Since I haven't done a post in over a month, here is what we have been up to:
Easter was a busy day, egg hunt at Mammie & Dia's, early dinner at Aunt Heather's and then dinner at our house! Yes that's right - we had a house full of people! And thank's to my mom and Aunt for getting all the food ready and holding down the fort while we were gone!
Gavin and I went to story time at the library all April and most of May! He had so much fun with the other kids! The next session starts in a few weeks - can't wait to sign up again!
Ali and Gavin have also planted their annual pot of sunflowers with Mammie! They had so much fun! Gavin was even pushing the seeds into the soil, but when it came to the watering can he was watering himself not the seeds! The pots are outside Ali's window so we can watch them grow.
Ali has had a few doctor appointment and lots of blood draws over the past month or two. All the doctors are happy with Ali's progress! We were also able to take Ali off her thyroid med, a heart med, and finished her Ativan wean. WooHoo! 3 meds down and lots to go! Ali also had her first dentist appointment in May. She did a lot better than I had expected and the doctor said she did very well. Ali has all her teeth and no cavities!
We have also been dealing with rash on Ali's face and forearms. We went to the dermatologist and he gave us 2 creams and a wash. It has been a week and her face looks great!
Ali has also been getting ready for preschool this past month. She had 2 assessments and Shawn and I just went to her IEP meeting. We now have a plan for Ali and hope that the doctor's will let her attend school in the fall - otherwise a teacher will come to the house. I can't believe my little girl is going to school in the fall!
In the beginning of May we went to Preston's Hope playground on the east side with Mammie & Dia. This playground was made so that kids with and without disability could play side by side! Ali and Gavin had lots of fun!
Gavin turned 18 months on My 20th. He is such a big boy and a big helper! Ali just lights up when she sees him - they have so much fun playing together! Gavin is a 'monkey see monkey do', something I didn't really worry about with Ali. I really have to watch what I say and do because he tries to imitate everything!
Ali went out for a haircut last tursday at Roseann's shop! A cute summer bob! Ali is so girlie! Of course Rosa used the hair dryer, a round brush and styling products! That is not going to happen at home! Gavin is due to get his curl cut off, maybe sometime this month!
We have also had some visitors! Grandpa, Pam & John Maidens, Scott and Ashley Maidens, Cousin Charmaine from CA, Megan from the PICU, Cat from the PICU, and we are still waiting for Liz from the PICU (Liz if you are reading this start driving out here and visit Ali!) Still waiting to see everyone! Please call or email - Ali would love to see everyone!
So that's what been going on for the last month and a half. In June Ali is going to have surgery to put tubes in her ears. This actually was planned for last summer but she was not healthy to have the surgery then. Ali will have to be in the hospital for a few days because she is on Coumidan, a blood thiner, and the doctors want to monitor her after surgery. The surgery is scheduled for Monday June 8th. I will keep you updated.
Also in June, Gavin is going to take swim lessons. Well it is actually just a parent/tot swin class to introduce the kids to the water. I hope he likes swimming!
I almost forgot...Ali has been working on lowering her vent settings and part of that has been putting in the Passy Muir valve (speaking valve). It takes her a while to warm up and know that she can make a noise, so she is not doing a lot of talking yet. But the other day I had my nephew over and he was running around and jumping and making Ali laugh so I put in the Passy Muir valve and was able to hear her laughing. I hope you enjoy hearing her sweet voice. (Don't forget to pause the music player on the right of the page.)
