Recent Blessings

Kyleigh has really taken off lately in her growth. She is trying so many new things. She has started standing from a complete seated position in the middle of the floor. She is trying to eat chunks of food (small chunks). She is self feeding some. She is gaining more and more sounds. Her favorite and mine right now is "yehp". So cute when you ask her a question and she says it to indicate her approval. She is getting another tooth. She is gaining weight still. Amazing to see the difference in this little girl in comparison to where we stood just a few months ago much less one year ago.

Kaitlyn is growing so much too. She is funny with her antics. Today Kyleigh started crying because I told her no and Kaitlyn parroted, "I'm sorry you are a big girl now and you don't always get what you want to get" "sorry" "ok" "don't cry" "no-no cry baby". Oh my goodness...so funny!

Kaitlyn has developed a sense of her surroundings as well. She knows that my grandfather is near death and she wanted so badly to go see him the other night. She started to cry because she said she wanted to tell him goodnight before he went to the sky (this is what she calls heaven). She had so many questions and I was honest and tried to be as gentle as possible so not to set fear into her that some one just comes down and takes your spirit and you die.

We went to visit my papaw with both girls and they were so happy to see him. He was all smiles when they entered the room. He kissed on Kyleigh and even tried to tickle Kaitlyn. Such sweet moments. Kaitlyn played her violin for him and sang one of her songs. She told him she was praying for him and Granny (that is what she calls my mamaw).

In addition to these blessings, today our nutritionists stops by and brings us not 1, not 2 but SEVEN cans of formula for free. They were from another family she services that also attend Gateway and their child couldn't use the formula anymore. WOW! Really?!! Free stuff? Awesome! That is almost 2 months of bottles right there and such an amazing gift.

Speaking of bottles, we are going to start offering Kyleigh milk in her sippy cup just once a day to get her use to taking it from a cup and weaning from the bottle. However, it is important she still keeps up her nutritional intake from the bottle so she will continue getting bottles of formula for now.

We are frustrated with some of her recent changes but at the same time celebrate the normalcy of them. She is a typical 18 month old when it comes to her clingyness to mommy and daddy. If we are present in the room then she is going to be on us, near us, and engaged with us. If we are out of sight then it is out of mind for the time being. She understands "no" and despises it. Again- normal. So thankful for the normals in her life.

From Heaven...

Taken from a conversation between God and his angels -- author unknown--

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'". She will never consider a "step" ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side"

All I can say is .. "wow". If this is true, then I am humbled. I do take joy in the ordinary "first sounds", "first word", "first bite of food", etc. Everyday I hold my breath waiting on more miracles for both of my girls. Wow...I sit here amazed and how his came right on time.

So much changing...

Kyleigh is just making drastic changes lately. She is really working hard to stand up unassisted. She is interested in what others are eating. She finger feeds more and accepts more "table" food in small bites at a time. She is talking more and making more sounds. She is cutting more teeth. Every single day brings about a new change for her. It is amazing to watch her grow.

Kaitlyn is becoming more and more the big sister. She really enjoys having 1-1 time with mommy or daddy. She likes playing with Kyleigh even when her sister seems to want to be left alone at times. She is learning to swim and doing well with getting in the water without tears the entire time.

Dennis is working hard still despite it being "summer" vacation. He has begun his study for a doctorate of education. It requires so much reading and writing that almost every free moment he has his IPad in his hands.

I am still in the graduate classes for the GCS Math Cohort and UNC system program. It requires me to take a few Saturday courses and two classes in July during the week. I am hoping not to have it totally ruin my summer.

I am looking forward to spending time by the pool with my girls on a daily basis, preparing Kaitlyn for Kindergarten, and working through Kyleigh's goals in therapy. Notice I didn't say I'm looking forward to housework, that hasn't changed a bit. I wish there was a house fairy that came through at night while I slept to do dishes, laundry, dusting, mopping, vacuuming, bathrooms, etc. Oh well, at least I can make a schedule and maybe stick to it for the next several weeks.

This poem speaks volumes to my heart.....

HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD

A meeting was held quite far from Earth! 

It's time again for another birth. 

Said the Angels to the LORD above,

This Special Child will need much love.  

Her progress may be very slow, 

Accomplishments she may not show. 

And she'll require extra care 

From the folks she meets down there.  

She may not run or laugh or play, 

Her thoughts may seem quite far away, 

In many ways she won't adapt, 

And she'll be known as handicapped.  

So let's be careful where she's sent,

 We want her life to be content. 

Please LORD, find the parents who Will do 

a special job for you.   

They will not realize right away 

The leading role they're asked to play, 

But with this child sent from above 

Comes stronger faith and richer love.   

And soon they'll know the privilege given

 In caring for their gift from Heaven. 

Their precious charge, so meek and mild, 

Is HEAVEN'S VERY SPECIAL CHILD.     

by Edna Massionilla (adapted for girl version) 

Update on Girls

Kyleigh's eye color has resumed back to a normal whiteness. Her pressure is at a "6" which is appropriate for her. The retina is good so they aren't concerned with the pressure being too low at this point. She returns in one month for a follow-up appointment. The white goop that has been coming from her eye may be stitches dissolving from the surgical site.

Kaitlyn graduated pre-K on Friday. She entered pre-K at the 15th percentile and graduated at 93rd percentile. I am so proud of her. She has recently experienced several meltdowns that resemble behaviors we dealt with when she was much younger. We are currently evaluating the circumstances and trying to figure out what could be happening. I only hope it is short lived and she will return to being our big girl soon.

In less than a week it will be summer vacation. We got a taste of it by visiting the pool this past weekend. The girls loved it. Kyleigh thinks the toddler pool is just a big bath tub with water fountains and toys. She had a blast. In the big pool she fought to get out of my arms. Kaitlyn did great in the big pool this time just wearing her vest and swimming while I held onto Kyleigh-much different from last year. Kaitlyn begins swim lessons next Monday and I can only pray she responds well to the instructors and volunteers without having a total meltdown. One of her best little friends will be in the swim class with her so it should be fine. So glad it is summer!

Turn me Around

Kyleigh has been hanging on to her slow weight gain and not getting close enough to 20 lbs. I have been a stickler with the 20 lb rule for turning her car seat around to face forward. Although many have told me it is 20 lb or 1 year I have always thought 1 year and 20lbs was safer. I was just so afraid that if I turn her seat too soon and then there was an accident that caused her injury I would blame myself because she didn't weigh enough to turn around. But recently, my very sweet girl that doesn't usually mind the car has started her toddler defiance of bucking when getting into her seat. Her legs were always folded up into her chest and she just looked so uncomfortable. Not sure where the long legs come from because it sure isn't from me :) Anyways, I gave in and turned her Britax Convertible seat around yesterday and she loves it. She is all smiles once again in the car. She claps along with music, plays with her toys and just smiles. I love it and she does too! Hopefully we can get her weighed this week and find that she is so close to 20 lbs that it doesn't matter. I never thought I would still have a 17 month old rear-facing in the car. She will always be my little petite, unless like her mom she hits puberty and gets the hips and butt from out of the clear blue sky.