MY B-DAY WAS 8/8 & I GOT MY COMP. RUNNING FINALLY, 3 FRIENDS CAME BY, DINNER WAS AT OLIVE GARDEN, & MARK & THE KIDS MADE, FOR MY CALE, MY FAV. DESERT WHICH IS AT CHILI’S. I ALSO OPENED MY GIFTS, MY KIDS WERE SO EXCITED, U WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS THEIR DAY! BUT FIA WAS THE ONLY KID TO TELL ME HAPPY B-DAY. WHEN FRIENDS CAME BY, NOT ONLY COULD I SIGN A LITTLE TO THEM FOR THE 1ST TIME, BUT W/LITTLE HELP, I COULD OPEN CARDS & GIFTS! LAST YEAR I WAS TOLD MY B-DAY THIS YEAR WOULD BE SO MUCH BETER. I EXPECTED TO BE ABLE, AT LEAST, TO BLOW OUT MY OWN CANDLES! TO MY DISMAY, I CAN’T! I CAN’T DO LOTS OF STUFF, BUT I CAN SIGN & HAVE A MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR NOW SO I CAN SEE WHAT I WANT TO SEE!

MARK HAS GOTTEN VERY CREATIVE SO HE CAN LEAVE ME HOME ALONE, WHICH I APPRECIATE! HE LEAVES ME W/A PHONE, WHICH I CALL IF I NEED HELP & USING AUTO. DIAL, SPEAKERPHONE & A SERIES OF BEEPS TO ANSWER HIM, I CAN SAY WHAT I NEED! THE OTHER DAY AUTO. DIAL WOULDN’T WORK, SO I ACTUALLY DIALED THE PHONE! & MARK HAS DISCOVERED THAT IF HE HELD MY WRIST, I CAN PLAY W/ALL 5 FINGERS.

ZACH TAKES PRIDE IN BEING THE ONLY KID WHO CAN FINGERSPELL & UNDERSTAND MOM! I APPRECIATE HE DOES IT & HAVE HIM TURN OFF MY COMP. WHEN IT FREEZES!

Today is Jenny’s 32nd birthday. Birthdays have always been the most important of holidays for her, but she has really been playing this one down. As for Jenny’s progress, she has been having troubles with her eyes focusing due to her left eye moving alot. That makes using her lap top, with the speaking program, more difficult. On the other hand, her voice has become stronger. She can produce more voluntary sounds lately and does a pretty good “Mark” that sounds like, “Marrr”. This is how she gets my attention lately. I see much more interacion between Zach and his mom lately. Zach has always seen a little timid around her, but has started to talk to her more and want to cuddle more. He has even been helpful by giving Jenny snacks or water when I need his help. He is silly and they have a good time when he does this.

It was about this time last year that I flew to Austin to check properties for us to build upon. I remember that Jenny had very little movement and could not even sit in her chair very long. One of the things that Jenny’s mom encouraged was a property with a nice view for Jenny to enjoy (perhaps one of the few things she could enjoy). Later, planning house plans were somewhat difficult because I had no idea how Jenny would progress. As it turns out, the plans we made have worked out nicely and she has grown into a few things we had designed for the home and we have a few more that she can yet grow into. Obviously, Jenny does much more with her power chair and computer, so the nice view is a great bonus.

We got rid of our dog last week. I almost turned around when we got there, even though I am not much of a pet person. Ginger had been Jenny’s puppy prior to us having any kids. For over 9 years she had been a part of the family. For some time, we have been discussing what to do about her. Now that I am doing more on my own to care for Jenny and the kids, it has been impossible to manage a pet as well. We had been having problems with her and Jenny even felt it was time for her to go. The kids were sad for a few minutes, but seem to be doing well right now.

I am pleased to report that we are settling into our new routines and I have found a little time to write. Jenny has shown a few improvements. She has increased her range of movement in her right leg and can muster a little movement in her left leg. We tried dringking from a straw again. For the first time, Jenny is able to put her mouth around it and can draw the water up a little in the straw. It is so close to the real thing! Its implications make the possibility of speech so much more real.

I think Jenny wrote that she has tried playing the piano again. She does very well and I have to relenquish my position as best pianist in the family (her one hand playing is now better than mine).

The kids have enjoyed playing with their mom lately. Zach was excite to have his mom play red light/green light because he realized that it was a great game for her to play. Appearantly, he had planned for a while and made actual stop/go signs for the event. Zach also likes being the only kid who knows what mom is spelling to him. He kind of likes the power of knowing and not having to tell his sisters. This ability also makes him a huge help for me. At times, he is able to find out what Jenny needs when I am busy with something else. Many times, he can help Jenny himself.

The kids have also learned how to hitch a free ride off the back of Jenny’s chair. The gears have been turning and they plan some sort of permanent way to surf behind their mom. In the mean time, the two girls like to ride on Jenny’s lap and Zach rides the back of the chair like he is on a dog sled. No matter how hard I try to jockey for position, I always have to walk.