Our Last Few Days on Vacation

We really enjoyed our last few days of vacation and wish we had longer!  We found the beach again before leaving and also spent some time with my birth dad, Mark, and his wife, Michelle, at the Burch Aquarium.  It was great to see them and we had a lot of fun hanging out with them.  

My birth dad was diagnosed with cancer right about the same time we had to find a rental in Tucson, start moving, go to India, and all the other craziness that happened in our life. It was really hard not being able to see them sooner and we are so glad he is feeling better!

Fun at the San Diego Zoo

In October, kids go free to a bunch of attractions in San Diego.  Of course we had to take advantage of that and head over to the San Diego Zoo.  We all really enjoyed ourselves, though we could have used more time in the park to see more of it.  The zoo is huge with lots of ups and downs, so a bit slower for us to travel safely with all three wheelchairs.  Thankfully we had a few extra sets of hands since my parents were with us so that helped a lot.  We also saw the firefly attachment in use there and one day, when we can afford to get 3, I think that would be an awesome option to give the girls more stamina and independence at places where they are going to be on the go all day, especially up lots of hills. 

The Sky Tram was the kiddos favorite part, though they loved the animals too. Here are some photos of our time there...

We Made it to the Beach

Conner perked up this afternoon so we decided to pack up and head to the beach.  He said he would take it easy and not go belly boarding, but that didn't last too long.  Of course he made it in the water pretty quickly.  He had a blast, though, and is feeling much better.  The girls still only want their toes in the water, but they all enjoyed the ocean as well.  Deena took to playing in the sand right away and really enjoyed her first big beach trip.  I'm glad we were able to go! 

In the future, we need to look in to sand wheelchairs, but for now we are able to carry them to our spot, so that's what we do.  It'll keep us strong :). 

(See the little boy in the waves back there?)

She covered me with mud; thanks kid....

My feet are always happiest in the sand!

Another One Bites the Dust

I'm happy to report that Madi woke up feeling better and we were able to see my birth mom, Deana, and my half-sister, Lindsay.  We went out to lunch with them and enjoyed spending time with them. 

Monday everyone felt great so we took the ferry to Coronado Island, ate, walked around, and got our feet in the sand.  The kids loved it!  This was Deena's first time at the beach and she was in Heaven.  Wait until we get her to the "big" beach!

Yesterday I woke up feeling yucky, probably from what Madi had.  I didn't throw up at all, though, so that's good.  By the time the afternoon came, I felt good enough to get out, but still wanted to take it easy, so we took a trip to see the seals.  The kiddos thought they were hilarious and loved sitting and watching them. 

(she found a seed pod, put flowers in it, and wanted to give it to the seals)

(these are Conner's ocean photos that he took)

Poor Conner woke up around 12:30 am throwing up and threw up a few more times last night.  He is feeling better this morning but we are taking it easy until we know how he's really doing.  He ate a banana and is about to drink a smoothie and we will see how it goes.  He wants to go sit on the beach, but I don't want him to push it, so we shall see!

I'm so thankful we were able to get out and spend some down-time as a family.  It's so important for any family, but a break from our super crazy schedule is very, very welcomed. 

Our Last Day at Disney

Today was our last day at Disney before we head out to the next phase of vacation; the beach.  Disney was even more crowded than normal so we didn't stay all day this time.  We hit the big rides we had missed on Thursday, then headed to downtown Disney for shopping and dinner.  Poor Madi threw up everywhere, in the restaurant, right before dinner came.  We paid our bill, threw all of our stuff in to-go boxes, and headed for the hotel.   Of course our hotel was on the other side of security, and the lines were astronomical.  I talked to a security guard about a quick way across, because Madi and I were both covered in throw up, and at first she refused to let us across quickly.  Finally she decided to escort Madi and I across, but the rest of the group had to stay and wait in line, which is fine.  She offered us a nurse, but I was anxious to get back and be by Madi's oxygen tank and rescue meds just in case of a seizure (though I do carry rescue meds on me at all times as well.  I carry her clonazepam (oral), but had diazepam (rectal) at the room).  I was able to get Madi back quickly and clean her up.  She was in good spirits the whole way back, so hopefully it's a fluke and she will wake up feeling back to her normal self.  We had a nice, quiet evening in the room watching TV and resting, which was just what we needed.  Tomorrow we drive to Carlsbad and also will get to meet up with my birth mom and half sister for lunch (hopefully.... I'm hoping Madi wakes up feeling better, though she kept saying she didn't feel sick as it was), so we are excited to see them.  I'll update later with pictures of the BEACH, wooo hooo!!!

Running Away Day 2... California Adventure

Today was day 2 of our yearly vacation and we spent basically the whole day in California Adventure park.  It was crazy, crazy busy again, but we managed to get on most of the rides the kids were hoping to ride.  Keeping people from bumping in to Deena has been interesting, but with some gentle assertiveness and my protective shield (aka my arms) we have done ok.  People really don't watch for wheelchairs well, and Deena's is low to the ground, so that makes it challenging, especially when it's so crowded. 

Tomorrow is our last day here before we head to the beach.  The kiddos are pretty excited about our next phase of vacation as well.  Here are some photos from our fun day...

Conner, his friend Ethan, and his "cousin" Keegan

Rob gave Madi a Listerine strip right before the picture.  I told him she wouldn't like it, but somehow she ended up with it anyhow.  You can see how well that worked out for us...

These 3 are inseparable  

Deena and Aunt Adella (Adella and I sandwiched her in to keep her safe)

I usually don't let the girls wear makeup, unless we are just playing around with it.  When we do, though, I keep my red lipstick away from them.  Today I let them wear it (though Ramya didn't want to) because hey, it's vacation, it matched their cute dresses, and you only live once.  They were super excited.  I had to re-apply about 5 times.  They wanted a photo to remember what their lips looked like.

I thought we were going on the tires ride, but apparently it's now the singing cars.  The kids liked it anyhow.

We Ran Away to Disneyland

I'm happy to say that we ran away (again) for our yearly California trip.  It was totally nuts trying to cram in all the appointments, injections, appeals, infusions, therapies, etc.. to be able to go, and I had a lot of late nights, but we made it, and that's what counts! 

Today we went to Disney and had a lot of fun.  My parents, aunt, cousin, and our friends Rob and Ethan joined us too.  It was crazy crowded and hard to maneuver in, but the kids loved the rides.  This was Deena's first trip to Disney and, though it was a little overwhelming for her, she really loved it.  She giggled on all the rides, loved meeting the princesses, and did well with the masses of people.  Tomorrow we are headed to California Adventure and hopefully it will be a little less crowded (not likely but one can hope!).

I'll share some photos from our trip, but before I do, here's Deena giggling on her first ride on the Teacups.  If this doesn't cheer you up, I don't know what will!

Here are some photos of the rest of our trip....