Opening Day...

Well, obviously, I haven't been a very good blogger. However, I wanted to share with you all that today (October 9, 2009) is opening day at Arapahoe Basin. We all went skiing. Brian's brother Jeff came up for the day, Rowan packed her lunch and hung out in the lodge, and the Connellys made our turns and had the best day ever! This will be my last post. I want to thank you all again for such incredible support for our family. You all have been a huge part of this healing process and we could have never gotten through it without you! Pray for snow!!

Love,

Brian, Sarah & Rowan Connelly

We did it....

I think it was more important to me that we hiked the ridge for the 4th of July. We did it...and the fireworks were spectacular! As I wrote earlier, hiking was a promise that I made to Brian while he was still in the hospital, but I think it was a promise that I made to myself more than to Brian. I believe I set up this milestone in my own head to let me know that everything was going to be ok. I am so thankful that Brian is alive. I am so thankful that my family is able to share holidays together and to be able to do the things that we did before the injury. Things that were important to us and that we promised to teach and share with our daughter.

This was a big deal for me. I wish you could have all been there to see it.

Love,
Sarah

Still hanging in there....

We are excited for the 4th of July! I promised Brian when he was still in the hospital and rehab (and still unsteady on his feet) that we would hike the ridge on the 4th to watch the fireworks, a tradition of ours we've been doing for years. This is an intermediate hike as it's not very short and there's quite an uphill climb to get a good spot (it's also a little harder when you have 20+ lbs of baby on your back). But, my promise will come true and the Connelly's will watch the fireworks as we always do.

Happy 4th of July!

Love,
Sarah, Brian & Rowan

Done.

We are done driving to Denver every week! Brian graduated from Speech Therapy getting 100% on all 5 tests that he took. It was quite an improvement from just 6 weeks ago :) He has also been cleared to drive, which is amazing. I thought you'd all like to know that!!

Love,
Sarah & Brian

Is it really June already?

Hello Family and Friends,

I wanted you all to know that we are doing better than great! I continue to believe that Brian is truely a miracle and I thank God for him every day.

Today is a big day for him, as he is scheduled to take his driving test after therapy. Oh...did I mention that he is down to one day a week for therapy and that either today or next week will be his last day? If I forgot, it's only because I'm so excited to NOT be driving to Denver every week :)

Work has started, slowly. Brian, of course, wants to go full speed ahead, but I do have to reign him in to make sure he doesn't over do it. He's starting to feel like himself again and that has made all the difference.

Rowan is walking! She decided one day about a week and a half ago that she didn't need to hold on to anything anymore and off she went. Now, she doesn't need to pull herself up by grabbing the table or anything. Just gets into a squat and pushes herself up with her strong little legs. She's so much fun at this age and starting to say a lot of words like "baby, uh-oh, hi, fish, turtle (from bath time), hat and hot (which sounds a lot like the same word but this kid loves hats!)."

I am doing great and just happy that my family is whole! Thank you for all your support and love and prayers.

Love,

Sarah Connelly

Home.

We are home...back in Summit County...and very happy! With Brian only having to go to therapy twice a week, we decided to just make the commute instead of staying in Denver the whole time.

I can't thank my brother, Dan and his wife, Shannon, enough. They not only welcomed us into their home, but made us feel loved as well. The article from the Coeur d'Alene Press failed to mention that Dan and Shannon took Rowan (and Aspen) when I had to leave Colorado to be with Brian in Idaho. Luckily, my Mom was also in town (visiting and unrelated to the accident). Rowan had RSV and was on oxygen when this all went down. My Mom extended her stay to help with Rowan, and all of them took such good care of her. I couldn't have done this without them. After a week and half of not having Brian "back" yet, and not being with my daughter, I was having a really tough time. Dan flew Rowan out to Colorado to be with us and from that moment...it seemed like all had fallen into place.

Thank you again for all your love and support. I know I write this every time, but I really mean it!

Love,
Sarah, Brian and Rowan (writing from my own computer in my own home and smiling the whole time)

Therapy News...

On Wednesday, Brian had his first Speech Therapy appointment with CNI. It was just like all the other evaluations and the results are the same...a little work to do on his short-term memory and things like that. We both feel like CNI is a wonderful place and are thankful that our case worker at Spalding thought of it for Brian's out patient therapy....we are pleased.

Yesterday, we had an appointment, again with Speech and then one for Physical Therapy (again another evaluation, since it was the first time they have seen Brian for PT). After his ST, the therapist said that she wanted to work a little more with Brian to get him to where he wants to be with his memory and such. She only needs to see us twice a week for about 4 weeks. This is very manageable for us, and we're happy that he'll see the same person every time...it's important to have that consistency.

For PT, they did the same kinds of "tests" again to see what needs work. As Brian finished completing the tasks, the therapist looked at us and said "there is no need to come to CNI for any more PT or OT and go ahead and get stronger at the rec center! " After we left the office, there were high fives and lots of smiles. Brian is healing and feeling great!

Rowan is waking up...so I have to get going for now. Love to all!

Sarah