Shoulder Rehab 3 months later...I swim

Something new happened on Tuesday at the swimming pool.  I swam freestyle with 2 arms.  It felt different and on video you will see it is different.  I didn't think the one arm swimming would make that much of a difference but it did.  My head staying in the water, for now...ha ha.  It was a huge break though and it felt great. I did maybe 200 meters total of freestyle and tried kicking on my stomach and back with my arms over my head too.  Coach Dominic said I don't have full extension yet, but I also have to learn to tuck my scapula in.  It is different when I am in the water without the floor under me. You can't feel the scapula tucking or the feeling of using all your small back muscles and your trapezoids, it requires a little more concentration.

Shoulder Rehab Week 12

I am at the 3 month point post surgery.  The past 2 weeks I have been on a steroid to push through the last bit of resistance and get the pinching to stop in my shoulder.  So far it has shown to be a success. Brad has wisely chosen the past two weeks to be on travel all but two nights.  Coincidence? I think so but he is darn lucky.  I haven't slept much, I can't workout enough and I am not losing any weight.  Just loving the holiday season this year!

Last Thursday and this Thursday I have done physical therapy in the Lorton office of Greater Metropolitan Orthopedics since that is where Susan, my therapist, is now working. I have been able to progress to 'swimming' on the ball, not a lot of strokes but it is a step forward. 

At first it seems easy but then I can still feel the pinching so I have had to think about my stroke.  Just like in all my stretching exercises I have to pull my scapula muscle in so there isn't any pinching when I reach.  I will also be putting those small underused muscles to work with each stroke.  I don't yet know how this will translate in the pool.  Last Thursday I pushed off the wall with both arms above my head and tried to kick a 25 with fins on and my arms out front.  The pressure of the water really surprised me and there is still pinching.  My anchors that hold the bicep and labrum feel solid and all is secure but we haven't done a stroke yet.  I am hopeful that I can try a freestyle stroke either this week or next.  Dr. Carlini saw me today, he is really pleased with the flexibility I have after two weeks of steroids.  Hopefully after I see him next month I will be good to go.  Here is a small comparison of where I am at and what is considered 'normal'.
All measurements in degrees  11/29        book normal        Trish normal              12/8
Internal Rotation                       80                 70                       100                          100
External Rotation                      91                 90                       130                          108
Flexion                                      175               180                     185+
Abduction                                 157               180                     185+

Internal Rotation means I am on my back and lift my arm over my head, the external rotation means I bring it up from the side as high as I can. The flexion and glenohumeral abduction are when I have my arm at shoulder height, elbow bent and I push my hand down towards the front and the abduction is pushing it to the back.  I like the progress. 

Shoulder Rehab Week 9-11

See how easily I can make bunny ears
 again over this pink lit flamingo
 at my folks house?

Let's start out by saying I was right, it is better to travel with a Sherpa, even if he likes to be called your husband.  It was SO much easier traveling with Brad helping the entire time.  In fact I came back from Thanksgiving with MORE flexibility and movement in my shoulder.  In the past three weeks I have been able to put a sports bra back on, which makes me happy when I go to the gym.  What I have really noticed is I can do more normal every day things with my right shoulder and arm than I have been able, to not just since surgery but before then as well.  I have had to learn to 'tuck' my scapula in and in turn my little muscles in my back are all getting stronger and used more. Apparently that is also improving my posture and one can hope my core too. 

Piper took this one, she also took one of our butts. It's pretty
good but Lynn would kill me if I published it.

We all had a great trip to Washington for Thanksgiving and enjoyed seeing Grandpa and Grandma Seubert, Auntie Meg and a lot of friends.  I was able to help my friend, Lynn Sullivan, with her booth at the Holiday Bazaar for Moments to Remember and watch the Washington Huskies win the Apple Cup in Seattle. 

This past week, since we've been back from Washington,  I swam with one arm still, had a great spin class too. I am finally able to add 2 pound weights to my exercises and workouts in my right hand.  I had a really positive appointment with Dr. Carlini on Wednesday, November 30 and in an effort to get that last bit of 'Trish Normal' flexibility back I am now on a 2 plus week steroid series.  Brad had some reserves of getting out of the house this weekend unharmed but he managed to stay on my good side and is fine.  That might also be because I didn't exactly do the first few days dosage correctly...when Brad realized that he had the gall to actually say, "...that is hilarious, you can't even take performance enhancing drugs right." Boy is he lucky I didn't or he would have been in so much trouble!

Hopefully with these steroids the last pinching where my arm gets a numb feeling, almost like my circulation is cut off, when it's over my head will go away and it will open up.  Then in another few weeks I will be able to take a swim stroke.  I have been able to do a wide arm stroke on land, every day a little more flexibility comes back.  Next post will be my measurements and more movement pictures.

Shoulder Rehab Week 8- Travel with a Sherpa

I said the week before that travel could be hard...and it was.  The wedding this past weekend was fabulous, Dominique was a beautiful bride and Piper had a fun time being a flower girl. All was okay, I mean I wasn't able to do any of my physical therapy exercises or ice but I wasn't carrying too much or lifting.  That was until life just happens, and you take your husband to the airport because he is due in Colorado, and you are on your own with a 6 year old and traveling alone.  Sometimes you just have to do things, even though you know you shouldn't, like holding umbrellas in both hands in the rain, and a back pack and your keys.  Like I said, life...daughter dressed in flower girl outfit, I'm dressed for the wedding and it's raining, can't ruin the hair right?
Anyhow, that was the least of my issues.  The next day I had to load the suitcases in the trunk, unload them then do it again once we arrived back in DC.  It's not like the suitcases and bags you do carry through the airport get walk there on their own.

Thus, it is my personal advice to anyone who has any type of surgery and must travel up to 12 weeks post-op, get a Sherpa and have them carry ALL the bags! I leave again next week and plan to have my best Sherpa (and husband) carrying and helping more than ever.  It will be just like the old days, when he would carry my swim bags at meets so my shoulders and arms wouldn't get sore.  The problem with this trip is I thought I could do it and then I had to do it and it hurt.  I hate the healing process, even though I know it always takes longer than you think and you have to be patient. 
On Monday, November 14, I had my re-evaluation with Vanessa, and despite my pain and soreness there is a lot of improvement and progress.  My flexibility is gradually coming back.  I can move my arm up from the side 20 degrees more than 3 weeks ago and on Tuesday I was able to touch my arm to my ear laying down and raising my arm up.  I have had to learn to really use my scapula and while Susan was stretching my arm and moving it I was totally focused on keeping my scapula tucked in.  It literally takes all my concentration and I think I am flexing every core and back muscle I have to do it.  But, HUGE flexiblity difference.  So, despite the pain I am currently in this week,  from inflaming the tendons and anchor,s when real life got in the way, I have had good progress and am still on the right track.  I even had a good swim/kick on Tuesday with my swim pals Alicia and Kirsten, who coached.

Finally, because it was a fun trip, here we are on the top of the Space Needle in Seattle.  Thursday last week was one of those beautiful fall days in the Northwest. It reminds me how much I love and miss Seattle and Washington State.  Then it rained and now it's snowing and I am reminded it is not yet cold out here.  I would be willing to lay at least even money that 20 years from now I am a snowbird, ha ha!

Shoulder Rehab Week 7

This week our big adventure is airplane travel! I only hope not to say "ouch" too many times while boarding, flying and getting off the plane.  Luckily I have Brad and Piper with me to help but coming home it's just McB and me so we will be checking those suitcases!

PT was fun this week, my friend, Kirsten who also had should surgery on the same day and the same arm was at Greater Metropolitan doing her therapy too.  Here I am on the stem machine with ice over it and Kirsten is walking her arm up the bench to stretch it out.  I feel like I made a lot of progress over the past week.  I can get my arm up straight above my head and it is starting to go up past 90 degrees from my side without pinching.  I haven't felt that since sometime last winter!

Susan did a lot of extra stretching of my arm when I was on my back and as long as I drop my shoulders to work my scapula I can really move it around, without a pinching feeling.  I have been doing a lot of scapula work in my back and that will help.  It is forcing me to develop and retrain all those little muscles that I didn't use before.  If you keep your shoulders down and use those muscles then in the end your shoulders are better off.  Finally, after 7 weeks I finally got to hold a 'real' weight in my right hand.  I say 'real' because lets face it, I am a mom and I have a dog, and go full speed ahead, a lot.  I am guessing that once in a while I have put more than 2 pounds in my right hand.  But...on Tuesday I got to lay on my back and do shoulder presses up with 5 pounds in my left hand and 2 pounds in my right.  It was kind of nice, maybe I can start rebuilding not only the scapula, back and shoulder muscles but also my floppy triceps muscle (aka my bat wing!). 

Stand by for the update next week when I recap travel, a wedding and sightseeing with a still tender and healing shoulder!

Shoulder Rehab Week 6

Had to add this it was just too funny.
Kaitlyn was totally asleep.

Things had been going well and although I was a little unsure about the whole Great Wolf Lodge and water park last weekend I thought I could handle it.  Well, let me tell you, I did handle it! Kaitlyn and I killed it going down the two person intertube slide.  We went so fast when we shot off the slide we went all the way up to the top step where you get out of the water! It was awesome, fun for all...but I overdid it, just a little, I guess.  Oh and the Howlin' Tornado was so fun, I rode that with Brad. I did my best to not grip but I may have tensed the bicep a bit because by Sunday I was hurting a little.  That did not make for a fun PT appointment on Tuesday. 

Turns out my tendon was a little inflamed from maybe doing too much.  Susan went easy on me but that might have been because my friend, Kirsten, was there doing PT too.  We were hanging out doing our exercises and chatting about our shoulder surgeries and recovery.  Fun and yet painful. 

This is me on the 'stem' machine, it does not sound fun and it isn't that great either.  It stimulates your muscles to make them work.  Afterwards my arm is actually tired, but on Tuesday it was more tired than before.  On Tuesday that 1 hour of PT was enough for my arm and I pretty much let it rest the remainder of the day.  Wednesday was about the same, I let it rest and today PT went better. Not as sore as Tuesday and a little looser.  So after my hour with Susan I went swimming. 

Here is a video Dominic made of me swimming with 1 arm and not that fast.  Do you know that I finally rotate my shoulders and yet I think I look so awkward.  The key is to make my body like a board, just kick and turn my head to the side to breath.  By the time I have two arms (sometime after Christmas) I hope my arms rotate and my body stays straight, like a board.  For now, good to know I can see this video and maybe finally fix my stoke while my arm heals.

  

Shoulder Rehab Week 5

Tuesday and Thursdays I do physical therapy with Susan, who has done both knee surgeries as well as some back and hip rehabilitation with me. This week we did measurements on Tuesday to see where I am from my first evaluation on October 6.  I am making great progress getting my arm up above my head and am at 152 degrees now, (180 degrees is straight up) and 2 1/2 weeks ago I started at 115.  I can lift my arm out from my side to 98 degrees which is 18 degrees better than at the beginning.  I am now adding a few more movements and exercises to my day to get more flexibility. 

Tuesday was also my second time swimming, well kicking, in the pool. I managed to get 2,000 meters in with the aid of fins for some of the 1 armed swimming.  I will try to post video of that next week.  Right now I feel literally like a fish out of water since my last real swim workouts were in early August.  Here is my current swimming accessories until sometime after Christmas, a sporty grey band to keep my arm down.  So far it works but when I do flip turns I really want to raise both arms.  I swam a blistering 4 minutes and 30 seconds 200 meter 1 armed free. Thus, the bar has been set, ha ha. 

Wednesday found me at Dr. Carlini's office for my 2nd post surgery follow up appointment.  I had all my reading materials and a letter to write and a charged phone (usual wait time is around 45 minutes or so) but I needed none of that today.  The computers were down and the doctor was running a little ahead of schedule.  Hmm think they are connected? Regardless I was able to see Dr. Carlini in a timely fashion and it he was really pleased with my progress, so far. He said my flexibility is coming back really well, I am still on track to swim a real stroke around Christmas time, and am now on anti-inflammatory to help me get to the next step and beyond.  I don't have to wear my arm sling anymore unless I want to around large crowds and my incisions look good.  There is a period of healing that has to take place before we can move onto using light weights and building up strength again.  The anchors that are in must really be able to hold the tendons in place.

 I have to say my shoulder still hurts, and sleeping isn't always that easy to do. After the PT and swimming yesterday it's tired today and I am looking forward to the anti-inflammatory starting tomorrow.  Up until now I have just been taking Tylenol.  This weekend will be a challenge since I will be at a water park with my daughter and I don't think I want to call attention to myself in the pool area with a grey band around my arm.  I also don't know how many, if any, slides I will go down but I am looking forward to hanging out in the pool with Piper.  More next week!!

Shoulder Surgery

Many of you know I had some shoulder trouble this spring/summer and in the fall I had surgery on my right one.  It has been a little over four weeks since the procedure, which was September 20th.  According to Dr. Carlini all went as planned and they put in three anchors, one to hold the labrum and two to move the bicep tendon back over where it belongs and keep it there.  In addition to that I had a Stage 3 Impingement and they shaved off bone to make it flat again as opposed to the way it was which was hooked.  (there are 4 stages of impingement, I was at stage 3, there are 4 types of SLAP tears and I had a SLAP 2).  It was a pretty easy surgery, I was out in 45 minutes, and total time at the surgery center was 5 hours start to finish.  The worst part for me, and those of you that know me well are not surprised, was when they put the IV into my hand.  I do what is called Vaguling and when they put the needle in I get really light headed and my blood pressure plummets.  That of course was all I was worried about and with good reason.  Here I am BEFORE surgery in the picture.  All of that equipment just so I don't faint BEFORE the surgery. Brad was really good about taking care of me then and I was happy he was there with me.  I also received a nerve block that made not only Brad happy but me too.  I got lucky and it lasted almost 30 hours so I had a lot of pain pills in me to ward off any pain.

I couldn't drive for three weeks and in the third week my mom came out to take care of me since Brad was traveling.  There are a lot of things I can do post shoulder surgery that are different from knee surgery. After me knee procedures I got back in the pool after 2 weeks and pulled for a month, this time I was back in the gym after a week and doing one armed spin class but no swimming.  I have been doing physical therapy now for 2 1/2 weeks with Susan, and today I got my arm all the way over my head and out to the side just a bit.  Today was a big day for another reason too, I went swimming for the first time since August.

This is the longest I have ever been out of the pool since I was 28! I did a lot of kick and some one armed free, fly and back. It was so nice to be in the pool and not the gym, and easier on my knees.  I admit to being tired but I can't wait to go again on Tuesday.  I have a band I wear that ties around my chest and holds my right arm at my side. I like to think it will really help my breathing to the right side in the end. It is looking like I might get to do a stroke sometime after Christmas between the 12 and 16 week recovery point.   I think I will take some pictures in the coming weeks to chart my progress.  The end goal is now to swim in Omaha, NE in July at Long Course Masters Nationals, so we shall see if I can do that. 

Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame 2011

This year I was honored, along with 300+ other past Ellensburg Rodeo Queen's and Princesses to be inducted into the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame on September 1, 2011.  It was especially touching because I was inducted along with my mom, Mary McManamy Seubert, who was Queen in 1960.  We are only 1 of 5 mother daughter royalty and 1 of 2 that were both Queens. 


Lynn Sullivan, Rochelle Bierek and me



The night of the banquet was a lot of fun, and I had the pleasure of seeing Rochelle Bierek, who was on the 1987 court with me.  I didn't know Rochelle until the Court Selection Banquet but we became fast friends and stayed in touch ever since.  I feel really lucky to have a friend like her, even though we don't see each other much, we have that lasting bond from our year on the royal court. 

I was also lucky to have my good friend, who I have reconnected with over the past two years, Lynn Goodrich Sullivan and her husband Eamon sit at our family table.  She designs jewelry and I was very proud to wear her designs the entire weekend.  If you have a chance check out her website: http://www.cowgirldivaz.com/ and you have to know it's not just for cowgirls.  I wear her earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings out on the town in DC and even to school to pick up Piper. 

Brad is such a good sport about these events.  He loves the rodeo but the banquet can sometimes drag on.  Piper is lucky, she could fall asleep.  First she was in my arms but at some point we realized I would have to stand up and do my 'Queen' wave.  (Elbow Elbow Wrist Wrist Wrist, you bet there is skill involved).  I had to transfer her to Brad, but as you can see Brad was wishing he could curl up like Piper and sleep too.  I think the emcee could do a little less chatting and a lot more 'here to present our next inductee is ...' and let that person do an introduction.  I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way either.

Finally it was time to individually introduce the royal court that was in attendance, and there were 75 or so of us there.  We were introduce by decades, which was kind of cool.  The first Miss Rodeo Washington was an Ellensburg Rodeo Queen, from the 1950's.  The picture shows just a snapshot of us all up on the stage.  After the banquet all of us that were gathered took our sarape's and got organized for a group picture.  It was pretty neat and I enjoyed getting to meet other women that have been on the court.  Linda Anderson Dozier (1959 Queen) gave a wonderful speech about the year in the life as a member of the Ellensburg Rodeo Royal Court.  Even though her year was 1959 and mine was 1987 it was very similar. Except for the 10 day etiquette class they did prior to Seafair.  Ha, I would have gone a little crazy with beauty queens that knew nothing about a horse, nor had any desire to be in a dusty arena with cowboys. 

As I thought back on my year as the Ellensburg Rodeo Queen in 1987, representing my hometown and one of the top 10 rodeo's in the nation, I felt really happy and proud.  I was happy to have been given that opportunity by the Ellensburg Rodeo Board, and proud that I was part of a group of women that are all so accomplished and remain like me an ambassador of the Ellensburg Rodeo.  What a great night for all of us.

But, the weekend was just getting started, the banquet kicks off the entire Labor Day festivities on Thursday night.  By Saturday morning I was back in my directors chair, on the sidewalk of University Way across from Central Washington University broadcasting the rodeo parade.  I am proud to say it was my 22nd year and it's been a great partnership for me with the rodeo and especially with ECTV Channel 2 and all the people that work there.  Look who I got to announce as they went by...the newly enshrined Past Ellensburg Rodeo Royalty!



Liz Shenyer (2010 Queen) Obie O'brien with Piper and me

 At the end of the parade every year I have brought Piper on air to say hi.  This year she was pretty cute, and by pretty cute I mean she actually said something.  (She also chose not to slap a democratic blue sticker on her forehead, which was nice.  If you can find the parade online reference 2008 I think).  However, once she said something she was ready to get off my lap ~not an option when you are live.  Thus this picture. 

Liquor World~ Favorite Liquor Store West of the Mississippi

Does anyone even wonder how I can come to have a 'favorite liquor store' at all? I didn't think so! Here is a picture of me and you can tell I am very happy to be back in Durango, CO. We spent a week there and visited  Brad's grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins, on both sides.

What (of all the very beautiful sites) am I most excited to visit and see? You got it, Liquor World.  Even the name sounds cool.  It is right on the main drag going through Durango. To hear me talk you'd think it's the only liquor store in town, but it's not. It does however happen to be the one with the most character and I wouldn't be surprised if some, if not all the guys that work there were Hell's Angels at one time. 

Check out some of the items they sell.  Skinny Girl Margaritas and apparently a flavor for any day of the week from Dr. McGillicuddy's and for the discerning wine drinker...fear not.  There is even a special room for the wine snob! This is why Liquor World really is one of the best stores west of the Mississippi.

It is very fancy inside Pop's Wine Cellar and it is NOT cheap in there either! I think the least expensive bottle of wine in Pop's was $65 minimum! Love this place.  So, I get to come to Durango, every few years, more if we can and I always get to stop at Liquor World. This year I won $3 in scratch offs, purchased a few bottles of Skinny Girl Margarita's for the lake and a couple bottles of wine to share with Smoochie Auntie Jess.  I had to help support the local economy right??

Like I said, something for everyone! Piper even got two lollipops from this nice man.  He was one of the really great men and women that work there, and remember we were on the west coast so everyone is actually genuinely friendly. 

Finally, look at one more draw to Liquor World.  I mean who else thinks to have a Happy Hour?? If you get to Durango (and you won't hear me plug too many places on my blog) you really should stop at Liquor World, you will be instantly comfortable roaming the aisles, checking out the rows of wine, finding every single different kind of liquor in every single different price range there is. 

When I say something for everyone, I do mean everyone, even the ever present Bronco fan. They are everywhere, especially in Colorado!!!! Nonetheless, I do love Liquor World. 

Brad promoted to CEO of Morpho Detection

Morpho’s Detection Business Announces Senior Leadership Change

Dennis Cooke leaves Morpho Detection after Six-plus Years as CEO, Succeeded by Brad Buswell, Former VP, Global Strategy

Newark, Calif. – July 26, 2011 – Morpho Detection, Inc., the detection business of Morpho, Safran group’s security unit, today announced its president and CEO of the last six-plus years is leaving the business and is succeeded by Brad Buswell, former vice president of global strategy. Dennis Cooke is moving to Ryder System, Inc., a transportation and supply chain management company. The change is effective today.
Appointment of Buswell as president and CEO leverages his extensive experience to position Morpho Detection for continued growth in the homeland security space.

Buswell is an accomplished strategist with a solid background in driving growth, strategic business development and legislative affairs. He has a track record of success in working with the U.S. government, including the legislative and executive branches. His most recent prior assignment was Deputy Under Secretary for Science and Technology at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He joined Morpho Detection in July, 2010.

Cooke was appointed president of GE Security Homeland Protection, now Morpho Detection, Inc., in January, 2005.

“Brad Buswell’s unique combination of government and business experience along with leadership skill makes him the clear choice to lead Morpho Detection to continued and further success.” said Jay Cohen, chairman of the board, Morpho Detection, Inc. “The board and I have complete confidence in Brad’s ability to continue and enhance Morpho Detection’s track record of homeland security leadership. At the same time, we are appreciative of Dennis’ strong leadership, which will be missed.”

“Morpho Detection represents an important and strategic part of Morpho and Safran growth plans and I am completely confident in Brad Buswell’s ability to oversee its continued integration into Safran’s plans for security industry leadership,” said Jean-Paul Jainsky, chairman and CEO, Morpho. “Morpho Detection is positioned for growth and Brad’s experience in government and business makes him uniquely qualified for this new role.”

In his previous DHS role, Buswell led a 1,200 person staff in the development and implementation of Science and Technology Directorate strategy, organization, human capital and business processes, including responsibility for research programs with an annual budget of more than $800 million. Prior to DHS, he held various leadership roles in the U.S. Navy, including executive assistant to the Chief of Naval Research, Office of Naval Research. He also worked as manager, government relations for GE.
For more information on Morpho Detection, visit www.morpho.com/detection.
***
About Morpho Detection, Inc.
Morpho Detection, Inc., part of Morpho, a business of the Safran group (PAR: SAF), is a leading supplier of explosives and narcotics and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) detection systems for government, military, air and ground transportation, first responder, critical infrastructure and other high-risk organizations. Following Safran Group’s 2009 acquisition of GE Security’s GE Homeland Protection, Inc. business, Morpho Detection integrates computed tomography (CT), Raman Spectroscopy, trace (ITMS™ technology), X-ray and X-ray Diffraction technologies into solutions that can make security activities more accurate, productive and efficient. With industry-leading products such as the Itemiser® DX trace detection system, the CTX line of explosive detection systems (EDS), and the StreetLab® Mobile hand-held chemical and biological substance identification unit, Morpho Detection’s solutions are deployed to help protect people and property in some of the most important and sensitive world locations.

Swim-a-thon with Piper

On July 24 Piper did her first swim-a-thon with the swim team and she swam 74 lengths! Brad was her lap counter and I swam as well with Erin counting for me.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning at the pool and so much fun.  The money raised all went to Cole's Closet, you can check out the link at http://www.colescloset.org/ .  It is a wonderful foundation in our area.

All the 8&U's swam together in one lane and I swam next to Piper with other parents, Coach Dale and the older swimmers. I will only say I completed 164 lengths and felt great (considering my upcoming shoulder surgery for a torn bicep tendon). Brad was a great lap counter and he sat with Erin and the other lap counting parents, all wishing they could go over and enjoy the delicious food they could only smell coming from the grill. Chef O and Bubba made some fabulous egg dishes.

Piper got to use her fins, a kickboard and even take a break to chat with Coach Addie. The kids (and adults) had 3 1/2 hours to swim as much as they wanted to. I did all mine at once and then was done but there were some moms that went 200 lengths! Maybe next year I can try to do that (what me competitive???), but I think Brad would have pulled me out if I had swam/kicked anymore than what I did do!


Let me just say that it was really fun to be doing something like this with Piper. To know she is a strong enough swimmer now, to be in a lane with other swimmers and do her own thing while I am in another lane doing mine. Someday, and it is coming sooner than I want, she will be faster than me and beat me.  But, until that day comes I plan to keep teaching her everything I can about swimming and prepare her as best I can for competition and all that it entails.  You don't believe me? Ask her what I always tell her to do; "drink your water, do you have your water bottle with you, and you have to stay hydrated" that is my constant mantra. 

I know as she gets older she will have a bottle of water with her. She will know Gatorade (and electrolytes) are the best liquids to recover with after an event like this or a race.  I am so proud of her and of what she did in the swim-a-thon raising over $470 for a great organization.

Summer League Swim Team

I did not think this summer would go this way. In the first place, I was not planning to have Piper do summer swim team this year. I figured we'd wait and try it out next summer once we had all her strokes together and her starts perfected. But my dear friend, Erin, convinced me we needed to join Springboard Pool and if we were joining we may as well do the swim team too. The first week of swim practice I was a nervous wreck. Panic attacks every afternoon while my one and only little girl swam back and forth up and down the lane. I was convinced with all the waves she'd barely make it there, let alone back!! Thank you Beth O'Connor Baker for the calm voice over the phone and my swim coach, Dominic Lattela via text telling me I am not totally crazy. Hmm now that I think about it they both said I wasn't 'totally' crazy, maybe they thought I was a little crazy?

Yet, here she is behind her lane getting ready to race and acting just like me. I am a total believer that it is genetic. As Brad says it is only a matter of time and she will spit in someones lane to psych a competitor out. (just like Amy Van Dyken baby!)

Once summer was in full swing and the practices moved to the morning it was a lot quieter and calmer.  It was great seeing Coach Dale, Megan and Addie in the pool working with the kids and seeing so much improvement every week. Piper loved her coaches and also got to spend time with some old friends like Michaela and new ones like Jacob.

I have to say it was a really fun experience for Brad and me too. We timed at meets and helped set up for some of the home meets as well. We have really enjoyed being members at Springboard and all the new friends we've made. I think the Friday night socials are going to become a staple of our summer's just like the Friday night pasta dinners with the team. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with the swim team watching a great lip sync show put on by the swimmers and coaches. (the coaches rocked an original rap song).

Piper was lucky enough to be asked to fill in for another 8 year old swimmer in an A meet this summer. She did the 25 meter breaststroke and she did it really well, til the 1 handed touch at the end. Not to worry we've got that fixed now, believe me. It was kind of exciting for me to see her swim in an A meet even if she was last in the heat. I was so proud of her and when she was done with her race she came over to us, and that is when I knew she was my girl. She was so angry she'd been last!! I love her!

At the end of the season Piper told me she loved the racing and that is great. All I can ask is for her to have fun. That and hopefully she will never realize what a complete stress case I was at the beginning of the season and also how nervous I was every time she competed. I am also secretly pleased she wears her ears out of her cap like me, and my swim friends, Kim (Kilgore Kimborowicz) and Piper (Hastings Mercer), used to do and still do. Brad doesn't get it but Piper tells him it is so she can hear, ha ha ha smart girl!!  You know her starts got better and better and she is now starting to work on her butterfly. So, I guess it all worked out, even better than I thought it would!

Kindergarten Graduation at St. Bernadette's

This was probably the sweetest graduation ceremony I have ever seen.  These little people that started school last August were not the same quiet, sometimes shy and bashful children. Instead they were self assured, confident and mature 6 year olds (or almost 6 year olds) that came into church on June 10.

It is amazing to see the difference in Piper in these pictures from the first day to the last. Here is my girlie with her teachers Mrs. Recher and Mrs. Barrick. Piper had a small speaking part in the graduation ceremony and that was so surprising to me. Last year, even at the beginning of this year I would have been shocked to even think of her speaking up. Yet in class, I would see her routinely raise her hand and speak up. I was so proud of her getting up to the podium and speaking so loudly and clearly.

Piper joined Daisy's this year, she sold girl scout cookies and made a lot of friends with girls in the other kindergarten class, one of which is Vivian. They actually met at the get to know you play date and thank goodness they are friends because her mom and I are great friends!

Here we are the proud parents of Miss Piper and I can't wait to see what she is going to do as a first grader.

Last Week of Kindergarten

My sweet little girl just finished Kindergarten and of course it makes me happy and sad all at the same time.  She loved her teachers, her classmates and being at St. Bernadette's.  I found so many new friends and enjoyed being in the classroom as well as helping in PE and Art with the kids, what a great school and staff.  And yet, as I dropped her off every morning it made me sad because this means my little girl is growing up and becoming more independent and forming her own sense of self.  Like I said happy and sad and very proud of her too.  The last week of school was a lot of fun for the Kindergartner's.  They had an end of year party on Wednesday that included a puppet show and ended with ice pops.

They were all so captivated by it and made individual puppets afterwards. Then they got to play and run and just be kids for a while. It was so much fun for us, as the room parents to see them all laughing and enjoying their friends.

So much fun!

At the end of the day they got a little send off of summer fun for them to take home and remember their first of many end of the school year parties.

Nothing makes a mama's heart feel better than to see their kids full of laughter and happiness and smiling from ear to ear.