Thanksgiving and Christmas Decorations

Monday, November 20th:

Josh and I got up early, grabbed some breakfast at the hotel, and then made the long drive home from Appleton. I don't think Theo even noticed that we were gone. He was busy having way too much fun with Ms. Jess!

That afternoon we had a Zoom with Theo's school speech therapist, his teachers, and a lady who is going to be evaluating Theo to see what speech device will work for him. We had a good conversation and everyone is excited to see what she brings for Theo to tryout in a couple of weeks.

Theo didn't have school this week, but he got sick, so we had to cancel all his therapies. Bummer.

Theo had 12 observable seizures today.

Tuesday, November 21st:

Theo stayed home with me all day. Since he was coughing I did his respiratory therapy every four hours and had to use the suction machine a couple times (he hates that thing!). 

During Theo's nap I jumped on Zoom and had a parent/teacher conference with Theo's teacher and all of his school therapist. It was so nice to talk with them about Theo. They were all very excited about how much more awake and alert he is since we weaned him off the Clobazam. They are expecting big things from him!

[Shake vest and nebulizer]

After Josh got home I went and got my allergy shots and then went to Cracker Barrel to get our Thanksgiving food.

Theo had three observable seizures today.

Wednesday, November 22nd:

Josh had to work every day this week except Thanksgiving, so Theo and I just hung out at home. I caught Theo's cold... bummer.

I talked to Luke and we decided it would be best for us to do two days at each of the Disney Parks in Tokyo. I have our plans on an excel spreadsheet, but I made this post-it calendar to help me figure out how to shift our plans around. We were originally going to do one day in Toyko, three days at Star Wars Celebration, two more days in Toyko, and then two days at Disney.

Original Plan:

Now we are going to go two days earlier and do all the Tokyo days at the beginning of the trip. 

New Plan:

I think it's going to work out great! I can't wait!

Theo had 10 observable seizures today.

Thursday, November 23rd:

Happy Thanksgiving!

We got turkey breast, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a cinnamon roll cake from Cracker Barrel. Since it's just the two of us, it works out perfectly!

After Thanksgiving lunch we put up our Christmas decorations (it's supposed to snow this weekend). 

[Tiny tree in the family room]

[Large tree by the window with the start of our Harry Potter Hogsmeade display]

[Three Broomsticks and Harry]

[Outside]

[I love how you can see the tree through the window!]

Theo had three observable seizures today.

Friday, November 24th:

Josh had to go back to work today. We are grateful he has a job, so I'm not going to complain... too much. He also works a lot at night after Theo goes to bed too. We are very thankful for him!

My brother Luke shaved his head. I showed the picture to Josh and he approved!

Theo had three observable seizures today.

Weekend:

I was super sick on Saturday (hopefully that was the peak of this cold), but we got snow on Sunday. YAY! It's so pretty!

Theo's hair is getting too long and is starting to tangle in the back. Josh got out his clippers and Theo looks so handsome!

Theo had three observable seizures on Saturday and three on Sunday.

Besides Theo and I getting colds, we had a nice Thanksgiving at home. I am very thankful for my family and friends!

Packers vs Chargers Game at Lambeau

Monday, November 13th:

After I put Theo on the bus I headed to the grocery store. Costco stopped stocking these egg bites that Josh really likes. I decided to try to make them myself. I chopped up spinach and bell peppers and put those in the bottom of the cups. I then mixed cottage cheese, egg whites, and mozzarella in a blender and added that mixture to the spinach and bell peppers.  

30 minutes later I was pretty impressed! I hope Josh likes them!

[Theo working hard at school]

Theo had six observable seizures today.

Tuesday, November 14th:

Josh's job is starting to wrap up, so they've been working long hours and moving some heavy equipment around the station.

Josh had to work late, so I took Theo to PT/OT and then to The Legacy Ranch. Sherman had the day off so Theo got to ride Ajax. Ajax is a super sweet horse who is taller, older (26 years old!), and a little thinner than Sherman. Theo seemed like he got a little cold last session, so I got him a cozy flannel and a puffy vest. He really like riding on Ajax and it seemed like he was nice and warm.

Theo had nine observable seizures today.

Wednesday, November 15th:

Theo had a short day at school due to the school Thanksgiving party lunch. Josh and I went to the school at 11:00 AM, hung out with Ms. Jess, got some great food, and chatted with a few people from Theo's class. We then took Theo home so he could take a nap before feeding/speech with Ms. Jen and nutrition with Ms. Jeannine.

[Theo had so much fun playing in the leaves with Ms. Jess]

Theo had three observable seizures today.

Thursday, November 16th:

Theo had another great day at school! He has been standing in his stander and at his desk with immobilizers, participating in class, and staying awake all day! 

After school I took Theo to OT. He was really showing off his strength with Ms. Laura!

Josh and his crew waited around ALL DAY for corporate to give them the go-ahead for final tie-ins. They finally got word at 2:00 PM that they could start the long process of cutting the pipe and connecting it to the station. 

And 13 hours later Josh got home. I hated it! I was so worried the entire time he was at work and then I was worried he'd fall asleep on the long drive home. Working 21 hours when you were only expecting to work 12 is awful! I'm so glad everyone made it home safely!

Theo had nine observable seizures today.

Friday, November 17th:

HAPPY LIFE DAY!

Josh was able to sleep in a bit and Theo went off to school on the bus.

[Adorable Thanksgiving art!]

After school I took Theo to PT where he was a little feisty. He wouldn't cooperate and just wanted to go on the swing. Ms. Cody had to compromise with him a few times, but she was able to get him to work.

Theo had nine observable seizures today.

On Saturday, Josh worked and I packed and got the house ready for Ms. Jess to come over.

Sunday, November 19th:

Ms. Jess came over at 5:30 AM so we could review a few things, show her all of Theo's new medications, and get her settled in for the weekend. 

Josh and I then made the 3.5 hour drive to Green Bay for the Packers vs Chargers game at Lambeau Field! 

We found our seats (2nd row, 50 yard line) and watched the players while they warmed up!

[Justin Herbert!]

[Gotta rent seat backs even though they are $10 a piece!]

[Only 95 minutes until kickoff!]

[Look! It's Justin!]

After watching the players for a while, we headed inside to get some food and drinks before the game started.

[It's Keenan Allen!]

[National Anthem and the flag]

[Time for kickoff!]

[Justin taking a break and coming up with a good plan]

[It was cold, but the game was very exciting!]

[Gotta get cheese curds when you are in Wisconsin]

[Towards the end of the game it was starting to get REALLY chilly]

[My boy, Justin!]

The game was neck and neck, but in the end the Packers won. I had a blast cheering on my boys and it was nice that the people sitting next to me were also Chargers fans.

I was 99% sure the Packer would win because Josh has been to six Packers games and has never seen them lose (they did tie once). I, on the other hand, have been to four Chargers game and I've never seen them win**. Cursed? Maybe?

After the game we walked through Titletown and then headed to our hotel in Appleton (about 45 minutes south of Green Bay). We went to the Stone Arch Brewhouse for dinner and got fried cheese curds and a pretzel with cheese. It was very tasty! 

**NFL Games We've Attended:

-Chargers vs Jets in San Diego - Jan 2010 (Courtney)

-Chargers vs Packers in San Diego - November 2011 (Josh and Courtney)

-Packers vs Titans in Green Bay - December 2012 (Josh and Courtney)

-Bengals vs Chargers in Cincinnati - September 2015 (Josh and Courtney)

-Bengals vs Lions in Cincinnati - December 2017 (Josh and Courtney)

-Packers vs Vikings in Green Bay - September 2018 (Josh)

-Packers vs Seahawks in Green Bay - January 2020 (Josh)

-Packers vs Vikings in Green Bay - January 2022 (Josh)

-Packers vs Chargers in Green Bay - November 2023 (Josh and Courtney)

Ms. Jess and Theo had a fun 30 hours together! She said he did really well. They watched movies, went for a walk, and played!

[Watching Disney movies]

[Shake shake]

[It was sunny but chilly on their walk]

[So happy!]

Theo LOVES Ms. Jess and I'm so glad they had so much fun! Thanks again Ms. Jess for watching Theo!