I've Learned to Fuss, 5 days until the Big Event!

Little Olivia isn't so little any more! It's amazing how much she's grown, her feet are down to my waist when I hold her now. She's grown so much physically, and mentally. With her chromosomal deletion, we live in constant fear about what might happen over the years but when I watch her take all of those little baby steps toward being a strong, healthy, talkative, educated girl it just blows my mind. Sure, she'll be much slower than other little ones and may not live the same life as every other baby, but who cares? Leslie and I have probably worried more in the last 11 months than we have in all of the days before Olivia was born, but in the grand scheme of things all that matters is that Olivia's happy right? What happens, happens and the woman she becomes is the woman she becomes, all we can do is give her every opportunity to reach that potential, right?

If people still read this blog I'd love to hear your thoughts on this and know that we're in your prayers...the day to day grind can really get us down. We love Olivia so much and that will never change, but a parent can't help but worry about all the things they can't control! She's our little miracle, we want the best for her!!!!!

Olivia celebrated her 11 month birthday with daddy on Father's Day, what a great day it was. I spent most of the day with Olivia right next to me watching TV, at Leslie's parents or doing something great! I even got a finger painting that Olivia made with the help of her teachers at the Arbor School, it's so awesome - something only a parent would be proud of!

FUNDRAISER

We're all looking forward to Olivia's fundraiser with Bayou City Crossfit this Saturday! If you're coming, please come early (parking will be bad), bring lots of liquids to drink and something to keep you shaded and cool (it's OUTSIDE!)

Olivia's Awesome Photo Shoot

From Olivia's 6 month photo shoot!!!!! They're a little old, but we just got them in the mail and wanted to show her off! I hope this works...sometimes blogger doesn't cooperate.

T-Minus 3 Weeks Until Olivia's Fundraiser

I can't believe it's only 3 weeks away...and I'm already this fired up about Olivia's fundraiser. I spent the afternoon taking flyers for the event to local sports stores, you can find them at Luke's Locker, Tri On the Run, Finish Strong Sports and Lululemon. It's unreal how receptive Houstonians (and others) are to this cause, the overwhelming support has been awesome.

Of course, I can't thank Vic and everyone else at Bayou City for their support. If you don't have a home box, you need one! The support that comes from the CrossFit Community is unparalleled.

Leslie, Olivia and I are looking forward to the event, I hope all you competitors like burpees! I'll be competing with a great friend from college who's coming in from Chicago just for the event.

Alright, off to practice some muscle ups...yeah right.

Cochlear Implants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Stevens Family got some great news last night that we wanted to share with everyone. The Cochlear Implant Team at Texas Children's Hospital approved Olivia for cochlear implants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a HUGE development for us since Olivia's hearing is very bad right now, with little chance of improving without these implants.

We realize that there's no guarantee that her implant will "work". Work meaning that she'll have better access to sound and hopefully some day be able to talk with us! It's not an easy path and it's a long, long road with no guarantees, but at least there's a chance. Without them, we'd be learning sign language.

So we're cautiously optimistic. Olivia's surgery is schedule for Monday, July 26. She'll be 1 year and 6 days old.

We're happy to get yet another dose of good news and to see Olivia exceeding another of our preconceived "limits", "boundaries", whatever you want to call it that people have put on Olivia. She crashes through every one of those walls people try to throw in front of her! She's the strongest one in our family, if I can be 10% of her, I'd be a strong man.