Time to Catch Up, Part II

MOMMY THERAPY
One day back in May, I noticed a neighbor had placed an upright piano outside for trash pick-up.  I let a few days go by before I went over and tinkered on it.  "She" (the piano) was in need of some serious TLC, but I decided I was going to take on my very first renovation project!  From May until September, I (and some assistance from Jesse) worked on "her" while Quinten napped and Gwen was at school as well as some late nights when I needed some quiet alone time!

Before

Stripped and Sanded

Re-Stained

After

NEW BED
To this day we still struggle with bedtime.  Though we give Gwen Ativan to help her brain wind down and to relax, she has ALWAYS fought us at bedtime.  We have tried EVERYTHING! Melatonin, hard drugs, blue lights, sound machines, heartbeat simulation, rocking, massage, essential oils, aromatherapy, elevating her bed to help with reflux....this list could go on and on and on!

I was given a "phone book" size catalog of medical equipment and as I was filtering through it PAGE BY PAGE, I came across The Comfylift Bed by Positional Therapy Pillows, LLC.   There is a section entitled, "Does your child suffer from...." I must have checked off 90% of the items: Cerebral Palsy, choking/gagging, congestion, aspiration pneumonia, suctioning, G-tube feeds, etc!  Needless to say, we were sold just based off the description and the testimonials!

After talking with the creator himself, Mr. Horacio C. Rubio, I knew we had to have this bed!  The only downsides are that it is a stationary mattress (61 lbs!) so it does not aid us in lifting Gwen, it is non-refundable (for health and sanitary purposes), and it is roughly $1,500.00 out of pocket (I could have attempted to get this bed through insurance since it is considered Durable Medical Equipment, but if you have ever dealt with insurance, it wasn't even worth the fight!  We'd probably still be waiting!).

We didn't care how we would come up with the funds, we had to try something before Jesse and I ended up in the crazy house!!

HALLELUJAH!  The Comfylift Bed has been a LIFESAVER!   We have had The Comfylift Bed since September.  It has not resolved the issue entirely, but it has made a huge improvement in our lives!  We are all much happier and getting more sleep!

SPECIAL VISITORS
My grandmother from Michigan and dear family friend from the Netherlands came for a nice visit.  I'm so grateful we were able to spend a lot of time together.  We went to Butterfly Wonderland, English Rose Tea Room, out to dinner, and some good old r and r!

HALLOWEEN
Since I love all things DIY (Do It Yourself), this year the kids had two costumes!

By Day:

Quinten was Ace Ventura Pet Detective and Gwen was her teacher (inside joke), Ms. Jean, with glasses and hair to match!

         

By Night:

Elliot and E.T. Complete with light up heart!

DENVER

Jesse, Diana (Jesse's baby sister) and I made a trip to Denver to surprise Jesse's brother Jon (Gwen's Godfather) at his powerlifting tournament! He's a GIANT breaking records, lifting some 700-800 pounds! 

  

                                        

SISTER-IN-LAWS

After almost nine years, I am no longer the only In-Law!  In the past few months Merle and Linda gained two daughter-in-laws and one on the way!  Congrats to everyone!

             

David and Tiffany
Hawaii

Cody and Lauren
Seattle

Kevin and Jessie Leigh