August 16, 2006

Leah's birthday was yesterday....I meant to post pictures, but our computer is not cooperating today. We had a good and busy day. As soon as I mentioned the word "present" to her she was up and out of bed and down the stairs. So, she managed to open all of her gifts that were arranged inside and then I mentioned there was something outside waiting for her. Chris had stayed up to put together a trike for her- one just like Chloe's. Even though she has a bike that she rides she still likes to ride with Chloe and this should eliminate the big fights over who gets the one trike. It was fun to see the surprise on her face when she saw both trikes lined up and realized there was one for her. During the morning we went to daycare to bring treats for the kids and did some playing outside. We also managed to get to the drug store and get some photographs ordered. The people there sang to Leah for her big day.

We did take a nap because we went to Chuck E. Cheese for supper and then goofy golfing. Leah was quite hyper for Chuck E. Cheese. We have not been there in so long and she loved it. Chloe also enjoyed it-especially the Teletubbies ride. Goofy golfing was a new experience for the girls-both thought it was fun, even though 9 holes would have been sufficient. We were so tired when we got home that both girls said we could skip reading before bedtime--that rarely happens!

Today we slept in a bit later and then had lunch at Olive Garden with my co-op from last year at Irving. After coming home we went up to the school so we could meet Leah's new teachers at Discoveries. I cannot believe we start school on Monday! Leah is ready to be a normal kid again---and we pray every day that this will happen for her.

Tonight we have swimming lessons, and then early tomorrow we head to Iowa City. It will be a long day because we have an appointment with Dr. Rahdi at 9 and then an echocardiogram at 1:30. So, a lot of waiting around. Please, please pray for a very low AFP number. It has been good to be busy this week even though this trip is always in the back of our minds.

Leah's birthday was a great celebration for us. From the day of diagnosis we were never sure we would get to see Birthday #5. It is hard to remember how easy and worry-free our lives were last year at this time. Now we cannot take a single day for granted. We continue to pray that Leah has many, many more birthdays that we can celebrate with her and that we can put the seven months of treatment behind us eventually.

Please continue to hold Leah in your thoughts and prayers- that she may have a happy and healthy and NORMAL five year old year--and that we may receive good news in Iowa City tomorrow at her check-up.

I will post some birthday pictures soon as well!