Life In Dominic and Olivia's World

Happy New Year!!

Hi everyone,

Now that it's 2011 I'm going to try and start updating this blog regularly again. Here are pictures of the kids on New Years Eve.  We had a great time celebrating with friends.  Dominic actually made it until midnight this year - first time ever.   Olivia celebrated with the East Coast :)

 

Dominic is super excited to be starting hockey lessons this week.  I included a picture of Dominic all geared up.  He really enjoys skating and has gotten pretty good at it.   His first lesson is tomorrow so I'm sure I'll have lots of hockey pictures to post soon :)   Outside of hockey he is really liking first grade.  His teacher is fantastic and he continues to do really well in class.

 

Olivia is doing great.  She goes to preschool four days a week and really loves it.   Earlier this year she was in dance class however she has now switched to gymnastics.   She really enjoys it - especially swinging on the rings.   Olivia has also discovered a love of skating - with daddy's help.   

Chris and I are keeping busy as usual with work, school activities and keeping up with the kids.

Happy New Year everyone!!

 

Dusting off the blog

Oops - I had this post sitting here for awhile and forgot to hit send.  Well, here it is and I'll post a new update shortly.

Here is a collage of photos from 2009:

 

And a few updates:

Dominic is still loving school.  He is really enjoying Kindergarten and the playing with his friends. Outside of school he is still doing karate.  This month he will finish the Little Dragons program and start the Junior program. The Junior program is even more structured and will eventually lead to a black belt. He has also started in gymnastics which he really likes so far. Pretty soon baseball will start up too.  A lot of the kids from his class are going to play too so that will be fun.

Olivia continues to amaze us with her new skills.  Especially talking.  She is just a non-stop talker now which is really fun to listen to. After Christmas she ended up with a really bad cold that took about a week and a half to recover from. She was up to 3/4L of oxygen and breathing treatments throughout the day. Thankfully she got over it and is back off oxygen. In March Olivia will be starting preschool.  The program is run through the school district and takes place at the same school as Dominic. She will go four days a week.   We are hoping she will really like it.

Chris and I are about the same. Chris is still playing hockey and will be coaching Dominic's baseball team again. I've been doing a lot more work lately which has kept me quite busy but I enjoy the challenge.

Kindergarten and Dominic's birthday

 Things have been quite busy here in our world.  

Dominic started Kindergarten in August.   It's been a big and exciting change here.   He really likes it so far.  His teacher is fantastic and he likes all of his classmates.   He even has homework and a "book report" each week with a designated book.    Olivia has handled it really well.   She can't wait to pick him up each day - it's so cute. 

Here's a picture from Dominic's first day:

 

Olivia continues to learn new words and skills every day.  She can jump now which she finds very exciting.   Her favorite activity is to follow her brother around.   She has also mastered the words "no" and "mine" - I guess that means we have a true two-year-old on our hands.    Her therapists have all been really excited with the progress that she has made.   We love being able to hear her talk so much  - she is really curious with the world around her.  On a medical front, she continues to gain weight which is good.   She is still off oxygen during the day and some time in the near future we will be testing to see how she does at night without oxygen. 

Recently we had Dominic's birthday party.  It's hard to believe he is already six years-old.   We had a Spiderman/karate themed birthday.    The party was at the karate place where he takes lessons.   They had two instructors there and they had the kids play a bunch of games.    They even got our niece Karlie out there for a game as well as our friend Hayden.   All of the kids had a great time.   After cake they did a pinata and then taught the kids some karate.   It was great fun to watch.   They also had each of the kids break a board - even Olivia got in on the action.

 

Less tubes, Thomas and Jedi Training

I'll start this post off with some exciting news.  Olivia is off oxygen while she is awake!!   We saw the lung doctor two weeks ago and she felt that Olivia's lungs could handle it so we are trying it out.  Since her increased breathing causes her to burn more calories, we are watching her weight closely to make sure she doesn't start losing weight.    We have a new GI doctor now that is through Lucile Packard so it's great that everyone can share infomation.  Due to some issues between our medical group and the GI practice, we had to find someone new (not because we were unhappy with our first doctor).  Luckily we are seeing a fantastic Nurse Practioner.   My mom has worked with her and her husband (the head of GI at LP) for many years and they are awesome.  

In terms of her feeding and reflux - we have made some changes.   Olivia is now on the pump for 20 hours of the day.  She gets two hours off in the morning and two hours off in the evening.   The reason they did that is that it allows the rate of her food to go in more slowly.  The doctors feel that her issue is less about reflux and more about a slow rate of motility in her stomach (basically food moves through Olivia's GI tract more slowly than most people).  The reduced rate has really helped with the coughing and gagging which is great.  And thankfully Olivia doesn't mind the backpack.

Olivia is talking up a storm these days.   She loves learning the new words that Dominic teaches her.  And for all you Nightmare Before Christmas fans - you'll be happy to know that Olivia is attempting to sing the Oogie Boogie song.  Yes - it is totally cute.   

Dominic is really enjoying his summer school program.  He goes three days a week.    They have all sorts of activities and I think he really just likes playing with all of the other kids.   Later this month our little man will be starting Kindergarten.  Can you believe it?   He is looking forward to it.  

Besides school Dominic is still keeping busy with Karate.  He has really gotten into it.   The sparring days are his favorite (although I think he just likes putting the gear on vs. the actual sparring).   He recently tested for his Brown Little Dragon belt.   They are now learning sparring forms so there is a lot more for him to learn and remember (and us too).   

Dominic is also back in swim lessons.  His swimming is really coming along.  They are working on using their hands properly and going onto their back.   He really likes his teacher this time around which is great.  Although come to think of it, I don't think we have ever had a teacher at AVAC that he didn't like.  But this one is really, really good.

A couple of weekends ago we celebrated Hunter's 1st birthday.   It's still hard to believe that little guy is one already.    My sister and Mike did an AWESOME job decorating the house to look like a jungle - complete with a waterfall and a tree in the living room.   I made his cake.  I also made him put his hands in his cake and he did not like that one bit.    The kids got to go swimming - so did I but the freezing cold water made for a short time in the pool for me.

We also celebrated the 2nd birthday of a little boy who was born at the same hospital as Olivia but three days after she went home.  The crazy thing is that his mom and I met through a national message board for preemies.  Somehow we realized that we were at the same hospital (they even had one of the same primary nurses as us).  Anyway, we had a great time celebrating with little Drake.    He and Olivia even "played" together - as much as two year-olds will do.  

Last weekend Dominic got to do "Jedi Training" with a light-up Light Saber at Karate.   He talked me into making him a costume too.  The kids got to do Jedi training, learn a routine with the lightsabers and then make up their own routine to show everyone.   Dominic had a great time.

On Sunday we rode on Thomas the Train.    The kids had a great time although Olivia was a little unsure about the actual train ride.   After riding on Thomas Dominic got his face painted, played in the Hay Bales and did some coloring.  We brought a picnic lunch and then the boys went hiking.  It was lots of fun.

 

Baseball, School and Sparring

Dominic had his last baseball game this past Saturday.   The team did really well - everyone hit off of the coach and they made some nice plays out in the field.  It really showed how much the kids have learned this season.  Dominic got the game ball as well so he was very excited about that.   After the game we had a pizza party.   All of the kids were very excited about their trophies.   The coaches each got a scrapbook with pictures of the kids and thank you notes.

I put a picture of Dominic from one of his last games below.   Do you notice anything missing?   See that gap in his bottom teeth? That's right - he lost his second tooth.   This one came out entirely on it's own.  Unfortunately Dominic didn't realize it and we think he accidentally swallowed it with dinner.    So we decided that he could write a note for the tooth fairy.

 

Dominic is still doing well with karate.   He now has to go three days a week.   On two of the days they do sparring at the beginning.    The kids get matched up in pairs and do some actual punching and kicking.  Dominic doesn't exactly like it when the other kid actually touches him but he's doing pretty well with it.  Here's a picture of him in his full sparring gear.

 

Next week Dominic will be going to "summer school" three days a week.   He will be going to Primary Plus which is the same place he went before Olivia came home.   We want to get him used to being in a classroom with a teacher before he starts Kindergartenn this fall (can you believe it - Kindergartenn!).  He is very excited about going.   During the summer each week has a theme and they do a lot of fun activities.   I think it will be good for him and Olivia (and mom too). :) 

Olivia is doing a lot more talking.  She likes to imitate words - especially when Dominic does it.   Her speech and developmental therapist are very happy with the progress that she is making.   Due to some issues with our medical group we are going to be changing GI doctors.  Lucky for us we will be able to see the GI doc and nurse practitioner from Stanford.  My mom has known/worked with them for years and so they were able to fit us in later this month.   Hopefully we will be able to figure out some new ideas to get more calories into Olivia.  

Here's a picture from our recent visit to the aquarium -

Marching, Teeth and the Aquarium

Last weekend we did the March for Babies event at Pacific Grove.   We think that everyone should consider coming out for it next year.  It's much more mellow (and smaller) than Vasona and you seriously can't beat the view.   We will still do both events but this one holds a special place for us because it was the first one that we did while Olivia was in the hospital.   This year Chris' mom, Lou, Chris' brother Rob, and our nieces Nikki, Karlie AND Lucy were there.   Joe and Stacey went to Mexico so Lucy was staying with Grandma.   Dominic was especially excited to have her there.  It was great fun hanging out with her.

On Saturday we also had the NICU reunion for Olivia's hospital.   It had a storybook theme and many of the doctors and nurses were dressed up.  They were all really excited to see Olivia (and even Dominic since we talked about him so much).   They had a fabulous bird show while we were there - Happy Birds.   The couple have about 6-7 parrots and they talk, sing, ride a bike, skateboard and more.  It was totally cool and both kids really loved it.   It was a really nice event and we were so glad that we got to see so many of the doctors and nurses that took care of Olivia for so long.

After the reunion we headed over to Dominic's baseball game.   It's hard to believe but the season is almost over.    There are only three games left so if you want to come out and watch - start planning.  The last games are Tuesday, May 26th, Tuesday, June 2nd, and Saturday, June 6th.    The kids have done a great job and you can really see how much they have improved.  Chris has done a great job as coach - I'm constantly amazed at how much patience he has :)

As soon as the game was over we came home, packed up the car and headed down to Pacific Grove.  On Sunday we did the March in the morning.   We gave the speech again for everyone.   After the walk we hung out for awhile and then went back to the hotel to rest for a bit.  After that we went out and did indoor miniature golf.  This is Dominic's favorite thing to do - it's glow in the dark and is underwater themed.  They did a nice job with it and we were the only ones in there so that was even better.   On Monday we went to the aquarium.   Olivia was much more interested in the animals this time.  She really liked the big tank animals.   Dominic and Lucy both liked touching the starfish and watching the bat rays.  I made Dominic and Lucy little "passports" so they got stickers after we visited each spot.

And then we headed home for another baseball game.  It was a busy but great weekend.

This past Friday Dominic tested for his next karate belt - a blue belt.  He has been looking forward to this belt for a long time.  Blue is his favorite color.   Now he will be in a new class and gets to wear full sparring gear (head, chest, etc. protectors).  The gear comes this week - we can't wait to see how he looks.

Speaking of Dominic - he lost his first tooth two nights ago!  The tooth has been loose for like a month and the next tooth had already started growing in behind it.   I was moving it around a bit and suddenly I could tell it was part way out. One more pull and a little blood later and his tooth was out.   We put it under his pillow and he was very excited to tell us the tooth fairy came the next morning.  

Olivia is now a non-stop walking machine.  She just wants to be moving all the time.   She is getting pretty fast too.   We are now working on going up and down stairs.  Olivia likes to take the stairs two at a time.    She is still on oxygen 24x7.  Now that she moves around so much she is burning up a lot of calories.   We are still trying to find a way to add extra calories so that eventually she maintains her weight without needing the oxygen.   Olivia is also talking a lot more which is fun.  Dominic likes to teach her how to say things.   In Pacific Grove Dominic taught her to say Bubba Gump - it was pretty cute.  He also taught her to say "Big Blue" for the ocean.  

Lots of catching up to do

Easter -

We had a lovely Easter this year.  Olivia is starting to get interested in Easter eggs and picking them up.  The day before Easter we went to an Easter egg hunt put on by our friend's church.    It was great.  They had plenty of eggs, candy and other fun items.   They also had a smaller area separated for kids that were 2 and under.    Olivia was a little unsure of all the people but she relaxed after awhile.

 

 

Baseball

Dominic is having a great time playing baseball.   His team has really started to do well with fielding the ball and batting.   They have started to do part of the game batting off of the tee and the other part doing coach pitch.    So far the kids really like getting pitched too.   They are about half way through the season right now.   Last week they had the hit-a-thon fundraiser.   We went after the March for Babies walk.  Dominic went down the huge jumpy slide they had about 25 times.  

 

Chris Birthday

Chris turned 40 last month.  We had a small birthday party up in San Rafael at the Bocce Ball courts.  It was a lot of fun.   Everyone had a great time playing bocce ball and enjoying the beautiful weather that we had.    They have a small wildlife care center down the street so we walked over there with the kids.   Olivia thought that the turtle and the duck were very funny.    I'll post some pictures soon.

March for Babies - Vasona Park

Last weekend we did the March of Dimes March for Babies walk at Vasona Park.   It was a lot of fun.  This year we decided to just do the one mile family loop.    That left us with a lot of time to visit with everyone after we walked.     We are really happy that our team was able to raise over $4000 this year.  Thank you to everyone who walked, donated and cheered us on.  We really appreciate it.   On May 17th we will be walking in Pacific Grove.  Please let us know if you would like to walk with us - you can't beat the view down there.   Our family will once again be giving a speech about our family before the walk.    I'll post some pictures from the walk soon too.

Colds, Baseball & Baby Dolls

Sorry for the delayed posting.  We had to take our computer in to be fixed so we didn't have it for almost two weeks (and what's a post without some pictures?).  

Recently Dominic, Olivia and Chris all had a cold.   It was a pretty good one - it took the kids about 2 weeks to fully get over them.    Thankfully Olivia did pretty well - we had to turn her oxygen up a bit however we often do that just to help her breathe easier during the cold.   

Little league is in full swing and Dominic is having a really good time so far.  We just had his 4th game today.    Last week Dominic got to be catcher and he thought that was pretty cool.  They have full gear for the catchers to wear - it's pretty darn cute.    I added some pictures down below.

Dominic is now an offical green belt Little Dragon in karate.   He was a little bummed out that his friend Jayden is no longer in the same class with him but he is still enjoying it.  Now that he is learning a lot of new things we have to do a lot more practicing at home.

Olivia is now walking everywhere!   Her favorite thing is to walk down the driveway and to the car.   She is still on oxygen.   We switched formula recently and that helped her reflux so hopefully we can start increasing her calories and then go back to weaning her off the oxygen.   Olivia is now a great little mommy to her baby doll.  She carries her around everywhere and insists on getting her wrapped back up in a blanket whenever it comes loose.   It's very cute.

And now for some pictures:

Dominic waiting to go on the field for the opening day ceremonies:

 

Dominic as catcher:

 

Olivia and her baby doll:

Family Portraits & Other Exciting Things

A few weeks ago we had our photos taken by a great photographer - Ryan Willis.  We met him at the March of Dimes Chefs Event - he has generously donated his time and photos to several March of Dimes events.

Ryan was great - before we went to take the pictures he spent about 10 minutes just talking to us and more importantly, the kids.  He kept everything really relaxed and mellow which made it really nice. He was even able to snap some pictures with Olivia by herself.   We would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking to get some portraits done.

Here are the pictures: http://climafamily.shutterfly.com/

Olivia is now an official walker!!   She had slowly been taking more and more steps but this past week she has suddenly wanted to walk everywhere.   We still have to be careful as she gets a bit unsteady at times but it's great to see.   And she is so proud of herself - it's very cute.     She is also talking a lot more too.   Her favorite thing to ask for is music or "me-me" as she says it.     We recently did have to put her back on oxygen 24x7.   She hasn't been gaining as much weight as the doctors want so we put her back on the oxygen to see if that would make a difference.  We are also trying out some different formulas since she is having some trouble with reflux.    On Tuesday we will go in for a weight check and that should tell the doctors if we are on the right track.

Dominic is starting little league now - he is on the Giants.   Opening day is March 14th.   Thankfully the rain stopped today so Chris could get in another practice with the team.  Since we changed to little league, Dominic is playing with all new kids (except for our next door neighbor) so that has been a bit of an adjustment for him.    There is actualy another Dominic on the team - this is the first time Dominic has been on a team with someone else with the same name.   Dominic is also still in karate.  He is now a Gold Dragon and will soon test for his green belt.   He is really enjoying the classes and actually picking up a lot of new moves.

Don't forget - if you are going to be walking with us at March for Babies this year, please go to www.marchforbabies.organd sign up for Team Clima.  If you have any problems signing up - please let us know.

 

March for Babies 2009

It's time to start thinking about March for Babies 2009!!

Recently we went to the March of Dimes kickoff luncheon for March for Babies 2009.   Dominic was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to speak this year.     It was fun and they did have the kid's pictures in a slide show they played during a song.   They also used Olivia as an example for how expensive it can be to have a premature baby - for those of you who don't know, the cost of Olivia's NICU stay alone (only the "room and board") was $2.5 million.   Although we are not the ambassador family for this year we are still speaking at some events including the DMV March for Babies kick-off meeting next week.

The most exciting part about the luncheon was finding out that Team Clima was the #2 family team in the South Bay last year.  We were able to raise over $8000.    So we would like to take a moment to recognize and thank all of the friends, family and co-workers who donated, walked and supported us last year.   We really appreciate it.

And now it's time to get ready for this year!  

We hope you will consider supporting us again.  If you are able to donate, please click on this link to donate: www.marchforbabies.org/cclima.   There is also a purple box on the left hand side of this screen that you can click on too.
 
We would also like to once again have a huge Team Clima turnout at the events.    It is going to be a ton of fun - this year we are only going to do the one mile family loop so that we have more time to visit and enjoy the event.   Of course if anyone wants to go for the full 6.25 mile course - feel free!   The rest of us will cheer you on from the finish line :)    All kids are welcome!   If you aren't going to be in the Bay Area during either of the events below, please feel free to join a local event.  You can still be a part of Team Clima!
 
We will be at two walks again this year:
Vasona Park, Los Gatos on April 25th
Lovers Point Park, Pacific Grove on May 17th
 
In addition to the March for Babies events, we will also be doing some other fundraisers including going to a San Jose Giants game and possibly ice skating.  We will send out details for those events once we have more information.