Miss Leila turns 3

Seriously? It's already been three years? I am utterly in shock and am in complete denial that I now have to refer to her as my 3-year old.

She is obsessed with princesses, Gummi Bears (the cartoon from our childhood), tormenting her brother, and finding her own way to do anything. It is always best to let her figure it out on her own, and forget trying to do something for her if she has her mind set on a particular path to get there. From the presentation of food on her plate (left big or cut up... separated or mixed...) to which nightgown she'll give the honor to wear at night, this girl is a mover and a shaker.

I imagine we'll find her leading walk outs at school when the students feel justice needs to be served. I have a feeling she'll be the girl in the back row not paying attention because she'll be sure to 'know more than the teacher.' And, at the same time, I am positive that she will bring home every stray cat and beg to keep each and every one of them because someone just has to take care of them/him/her. She will fight fights in the best of way and she will be full of drama as she strives for the independence of a 23-year old well before she turns 23.

I don't think I have ever witnessed such determination and strong will... I think I have realized what I've put my own parents through, however. My dad chuckles often at Leila's spitfire attitude and mumbles, "just like your mother!" If she's a mini-me, I will try my hardest not to tell her as I will know how important her anonymitiy and unique identity and personality will be to this young lady.

When we send her off to pre-school in the fall, I fully expect her to grow even more and become a lucky teacher's cutey pa-tootie who's going to take off like a rocket and not stop for a minute (unless it's to eat candy).

Love you little Leila

Coming around the turn

We have spent the last month and a half scurrying all over the place--whether from room to room or doctor's appointment to doctor's appointment-- to get our kids back to good health. Both surgeries went well, but the recovery was more than I had anticipated times ten. Within 30 minutes of getting home with Leila after her surgery, Children's Hospital called to re-schedule Gage's surgery. At the time, I was so frustrated because the re-schedule date would mean he would miss school. It also meant that as soon as I got one child healthy, I would have to start all over with the next. This is a taxing position to be in--mentally and physically-- and my bum ankle doesn't help matters much. But, we had no choice.

Later, the re-schedule proved to be a blessing in disguise. Although Gage missed school almost the entire month of January, we ran into some recovery set backs with him and then the entire household caught a stomach flu that would not find her way to the door! We cleaned and ran the washing machine around the clock, it seemed.

In the end, we found out that Leila also has a milk allergy-- go figure... read any of my blog posts from when she was an infant and it only makes sense. Gage's scope also showed us that his esophogitis is in need of treatments again and the damage assessed at this point was, thankfully, within the restraints necessary to allow him to keep wheat in his diet for the time. That is an answer to a desperate prayer-- especially because the only way I know to put back on the six pounds he lost is to carb him up as often as possible.

I hope we're seeing the end of the winter bugs for awhile. With everyone back in school and Leila chomping at the bit to get to go to school, I'd like to be able to enjoy life a little bit.... just in time for my surgery in March. oy vey!