was so I am hoping it's just a cold for her!!

I am looking forward to a nice weekend at home!!!

Unwell

UPDATE:  The kiddo has pneumonia.  Jack's fever was 104 at the doc's office :( She gave him an antibiotic and if he's still not feeling well by Friday she would like to see him again and order a chest xray. So no school for Jack on Wednesday. I didn't even take his wheelchair in to the doctor's office -- I knew he'd just want to lay on me. He's really not feeling well at all. Hopefully the meds will kick in and he'll start to feel better soon! 

Earlier today:

Poor Jack is not feeling well.  He's had a fever and cough since Sunday night.  His fever is 100-103 even with Motrin or Tylenol and the cough isn't terrible sounding but it is persistent and keeping him up all night.  He missed school and two outpatient occupational and physical therapy appointments this week but he certainly needs his rest and therapy can resume next week!  I am taking him to the doctor this afternoon.  Hopefully whatever it is it goes away quickly.  I hate when my kids don't feel well.  He's been loving all of the cuddle time on the sofa as well as watching lots of Nick Jr. and getting to drink "fruit soda"  or as Jack calls it "Froop La La" which is just some of that flavored no calorie, no caffeine seltzer water.  It's keeping him hydrated -- which is great!  Right now he's on the sofa watching the Backyardigans and is having a few chills from his fever.  He won't take a blanket though and his hands and feet are FREEZING yet his head and back are very hot.  My mother is coming over today to watch Morgan so I don't have to take her into the germy waiting room at the peds office.  Must love Grandmas!!

I will keep you posted.  Also, we're thinking of our little friend T. who is having surgery today.  He's getting the ear tubes/adenoids and tonsils combo.  We hope you're doing well little T.!!!!!  Can't wait to talk to your mommy to hear how you're doing.

PS -- Jack pictured above with his gorgeous quilt made by our new friend Leslie from www.quiltsforkids.org thanks Leslie, we love the quilt and wheelchair tote bag!!

and yes, that is a wire whisk on the back of our sofa.  What?  You don't store untensils on your couch?

Walk this way :)

Only when I watch a video like this is when I realize how TALL our Jack Riley is!! Jack loves to walk around the house with one hand held. He is very brave these days taking "risks" and trying to step on his own. You can see the nice boo boo on his cheek as he caught himself on the end table last week (with his face!).

Jack is a former 25 week preemie diagnosed with cerebral palsy. This video was taken a few days after botox. Although he's a little looser -- there's nothing too different in the video itself.

Home :)

Botox went well!  Jack was out like a light from the gas -- the injections took about 20 mintues and he woke up shortly afterwards.  We were released about 30 minutes after he woke up and he's eating everything in sight right now!  Yogurt, cheerios, water, chocolate milk and fruit snacks...lol

We were given an rx for extra therapy PT and OT 3 hours a week as well as a night time wedge/knee splint/brace thingy that I am sure isn't going to go over very well with Jack...but we shall try.

The Dr. said even under anesthesia his hammies (hamstrings) were so so tight.  She didn't say this outright -- but I think surgery is in our future.  Sadly this is what happens with spasticity.  Jack's had a major growth spurt and his muscles just can't handle the growth.  I hope botox and therapy help a little for the next few months!

Gotta run -- Jack wants to go watch Tee Tee (TV).

Update!

Jack is scheduled for Botox tomorrow morning!  He'll go under general anesthesia and recieve injections in both legs and his right arm/hand.  We go in at 8:00 am and will be able to come home later that day.

Yesterday we attended a 2 hour meeting at our adoption agency! We learned the general process of adopting internationally. We asked a lot of questions and felt very relieved and excited after the meeting. We have filled out the formal application and sent it this morning. The application was done online so we should hear within 48 hours on whether or not we were accepted into the program.   Please say a little prayer :)  At this point I am not posting too many specifics regarding the agency publically online.  I am not sure of the legality and would rather discuss these things privately!  So please, feel free to email me with any questions!  Also, stay tuned to our Adoption Timeline on the side bar for updates!!

Also on the side bar you'll see our 2009 March for Babies banner!  Click on the banner for our 2009 March for Babies information and of course to donate in Jack and Morgan's honor ; )

I will let you know how Jack is doing after botox tomorrow!

Just Morgan : )

January 2009 Pictures!

January 2009

Speech Therapy?

I was hoping to take a poll on what kind of activities your kids do during speech therapy at school (not outpatient/hospital based). 

I am meeting with Jack's teacher and speech therapist on Friday to discuss how his sessions are going.  I am just curious to find out how other schools conduct speech therapy.

At Jack's school speech is done in a group setting.  I've only come to realize (this week) that he does not get his speech 1 to 1 like he did in preschool or during early intervention.  I have a lot of questions on how he's doing with his goals and whether this is an appropriate setting for him.

The group session consists of 6 or 7 kids from two classrooms with about 5 switches on the table. They take turns hitting the switch to "read" a story.  While the activity in itself is nice, Jack needs SO MUCH MORE than this during his therapy time.  Much less in a group of 6 or 7 where he's the only VERBAL child.

Here's our experience PRIOR to this school year with school based therapy:

Oral Motor stuff like working in front of a mirror sticking his tongue out or imitating a "O" with his lips. Using a "horn hierarchy" to build muscles around his mouth. Blowing cotton balls across the table with a straw, etc.

The other things were receptive language stuff: like point to the bird, what is the boy doing in this picture, etc.

Then there's the pronunciation and just repeating sounds.

He has so many motivators too like bubbles, music, toys, balls, etc. And his TSS is there to help with the behavior and redirecting so I feel he needs to be in a different situation at speech time.

Thanks for your input -- I'll keep you posted!!!

First Steps (of a different kind)

We've been researching adoption on and off for over a year now and we'd talk and read and then let it go for a while.  A few weeks ago we started talking seriously about our plans and have decided to take the international adoption route. Right now we are hoping to adopt an infant from Ethiopia. We filled out a preliminary application and mailed it on Friday.  It's out there heading to the agency right now.

It is a long, long, long process and realistically we know it could be 2-3 years until everything is final and we have a new baby in our home.

We are open to a boy or girl.  We aren't sure if we'll travel or use an escort.  We are open to twins or siblings, and will probably know more once we're further down this path.

I just wanted to share this with my second family!! I'll keep you posted! 

Right now we ask you keep us in your thoughts for getting accepted into this agency's program!!

PS -- I started an adoption timeline on the sidebar if you're interested in watching our progress!

Is it SPRING yet??!!??

A lot of adoption agencies ask for various pictures along with their applications...so I thought I would try to find some and I came across this:

It made me long for the nice days of no coats, ice, snow, bad driving weather, etc.

Just look at that blue sky!  I am officially tired of winter.

Our Reunion...

I had a great time at the reunion.  It's been 15+ years since I have seen some of these people! What a nice group of freinds!  I spent most of the night laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.  It feels great to do that every once in a while.  I hope we do it again really soon!

The Two-Step!

So here's the entire story to our astounding news this week!

I did not witness Jack's first steps.  It happened at school.  He was playing with a sand/water table that they filled with snow for the kids to play in.  He was cruising around the table holding on with one hand (something he's been able to do for a long time) and Miss J. was standing near Jack just keeping an eye on him.  That's when she saw him let go of the table and stand for a moment then he took two independent steps toward his teacher Miss T.

I've been trying for a repeat performance at home -- but I think he needs more confidence to let go.  I don't think he was thinking about it when he did it at school...so I am trying to set up opportunities for it to "just happen" for Jack.

I've been standing him against the wall in our hallway and telling him to reach out and touch the other wall.  In order to do this he has to "lose" his balance a little and almost take a step forward.  I figure if he can get used to the "falling" feeling maybe that'll help boost his confidence.

Of course you'll be the first to know when we get more steps!!!

Quote of the Day

"Oooh, cool!  Pub-uzz!!!"  she loves shape sorters and puzzles ; )  I love how she adds so much excitement and flair to her words.  At Christmas time we would "oooh and ahhh" over the lights around town...several weeks later we were driving at night and we came upon a Sheetz all a-glow and she said "Ooooh, wow, COOL!!"  too funny!

Out of the Blue...

Mark the date:

January 21, 2009

A milestone seemingly beyond reach.

Jack Riley Wilhelm took his first independent steps.  Two of them.

I am crying as I write this...

More details tomorrow!

Our New Stander!

Standing in PROPER form is very important!  Jack resisted at first -- but as you can see he enjoys it now.  

A GREAT ebay find -- $175 (those who know the catalog cost of this stuff will be proud!)

What?

Oh, the joys of those fakey little webpages -- this woman looks entirely too happy.  What?  Did she find the cure for seizures in that shopping bag?

Research

As I mentioned before, we are researching adoption agencies and it's quite overwhelming to say the least.  I've read wonderful things about an agency and turn around and on the next page can read something completely different.  I took a break for several weeks and have been back to reading and researching again this weekend.  Jason brought two books home from our community library and I've been thumbing through them creating talking points for discussion.  So many questions!  Do we adopt domestically or internationally?  How do we decide on an agency?

We can easily answer a few questions.  We are open to a baby of any heritage, race, or home country.  Our love knows no boundaries when it comes to skin color.  When I picture a new addition to our family my mental image changes.  Sometimes it's a boy, sometimes a girl...sometimes dark curls and dark eyes, an occasional red head, sometimes it's a baby that looks like Jack or Morgan...I think you get the picture!

So I am asking you for your help!  If you are familiar with adoption or know someone who is will you please email me at angwilhelm@gmail.com and maybe I can ask a few of these questions?

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes!

Here in this video he is naming body parts when I point to them and ask him "What is this?" We did eyes, ears, nose, hair, cheek, chin, mouth, elbow, knee, toe, leg, arm, head, belly, boo boo, shoulder, and fingernail. You'll notice some words are very clear, other words he leaves off the end, and for words like fingernail it's an approximation "fa, fa, fa" but we'll take it!

Emerson White

This little one sincerely needs us.  Please do what you can to help spread the word:

Emerson White

I contacted Foxnews and will continue to write letters and emails this evening.