dance class

Before Olivia's dance class Kyle and Livi play. Slowly the other little girls showed up and started to play with them. One little girl (the one on the right) just came up and started touching Kyle's leg. Random and cute. 

All the little girls were hopping with Kyle. 

frozen, again

While I was having a fantastic time at a taping of Ellen, Kyle picked up Olivia from school. Olivia was so excited her daddy was picking her up and told all her friends. 

So Kyle picked her up and surprised her with going to see Frozen again. He had packed a backpack full of snacks and brought her 2 Frozen dresses so Olivia could look like Elsa. 

After the movie they went out for ice cream. 

I didn't have a dad when I was little, though I had Pa, and love, love, love that Olivia gets to have experiences. 

kids

Part of an email from Olivia's friend's mom...

Out of nowhere last night, Peyton told me that Livi told her that "her daddy is going to get a new leg soon". Peyton then started asking questions about it all so I explained he had a large owwie he had to have removed but he will be good as new again. I asked her why she and Livi were talking about it and she "didn't know" but was "happy he would be ok". Love the brain of 4 year olds.   :)

lightbulb

One of Kyle's jobs in the house is changing lightbulbs because he is tall. We had one go out that I've been ignoring. Kyle decided he was going to change it. Like all of his bright ideas lately I sigh and get the camera. Of course he did it easily with no problem, and a bit of help from his assistant Olivia.

Now I know you may be thinking, Anna, get off your ass and change the lightbulb and stop taking pictures. I think that too. But Kyle can do these things, wants to, and needs to. Needs to being for himself, not because it's his job. If you haven't noticed, I am very proud of him.

vacuum

While I was at work, Kyle decided to do some vacuuming. Of course he didn't take a picture of himself doing it, but wanted to write it down to remember. 

bike

Picture: Kyle's Elbow

This is what happens when you ride a bike with 1 leg and fall. 

Don't worry, Olivia put a band aid on it. 

Not discouraged, Kyle says when he gets a new leg we will need to work on making straps for his feet. 

test socket

From the mold last week, a new clear test socket was made. From this, adjustments will be made and a temporary socket (Kyle will have for about a year) will be made. Original appointment to try the whole socket/knee/leg was scheduled for Wednesday, but after seeing the surgeon, it's pushed back until February 4th. The surgeon just wants a little more time for the internal part of the leg to heal. The countdown begins!

impressive bouncing

working out

In between real work outs, Kyle finds creative ways to build strength.

let it go

After dinner dance parties occur nightly in our kitchen.

rheo knee 3

Dana, from Ortho Pros, called us last night and sent information on the type of knee the insurance approved. 

RHEO® KNEE 3

The RHEO KNEE 3 provides the most natural knee function among all microprocessor knees because it continuously adapts to the user and the environment while providing perfect balance of stability and dynamics.

• Effortless swing initiation enables a smoother gait, even in crowds and confined spaces
• Advanced actuator and resistance control ensure best possible resistance, e.g. more support in stair descent and minimum effort needed in level ground gait
• Constant power spring provides natural progression in swing
• Five-sensor gait detection, including new gyroscope technology, ensures stability and dynamic response in every situation
• Magnetorheologic technology enables an instant response so that users never have to wait for the knee to catch up with them

real men

Real men let their daughters dress them up in tiaras and necklaces...and don't care if their wife takes a picture.

frozen

To give me a break, Kyle and Olivia went to see Frozen at the movies.

football

Small hills doesn't stop Kyle from playing football with Olivia.

pinecone baseball

Olivia and Kyle played baseball with a pinecone as a ball and used a crutch as a bat. 

mowing the lawn

I thought Kyle mowing the lawn would be impossible. I was wrong. 

bounce house

Kyle just couldn't resist his role as "fun dad" and joined the kids in the bounce house. Whenever he would go outside to take a break, Olivia would come over and ask him to come back in...and he would. I'm not sure if he or the kids had more fun.

dancing

Kyle and Olivia dancing and spinning before Olivia's ballet class.

sea world

A trip to Sea World wasn't a problem for Kyle. Why would I have thought it would be? 

pirates

Sticks and crutches make great pirate swords.