Pre-Surgery Week...Thank God for Friends!

Maliana ~

This week has been overwhelming for me as far as my nervousness over your upcoming pharyngeal flap surgery. I've tried (and feel fairly confident I've succeeded) in putting on a brave face for you and reassuring you as best I know how. Heck, when Audrey Ayi came over one night, you greeted her in the yard with fist pumps and yelling, "I'm having surgery!" Then another moment after your dance class on Saturday, you asked Mia, "Hey, wanna come to my surgery?" While there is some intermittent trepidation on your part, it appears to be brief. Thank goodness. One quiet moment as we layed in bed and I stroked your hair, you asked what it would feel like, meaning the actual surgery (not necessarily the recovery). So I explained the entire process once again, the hospital trip, the anesthesia, and then the recovery. You fell asleep as I stroked your head. Nothing can take away all of your wonder or concern, but what Daddy and I have been telling you and what I said again that night has seemed to appease you.

I do have to say that for myself, the one thing that stands out in my mind as I write this is an overwhelming sense of abundance and gratitude for all of the wonderful friends and family in our life. So many people have called and texted or emailed to provide words of reassurance, encouragement, support, wisdom, or just to be a listening ear for my insane and at times irrational waves of anxiety. It's been a huge blessing to realize how many people care and are willing to step up and show their support. For a girl like me who is used to doing things for herself, it's felt foreign and amazing all at the same time. So thankful.

Audrey Ayi has stopped by a few times this week with various gifts for you...a beautiful tin full of art supplies and little trinkets (your absolute favorite being a Chinese brocade coin purse that you have filled with miniature puzzle erasers and carry around with you everywhere - boy does Audrey have your number when it comes to gifts!) Then the night before surgery she stopped by again with a Cars coloring book/crayon set and a super-hero "ugly doll" (it's so cute!) since you are going to be so brave like a super-hero for your surgery (very clever!) You were very appreciative of all these gifts and at one point, as we talked about all of the thoughtful things Audrey Ayi has done, you remarked to me "Audrey is so nice." Yes Mali, she is. In more ways than you can imagine.

On Friday I decided to surprise you by going in to work late so I could make you breakfast and take you to school, letting Daddy get to work earlier. You were so thrilled at the change of routine and having more time to spend together. After work, I had to take you back to my office briefly to finish something I had forgotten and you were so stoked. You would have thought you won the lottery. You liked seeing my desk, picking out some ice cream in the cafeteria, and meeting some of my coworkers that were still there on a Friday afternoon. As we walked out to my car you exclaimed, "That was fun!" Ah, the thrill of being a kid. I definitely could benefit from some of that enthusiasm on Monday mornings!

The above picture we sent to Aunt Tina on Friday morning as she waited for Uncle Joe at the hospital. She was worried and we were trying to make her smile. Uncle Joe is now fine, got his ticker all fixed up. I sure hope that this is the last of the scares that Aunt Tina and Uncle Joe must endure for a long, long time. They are such great people to have to deal with so much heartache.

Aside from my own crazy roller coaster of anxiety this week, it was business as usual for your silliness. For example, take one night at bedtime when you told me (with a smirk)..."Mom! Get your ass in here!" when I was taking too long in the kitchen before reading books with you. (Oops...guess we need to be more aware of the language to which you're exposed!)

Then, I must say that I love some of the things you are saying lately...like when we are reading about your latest obsession (dinosaurs) and you say..."Oh! I know all about (fill in the blank with some random and huge dinosaur name)!" and then proceed to tell us all about it. You also say things with the funniest inflections, such as when you came in from helping Daddy take down Christmas lights outside and as you came up the stairs you said, "Hellooooo Mooommmmyyy-ahhh!" in a sing-songy voice. I love hearing that...your quirks are the best.

You also were really digging "Daddy time" after a nap the other day, telling me, "Can I stay in bed for a little bit?" so you could just hang out, play silly imaginary games with your little puzzle erasers (that also took a nap with you), and just soak in your time with Daddy. I love it when that happens.

Also, this week you made the connection that your Official Spy Kit voice changer looks just like my blow dryer with diffuser, and therefore found a new place to store it. Yeah, I guess that works for me. I just hope that on those really early mornings (before I've had my coffee) that I don't freak out because my blow dryer has shrunk and stopped working. Ha.

Saturday night we attempted to get back to a sense of normalcy with some of our favorite peeps, Uncle Joe and Aunt Tina, as well as Memaw and Papaw. We all met at Billy Lee's for dinner and had some laughs and a good meal. Annie (Lee) even gave you a beautiful crystal with a 3D carving in the middle of a globe and two dolphins jumping over it. She said the dolphins were good luck, and she was giving it to you for your surgery. So incredibly sweet.

happy with your Aunt Tina and Uncle Joe

On Sunday, we met the Neuhausels for lunch at Thurman's Cafe in German Village. We had a terrific time with them and you girls were in rare form. I love how laid back, sincere and sweet this entire family is...they are all so fun to be around and we are so lucky we met them. Mia even brought you a gift of things she had been saving for you and Michelle had thrown in a Superman t-shirt for you. So thoughtful of them! You will definitely be wearing that shirt to the hospital on Monday, to remind us all of your strength.

yes...that is an umbrella in the middle of Thurman's, crazy girls

happy smiley faces

 

little brother Freddy

you two are beyond cute

So, once again for the week...I just want to give a huge shout out to all of the family and friends that have been so full of love and support for us this week. As I said before, I've always been the kind of girl to "got it solo" and do it all by myself, trying to never reach out or ask for help. Let me tell you, that's exhausting! What I have learned (especially this week) is that there is no shame in reaching out and asking for a little help from time to time. You'll probably be floored by the amount of people that come out of the woodwork to show a little love when you need it.

Love,
Mama