Update...

It's been awhile since I have posted any updates on sweet little Anna. She is doing well and hung in there as we carted her across Texas and up and down Arkansas over the Christmas break. Just as the Barkhuizens' do, we had a few adventures including having our car towed just before we got to my Mom and Dad's house, everyone fighting a cold virus, and me forgetting some gifts in the attic. And just like the Barkhuizens' do, we painted a big smile on our face and made the best of it!!! We enjoyed spending time with family and getting out of our "normal" routine. It was a big treat for us all to pack up and spend time in NW Arkansas with my brother and his family. We even got to see a little snow! I stayed up until almost 10:30 most nights...that's late for me and slept in until 7:30 most days. Louis enjoyed not hearing his phone ring and just sleeping. Not having to be anywhere at any certain time was great! Camille was spoiled with tons of gifts (both B-Day and Christmas) and eating up all sorts of yummy treats. Anna loved being held as much as possible and crawling from lap to lap. She knows how much joy she brings all of us! She is 43 pounds of PURE LOVE!!! Today is really the first day that everyone is back at school/work and I am getting ready to clean/organize our house.

As far as the seizures and Anna's recovery...the drop seizures seem to be gone. The long tonic seizures are about 7-10 day apart. We are still tweaking the meds and taking her off of one that we have gotten from Canada for the past few years. Hopefully we can eliminate that one and save a little money and time.

Anna knows more than we think we does...she has figured out when we are slipping in her meds and has decided to throw little fits and not eat. Fun, fun! Louis and I sing, laugh, snort, and do anything to get her to take the them. She has decided that we are just crazy and she isn't going for it anymore! We are talking with doctors to see if anything can be made in liquid forms. We think it will be a little easier, since her nighttime meds are 9 pills that we have been serving in ice cream, yogurt, or pudding. No kid should hate ice cream, right?

Anna and I go to Dell Children's Rehab Center 3 times a week for therapy. PT, OT, and Speech. She is making improvements and tolerates it pretty well. She lets them know when she has had enough. Anna mostly keeps her right hand in a fist and they are working to get her to use it more, as she prefers her left hand/arm. This is a result from the surgery. Prior to Sept., she used both arms equally. She also has some hip weakness from the surgery and the long period in the hospital in which she did not wear her leg braces. With some resistance, Anna just started using her walker again yesterday at PT. She receives Botox injections in her lower legs quarterly that helps with muscles that should hold her feet straight. We received her latest injections just before Christmas, so we should see some improvements over the next couple of weeks.

Anna is also attending school in our neighborhood, but not the same as Camille. The ICAP class that Anna needs is just down the road a couple of miles. Much closer than the 3 hour commute (round trip) that I was driving for 3 years prior to this year. We miss The Rise School, but really enjoy and appreciate all of the assistance from the new school. Anna's teachers, therapists, assistants, school nurse, and administration have all welcomed her and have fallen in love with her too!!! I counted 12 people that worked with Anna on a weekly basis at school and 3 therapists at Dell.

2009 was filled with too much time in the hospital, too many surgeries, and things that we don't want to remember. However, 2009 also had many highlights. We now have a part-time nanny that we love and that loves Anna, we had a magical time at Disney World, Louis and I have started going out more in 2009 (thanks to our part-time nanny and our friend from The Rise School), we realized that it's okay that it takes an army to raise Anna and that we so lucky to have the resources and wonderful people added to our army, and mostly we have a family that would do anything in the world for us!!!

And don't think that I have forgotten Camille. Camille enjoys school, playing with her dog, and is taking dance again this semester. She thinks she would like to try Basketball, so we may add this in, if we can find the time in our weekly routine. Camille is so good with Anna and doesn't seem too affected by Anna's special needs. To her, it is our "normal" life and Anna is just a little different. Camille plays with her, makes her laugh, and helps take care of Anna's needs. Camille has a huge heart for people and wants to help take care of everyone. Her New Year's resolution is to make sandwich bags for the homeless in Austin and deliver them with a picture that she is drawn.

Thank you for continuing to check on Anna and pray for her. Please pray that seizures are gone one day, that Anna walks in 2010, and she continues to improve in her overall development!