A Big Day

I’ve wanted tell everyone I see today, because I’m just that proud and happy, but Tate had what is hopefully his last session of physical therapy! It wasn’t an official discharge day, because he’ll go back in three months for a check-up. But if he keeps progressing like he has been, he’ll be done for good.

It is so hard to believe that it’s been almost two years of appointments, and what I would guess was about 150 different sessions total. Sometimes even three sessions a week -- from speech therapy, to occupational therapy, to physical therapy.

(saying good-bye to a very familiar parking garage)

It has been quite a journey and not a road I expected to go down when I came in with my 10-month-old and now leave with an almost 3-year-old. I laugh because at the time, I thought I’d take him in two or three times to learn a few exercises. Even though it was much longer than I assumed, I am strangely thankful for the experience.

I’m thankful for having the opportunity to see my little guy work so hard to achieve some things that are easily taken for granted. Seeing him stand up. Seeing him crawl. Seeing him cruise. Hearing him use a sentence. Seeing him draw a circle. Seeing him walk. Every parent remembers those moments, but when they’re long overdue and they’ve taken a lot of work to get there, it makes your heart swell in ways you can’t imagine.

I’m thankful for the special friends, both big and little, I have met along the way. There’s no way to describe the instant bond you have with the kids and parents sitting in that waiting room with you. The situations may be different, but the mutual respect and understanding is immediate. I’m confident that these will be people we are friends with for a very long time. And even in my joy today, I have the gut-wrenching reminder that some of the people I’ve met won’t have this kind of day anytime soon. For some of these kiddos, it will be a lifetime of appointments. I don’t understand it and have stopped trying to figure out why. I just hope and pray that the small victories keep their spirits up and there is joy for them during the journey.

I’m thankful for the absolutely amazing therapists that work so very hard day-after-day with these kids. They have so much skill and talent, while making the work seem so fun and easy. But I know from working with Tate at home, it’s not easy. They get the brunt of having to teach kids to do what is not coming natural to them. It’s not easy. And they do this work with enthusiasm, excitement, tough love, and compassion. I can’t tell you how many times, it was me during Tate’s session that was doing the crying. They have helped calm fears, and they have been some of Tate’s biggest cheerleaders. We’re going to bring in a token of our appreciation next week when they’re all there, but even that seems so small compared to the gratitude I feel.

And I’m thankful for the places this took me in my faith walk. I truly did learn a new kind of dependence on the Lord for peace. Early on, we didn’t know exactly if we were dealing with a short-term or long-term issue. It was a lot of wait and see. Who wants to wait and see when you’re worried something serious could be wrong with your child? But through that time, I’ve felt myself release that control that I wanted to hang on to so bad.

8:00 a.m. appointments have just been a regular part of our schedule. It will be odd not rushing out the door to get there on time. This chapter has been challenging, scary, frustrating, and yet so very special all at the same time. I hope to be able to remember all of the things I’ve learned and to be able to tell Tate all about it when he’s older. He has been a trooper and has worked so hard. I am proud beyond words.

Ms. Carolyn ~ Tate's Physical Therapist. She has been with us from day one. She is incredibly talented and has been an amazing support!

Ms. Teresa ~ Tate's Occupational Therapist. Tate loved Ms. Teresa, and I was so impressed with her skill and patience. (Back in April on his last appt. with her.)

Ms. Kendra ~ Tate's Speech Therapist for a very short period of time. My friend and major moral support the entire time!

Ms. Amy ~ She works on the business side of things, but early on Tate formed quite the crush on her. As he got older, he's become much more bashful in his affection, but she has been such a sweet friend.

Some history:
Good Report
He Walks!
The Long Version
Standing!
11 Months
Began at 10 Months

Happy Birthday Wade!

Wade is 34! I should’ve said 37, since one year he got my age wrong, and my Dad was the one to correct him. But I’ll be nice. Although, he is officially older than me now. :) And lately, Tate’s favorite song to sing is “Happy Birthday,” so this what I’ve heard pretty much all day. (The part at the end is him blowing out the candles.)

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Happy Birthday to the best partner in life I could ask for. You are my best friend. You make me laugh. You inspire me. And I love everything about you. I could only hope Tate will grow into the kind of man he is fortunate to call Daddy.

And to celebrate in true Strzinek fashion, we’re heading out for a cheap dinner date somewhere, only to be followed by the one-and-only Truluck’s chocolate cake for dessert. I can already taste it now. Yum!

So Many Firsts

Life has been busy and exciting for a certain little guy around here. A lot of firsts to experience:

First Circus

If you’ve been around Tate much, then you know he is a bundle of energy and doesn’t stop talking or moving much. So imagine the surprise when he sat completely still, quiet, and wide-eyed for the entire two hours of the circus. It was quite a sight to see.

My parents wanted to take all three of the grandkids to the circus a few weeks ago along with dinner at The Purple Cow. Shannon & I went along solely as chaperones. All three of them did great and seemed to have an absolute blast. Tate was mesmerized. And it’s no surprise that his favorite part was the motorcycles in the cage act. He loved it and really hasn’t stopped talking about it. Thanks Mimi & Grandpa for a great memory for us all!

PS: You can find more of these adorable custom-made dresses and baby burpies for sale at my sister’s online store Jelby’s.

First Ride on a Horse

A good friend had her 4th birthday party at a real working farm (chickens, donkeys, goats, roosters) recently. So part of the activities were horse rides. Tate was hesitant at first. Then he got excited about wearing the helmet. And finally, he saddled up. I’m not one to venture out much with wildlife, so I worked pretty hard at not putting my own fears on him. :) I was so proud of him for going for it. He loved it!

It was a fun evening. I really wish I had a before and after picture, because by the end of the night, Tate was covered head to toe in mud. Some things about boys I may never understand. Thanks Jaycie (Brad & Melissa) for providing a fun “first” for Tate!

First Big Boy Bed

The time finally came a few weeks ago, when I caught Tate just about climbing out of the crib. We didn’t want to risk an injury, so we made the switch to the big boy bed.

Tate is such a consistent sleeper that I didn’t want to mess up a good thing. We started with him just taking naps in the bed. The first few days were tricky. It took him 1 hour 15 minutes just to fall asleep that first day. But by the end of the week, he was sleeping in it full-time and completely back to his normal routines. And he hasn’t gotten out of the bed…yet.

He thinks he’s pretty big stuff in that bed and loves it. It still cracks me up how he burrows his head under all his animals when he sleeps. Yes there are several, and their official names are: Dog, Bunny, Penguin, Bear, and Other Bear. There’s still more decorating work to do on the room, but for now, I’m trying to keep it pretty empty to help resist the temptation to get out of bed and play.

First Underpants

Yep, potty training may be in our near future. Serenity now! For the longest time, Tate could’ve cared less about the potty. Well it seems almost overnight, he’s showing some signs of maybe being ready. Pretty much anytime I put him on potty, he’ll do some business. I (think???) that means he’s getting ready. I’m not going to push it too hard if it’s torture. But boy was he excited about getting his first Thomas underpants. “Yay underpants!” could be heard throughout the Target aisles. Since I’ve heard so many of my friend’s horror stories, I’m not sure if I’m near as excited about the whole ordeal. We’ll see how it goes?

Is it just me or is this little guy growing up right before my eyes? So many firsts and big moments in the life of a toddler. It makes me sad to see the baby things slowly fading away, but also so eager to see all of these new things starting.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

So Very Excited

Season 6 premiere tonight on a new network. Let's hope it's still just as **fierce.



**Oh how I wish I could walk around saying that word with all of the cool confidence that belongs with it. No, I say it and giggle. Coolness factor=not so much.

Friday, August 07, 2009

Tate's Swim Lessons

If you know much about my side of the family, then you know that the Enrights are some serious swimmers. My Dad, aunt, uncle, and cousins all grew up on competitive swimming teams. Wish I could say that Shannon & I continued on that tradition, but truth be told, I still hold my nose when I go underwater sometimes. (My Dad is probably choking right now in disbelief…sorry!)

Thankfully, Tate has been quite the water kid, He loves being in the water and doesn’t have much fear of the water. A scary combination. Because of that, I wanted to find some good swim lessons for him this year. My friend Paige recommended Mr. Caleb to us, and I was so pleased with how well it went.

Tate was the youngest of the 4 kids in his class, which probably helped provide some good peer pressure. He went for an hour a day for 5 days. Parents (and Mimis & Grandpas) only stayed to watch on the last day. The first couple of days when I dropped him off, he seemed a little apprehensive. But I was so proud with how brave he was. During my goodbye, his bottom lip would stick out a little in a sulk, but I’d ask him if he was ready to go and his “Yes” would sound like he wasn’t so sure, but he’ll do it anyway.

By the end of the week, he was having a blast. Kickboarding across the pool. Going under water. Jumping off the side and “superman swimming” several feet. Picking up rings at the bottom of the pool and pushing back up. And almost floating on his back.

And watching him sit patiently on the step while he waited for the other kids to have a turn was worth every penny in itself. I was so proud of him and so thankful my no-fear swimmer learned a few skills that will really help if an accident ever did happen.

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**And each day ended with a well-earned cookie for being brave, obeying the rules, and trying hard during swim lessons.

Way to go Tate!

**I’m choosing to forget the memory of the major tantrum on the last day at the bakery because he couldn’t have more cookies. Not quite the ending I envisioned for such a fun experience. But that’s life with a 2 year old.

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