Home from "Talking with Technology" camp.  Keni had a blast but is happy to be home with her family (and her own bed) again. 

There was a zip-line, horseback riding, dancing, arts & crafts, and tons more fun stuff!! 

We want to say "Thank You" to Amy once again for coming out here and attending camp with Keni - it meant alot to have someone we trust with her this past week.  We miss you already!

{Happy to be in bed after my first full day of camp}

{Rock climbing to go down the zip line}

{Wow - what a day!}

Just returning from our summer roadtrip.  Visited the Grand Canyon and took a helicopter tour... Keni did okay for about the first 10 minutes then she was not happy with the very bumpy ride.  Its a good thing we took the SHORT tour.

Hoover Dam is cool but there is quite a bit of road construction right now - oh and a checkpoint to go through before you cross the dam (anti-terrorism checkpoint).

Las Vegas is awesome but very crowded -especially after dark.  We stayed in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino and our room overlooked the fountains.  Keni got ill the first night and was not well at all the next day.  She tolerated some sight-seeing and then slept for several hours.  She felt better for the trip home but still not 100%. 

{I feel awful!}

We had a great time with our friends Sarah & Nicole.

Just returned from a Spring Break vacation to San Antonio Texas.  Keni did excellent on the road trip.

We all really enjoyed the visits with good friends.

{Daddy & I in Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico}

We are planning to send Keni to a "Talking with Technology" camp this summer.  It is a week-long sleepover camp run through the Denver Children's Hospital.  It trains and encourages the use of augmentative communication devices.  It will be a good opportunity for Keni.  The only issue is that parents are not allowed - given our serious trust issues this is very difficult for us.  We decided to send an aide that is like family to us (we luv u Amy).  It will be a very difficult week for me, but I am excited for Keni.

{Me - Roswell, New Mexico}

Keni found a chair that she is able to sit in without help!!  We are so proud of her.  She is doing some really good walking (still with upper body support), but she isn't interested in practicing to sit or sit-to-stand - all she wants to do is walk. 

{sitting in my rocking chair} 

Her seizures have not improved at all - may have even gotten worse.  We saw the neurologist (Dr. Tim Allen :-) ) last week.  He is still hopeful that the VNS will work for her.  He says that the longer it is in - the better the chances of it working.  We are also in agreement about keeping her off anti-seizure medication.

 I am getting better about taking the time to feed her orally.  She is getting much less formula now-a-days.  She still gets a can of formula in the morning because she doesn't care to eat breakfast.  In addition, she will often get a can of formula before bed depending on what time we eat and how much she takes in orally.

{Skating with Mary & daddy}
Keni's birthday party last night was a success.  We collected lots of donations for the Children's Hospital and all the kids had fun.

{Heather and Keni} 

Thanks to everyone who attended and donated gifts.

It has been 7 months since the VNS was implanted and we have seen no improvements with her seizures.

{My halloween costume}

Mackenzie is doing well in therapy.  In PT she tried-out a couple of different walkers -one was a Rifton and the other was a Walk-About.  She did really well with both but did her best in the Walk-About.  Unfortunately, the largest size of the Walk-About is almost too small for her.  I want the therapist to get the walkers on loan for a few weeks so that Mackenzie can spend a little more time in them before I decide to purchase one.

Mackenzie is eating food by mouth again.  She now takes at least half -somedays more -of her nutrition orally. We still use the formula because it is quicker and easier than feeding her orally.  If we were more patient she would probably take all of her meals orally.   By the way, we would like to thank Mrs. Granger and all the wonderful aides at Bauder Elementary for taking the time everyday to feed her lunch orally -this why she eats so well now.

{with my cousins -in Chicago}

So it has officially been 6 months since the implant of the VNS.  The neuroloy explained that it takes the body about 6 months to adjust to the device.  We have not seen any significant changes in her seizures yet -but we are still hopeful.

We took a trip to Chicago in September.  Mackenzie did very well on the airplane ride.

{in my front yard}

Mackenzie is doing very well in therapy.  On a good day shewalks with minimal upper body support.  On other days she is very ornery and enjoys fighting with the therapists (she will smile while doing it). 

We are enjoying our vacation and our visits with friends and family.  Mackenzie is doing well on the trip and is happy to see everyone.

{Daddy and I -Spokane Washington}

{Washington State Ferry}

{With my dad}

Having a good summer.  Keni likes to wake up to early in the morning though.  She is getting past being frustrated all the time.  Still no change in the seizures but the doctor says not to expect anything until 6 months out from the surgery (October) - so we are still hopeful.

Mackenzie enjoyed her visit with Amy from Ohio.  Thanks for coming to Colorado, Amy!!!

{Amy and I}

Mackenzie is doing well in therapy.  She is taking excellent steps, learning to swing, and doing well with sitting and rolling.

Our next adventure is coming... this week we are on vacation and taking a roadtrip to Washington and Oregon.