Monday

Hey Everyone,

Today, Lexi had an awesome day! She had her first therapy session in the pool, with her therapist Mr. Moshe. I have to admit, I was a bit concerned how Lexi would react to the pool therapy, because it was Mr. Moshe in the pool with her and not me. But I brought her up the stairs, sat her at the edge of the pool, and dangled her legs in the water. Well, that did it! As soon as she felt how warm the water was, and she saw the swim tube that Mr. Moshe had for her, she was in! Alex and I got to be right outside of the pool, and took lots of pictures. Lexi got to meet a cute 6 year old boy, named Cameron, who had pool therapy as well. Cameron kept making Lexi laugh because he kept dunking his head underwater!

This was a breakthrough experience for Lexi. Both in terms of therapy progress and the fact that she trusts her therapist so much, that she didn't cry for me or Daddy. We are so proud of her....so much that I had tears of joy watching her in the pool!

(The shower and pin care after the pool session were not so joyous, but let's just focus on the positive!!!)

Lexi has gym therapy on Wednesday and Friday. And on Thursday we have our 2 week follow-up appointment with Dr. Standard...we can't wait! Alex and I are anxious to find out how well Lexi's lengthening is going, and to hear what Dr. Standard has to say about things. Alex started working again today and he will continue to that this week. We'll see what's in store for us next week, as we aren't sure if Alex will be able to stay much longer.

Enjoy the pictures! We miss you all very much.

Thursday

Hey Everyone,

Well, today was a great day for Lexi....she started walking again! We are so very proud of her! She walked from the bathroom door to the bed using her walker, and then walked a bit holding mine and Alex's hands!

We took a little break and played a game together, and then after a bit of creativity and encouragement on our part, Lexi walked into the hallway of the hotel! Once she got to the hallway, she noticed a new book waiting for her near the elevator. Lexi was quite happy to see a new book, but even happier to see the elevator, and wanted to go on it.

Lexi walked (using her cute little walker) onto the elevator, through the lobby and out the doors. She walked outside for a few minutes and then back up to our room. It was so amazing! Huh, and I was worried that she would not want to walk. Silly me!

After the very productive day she had, Lexi zonked out at 8:30.

Hope everyone is well, and we miss you all so much!

Tuesday

Hey Everybody,

Sorry I haven't posted for a few days, but things have been crazy. Between leaving the hospital on Sunday, worrying about Pops because of his infection, and controlling Lexi's muscle spasms which kept her awake during the nights, we needed to have a good day.....and finally today was good for Lexi!

She slept all through the night (so Alex and I slept all night too!). We now have Lexi on a steady regimen of meds, and her muscle spasms have virtually disappeared. We also had her standing for a couple of minutes, and walked a couple of steps today (quite reluctantly though). And when it came time to do her exercises she was reluctant, until I told her to try doing the yoga moves that Alex taught her. After saying that, she really got into it and was doing her exercises with minimal help (thanks Alex!) Hopefully that tactic will continue to work!!!

We love you very much Pops, and are praying for you and send you well wishes for a great surgery tomorrow and speedy recovery!

Hope you enjoy the pics of Lexi on the bed, doing her sticker art!

Hugs and Kisses to everyone....we miss you all so much!

Saturday

Today was a good day, Hooray! Basically as soon as the epidural came out at 7am, Lexi did much better. They also took out her catheter, and she gets to wear her big girl panties again! Ah, the little things that make us happy!

We did some physical therapy today, and she was able to walk about 10 feet with the help of us and her walker. She also went for a ride in her wheelchair today. We went outside for a bit to get some fresh air. Then took a ride to the cafeteria and had ice cream. Last, we went into the playroom. "Princess Lexi" got to keep the crown on her head, which was made by one of the nice girls who work in the playroom! She likes her wheelchair so much that she didn't want to get out of it.

If all goes well, we will be going back to the hotel tomorrow!! It'll be great to spend some time as a family before Alex has to go home on Saturday.

Thanks for all the comments....we love them!

Love and kisses to all! We miss you!

Oh, I almost forgot...."Go Cubs Go. Go Cubs Go. Hey Chicago what do ya say, Cubs are gonna win today!"

Thursday Night

Hey guys,

Well, after going through a few ups and downs with pain control between yesterday evening and today, I'm happy to tell everyone that Lexi is doing much better tonight!

Lexi got to meet lots of people today, including the physical/occupational therapists. This afternoon the physical therapist, Miss Brita, showed us how to pick her up with the fixator on. Then they brought a Little Tikes wagon for her to sit in, and she went for a ride around the pediatric floor! That really tuckered her out, and she took a nice 2 1/2 hour nap....you go girl!

After her nap, we all watched "Cars" together, and then she talked up a storm. That's our Lexi!! We couldn't be more proud of her. She is such a good kiddo, and the staff here just love her to pieces....can you blame them?!

Anyway, here are some more pics of Lexi from post-surgery yesterday and some from today. I'm sure you'll all love the "I'm way too spaced out and trying to watch my movie to smile for the camera" picture!

Love to all and talk to you soon.

Wednesday

Hi Everyone,

I walked back to the operating room with Lexi at about 11:45 am ET. She did very well this morning! She liked wearing the gown with the puppies on it, and liked her special hospital bracelet. And she got very excited when the nurse told her she gets to keep the Hello Kitty coloring book and crayons, too!

Lexi was given some medicine, and boy did it make her goofy! Lexi was giggly, and it made Alex and I very giggly too! And she did very well when I took her back in the operating room. The anesthesiologist and nurses all said that they haven't seen a toddler do so well with the gas! Way to go Lexi!!!! We are so proud of you!

I have to give a shout out to everyone here at the hospital. This pre-op experience was SOOOOO much better than Lexi's first surgery.

I will post another update soon...

Lots of love!

P.S. Lexi laughed at me when I wore the funny suit and hat....so I'm giving everyone a one-time pass to laugh too, but that's all you get!

Tuesday

Hi Everyone,

Well after the whole ordeal we went through with the apartment, we are finally settled in the Extended Stay America. It's very nice, clean, and no bugs (woo whoo!).

Today, we decided to take Lexi to Baltimore's Inner Harbor. She loved watching the water taxi's taking people across the Bay and dancing to the music played by a local musician!

Enjoy the pics, and thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Lots of Love to all!

Sunday Morning

Good morning everyone!

After being on the road for 10 hours yesterday, we decided to settle in at a Holiday Inn in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. Lexi adjusted quite well to our hotel room. She was very proud of the fact that she could climb up onto the bed herself, and she just loved the mini fridge in our room! It was just her size, so she kept going in the fridge to drink her cup of milk. She would also tell us that if we needed anything, to let her know and she would get it for us....too cute!

We love and miss everyone, and I'll post again once we get settled into the apartment in Baltimore.