November 20, 2006

Time really does fly it seems! We have continued to be busy at home and that seems to mean that I am just not posting as often. Last week Leah went to see Dr. Sims for a cold/sinus infection that has been hanging on. She had a cold on November 6 (and a few days prior to that) when her port was removed, but she was still having her eyes paste shut each night and lots of green snot, so on the 15th I decided to take her in. He gave her some Zithromax and after about 48 hours she seemed to be as good as new. Her appointment on Wednesday was just one week short of a year ago that we visited Dr. Sims and he felt her stomach. We even had the same exam room which I realized after they showed us in. I am not really superstitious, but I just did not like it at all. Dr. Sims felt her stomach and told her how good she looked. He, too, has a scar from an open heart surgery he had as a child. He told her they could compare scars except he would have to remove his shirt to do so. Needless to say, we did not see his scar.

The girls had dance class on Tuesday night and then we ate at Pizza Hut afterwards with Heather and Lis. It definitely beats cooking on Tuesdays since we don't get home til almost seven.

Chloe now seems to have picked up some stomach bug. After church yesterday she managed to change her clothes and then vomited in the living room--most of it she was able to catch in her Dora purse- much to her chagrin. She could have cared less about the carpet, the purse was pretty important, though. Aside from throwing up she appeared fine-not a big appetite, but otherwise ran around and played. I am hoping the other two girlies can avoid germs if possible.

We watched Garfield a Tail of Two Kitties last night at home. We had seen it in the theater, so with the knowledge of what was to come, Leah laughed hysterically at several parts. I also managed to cook- something I rarely did for a long time- and we had a "family supper" as the girls call them. They love it when we eat together and request that we do it if at all possible. Between dance class and Chris' work schedule it seems like it does not happen often enough.

Leah and I are still working our way through the Junie B. Jones series. There are so many books out there I want to read her, but she thinks we need to read all of these first. ARGH! We have also played several games of Sight Word Bingo. She is getting to be able to read a lot of words---more than I thought she knew, anyway. On Saturday night she read Reeve some books, and then Bernie, too. Reeve has been smiling a lot-especially for Chris and Leah. If she even hears their voices she usually gets a big smile on her face. Chloe is just not as interested in her right now as Leah is, and she also spends all day with her at daycare, so the thrill of having her around is not as great. Leah misses both of her sisters during the day and usually cannot wait to get home to see them.

Other than that, time is marching on. I will admit that in some ways I am looking forward to the holidays this year because they are more hopeful than last, but in others, they are serving as a reminder of how we spent the end of 2005. Leah's next check-up in Iowa City is on November 30 when they will check her AFP. Please pray for good news --very low AFP number and the rest of her blood work to be normal as well. This will be the first time that Leah will have her blood drawn without her port. After all the poking and prodding this girl has been through I don't think it will be very traumatic at all. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated as we continue to ask God for Leah's complete healing here on earth.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!