A is for apple and B is for Brookie!

Wow, what a week! Brookie's appointment last week went well. Her development seems to be back on schedule! There are a few behavioral issues we continually have to work around, but so far so good. She's back to being ahead of schedule on her verbal and cognitive development. Yay! My smarty pants is back.

My girls were goofing off in front of the camera. They are almost 2 and 3 and already can show so much personality. They are such little divas. I have so much fun with them. I hope they stay my best little friends!

So this week, we had swim lessons everyday and doctor's appointments "out the wazzoo!" We had a scare on Tuesday. Once again, we were in an ambulance on the way to the emergency room. It turned out to be just a febrile seizure, but still scary. We were worried when she was unresponsive that it was a in connection with her brain injury, but we were lucky.

The ER doctor's weren't sure what the fever was from but we now know after a doctor's visit yesterday. It's hand-foot-and-mouth disease or Herpangina.Yuck! I'd heard about it before and thought it was something really serious. Turns out it's not and is going around like crazy here right now. Just have to let it run it's coarse. Probably picked it up at the gym daycare.

So one thing about having 4 kids within 4 years. When one kid gets sick, expect to have 3 more sick kiddos. Yep that's what has happened! The two year old had a fever Monday, Brookie had her fever scare Tuesday and now the 5 year old is upstairs in bed with a fever too. Oh, the 4 year old...he's destined to get it too. The hubby caught him chuggin' down the 2 year old's juice today. Trying to keep them from drinking each other's sippy cups is a losing battle that I have for the most part given up on. I'd have to follow each kiddo around the house all day. There's 4 kiddos and one mommy. Not happening. Oh, fun thought with that, if only I could split myself into 4 mommies. Then it would happen. Well, while we're at it, I think I'll split myself into 10 mommies. Think of all the things I could accomplish! Now that's a dream!

Okay, so among all these doctor's visits, chores, swim lessons and fun with the kids, I have been busy getting the letter boxes perfected for the Silhouette users. And PERFECTING is the key word. I think I cut about 20 prototypes of the letter D box.

(do you see how many D's there are?! Some of them I didn't even bother putting the straight piece on as soon as I figured out they were wrong.) 

The blasted curves would be off and then I'd fix it and they'd be off the other way, and then I'd fix it and then they'd be off the other way, etc, etc. I have spent every moment I'm not with my family on the dang letters. Many nights up to 2 or 3am. I really truly hope these are enjoyed by all. They will be a lot easier to put together than the others, but they took a lot more time to create a pattern. 

As a special treat to my fans, I'm giving a preview of a few of the letters coming out this next week. "A" and "B" will be there too. I just didn't add them to the photo. I can't show you everything or you wouldn't have any surprises to look forward too.

TBI

So it has been almost 4 months since Brookie fell from her second story window. Everyone asks how she is doing, and she is doing well. The most common comment is "she looks so good! Has she completely recovered?" Well, no. It is hard to explain quickly when asked this except to say, we won't see the full effects for awhile.
I have been searching the web for articles about TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries), but they are hard to find talking specifically about TBI in children. Most have to do with older children too, instead of young ones. I have come across a few though. Of coarse, I have a board on Pinterest specifically for these when I find them.

TBI recovery is a long road. Here's an exerpt from an article I found:

~The cognitive recovery process for children continues over many years as the child’s brain develops and matures. The effects of an earlier injury to any part of the brain may not become fully evident until that area develops and is challenged in the classroom. Changes in learning, executive skills and behavior are among the most common long-term effects of brain injuries among children. For the children with a brain injury, time “reveals” rather than “heals” all wounds. (source: http://www.lapublishing.com/blog/2010/tbi-child-recovery/) ~

We're off to see a developmental pediatric. Hopefully we can better understand the issues that are coming to the surface and how to best deal with them.


-Kenzie

Need your help!

Okay, I need your input. I originally had the first part of the alphabet designed like this photo.

Then I thought it would be nice to have the alphabet as an actually box. After a few people commented that they had trouble putting the 3D letter "B" together, I thought I'd go back to my original versions. All week I've been flip flopping back and forth, trying to decide what really to do. Of coarse, I probably should have just asked for everyone's input from the beginning.

So my question is, would you like the 3d alphabet the way it has been or like my photo; where you have a base and lid? Let me know so I can get these to the store ASAP. Thank for all you support!


-Kenzie