Isla and I drove to Avoca today to meet up with some gorgeous EB girlfriends who were in town for ABR. It's the 2nd time I've been lucky enough to meet Bron and her gorgeous little boy Cooper (from Melbourne). So great to see you both again. Can't wait til you get back home and back online ;)

It was so wonderful to meet Deb too and her little Man William, who is just the cutest little guy in the world! Deb is so funny, I hope that we're able to meet up again in the near future!

I completely forgot to get a pic with Deb & William, so I will have to hassle Bron to take some and send them to me :) Here we are with Bron & Coops (excuse my 20 chins! I'm the one holding Coops!)

Busy next few days for Isla and I again, off tomorrow to visit big Nana, Aunty Helen and Ashlie - and I'm sure there's something I'm meant to be doing on Wednesday too but I can't remember what!

Hi Everyone!


I've decided to blog here rather than Isla's other website, as it's a bit all over the place.


Today was a very busy one for us, we had to collect some hip x-rays before the Botox Clinic with Dr L at 8.30am. We only had a short wait before we went in to see Dr Lowe, Mel, Michael and 3 med students. Isla was observed without her shoes & AFO's initially where Dr L noted that her hips are affected by the way she W sits. Upon checking her hip xray, her left hip is at 3.0 which is within the normal range, her right hip, however, is at 13.8 which is not normal. We need to keep an eye on it as it is partially dislocating.


Dr L has decided that Isla will definitely require Botulinum Toxin injections this year. His Clinic is booked out until November, but he says she will have it after then. The reason for Isla needing the botox is that she still has quite increased tone in the calves and her hamstrings, which, despite her walking quite well, is putting extra pressure on her little hips.


So, now we wait and see whether Dr L is returning to the Hospital in the next 3 months, otherwise we need to book in to see him in his private rooms to organise for the Botox in late November/December.


We left Campbelltown Hospital and set off for Westmead Childrens Hospital, where we had to see Professor O regarding possible blank seizures.


It took forever to find a parking spot, then a good 15 minutes walking around the hospital only to find we were in the wrong building (despite being given directions from Enquiries). In the end 2 maintenance works had to take us to the right spot with their security passes. Once again we were on the wrong level and couldn't find the right suite.


Once we finally found where we were going, we saw Professor O, who is really lovely. Nowhere near as nutty as the other Neuro's we've seen. He gave Isla a full check, head circumference of 48cms, he's concerned about her weight and height, so we'll have to go back to see Dr F about. Isla was a bit cranky by this stage, and didn't take too kindly to having her shoes and "helpers" taken off again! She walked a little without them, but not too far. He checked her eyes, her reflexes, palette - everything, he was very thorough.


Isla had one of her "turns" while he was examining her, he doesn't think there's anything behind them, rather he thinks she's just "daydreaming" which is good news. He's going to schedule her in for a EEG in the near future, have to wait for his office to call us with a date.


Isla sang and danced for him, she counted to 16 which he was impressed by. He said that her overall cognitive abilities & language skills are well above average, stating that she is very smart.


So all in all not too bad, considering!


Happy birthday to Aunty Helen for today!

I'm bringing these over from Isla's old website. Just little things that I'll want to look back over one day and remember just how little she was!

POAS confirmed Pregnancy - Tuesday, 8th June 2004

Felt First Movements - Tuesday, August 17th 2004

Ultrasound showed it's a girl! - Thursday 16th September 2004

First time I heard your heartbeat - Tuesday 28th September 2004 (I will never forget this amazing and wonderful sound)

You were born - Thursday, January 6th 2005 at 4.39pm weighing 2585g, 49cms with a head full of dark hair. Most fulfilling day of my life ever.

Your First Bath - Saturday, January 8th 2005 with Daddy and midwife Jan. You screamed the place down! Your first bath at home with Daddy was on the 11th of January 2005.

You came home from Hospital - Tuesday, January 11th 2005. The hospital filled up overnight and Mummy had to share her private room with a very loud lady! Nanny drove us both home, but not before we got lost in the hospital trying to find the carpark :P

Your first smile - 24th of February 2005

Your first Laugh- On Nanny's 50th birthday, Tuesday March 22nd 2005

First time you slept through the night - Thursday, March 24th 2005. You were 11 weeks old and you slept for 11 hours straight! Mummy thought it was wonderful, even though she continually got out of bed to check on you (and still does ;) )

Your first solid food - Wednesday, July 6th 2005. You had some Farex Rice Cereal but weren't too impresed! You were six months old.

Held your bottle on your own - Sunday, July 10th 2005. Mummy had just gone back to work at this time. Daddy and Uncle Pato must have shown you how to do this!

Cut first tooth - Monday, October 10th 2005. 2 teeth came through together over the October long weekend. Gummy smiles quickly became a thing of the past!

Your first word - was Isla (or I-yah as you say it!) Can't remember exactly when you said it, but I think you were around 8 or 9 months.

You Crawled - Late November 2005. I can't remember the exact date, but I remember it was after your Paediatric Physiotherapy assessment with Michael. I was so proud of you :)

Your first swim - Sunday, December 25th 2005. Christmas Day. You had your first swim with Daddy in Nanny & Poppy's pool.

Pulled yourself up alone - Wednesday, January 4th 2006. 2 Days shy of your first birthday, you surprised Daddy and I by pulling yourself up next to Dadddy for a chat.

Naming Day - Sunday, January 8th 2006. We combined this with your first birthday party. You received lots of presents, and had a lovely day! Your guardians are Aunty Leane and Uncle Graham.

Said Dadda - Thursday, January 26th 2006 - Daddy was SO proud of you that you said Daddy first :P

Said Mumma - Saturday, January 28th 2006

Took steps holding on - Tuesday, February 14th 2006

Walked holding hands - Monday, April 17th 2006. Down in Victoria, at the 12 Apostles of all places! You held Mummy's hands and walked around on the viewing platform!

First independant steps - Tueday, January 30th 2007. You took 6 steps at Michael's office during a physio session!

Happy Birthday to Ian!

Have a lovely day! Only 22 days until Mummy's birthday ;)

Happy Birthday Uncle Clayton!!

Monday, July 02, 2007


Welcome to the world little Chelsea Grace!


Congratulations on the safe arrival of your newest little Princess, Elle & Clint!


Can't wait to hear all about you!

Sunday, July 01, 2007


We've stopped going to the Spastic Centre - it's over for this term anyway. I just don't feel like it was doing anything for us except for upsetting Isla. Maybe we'll go back when she's bigger, but for now we'll stick to seeing Michael and Mel.


It's a hard decision to make, but I just don't really find that there's any real focus on Isla as she's the most advanced of the group - I prefer one on one treatment.


Will see whether they offer a place for us next term.