Friday, October 30, 2009

First Long Ride

If you've been following Allie's story at all, you know that a long ride in the car usually leads to some kind of a melt down for her. That's the reason we haven't taken any rides longer than a half hour in duration since we moved back to Florida. Until today.

Last week we took a ride to down Hollywood, about an hour and a half from here in morning traffic. And Allie was amazing. She sat by herself in her car seat and just listened to her songs and played with her little toys. On the ride home she watched Veggie Tales and was happy all the way to our door step.

We were down in Broward visiting a pediatric neurologist. Allie has been having seizures, but we didn't know it. We thought they were just some kind of spasm until she had a couple at school and they told us they were definitely seizures. Her teacher encouraged us to get a video of her having one so we did and showed her new doctor today. He said that she is definitely having epileptic seizures.

This is disappointing news. But we love this new doctor. For the first time we have a neurologist for Allie that seems like a normal person. Her previous neurologist were difficult to talk to and extremely negative and unimaginative. But this new doctor is great.

Allie has had a pretty long stretch without any more seizures, thankfully. The new doc prescribed some medication that seems to really be working. Allie is schedule for a number of examinations, and MRI and an EEG. Hopefully some of her other medications will be reduced.

Several times a week we get emails and Facebook messages from people praying for Allie. I can't even begin to express my gratitude for this. I try to reciprocate by praying for every prayer request that hits my inbox, but I know I'm praying for less people than are praying for us. I don't know where we'd be without your intercession and prayerful petitions.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Where to get Your Pumpkin

pumpkin fundraiser

You need a pumpkin. There is no getting around it. You must acquire a pumpkin no matter what it takes. That's your problem.

Here's your solution. Ride on over to Juno Beach Saturday morning and pick yours up at the Yankee Peddler at 12174 US Hwy One. All proceeds benefit Allie's school, Potentials School at the Arc.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

School Picture

10-21-2009 02;31;46PM

Allie Mondok
October 2009
Three years old
First school picture

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Huge Milestone

allie.flying.sm Everyday at school Allie is sat on the potty twice. She usually sits and fights and cries. Today she peed. First time.

Just thought you should know. I know, I know. This is one of those little time capsules that will be unearthed to embarrass her some day.

I'll enjoy this memory again, then.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Allie Swinging at School

allie and lana

When Allie is having a bad day, the swing is just what the doctor ordered. Here, Lana has started the launch sequence.

allie on the swing

Coming at ya'. Notice how well Allie is hanging onto the rope.

allie swing

She looks SO big. Her tennis shoes are a couple of sizes bigger to accommodate her braces. I think the big looking feet seem to add a few inches to her height.

allie, lana

Along with the oversized shoes, Allie is wearing a vest under her shirt that helps her sit up and hold her head up. This gives her get better use of her arms and vision.

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Bowling

image I've wondered often about Allie's capabilities and potential. But I never asked myself if I'd thought she'd be able to bowl. But her school dares to ask and DO things I've never given much thought to.

image This week Arc Potentials loaded up a bunch of vans with kids and wheel chairs and hauled them all down to Lantana to bowl.

Allie was a little freaked out at first. She had no idea what they wanted her to do in that place with the crazy sound of wood being knocked into oblivion by a big, heavy poly-urethane ball. But once she got going, she bowled a perfect 300.

image Just kidding. But she had fun.