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.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Fore!

When is something deemed a passion? I’m not sure if you can classify it as that yet, but Tate seems quite passionate about golf these days. It started when he discovered Trip’s old plastic golf clubs at Poppy & Mo’s house. Then Mimi & Grandpa got some for their house as well. And then we gave in and did the same. So pretty much wherever he goes, there is a small, plastic golf club awaiting him.

And recently, he discovered that there is a TV station that plats golf 24/7. Oh my. “Watch golf, please?” is a frequent request. And a frequent request/demand of mine is “Don’t swing the club inside the house.” Poor little golf club has seen its fair share of timeouts.

He loves the sport. He loves playing it and watching it…and can now even recognize Tiger Woods. Wade’s parents live on a golf course, so he got the chance recently to “play” golf where the big golfers play. He was in heaven.

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And I have to admit, he may be pretty good…as far as standards for a 2 ½ year old go. Wade traded his golf clubs for cycling gear several years ago, but I do remember that it isn’t the cheapest of hobbies. We may need to start saving now.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Shuffle Away

A month after the move, the IPod docking station is finally set up at its little home by my computer desk to serenade me while I work, blog, or Facebook. I don’t make many playlists. I’m a Shuffle Songs kind of girl and like to be surprised. So just for fun, here are the first **20 songs when I shuffle away.

Call Me ~ Blondie
Big Girls Don’t Cry ~ Fergie
Can’t Stand Losing You ~ The Police
Bust a Move ~ Young MC
Ob La Di, Ob La Da ~ The Beatles
The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything ~ VeggieTales
New Soul ~ Yael Naim
Let’s Go Crazy ~ Prince
Hallelujah-Your Love Is Amazing ~ Brian Doerkson
Sweet Caroline ~ Neil Diamond
Sister Christian ~ Night Ranger
Flood ~ Jars of Clay
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free ~ Sting
Everlasting Love ~ U2
Chasing Cars ~ Snow Patrol
Drive ~ The Cars
Dance With Me Tonight ~ The Wonders
My Sharona ~ The Knack
In A Little While ~ U2
Who Am I ~ Casting Crowns

Now it's your turn. What are your first 20 Shuffle Songs?

**Disclaimer: The Veggie Tales and Beatles songs should give a little hint that my IPod has been heavily influenced by the husband and child. I am quite shocked, though, that no Celine or JT songs came up. That would much more fully represent what is called my musical taste. :)

Friday, July 24, 2009

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

It is officially the weekend, so here are some things to make you smile:

I think today was the "tipping point" of this viral video, so I may be a little late in the coolness factor. I still can't stop watching it. Wish I was that brave.



And since I'm in a dancing mood, here is a video I got from one of The Marketing Twins. I love babies doing funny things, and I love dancing. What a perfect combo. You're welcome Evian.



Now I'm on a roll and had to look back awhile to find a dancing video that I LOVED. I saw it on several blogs and possibly watched it 572 times. I would pay serious money to be there and see it in person. And I'd pay even more serious money if I could dance like that. For now, I'll just pretend.



Although no matter how much of a dancey-dance mood I get in, there will never be a You Tube video made of when my sister & I taught ourselves the Soulja Boy dance. I can guarantee that one. Too bad, though, because it may have possibly been the funniest thing...ever.

Surely you're in a dancing mood yourself now. So where should we plan our surprise, organized dance?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tate ~ 2.5

Around the last week of May, I realized that I couldn’t keep saying that Tate had just turned 2. The truth was and now is that he’s already 2 ½ and is closer to 3 than he is to 2. How did that happen?

What a difference half a year makes. I looked back over the post from when he turned 2, and I can tell such a difference. He is still uniquely Tate with his strong-willed, loud, usually-friendly, energetic personality. But he is also so much more of a kid.

(At Mallory's gymnastics birthday party. He looooved the rings. Can you say sweat?)

We have dialogue now. I still have to translate some of the things he says, but most people can understand him. He speaks in pretty full sentences and is able to communicate most of what he needs to. It’s so simple, but also so amazing to see develop. He says the ABC’s, counts from 1-20, and knows most of his shapes and colors.

After about 1 ½ years, we stopped going to the Gymboree classes in May. It was a great experience for us both, and Tate loved going. But he had come to the point where he most enjoyed flinging himself across the floor mat. Do I really need to pay for that? (For ages 9-24 months, it is so great, though.)

He is still all boy in the fact that if it involves a car or a ball, he’s all over it. He’s bordering on obsessed with golf, but also loves to play soccer whenever possible. He still enjoys watching sports with Daddy in the mornings on SportsCenter. (It’s all laughable since I’m the furthest thing from the sporty type.)

He has become much more patient with his trains and can play forever with them. Even just a few months ago, he would get really frustrated with them and wasn’t able to link the pieces back together. That has improved, and it makes us all happier.

The past few months have been trying for all of us as we have been tryng to figure out the discipline stuff. Hello tantrums! It’s so interesting to see what does and doesn’t motivate him to behave. Another reminder that we are all created so uniquely. :)

We’re in the process of finishing up his big boy room complete with big boy bed…crazy! And we read the Potty Book often and have purchased the Elmo Potty DVD. Slowly warming up to the idea over here. In no hurry, though.

He loves being tickled, playing “Superman,” chasing/harassing Macy, singing Happy Birthday, swimming, “shaving” with Daddy, trying to ride Trip’s old tricycle (feet still don’t reach), and being with family and friends.

Tate continues to be a pure joy for us and one that we’re forever thankful!

(At his first-ever movie to see in the theatre. They were showing the movie Cars...his absolute favorite! I was pretty pleased that we only had to leave once for a little talking-to.)

(On Trip's old tricycle. He still can't quite pedal, but he likes to act is if he's riding it.)

Friday, July 17, 2009

Gulf Shores ~ 2009

Way back when (pre-moving, storm, surgery, etc.), we had a great family vacation to Gulf Shores. Better late than never.

This trip was a first for us in many ways. It was the first trip with us, my parents, and my sister’s family where we weren’t visiting family on the West Coast somewhere. Don’t get me wrong, we love seeing everyone there, but we had never taken a family trip like this before.

This was also our first long car ride with little kids, our first time to rent a condo, and our first time to Gulf Shores. Considering that there were so many firsts, the trip was overall a pleasantly surprising success!

Here's Wade's "What are we thinking driving across three states with three kids two and under?" face as we start the trip and are all pulling out of the driveway.

The drive there was a lot longer than the drive back. Getting stuck in 5:00 traffic in Baton Rouge on a Friday was not fun. But overall, the kids really did great in the cars. My parents took their car, and we rented a Suburban. It was snug, but there was just enough breathing room to not be too miserable. Having to lean over the seat to pick up dropped Hot Wheels 100 times is another story.

The best surprise of the trip was the condo. When you’re renting online, you just never know how things will be in real life. Even after a 16-hour car ride and arriving at 11:00 p.m., we were all giddy, excited to find such a nice place. The bad economy has resulted in pretty great rental rates. We had the entire floor to ourselves, and the elevator opened up right into the foyer. We kept saying we felt like we were on MTV Cribs.

So for four days, we had pretty much the same routine. Wake up. Breakfast. Go out to the beach. Dig. Splash. Build sand castles. Swim in the pool. Lunch. Naps. Dinner. Play some more. Repeat. Vacation is the best!

Brad was the obligatory buried-in-the-sand guy. My parents seemed to really enjoy doing that for some reason. :)

Tate still talks about the beach and the beach house. He absolutely loved it! He wasn’t crazy about the area where the waves crashed, but he loved being in the sand and being out in the ocean with Wade. His favorite part was the little tide pool areas. Perfect combo of splashing and digging without the scary waves!

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During the kid’s naptime, my sister and I had several attempts at a relaxing kid-free sunbathing afternoon on the beach (complete with SPF 50, floppy hats, and some beach food).

Dinner out at Tacky Jack's

And the three kids together had so much fun. Smart-sister Shannon brought the big tent, which provided lots of entertainment while we were inside.

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And when it got too crazy, we just let them run up and down the huge hallway and throw beach balls at Grandpa.

While there, we also had family pictures. There is something about those Gulf Shores sandy-white beaches that just make the pictures so pretty.

Tate's heaven on earth = a car and dirt.

And extra points if you can tell what movie I’m reenacting. (Hint – “No one puts Baby in a corner.”) The gauzey white shirt and white crop pants reminded me of her…I just couldn’t help myself.

We all had a great time together. Goodbye Gulf Shores…until next time!

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