Swimming!

Last Friday Angie and I went to see dad together! After Angie's swimming experience a few weeks ago she thought it would be fun to take him again but it definitely is safer with two people! So we went down to their place at the usual time and chatted a bit with mom and caught up on stuff. We were headed out the door when mom noticed that her wind chime had been taken down. She said "Mike did you climb up there and take that down last night?" He proudly said, "no I did it with my cain" Then he proceeded to babble about how it was irritating the neighbors and someone had knocked on the door... meanwhile I was telling mom it really is the most irritating wind chime and without missing a beat I pointed at dad and said, "that's a lie" and continued talking about how annoying it is.... dad fumbled a bit and then broke out in the biggest smile and just started laughing! Mom was dying! She thought it was the greatest thing that  I had completely called him out and that he also thought it was funny! I haven't seen a grin that big on dads face... ever I don't think! We all laughed about it for a bit and then Angie and dad and I headed downstairs to the pool!
I was about a million degrees when we first got into the pool room but dad knew exactly where the fans were so once those were on it cooled way down. He did a great job of getting himself into the pool and was able to walk around the shallow end with ease. I think I caught him way off guard when I tossed the beach ball at him but we had fun tossing it around and Angie joined in and the three of us had it going for quite a while! Then Dad wanted to try and swim so he held onto the sides and I held his feet while he kicked. He was complaining because he has no coordination in his legs anymore. It really was like holding dead weight while he tried to kick his legs... he can't bring them up to the surface at all and he tired out REALLY quickly! He rested on the stairs for awhile and the three of us just chatted and then he said he wanted to walk more so Angie and I each held one of his hands and we walked back and forth in the shallow end probably 15 times and then he said "ok I've had enough!" We were in the pool for a solid hour though so that was great! Getting out of the pool dad was still able to hold onto the railing and pull himself but he was clearly far more exhausted then when we arrived which is why it is best to have two people to help him out!
We got him all dried off and made our way back up to the apartment. Angie helped dad get in the shower immediately and I made him lunch. We chatted a bit more with mom and then Nancy number two got there. Angie and I sat with dad until he finished his lunch and then we left.
It was definitely a fun day and I think we'd like to take him swimming more often! It seems like a really great way to keep him active and I am not sure why the Physical therapy people have never said anything about it before. Angie had a conversation with Nancy #2 informing her of how active dad used to be and this disease is so hard for him because he can't do anything for himself. I'm not sure that Nancy has understood that. We definitely don't expect her to be swimming with him but when its nice out it would be great if she would take him for walks and such! Anyhoo... thats all for now! Hopefully we'll come up with something fun to do this friday!

Easter and other activities

It's been a while since I've sat down to write on this...so much has happened! I will try to remember everything...So as Lisa talked about, Dad's birthday was April 3rd and the whole family spent the night eating and hanging out with each other at Mom and Dad's place. The next day I went with Dad on another lunch date with Tim and his buddy Mick. My very good longtime friend Terra, Tim's Daughter, also joined us. It was Tim's birthday the next day so we celebrated with some ice cream which always makes dad happy :)

 The following Sunday was Easter. Jay and I went to Mom and Dad's and brought breakfast. Johnny was there and we all ate out on the deck in the sunshine. It has been beautiful weather lately and Dad wants to be outside as much as possible as do we all! Jay and I had to head back to Bremerton to pick up our niece, Kyreana, who came to stay the week with us and Mom and Dad made me promise to bring her for a visit. Which leads us to my latest visit and the one freshest in my memory! Thursday Kyreana and I went to Mom and Dad's to visit and swim in the pool that is in their building. We had such a great time! When we got there we found out that Mom was babysitting Dillon (Allison's boyfriend's son) so he was there too. Kyreana and I headed down to the pool and played for a bit and then Dad and Nancy 2 came down to watch. Dad decided he wanted to put his feet in the water so Nancy 2 helped him sit on the edge of the pool with his feet on the steps. Well then he decided that he wanted to get all the way in and so without saying anything he stood up and started walking down the steps into the pool. Nancy 2 freaked out a little as did I but I was confident that I could hold him in the water as it made him almost weightless.  I held him on his back while he kicked his feet.  Mom and Dillon came down and Dillon got in the pool with us too. It was great and Dad got right down to teasing the kids and squirting Kyreana with water being silly. I know he loved it and I am going to try and get in the pool with him more often. I want to make sure there is always another person with me though in case of emergency. I can hold Dad in the water but getting him out of the water myself is a different story. Lisa and I may go together next friday and swim with him.

Dad, Mick, and Tim

Terra telling Dad how much she loves him :)

Mick gave Dad and Tim those great sounders scarves

Silly!

Me, Kyreana, Dad, Dillon and Mom

Dad's birthday!

Hi All-

Tuesday was dads birthday and I think he had a nice day. He was supposed to have a doctors appointment, but that was postponed to Friday so he had the whole day to himself (well with mom :)) Angie went over there early and prepped a really nice meal for us all! Josh didn't get off work until later than usual so we weren't able to go down until about 6. The six of us hung out for a bit and then Allison came over with Dylan (her boyfriends son). Johnny came over at about 8:30. He works late so he was just in time for leftovers :)  Mom and dads landlord Glenn (who is so good to dad) came over with his wife and maybe 3 year old adorable daughter! She had made dad a darling card and came in singing happy birthday with big smiles and hugs! Dad love it! They were only there for about 15 mins or so but it was a nice visit. We had a really nice dinner and then another one of mom and dads friends Darius came over with his little daughter.  Dylan and Darius's daughter were running all over the place and the apartment got small very quickly, but it was fun and dad loves having the kids around! Dad asked to go outside for a bit though because I think he gets overwhelmed easily and it was really hot in there! :) Anyhoo...when he came back in we sang happy birthday and I had made him a chocolate cake so that was fun. Josh and I left shortly after cake cause it was getting late. All and all thought it was a nice evening and I think dad had fun. I know he definitely misses his nights at the Roanoke but I think he enjoys just having everyone around. Angie and I had talked about having a birthday party for him but didn't get our acts together in time so maybe we can do something later in the year :/

Today I was planning on cooking all day for them and taking them a bunch of meals tonight, however as I was leaving costco I got a text from mom saying that Dad's appointment had been cancelled and if I wanted to come over he would love it. So I headed straight to their house as half of my costco load was for them! Dad was in the shower when I got there and I was in a bad mood so mom instructed me to sit down have some water and eat something... it helped :) I made dad a sandwich and we sat on the balcony at had lunch! He really wanted to go on a walk but I had on flip flops and it was already 2:30 but the time we were done with lunch and I couldn't stay past three. I felt bad but I just wasn't prepared today! I am glad I got to spend a little time with him though and I will go down there tomorrow to deliver the crock pot meal I had going at home for them!

Dad was telling me that hadn't slept well again last night because he had watched a show on Muhamed Ali last night and it really scared him seeing how poorly Muhamed looked :(  I told him thats why they doctors want him to go to therapy so he can talk with other people that are going through this same thing. I guess his group meets every first tuesday of the month so he missed it because of his birthday but will start next month, and the family group meets the last monday of the month so I am eager to go with mom to that. I think it will be a huge help and for both of them. Nancy #2 got there right at 3 and dad said "why is she here so early?" I said its 3:00. He said no its only 2... I looked at his watch and the battery had died :( I felt bad because he obviously thought he had more time with me.... but like I said I'll go down tomorrow for a bit and I took his watch so I'll get him a new battery :)

Angie went with him on Wednesday to lunch with his friends Tim Firnstal and Mick McHugh... I'll let her talk about that but it sounded like a great time!!!

That's all for now, but lots of pictures to share!!

                               Mom and Dad's landlords daughter Audry (I believe?!) giving dad his card

                                                  Singing happy birthday!!


I was trying to get the needle in the shot cause it was pretty but I don't know how to work my camera :/

                                          Dylan wasn't interesed in anyone but Allison!

                                          Darius and his daughter enjoying cake!

                                          Dad waving goodbye when I was leaving today :)