Grant Opportunities

I have been working diligently on different grants for Eva to receive an iPad as her augmentive speech device.  This is very meticulous work.  I have provided more information about her to so many strangers that I can only be optimistic that all of this work will be rewarded.  Here are the grant organizations that I submitted to as of 2/27/13:

Babies with iPads (iPads)

Different Needz Foundation (iPads)

Small Steps in Speech (application for iPad)

I will be contacting my insurance again tomorrow to see if any progress has been made.  If our requests are denied, I believe I will have a few other options to turn to. 

fundrazr.com, giveforward.com, bake sale, card tournament, contacting local organizations. 

Baby Toys - We still have those :)

Oh my Goodness.  So I am trying to ween Eva from all of these baby toys around the house but I just can't seem to get her to stop playing with them (and Elizabeth too). 

I want to say this went on for over thirty minutes.  Who says Kool Kids can't focus?

Enjoy

This is multifunctual solo fun.

 I was completely wrong when I said "stop, she won't want to play with it anymore". 

The ending is the best part.

 

 

This was purely big sister entertainment (well everyones).  

ENT Visit

We went off to our ENT today.  It was a needed appointment because her ear tubes surgically placed did not last very long.  The right ear tube fell out after only 3 months and the left tube came partially.  It is currently still fused inside her ear.  (Sidenote) Our pediatrician noticed and attempted to pull it out.  Was unsuccessful at retrieving the tube but was very successful giving Eva an intense fear of having her ears looked at by anyone. 
So, our doctor insisted to get the one tube removed surgically and the replace both tubes.  I agreed and she will be under her way on March 14th.  I requested the earliest time for the procedure.  I only hope they dont make her starve for food or drink to long that day. 

More Word/Sign Usage

Here is a recent video of our 100 Words Book. 

New Shoes & our new friend, the Senator

Yesterday we got Eva a new pair of shoes.  This is a bit exciting because she has been wearing her now 'old shoes' for over 13 months.  We got the lift on them and they look great.  All afternoon she kept playing with them and signing "me shoes" then continually clapping her hands.  I never thought she would have such a fetish at two but she does have those female genes :)

Today we went to the Statehouse to have a Valentine's Day event making cards and presenting them to our Reps and Senators.  Well, through all the confusion and the many of people there, we were not able to find the event.  Although, I did happen to run into our District Senator.  Senator Miller was gracious to myself and the girls.  He took time (in the hallway before the Session started) to speak with the girls then myself.  I explained why it was necessary to make changes for our children.  Then, with what seemed to be concern in his demeanor, he handed me his personal contact information and invited me to speak with him within the next week for more details. 

All in all, the girls were a little disappointed they didn't make valentines but I felt very successful. 


This is hopefully just one step forward to the right direction. 

A Visit to the Statehouse

I was delighted to get a phone call from ARC of Indiana this morning.  They had invited us to join them at the Statehouse Thursday to make Valentines for our State Representatives.  I of course accepted the invitation and then emailed Senator Miller's assistant.  She quickly responded and was anticipating our arrival Thursday. 
I can only see this as a huge opportunity to meet Senator Miller personally and express concerns on behalf of Eva and all other parent's in Indiana that are not receiving health care benefits due to income eligibility.  I think that if he met Eva, there will be a more memorable impression than just a whole bunch of certified letters. 
Any suggestions?  Please let me know!

An amost Scary Sick... Influenza B

So it has been an interesting few days.  On Thursday, Eva woke up with a bit more heat on her body than normal but she had her therapy session and was very attentive.  After our therapist left, I checked her temperature and it was 102.2.  I gave her the standard dose of both ibuprofen and Tylenol and continued every four hours alternating.  I could not get this fever under 102.  When she woke from her nap it was 103.9.  The strange thing was that there were no other symptoms and luckily we did not have a seizure.  She did not eat but did manage to drink fluids.  I felt bound to stay up with her as long as I could but we did an alarm for 130.  When I felt her head and took her temperature on her forehead, it read 105.7.  I can not recall her having a fever that high and had that split second thought to Google how high body temperatures can peek.  But the thought went away and my instincts I quickly got her out of bed.  I then got some cold washcloths, the other thermometer, both medicines, and two cups of water for both of us.  I put her movie Nemo on and we sat on the couch, diaper only with cold washcloths in her fold of her skin holding her Sippy filled with ice and a splash of water. She was completely out of it.  We were very fortunate that we did not have to go through a seizure. I stayed up with her until her fever was down to at least 102 and then at eight I called the doctor.  Our peds sent her to the lab for an influenza swab test which unfortunately came out positive.  The doctor said she could continue her fever for up to five days and catch other common cold symptoms as well.  In the afternoon, she was literally laying on the carpet in one spot for over 8 hours in and out of consciousness.  It was needless to say a little scary.  We decided to set up the playpen in our room for her to sleep there.  We checked on her at four and was not feverish.  At eight in the morning, I heard ‘mama, mama, mama’ right next to me.  I could see a silhouette of her standing with an orange glow behind her.  The sunrise was gorgeous and seeing her standing in that playpen was a glimpse of hope.  I got her out and she wanted to walk.  I let her follow me into the kitchen making her hold my finger for balance just in case.  After I got her a drink, she sat with me on the couch.  After her drink was gone, she got down, retrieved her favorite 100 Words book, and we read.  She then signed that she wanted to eat.  I was not only surprised but absolutely thrilled.  I got her a small bowl of cheerios and she ate it all.  I checked her temp and it was a bold 98.9.  After an hour, the living room was back to our normal;  books and toys laying all over the floor;  Nemo for background noise;  pillows and blocks stacked in their normal positions;  Dora doll driving the Tikes car;  It was like she just needed a day to be seriously sick and now she is just tethering back to wellness.  What a relief.