back to reality

Monday

Blind Low Vision Therapy.  I got homework.  I should make a mini family photo album for Caelan to ensure that he can recognize himself and the rest of us.  Also need to fill out an application for Deafblind Resource Services from The W. Ross Macdonald School.

Visit from one of our friendly case workers.  Love her!  Just a quick check in to sign paperwork and hear about our trip :)

Tuesday

Ophthamology appointment at CHEO.  I guess I shouldn't complain since I think on our last visit we were there for three hours.  This time we were just over an hour and a half.    Anyway, I explained that we are trying several different things to encourage Caelan to wear his glasses but it's a slow process.  We seem to be making headway with the sunglasses so hopefully we're on the right path.  Dr. was happy with that, especially since Caelan isn't running around yet.  Once he's running around, the glasses need to be on to protect that good eye.

Wednesday

Sign language.  Our first lesson in well over a month, maybe even close to two.  Unfortunately our lessons kept having to be cancelled due to illness or conflicts with other appointments.  Damian missed it to go play hockey with his work so it was all on me.  Oh, it was rough.  Really rough.  It's scary how much you forget and how fast you forget it when you don't use it!  I'm ok with the signs I use with Caelan all the time, but the're all one word signs or very simple statements.  To converse with someone is completely different and something I really need to PRACTICE.  I know this.  I just have to do it!!!

Thursday

Physiotherapy.  Hard work for my little big boy.  He stood for almost the entire one hour session.  Practiced his cruising along furniture, working his way around inside corners and parallels.  Then he pushed a fancy walker from one end of the room to the other with support from his therapist on his loosey goosey hips.  Homework is to practice all the same things at home, which means I really need to clean off the coffee table.

Can't wait for FRIDAY!!! :)

this time last week

Sure wish we were still there...

 

back in the pool, go, go, go!

home sweet home

Our drive home brought us a good 30 degree drop in temperature and that's quite an adjustment to make.  I miss the heat.  I really, really miss it.  It feels so cold here and I want some warmer spring weather.  At least there's sunshine.

I must admit, I'm very happy to be home.  Sleep is probably the number one reason for that.

We didn't have a nurse for the majority of this trip, which meant that Damian and I shared our nights.  After two weeks that can get exhausting.  I don't know how families with trached children cope without a night nurse.  Sleeping an 8 hour night on Saturday felt wonderful, and being able to do it again last night was luxurious!!! 

Our drive home went so much smoother than our drive down and took the usual two days instead of three.  Thank goodness.  What did make it harder for me was staying up with Caelan all night and only getting to sleep in the van.  Put me in a moving vehicle with the sun shining down on me and I'm normally asleep in minutes.  This time I had a harder time and could only doze for a few minutes at a time.  Made for a long two days!

The kids were all excited to get home too.  Darcy started recognizing her surroundings about 20 minutes from home and got more and more excited the closer we got.  "We're almost there, we're almost home!" she was singing.  We didn't have the van empty and she was already snuggled up with all her stuffies in her room playing and getting reacquainted!

Caelan recognized home too as we drove up and was all smiles.  He started spinning circles in excitement once inside.

Ry was pretty quiet.  I don't doubt that she was happy to be home.  She's just that bit older and realizes that being home also means returning to school today.  She's anxious to see her friends, show off her new clothes and tell them about her travels... not so much about school and homework :(

daredevil

I can't believe that my baby girl did this... heck, I can't believe I did it either!!! 

She was so excited and proud of herself!

She even did it again!!

(Same girl won't go on the the simulated rides?!?!)

rub a dub dub

You know it's a big tub when the girls are sharing a rare bath together.

As soon as Caelan saw this he was at the edge of the tub, on his knees, trying to pull up and get it!

 

Bathing Caelan on this vacation has been quite an challenge. 

At least he's spending lots of time in the pool! :)

The bath/shower combo in the main bathrrom has the sliding doors attached to the side of the tub.  If you slide them to one side you're blocked by the toilet and if you slide them to the other side, the bath has an incline that prevents Caelan from sitting where you can reach him!

This is the other bathtub. 

A huge jacuzzi corner bath in the master bedroom. 

Still very difficult to stay close to Caelan but he thought it was awful fun!

Especially when he could turn the taps on!  :)

Now that's a bath!!

soakers!!

Damian's in the front seat with the girls ducking behind him

I was lucky enough to get the front seat too... NOT!!!

 

Of course, these are the girls' most favourite rides!

Not sure you can really appreciate just how absolutely soaking wet we all are.

Damian took his shoes off on the ride to keep them dry. 

Unfortunately, his shorts were dripping so much water after the ride

that his shoes were just as soaked as the rest of him in no time.

Being the smart Mom that I am, I brought a change of clothes for the girls.

Although not smart enough to bring one for Damian or I.

*EDIT:  Here are some great pics from other rounds...

Oh the fun that we had

 

  

 

 

 

Universal's Mardi Gras

Live music

Beaded necklaces

Leave it to Darcy

and not to be outdone... Ry.

Love this one... xoxo

I still can't believe that they sell beer on the streets at Universal

and then I saw the shooter girl!!

Look up, way up.

It was a long wait for the parade, but so worth it!!

After the parade... not such a great picture but just check out all the beads!

Universal's City Walk all lit up.