She lost her first tooth!

It is amazing when our kids are babies they hit so many milestones and as they get older they come less frequently.  Today, Kylie on her own got her first tooth out!  Check her out! She is grinning from ear to ear!

Kylie Graduates from Pre-K

We have been so fortunate to have so many amazing people in our lives to support, educate and just be mentors for Kylie.  As school came to a close this was a sad time for us as this meant it was time for Kylie to move on to Kindergarten.  By the way she considers herself Big People!  Ms. Grace, Ms. Ivy and Ms. Jill were Kylie's teachers for the past two years and WOW what a difference two years make.  When Kylie started at Park Trails she could barely talk or well be understood, didn't listen and ran crazily down the hall.  She left there expressing herself more and being a completely different and engaged little girl.  We really owe it to the amazing teachers, friends and technology (thanks AB) for helping her be who she is.  I do shed a tear as Kylie won't be going back to this school next year she will start he journey at a Elementary school closer to the house to which she is zoned.  

The class did an amazing job for the farewell event.  It started with the Three Little Pigs, Jack and Jill, the girls in the class sang Let it Go and the boys sang Jack Hartman's Penguin Song.  This was followed by Lean on mean by the whole class with song and dance (I think I am getting tears in my eyes thinking of it)  Finally they all graduated.  

I know you are saying Tricia it's only PK and I know she has a far way to go.  To us this means A LOT, Kylie has progressed so well and now she takes on the next chapter!  We are so grateful! 

Thanks to my Mom's idea we started a journal for Kylie (she doesn't know about it) and will have each teacher sign it each year.  When she graduates from high school we will give her this journal and she can read all about her journey through school.  

Here's the link to the video of the girls singing 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz9YDiIiKfM

Let it go! 

 Lean on Me..

Our Goofy Girl Graduates

Kylie and her Ms. Grace

The Last Day of Pre-K

Jacob's Ride - Marlins Game

Jacob is an incredible man whom biked across the country to raise awareness for cochlear implants.  Unfortunately, with less than 200 miles to go he was hit by a truck.  He still made it to the event in Miami but he was a tad banged up.  After a few months had passed, he decided to come back and ride his bike the last leg and complete this for real on his bike this time.  We were honored to be part of this event twice!  Thank You to Advanced Bionics, the manufacturer of Kylie's CI device for having us there as part of the event. We were there to support Jacob and help raise awareness.

Kylie ready for the game

Kylie taking donations for Jacob's Ride

Popcorn, Baseball and Hello Kitty??

Everyone supporting Jacob (in the middle)

The kindness of strangers really hit home (no pun intended) at the game.  One of the men there to support Jacob's ride caught a fly ball and turned around and gave it to Kylie.  She has it on her dresser and hasn't let it out of her sight since.  Thank you! 

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was a blast!  My parents came into town and we all just enjoyed some rest and relaxation. Which of course means the pool and the beach!  Who doesn't enjoy a extended weekend??

With the cochlear implant being waterproof there is no stopping Kylie!   Here we are at the beach with her friend Madi

A Day at the Pool .. Watch out Grandpa! 

Cultural Arts Night

It is hard to believe that time is flying by so fast!  Before school ended (which seems like ages ago), they hosted a Cultural Arts Night.  Here is Kylie with her spiderman glasses showing us her fine art!

Bonus Shot - Here is Kylie's Art she did for Mother's Day.  Kylie and I had a fun time making it for Po Po, Grandma and Godmother Dani! 

Another proud moment...

With mommy on her last day of travel for work, we weren't sure exactly what was planned for this father/daughter day, but it sure was a busy one. We started off the day with a 4 hour excursion to Dunkin Donuts and around the neighbor hood driving her car, but then the afternoon we spent out on the lake as Kylie had some desire to go on "daddy's boat" (note that she refers to mommy's ship as being Royal Caribbean).  
In the past Kylie enjoyed driving the boat (a boat approx. 12 feet long that I would take to go fishing in the lake behind us). This use to mean that Kylie takes over the driving and you literally go in circles till your dizzy. But today she really wanted to fish! Fishing has always been one of my great relaxing hobbies, so I am glad she has some interest. Maybe now I can say "some interest" is an understatement. She actually caught her own fish and with the great camera skills I have, smirk, you can see the outcome. 

Yes I admit, I was being the over protective parent in the back ground. I thought the fish was going to pull Kylie and the rod into the water at one point.

Her official first fish she caught! 

Not afraid at all to hold them!

Loving Life! One of Dad's proud day for her!

Happy Princess Ear Birthday 1 Year

If someone ever said "a lot can happen in one year", well it certainly has for Kylie. One year ago, Kylie's cochlear implant was activated in her right ear. This allowed her to fully hear all frequencies of sound versus just getting what little amplification she could in her right ear. Prior to the activation, there were times where she might have seemed confused or lost, but then who wouldn't feel bewildered if they could only hear parts of words and sentences.

As high of a success rate the cochlear implant team at University of Miami has and as technologically savvy Advanced Bionics the maker of Kylie's cochlear implant is, there is no guarantee of results. Well, the results are in with the device working at its best of abilities (come on, not many can say that they have a built in Bluetooth device in their head), the UM cochlear team along with her teachers are so impressed with her development.  She is making HUGE strides. We know our little "Smiley Kylie" is happier and happier each and every day!

Even with Mommy traveling, Mommy was able to set up a surprise 1 year Princess Ear Birthday for Kylie when she got home from school.

Thank you Princess Ear for a great year and looking forward to many more!