Our boy is back in action!

Pappy (Lisa's Dad) is a fishing guide on the Columbia River and he and Memaw came to stay with us during the Sportsmen Show at the Expo Center. Kahlial got such a kick out of everything there that we could hardly get him to leave each night.


"Hi everybody! Hi!"


Coloring with Pappy at his booth.


We visited the show, and MeMaw, Pappy, and Annie-dog at their booth three different nights for multiple hours. Then, when they came home, Kahlial wouldn't let up... He would make MeMaw hide so he could come find her, giggling the entire time. Then, he'd make Pappy build "water towers" out of blocks, knock them down, and yell, "Yabba, dabba, doooo!" together. He conned both of them into playing trains over and over and over again too.


Just chillin' with my Pappy after a long day.


Already learning how to tell BIG fish tales.


Kahlial was walking the aisles with confidence...


... climbing stairs,




Trying out boats...




... And buggies.


Riding on Papa's shoulder...




... And on lots of quads!


He went fishing with Mama...Fish On! We couldn't believe it, Kahlial kept ahold of that pole while it shook like crazy, not scared a bit, just lovin' it!


He may look like his Papa, but he's got some of Mama's blood runnin' through him for sure. Look at that fish he caught!! That's my boy! (Papa offered to take the picture and let Mama deal with touching the fish :)


Already putting his storytelling to work... I'm holding up 2 fingers to show how many fish we ACTUALLY caught and Kahlial holds up 4. :)

So great to see our boy back in action and moving around so well.

Blazers lost, but Kahlial won big!

MeMaw (Lisa's Mom) surprised us with tickets to a Blazer game to get Mama and Papa out of the house. Mama and Papa decided Kahlial needed a night out too...


Kahlial's Aunt Nini (and personal hairstylist) got him all fixed up with a "new do" for his night out on the town!


Wasn't so sure for awhile how the game/Kahlial combo were going to go. With all the noise he kept saying "go home, go home" for the first quarter or so... Then it all changed...


A woman from a few rows over gave Kahlial this little stuffed puppy. I was totally afraid he was going to just huck it out into the crowd, but he actually started pretending to soothe it with his own little blanky, holding it up to its' nose.... too cute!


The truck blimp floating ovehead and hitting these things together were definite highlights for Kial!


Basketball cheez-ball!


Whazupppppppp!


Yep, you're right, you know that face! We are not generally the "starstruck type," but having experienced the generosity of actor Daniel Baldwin and his lovely wife, Jo, we are certainly struck by their character and generosity. They approached us as we were leaving our seats and asked about Kahlial and his circumstances. We talked for a bit and Daniel explained he'd had a similar procedure in the past. He gave us his email and asked that we keep him posted on K's progress.

We felt a little bad because Kahlial didn't care who we were talking to, he wasn't interested so long as those great stadium stairs were laid out for him to climb (with help from Papa). He wanted nothing to do with anyone or anything except those stairs. Of course, as soon as we left that area he changed his tune and was back to being interested in others and his surroundings... and them.

Then, just before we headed for the doors, Daniel surprised us with a Blazers jersey for Kial. Kial responded with tons of smiles, fist-bumps, and high-fives. Jo told us that Kahlial had touched her heart and that she would never forget him. We will certainly not forget them either. (Thank you so much for your kindness and thoughtfulness Daniel and Jo. Hope to meet up again. And again, welcome to the area.)

Go Blazers!

These ladies make us all want to do headstands!

Kahlial likes to push his bottom up onto the couch while he watches a show. He's obviously becoming very comfortable with his situation. He's quite a little acrobat even with all that gear, thanks to our great therapists...


Physical Therapist and saint, Megan.

Thank you for your dedication and devotion to what you do and the children you help. We feel very fortunate to be in the mix. :)


Cranio-Sacral Therapist and miracle worker, Sheila.

A month in and starting to move and groove a bit more...

I'm feeling more myself, wanting to move... but not too far from the safety and security of Papa's arms.


Check out my ride... Okay, so it's my buddy Brayden's car (which makes it even more interesting and motivating.)


I'm walking around with help from Mama at my appt for my first set of xrays. (They looked good. The VERY beginnings of ossification have begun and everything is still aligned... good news.)

Being home with friends and family for the holidays has never meant so much.

We had so many visits from so many wonderful friends and family during our first weeks home. Kahlial became pretty spoiled. He got so used to everyone showing up with presents for him that he eventually began each visit by stating "need present." So embarassing as a parent, but so very 2 and 1/2. Thank you from Eric and I for your strong presence through all of this, and from Kahlial, "Thank you for your presents." :)


Competing for biggest smile with Joe.


Aaron and Angela take the cake as far as playmates go... You're welcome anytime!


It doesn't get much better than a visit to Aunt Laurie and Uncle Gordie's. I like being their center of attention.


I love it when my Grandpa D gets on the floor to play with me.


That's Lori and my Grandpa D posing with me.


Meeting my beautiful new cousin, Dove Sophia, for the first time and hanging out with her Pops (Uncle Seth) and my Auntie Teresa.


Hanging with my Pops, Dove, and her lovely Mama (Amber).


My Aunt Maryann made all my halo clothes, so I thought I'd make her a wooden sandwich to say thanks. :)


My little buddy Brayden came to play too. He was just the motivation I needed to start moving (scootin') around a bit. Thank you Brayden (and his Mama, Tania)!



Some of Kial's very favorite presents from 2009 were the Lightning McQueen racer from Gramma Sandy...




... And his flip cars from Pappy.

Precious Gifts.

I might not be very mobile right now, but I know how to make the best of it!


Home enjoying time with MeMaw and Pappy... and his many presents.


The greatest gift of all.

Our Super Trooper's Journey Home...

Kial said "Weeeeee..." for the first half hour and the last half hour of each leg of our flight.


We always carry candy and earplugs on the flights for those around us just in case, and we have yet to have to use them. He's our Super Trooper!

December 22, 2009

A little PT before we leave. Train play is motivating...


... But walking still stinks.


Mama's hair always seems to soothe away the tears and fears.


We're leaving Delaware today and Kahlial's all smiles for his surgeon's assistant and Nurse Practitioner, Colleen Ditro. Thank you for all you do Colleen... for Dr Mackenzie, for his patients, for us! Thank you.