Punxsutawney Phil shadow means 6 more weeks of winter

Oh no Six More weeks of a Florida Winter!  Does this mean that maybe we will be cooler than 75 in the upcoming weeks?  Here is Kylie facing the cold winter temps at the park! 

 

Kylie's class celebrated Groundhog Day today and she was very excited to show me her new hat tonight.  

She also thought Mac should check out the Groundhog.

Now for an update on Kylie overall.....Kylie has been doing great with her princess ears and although she isn't speaking the vocabulary of a Harvard Grad yet she is starting to communicate more.  It is hard to believe that it has only been a little over a month since she get her princess ears.  They are such a part of our normal routine now it is hard to imagine things without them.  We have gotten looks and stares and apologies from strangers about her "disability".  We truly don't see her as having a disability at all.  She functions just like anyone else and puts her pants on one leg at time too!  

She has been learning some sign language and it is amazing how fast she picks up on it.  I have to admit some of the signs are funny!  She never stops smiling and truly enjoys every moment of life.  Just the way a three year old should be.  Thank you for all of your well wishes, thoughts and support.  We have a meeting with the pediatric cardiologist on Valentine's Day and Audiologist appointment on the 16th.  We are excited to learn how her levels are of her hearing with and without the princess ears. 
 
 

Gung Hay Fat Chow - Happy Chinese New Year

Gung Hay Fat Chow - Today marks the New Year in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.  It is the Year of the Dragon! 

Here are a few pictures of us celebrating the New Year this morning before work!

Lum Fun in the Sun

If there is one thing Kylie loves to do it is by far swimming.  She is a fish and enjoys spending countless hours in the pool.  Yes, I know for many of you there is a wintry mix hitting and spreading across your streets.  For us the weather is cooler in mid 70's but the pool is heated.  The one thing that can be challenging is that Kylie can't wear her hearing aids in the pool so you have to adapt by looking at her face to face or making hand signals.  I am sure you will agree from these pictures of her swimming lessons followed by the Family Fun Day at the Pool she was having a blast!

Ahhhh Relaxing..

Just kick your feet back

I am thirsty time for a drink

All of us on the caterpillar 

Bonus Photo - Kylie and her Gung Gung 

playing the harmonicas! 

She's Got a Heart of Smiles

The Lum Journey over the last month has been a wild roller coaster ride.  One thing is constant though, our princess keeps smiling.  She has been poked everywhere and she just keeps smiling.  After Kylie's round of tests in the hospital our ENT found something on her EKG that he didn't like  (First Degree AV Blockage).  We were referred to a Pediatric Cardiologist whom we have actually not met yet but he scheduled some testing.  The doctor wanted Kylie to have a 24 Hour Holter Monitor (Heart Rate Monitor).  Another trip to our favorite place Joe DiMaggio Hospital to get Kylie's monitor put on.  This hospital simply amazes us every time we go.  The people are compassionate and take the time to get to know their patients.  Today Kylie got to pick a prize out of a room and came home with a new Play-Doh set.  (She loves it)


We have 12 hours left of the testing and Kylie has been running around, playing outside and enjoying the day just like normal. And of course smiling..


Here is a picture of her showing off her Holter Monitor

She wanted me to take a picture with her PJs on as the monitor and her were gong nite nite! 

Oshogatsu

This past weekend we attended the Morikami Museum for the Oshogatsu - Celebrating the Year of the Dragon.  (Yes this is a Japanese festival).  The Chinese New Year falls on January 23rd this year and we can't wait to celebrate this holiday and traditions with Kylie.

We had a blast at the Oshogatsu Festival along with our neighbor Aaron.  We saw the drum festivals, dragon dance and enjoyed some time in the park.  Kylie insisted on wearing Aaron's hat through the park, which he was happy to let her wear!  A fun time was enjoyed by all!

One of the drum ceremonies 

(Kids of all ages were playing!)

 Kylie showing everyone it is the Year of the Dragon (Brian wanted to take this sign home with us!)

 Brian, Kylie and Aaron (Awww!)

Bonus Video - Kylie dancing on the game Dance Central, Bell Biv DeVoe - Poison

That's A Wrap on 2011

While we didn't get to go on a cruise this year for the holidays, I would have to admit that it has been enjoyable to hang at the home front.  As the hours countdown to ring in 2012 we just wanted to have one last post in 2011.  Here are a few things we have been doing with our time off.  

We went bowling with my parents the day after Christmas.  Kylie's bowling ball was so slow to make it to the pins that you could stop and have a snack in between.  Although she had a blast! She wants to sharpen her skills for the Thanksgiving Straub/Lum league!

The weather has been a a little warm and cold.  Okay for all of you in the North it has been 70s during the day but watch out 50s we have to break out a jacket.  Here is Kylie posing in her new Hello Kitty Jacket (Thanks Louie Family!)

 
Today we attended a Mr. Blue Family Fun Day Pool Party.  Yes the pool was heated and well it was 80 out today so it was amazing!  Nice to think that your in a pool on New Year's Eve!  (We are getting a cold front on Monday that will take our temperatures into the 30s!  OH MY!)

 Happy New Year!  We look forward to blogging with you in 2012~

Merry Christmas to all......

While the greatest gift we could give Kylie for Christmas was being able to hear, we still celebrated in grand style today.  Santa stopped at our house and left a thing or two! 

I should step back and say that since Kylie got her hearing aids she has been doing fantastic! She generally leaves her "princess ears" in and has had major meltdowns when she has to take them out.  To us this clearly shows that she can hear so much better with them why take them out.  She has started to talk more and more still not very easy to understand but she is getting comfortable with talking which is good.  She loves to show people her "princess ears!"

Yesterday we attended Christmas Mass with my parents and Kylie enjoyed all the singing.  Her favorite part was the manger scene and loves telling Jesus, Happy Birthday!  Here she is in her Christmas dress, butterfly bracelet and red shoes. 

This morning Kylie slept in late and finally woke up around 7:15.  We were so anxious for her to see that Santa came we almost woke her up.  She enjoyed opening all her gifts and quickly realized that Santa only used one wrapping paper for her.  When she took a break from opening her gifts she enjoyed helping the rest of us open our gifts.    Each gift she opened she said awwww and then thank you! 

 

 

Brian's favorite Christmas Gift!

Kylie fell in love with our neighbors Paper Jamz Guitar so Santa brought her one.  I think she is thrilled she can hear the music she plays! 

Today truly was a great day and a wonderful Christmas.  We have so many blessings in our lives.  Most importantly each and everyone of you are a blessing to us!  Thanks for being a part of our lives!  The countdown begins to ring in 2012!  What are you plans for the New Year?  What do you want to achieve in 2012?  Brian and I want to learn and be comfortable with sign language and help Kylie grow even more with her communication.  For me, I would like to be able to hit the road and get back to running (I'll be out there tomorrow).  Overall we want to remain strong, healthy and happy! Our wish for all of you as well.  Merry Christmas to all....