September 25, 2006

Another week has elapsed. That means we are just four days away from our Iowa City trip. Leah is going to have her CT without sedation this time---that means she will do the barium drink on her own instead of being intubated after she is anesthetized. This also means they may put an arterial IV in for contrast while she is conscious as well. The recovery time will be soooo much better than when anesthesia is used, but I am not looking forward to any of this. And, of course we will have the dreaded AFP taken as well. So, say big prayers for some good news-- a clear CT scan and very low AFP number.

We leave for Florida just the day after our I.C. trip. Make a Wish has a hotel room reserved for us in Cedar Rapids on Saturday night since our flight leaves on Sunday A.M. at 6:23. We have a layover in Detroit (Leah thinks we may run into Tim the Toolman Taylor from Home Improvement since he lives there) and then on to Orlando. Last night our Make A Wish sponsors dropped off a packet of stuff. The girls have been excited and I am starting to get a bit excited, too. I am not very happy to leave Reeve, but she will not know the difference, and this trip is definitely something Leah deserves---although after what she has had to endure I don't think there is any way to make that up to her.

Our week consisted of dance lessons and a trip to Pizza Hut, taking a tour around Wartburg wtih Lis, playing with Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Daryl, getting to see Drea, and a visit to Kids Kingdom with Grandma Karen and Grandpa Arlyn. School is taking up a lot of Leah's time-she is just not used to that yet. She likes it when she is there, but she also enjoys being home-probably more than she would normally because I am still at home all day. The tears in the mornings have ended, thankfully, but we are still struggling to get ready in a timely manner-if that is possible. I hate being frustrated each day, but if it isn't Leah procrastinating, then it is Chloe. I remember my mom starting off the year letting us ride with her in the car, and quickly -after we made her late and had our usual fights- we ended up riding the bus to school the rest of the year so we did not get her day off to a bad start. I can certainly identify with that now.

We continue to enjoy wonderful fall days and being able to be at home together. Leah's hair is growing quickly now-it is coming in quite thick! We are trying to convince her that we could use some gel, but she is not in for that, yet. So, some days her hair looks better than others. We smile at every bad hair day-grateful that she is growing some back and hoping for a day of barrettes and pony tails again.

Please continue to keep her in your prayers-especially this week as our Iowa City check-up is certainly in the back of all of our minds. Leah also wants to blog a message for you--so I am turning over the keyboard to her:

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