Your Pre-K Debut and the Infamous Scope Debacle

Maliana ~

Hey girly boo! So guess what? You officially started in your Pre-K class this week! You were so stoked and couldn't wait to show me what you'd done on Monday. Evidently Ms. Beth had asked you all to draw pictures of your favorite thing(s). Your drawing was magnificent, full of all kinds of people (and I think a couple dogs). No one can deny you are a people person!

Ms. Beth hung up your picture with your new class.
I love your artistic ability and imagination!

Actually I asked you later and you said that the reddish/yellow person is Daddy (with a mohawk), I am the one with the very high blue hair next to Daddy, you are the little grey person on the lower left (with a yellow mohawk like Daddy), and there are two Abby dogs (the grey critters with 4 legs). Also, a side detail...the black thing in Daddy's hand is because "he's taking out the trash." Ha ha.

We also went to drop off a present to Uncle Blaize since he'll be starting high school this week. As we drove out there, slowly, in traffic, you noticed that up ahead it looked blurry. You initially asked if it was smoke and so I explained exhaust and vapors to you...then you kept observing it and commented that it goes away when we get close. I love how perceptive you are to the world around you. Unfortunately, during this same long drive, as we edged along in a slow line of traffic, you would not allow me to sing with the radio. "Mom. Don't sing." Complete with an eye roll and a shake of your head. C'mon. Are you serious? Well...hate to break it to you kid, but the simple fact of knowing that it bugs you just sealed the deal that you will have many more car rides with me, singing even louder and probably doing a little car dancing if the song is really good. Ha.

Another little gem that you shared with me today was, "Mom. I don't want to get married. And I don't want a belly ring." (When I asked why, you only expounded on that last part because you told me it would hurt). Well, okay then. Duly noted. You then said (in a very nonchalant manner) "I don't want to be like you", to which I replied that that was probably good. It's better to be your OWN person and do the things that you love, not necessarily the things that other people do or want you to do. I know it was a bit of a heavier topic that likely went right over your head (at least in the context that I was thinking about it). But it's good practice for me for when we really do have these types of discussions. And you seemed content with that response. And just for the record, I honestly don't know many women who want to be exactly like their moms. It's better to pick out the positive stuff and leave the stuff that (how shall I say this?) "still needs some work" alone. I'm definitely more excited to see who YOU will be, and NOT how like me you'll be.

Along with your Pre-K debut this week, we also tackled your nasopharyngeal scope at Childrens'. We have been worrying about this for a while, not looking forward to it because I could have predicted (down to the most minute detail) how it would go. You were in a wonderful mood all morning, enjoying a super breakfast with Daddy and I at Gena's. You were even in a silly mood all the way up until they actually came in to do it. Full cooperation mode up until it was go time. And then...it took 4 staff members and me to hold you down, and it still took a long while to get the scope in through your nose and into position in the back of your throat. When we first began you had already made up your mind that A) you were PISSED and B) there would be NO cooperation today. No matter how we attempted to soothe or coax, you were not going to say ANY of the words we needed you to say to get an accurate picture of how you produce the sounds from the inside. When we all finally gave up and decided it just was not going to work, you were covered in sweat, snot, slobber, and tears. Completely exhausted from all of your fighting. You are the most strong-willed girl, even refusing to speak after all was calm again, and instead gesturing and doing sign language until we left the office. We decided to try a less invasive procedure next time (I think the staff realized that you were likely to never be "on board" with trying these shenanigans again). The new attempt is nicknamed a "fluoro" and basically is an X-ray version to get this same information. Here's crossing all of my fingers and toes that it will go smoother.

As hard as it was, something that made everything all that much easier for each of us was having your Audrey Ayi there too. You know, she has attended all of your major (and even some minor) appointments here at the hospital. She loves you so much, you really have no idea. Knowing how much you love Legos and Iron Man, she even stopped and thoughtfully got you some gifts for today to help you feel better and take your mind off of what was coming/what had happened. We cracked up when you opened your monkey from Build A Bear, dressed in an Iron Man costume...then she also had Star Wars and Iron Man Legos for you which she presented after your scope, during our celebratory lunch at Spaghetti Warehouse. You loved it all, but not nearly as much as you (and all of us) love our Audrey Ayi. In fact, Daddy just mentioned the other day how much he likes it when he comes home and sees Audrey's car in front of the house. We are very very fortunate to have her in all of our lives, but I feel even more blessed that this precious friend (who has been in my life since childhood) is now in your childhood as well. Really good friends, true friends, can be hard to find, so when you get lucky enough and one stumbles into your life Mali, don't ever let them go.

loving your Iron Man Monkey!

thank you Audrey Ayi!

monkey rides!

your shirt was so slobbery and soaked when we left
the hospital, they gave you a gown to wear home,
which you kept on throughout lunch (along with your hospital
bracelet) and ended up with the result of looking
like an escaped mental patient. ha ha!

so we all had to join in the fun and try our best to look
like escaped mental patients (I think we succeeded!)





Back to work and school on Wednesday. Went well all around, you were so excited to show me what you'd done that day when I picked you up. Then home where you played outside with the neighbors. It was a beautiful night and our next door neighbors were kind enough to include you in their picnic dinner. You kids are too cute when you get together.

let's have a picnic!

A very sweet neighborhood boy who has always taken a liking to you also dropped by. Devrick is in the 6th grade now and he just continues to impress me every year with what a nice young man he is turning out to be. You know, he's one of those kids who, (even if he's with his friends), is never too "cool" to be respectful, say hi or stop and talk to the little kids or the grown ups. Ever since you came home 3 years ago, he has always gone out of his way to say a special hi to you, give you "knuckles", or just stop and play. Tonight he stopped and talked to Brittany and me while you, Brooklyn, and Brayson played. He gave us a little insight as to what it's like in middle school these days (yikes!), but one bright spot I found is that they are now offering Chinese as a foreign language option. Back when I was in school it was mainly French, Spanish, and maybe German once you got to high school. Devrick is actually taking Chinese this year! That is so cool!

So, Friday we kicked off our weekend with a great speech session where Ms. Christina surprised you with an Iron Man mask to play with as long as you work hard. Perfect! Very thoughtful of her!

Then we immediately went to meet Pam (a good high school friend of mine) and her little boy Jack at the park and had a great time. At the playground, you and Jack were constantly racing around in two different directions nearly the whole time (keeping us moms on our toes) but then as we headed to dinner at Carsonie's where Jack's dad Brian met us, and then later as we went to get frozen yogurt at Josie's, you and Jack became like two peas in a pod. You two are so silly! If I learned one thing this afternoon, it was that we definitely all need to spend more time together!

being silly

playing pizza shop

 

more silly

racing!

frisking???

 

looks like Jack is amused by your Iron Man impression

taking a breather

hugs goodbye ~ Jack is such a lover

Saturday morning I was privileged enough to wake up to your arms draped all over me, or big (sometimes slightly painful) snuggles as you changed position and tried to get even closer to me in the wee hours before waking up. Love that more than you know.

Then off to the Children's Hospital Cleft Lip and Palate Support Group picnic at Jeffrey Mansion in Bexley. It was gorgeous weather and a super turnout. It's always so nice to meet more and more families with such great kids.

the picnic...

frisbee!

chalk drawing with new friends...
the woman in the jean skirt and white shirt is Dr. Baylis,
the doctor who attempted your scope this week.
thankfully, you harbored no hard feelings towards
her as all was forgiven by the picnic

mini-Picasso

playing with your friend Lainey, Ms. Christina's daughter

all of you kids did a fabulous job with the chalk...
gorgeous!

Quick nap at home and then you, Lao Lao and I headed to Sunbury/Galena for their Sizzle and Sounds/Summerfest. Everyone was packing up shop by the time we made it down there, but the big hit of the evening was dancing to the live bands and riding the trolley!

dancing!

those headlights are the trolley coming!

hanging off the back of the trolley...woo hoo!!

Sunday morning found you having breakfast at Bob Evans with, you guessed it, Memaw and Papaw. A quick trip to the grocery store with Dad, then home for relaxation, a sad attempt at a nap (you were not having any of it), and finally dinner with our favorite Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina. It was Aunt Tina's birthday this week, yet she still insisted on having us over for dinner. The ultimate giver she is. It was a nice time and a great reminder of how wonderful they are with you. Both of them have a magic touch when it comes to you, a talent that Daddy and I feel is slipping through our fingers these days as you get older and are becoming more comfortable with asserting yourself and using your voice. Uncle Joe really shined at dinner as he got you to eat not only a few bites but ALL of your green beans by his little game of "I'm going to close my eyes while you eat something. Then I have to guess what it was!" Here's a little photo of Joe working his magic...

like a charm, baby

And Uncle Joe's magic doesn't just work on you either, it extends to Daddy as well. Lately, Daddy has been going through some tough times with lots of grown up worries. It's been pretty hard, but I genuinely feel that everything will work out, so no need to worry. However, while at their house Joe could sense Daddy needed to talk and so Uncle Joe and Daddy ran to the store for a bit before dinner. It really helped. There's nothing like talking to an old friend who truly understands you. I think I mentioned how lucky we all are when we find really good friends in our lives, and how we should be sure to hang on to them no matter what. Well, Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina are two more of these friends. It's like good medicine whenever we can spend time with them. Not only are Daddy and I blessed to know them, but you are as well. On the way home from their house tonight, I reflected on how fortunate I feel that you can be growing up with so many well-rounded, sincere, giving, genuine, loving, courageous, hilarious, fair and open-minded people in your life too. Life really is good.

Love,
Mama