Nanny's Visit & The Beach ~ 2nd post

Bye Nanny ~ We MISS YOU already!!My mom left this afternoon and is already in Wisconsin....with the heat on, heehee. It was a very sad day around here. It was great having my mom around! Avrianna turned on the BIG crocodile tears in the airport once my mom made it through security, she is really going to miss her play mate and sleeping partner.

Well I am going to catch up with some fun pictures of our time with Nanny and the Beach

Me and my little man down by the beach....well as close as Danny and I like to be..... In the Bar, heeheeAnd this is as far as I get in the Ocean!!!! Not an ocean person (there was a shark attack the day before we were here, ugh)But she is......I'll just put my feet itThe waves are getting meI might as well go all the way
Mom did you bring me some more clothes?
Nanny and her beach buddy

Think she was having a good time......HI!! Nanny chill'n out with her cuddle bug

Avrianna thinking she can still "hold" Danny.....they are so CUTE!

My mom, My Aunt, and My grandmother

My grandparents

The Birthday Cake I decorated for my grandma's 75th birthday on the 2nd

Tomorrow it's suppose to rain here and the temps are suppose to drop for the next two days. Like in the 40's over nite.....lately it has been HIGH humidity and temps around 88. Great weather from my mother to visit.

Avrianna starts her Gymnastics Camp tomorrow that continues while the kids here have spring break....so Mon-Fri and Mon.-Tues next week she will be at camp from 9-3 each day. She should have a blast, but I bet she is going to be tired. Danny has PT at Kidspirit tomorrow too, so a busy day around here. I am going to try and clean the beach out of the van and do some cleaning around here while Avrianna is gone. Then she needs to hit the books when she get back from camp. Thanks for following us!

Grandma's Hands

I found this story in an email and was inspired to do a portrait of my four generations of hands. I do have a fifth but my great grandmother wasn't available at the time....so hoping to update this picture when I see her, but for now thought I would share. The story is about a 90 year old lady telling how her hands carried her through life...Avrianna'a Great Great Grandma Sophia NaGreen is 96 and doing very well. I can see her telling a story just like this!

Four Generations of Hands = Great Grandma Kohl (Beverly Kohl) 75, Nanny (Debbie Witt) 55, Mom (Lori Osero) 34, Avrianna Osero 6

GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.
When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence
and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.
Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her
at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she
said in a clear voice strong.
“I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,"
I explained to her.
“Have you ever looked at your hands?" she asked. "I mean really
looked at your hands?"
I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them
over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really
looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Grandma smiled and related this story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have
served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled
shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to
reach out and grab and embrace life.
They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.
They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my
mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went
off to serve our country in time of war.
They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. The left hand
is decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was
married and loved someone special.
They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I
buried my parents and my spouse.
They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors,
and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.
They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the
rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried
and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works
real well, but these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue
to fold in prayer.
These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.
But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out
and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me
to His side and there I will use these hands to touch His Face.
I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.
When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been
stroked and caressed and held by the Hands of God.
I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His Hands upon my face.
When you read this, say a prayer for the people in your family. Those
generations above you and those generations after you and watch
as God's answers prayers in your life and all of your family's lives.

Let's continue always to pray for one another.

-- Author Unknown

The New House

Well it framed in : Here are some pictures

The view as you're driving up to it ~

Front yard ~ Love all the mud, yuck
View from the garage ~Our backyard ~ MORE MUD!!!

Happy April Fool's Day

Hope you all are starting off April well. I got my mom already this morning with April Fools.....when I got up I went into Danny's room.....I yelled out Mom HELP Danny fell out of bed, heehee. Boy she can run fast!!! Well my April Fools, well not so fools as it happened, my air conditioner died this morning. Danny needs to be in a controlled environment cuz he can't control his body temp well. They repair guys are coming today but not till after 3, so we'll spend most of the day in the pool and shade. It is SOOOOO humid here you could cut the air with the knife so figures the air would go out on me today, ugh. Have a GREAT DAY!

To My Anticipated Son

Found this poem that a friend posted on FB and just had to share.............LOVE IT To My Anticipated Son
I anticipated complaining of a waking baby;
Not of being grateful he's able to wake at all.
I anticipated the wonder of time rushing past;
Not of reflecting on milestones so small.
I anticipated crying at immunizations and bumps while learning his way;
Not of agonizing at more tests, evaluations, and word of more delays.
I anticipated choices over preschool, clothes, and scout troops;
Not of choices between hospitals, specialists, and which support groups.
I anticipated loving him, but enjoying his independence from me soon;
Not of loving him so much I'd want to keep him sheltered in my cocoon.
I anticipated health and perfection when my baby was inside, thinking anything less would be tragic;
But now that he is here, my special son has worked some kind of magic.
I anticipated anger and disappointment at this fate;
Not the joy and growth and knowledge that have become mine as of late.
I anticipated something different, that is certainly true;
But that's because I never could have anticipated one I love as much as you.

written to Tim with love from his Mom, Kathleen Hoppe, August 1995

Happy Doctor's Day!!!

Today is Doctor's Day! I just wanted to send out a HUGE thank you and a BIG appreciation to all the doctor's out there that help care for my kiddos. Without out you guys are lives would not be the same.....and my kids probably wouldn't be here today. I love you ALL and you ALL are apart of our family. Sending ((((((HUGS)))))) your way. Thanks again for helping me give my kids the quality of life they both DESERVE!! I know the road we travel isn't the easiest and I know that I can not be the easiest mom to deal with either, but as the BIG picture unfolds I just want you to know I couldn't do without you wonderful doctors.

Uncorporative!

Ms Kristi...................Look familiar?Today in Speech Danny did ABSOLUTELY nothing. He didn't play with any toys, respond to commands, or acknowledge our existence even. What a stinker....it was worse then any of your visits Ms Kristi, LOL. He DID shut his eyes and ignore...well he has the male reaction down pat just fine, heehee. He is so not on his game today, I hope it's just cuz he is tired and not that he is brewing something. Chicken Elmo didn't even spark his interest, which it usually does (Aunt Bonnie if you still have yours Danny would like to play with it too).

The Cheery outfit didn't rub off on him that is for sure! :) But boy he is cute....I'm partial though. (yes he sleeps with his eyes open once in awhile, yuck, freaks me out sometimes)

Enjoyment

We tired her out!!!

Well Nanny is here and the shopping as began....heehee! Today was the first day of rain in over a month, you know it's bad when the palm trees are starting to die. So what else to do but, shop oh and eat. I did most of the spending today, sorry Dan :)! We are enjoying our time with Nanny alot, Danny has her wrap around his lil finger and Avrianna doesn't let her out of her sight. We've been playing the game domino's every night after dinner and FINALLY Nanny won tonight, yippee :). Not too much to report.... Danny is doing well, still have some pain with the ankle but it does seem to be getting better. Avrianna is wore out every night, being so excited to hang out with Nanny. I am enjoying having adult conversations once again. On Wednesday night my Aunt and Uncle fly in and they will be here for 10 days, so more people Avrianna can pester, heehee. Thursday is my Grandmothers birthday, we are going to have a lil party for her, grilln steaks, and I am making a cake. It will be nice for her to have both of her daughters here on her BIG day, she'll be 76. Tomorrow speech therapy will be here in the morning then off to the pool we go. I finally got Danny in the pool on Friday for the first time since being here....with him being so sick and then having the diarrhea for so long being on those antibiotics I didn't want to take any chances, he enjoyed the pool time ALOT. We were in there for over an hour and then he took a 2 hour nap, the pool always knocks him out. I heard up north is enjoying more snow....don't you know it's spring?!? Thinking of you all ~ Take care.

What a Big Boy

Here is some of my favorite video's that show how Danny activates some of his switches. Hope you like them.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nanny is Coming, Nanny is Coming!

My mom (aka Nanny) is coming to visit for 10 days and she should be here tonight around midnight. The kids are going to be in 7th heaven.....they have her wrapped around there lil fingers, spoiled rotten, I say. Well that's is what grandparents are for, right? Please pray for her safe travel, good weather, and no delays! She has never flown by herself before, she gets motion sickness, and is intimidated easily so the airport thing is going to be rough on her. I have lots of wine for when she gets here, LOL. I am so proud of her taking this adventure head on and with no reservations about it. I think she misses her daughter, heehee, NOT..... I know it's all about the kids. I know with Danny getting sick she's been wanting to see him...she needs to make sure he is OK, she kinda funny that way. I am going to clean up around here and then we are off to the pool for some fun in the sun. The schools are off around here so Danny doesn't have therapy today, but Avrianna will need to finish her books before any pool time...I know I'm a stickler about keeping a routine.

Sibling LOVE!

Yes I am a picture freak! I was flipping pictures at therapy today and got this.........
PRICELESS!!!!! How awesome is this :)

She LOVES her brother...................and he LOVES her!Mom, aren't you going to save me?!? Is therapy over with yet?I just had to share :)

Danny is having boughts of pain in his right ankle since Tuesday. Not sure why this was brought on, but I am keeping a close eye on it. It doesn't bother him (unless stretched or flexed) it's not swollen, hot, or red. But still it's causing him some discomfort, sigh. :(

Avrianna had a blast at gymnastics today here is the inside of Gymnastics World.

Yes she's gotten taller and last falls outfit is too small .... that was the last she wore that uniform

She won this contest by stay up the longest ~ Yay!

Thanks for following us ~ Take care!

Circus Sarasota

Well here are some our favorite pictures of the Circus. We all had a GREAT TIME!! I'm trying out this new slideshow from Smilebox....let me know what you all think of it. Avrianna loved all the shows, she can't pick out a favorite! And Danny was hooting and hollering through the show. LOVED IT!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

It was funny ..... we had to do a pit stop through the show so while Danny and I waiting outside by the port a potties for Avrianna you could tell he really wanted to be back in the show. Here are the video's (I really like using Smilebox it's so easy and fast...thanks Bonnie). The first one is of Danny trying to find the show off to the right of us..can you tell. This video also shows how easy he obstructs, sorry for those of you that hold your breath with him, :) . The second is us on the road after the show (yes I was videoing him and driving at the same time, please don't try this at home, heehee) He was talking up a storm afterwards. LOVE IT!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thanks for checking in on us! Take care...I hope you enjoyed our show!

Thoughts & Prayers Needed

Ok this is going to be a quick update but with alot to say.....first off we are suppose to be off to the Circus in 30 minutes...and lil man is still sleeping. He slept through the night, was up for about an hour this morning, and now still out like a light. Keep your fingers crossed he's not brewing something. I am praying this isn't a relapse of this virus...it is brutal.
With that said:
Here is my list of sick kiddos that really could use some of you prayer warriors out there......
Ryan Prindle ~ Just found out full of infection and will be at hospital for about 3 weeks, at least
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanprindle
Cody Pizzela ~ after being if Florida for vacation came down with a virus in hospital for 3 weeks now and just reintubated last night
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/codypizzella
Matt Eakins ~ went to ER this morning with Respiratory crap and now being transported to Children's St Louis
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mattheweakins
Melina Cunningham ~ wings were granted after a long fight of respiratory crap and infections
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melainacunningham
Moriah Nelson ~ fighting an undiscovered infection and going for Nuclear testing and biopsy today to see if they can find the source
http://momentswithmoriah.blogspot.com

Please take a moment and stop by their sites! Keep them in your thoughts! These kids are so strong they always amaze me with there strength, but alil help never hurts. They have a special place in my heart......an for some, I've never had the pleasure to meet in person, that's how amazing they are! Thanks
I will post pictures of our circus experience this afternoon. Sorry for the lack of updates the last couple days but really there was nothing to report....it's all good!

So Smart

Ok this is what I get to deal with on a daily basis.....what a smart cookie. Avrianna was very interested in the charting of Danny raising his hand for answers. So she comes back at me, after I told her what I was doing......"Mom, how do you know what his answers are....you might not check him because he didn't raise his arm, but the answer may be no to him and you just "think" it should be yes." Spoken from a true six year old....and you know what, she's right!! Way to go Avrianna you are more my teacher. So after thinking about her statement and how right she is...how do I chart him if I DON'T REALLY KNOW.

Well here is my lil smarty pants playing with her good friend, Julia. Tomorrow they leave and it's going to be very sad. For everyone...Danny really likes her older brother. Danny has such a positive reaction when he comes and talks to him.

They were inseperable when they were together and they played so well!

Bye for now Schmidt family....see you again soon. Hope to get to your neck of the woods this summer.

Avrianna was practicing with the camera again...she takes pretty good pictures, Don't you think?

Reading Festival

Today we went into Fort Myers and went to a Reading Festival. It was a nice time, the weather was great, and we got a few good books.

"Mom can we GO NOW!"Pictures courtesy of Avrianna ~ thanks girl....you're great with the camera! She wanted my picture on here too, ugh :)

You take it yet?We washed the van this afternoon too.....OMG ~ STOP IT, You'll grow up fast enough, lol. She looks like a natural. Don't worry Nanny it was just for the picture, she didn't drive! Danny enjoyed sitting in the front seat and checking everything out....look no wheelchair, yes Nanny he sat in the front, but we didn't go anywhere, heehee. He looks like such a BIG boy sitting there.So not too much to report but I like these days, and the kids are healthy so I can't really complain!! We are off to the couch to snuggle and watch a movie together. Take care

Fun Times

Another GREAT day here at The Osero's! Avrianna slept in, finished her school work (without causing me grief), and played in the pool with her friend. Danny and I even managed to get out by the pool for alil over an hour. It was so nice, we didn't go in, just enjoyed the sunshine. Avrianna's friends family are leaving in two days so I know emotions will run high. Those two girls are so sweet together. Makes me want to get this adoption stuff done and over with quicker when I see her interacting so well with other girls. She really needs a sister to hang out with, play with, and fight with.
They live in St Louis .... we are thinking of taking a trip there maybe this summer, so now we have another family we can visit. I would love to meet one of the kiddos that I follow (Mattman) and he lives in that area too...what a blast it would be to hang out and meet him in person. He and his family have touched my heart, they ROCK! I've heard St Louis has an awesome Zoo so we'll have to check that out too.
Danny didn't require ANY oxygen last night, was off ALL his machines ALL day again today, and hasn't (as of now) needed oxygen tonight. YAHOO!!!!! I can honestly say I think the bug has past. Yesterday afternoon is like a switch turned on and now he is back to the same old Danny. I am so overjoyed but still hesitant as I know how fast things can change.
I was telling the teacher and OT today when they were out for therapy about Danny's amazing strides yesterday. I had shown them the pictures of him holding his head high and proud and told them about his way of raising his hand as if to answer yes to questions. They too started to see him raise his arm to answer questions....this is all a dream for me, it's like I'm a hopeful mom and it's really not happening. Does that make any sense? But they reassured me that they thought indeed there is something there. I will be monitoring it closer and keeping track of his results for awhile. This is just so exciting! Boy did he get tired today during therapy....or overwhelmed, not sure which, but you could see it in his eyes. He had enough of us fussing over him. He was DONE! I am so proud of him, he's trying so hard, that's my boy. Avrianna too is very excited about our newest trial with Danny she can't wait to start ....oh boy watch out Danny I think we have a therapist in training, lol. She really gets into this.
Tonight I had my grandparents and neighbor over for Chinese and a game of dominoes afterwards. It was a great time and I'm still stuffed from all the food I ate. I can't believe I have so much left over...my grandfather said I'm not allowed to order any longer, as we're not feeding an army, lol. Avrianna went out to eat with her friend and then out for ice cream. Unfortunately I got a phone call with her crying on the other end around 8pm. I guess the keys got locked in the car so they were locked out and she freaked. I'm not sure what the whole issue was but she missed me and she didn't think she was going to be able to get back home. I tried to reassure her that it would be ok (I mean how cool is that locked out at an ice cream store...I totally would have taken advantage of that opportunity,lol) but it was already 8pm, she played hard all day, and she was exhausted.....so nothing was getting through to her. A few minutes later I get a call again from the family stating that she is really having a rough time and won't stop crying..."Can you pick her up?" What am I going to say, NO.....NOT. I luckily had my grandparents still over so they watched Danny and the neighbor and I hopped in the van to go pick her up....she was about 15-20 minutes away. I get about 2 miles before I was to get there and they call me...."We got the van unlocked so turn around we are on our way home." Are you kidding me? I had to have someone watch my son, drive for 30+ minutes for you to tell me to turn around? Whatever~ I was pissed! It wouldn't be so bad but the last time they had her (when I was in the hospital with Danny and my grandparents were watching her) they were suppose to have her home by 9....well they didn't get her home till after 10! It's the lack of common sense thing and respect that is driving me NUTS. Again cuz I sit at home with my kids I MUST NOT have anything to do. Ok don't ranting about that! Once she was home all was good! Still made out for a good day.
Blog family ~ Please keep another one of the kiddos that I follow in your thoughts as today she had to have an emergency intubation and has been fighting an infection for weeks now. She is having a really hard time right now and the family is too. Stop by and send them encouraging kind words through this very difficult time. http://momentswithmoriah.blogspot.com/

Rockstar!

I got these this morning and just HAD to share!

OMG ~ here is my ROCKSTAR holding his head up proud. I need to get me one of these mirrors! The first one was taken about 3 minutes into his task...and he was talking, LOVE IT! At one point we had to whole place cheering him on. This is so awesome!How appropriate....Dream in the background. And here she is Lil man's favorite....Ms Becky. Congratulating him after a GREAT JOB.

Spoken without words

What a day! This morning, I do have to say, didn't look to promising for our planned outings this afternoon. But this afternoon went wonderful and I just want to BRAG! It's been so "iffy" with my posts so some good new is needed. Danny was off his machine's all day, YAHOO!! We took everything as baby steps but he wanted to go mountain climbing, lol.
First we went to Avrianna's gymnastic session. She did great! They upped her to the level 2 from level 1 in just this one session. Way to Go Avrianna! I watched in amazement with the things she was doing....Back bends then flipping her legs back over, climbed the rope all the way up (about 2 stories and of course I didn't have the camera), and not crying when she reopened a wound on her elbow (she got it last week trying to skip in flip flops holding her drink, yeap multi tasker). She even went back out after the office cleaned her up and put a bandage on it. She's so strong.....willed, physically, and emotionally. I signed her up for Gym Camp during Spring break in April for 7 days. She is going to have a blast, 6 hours a day hanging out at the gym and doing her own thing. Now that she doesn't have any restrictions during gymnastics, watch out!
From Avrianna's gymnastic we headed right over to Danny's Physical therapy at KIDspirit (if you are in SW Florida and looking for a great place to take your kids for therapy...KIDspirit is the place to be, they are AWESOME!). Danny was breathing great, but he went ahead in filling his pants as we were walking in the door. After changing him boy did he pull out all his stops. My jaw dropped!! Ms Becky put Danny on his belly and braced his arms underneath him then.............WOW..............he held his head up high, turned his head from side to side, engaged in conversation and did this ALL for just over 5 minutes. Yeap ALL by himself! I of course didn't have the camera so started clicking pictures on my phone (thinking I'll just go buy the cable to download them to my computer) but then another therapist had hers so we took some with her camera and I'm awaiting the email so I can post them here to share. I was amazed....he's NEVER done this before . Some of you may think....he only held his head up for 5 minutes, but this is a HUGE milestone for Danny. I do have proof, I will post them once I get them! Then he started communicated with Ms Becky...again a first for Danny to EVER do this. She was telling me of his sense of humor that she saw when she was with him at the hospital and then proceeded to show me some of it. She start chit chatting with him and then would ask "Danny do you want me to shut up"....he would raise his left arm up. Ok I'm thinking just luck...then she would ask it again, and yeap he would raise his arm. Ms Becky started asking some other yes no questions and he would raise his left arm up with the appropriate yes questions. Am I seeing this? If this is a cruel dream....DO NOT WAKE ME. I am on such a high! We can't wait to see how Danny does next session. I guess he REALLY likes Ms Becky, she's his inspiration. I was going to try it when we got home and video tape it, but he was so wiped out with not being on machines for the day, getting out of the house, taking a shower, and working his butt off trying to impress Ms Becky he was out like a light tonight. I don't think he eyes were open when he hit the pillow. But you can bet on it.....we'll be trying it again and with the camera/video again.
It's with a heavy heart to report that one of our Caring Bridge kid followers was granted her wings today...with more respiratory issues. Please take some time to stop by their website http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/melainacunningham. You will be missed Melaina, thanks for allow us to follow your story and be apart of your journey's.

Better day?

I am hoping for a better day today then it was last night. Danny had trouble holding his stats up so I was up here and there cranking his oxygen up. It's weird how he is so up and down....really no in between. This roller coaster ride of an illness has GOT to STOP! I am keeping my fingers crossed this afternoon is a good one for him as Avrianna is suppose to go to Gymnastics (this will be her first time since we've been down here because Danny's been too sick for me to take her) and she REALLY wants to go. Then I would like to take Danny to PT today.....he hasn't had any stretching out (well any therapies for that matter) since we've been down here except for when Ms Becky stopped by to watch him in the hospital for me, thanks Becky :)! We I'll post later on how our day went. I just wanted to let you all know where we stand right now.....IT'S UP IN THE AIR, sigh.

Still Home!

Today Danny had a follow up appt with his Ped down here. She said he looks GREAT, but still doesn't sound too hot. We are going to stay home and continue cares here, she agrees that I can take care of him at home seeing we have all the equipment. YEA!! If he can't hold his stats well with the bipap and oxygen or if more seizures pop up then I have agreed to bring him back to the hospital. In the office Danny held his stats at 96 with room air...way to GO buddy, but I know all to well how fast that can change so I'm on guard. I am to bring him in to see the doctor once a week just for a check up so she can see how he is doing. Boy are we so lucky to have awesome doctors down here too!! The doctor looked in Danny's ears and his tube is still in his right ear...that means his drum didn't blow, it was just doing it's job and draining, but you knew that already Dr K, heehee. YIPPEE!! The doctor gave me another cream to try for lil man's butt...it is NOT GOOD! Not at all, it is so red it's almost purple and is now starting to blister and break open. That has GOT to hurt. I just want to put on ice pack on his bum in hopes it will make it feel better. I got ahold of the Pulm doc in Wisconsin so now they are up to speed with Danny. The nurse was going to let his doctor know what has been going on and possibly call his Ped down here with some words of wisdom. How awesome.... states away and they still take care of Danny.....plus work with the doctors down here, again what an AWESOME team of doctors Danny has. It makes my work alot easier when everyone plays together nicely, LOL