She Laughs!

Every 6 months,  since Lucia has been receiving in home therapy/early intervention at 2 months old, we have a IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) meeting with her 'team'.  Her occupation, speech, and physical therapists and the care coordinator all come together at our house for about 1-2 hours.  We discuss how Lucia is doing, what goals have been met or not met, and what new accomplishments we think we could do over the next 6 months.  The goals have not changed much in the last 2 years.  We have accomplished a lot too-drinking from a bottle, sitting for longer periods at her special desk.. but many of the goals now seem like they will be a miracle.  Anyway, we love our therapists and we love how creative and determined they are with Lu.  They come up with new ideas and methods and keep things fresh and innovative.  While having the last IFSP, the care coordinator asked me a question and Jason happened to walk into the room so I asked him to respond.  Jason kind of chuckled as if "seriously, I need to answer this?".   He wasn't being jerky at all, it was more of a well Lu is Lu and she just does her thing..  I then realized that how Jason responded was how I wanted to now respond..I don't need to butter up or sugar coat her progress.  And it was then that I realized what my 'for now' goals truly were, at least part of them.

I shared with her therapists that I want Lu to be happy.   I want her to smile more.  I want her to laugh more.  And I would love to hear a belly laugh and find a way to get her to laugh consistently.  I shared that I love their efforts SO MUCH.  However, I don't want them to do new things just to do new things.  Let's all accept the fact that Lu is a simple beautiful bird and she does things on her time.  Let's work on the same things over and over every week and enjoy that hour together.  

Maybe it's a new year, maybe it's Lu's nutritious diet, including omega 3 fish oil that is feeding her brain, maybe it is her new little sister...but she is making progress.  She is happier, and laughing and truly enjoying life more than she ever has! I will now say...with confidence... that those goals are being met with beautiful bells on! 

She has been loving her therapy ball and EVERY day for the past 10 days she giggles and smiles on that ball- consistently ! HUGE.  SO HUGE.  

I've waited for the day where I lose track of how many times a day Lucia smiles and wasn't quite sure that day would come.  I've also waited for the day when we could get Lu to do a belly laugh and again, wasn't quite sure that day would come.  But, IT HAS COME AND IT'S INDESCRIBABLE how happy it makes us.  Her light overwhelms us with joy!  BIRD!!!  here's the proof! the end is the best part.  

http://youtu.be/61mWkxA-i0E
That is what i'm talkin' about! 

Goal of happiness-check!  Goal of more smiles-check! Goal of laughing, including belly laugh-CHECK! Let's keep it going Lu.  Love you more than ever before.  Scout, you crawler, stander, little go-getter smiley little one- YOU too are rocking our world!

Happy New Year

2013 has been a great year for our little Dawkins family and we have so much to be grateful for.  In June, Little Lu became an older sister to Scout Lumiere.  We decided to have a second child in part so that someone would be around to "look out" for Lu once we are old or dead.  Hence, the name Scout.  Being extremely protective of our Little Lu, it took me a month or so to truly warm up to our newest little girl.  However, as she grows up a bit everyday, her personality has begun to flourish.  She has me completely wound around her finger.  I couldn't be happier with her never ending smile and her constant pursuit of trouble.  She will be a wonderful little sister for Lucia.

Also this year, we had the 3rd annual St. Lucia Party to raise money for PKS Kids.  Once again, over 200 friends and family showed up in full force to support our beautiful Lu.   Many travelled from all over the country to attend and more than $50,000 was raised to support medical research, the PKS Conference, and Family Giving Grants.  We are so lucky to have such awesome friends and family.  

Shortly before the St. Lucia Party, Juliet called me at my office one afternoon and told me she had found a perfect house for our growing family.   We had searched for the better part of a year for a ranch style home that would be a great place for Lucia to grow up in.   We have had a few months to settle in now and we love it.  

This year we continued to get to know dozens of PKS families from all of the world.  Sharing stories, common struggles, and often (too often) supporting one another during hospital visits or worse.  Billy, Dillon, Gabby, Akeela, and Sterling are among the PKS Kids that earned their angel wings this year.  While devastated, their families have been courageous and inspiring.   We will never forget the kids and are comforted that they are watching over their PKS brothers and sisters here on earth.

A few weeks before his 90th birthday, my Grandpa passed away this year.  Poppy was a true friend, was funnier than anyone I've ever met, and lived to be with his family.   While he loved all of his great grand children, I know that he kept a special part of his heart for Lucia.   I think of him every day and I'm blessed to have been part of his life.   As he used to say, "Watch out, or I'll kick you in the como se llama".

As for Lucia, I continue to fall more in love with her every day.  While we didn't make any great achievements this year,  she does her best at therapy, horse back riding, or just hanging out.  She moved into her own bedroom including a queen size bed, fancy furniture from great parents, and pink stripes across the ceiling.  She seems to love her little sister and doesn't mind all that much that Scout has a great time climbing all over her.  

Personally, I feel like the luckiest guy on Earth.  I have two beautiful girls and a wife who is my best friend and also happens to be gorgeous.   Her love for her family (including our dogs) is unmatched by anyone I have ever met.   I love Jules more today than the day we were married in Mexico!

May 2014 be a great and healthy year for each and every friend and family!