Two and A Half!

Man, I can't believe another half year is behind us and our little man is 2 1/2 (or was on June 19th, I fell behind on blogging due to a very long 6 day trip to Michigan for work).  Jacob seems to have hit a maturity stride, for the most part, he's communicating better, potty training is going decent (he pretty much has pee down, still working on #2!) and he seems much more outgoing and friendly.  I take him next week to get him evaluated for his speech delay, though his pediatrician and the psychiatrist both don't seem to think he'll qualify for treatment, I would rather get him evaluated now and know that we're not missing valuable time.  Jacob has taken a huge interest in playing with the neighborhood kids and when I told him the other day how well he played with two neighborhood kids, he said "I no bite momma, I all done biting."  He continues to be a sweet, lover boy, he is still quite the momma's boy but he's starting to want more to do with other people.  My little man is growing up too fast!!!

I Don't Know Where She Gets It From

I've always said Riley has been my hero, her strength and confidence are astounding.  She continues to leave me in awe.  Riley's only complaints of her new school were that a) people kept asking her what her AFO was and why she had it and b) she got asked her name a lot.  Her new program has about 60 kindergarten and first graders in it.  It's run through her elementary school and is on site (have I mentioned that my mind is still boggled that she is in an elementary school???).  I explained that 35 of the 60 kids there are kindergarteners like she is and they are all new to the school so it would take a while for everyone to learn everyone else's name.  On a side note, when we walked in the program director said "Hi Riley, where's your cast?"  They met Riley at orientation in March and haven't seen her since then and they remembered her, they've also greeted Marc and I by name each time we have walked in.  I am super impressed!  And for having 60 kids, even the chaos is more organized than her pre-school ever was. 

So to address the AFO issue, I asked if anyone was mean about it, she said no, they just kept asking and it was annoying.  I totally get it, she doesn't want to be different.  So I asked her if I spoke to her teacher and it was ok with her did Riley want to get up at circle time and just tell everyone about her AFO so she didn't have to keep telling people about it, she could say it once and be done.  She said yes, so Marc dropper her off on Tuesday and talked to the teacher about our idea and she loved it.  I wondered about her all day and if she actually got up and spoke about it or if she got shy at the last minute.  Well I walked in and she actually did it.  Riley stood up in front of 60 5 and 6 year olds and told them about her clubfeet, Dr Hoffinger, her surgery and her AFO.  I was in awe, she also learned that one of her teachers wore the braces also which was cool for Riley!  I am in awe and so proud of her for being able to stand up and talk about her birth defect in front of all of those kids.  It makes me feel pretty silly that I get nervous for my business presentations or that I am dreading my upcoming training for work next week where I will have to be video taped and watched by my peers (I'm literally dreading it!).  If Riley can get up and talk about her feet, why can't I talk waffles???

And as if all of that wasn't impressive enough, Wednesday she had a field trip to Chuck E Cheese and she decided on her own that she was going to wear her AFO because they would be doing a lot of walking and running and she didn't want to hurt her foot. 

I've spent so many years wondering why us?  Why her?  when it comes to her clubfeet, surgery, etc and now I know the answer is simple.  Because she can handle it.  I know it's not fair because she deserves to have it "easy" like most of her peers but I know without a doubt that she was given this challenge because she can handle it, because she can face with without fear, and she can overcome it.  I am so incredibly proud of her the last few days.  Not only is it hard and scary to start a new school and make new friends but she got up in front of children she doesn't know and educated them.  I hope that she always embraces her difference and is never ashamed of it. 

 

In The Blink of An Eye

Well it seems in the blink of an eye, Riley has grown up.  She successfully has had her first day of camp at her elementary school.  She's still a bit shy at drop off and hasn't make a ton of friends but once she gets warmed up and engaged, she seems to be having a lot of fun and she's been coming home exhausted and hungry!  I was so happy to hear that she had a "very very very good day!"  She was so worried!  Her only complaint from the first day was that people kept asking her about her AFO when she put it on to go outside.  She seems so much taller, older, and more mature now.  I can tell she does miss her friends and teachers at KinderCare because she keeps asking to see her teachers and tell them about her camp and wants me to pick her up before Jacob so she can go and see everyone.  I know she'll adapt in no time though!

 

Bye Bye AFO!

Friday was a big day for Riley!  Not only was it her last day of pre-school (I'm still all teary eyed and choked up about that) but she had an appointment with Dr Hoffinger to check out her feet.  This week marks about 4 months post-op.  Well I left doing the happy dance, and so did Riley.  She is officially allowed to stop wearing her AFO, her face lit up.  We all decided if she was going to be running, jumping, or overall being crazy we should put it on so we don't end up in a cast and miss out on swimming this summer but other than that, she is free to move about without it on!  One happy girl!  And I am happy that she doesn't have to start the EDCC (her summer and before/after school program at the elementary school) with her AFO, I know it sounds bad but I didn't want her starting her new school with her AFO, I didn't want her starting being different, not that she cares but I know kids can be mean and I just don't want her being physically different on her first day.  I know it sounds horrible, and it's not because I'm ashamed or embarrassed, I just know how mean kids can be and I want to save Riley some heartbreak.

Back to her check up, he also checked out her right foot and it looks awesome as well and is not close to being considered for the transfer.  Our monthly appointments have been moved to 6 weeks and if all goes well at that appointment he'll gradually make the time between visits longer and longer.  All in all a great visit.  Ri was a little weird there, they even noticed she was a little more reserved, I think that was an effect of being sad that Friday was her last day at her pre-school. 

Waiting for Dr H!

Our usual picture, a very happy girl to be ditching her AFO!  Shoe shopping is on tap for us this weekend!

I have lots of pictures (though I wish I had gotten more of when she was starting the correction process) and her first pair of shoes and her tenotomy casts so I decided to make a shadow box for her highlighting her treatment and milestones.  (They just opened a Hobby Lobby up near us and I can honestly say I heart it tremendously!)

Oh The Places You'll Go!

To My Riley On Your Last Day of Pre-School

Riley-Roo, where have the years gone!  In a blink of an eye you've transformed from a bright eyed baby into a vibrant little girl.  I don't know how it happened but onto kindergarten you go, and believe it or not, you are ready.  I know you are nervous, excited, and a little scared of what Monday at your new school will mean but rest assured child of mine, you will have no issues making friends and adjusting to your new school.  I worry about you on many things, but adjusting to new environments and making new friends is one area where you excel and I know you will come home on Monday with a whole list of new friends!  I on the other hand need to remember to start packing you lunches every day and need to get used to the idea that you are now an elementary school girl.  You've spent the last 5 years at KinderCare, learning, growing, and becoming an outgoing, compassionate, responsible little girl. 

Remember what Daddy and I told you today, it's good to be a big fish in a little pond for a while, but if you stay too long, you won't grow and learn to your potential, so it's time to move to the bigger pond and be the little fish for a while where you can learn and grow some more. 

I am so excited to see you grow and learn more, both at the EDCC this summer and then when the school year begins.  Your passion for learning will serve you well and it's only a matter of time until you've learned to navigate your new school.  Today is only the beginning of all of the new friends, adventures and learnings that life has to offer you.  I'm so excited about all of the places you will go!

I'm so glad the teachers gave us this class picture, your class was a special one with a bond different from many other classes.  I know you will continue to be friends with many of these kids as you have known each other since the baby room 

On your way to the last day of preschool

So long old friends!  Until we meet again!

Onward and Upward

Wow, how can it be possible that my baby girl is finishing up her pre-school and moving on to Kindergarten.  I feel like it was just yesterday that she was our 4 1/2 lb bright eyed baby girl but alas time has flown and she's blossomed into a sweet, sassy, compassionate, brave, bright little girl.  As much as I see that bright eyed little baby when I look at her, Riley has truly become a little girl.  Yesterday we had her Pre-K graduation, I can hardly believe that 5 years at KinderCare has flown by.

The graduation was adorable, ironically and fittingly it was a "Frozen" themed graduation.  Ironic, because it's been in the 100s here, Olaf would be a happy snowman.  The kids came out dancing to "Wiggle" which was HILARIOUS!  And then they sang "Do You Want to Build A Snowman," "Love Is An Open Door," and of course "Let It GO!"  Last year Riley was so reserved and shy and wouldn't make eye contact and this year she was belting out the songs and doing all of the moves, smiling at the crowd, what a difference a year of maturity makes. 

Dancing in!

Do You Want to Build A Snowman?

It Doesn't Have to be Snowman!

A happy graduate

My little graduate

Riley and her friend Rhylee

Such a big girl!

So proud of her

Riley and proud daddy

Ri was so sweet and wanted her brother involved

Riley and her teachers

Family photo

She may be off to kindergarten but she'll always be the bright eyed baby on the left to me!

 

Cheers to Riley's graduation!  After graduation we went to dinner at Riley's favorite - Fuddruckers!

Final Day!

Our final day was a doozy.  We had the Magic Morning Pass so we were able to get into the park a day early.  We planned to use this pass to go see Anna and Elsa before the park opened.  Well us and all other families worldwide.  They cut the early admission line at the family in front of us!  We were highly annoyed.  Anyway, Marc had me hand him my backpack and told me my half marathon training started that day.  So as soon as the Mickey clock him 8AM, I was sprinting across the Magic Kingdom to secure a spot in line for Riley.  Another woman got behind me and told me that she saw me at the gate and I looked like I knew what I was doing so she told her husband she was following me, turns out she was super cool and lives in San Jose so we chatted the whole time we were in line, the entire 2 hours!  The things you do for your kids.  Originally, they told us the line would be 4-5 hours and we decided since it was our last day that we would just do it, Marc took the kids on some rides and I held our spot in line.  It ended up being a 2 hour wait and it was worth every minute!  Riley was beaming meeting Anna and Elsa and it only seemed fitting to end our surgery recovery celebration trip with her meeting the princesses that got us through post-op recovery with the countless hours of watching the movie.  Riley was beaming and she sang "Let It Go" to them, told them they were singing their songs for their pre-school graduation, got their autographs.  It was awesome! 

After our Frozen experience we went on some rides (Jacob's request) in Disneyland, then headed back for naps and then back to California Adventure for one last hurrah.  We went on the Monster's Inc ride again and Mater's ride and watched the parade one last time.  Then off to Downtown Disney for dinner and a trip to the Disney Store there so the kids could spend their gift cards.  We once again hit the Frozen jackpot on gear. :)

Waiting for Anna and Elsa!

We're almost there!

We're NEXXXXT!

Olaf!  He's our favorite!

The smile says it all!

Jacob wasn't so sure about Anna but Marc and I were super happy to be in there with them!

Dancing a jig while waiting for Merida

Merida was FANTASTIC!



Jacob ate his way through Disneyland! 

Disney Day 3:
Met Anna and Elsa
Carrousel while mommy stood in line
Winnie the Pooh
Met Merida
Monsters Inc
Parade at California Adventure
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

So long Disneyland!  Thanks for the wonderful memories!  We can't wait until the next time!

Disney Day 2

Disney Day 2 brought us to Disneyland!  First stop, princesses!  We stopped by and met Cinderella, Ariel and Aurora.  Oh the heaven that Riley was in.  Then it was off to go on some rides per Jacob's request.  We had to go to Dumbo which everyone loved, even Jacob, who about 30 minutes into the 40 minute line decided he didn't want to go on it.  I bribed him with the promise of popcorn afterwards and he was in.  He, of course, loved it and requested it again and again.  Next request, the choo-choo train he had been eyeing from the Dumbo line.  Ironically, we got seated in the car labeled "Wild Animals,"  how fitting!  After that, Marc took Jacob for popcorn and I took Riley on her first big girl ride, Big Thunder Mountain!  We really wanted to do Space Mountain but it was closed the whole week we were there. 

From day 1 but Ri found a Kellogg's truck and so we had to take a picture with it, it's now my desktop at work. :)

Cinderella

Poor Ariel, Riley sang "Let It Go" to her.  She used to be top princess until Anna and Elsa came along!

Jacob needed a little princess action!

Finally the wild animals have been caged on the choo-choo!

Ready to ride Big Thunder Mountain!

Apparently this is what happens when you tell your son that Mickey doesn't like his biting and he then comes face to face with Mickey.  Jacob was extremely concerned in line and then when we got back to Mickey, he turned bright red, started to shake and yelled "Done!  Mickey doesn't like it!  I'm doooone!!!"

And the final list of our Day 2 Activities!

Scored Pull Apart Olaf at Target (we've been looking everywhere for him!)
Met Cinderella, Ariel, and Aurora
Dumbo
Casey's Circus Train
Big Thunder Mountain (Mommy and Riley)
Pirates of the Caribbean
Met Mickey Mouse

Disney Day 1

Well the Disney trip came about because when we told Riley that she had to have surgery we promised that we would take her to Disneyland when she was fully recovered.  We were driving to SoCal anyway and Dr H said she was looking good so we decided to do the Disney trip before she starts her Kindergarten summer program mid-June.  She more than earned this trip!

Tuesday we decided to do California Adventure, I had heard good things about Cars Land and was eager to check it out plus, Riley's friend Joey was there with his family and we had secret plans to meet up with them which was another awesome surprise!  We did a TON on Monday.  I should mention we stayed at the Marriott Suites which was fantastic but far away.  Rather than pay the $14/day per family shuttle fee we opted to walk to and from the park.  It was far after the 3rd day and the area is sort of shady, I'm surprised Disney hasn't cleaned it up more but I digress.  Jacob would have probably been very happy just riding all of the shuttle buses.  Cars Land did not disappoint!  We rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, I wasn't sure how Jacob would do with the rides and crowds but he pleasantly surprised me.  He loved the rides, was great in line and was like a different kid!  He was so outgoing and friendly and sociable.  It was so refreshing to see him so happy.  He loved Mater, he wanted to meet Mater, Lightening McQueen and Red.  Then we met up with Joey, Alex and their parents for a few rides and the Disney Jr show before heading back to the hotel for naps.  Then back to CA Adventure for another round of rides, we also caught the parade which Jacob loved because it featured Monster's Inc which we loves! 

Ready to get the fun started!

12 corrective casts in a year, one ATTT and cavus tendon lengthening, one month in a non-walking cast, 2 weeks in a walking cast, going on 2 months in an AFO - this girl has earned her trip to Disneyland!

Jacob really wanted to go on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Ready to get our first ride started

Jacob was so cute, he wanted to meet Mater but was nervous so he clung to Riley!

Same with Lightening McQueen!

This family photo pretty much sums up our family dynamic right now - all smiles, except for Jacob with his tongue sticking out!

Little dude was having fun!!!

Love these 4!

How cute are these two!?!

On Toy Story!

Love vacations with these guys!

On a mission in Cars Land

This girl was in heaven

This is how Jacob rode the rides, he took it all in with his hands clasped on his lap

In front of Jacob's favorite - Monsters Inc/University!

Finally, laying quietly playing on the iPad

Day 1 in Summary:
Mater's Jumkyard Jamboree
Luigi's Flying Tires
Ariel
Toy Story with the Almeidas
Ferris Wheel with the Almeidas
Monster's Inc
Disney Jr Show with the Almeidas
Rocket Ships
Goofy Rollercoaster (Riley and Marc)
Parade
Monster's Inc (kids favorite)
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree (my favorite!)