Where does the time go?!?!

Getting some rays...with sunscreen, of course =)  !!!

Message from Erik and Dawn:

Wow!  We got so busy with life, we forgot to update the blog.  Sorry and we hope you haven't worried too much.  Analise has been doing great!  Since the removal of her casts in the end of April, she has been wearing her AFO's and KAFO's daily (around 23 hours a day).  She doesn't mind them too much, but obviously loves when they are off.  Her legs look very straight and hopefully she will be on her way to walking soon.  

We will go back to Philadelphia some time in September or October to revisit with the doctors at Shriners Hospital.  There still is no movement in her arms from her triceps down, but she loves to use her triceps, deltoids, pectoral, and trapezius muscles to throw her arms around.  She often wakes us up with a slap to the face with her flailing arms (or head butt) and yelling, and usually from 6 to 7 am, yeah!?!?!

Here is Analise playing with Papa and Mommy in bed.  She must really hate Erik's beard stubble because every time he tries to cuddle with her, she rebuffs him...hilarious!!!

 Love these colorful balls Mommy bought for me!! 

Aunt Carmen and Uncle Robert' cheering me on!!

Analise's personality is really starting to show and she is such a fun, funny, smart, happy baby.  The only time she really cries is when she's hungry (like her papa), knows we are about to relax, or really really tired, but other than that she is always smiling.  

My first time on a swing...this is sooo much fun!!!

We finally got to take her into the pool.  She was a little hesitant, but loves it.  She doesn't say a word the entire time, but likes to kick and stand in the shallow end.  

Having fun with my Papa!!

First time in the pool...LOVE it!!!

Analise with Grandma Annette

With Papa, cousin Bela, and sister Kassandra

Weeeeeeeee!!!!

Since we are teachers and we have the summers off, we have had the last couple of weeks and the rest of the summer to stay with Analise.   And although she misses Auntie Monika and Grandma Annette, she loves spending so much quality time with her parents and siblings and we LOVE it too!!  It will be hard to go back to work in August.

First time at the beach after one of Kassandra's soccer games

That sand feels great on my toes...and no braces too...Those aren't tan lines on my ankles, they are the calluses that I need to build up on my feet/legs for my leg braces!!

And... if you haven't heard yet, Analise will be having another brother or sister in early December. Dawn will be 17 weeks on Monday and the baby will be a little over 5 inches and weigh about 5 ounces (What To Expect When Your'e Expecting).  Many people have been worried for Dawn and the new baby and are wondering if this baby will be affected with arthrogryposis also.  Thank you for your concerns.  Dawn and the baby are doing great.  Through all of the tests and ultrasounds so far, the baby is very healthy and all limbs are moving. 

Analise's new brother or sister...

Amyoplasia form of arthrogryposis is NOT a genetic condition, meaning it was not passed from either one of us or likely anything we did during the pregnancy.  Amyoplasia is a completely random event that happens in very few births (numbers are 1 in 10,000, but we believe it's much less than that considering how few doctors are familiar with the condition) and the cause in UNKNOWN.  In fact, we don't believe there are any cases of this condition running twice in any family.  

But to spread the word about this condition, AMC (Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita), June 30 is designated as AMC Awareness day.  In support of Analise, our family, and all of the other people affected with this condition, please wear blue on June 30.  My mom and step-dad designed some incredible shirts that our family and friends will be wearing on that day and we will be on a mission to spread the word and inform the community about this condition.  

Each year, a conference held to bring AMC parents, AMCers together with doctors who specialize in this condition.  Unfortunately we will not be able to go to the AMC conference this year in Indianapolis, but we will support from California and will definitely try to attend next year.

Analise's siblings are doing great too:

Kassandra received many awards, has straight A's, is being promoted from 6th grade on June 29, and is scoring lots of goals in soccer.  

With sister Kassandra getting her Academic Achievement Award

Kyle is doing great in school also and was just promoted from 8th grade.  He will be a freshman at Centennial High School in August.  YIKES!  He really stepped it up in lacrosse this year and was the leading scorer for his team.  He will be going to a camp next week in Irvine to improve his skills.  And although lacrosse is not a sanctioned sport in the high schools out here yet, he hopes to play in high school or college some day. 

The Persek's at Kyle's Middle School Promotion

With Kassandra, Kaley, Kyle, Grandpa Richard, Abuelita, Mommy, and Daddy at Kyle's middle school promotion

Kaley improved her grades, which we are very happy with and will be entering into her senior year of high school this August.  Are you kidding me?!?  Yeah, I'm thinking it too, wow, Erik and Dawn will have a baby and a high school graduate in the same year.  Kaley is also saving all of her money for a car so she can finally get her license and start driving.  She definitely needs more practice, but her confidence is improving.

With great-grandpa Jim, celebrating his last prostate cancer treatment...YEAHHH!!!