Ability Camp - Week 4

Oh Week number four, you were my Everest!!! This was probably the hardest week here for me. The people I am here with are amazing and truly some of the sweetest people to meet. I am grateful for all their help with Jacey, my dishes, my sick whining, my throw my child at them to run and barf, my blah sick self. THANKS!!! After my teary goodbye to Gramma and my dad, we busted into week number 4. Jacey had been kind of sniffly and sneezy and I was getting concerned she was getting sick. So I loaded up on some type of organic-y cold medicine for kids which really helped her. I on the other hand was a different case. I started the day after her and was runny nosed, sneezy and a bit coughy. When I get sick, I turn into this sore, mushy baby-esque version of myself. I felt terrible, not to mention still icky pregnant. Needless to say it was a looooong week in the sick department. Everyone here was so sweet, would grab dishes for me, and help with Jacey as much as possible. Sooo very much cared for. Jacey was a trooper and still went to class and chamber which I wasn't sure she would be ok to do but rocked it as per usual. She was also a class A potty girl. TMI ALERT: She deuced every day in class on the potty and also did either 2 or 3 pee's. PAROUD MOM ALERT!!! She just rocked it, and even though she had some accidents here and there, more in the pots than out which to me screams success. Plus she totally recognized when she did do it in her pants. Sooo I am gonna go ahead and say she rocks the pot. Her walking has really improved. The conductor is having me work on being in front of her rather than behind guiding her hips. She is pretty wobbly and needs constant reminders to step and push her walker, but it is developing and it is so so cool to see her do it. I am beyond excited to think that one day this kid is just going to take off and walk. Her fine motor is also doing much better, she is grasping things more appropriately and working to manipulate them better. Loving it. She is still as nosy as ever, constantly needing to be reminded to "look where she is going instead of where she's been", "quit watching others and get to work", "focus, focus, focus!" hehe I love that about her, although sometimes it makes me want to poke her in the eye. We had fun as a group this week, cooking together and doing some play dates. We made pom pom's for all the kids to help cheer on the two adults in the stroke program when they did their walking. It was really cute, and the kids loved to cheer for them. Aek and Ruthie were excited to have a cheering squad, even though most of the cheerleaders were trying to eat their pom pom's. Saturday we went to pick up Nanny Bird. We were so excited and talked about it all day. When the time came....Jacey scream cried and clung to my shoulder. It was a bit of a sad reunion, but after a few minutes she got used to the idea that Nanny was here at camp. So they became fast friends and now I am dead to her. Yup, she is all about her nanny....although she can't quite figure out where her Poppy is as they are usually a package deal. Hehe Getting excited to be done this week and head to Newfoundland. Excited to see family and reconnect...then off to see my hubby. Oh how I miss that guy. Love him and am proud of him letting us go for another long spell. He tells me he misses his ladies often. Thank goodness for Skype. Anyways that is all that is new, glad to have nanny and company, excited to be done. Love you all, Alyson and Jacey

Ability Camp, Week 3 under the belt!

Well we are now past the half way mark for camp being done. On a different note, I am only EXACTLY one half of the way away from being at home. Jon's mom and I along with Jacey (cause she is mostly the one people want to see) are going back to Newfoundland for a week after camp. We are excited, and by we, I mean me b/c let's face it...Jacey doesn't even know!!! Anyways back to being over half done camp. HURRAY!!!!! We had a fun, eventful, visitors welcome kinda week. Jacey got into the groove right on Monday morning and worked hard. She earned all of her stickers and is now one of the top potty kids in her class. I love looking at her potty chart and seeing the rows of stickers and know she has great potty skills. (They probably come from me!) We were super, super excited to have Great Gramma Hinko and Grampa Hinko come to visit this week too. It was not a super long visit, but great to have some new blood in this joint and some help for this mama. I am still friends with the toilet in the mornings and sometimes afternoons....I curse morning sickness! (In a YEAH I am grateful for a baby out of it at the end, but will this ever end kind of way) So we picked up our guests and brought them back to camp, it was late Wednesday night but they were able to meet most of our housemates. (If I didn't look around and remind myself where I am, the housemates comment would seem almost Jersey Shore or Real World-esque....it is not) Jacey woke up super early on Thursday and the first word out of her mouth was "Papa". It was like she wondered if it was real or a dream. She called out for him and we had to make our way down the hall to find him. Sorry Gramma, I love you but you were definitely second fiddle to the Grampa this week. hehe We had some breakfast and they came to our room to watch some stretches and morning prep. We also had individuals today and they were able to come into class and observe her work. She worked so well for me and really was trying to impress Grampa with her soccerball kicking skills. (Probably not from me) We had some lunch and Grampa went into the dive for the afternoon, he was sure nervouse, but did fantastic! The other moms really helped him, he began to call it "The Hole". I was proud of him and really glad he could give the other moms a break who were helping me take Jacey in. We did some driving around in the evening and killed some time sightseeing all the little farms and cute houses in the area. Also did a drive down by the lake to see the water, some really great waves. The next day was a more veg day. Gramma and I baked like 10 dozen cookies (which were ALL eaten by like 8 o'clock that night.) People around here love homemade baking or anything "homey". Grampa did another dive and we made our way around again scouting out some other drives. We were in time to have a pizza party with the whole house. There was a sweet adult here from Jersey who threw the pizza party for the crowd because it was his second last night and he wanted to get together with everyone and visit. It was awesome! Everyone really enjoyed the food and the company was great. I think that Grampa and Great Gramma really got to see the community of special families at work and feel the sweet spirit that accompanies each. One of the adults who was leaving even teared up and said that he just could not believe that love and dedication in each family. Watching everyone work together and care for each other here. It was just a really great night. Saturday was a kinda more boring day. Two dives, and I was not sure both would happen for Grampa, but he did it and did great. We headed out for supper that night to a roadhouse grill and it was sure tasty. Sunday was a nice break day. We decided to skip dives and take our time touring down here up to Belleville so that Grampa and Great Gramma could get some sights in. We toured around Bloomfiled and Wellington and saw the big houses on the water, visited a winery for them, got some great pics of farmers fields, pumpkin fields and dairies. It was sure nice. Topped off with lunch at Montana's before they caught their train. There may or may not have been two teary phone calls to my hubby and sister/mom. (Ok there was TOTALLY teary calls) I was sick, Jacey was getting a cold and my only help left me. I was kinda a mess yesterday. BUT we got home had some supper, dessert and hit the sack early. OH WAIT, only Jacey hit the sack early. The other moms here had prepared an Emmy Party as the Emmy awards were one last night. It was sooo what I needed. We all got in pj's, cooked up some appe's and snacks and got drinks and vegged out in front of the tv to watch the awards. Such a needed veg night. I loved it and am excited to have another mommy night tonight to see Dancing with the Stars. (Which I have never followed before but some other mommies have and are really excited....and let's face it, what else will I do?!?) So that is our week wrapped up. Only like 5ish days until Nanny Bird comes and I am excited to really take it easy then...get ready Nanny!!! Then off to Newfieland and some family...and then my sweet hubby. Can't wait to see him! Thanks again for all the love and support guys. - Love Alyson and Jacey

Jacey at Ability Camp - Week 2 Finito!!!

Well another week has passed at good ol' ability camp. Not a crazy week but a busy week none the less. Leslie headed home on Saturday night and enjoyed a night in Toronto all by herself to veg out after hanging with us two crazy girls for a week. Jacey and I were all by ourselves. Poor kid, me being sick has made for not the most patient. And adding in her CARAZY 5:30 wake ups has made me contemplate some serious eye poking...alas I haven't and won't but I have put serious thought into it. Jacey is doing really well in class. Working hard, and really having fun with her little friends. She is especially close to another girl, Kaley, who was with us in our very first session in April. Kaley adores Jacey and is constantly trying to "baby" her. I am unsure if it is because Jacey crawls lots, or her bibs or what but she is often trying to have her back up onto her lap or petting her hair and back. She also is an adamant remover of objects from Jacey's mouth. She is from a french family and is often telling Jacey, " Non Bouche!", which means, not in your mouth. hehe It is hilarious and I am hoping maybe another language will help Jacey understand that it is not ok. They do EVERYTHING together, eat, play, watch shows together and Kaley's mom is helping by doing our dives with Jacey for me. So she rocks and Kaley even in there is trying to adjust Jacey's hood and things to make sure she is comfortable hehe. So fun for Jacey to have a friend, it gives me hope that school will not be so hard and that she will attract some little friends. There are three moms who are rotating cooking so that we can have a break every couple days and it is working out lovely. I love that the smells in the kitchen aren't a constant iffy matter for me. Also the fun, different meals are great! Jacey has never been so adventurous with her meals, so proud! I have also been able to make sure I get some sleep in`s going on. Once Jacey is in class and I don`t need to be in for the day I head back to bed for another couple hours and it helps to calm my tummy. I am really enjoying these little times which allow me to "pamper" myself at ability camp. (For those who know what ability camp looks like, you would not believe the pamper comment) hehe For the love, this place is a beaut! This weekend the mommies decided that no one wanted to cook and we needed to get outta here before we all went stir crazy in the second week. Sooo there was a tiny little fair in town. When I mean tiny, I mean tiny. There are probably like 100 people in Milford and so the fair had a little petting zoo of 5-6 animals, a farmers market-esque table set up where people sold goods, some live music and a couple snack trucks. Another awesome feature was a fake cow complete with an udder and bucket. You could milk a holstein cow and it shot out into the bucket and you got a sticker that read "I milked a cow". Yup, country or what?!? So funny. It was a fun 40 minutes of time killing and then we headed into town and got some food at a diner and it was a nice day. The kids enjoyed getting out and the mom's enjoyed being away from camp. The next day a few of us moms ventured out to a place called Little Bluff, a cute little rocky shore near the water. We packed a picnic and headed out at the insistance of one mom. She had been there before and was telling us how great it was. We got there and she had neglected to tell us that there was a hike of death! No joke, a steep, rocky, no stroller, Alyson wearing terrible flip flop death trap. The other mom is shorter and tinier than I am and has a little man who outweighs Jacey by 2. Soooo we both hummed and hawed about going down this trail to the water. The other mom was like "no worries I can carry them all, no problem." It was a problem. Anyways so we both took a deep breath and headed down, and no one died. It was really pretty and the kids loved throwing rocks in the water. The hike back up was deadly and I had to warn everyone that although I was not a smoker, I would develop a smoker's breathing for like 5 minutes and to not be alarmed!! hehe Anyways, we all lived and the kids had fun. That wraps up our lovely second week. We are flying through it, I think the fact that it is not a ten weeker has really made it speed by. We love you all and appreciate all the thoughts and prayers for us. Take care and know that we miss you. - Alyson and Jacey

Ability Camp...Round 3!!

Well for those of you who know, we headed back to Jacey's Ability Camp this past week. We saw such improvement from the 10 week stint we did in April - June that we knew we were going to head back. We just didn't think it would be this soon! The camp was offering free hyperbaric sessions with September camp (we found out about 2.5 weeks before it was to start). Soooo Jon and I hummed and hawed and thought about it. Could we be prepared in less than 3 weeks? What about her GRIT and preschool and Edmonton Conductive Education? What about Jon in school and unable to come? Is there any other family who would come so soon to help me? All of these crazy questions....but here we are and things have worked out great. Although in true Bird organizational fashion we found out that I could not participate myself in the hyperbaric sessions, as WE ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER TINY BIRD!!!! This is super exciting, terrifying and nausea inducing. Jon and I had decided after the last camp that perhaps adding another littler person to our brood would be a good thing. I felt like with Jacey progressing so much and starting school and things that I would not lose my mind completely. Aaaand BOOM another baby in the making! However, that meant I could not do hyperbarics, so with the sweetness of the family who are visiting and some great friends who are at camp with thier kids, Jacey will hopefully get all of her dives! As for Miss Bird's week. My little sister Leslie came with me and helped get organized. Jacey thought is was great having Auntie Leslie around to play with and help her. I have been quite sick (super fun) and so Leslie did an awful lot for me while she was here. The flight and drive were long as usual but there were smiles when we got in the door and worked on organizing our room and seeing our old friends. I was worried that the next morning Jacey would freak out at seeing Kriztina but she pushed poor Leslie out of the way to get to her. There were happy shreiks, many blown kisses and reaching for her instructor. (Whewph for the no tears!!) So she has been a rock star walking in to class and working hard with her equipment and things. I am so proud of her and how well she has adjusted. She is eating like a champ and sleeping through the hyperbarics with her friend. However, I would love it if she would be less punk-ish and sleep in a bit more. 6 am comes stinking early, and class doesn't begin until 8:30. Ugh!!! I am feeling ok. Sick off and on throughout the day. Some are better than others, but being so communal is tricky. Many smells, the bathrooms are not your own to be sick in (THE WORST PART) and of course working with Jacey is hard work anyways when you feel good never mind all yucky! So it is a fun thing for sure. Makes me grateful for all the help coming. Leslie was here the first week and then my dad and Gramma Hinko are coming for about 5 days in a week and a half and then Jon's mom will come for a week at the end. So I am only alone for a bout 2.5 weeks which is do-able. We are then heading to Newfoundland for a week to visit family. Excited to see them but hard to be away from Jon for another week. We'll see how things all go! Anyways Bird girl will be done a dive in a few minutes so I should go and check on supper and her. Sweet Thai Chili Chicken in the slow cooker....mmmmm..or ugh....I guess we will see! Love you all and miss you! Love- Jacey and Alyson

Say what...she posted?!?

As per my BIL Graham's request, here is the new post. My blog has sat lonely for a little while since camp. Truthfully, in my defence.....I just didn't want to do anything. How's that? I came home from camp and have only been home for 50 days, that is not even as long as we were away, but I didn't want to do anything. I wanted to veg out, catch up on all my shows, visit with my family and friends and then do nothing. That was not in the cards as the Bird's have been busy ever since. The following weekend, our entire family went to Jasper for Canada Day and the hot springs. (Mostly the hot springs though) We enjoyed each other's company and goofed around lots. It was super fun. We came home and had many a dinner/playdates with friends catching up on what was missed. It was nice, busy, but nice. Some new things going on. We are going back to camp!! Say what?!? Yeah we are! We head out on September the 2nd and are going for another 5 week session. There is a great price change for the month and Jon and I decided that we better take advantage of it. This will be a great thing for Miss Bird, it will still be fresh in her mind, she will know the routine and feel comfortable with her Conductors! We are super excited....mostly. I am a bit tired thinking of it all. I feel like we just got home from 10 weeks and are heading out again, Oh wait, that is exactly what we are doing. We won't even be home for the same amount of days we were gone for before heading back, how crazy is that?!? But it is a great opportunity and we are excited to do it agian. My fam will be rotating coming to hang out with us again, my lil sis Leslie is cominge, as are my dad and gramma. At the end of our trip Jon's mom is going to come for the last week and then we are heading to Newfoundland to visit family I think. We are already halfway there, might as well keep going. =) This is exciting for us and we cannot wait to do it again. So blessed!! Thanks for all the support, we love ya. - Alyson and Jacey PS Prepare yourself for potty posts, fingers crossed no time outs, some ridic antics and lots of change again!

Jacey's last week at camp and home...WHEWPH!

We are heading home, we are heading home!!! This week was busy, and awesome and flew by. We were kept busy at camp with a revised schedule. Monday was individual parent class with the kids, Tuesday we were all in for the whole day with our kids, Wednesday there was no session, just 2 hyperbaric dives, Thursday was a typical day with the graduation party and then Friday was only until 11. It was BUSY!!! We as the parents also kept really busy. Monday night we decided to cook breakfast for dinner for the men at camp for Father's Day. Word on the street is that they enjoyed the attention and food. I didn't have the heart to tell them that someone ate a pancake that hit the floor! mmmmmm. It was a fun night, the kids after all the food was done and cleaned up played in the classroom for a while before bed. They were all so hyper, I think they could feel that parents were excited to be heading home soon and they were CARAZY! Climbing all over each other on the floor and tackling daddies all over the place. Tuesday was a fend for yourself day and my mom and I really enjoyed our evening together. A girl at camp Camellia taught me to make deep fried chicken strips and we made our warm potato salad, DELISH! It was a nice night followed by a movie with the whole crew. Wednesday was a weird day with no sessio and double hyperbaric, we also had our last chiro appt which I was sad about. My back has never felt so good, carrying around Jacey's dead weight is hard work. Glad she now sits up a bit and helps...finally. hehe Jacey also had her last swim lesson, it went great. Of course on the last day would be when she didn't cry and let me and Gramma sit and watch...of course. We did a big potluck with the families. We cooked 3 different pork tenderloins and a bunch of odds n ends. We were all trying to clean out our cupboards and freezers. It was quite the mix. Jacey ate a bit of everything....10 weeks ago I would have mushed it all up and now, she rocks! Thursday was an awesome day. A real finish it off in style kinda day. We did a bunch of packing in the am while Jacey was in class and then it was time for her 2nd graduation. They engrave medals with their names and dates on them and present them to the kids along with all their artwork and potty charts. It is so cute. We had Hungarian Gouliash for lunch that the conductors made and also a Gramma in the area makes a cake every 5 weeks. Then we hit the beach!!! Not before we pulled off to the bridge in Milford and most of the parents bridge jumped. Yep, it was a good 20 feet up I'd say and we just went all out. A few did a couple jumps. (I only did one as my mom sat disapproving in the car) It was awesome and something I will totally scratch off my bucket list of doing. We had rented a pontoon boat again to head out into the water with. It was soooo much fun! The kids loved jumping off and swimming with their parents and the Gramma's graciously sat on the boat and snuggled kids in towels as they came up. We had some over the side potty's, a delicious packed lunch, one crash into a shallow ground, and one overheated engine. But all in all, the day rocked and we had so much fun! That night, we did fireworks and the kids loved it. They hit the sack early and parents visited and packed and passed on contact info. The next morning was CHAOTIC. I was trying to pack up 10 weeks of life into 2 large suitcases and one carry on. Ummm yeah! Luckily my mom was able to pack some non essential things to bring home and help me out alot. It was bittersweet leaving camp. As much as I joked with everyone that I was pumped and ready to bust outta there...I had a few tears and was sad to leave. This was our life for 10 weeks, we eat, breathed, slept this camp and now it was just...over. Jacey has made such progress and developed so much and I have been strengthened and taught new lifestyles for our whole family. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, I joked with my family after the first couple hard weeks that I would have had a baby every day for one week instead of send her in and listen to the upset every day. BUT, it was worth it. An amazing, surreal and truly humbling experience. It would not have happened without all the support from family, friends and complete strangers who donated for our little lady to go. We are blessed. We are home now and are so very excited to see how she will continue to change and grow. Thanks for all the love guys! - A

Jacey Ability Camp - Week 9

I can see the end in sight...we are almost there...just a little bit longer and I can return to my own bed and hubby. These are all things that I tell myself in the morning, in the afternoon and usually again at night. I also tell myself these things when Jacey is being a punk and I wanna poke her in the eye, or if I am really tired...so basically this runs through my head ALL THE TIME!!!! We are beginning to get a bit anxious to go home, or at least I am, Jacey could care less. This week is the last "normal" week that we are doing. Next week is a gongshow full of video's, interviews, full day parents in, graduation and alot of bonding time with the other families. So Jacey did her thing at camp this week, she was heavily involved in her individual program...NOT! This week was a bit of a struggle getting her focused on her program with me in the room. She is sooo nosy that she usually does her excercises without looking at her feet, hands or anything to do with herself. She is usually gazing at the other kids, the dads that she adores, her walker, a dust particle floating...anything other than what she is supposed to. hehe Although I want to lose my cool whilst I grab her face and turn her head to look at what she is doing, I kinda love that she is inquisitive and mindful of what is going on around her. She really enjoys the other kids here and is often crawling into the other rooms to play with them. She also adores Ivanna (I've mentioned her before, she is wonder woman who helps me get a shower, or holds Jacey, or tells her to get her hands out of her mouth), and a couple of the dads here. I often wonder if she would rather playdate with the dad across the hall or his kid?!? She is really doing well with her walker though and if the mood hits her right will run to the next activity in it, or towards a dad. Whatevs, as long as she is doing it I don't care. We will worry about her gentleman infatuation later...that will be her dad's department! =) I am also proud to say that we are consistently using the potty and keeping a dry diaper for a lot of the day. She is making fantastic progress with this and is so proud of herself. I still love the giggle when she pee's into the potty and then looks at me like "Yeah, that was tinkle and I did it!" She is very quick with many of her excercises that at first she really struggled with. 10 weeks of camp has really transformed her into a workout machine, she is ripped and has developed into quite the mover and shaker. Excited for everyone to see her progress. This week was also busy for me. I was able to enjoy movie night almost every night with a handful of the other parents. We really enjoyed ourselves and kept busy getting to know each other. It was fun and I am hoping to stay in contact with some...not all...but some hehe. I was able to go to Belleville with a few other parents and shop a bit and had a dad treat all of us ladies to dinner. Romantic...except that we had all of our kids who dumped half their meals on themselves and the floor. Jacey pooped her pants and laughed about it and one of the boys stole one of the little girls supper making her cry. If you call that romantic then it was romantic hehe Don't worry guys, Jon knows all about our 5 ladies, 1 gent relationship hehe The poor dad knows now just to say "Yes, Dear!". We also as a group went out for breakfast which was nice and enjoyable. Saturday was by far the funnest day this week. There were 5 families, (4 ladies and 1 gent, not the same one poor guy) that rented a Pontoon boat for a few hours in the afternoon. SOOOO FUN! The kids were so excited and loved parking in the middle of the lake to jump off and swim....but not as much as the parents loved it! We parked in a couple spots and jumped off a few times from the side in different poses and then donned lifejackets so that we could hold up our dead weight kids in the water. It was fun, they loved it. We packed some odds and ends snacks and chowed down mid boating and then each of the kids had a turn driving the boat...ON THEIR OWN. Now when I say on their own I don't mean that they all took turns sitting in the chair, because like 1 out of the 5 can sit independantly. C'mon now! They sat on the dad's lap and he let them hold the wheel on their own and steer and honk the horn. Now for those who don't know this, CP kids tend to have an intense startle reflex. Sooo when the horn was honked repeatedly there was a huge shake up, each time. Every one of those kids jumped every time, even the horn honker themselves. It was hilarious! After we returned the boat and set up to re-rent it next week we headed to a restaurant for dinner with the crew. It was close to 6:30 which is the time that most of our kids hit the sack around here, so there were some very tired, very dozy, can't hold ourselves up kids at the restaurant. Fun day though. On Sunday I picked up my mom in the evening and we enjoyed a dinner out. I am so glad that she is here and Jacey is all over her already. So much fun!!! Anyways gonna run and watch another movie here with the crew. Love Jacey and Alyson

Jacey Ability Camp - Week 8

It was another busy week for us girls...and by girls I mean Great Gramma too!! We sure enjoyed more of Gramma's home cooking and her awesome tidying skills. Gramma sure gave me a break this week as well with Jacey help and keeping her occupied so that I could get things done. Gramma came to Jacey's swimming lessons this week and got to witness the Jacey scream a thon spectacle that takes place whenever we drive in the car together. I don't know what it is all about but for goodness sakes, I am getting over it. I have mastered the art of ignoring and singing to my ipod with the volume cranked!!! This week was awesome with Jacey's conductive education, she sure worked hard. There were some new excercises that she did with me for the first time and she did well...a little distracted as she usually is but she worked hard and I see such improvement. Some of my fav quotes from the Conductors about Jacey's nosiness/inquisitiveness/busyness/curiosity are: "Jacey...you are not a court reporter, we don't need an update about everything!", "Miss Bird, looking at everyone else isn't going to make them work harder...it only makes you work less.", " Jacey, get working on your own jobs and quit worrying about everyone else's...nosy!". hehe It kills me everytime they bust out their Hungarian accents and tell her to get working. She adores Krisztina and Viktoria and thinks that Dawn, Brenda and Silken are great, but her alltime favorite people are the gents. She loooooves Kevin (the director and dive operator) and Paul (the maintenance man) and all the dad's in the group. A few of them just pick her up when she flashes her little white grin at them and carry her around while they get meals ready or are playing with their own kids. She is a bit of a flirt with these men and totally gets whatever she wants from them. What a bunch of suckers!!! It is hilarious to watch, I think that she must miss her daddy and these men are fillers for the few weeks we are still here. hehe Something not so fun this week is Jacey's lack of wanting to sleep good. She got up quite a few times this week for longer periods of time, which sucks. I was losing my patience quite a bit and getting over the whole up all night thing. I think some of the other moms saw me hit my wall a bit and one of them offered to take Jacey for her afternoon dive this Wednesday, it was so nice and really appreciated...I used my time wisely...I slept! There is another girl here who has her mom, gramma and cousin staying and they were the ones who took her in the dive. The cousin, Ivanna has been an awesome help with taking Jacey so I can shower, or playing with her so that I can tidy up or just keeping her occupied. It has been really nice that all the parents and kids get along and take turns hanging with each others kids. Real nice. Other fun things this week were that Gramma and I were able to shop a little bit in Bloomfield and were able to sightsee a little bit. We really enjoyed going to the Birdhouse City, which is a bunch of birdhouses in the shapes of different homes, buildings and things in the Prince Edward County area. So cool and really pretty area that we walked. Jacey was happy to be outside and slept really well that night after all the fresh air. This weekend was pretty eventful. We went out after the second dive on Saturday and went to Belleville to see Madagascar 3. It was the first time that Jacey went to the theatre and she did a really good job. She sure enjoyed the music and colours and laughed a few times. However, her favourite things were anytime someone walked into or out of the theatre and she could watch them walking, or when the ladies behind us would laugh and she would turn her head around to look at them. Sheesh! What a little owl with all the head turning. I bought her a pretzel and she LOVED it...she kept saying Mowa, Mowa, Mowa and followed my hand when I put it down behind her. So funny! We went out to eat with all the families to Kelsey's and she did great there too...tired day and she passed out flat when we got home!! Sunday was nice too. We went to the Sandbanks beach after our 2 dives with all the other families as well. It was such a hot day and really beautiful, the water and area was gorgeous and so much fun with all the kids. They really enjoyed it and really loved the swimming. Ivanna took Jacey in for a real good swim for me and then she came and plunked down on the towel to play in the sand. It was a nice day followed by one of the dads BBQ's hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone. Jacey enjoyed her first BBQ'd hot dog with bun and ate most of it. Such a great day. This week has also brought upon the 4 sticker day!!! She made 2 poops and 2 pee's in her potty in class. Another awesome thing....she is consistently peeing or pooping for me in the room almost once or twice a day. This potty business is getting awesomer and awesomer...yeah I said it and mean it...it's a word!!! Jacey gets pretty excited first thing in the morning when I tell her that it is potty time, she crawls over and grabs her little red potty and tries to pull her pants down. She isn't as excited once she is on it, but she gets the job done. hehe We are sure getting ready to come home, so excited and ready to see our daddy and sleep in our own beds. Jacey has been a rock star and I am grateful for all the visitors who have helped keep me sane for the last 8 weeks and final 2 weeks. WOW!!! 10 weeks, crazy. My mom comes on Sunday...did I mention how much I am looking forward to her hanging out in the dives with Jacey and perhaps switching rooms for a night or two? Mom?...hello?...did you catch that?...love you! =) Take care guys and see you soon....like in less than 2 weeks soon. Woot, woot! - Love Jacey and Alyson

Jacey Ability Camp - Week 6 & 7

Sooo I got lazy...so what, who cares?!? If you don't watch Saturday Night Live....then that wasn't for you! hehe We are however, not lazy at all around here. The opposite in fact, clearly too busy to blog. The first week there really wasn't any excuse except that I didn't want to yet, but knew that it would be a CARAZY post after my sis and Grams got here....so I waited. The first week back was same old, same old. I wondered if Jacey would scream fest as per usual when she walked in to class in the mornings but she pleasantly surprised me when she screamed happily to see Krisztina and ran in....yeah you read that right...RAN!! My kid runs. It was a very awkward, daringly balancing, walker drag, tip to the side kinda run, but she ran none the less. (Truthfully I am not 100% sure that none the less belongs there but I kinda like it) Her day was fantastic with pee's and poop's to celebrate. She just is really coming into her own now and there is proudness radiating from her and I. She loves her new group of kids, there are 8 and that means there is always someone to play with, chase, look at IPAD's (not touch) and yell in the face of. She is enjoying it immensely. Jacey also busted out her first 3 sticker day, a poop and 2 pee's. I am beginning to think that this blogging is a potty central thing, it isn't but there are an awful lot of potty remarks going on. We got back into the swing of hyperbarics, class and potty schedule and made a menu and things. It was kind of a boring week, except for meeting all the new families and learning names. JENNY, STELLA AND GRAMMA CAME!!!!! So excited to have some fam here with us. Jacey was beyond shocked when we got to the train station and she saw her Fanty Jenny. There was a jaw drop and some excited bouncing in my arms to get to her. Another surprise was how excited Stella and Jacey were to see each other. They reached their little arms out to each other and hugged and "talked". I was pumped for Gramma's home cooking, cuddles and back or hand rubs. AWESOME!!! We got back to camp and settled in and met the other fams and made a menu and shopping list and just visited. I don't think Jacey wanted to go to sleep for fear that her Fanty would disappear. They did great while here. Stella was a bit of a cling on but did ok with me and wouldn't grace anybody here with anything but a stone cold look. Jacey just wanted Jenny...and sometimes Gramma. Jenny did some of the dives for me so I could have a break from them, so Stella and I hung out and worked on being quiet. Gramma cooked and baked up a storm, and Jacey and I appreciated it. There are a few dads here with their kids and some single moms here with their kids who have benefited from the cooking and everyone chows down her baking. It is sure a nice treat to not have to cook. Poor Gramma! This week was Stella's 1st Birthday and so we did a big party up for her. It was a potluck and everyone made such cool dishes, the kids were in heaven and Gramma whipped up 2 cakes which were demolished and gone within 24 hours. There were another Gramma and Great Gramma and Aunty visiting and so between all of them the dishes were always done, the floor swept, the tables washed and delicious food always cooked. This weekend everyone went home (excpet my Gramma), so I am sure there is a little bit of a funk and some strays will be joining us. We were able to do some shopping and eating out together with the girlies, Jenny enjoyed snapping some sweet pics of her Stella and we got to sightsee a little bit in the area. It is so pretty around here...to visit. We were sad to have Jenny and Stella leave on Saturday morning but happy that my Gramma is going to stay for another week and keep me company and still cook some favs. Jacey also started swimming lessons this week in Picton. She goes twice a week for a 1/2 hour and is not sure if she is enjoying them yet. Her teacher, Laura rocks and just graduated University with her Physical and Occupational Therapy which is right up our alley. We'll see how they pan out. Well we are 3/4 of the way through this 10 week adventure. Jacey is progressing amazingly and mommy isn't losing her mind yet and we are excited to be done and home. Until then we will work hard, play hard and make friends. Glad to have this experience! - Jacey and Alyson

Jacey at Ability Camp - Week 5

Well week 5 was a busy one. We started off having the whole "stay for another session" incident. We are excited for all aspects of this experience, however, a little homesick and mommy misses her bed. Jacey just kept trucking away this week in sessions and her hyperbaric dives, she also had a week full of potty stickers. She has consistently pooped every day in the morning in class or right before class and has had her first of 2 three sticker days... WAHOO Jacey "I do it in the potty" Bird!!! She seems quite proud of herself and more grown up, she gets excited when I ask her to do things or help with things like lifting her leg, or reaching with her arm as I would have just done both of those things for her before. I am just proud of her and really enjoying watching her change and morph into her big girl self. (Although secretly I enjoy giving her the extra cuddles and carrying her once in a while...not all the time though sheesh my back has already thanked me for the change)We also have experienced the no cry while walking into class on Thursday and Friday of this week. It only took 5 weeks for her to mellow out enough to walk into class without screaming her face off. Proud!! I was so excited when she looked back and smiled at me while she walked in with her Conductor. She is getting it, and I am interested to see what tomorrow brings for the infamous "walk in". We had our Graduation on Thursday after class with a big celebration and our Conductor made homemade Hungarian Goulash and cake. It was so tasty and interesting to watch the little people eat it. The Graduation was cool, they handed out a medal with their name and session engraved on it and also a folder of all her artwork and potty sticker charts, which I haven't decided if I will gold crust them or blow them up to put on her wall as a "pick me up" hehe. All of the girls wore their Ability Camp shirts and black pants and they looked too cute while the only gent wore jeans and a fancy button up shirt it was just too cute!!! We cleaned up and packed for the weekend and took off around noon on Friday for Niagara Falls. It was such a fun weekend as a family!! Jacey really enjoyed Marineland and mostly the rides, she was smiling and laughing on them and also watching the dolphin show was cool. We were not huge fans of the freakin hotness or the fact that the poor deer looked so hot that they were dead. There is a pic of Jacey and I watching one to see if it is breathing, and then when it did a smile pic after. Whewph!! Jon was in top form again as he slathered on the sunscreen but still burnt THE SIDE OF HIS FOOT....the only place without sunscreen. Seriously?!?! That was the first day followed by some Hard Rock Cafe and Hershey Chocolate shop and swimming in the pool to cool off. The next day we walked down to the Falls and did the Maid of the Mist. Jacey got soaked but rocked it and was smiling after, her biggest concern was the plastic poncho's. She hated them more than anything else. We then hit up the Rainforest Cafe, which Jacey liked as well. We contemplated some more sights but it was hot, Jacey was tired and we needed to get to Toronto to check in our rental and re-new and head to the hotel at the airport. We stayed right at the airport and ate a delicious meal there and went swimming again. Daddy left really early Monday morning here and Jacey and I headed back just in time to make our afternoon dive. It was such a fun weekend and a real nice break before another busy 5 weeks. Can't wait for Jenny and Gramma Hudkins to get here next week. Counting down the days. Love y'all!! - Alyson and Jacey

Jacey Ability Camp - Week Four

Well, this is a bit of a late post as things have been "going down" since Sunday. Jacey and I are staying at Ability Camp for another 5 week session!!! The Director approached us and invited us to stay longer since Jacey was sick for the first week and we missed some time. Jon and I really had to make some decisions whether it would be good for our family or what. We decided that we were gonna make it happen! Soooo here is the low down. Jon, Jacey and I are going to head to Niagara Falls this weekend for 3 days of relaxation and family time before our 5 week break from each other. During our oh my heck were staying for 10 weeks total time, my sister Jenny and my Gramma Hudkins are coming together for a week and then Gramma will stay for another week with me and then either my mom or other sis Leslie will come for a bit at the end to help me head home with Jacey. Whewph, it is quite the set up and I am excited, nervous, tired, but really pumped for Jacey!!! Well now that the whole oh my heck 10 weeks total time away is out of the way. Back to our week. Jacey is doing really great. We are a potty machine, Jacey has consistently pooped almost every morning this week and also for my mother's day present did a poop and 2 pee's...count em 2! She rocks and I am seeing a light at the end of the diaper tunnel. This week was the start of her first 2 sticker days and I was just so proud of her and she is so proud of herself as well. Jacey is also consistently using her walker to walk to and from most activities, with minimal assistance around her hips. Jacey is sitting independantly on her stool and her lunch chair and she is helping feed herself her meals. She is really separating herself from me more and doing things for herself. This is huge and I am soooo excited for myself and the break on my back and arms...and for Jacey of course too!! hehe Our time outs have slowly decreased to almost nothing, which has made for a nicer work out and mommy feeling better about things. She is just blossoming and amazing and you can tell how proud of herself she is. In other big news last week.....DADDY IS HERE!!! Jacey was a little apprehensive when she first saw him but it sure didn't take her long to be all over him. She missed him and was so happy that he was here. BUT, not as happy as mommy was to have him here. Jon has been a great support and help with taking over some of her hyperbaric dives and also being a participant in her sessions. We took some time together for our Anniversary (May 11) and toured around some of the tiny, beautiful towns in the area. We sampled some delicious cheese, and bought some cute things for our family members. This weekend our whole camp group cooked a large mother's day dinner. It was sure enjoyed by everyone and such a great bonding experience. This is a shorter post because it is already into the last week and I will be letting y'all know about our future here. So excited and miss you all. Know that we are doing well and Jacey is doing amazing things here. So blessed to be able to do it again with family's awesome support. Thanks - A

Jacey's Ability Camp - Week Three

Oh week three...you were my Everest!!!! This week or "hump week" as I liked to call it has now officially ended, Thanks Goodness! It began a little rough and was challenging but finished strong and surprisingly upbeat. My mom left on Sunday, and I was a little lost being by myself. I felt like a weenie as there are 2 other moms here who only had help for the first and last week and were rockin' it. (My justification was that they had been here before, so I could be a baby as it was my first time...right?) Anyways I got into the habit of things and developed a routine and schedule for myself, laundry, vacuuiming, washing down EVERYTHING and sleeping in a bit even. The rest of the time was just Jacey and I, we really worked on developing our relationship. She wanted to develop it in my arms, on my lap, hanging onto my pants and or not being more than 2 feet away from each other. I would have liked to have developed it from more of a distance hehe. However, that being said, by the end of the week she was way less clingy and even ventured off a few times with the other kids into the play room while I did a few meals or sat "close" to another adult while I tidied things up. Jacey had a rough start to the session week. She was very upset Monday to Friday when I would drop her off and even began crying whenever we went to the kitchen, which is attached to the class. I think she thought that anytime we went there she had to go to class. Poor kid! She endured time outs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but didn't have any on Thursday or Friday. (Halle-friggin-lujah) Also we had a pee and a poop in the potty this week....very big deal, quite excited, thought about baking her a brown cake. =) Jacey was still quite "independant" this week and arching off alot of things, but she started really working hard in class and not being as upset or "vocal" as they put it. Jacey had more success in class with her being less upset, it was mostly just during drop off and a few program portions that she didn't like instead of screaming for 4 HOURS STRAIGHT!! (Remember from last week, the capital letters, and sad mommy?) She was participating and doing her activities and not falling asleep, which I think means morning naps cut out permanently. Jacey was sitting nicely at lunch and helping me feed herself and not crying when I would go get more napkins like last week. WHEWPH! Things are starting to turn around for this little lady. She is also sitting way longer independantly and can slide herself around four edges of a stool and transfer toys to each hand and throw them in a basket and side step through a ladder and lift her legs and step high into a high ladder. She is really changing and has more stamina in her walker which I need to be a little bit better at making her use more throughout the day. We are more successful on the potty, although we're still not a big fan of sitting on it. Jacey is just killing it!! Proud Mama!! As for me and my mental health. I know some family members were concerned as my sparkling, winsome personality wasn't showing through as it usually is. I am back in the game! I feel way better about our situation, more on top of my schedule, less concerned about Jacey's scream fests and clingyness (as they have dissipated some) and just more myself. I gotta say, the first three days I was just tired, crabby, sick of the clingyness, and really convincing myself that this was great. But by the end of the week, I didn't have to convince too hard. Also having Mr. Bird coming to join me in two sleeps helps as well. This weekend was great, she went to sit with other people and didn't holler. I was concerned as to when to run and shower because she is kind of a light sleeper in the morning and people are noisy (grrr and slam doors...for the love people) and there have been a few times she is up before me. So morning was out and then we are together for the rest of the day, but we made friends...with a Newfie Nanny!!! She is here with her husband who is in the adult stroke program and while he is in Hyperbarics on the weekend she came to our room and hung with the Bird girl so I could run and shower. It was heavenly and Jacey didn't even wig out...I think the accent is comforting. hehe Last night was a bit challenging as Jacey was up from 12-4...I know right?!?! And I had a really hard time being nice to her from about 2:30 on, but she survived and I went back to bed after dropping her off at class. It made for a long day, but Jacey was a champ in class and had hardly any upset times they said except for drop off. She also did another pee today, Woot Woot for the potty stickers!! Well guys, there is less than 2 weeks left. I am so glad Jon is coming soon and we can trade off duties and have some support. Jacey will be so excited to see him and he will be shocked at her differences. She is such a big girl now, there is no more baby girl around here. Very independant, very determined and very capable as it turns out. We just need to take a step or two back and let her try it all out. It is a new world for this kid and she is excited to get into it! I tear up a bit writing that as I think about her future more than I ever did before, I was a live each day kinda person because who knows about the future and I didn't know how to handle it yet. But I see such potential in her and a real drive and I know that this kid has places to go and things to do. I love her so much and am so grateful she is mine and I get to be the one to teach her, and help her develop. What a sweet, sweet choice spirit she is. Thanks for all the love and support! We love and miss y'all! - A

Ability Camp - Week 2

Oh week 2, you came in like a lion...and you left like one too! We are healthy and working hard...kind of. Jacey is not as impressed with her session as she led us to believe the first 2 days. She is such a sweet natured, mellow, pleasant little girl that when we dropped her off Monday morning, it was a shock that she screamed to not go. I know right?!?! This week has been uber challenging. Jacey has been really clingy which I am sure stems from dropping her off in session with a couple of unknown ladies, other crying kids and hard work to be done. She is definitely exerting her independance. Her independance includes: arching backwards off EVERYTHING!, refusing to do the activities resulting in not one but TWO timeouts, trying to bite the conductor (seriously??) and receiving only half of a sticker for an activity. The butt end of a sticker might I add!! hehe She is such a strong willed kid. I am kind of shocked, I didn't realize she had it in her. Is it wrong of me to be a bit sad for her but kind of proud that she is exhibiting these opinions?!?! The conductor is great, she just tells me that she isn't going to bend to Jacey's wants, she needs to realize that she isn't going to get what she wants. So tough love week began, and I only cried to Jon on the phone once at the very end of it. How strong am I?!? hehe (Although silently I swallowed tears every morning while dropping her off and she screamed for 4 HOURS STRAIGHT!!!) Yeah, you read that right. My mom was here for the last week also and was super great. Every time I walked into the room with swimming eyes she just told me how great this was for Jacey and what a good thing it is teaching her. She rocks! Also helping with the laundry, cooking, dishes, Jacey stuff and remembering to grab the shampoo and conditioner, not once but four times. hehe I love her and was soooo sad that she left on Sunday. I am all by myself now and feel a little bit overwhelmed. However, the other people here have been great and realy helpful. Although Jacey refuses to let any of them touch her. There is one adult brain injury patient here who wants to hold her and play with her so bad, and Jacey holds her hand but if she reaches out to take Jacey, there is a scream a thon! We had a mini breakthrough yesterday when I was cooking dinner, Jacey followed one of the other kids into the session room and played in there while I was in the kitchen. She averted her eyes for like 20 minutes without wigging out. It was the most glorifying 20 minutes of non-clingy time that I had. AWESOME!! Jacey has been doing well though in all seriousness. She is sitting independantly for all of her lunches, up to a table with a handle bar and helping feed herself those meals. Also during dinner time now that Gramma is gone, she is sitting on the table independantly while I feed her. It is also amazing how loose her hands are, opening and closing around things and reaching up high for things. Walking, she has more oomph to her steps and wears these amazing shoes. Pottying is....interesting. She is arching off of it all the time, and her little tush red from rubbing on the potty seat all the time. But we did make one pee on the pot, TMI?!? Nah, it's little kid pee, not that gross. Another awesome thing (well kind of) is that during her scream a thons in class while she is sitting on chairs or stools, she is mastering getting down. The conductor told me that she is a smart girl as she continually is trying to get off the equipment (not while they are supposed to, don't get to proud of her yet). She will reach her hands down to gauge how far up she is and then slide her bum to the edge and reach her arms down to help herself down. She does this over and over again, (resulting in the time outs and half sticker hehe) but that if it is higher, she takes more time to get off. Our conductor told me that it shows her brain is really processing and planning her moves out. YEAH FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES RIGHT!?!?! The conductor also told me that she is probably one of the strongest, most stubborn kids she has worked with. Umm I hear another high five Jacey coming on...no?!? In all truthfullness, this is probably one of the hardest things that I have ever done. Relinquishing all Jacey control to someone unknown, and trusting that they are doing the best for your kid. I have learned soooo much from the conductor and the other parents, that it blows my mind. Jacey is such a crazy, gongshow, apparently brilliant kid and I love her spunk. She works hard every day and I see such changes. I can't wait for Mr Bird to get here and spell me off. I miss him! I also really appreciate your emails, comments and love. Thanks guys! Take care and we'll update again probably in a week. Love y'all!! - Alyson and Jacey

Ability Camp- First Week

Wow! Alot has happened since we have started/finished fundraising and set our plan in motion for camp. WE ARE HERE!!!! My mom, Jacey and I arrived in Ontario on Sunday April 15th in the early afternoon. It was an early flight, and Jacey rocked it as per usual. She is such a great traveler...if I ever win the lottery, I am heading to Australia because the flight is a gongshow and my kid would rock it! Anyways we got here around 1ish and found our luggage and rental car. We were loading our things into the car when we realized that the stroller would not fit...awesome, felt like an idiot after the guy had said a few times that we should upgrade. I was like "no,no,no there is only 3 of us and it will be fine"...it did eventually work out, my mom and I just got creative. We drove the 3 hours or so to camp in the rain, smog and blech and only almost got lost once...it was a real victory. Everyone was already there and so we did the tour and introductions to each other and then we unpacked the car and tried to get Jacey organized for bed. She was sleeping in a big girl bed with a bar along the side and I was nervous that she would try to stand up and fall on her melon but she did good with it. Throughout the night I had started to feel blech, coughing, running nose and fever. I ended up taking blankets, pillows and tissues and slept on the leather couch in the tv room in hopes that none of the husbands would come in and see this sick, hot mess on the couch! The next morning I had a fever and was sweaty and all gross. Terrible way to start off the first day. The camp director had told us that we (parents) would go into session on the first day and the last day and here and there during the program but that the first day was the busiest and longest....hurray for sick me! I ended up making it through the first hour and then I had to go lie down, the shivering, teeth chattering and disgusuting cough were making all the other families huddle in a corner. I am soooo glad that my mom was there. She stayed in with Jacey, who seemed to do well. She followed what the instructor was having her do, although she is soooo nosy that often she just stares at everyone else and forgets what is going on. My mom said that she learned so many tips and things from the other moms and also from the instructor who moved Jacey around and helped correct things. They do a cool routine....one that I'm sure I will learn once I see it all hehe. All the other 3 kids have been here at least once or twice before and remembered the instructor...as soon as she spoke with her Hungarian accent, two started crying right away hehe. She is tough and expects greatness but is really kind and helps when needed. It is hard work. The first day after class, Jacey was dozing in the room before Hyperbarics. We held her off and she slept through the hour dive. That later afternoon, I slept and didn't get out of bed at all. I ended up being sick a few times also...lovely. That night Jacey was bagged and she hit the sack, while I trudged to the tv room with my gear for another night of sleep. (At this point I barely spoke 2 words to any other parents, the instructor or even my mom) Did I mention that she rocks?!?!? The next morning I felt yucky again and stayed in bed. My mom took Jacey and fed her, dressed her and got her ready for session. I slept and she got to enjoy about an hour to herself before having to wash laundry, tidy the room, make a snack and lunch for my kid. Jacey did pretty good in session this morning I heard. There were only a few tears as she did a few stretches that she did not like. (Reasonable I think, glad I wasn't there, cause I am a major wuss when it comes to her being uncomfortable)By lunch time, Jacey was sitting (independantly up to the table holding her handle) and falling asleep during her meal. She kept dropping her head down and Christina (the instructor) had to keep reminding her to hold onto the handle or she would fall. hehe My mom took Jacey into Hyperbarics again today. This is how much my mom rocks, all the families are husbands and wives right now. 2 of the husbands are leaving after the first week and returning for the last week. So while they are here, the mommies have said "you are doing everything for this week and the last because I am doing everything for 3 weeks in the middle", so the dads are in the hyperbarics and my mom. She rocks! Although I hear the guys really help her by plugging in the tubes and things for her so that she doesn't have to get up and down alot with Jacey. After Hyperbarics, we headed into town (Picton) because I went to Emergency and ended up getting a perscription for cough syrup and infection. That night Jacey was coughing and within a couple hours had a fever. We were up most of the night with Jacey and her fever, cough, runny nose and barfing. My poor mom has done so many loads of laundry due to Bird Girl ralphing all over things. As soon as she catches up with the last yucky load, another one pops up (literally) and she has more to do. I helped as much as possible but was still sick and weak and clammy. My mom and I took turns sleeping in the tv room with her while the other one slept in the room. The next morning Jacey couldn't go to session and her temp was spiking at 103. She did alright through the day, still fairly pleasant but very lethargic and smoking hot. That night was the same, off and on sleep and super hot temp. She was drinking her bottles though and sipping thickened water laced with gingerale. The next morning she still missed session due to fever and we decided to take her into the hospital (Belleville, an hour away) to be checked out as she was pulling her legs up and her stomach was making sounds and she seemed in pain. Belleville had a pediatrician on site and so that was nice to chat with her. Jacey had some fuzzy sounds in her one lung and she was worried about a Urinary Tract Infection. She got a perscription for both and told to take it easy for a few days and no hanging out with others as we were contagious. (My poor mom had been popping Cold FX and things this whole time and was beginning to have a bit of a cough. NOOOOOO, she can't get sick, she is the only one holding this mess together) Jacey was pumped full of meds and her fever broke in the night and she slept fairly well with me in bed with her. My mom passed out in the other bed and is feeling better. (Still has a bit of a cough but not sick...wheph!) We decided that since Jacey couldn't participate in sessions or hyperbarics that we would head into Belleville, get a nice hotel and hunker down in in for the weekend. No sharing of bathrooms, or tv room, or kitchen. No confinement to the teeny tiny room that we have masterfully unpacked and been living in sickly for the last few days and no cooking. So here we are....and this is why there is a post. I can sit upright without losing my lunch, there is internet connection here and also more than 5 feet between us. The tiny lady and my mom are passed out in a big bed in another area of our hotel room while I am plugging this out on the couch. Thus ends the first week. What a way to start!! I am hoping that from here on out we are healthy and raring to go. I know there will still be a few tears cause I am wimpy like that lately but that this is great for Jacey. The other families seem great and I have learned alot from them. (Although I am sure they still think of us as the lepers!) I am super sad that my mom leaves in a week...oh what will I do?? But also excited because that means only 2 weeks until Jon is here. Oh how I miss that guy! Also my sisters, who I have bawled to on the phone already more than once...I miss them so much and their sweet kids. Amelia said to Jenny that she "wants to get Jacey from camp please", hehe so cute. Anyways even writing these last few lines are making me tear up. We love you all, thanks for the support. Posts will not be as often as the internet connection at camp is not good, soooo hopefully some. Also probably not alot of pics until were home as we can't take any of the session but they take like 10 days to load. Sheesh!! Take care. - Alyson