We're home, safe and sound!

Just a quick post to let you all know we got home safe and sound. It was a long drive, and with the time change it made it seem even longer.

We came home to a very sick cat. Charlie was very thin, and not eating. He was sick before we left and on antibiotics, but he didn't seem any better. Scott said he ate very little. I took him to the vet and he has Chronic Renal Failure (kidney failure basically). I've learned to give him an IV at home (for hydration) and he is on another medication for now. If he starts to eat soon, as he should once he begins to feel better, he may be okay. If not, well, I don't want to think about that now. This picture of him was taken about a year or so ago. He is so beautiful!

Olivia is doing great with her exercises at home, so far. Until we get the wall board up, she is improvising.

I promise I will post soon with the events of our last day at the Rehab Center, and some exciting results.

It's Sunday.....

and I'm super late with my Friday post, sorry! You're going to have to wait a bit longer :).

I will say our last day at the center was wonderful, fulfilling and sad. It's always hard to say good-bye. We've been in Madison since Friday afternoon, and it is beautiful here. We're enjoying our time with Steve and Barb, and enjoying what Madison has to offer (which is a whole lot that we could never cover in just one weekend, so that means we'll have to come back!)

We'll be home quite late tonight, and then off to work bright and early tomorrow morning. So, give me a little time, and I will fill in the gaps!

Our second last day here...

...was sure a full one! Olivia's appointment this morning was from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. Today was the making of her DVD. It's 30 minutes long and goes over most of the exercises she learned, including the proper set-up, form, etc. She looked like a movie star being filmed!

Bob had to leave early today to inspect three stores on the East side of the state, so we got a ride there. We were planning on walking back to the hotel when she was done (it's exactly two miles), but it started to pour rain. Stef was kind enough to let me take her truck.

We went back to the hotel, rested and then went to Erberts and Gerberts for lunch with Margaret and Emily. The girls had their afternoon session from 1:30 - 3:30. Right after we got done eating the power in town went out, so they had to work with no a/c or fans. There are lots of windows, so it wasn't too dark in the building, at least. When they were done, we went to pick up the pottery we made last week. Olivia's is the fruit bowl. I made the small square bowl. I absolutely love hers, and I'm actually shocked that mine turned out as good as it did, considering I don't have one artistic bone in my body!

Of course, the girls wanted ice cream, so we took them to Culvers and then went back to the hotel. We had planned with the other parents for us all to meet at the pool at 5:00 so the girls could all spend time together. They swam and we ordered pizza. It was nice for them to all be together outside of the Rehab Center. We went up a little after 7:00 and after Olivia's shower, she spent time with Emily in their room. Bob and I went for a bike ride. Here is in front of the Post Office Mural.

Olivia's first appointment is at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. We actually get to sleep in a bit.

Wednesday's over

I can't believe it. Another day gone. Only two more days of therapy. We were at the center today from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Olivia was so strong this morning. It's amazing how you can see her body becoming stronger. We then went back to the hotel until Olivia's afternoon session, which was from 1:30 - 3:30. Bob took the van today, as he had store inspections to do in the Madison and Milwaukee area, so Margaret took Olivia to her afternoon session. Since it was open gym, and they don't want parents there, I stayed back and did laundry. When the girls were done, Margaret drove and we took the girls to Belts Ice Cream and then to the bead store. Both girls chose to make anklets. They were so cute! Here is a picture of Olivia's, she went with the sea theme, frog, sea horse and sea shell.

After the bead shop, we came back to the hotel. Bob was back already, so the three of us and Margaret and Emily went to dinner together. We went to The Tokyo Steakhouse, which came highly recommended. It is within walking distance of the hotel, so we walked over. The place looks like a total dump from the outside, and we were told not to let that influence our decision to go there. I'm glad we didn't! The food was delicious. We chose a hibachi table, where they cook your food right in front of you. Our cook was great. He was talented and had a great personality. We ordered some sushi, and then shared chicken, steak, shrimp and salmon. It was really delicious. Be sure to pay close attention to the detail of the "man water squirter". It was hilarious.

We walked back to the hotel, and the girls wanted to go swimming IMMEDIATELY! They changed, and Margaret and I took them down to the pool. We sat outside while they swam, as it is so hot in the pool area. They swam for about an hour, when they discovered some strange matter on the bottom of the pool. Emily thought it was pieces of a brownie, and Olivia thought it was chocolate chips. Okay...you get the idea. They got their flip flops and went "fishing". What they brought up was not brownie pieces or chocolate chips. I don't think I need to say more. This was actually the second time this week this happened. A few days ago, this same type of matter was found floating in the hot tub. So again, they had to shut the pool down. They did test the water on the spot, and it tested negative for e-Coli and whatever else they test for. They still need to have the pool company come out tomorrow to take all the necessary precautions. So that was our excitement for the night. Here's the girls in the pool:

Showers this evening were a bit longer than usual, as we had to wash flip flops and bathing suits, just to be sure. Never a dull moment! Of course, Olivia is not tired, and we have another 7:30 a.m. session tomorrow morning. Tomorrow morning will be her video session, where they tape everything she does and makes a DVD for her to take home. It will be interesting.

An extremely HOT day 7!

I think the temperatures reached the upper 90's today, with what felt like 100% humidity. It was unbearably hot. Olivia and I tried to lay out this afternoon between her sessions, but we only lasted about seven minutes!

This mornings session was with Beth and Olivia was awesome! She worked hard, as always. Here is a picture of her in "prone on two stools". This is only her second time doing doing this exercise and remembered exactly how to do it. The proper way to breathe is a huge part of this (and all) the exercises.

This afternoon her session was from 2:00 - 4:00. It was too hot for me to do anything, so I just came back to the hotel. Beth told me she did incredibly well this afternoon, both with her one on one time with her, and during open gym. She learned another new exercise, which Beth said most don't get, as it is pretty difficult, but Olivia caught right on. I am really proud of her.

We couldn't decide what to do this afternoon, since it was so hot and then thought that canoeing/kayaking would be the perfect thing to do. We were going to go on Sunday, but the weather was too iffy. We went to Iverson Park, rented a canoe and a double kayak for Olivia and I from Nature Treks. We paddled down the Plover River for about 2.5 miles, which took us an hour and a half. It was a bit of a tough ride at the beginning, as the water was very shallow, and we had to get out of the boats multiple times and push them. Once we got past that part of the river, it was smooth sailing (paddling, really)! When we got to our destination, they picked us up and brought us back to the park.

We brought dinner back to the hotel, ate and then Olivia went swimming with her friend for about an hour. I don't know where this girl gets all her energy. Her morning session is from 7:30 - 9:30 tomorrow. She's going to be exhausted.

Day 6 (of therapy)

Olivia learned one new exercise today, and everything else was the same. She was there this morning from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. and again this afternoon from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Bob was there this morning, and watched the morning session for the first time. He was really impressed. It truly is amazing how with just a few adjustments and proper breathing, you can actually change the form of your body. Olivia is doing great with it.

This afternoon while Olivia was at the center, Bob and I went for coffee and to a book store. It was so hot today, it was not pleasant being outside. The humidity was so high.

After we picked Olivia up, we went back to the hotel. She wanted to rest, so Bob and I took our bikes and went back to the Schmeeckle Reserve. It was hot, but riding in the woods was bearable. It was beautiful. We rode a different path today, and I actually remembered my camera. Of course, we we're seeing any dear. We were just about done with our ride, so I stopped a took a picture of the garden. I had to take a picture of something, since I actually had my camera. Just as we were about to exit the trail, there she was. A beautiful doe! She was grazing, and came fairly close to us. I snapped a bunch of pictures, but with the sun they didn't come out too good.

We went out to dinner at a place called the Charcoal Grill. It was really good. Afterwards we went to Lowes just to walk around. There really is not a whole lot to do around here! I talked Olivia to climb into one of those shopping carts with the steering wheels for little kids. Of course, with her long legs, she couldn't fit into the seat, so she just hung her legs over into the basket. I pushed her around the store and we laughed. Bob thought we were crazy, but agreed to take our picture. The customers in the store, as well as the sales people who walked by us laughed. I think it was most excitement they've had in a long time!

After we got back to the hotel, Olivia and Emily went swimming and I took a load of clothes to the laundry room. I hope I don't forget to get them out of the dryer!

The weekend in a nut shell

Wow, it's Sunday night already. Bob came in Saturday morning. We got back to Stevens Point in the early afternoon. We Took a walk along the river, and of course saw more ducks. This mama had new born babies. She didn't seem too happy, but she did let me take a picture!


After we walked around a bit, we went back to the hotel. Olivia rested and Bob and I went for a bike ride around town. It was a nice ride. Before we went out to dinner, Olivia and Emily went swimming. It's really nice that she has made a friend! After dinner, we just came back to the hotel and turned in early.


Sunday morning, after breakfast we went out to Mullins Cheese . I thought they would have tours, but they didn't. I was able to get awesome cheese curds though. I love cheese curds. I love how they squeak when you chew them! We headed back to Stevens Point and went to the Stevens Point food co-op. What a neat place. A bit on the expensive side, but a nice place. The bakery was closed, so we'll have to go back during the week. I've heard the bakery is just wonderful. We shall find out!


It was a really nice day. Warm with sunshine on and off. When we got back to the hotel, it started to drizzle and Bob and I thought it would be a great time for a bike ride. Olivia didn't agree, so she rested, when we went out. We went out to the Green Trail at the Schmeeckle Reserve, which is directly across the street from the hotel. It is absolutely beautiful. We took a quick ride through there yesterday, and I nearly got knocked off my bike by an owl! Seriously! That bird flew right in front of me and landed in a tree. Of course I didn't have my camera! I called Bob back and he was able to see it. It was absolutely beautiful. We watched it fly away and continued on our ride. Today, we didn't see any owls, but the deer were abundant. Of course, again, I forgot my camera. This time I was able to get a picture with my phone. It's not too great, but this dear just stood and stared at us. They seem to not be afraid of people at all.


We ate leftovers tonight and will be making it an early night. It's back to the Rehab Center, bright and early tomorrow morning at 7:30.