Getting ready...

There are LOTS of things for us to get ready for this week... but we have to review last week so that you'll see what's coming up this week.

On Monday (a week ago), we took Elliott to physical therapy again. Jeff went with me so I wouldn't have to talk about him getting braces all on my own. The therapist, Beth, said that she'd sent her recommendation to the pediatrician and the actual prescription would come from him. Since we were seeing him on Wednesday, we figured we'd just see what he thought in person. Well, turns out that the appointment was with the nurse practitioner (whom we've seen before and really like), and she hadn't seen Beth's fax about the braces, so wasn't a whole lot of help there. However, she did say that Elliott was growing just like he's supposed to, looks completely healthy, is an absolute doll, and she's sure he'll be walking in a month (see why we like her?). Then that afternoon, the nurse, Anne, called back about the braces (she'd found the fax and talked to the doctor) and said they thought we should go for it. So, Jeff picked up the prescription, then we called the insurance. We found out that "durable medical equipment"--like these braces--unfortunately fall under our deductible. So today, I called to make an appointment to have him measured/fitted/casted/whatever... and found out the price. Not as bad as we'd imagined, but still not cheap. If we applied and were accepted we'd be able to get them at no cost through the Shriner's hospital in Tampa... but that would require several trips to Tampa and lots more time, so I'm just not sure if it's worth it.

Let's see... what else happened last week? Um, Jeff went back to his doctor for a check-up and found out that his sugar is still completely normal... hooray for that! I went to school and did my "sit and stare" day of getting in back-to-school-mode. I moved a few things around... then went back this morning to change some of the things I moved and get officially started on my room. In the course of last week, I also booked flights for Elliott and I to go to Zion for the last week before school starts, so I'll be working on my room a lot this week to get ready. By the time we get back, I'll only have one day before pre-planning meetings start. I'm excited to go north and see everyone... and VERY excited for it to not be 95 degrees everyday. Unfortunately Jeff's not going to be able to go with us, again. It's just too expensive! Plus, with his work schedule, the trip just kept getting shorter. So, though disappointing to not have him going, it is better than not going at all.

Yesterday was (to me) the most exciting part of this past week... we went to the Cubs game! They only come to play the Marlins once each year, and I almost missed them. But, I did get tickets and Jeff had the day off, so we decided to leave Elliott at home and go! Our babysitter forgot (and I forgot to remind her), so by the time we called her and she made it over here, we left about 45 minutes later than we'd hoped and ended up missing the first two innings. :-( And then the Cubs lost when the Marlins hit two back-to-back first pitch home runs in the ninth inning! :-( But, it was still great fun... I love going to Cubs games! Plus I got to wear my new Derrek Lee jersey (thanks, Daddy!) and the best part was that Jeff wore my Cubs visor and thinks he might be turning into a Cubs fan now! Hooray!

Alright... so now to sum up all of the things we're getting ready for... Elliott's getting braces, he and I are flying to Illinois, and I'm in full-blown-back-to-school-mode. Also, Jeff and I are taking Elliott to see his first movie in a theater this week... wish us luck!