First Week Recap

Olivia did so well during her first week of school. I tried so hard not to have high expectations about school but I know it is going to be such a great experience for her. She gets so excited when I tell her that it is time to get ready to go to school. She runs to her classroom each morning. Olivia waves goodbye to her teachers each afternoon. Olivia's teacher was so excited to tell me that Olivia said "Mama" on Friday afternoon, we both cried over that. It's been months since I've heard Olivia say "mama". I actually picked Olivia up early from school Thursday afternoon because she had a fever. I think that she just got a little over tired because she had been having a great day, she had PT and Speech at school, she ate a good breakfast and lunch and then really played during recess but then she started running a low fever. Her temp only got up to 99*, we came her home and she took a 4 hour nap then woke up ready and rearing to go. Since she had left with a fever though she had to be fever free for 24 hours so that meant no school for Olivia on Friday.

In the meantime Peter and I are having a blast. He's growing up so fast! I am loving the time I get to spend with my little guy. I took Peter with me to run some errands the other day and he was just looking so adorable that I had to take a few pictures.



He knows that he's looking adorable!

First Day Recap and Other Ramblings

Olivia's first two days at school went wonderfully. I think that the teacher wasn't really prepared for Olivia but they have already started the process of getting more aides into her classroom. Olivia even napped at school and she's starting to follow some of the classroom routine a little bit. I am confident that school will be a great experience for Olivia. It is amazing how much I can accomplish with just one child in tow. I know people that complain about not being able to get anything done with a toddler but Peter and I are having a blast and we've accomplished more over the last 2 days that I would normally be able to accomplish in 2 weeks!

Mike and I had to spend several hours at Care Team training last night. Care Teams help care and support the spouse or family of a service member when they are killed, captured or injured. We're glad we went to the training but it was not a plesant evening out. I just cannot get over how ironic it was that we spent the evening learning how to care for widows when they learn their husbands are killed in combat while the President addressed the nation to declare the end of combat operations in Iraq.

School Days

Today was Olivia's first day of school! Before I go into all the excitement of the first day I'll start with our IEP meeting last Friday.

We moved to North Carolina knowing that Olivia would receive the absolute best medical care available and we knew that the schools would not be as great. So far things have gone well. On Friday Olivia and I went to visit her school and have a quick meeting to revise her IEP reflecting that she would be attending school instead of being in a home-based educational program. I met the Speech therapist who will be working with Olivia twice a week as well as the Occupational therapist who has been working with Olivia since we moved to Fayetteville. She will continue to work with Olivia every other week. We did not meet the physical therapist but she reviewed Olivia's evaluations and will meet with her once a month. Olivia is able to easily navigate the physical environment so it was determined that she didn't require further physical therapy to support her educational goals. Olivia will continue to receive Speech, Physical, and Occupational therapy once a week at a private therapist outside of school. Olivia will be attending school 5 days a week from 8 to 2:15 each day in a special education pre-school program. We discussed bus transportation but at this point I decided to drive Olivia to and from school each day. We were able to tour Olivia's classroom and meet the teacher and other kids in her class. There are 9 other kids in Olivia's class. They all are adorable, I was so worried about Olivia fitting in. Each of the kids in her class seem to march to the beat of their own drum, just like Olivia. They all have their challenges but they are an adorable bunch.

Now onto today's festivities! I was a nervous wreck! I couldn't sleep, I couldn't sleep at all and I'm glad Olivia seemed oblivious to my nerves! I started packing her lunch at 6am! She got fresh watermelon and a lunchable (her favorite).



Olivia was very excited to go to school, she was giggling all morning and squealed with excitement when we put her backpack on. Isn't she adorable!



We got to school and navigated the drop off traffic and made it to her classroom. I put Peter in the stroller because I was worried that he'd have a fit when he realized that he didn't get to stay. Olivia ran towards her classroom. She is in a self-contained classroom that has a separate entrance at the back of the school. There is a separate playground right off of her classroom. Olivia ran right to the door of her classroom.



I don't think the teacher knew what she was in for but I think that school will be such a positive experience for Olivia!


I am so glad that I have Peter to keep me company at home today. Although this little guy somehow managed to get ahold of a crayon during drop off this morning. I am pretty sure that Olivia gave it to him as he was in the stroller well out of reach.

The 18th Airborne Corps Ball

This past Friday Mike and I went to the 18th Airborne Corps Division Ball. I was absolutely dreading the ball, we'd just gotten back into town and there were at least 100 other things that I would rather do on my first Friday night at home in almost a month. We ended up having a nice time though. The highlight of the evening was a performance by the 82nd Airborne Chorus. They perform often around here but I've always missed it for one reason or another so this was my first time seeing them. They were amazing! I wasn't able to get up from our table and take a video but I did find this video of their performance on you tube. If you have time check it out!



Mike and I at the ball.



Mike and his new First Sergant.