Monday, August 9, 2010

First Day of First Grade!

Today was Elena's first day of first grade. She was more than excited to start up homeschool again this year. I gave her the choice to start today or next Monday. She insisted we start today!
I have posted a video of Elena leaving for school. Also, there are a few pictures and a video of our super hero cape dance party that followed dinner. Always crazy fun around here!

Tomorrow Elena has her CF Dr. visit. We are excited to let Dr. McKean know that Elena now weighs 53 POUNDS!!!!!! Her weight has shot up a ton this summer. We are all so thrilled that weight has been less of a problem for Elena this year. Having the extra weight will help keep her lungs healthy. Strange? Yes, I know. But when the rest of her body is healthy, her lungs do not have to work so hard to fight off infections.

We are also anxious to see what else we can do for Elena's recent cold that won't leave. I will post after her appointment tomorrow night.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Graduate


After a fun filled year full of learning, fun, field trips, help from family and friends...Elena has graduated from Kindergarten! Way to go big girl!
We are excited about homeschooling again next year!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

45 Pounds = Six Flags

Elena had her CF appt today. She weighs 49 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you CHEESEBURGERS! All looks well with the exception of one spot in her lungs. We are going to treat this spot with extra meds and a little more chest therapy (the Vest)to get rid of the wheeze she is having. Also, she had a vomit night 2 nights ago, but seems to be fine. It was more than likely a CF complication from excess mucus in her tummy making her feel oozy.

SOOOO...on to the fun stuff!

Six Flags in Elena's Words

When did I go?
On Friday May 7th, 2010 Six Flags was only open for Homeschool kids. It was VERY hot. There was a water mister that cooled you off. (Mommy and Dr. McKean nicknamed this the Pseudomonis Maker). I went when I weighed 45 pounds.


Why did I go?
I went because I FINALLY weighed 45 pounds. I wanted to go on a roller coaster. I like the Willie Coyote roller coaster. I also went because Mommy drove me, Will, and Aunt Jennifer.


Who went with me?
I went with my Aunt Jennifer, Cousin Will, and Mommy. I wanted Mommy to with me because the next day it was Mother’s Day and I wanted that to be a big activity to do before Mother’s Day with my Mommy. I don’t really know what to say about Aunt Jennifer. Sometimes I like her to come because I like to ask her when I can come to her house to play Barbies. But mostly I like to be around her because she looks like my favorite princess Snow White. I wanted to go with Will because I love him and I would like to sit next to him on some rides. What did I do?
I rode lots of rides. I rode the Scream Machine. I kind of liked it, but I really didn’t like it when my butt popped up off the seat. I only like the little small hills. I did NOT like the Georgia Cyclone. I didn’t like it because it was really really really fast and bumpy. I like the Monster Mansion. I did not like the scary part where a big monster with red eyes was pointing at you. Aunt Jenn didn’t like it either. I also didn’t like where they blew out hot air when a monster ate chili. I like the Hansen antique cars and the bumper cars. I like the antique cars because I got to drive it and it was easy.


What did I eat?
I ate a hamburger and some fries. Aunt Jenn bought me a frozen strawberry lemonade. It was yummy! On the way home, we got a Gummy snack from Bass Pro Shop. We stopped at Wendys before that for a yummy dinner. When we dropped Will and Aunt Jenn off at Bass Pro Shop, I took a little nap.

My favorite things!
My favorite ride was the Willie Coyote small roller coaster and the log jamboree. The Willie Coyote was my favorite because I leaned to the side for a really long time. I like leaning to the side but I don’t like upside downs. I like the log jamboree because it was a wet ride. I liked the small hills. I like fast small hills, but not fast big hills. I like the Monster Mansion because there was a duck farmer that had a hose and water was coming out from it for real. He sprayed us!

Did I have fun?
YES! I had fun because there were lots of rides that were fast and really fun. I had fun because I was with my Mommy, my cousin, and my Aunt. I like riding rides with them. I sat next to Will in the Monster Mansion. THAT was fun. I rode alone with Will on the Willie Coyote and that was the MOST fun; just me and Will.

Silly Sayings
• “Have a Six Flags Day!” was EVERY employee’s favorite saying.
• Humming, “Dum dum dum dum du, dum-da-dum” while doing a silly dance
• Can I get an “oh yea!” Everyone answers before EVERY ride.
• “Why do I look scared in this picture when I was having fun?” as Elena looks at one of the ride pictures.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Rosebuds Race!

Here is Elena's team of rosebuds...so cute! They raised over $9000 for Cystic Fibrosis research and helping needy CF families! Thanks for your help to make their team successful.
Here is part of committee for adult marathon team 65ROSES that came out to cheer on our little Rosebuds! These people have connections to CF and are AMAZING individuals that I am honored to know.
My friend Patti keeping me company at our sign in table.
The Grandpas with the Grandbabies....they love their job!
Our family after the race.
Ethan trained for the race, but when it came to race time, he refused to get out of Daddy's arms. SO cute!
Elena was VERY serious about her training, and very serious about her race. She had a giant smile on her face as she approached the finish line. THIS made Mommy so very proud!
Elena and her friend Cassidy show off their medals. A much deserved reward for these girls.

Way to go Rosebuds!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

10 days to $1000!!! Help me meet my goal!



Hello friends! I have been given a challenge. 10 days to $1000.00. I need your help! All I need is $235.00 more to meet my goal. Please consider donating $5, $10, $15...whatever you can. Every cent makes a difference. I am alive and well today b/c of dollars donated towards research.

We're taking part in the Rosebuds to raise money for Miles for Cystic Fibrosis- please make a donation by visiting our Firstgiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/elenagoodrow

You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to Miles for Cystic Fibrosis by Firstgiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Cold that won't quite...or will it?





Elena was at a birthday party last weekend and was obviously uncomfortable. Daddy told her they needed to go home if she wasn't feeling well. Once they got in the Jeep, Elena screamed in pain the entire way home. She complained of her ears hurting. Visiting the Dr. revealed that Elena had a DOUBLE ear infection. Ouch.

There was still concern about her cough not getting the guck out of her lungs. However, she passed the PFT with flying colors. She was able to "blow out" all the candles on the computer test cake. That means that her lungs are still going strong.

She has started a new antibiotic and continues her longer breathing treatment routine in the morning and at night.

We feel we have so much to be thankful for as our daughter continues to de well despite her run of sickness this year.
Only two weekends away until Elena runs for the Rosebuds! She is so thrilled to feel like she is doing her part in finding a cure for her disease. Thank you to all who are supporting her with donations, prayers, and participation in the event!
March 20th! www.milesforcysticfibrosis.com /rosebuds

Friday, February 12, 2010

Good Reports times TWO

Elena had her regular scheduled CF visit today. She had a gleaming report from Dr. McKean. Elena has had a cold the last few days and we had some concerns that it was moving into her chest. However, her lungs were ALL clear! Even better news is that Elena weighs.....drum roll....FORTY-FIVE POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!! This has been a goal of Elena's for some time now. She actually weighed 45.8 at the office, but she was wearing her shoes, so she decided she needed to round down the weight b/c shoes are heavy. Yes, those were HER words.

Another good report can be viewed in this clip below. Elena has decided that she wants to be a ballet teacher by day and a "weather girl" by night. Here is our local weather girl, Elena doing Snow coverage in the Eastern Suburbs of Atlanta. VERY cute.

Want to see what my family is up to?