Spirit League Baseball is Back!!

I took the kids to Tessa's first Spirit League Baseball game tonight!  This year is sooo different from last year.  We know so many more people and it's fun how lots of people know Tessa ;)  She has some new friends on her team and we are so excited about this season.  

Parker loves going and helping Tessa play!

When I bought this blue bow, I didn't even realize it would go with her Jaguars shirt so perfectly!

Everyone seemed to think it was super cute (and super intentional, lol ;)

 

This cracked me up!  Tessa's official Game-Face!

She was so serious ~ I'm thinking she's got a bit of her mama's competitiveness in her!!

And this is Tessa being a 'pill' after the game on the way home.  She almost completely chewed up her right CI processor, and when Parker & I finally got it away from her, we get home and she had literally almost tried to chew her headband in half.  I think she was feeling a little spunky after her game.

I yelled a lot at her in the car...which was pointless, clearly...no ears = no sounds.  By the time we got home Parker was saying 'Mommy, I think maybe we need to start spanking Tessa ' HaHaHa :)

Ears or no ears, when we get mad...she usually just laughs...it's her thing ;)

I think I'd do it too if I could get away with it!

We stopped and got some ice cream on the way home...and suddenly she turned the charm back on

Look at this face!

I couldn't feed her the ice cream fast enough...if my spoon was in my mouth and not hers...I was hearing about it.  But I'm pretty sure what I was witnessing below was her first brain-freeze.  I didn't even notice her little thumb until after I took the picture...man it was good, but man it hurt to eat it that fast!

After Parker finished his ice cream he wanted to show off his wall climbing skills.  Since it was just me, him and Tessa, he really wanted to make sure I knew how strong he was and that he could handle taking care of us :)

Another brain-freeze....I think this one may have changed her mind about ice cream...

And now...recovered...back to being ridiculously cute ;)

One more shot, but this time he wanted to be facing me so I could see his 'strong face'! 

Darin had something to go to tonight, so it was just me running around with the kids by myself.  I got a good workout managing these two on the baseball field ~ it was exhausting and great!  We had lots of fun together and I'm always so grateful for the memories we make when we get this kind of special time together.  

~Whitney

Lost Left CI Processor

Tessa at Her New School!

I finally got a chance to go observe Tessa yesterday in class at her new elementary school! I got there just in time to see how they gather together in front of the office and make a line to go to class.  Each child has to hold onto a ring on the 'ring-rope' and Tessa did an excellent job of not letting go.  They also attach a ring to her stroller so she doesn't get yanked on in case the line gets to going a little to quick :)

She already knows her responsibility on the way to class and did such a good job.

Once we got into class Ms. Kayla and the Physical Therapist worked together with Tessa during play time.  While she was working on standing, they presented her with two objects and asked her to pick a certain color.  Every time she got it right, every time!  They did a great job switching it up to make sure she wasn't only ever choosing with her dominant right hand, and she followed through appropriately each time.  That's a smart little cookie right there!

Tessa has a sweet connection with Ms. Leslie, the district's Occupational Therapist.  There were several times during play that Tessa found Ms. Leslie, and she vocalized to her every time.  She worked really hard to get her attention.  So sweet to see.   

After play time, we loaded back up to head down to the library.  Tessa got in her activity chair for this trip.  And once again, held on perfectly to her ring the whole time.

See, I'm not a liar...she's still got her yellow ring going down the hall.  Little Miss does not take her responsibility lightly ;) 

 Library time was great to see.  Ms. Leslie helped Tessa work on sitting up during the story.  Lots of balancing and good trunk and head control.  I'm not sure how much of the story Tessa caught, but she sure worked hard to sit right there together with her peers.

 Okay, Tessa is not concerned with the fact that "Clifford Shares"

In fact, Tessa could care less that "Clifford Shares"...

Ummm....it actually REALLY upsets her that "Clifford Shares", but by glory her mother is still going to get a picture of her with her first library book.  She doesn't have to like the book...or even read the book, but pose with the book, yes ;)

Note: the tears have nothing to do with the book.  Wednesdays are hard days.  Adjusting to school and all her responsibilities, is hard work.  The day before was full of fun and firsts...but exhausting too.  So, meltdowns happen and it's just fun to blame it on Clifford ;)

Working so hard to sit up during carpet time and singing.

 After carpet time, it was time for centers!  Tessa started out at the sandbox.  And honestly, by this point, it was exhausting for mommy to watch how hard she had been working!

After sand time, she colored, played with play-dough and worked on a peg board with Ms Kayla.  And yes, by this point, it was appropriate to supply the pacifier ;)

As a working mom, I sure do not take these kinds of experiences lightly.  It is invaluable for me to have a picture of what Tessa's days look like.  When I'm working away in my office building downtown, it is so nice to be able to think about Tessa and picture what she is probably doing during her day at school.  I was so thankful to Tessa's teacher and her wonderful staff for allowing me to spend time with them.  It is impossible (for me anyway) to witness this kind of dedication to children and not get choked up.  I had moments of some very intense emotion while I was there.  I am humbled by these women's gifts to love, care for and teach children....especially our very special little ones.

~Whitney

Thunder Up!

I got to Thunder Up at Round 1 Home Playoff Game 2 with my sweet friend Bree!  It was her first Thunder game and we had a blast!  Lots of transition happening for both of our families right now, so it was a huge blessing to have such a great night out together!

~Whitney

Accomplishments & Firsts!

First of all, Tessa graduated from Feeding Therapy with Heather at The Children's Center this morning!!  Our princess is doing such an amazing job that we have reached the point where ongoing weekly therapy is no longer necessary ~ Music to this Mama's ears!!!

Heather has done AMAZING work and we can't thank her, Jenni and Kayla enough for helping Tessa work toward all her goals!  She has come so so far and we are truly blessed!

Then, I got to meet up with Tessa and her class for her very first school field trip, her first bus ride and her first horseback riding experience!

Look at this big girl sitting in her stroller on a school bus!

Goodness, where has the time gone!

It was really neat to finally get to see how the tie-downs on her stroller worked on the bus.

And her very first unloading experience!  I mean seriously, just the cutest thing :)

Tessa spent some time getting to know her new friend Opie.

I'm pretty sure Opie is the star horse of Coffee Creek Therapeutic riding center...

he must be, to be paired up with our little Miss ;)

Tessa had no fear!  Even when Opie stuck his tongue out at her ;)

She was in awe and so excited for her new experience!

Sweet Opie, it's amazing how quickly you can get so attached

And she's UP!

In this moment, I'm pretty sure she's realizing this experience isn't just about having fun...

but it's also about a good hamstring stretch and lots of trunk and head control! 

But she was ready for the challenge.  You'd have thought she'd been riding horses for years. 

They put a little waist belt around Tessa to give the handlers a good position to help support Tessa while she rode. 

 Just pure cuteness! Looking like a pro and working so hard!

And this was the picture I got from Kayla once they were back in the bus and headed back to school.

Her caption: "I would say she is worn smooth out :)"

What a huge day for Tessa!  I'm so thankful I was able to be there to experience so many firsts with her today!

~Whitney