Little Feet Meet

The Special Olympics Virginia Little Feet Meet was on Friday. It was a lot of fun.

They had different events set up (baseball, soccer, track, hockey, bowling, etc.) and each child had a card with all the events listed. As they completed each event, they got a sticker. The volunteers at each station were high schoolers.

After completing several events, we looked at Harlie's card and saw that she needed to go to the baseball station. So, she walked on over and all the volunteers were sitting around the station, talking. When they saw Harlie approaching they all jumped up and one of them said, "Batter Up!" It was so cute!

After all the kids were finished, they had an "awards ceremony" and a volunteer had a microphone and announced the child's name and they went up and got a ribbon. It was really very sweet.

Harlie had a GREAT time. She had a smile on her face the entire time. And I can tell that they've been practicing these events at school for the last several weeks. I really think her balance has improved. She could really kick that soccer ball!

Tom met us there, which Harlie just loved! And Jennifer (one of Harlie's nurses) and her daughter, Kyleigh, came up to cheer her on. My Dad came up, too, but couldn't find us, which was a real bummer. My Mom couldn't come because she was watching Cooper for me. There is NO way we could have enjoyed the day with that mad-man running around. I say that in the most loving way, of course. But he's really quite energetic and curious, that one.

Well, here are the photos from the day. There were way too many for me to upload - so I made a little montage. I hope you enjoy it!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

That was Harlie's teacher at the end. Mrs. Katie is wonderful and we feel so lucky to be in her class!

Thanks, as always, for checking in!
~Christy

Cooper

On Tuesday, Cooper had an eye appointment with an eye doctor.

A long time ago (like when Cooper was six months old) we noticed that his right eye wouldn't track the same as his left eye when he looked to his left. I talked to the pediatrician about it, and I couldn't get Cooper to do it so I could show him what I was talking about. He said to wait and give him more time and see what happens.

Well, in the past few months it has gotten more and more noticeable. So, at Cooper's 18-month check up a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned it again. He said to call Dr. Brown (Harlie's eye doctor).

They did their stuff (Cooper was very UNcooperative) and said that he has Duane's Syndrome, Type II.

I beg your pardon?

She said it is a misnomer in that a syndrome usually means there are multiple abnormalities (yeah, I'm familiar) but that Duane's Syndrome is just this one thing. Whew!

Basically, one set of his eye muscles in his right eye are weak or underdeveloped or something like that. So, when his head is facing forward, and he looks to his left (with only his eyes) his right eye does something funny - and they are not even. It's almost as if his right eye looks up instead of to the left. And it most often occurs when he is looking up AND to the left at the same time.

She said that as he grows, we will notice it less and less. He will learn to turn his head to compensate. She said that he probably sees double when that happens, so to correct that he'll just have to turn his head to see more clearly. There's no fix.

So, that's that.

I had to laugh at myself, though. On Sunday, I told my friend Heather about his upcoming appointment. On Wednesday, she called me and asked me how his appointment went. I said, "what appointment?" HA! I had already completely forgotten about it!!! Poor Cooper.

Oh, darn it. I meant to take a picture of him today. Tom gave him another buzz cut and he looks so adorable. Oh well, I'll just show you this one from a couple of weeks ago.





He can now say the following words:

Mommy
ball
all done
aw, man (he totally learned that from me)
uh-oh

And he has said please (came out "peas") once.

And despite my many efforts and much energy - the kid REFUSES to sign one stinking word. Not one! Just out of curiosity I went and looked at some of my old Babysite journal entries. By the time Harlie was 16 months old, she knew 20 words in sign!!! And Cooper, at 18 months (almost 19) knows ZERO signs and can only say a few words.

He is so stubborn. And funny. Last night, Tom went to CVS to pick up Harlie's meds and he bought Cooper a pair of knock-off Crocs. Well, Tom put them on him this morning, and he would not take them off. He even took his nap wearing them. And at one point during the day Harlie tried to take them off and he threw a fit and wouldn't let her.

OH! I almost forgot... tomorrow is the Little Feet Meet at a local high school. It is a Special Olympics Event. And since Harlie is in a special education preschool, she gets to participate. I am excited to see what she can do. I will take lots of pictures (of course) and write about it tomorrow night.

Thanks!
Christy