Archive for May, 2010

One Year Anniversary!

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

It’s hard to believe that exactly one year ago today, Alexandra had her third surgery.  It’s harder still to believe how far we’ve all come!  On that day, I never expected the month of Hell we were to endure following that surgery.  I went into it thinking she had sailed so easily through the first two, that this one would be easy.  Now, I must admit, we were warned that we could be there up to three or four weeks, but nothing could have prepared us for the roller coaster ride we were on for that month.  While this was technically the easiest of the three surgeries, it is the hardest in so many other ways.  First of all, at 2 ½, children are much more aware of what is going on around them and are much more vocal about it than when they are little babies when the first two are performed.  This surgery also has a huge impact on pressures which ultimately made the next month so miserable, as they needed to keep draining fluid off her lungs and from around her heart.

To see her today, however, you would never know she has any health issue.  I can’t imagine her being any more active than she is, or she would really be wearing Mommy and Daddy out!  She loves to sing and dance and is so dramatic at times that we tease her about being our little actress!  She’s also quite the storyteller, and sometimes we need to go through a series of questions to determine if it was something that actually happened or if she is making it up!  Nine times out of ten, she’s making up at least part of the story!

She continues to be a great joy to us as well as to our family and friends, and we truly feel blessed to have her in our lives!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Being a Mom exposes you to the greatest extremes of emotions.  This last week, it seems we ran the whole gamut.  Last weekend was the last weekend before election day for my husband’s re-election campaign, so we spent it knocking on doors, distributing his literature.  Naturally, Alexandra was not happy we were leaving her at home so much and, even though she loves those we have watching her, she screamed and cried and hung onto my legs every time I tried to leave.  As I’m sure all other Moms know, this just breaks your heart.  Of course, you also know they will be just fine as soon as you leave, but trying to pry yourself away from them is very upsetting!

 

Tuesday was election day, and there was a party that evening to wait for the results.  Much to our surprise, she went right over to a little girl about twice her age, and they began to run all over the place hand-in-hand.  Other little girls joined in, and Alexandra had a blast running all around not even caring where Mommy and Daddy were.  When all the winning candidates (my husband included!) got on stage to say a few words, all the little girls sat right in front of the stage.  Our Alexandra then started bossing all the other girls around telling them to lay down on the floor.  When one would sit back up, she would tell them to lay back down again.  They were all giggling the whole time.  While I was a little embarrassed by the display, I also felt a bit of pride that my little 3 ½ year old had such confidence!  When I talked to someone later, I confessed how I had been embarrassed by the fact she was being so bossy.  However, she told me not to worry and that it was better to raise a leader than a follower.  I truly appreciated those words and, after I thought about it for a while, had to agree.  While her antics may be a little embarrassing now, I know she will make us proud with her confidence and persistence in the future.

 

Unfortunately, Friday she got very sick with a stomach bug.  Surgeries aside, this was the sickest I think I’ve ever seen her.  You hate to see your children sick and wish you could just make it all better.  However, I must admit that I didn’t mind the extra snuggles and quiet time we’ve enjoyed over the last couple of days. 

 

I hope all you Moms have had a wonderful Mother’s Day!