I love that my Daughter can talk now

Two stories that I just have to share today

*Eating dinner tonight with the kids, I was asking them what they did at school today and they both were spouting off things and I was trying to keep the conversation going.
So, Bella tells me she played outside for one thing and I asked her if she got to swing.
She said. "Yes, with Lucy." Which is one of her sighted peer classmates.
I asked her if Lucy was her friend and she said.
"No Mom, Lucy is my BEST friend."

Awe, how sweet. I didn't even know she knew the word Best Friend or the meaning.


So after dinner we rush around because tonight is soccer night for Bella. She is participating in the Challenger program that the YMCA offers.

*Tonight was the kids' first game against a different group of Challengers, The Green Shirt's, as I called them.
Bella was actually pumped for the game and seemed to get the idea of it. The ball was passed or came into her hands (err,feet) several times over the course of the game and she would run it with the best of them. It was awesome, furthermore, she seemed to really enjoy herself. That is, until the Green Shirts would steal the ball back. Which they did often!

"Go away Green Shirts" or "Green Shirts are MEAN!" or "Stop Green Mean Shirts!" were three sayings that Bella would say over and over again.

I kept chuckling to myself and telling her that they weren't mean, just really good. At least, one little green shirt guy was really good and this evil Mommy about tripped him to see if we could bench him.
I know, terrible, but he was upsetting my baby. Would I win back any points if I told you he pushed her too. See, what a bully! Take him out. haha

Awesome Day Bells ~ Way to Go Babes

Catching on

The day was packed full and my body is telling me so now.
Dropped Bella off at school then Remi and I spent the morning smelling flowers then headed to the park.
We played for several hours, until suddenly, he informed me that he was ready to go.
It was past lunch hour at this point, and boy did he let me know. Remi requested McDonalds for chicken nuggets, fries and chocolate milk, then playing.
I'm down with it.

After lunch, he said. "Where do you wanna go Mom, anywhere but home?" I drove around with less than an hour before needing to pick up Bells and decided I hadn't been to K Mart forever.
We meandered through the entire store and managed not to buy anything!

Picked up Sis, dinner, playing, TV, skipped bath (let those park germs really soak in overnight), books, and still got the kids both to bed at 7:45pm Whoohoo Mom.

Except, Remi looked out his window and had this terrible face. When I asked him what was wrong, he said.
"It's not nighttime yet, it's not even dark yet."

Um, well this Mom says it is, so sleep tight little one.

Nothing much

This morning as I was hugging Bella goodbye for school, she tells me, "Have a fun day Mom." How cute is that??!!
We have been clicking lately and it's been so nice, almost easy. Now, to just help everything else in her world click more easily and we'll be doing super.

Remi is spending his third night in his new big boy bed. He is still a little frightened, but nothing like before. And when asked why he is scared, he tells me that he worries 'they will come back'. I of course, promise things I probably shouldn't promise. Like there is no such things as ghosts, but what am I to do?

My tank is on E

I am so exhausted this week with the four Doctor appointments for Bella and one for me, not to mention the ER visit last Saturday that got thrown in for fun. Oh and don't forget to put a nice big cold for me that was most likely caught from the ER on top and I'm dragging. Thankfully, the soccer was canceled Tuesday night. I know, second week and I'm already glad it's canceled.

Joe and I spent our kid free Wednesday morning at the Social Security office. We received great news that after review of our accounts, we now owe them $5K+ and Bella is no longer qualified for SSI. Really?!? One working spouse for a family of four with a disabled daughter who incurs endless amounts of bills and copays, but we make to much? Don't forget the house payment, car payment, insurance, school tuition, groceries, gas, etc. Give me a effing break people!!
Here's the deal, I applied for the second time June '09. We received our first check from them Nov.'09, but I guess, one month later we no longer qualified....They just decided after 15 months to notify us. So now, monthly payments have been set-up, nothing like owing the Gov't to make your day look sunny.

I am terribly bitchy lately and need a vacation. I'd even settle for a staycation, like say at my Mother's house...okay, maybe not there, but somewhere equally close and cheap...I really doubt this is going to happen anyway, so maybe I should dream bigger. Mexico, Bahama's, Spain?

Just a Sunday

This is the most glorious day weather wise!!! I halted my never ending cleaning projects and laundry piles in exchange for pushing a swing, dinosaur hunting and soaking up the sunshine.

Remi is currently playing right outside the door with his dinosaurs on the deck. He has the best commentary, very creative and exciting. I think I could listen to him playing for hours. The dinosaurs are playing hide and seek with each other. Remi counts to eleven (that's amazing in itself) before he pretends to find each one.

Bella is "reading" a book all by herself. It's a Backyardigan book that I have read a million times to them and she, sort of, remembers the words, at least several thrown in here and there. This only makes it even more fun to listen to her talk. Six months ago, nothing. Now we can't get her to be quiet.



Vitamin D is good for the soul~I feel so at peace (and a little sleepy)

Birthday Wish

Remington and I went to shop for Miss. Kitty's (Bella's teacher & our friend) birthday present today and along the way Remi was spouting out ideas of what she might like...or more like, what he might like...until he said,
"I think Kitty wants mice."
Why buddy?
"Because kitties like mice."
True, very true, but I doubt this Kitty would like mice very well.

Smarty pants~Gotta love 'em

The IncrediBella’s 2nd letter

When You Give Help You Give Hope.

April 17^th, 2011. Put that date in your calendar for that is the day of the annual Trolley Run, a four mile race that benefits The Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired. Last year, racers big, small, fast, and slow alike lined up to support CCVI and raised over half a million dollars. This is where I ask you, my friends and family to help me in reaching my goal this year.

My name is Isabella Riddell, and I am five years old. I have curly blond hair that bounces when I run and bright blue eyes that sparkle when I smile. Mommy says I could be a model because I am so beautiful. I go to CCVI four days a week and my classroom teacher, Ms Kitty and her assistants Ms Eliza and Ms Andrea help me do things that I was never sure I could do. You see, CCVI has provided support and assistance for children like me and their Mommy’s and Daddy’s for close to sixty years. I have a condition called Cortical Visual Impairment. My brain doesn’t let me see very well. I also have epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and afibrinog-something or another. At CCVI, I receive not only therapy for my vision, but physical therapy, orientation and mobility therapy, assistive technology, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. I even get to swim once a week in the pool for aqua-therapy. Mommy and Daddy tell me that I have continued to amaze them, my teachers, and my therapists by what I have been able to accomplish. Just this year alone my speech has increased literally tenfold.

The expert therapies and classroom education I receive are not cheap, as each child costs approximately $30,000 per year. This is funded primarily through generous private donation and charity fundraisers such as the Trolley Run. This is where I ask you, my friends, my family, my neighbors, and my community, to help and support a cause that is near and dear to my heart.

CCVI is an amazing organization and enough great things cannot be said about it. CCVI has been the greatest influence in my young life. I have been able to overcome adversity and conquer obstacles that most none of you could even dream of. I have been able to do this because of CCVI’s tireless dedication and efforts.

Any amount of monetary donation is greatly appreciated as CCVI will continue to play a role in my life for several years to come. You can mail your donation in check form, made payable to CCVI to:

Isabella Riddell

1702 NW 63^rd Terrace

Kansas City, MO 64118

You can also visit my web page and donate electronically at http://tinyurl.com/37pboyz

Our goal this year is to raise over $2000! Please help us meet our goal and I’ll buy you dinner, okay probably not but I will give you a hug and a sloppy kiss.

Love,

The IncrediBella, aka Isabella

& Family