For the Love of Ivey

Walker and Matt made it to the game with Uncle Ric, Zoe and Pete. Unfortunately, Knox woke up Saturday morning with a fever. He and I stayed home and watched the game via TV. Ivey spent the day with her Godmother--an Alabama fan--but we forgive her and love her anyway. Ivey's outfit is from Christa. Adorable. Then there are the cheerleading pictures of Tiffany. These are for Dee. Dee has been Ivey's nurse going on two years. Imagine the sheer joy in Matt's heart when Dee said her daughter attended UGA, let alone cheered there. Tiffany is one incredible girl with one incredible momma-just like family to us. And Dee loves Ivey just as much as she does her own daughters. Tiffany is the one in the middle with the awesome arms!

I have to admit for the first two years of Ivey's life I was a closet "I Wisher". I would prance around in public screaming everything is fine, things are going great and then run home slam the door, bolt it and scream out all the things I wished were different. I especially 'wished' for those 'normal' things that happened to 'normal' children who lived in 'normal' families. So my poor husband and mom were the proud recipients of my well wishing-which is not a pretty sight. I am not sure if it was Ivey's trach coming out, her turning two or a culmination of the two, but some of the 'Wishes' that seemed so impossible were starting to seem reasonably possible around last April. Some time around April I also remember being asked for the millionth time to recall Ivey's medical history and what doctors predict of her future to another new member at a clinic one day. I just couldn't do it again. So I just said, "We don...

I am only one of many parents who have a child with special needs. I am sure I speak for all of us when I say I wish for my daughter to have friends. Even though she may learn differently, I wish for her to go to school. I wish for her to play. I wish that others will want to play with her. I wish to see her smile when her friend says her name. I wish that she would talk too much. I wish for her to make crafts. I wish for her to sing jingle- bells in the Christmas program. I wish for her to be part of a group. I wish for this to no longer be a wish, but a reality. Going back to the beginning of the summer I began dreaming of a life that provided Ivey the opportunity to achieve all of the above. However, fear of denial and rejection loomed in the path. And of course, the brutal reality that Ivey's friendships with others will just be different. I found myself making prolonged excuses of why I should wait to set out on the road to Ivey's future. Then this summer my path crossed w...

Ivey fussing with Ms. Ashley The fruits of humble pie Refusing to have her picture made. Determined to get her hearing aid out. Two tasks accomplished. I forgot to rotate the picture. oops.

Retard is a HATE word. It wasn't so funny after April 25th 2006. Tropic Thunder. I don't know what you all have heard about this new movie, but what I have seen so far in the media makes my heart hurt. For all those who shrug their shoulders and don't think it is a big deal, take a moment and put the shoe on the other foot. We are here trying with all of our might to have Ivey included in this world with the least amount of stigmatism aside from the obvious that already exists....and then there are things like this. Please take a moment to watch the video. I would really like to hear back from all of you. What do you think, all opinions? Jill Egle Co-Executive director of the Arc of Northern Virginia Letter to Ben Stiller Ivey, I am so blessed and happy to be 'stuck' with you. my angel. Also, I have not seen the movie, so I will not jump out on a limb as of yet. I would have posted a video of someone speaking about those opposing the movie; however, all that I wa...

That'll be Momma 1 : Ivey 0 (Just for today) This little hat stayed on from 11:30 am until 8:00 pm. A record. Thus, hearing aids stayed on too. Oh how she tried at times to manuver out of it! For sanity's sake, we have decided to tackle her hearing aids first. Then we will start over with her eyes. So for now, Ivey will not be wearing her eyes.

Two-fold objective for this post. One, I sent out an email to several people today and if you happen to be one of them, this might give you a visual. See the sweet little bonnet that Ivey has on in the video below? That is the general idea that I am aiming for. It covers her ears and it ties snuggly under her chin. Note that we did go to the store today in her bright summer dress and sweet soft pink bonnet. Yet, the hearing aids stayed in the entire trip. Right now the war of the wills is raging in our home. To date, Ivey is slightly ahead. Lucky for her, she did get my strong will-power. (Some might call it being down right stubborn or hard headed.) Right up until now her will-power has worked to her advantage. Not any more. She has met her match…..her momma. So, right now we are locked in the heat of battle. I want her hearing aids and eyes in. She does not. It is a vicious cycle right now. I keep jamming them back in –she in turn takes them right back out. To be honest, but don'...

Today was one of those really good days with no particular reason why. This post is just a small reminder to my self that it doesn't all have to be perfect or complete for it to be a good day. I have been working on the schedule now that school will be back in session trying to work-in all of the requirements and those things expected. It is overwhelming already. This is to remind myself, when the schedule seems to take over, that this is what it's all about and there is no way to do it all – all of the time. We will get it all done at our own pace. Maybe not in some one else's time frame, but in our own, in the way that is best for everyone in our FAMILY. What is it they say…..slow and steady wins the race. So if you look at the video you will see a multitude of things going on. It all depends on your perspective. Good things, okay things, some things that could be done better. Ivey's in her stander, playing with her mealtime utensils. Amazingly, her hearing...

With so many pictures and videos from the beach waiting for me to post and whales of stories to share, there is only one thing today. For everyone who has loved her with us from the beginning and for all of you who have come to love her along the way, another magical day is amongst us- We are so honored to have the ability to share our little ordinary miracle with you. So many of you include her in your prayers and there has not been a day that those prayers haven't been felt. Today some of those prayers have been answered and amplified. I only wish I could share with you the pure joy that today brought to my soul. I thank God for the blessings he gives us, in His own time, not ours, so that we can truly be thankful. Amen. IVEY NOW HAS HEARING AIDS!!!!!. Now if only there were a way for her to hear all of you saying 'YEAH' as you read this….and as you can see and hear in the videos, we are working with sensory override most of the time around here.