A wonderful grand total of $10,818.50!!   

 Please visit Lydia's fundraising site to donate or see recent donations.   

 

Check out pictures from the walk & other October/November fun here ---------->>>>>>

 

Special thanks to:

• Mary and Tom Gilding- friends who have known Sally since she was little and very strong supporters of our cause! 
• Stephanie Brenner - Sally met her at work and now have become good friends
• Tom and Nyla Carney - Tom's Aunt and Uncle who live far away but are never far from our thoughts. 
• Shannon, Mark & family Kinstler - A sister to Tom's best friend who passed away. Their family have been good friends to us and we've grown closer as the years go on. 

 

THANK YOU AGAIN TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU WHO DONATED AND SUPPORTED CHILDREN'S WITH YOUR FINANCIAL DONATION!!!  We couldn't have made this awesome goal without you.  All donations were earmarked specifically for The Special Needs Program which Lydia was accepted into at 8 months of age.  A wonderful program that helped save Lydia and our family in ways I can't describe. 

 

---

Updates on Miss Lydia Lu

Health update

Lydia’s Dr.’s appointments

After Children's walk/run we brought Lydia in to see her Dr. for her lingering cold which had moved to her chest.  The Dr. did share that she heard some 'crackling' in Lydia's chest and put her on antibiotics.  We also continued to use her inhalers several times a day to help her breathe a little better. She responded nicely to the antibiotic and the inhalers and seemed to kick the breathing issues.  

 

 

I hope I'm not speaking too soon but right now only Lydia is healthy...

Right after the walk Tom got sick with a really bad cold.  It is the sickest I've seen him in a long time.  It just seemed to last and last for him.  Meanwhile Devin was sick when Lydia was sick (mentioned above) and the same day she went in Tom also took him in.  However, things seemed to be working themselves out with Devin.  About 3 weeks ago, just before a business trip I got sick and upon flying the cold moved to my ears and my sinuses.  The Monday after I got back(Halloween week) Devin started to get even more sick starting with vomiting.  So, this past Monday, we made it a family affair and everyone except Lydia traveled to the Dr.'s office.  I was diagnosed with a double ear infection and sinus infection, Tom has a sinus infection and Devin was swabbed for swine flu. 

 

Devin continued to get worse and the same day we had him into the Dr. that night I took him into the ER in Kenosha for IV fluids and a med to help him stop vomiting.  Tuesday he woke up and was sick again around noon.  He has stopped vomiting BUT was really dehydrated.  Wednesday we went back in as he was very lethargic.  Dehydration I knew had set in.  He was admitted to the hospital and received IV fluids and antibiotics.  He was released late Thursday morning.  He was home for Halloween but due to his illness and being contagious he couldn't go trick or treating with all the other neighborhood kids.  Luckily, we were blessed with a neighbor boy who filled a goodie bag for Devin and brought it over.   

 

On Friday morning after Devin came home from the hospital I called my Dr.'s office again as I wasn't feeling well - I figured the antibiotics for the sinus and ear infection wasn't working.  However, after calling I received another phone call indicating that indeed Devin had been plagued by the swine flu.  I figured my symptoms were also getting it...and they were.  Tom, myself and Lydia were immediately put on Tamiflu for 10 days.  It sure helped decrease the amount of time I was affected.  Devin, however, could not be put on it as Tamiflu is only given in the first 24 hours of symptoms or in Lydia's case as a preventive step. 

 

 

So far (knock on wood, prayers and good thoughts)  through all this Lydia has been unscathed by this illnesses.  I was very busy washing sheets, coats, toys, clothes, and sanitizing everything in sight as soon as Devin got sick and then myself.  We also originally kept Devin seperated from Lydia but once I got it too both Devin and I quarantined ourselves to our finished basement Halloween weekend.  We know that if Lydia gets the swine flu it won't be good for her- her little body won't be able to handle it. Devin needed IV fluids twice during his illnesses so we know she won't be able to handle if she gets sick as well.  The saving grace I think for her was the Tamiflu.  One can only hope this would be the case.  So, we hope and pray God watches over our family right now so she stays healthy.  Seeing little Devin so sick was hard enough.

 

Update:  Lydia has had the H1N1 vaccine as well as myself...hoping this is enough! 

 

 

Wheelchair or special stroller

Our appointment was originally scheduled for October 28th but seeing Devin was sick we had to cancel.  So, we rescheduled for November 3rd.  We went and Lydia was fitted for a device that is can best be described as in between a stroller and a wheel chair.  If you'd like to see a picture check it out here.  It will be pink like the picture and hopefully as they are planning fit her for 5 years.  It was a tough appointment for me - you never expect to be fitting a child for a device like this one but luckily it was straight forward and my mom's neighbor who brought Lydia up to the appointment was there for support.  Thanks Shirley!!! 

 

Burlington School system visited

Burlington School system visited about 3 weeks ago to talk about Lydia starting school. I requested an early meeting to start discussing Lydia and her needs. Unbelievable to me that the day after her birthday she will start attending the early education program for special kids at Waller School in Burlington.  Currently, Lydia receives all her therapies (all 5 sessions) through our county program called Birth to 3.  However, as the program states - only until 3...then it stops and the school system takes over. 

 

In January they will start the official process of developing an Individual Education Plan or IEP in which it will say what plan of care and program to follow for Lydia.  It will take anywhere from 45-60 days to develop this plan at which time I will also work with them on determining her needs to make sure the plan is the right one. 

 

When she starts school on April 20th she will go at 8:30 am until around 11 and after that she will get on the short bus and they will take her across the street to her daycare where she will spend the rest of her day.  All depending on her IEP she may need additional therapies outside the home but we'll see after her plan is developed.  If by chance there are too many children where she wouldn't benefit or some other reason we don't put her in early childhood then the school I'm told is obligated to come and deliver services to her either at home or daycare - in which case would be daycare. 

 

It is hard for us to comprehend our baby going to school at age 3.  More unbelievable that it is just about 5 months away.  We are still considering moving toward Elkhorn as a phenomenal special needs school is there once the child goes to kindergarten and through high school.  This is a HUGE decision especially with our business rooted in town, Devin starting kindergarten next year - just lots to think about but we will be looking into that in the next year or so and making a decision. 

 

---

Lydia practicing walking with her snazzy walker

Lydia doesn't like her new walker so her therapist (in the video) thought maybe trying not "buckling" her in and have her actually walk behind it with some help.  She has trouble picking up her feet but is working hard to get there.  The therapist is support her back/butt to help her from sitting down.  I was amazed that Lydia actually knew where to put her hands...all learned skills. 

Kissing Daddy

This is a fun video showing Lydia kissing her daddy.  Whenever Tom made that chewing noise she would turn and try to lick his face.  Because Lydia is very oral she mouths everything -you name it, it will go in her mouth.  I think she likes the feel of Tom's beard on her tongue.  Just a fun video I caught one day as we were sitting around.  You can hear Devin laughing in the background getting in on the fun.

IMG_1182.JPG
IMG_1182.JPG 2009-10-10

Mom, Jeff W., Shirley W. & Barb T.
Mom, Jeff W., Shirley W. & Barb T

The group eating breakfast & waiting
IMG_1184.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1185.JPG
IMG_1185.JPG 2009-10-10

Friend Keith R & daughter
IMG_1186.JPG 2009-10-10

Al's Run- 003.jpg
Al's Run- 003.jpg 2009-10-10

IMG_1187.JPG
IMG_1187.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1188.JPG
IMG_1188.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1189.JPG
IMG_1189.JPG 2009-10-10

Sarina R, Sally & Keith R.
IMG_1190.JPG 2009-10-10

Warming up in the union
IMG_1191.JPG 2009-10-10

Nonni & Devin playing around
IMG_1192.JPG 2009-10-10

Sue (nonni) and cousin John
IMG_1193.JPG 2009-10-10

Lydia's Pediatric nurse - Mary...now our friend!
IMG_1195.JPG 2009-10-10

cousins John & Barbara - drove a long way to be with us!
IMG_1196.JPG 2009-10-10

All bundled up and ready to go - Sally & Nurse Mary
IMG_1197.JPG 2009-10-10

Friends - Alexis, Sarah, Deanna & Caitlyn
IMG_1198.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1199.JPG
IMG_1199.JPG 2009-10-10

Friends - Barb, Troy & Chris - our runners too!
IMG_1200.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1201.JPG
IMG_1201.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1202.JPG
IMG_1202.JPG 2009-10-10

Our team!!! (warming up waiting for a cold walk to begin)
IMG_1203.JPG 2009-10-10

Showing the back of our t-shirts with pride!
IMG_1204.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1205.JPG
IMG_1205.JPG 2009-10-10

Having fun!
IMG_1206.JPG 2009-10-10

Getting ready to start walking!
IMG_1207.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1208.JPG
IMG_1208.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1209.JPG
IMG_1209.JPG 2009-10-10

Our little man walking with pride!
IMG_1210.JPG 2009-10-10

Trying to take a family pic but hard doing that and walking - Lydia fast asleep
IMG_1211.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1212.JPG
IMG_1212.JPG 2009-10-10

Mary, Tom, Lydia, Keith & Sarina walking
IMG_1213.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1214.JPG
IMG_1214.JPG 2009-10-10

Very moving seeing all the people!!!
IMG_1215.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1216.JPG
IMG_1216.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1217.JPG
IMG_1217.JPG 2009-10-10

Some more of our walking team
IMG_1218.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1219.JPG
IMG_1219.JPG 2009-10-10

Proud parents walking for our daughter & all the other children
IMG_1220.JPG 2009-10-10

Pretty Lydia on the back of our t-shirts.
IMG_1221.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1222.JPG
IMG_1222.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1223.JPG
IMG_1223.JPG 2009-10-10

Dancing!
IMG_1225.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1226.JPG
IMG_1226.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1227.JPG
IMG_1227.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1228.JPG
IMG_1228.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1229.JPG
IMG_1229.JPG 2009-10-10

IMG_1230.JPG
IMG_1230.JPG 2009-10-10

photo.jpg
photo.jpg 2009-10-10

IMG_1251.JPG
IMG_1251.JPG 2009-10-25

photo.jpg
photo.jpg 2009-10-10

photo2.jpg
photo2.jpg 2009-10-10

photo3.jpg
photo3.jpg 2009-10-10

photo4.jpg
photo4.jpg 2009-10-10

Birthday present from Grandma & Grandpa
IMG_1167.JPG 2009-10-04

IMG_1168.JPG
IMG_1168.JPG 2009-10-04

Grandma, Devin & his new toy
IMG_1169.JPG 2009-10-04

IMG_1252.JPG
IMG_1252.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1253.JPG
IMG_1253.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1254.JPG
IMG_1254.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1255.JPG
IMG_1255.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1256.JPG
IMG_1256.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1257.JPG
IMG_1257.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1258.JPG
IMG_1258.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1259.JPG
IMG_1259.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1260.JPG
IMG_1260.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1261.JPG
IMG_1261.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1262.JPG
IMG_1262.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1263.JPG
IMG_1263.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1264.JPG
IMG_1264.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1265.JPG
IMG_1265.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1266.JPG
IMG_1266.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1267.JPG
IMG_1267.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1268.JPG
IMG_1268.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1271.JPG
IMG_1271.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1272.JPG
IMG_1272.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1273.JPG
IMG_1273.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1274.JPG
IMG_1274.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1275.JPG
IMG_1275.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1276.JPG
IMG_1276.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1277.JPG
IMG_1277.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1278.JPG
IMG_1278.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1279.JPG
IMG_1279.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1280.JPG
IMG_1280.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1281.JPG
IMG_1281.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1282.JPG
IMG_1282.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1283.JPG
IMG_1283.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1284.JPG
IMG_1284.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1285.JPG
IMG_1285.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1286.JPG
IMG_1286.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1287.JPG
IMG_1287.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1288.JPG
IMG_1288.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1289.JPG
IMG_1289.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1290.JPG
IMG_1290.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1291.JPG
IMG_1291.JPG 2009-10-25

IMG_1293.JPG
IMG_1293.JPG 2009-10-25

Lydia 1.JPG
Lydia 1.JPG 2009-10-28

lydia 2.JPG
lydia 2.JPG 2009-10-24

lydia 3.JPG
lydia 3.JPG 2009-10-28

lydia 4.JPG
lydia 4.JPG 2009-10-28

Devin sick with H1N1 -getting an IV
IMG_1294.JPG 2009-10-26

IMG_1295.JPG
IMG_1295.JPG 2009-10-26

IMG_1296.JPG
IMG_1296.JPG 2009-10-26

Devin & his nurse in the ER while getting his IV
IMG_1297.JPG 2009-10-26

Devin admitted to the hospital with H1N1
IMG_1298.JPG 2009-10-28

squeaking out a smile while hospitalized
IMG_1299.JPG 2009-10-28

On the plane on the way to Sanibel, FL
IMG_1302.JPG 2009-11-06

IMG_1303.JPG
IMG_1303.JPG 2009-11-07

Daddy & Devin in the ocean
IMG_1304.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1305.JPG
IMG_1305.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1307.JPG
IMG_1307.JPG 2009-11-07

Nonni & Devin playing in the ocean
IMG_1309.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1310.JPG
IMG_1310.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1313.JPG
IMG_1313.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1316.JPG
IMG_1316.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1317.JPG
IMG_1317.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1320.JPG
IMG_1320.JPG 2009-11-07

Beach covered with shells.
IMG_1322.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1324.JPG
IMG_1324.JPG 2009-11-07

Being a goof!
IMG_1325.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1326.JPG
IMG_1326.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1328.JPG
IMG_1328.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1329.JPG
IMG_1329.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1330.JPG
IMG_1330.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1331.JPG
IMG_1331.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1340.JPG
IMG_1340.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1343.JPG
IMG_1343.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1346.JPG
IMG_1346.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1347.JPG
IMG_1347.JPG 2009-11-07

Felt like my stomach was in my throat
IMG_1354.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1355.JPG
IMG_1355.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1356.JPG
IMG_1356.JPG 2009-11-07

My friend Esther
IMG_1357.JPG 2009-11-07

Tom & David
IMG_1358.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1360.JPG
IMG_1360.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1361.JPG
IMG_1361.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1362.JPG
IMG_1362.JPG 2009-11-07

IMG_1363.JPG
IMG_1363.JPG 2009-11-07

Rock on!!
IMG_1364.JPG 2009-11-07

Our friends Esther & David from Miami

We met Esther and David on our honeymoon almost 6 1/2 years ago to the day.  First time to see each other in person since we met!

IMG_1369.JPG
IMG_1369.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1370.JPG
IMG_1370.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1371.JPG
IMG_1371.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1372cropped.jpg
IMG_1372cropped.jpg 2009-11-08

IMG_1373.JPG
IMG_1373.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1374.JPG
IMG_1374.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1375.JPG
IMG_1375.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1376.JPG
IMG_1376.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1377.JPG
IMG_1377.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1378.JPG
IMG_1378.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1380.JPG
IMG_1380.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1381.JPG
IMG_1381.JPG 2009-11-08

IMG_1383.JPG
IMG_1383.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1384.JPG
IMG_1384.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1386.JPG
IMG_1386.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1388.JPG
IMG_1388.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1389.JPG
IMG_1389.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1391.JPG
IMG_1391.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1395.JPG
IMG_1395.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1396.JPG
IMG_1396.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1397.JPG
IMG_1397.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1399.JPG
IMG_1399.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1401.JPG
IMG_1401.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1402.JPG
IMG_1402.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1404.JPG
IMG_1404.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1405.JPG
IMG_1405.JPG 2009-11-09

IMG_1406.JPG
IMG_1406.JPG 2009-11-10

IMG_1300.JPG
IMG_1300.JPG 2009-11-03

IMG_1301.JPG
IMG_1301.JPG 2009-11-03

IMG_1302.JPG
IMG_1302.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1303.JPG
IMG_1303.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1304.JPG
IMG_1304.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1305.JPG
IMG_1305.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1306.JPG
IMG_1306.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1307.JPG
IMG_1307.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1308.JPG
IMG_1308.JPG 2009-11-18

IMG_1309.JPG
IMG_1309.JPG 2009-11-18