Corbin's bicycle

There are very few things Corbin truly enjoys. Water, sand, goldfish, and motion. Corbin has always loved moving. From the days that his dad threw him into the air he has wanted to be moving. Before Corbin could walk on his own, he needed the assistance of a reverse walker. He learned how to use it so well, he would run with it. If there were too many people to go fast, he would use it as a batting ram. He eventually stopped needing the walker to walk and we started trying out a tricycle. We adapted one at home but he eventually grew out of it also. For the last year Corbin has been riding in the bike trailer when he wants to go for a ride.

We are now trying to get him his own bicycle for his birthday. It is actually an adapted tricycle that will grow with him. It has straps for his feet - since his feet won't stay on the peddles themselves, a tall back to give him support and rounded handlebars to hold on to. If you would like to get him something for his birthday, you can make a donation here.

Thank you for your love and support!

Shaun, Darbie, and Corbin

http://freedomconcepts.chipin.com/corbin

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Thank you for your generous support of Corbin and the Freedom Concepts Bike Registry!

P.S. Click here to check out some cool pics of Corbin:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freedomconcepts/sets/72157626913942463/

Corbin and the Frog

Don't worry. The frog hopped (or I should say sprinted) away after I took this video clip.

The dreaded H word

I had to do it. The baby mullet was out of control. He had to get a haircut.

The lady thought he was a year old. She couldn't believe it when I told her he was only 7 months.

You would have thought he had had lots of haircuts. He just sat there watching Dora. He didn't look like a baby. He looked like a little kid.


After it was finished. I did not like it. His crazy hair was part of the adorable baby he is. He is so social, and loves the attention he gets from his hair.


Whew!! After giving him a bath, crazy hair came back!

Smiles

Kason was definitely sent to our family to make us smile amongst all the craziness. He is so happy all of the time.

Changes

It has been quite the year with a lot of changes. Shaun took the bar in July and is now working for a firm that he loves (so this is what it's like not being a student). Brittan and Corbin started kindergarten in September-which they love. We moved into a house the end of October and then Kason was born November 5th. The holidays came and went and now life is starting to slow down.

West Metro Miracle League

I know I have said plenty of times that I don't want to leave here because of the programs they have for Corbin. Here is a short video clip of him playing his first game. Because of Sunday games and rained out games, this past weekend was his first game. Look at his face as he rounds third and heads for home. His buddy and coach are helping him run the bases, while Shaun waits for him at home. I love everything about this league.

Click here for an article that was on the front page of the newspaper. It's mainly about our coach and his daughter, but Corbin and Shaun are mentioned in it. The newspaper also took the picture above; it wasn't used in the article, but they gave us a print.

Still Alive

My new motto is, "be careful what you complain about because it can always get worse". I used to say that I would go crazy if I had to fit any more appointments into our schedule. Well, not only did we add another specialist into the mix (an orthopedic surgeon), but the neuropsycologist recommended getting Corbin tested for autism. At first I was opposed to it, and a little upset. I felt like she didn't know what to do because she couldn't test him. He is legally blind so he couldn't see the vision part and he has no speech so he couldn't answer questions. However, the longer I have had to calm down, I realize that if he has one more title besides Cerebral Palsey, Legally Blind, Developmentally Delayed, and preemie, the easier it will be to get services in the future.
And as stressful as all that is, it is only the beginning. But, not all bad. The one thing I have realized since living in Minnesota is you really have to take advantage of the spring and summer. And we have. We are outside every day playing. We have already been to two beaches (it would be more but it has been a very nice spring, only having 2 hot days so far), camping, and to 2 different zoos. Swimming lessons have started, and soon they will get to go to playground camp for two weeks. Corbin is on a Miracle League T-ball/baseball team. It has been a lot of fun. Last week they had the opening ceremony and Corbin and Shaun got to meet Harmon Killebrew (hall of fame baseball player who played for the twins). He was very nice and Corbin got a signed baseball.


We have had two graduations in our family. First, after three long but worthwhile years, Shaun graduated from law school. It is crazy it is already over. I was worried before we packed up our family and moved across the country if it would be worth it. Not only has it been worth it, but the best thing our family has done. We have met and made lifelong friends, and found an amazing place to raise a family. Next on the list is taking the bar. It's like 2 1/2 months of studying for finals. Yuck!!


The second graduation is from preschool. I can't believe I will have two kids in kindergarten. I have to admit it was very hard for me to let go of preschool. We have been at the community center, and partner's preschool since we moved here three years ago. The kids are defininetely ready. Brittan is officially out of special education and Corbin is ready for a more consistent week. I will miss the interaction with the teachers, therapists, and paras, but look forward to the next step. Corbin has had some amazing teachers and paras, and I will admit I cried thinking about Corbin having to leave them behind (they have done awesome with Brittan as well).


The final reason for my craziness is we will be adding the fifth member of our family in November (hopefully). It has been four months of bimonthly appointments and ultrasounds. I love my doctor, she is on top of everything and I am trying very hard not to worry. It's fun to watch the baby grow and develop every two weeks, but it's even better for my sanity to hear from the doctor that everything is looking fine (the ultrasounds are mainly to check my cervix to make sure it is not starting to shorten prematurely again). If, after 25 weeks everything continues to look good the appointments will be less frequent until the end when you have more appointments (haven't been that far before, so not sure what that will be like).