Week of Thanks - Day Five

I am thankful for living in this country of ours.  The news is full of Americans angry at the government or other institutions, but they aren't repressed or thrown in jail or shushed out of the media's glaring eye.  They can protest freely and say or do (within reason) what they want.  Our children can go to the school of our choosing, faith in religion can be picked as freely as a new outfit at a store, and we have a military ready and willing to defend us if need be.  I'm over simplifying it here but I do believe we live in a great country and I am proud to be an American.

I am thankful to the military families that have been or will be separated over the holidays to keep us safe or worse to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for the rest of us to keep our rights intact.  Thank you, your sacrifices are not lost on me.

Week of Thanks - Day Four

I am grateful for the Grandmas.  Between Grandma and Nonna; they watch Olivia Monday-Friday typically trying to accommodate Mommy and Daddy's busy work schedules and make sure Liv's covered so we can get things done at the office.  We never have to worry about the sitter needing to rush off somewhere, or whether or not they understand the sort of concerns we may have about Olivia's health.  I don't feel a sense of urgency while I'm away from her to call and check in or make sure that they're respecting our wishes and taking care of her the way we would because the Grandmas just get it.  They love her like we do and although slightly spoil or indulge things that maybe we wouldn't; Liv's no worse off.  I know that not every family has a support system like ours, and I couldn't be more appreciative.

Week of Thanks - Day Three

Ooops, I had this written yesterday and then forgot to post - my bad

I am thankful for my job.  For the frustration, for the good, the bad and the ugly.  I love what I do and most of the people I work with (surely everyone who reads this-haha).  It has its challenges but overall the good outweighs the bad and I walk away feeling good.  Not to mention everyone has taken an interest in Olivia and how she's progressing.  You can't help but feel good about that.

Week of Thanks - Day Two

Any sleep deprived parent/person will agree with me on this one...

Today I am most thankful for a warm cup of coffee in the morning and for last night's full night of sound sleep.  Not only does a good cup of java get me going in the morning but it's also just so cozy and comforting-definitely reminding me of when I was little and I would smell the parental's coffee aroma making its way up to my room on weekends. Neither of these are substantial needs, but they're little things that make a big difference in my day.

Week of Thanks - Day 1

I cannot believe we're only one week out until Thanksgiving!!! In keeping with the tradition I started last year, I'm going to post daily about the things of which I'm most grateful for this year.

Today and every day I am thankful for having a roof over my head, being able to put food on the table and provide Olivia with all of her needs and wants (within reason).

 It's no shock that many families that have someone with a serious medical issue struggle to make ends meet financially and it adds additional stress to an already stressful situation. Each night I'm thankful for making it through another day without having to wonder what corners need to be cut to pay this bill or that bill.

See you tomorrow!

For the Love of Chocolate Milk

Yesterday was Synagis Day 1 for this year.  Nonna was concerned that Miss Liv woke up on the wrong side of the crib after her nap and kept whispering to me "She knows".  I chuckled and got Olivia ready to head to the peds making sure Nonna had packed the after shot bribe of chocolate milk.  If I haven't ever mentioned it before, that little girl loves chocolate milk and since we're not above bribing her for things like nail cutting, doctor's visits or on the super crabbilicious days - I encourage this attachment to the chocolate milk.  The unfortunate thing is she can literally pound 8oz of the stuff in less than two minutes flat.  Then she lets out a sweet little burp that rivals those of a college guy who's just polished off a beer bong.  And that is then quickly followed by the sign asking for more of which I will not oblige.  We make sure she gets the good stuff Horizon or Kirkland Organic Chocolate milk but I'd still prefer 2/3 of her daily milk intake to be just the plain white milk - Olivia has other thoughts about this way of thinking but such is life.

Anywayyyy, doctor's office waiting room - we sign in and I stand there for a minute or two shifting Olivia on my hip because I don't want her to touch anything in the waiting room.  The receptionist kindly tells me that I'm allowed to sit and I get the opportunity to tell her that Olivia's a special care patient and is supposed to be shown to the exam room immediately particularly during cold & flu season.  She pulls up the record, confirms this to be true and gets us roomed - BUT not before Olivia gets hip to where we are and loses her ever loving mind right.there.in.the.waiting.room.  Have you ever been the parent to the screaming kid that instills terror into the other kids and makes them cry?  I can say I have been baptized into that role as of yesterday.  Awesome

The shot part was actually the easiest part, they needed a current weight (a skinny 25lbs) and then two nurses came in to do the shots simultaneously.  She hadn't screamed yet before it was all done and then I very quickly handed over the coveted chocolate milk to act as the pacifier.  Last night was great and she seemed completely back to her normal self.  Lesson for Mommy next month, no getting to the doctor's early and if we are, kill time downstairs!

Synagis How I Dread Thee...

I think it's fairly common that when parents get word that the next pediatricians appointment will include shots for their little ones they're immediately filled with dread.  For the heart parent, depending on the child's defect, you've also got the synagis shots to look forward to during cold/flu season.  Synagis is a monthly boost to the respiratory system so that in the event the little ones are exposed to something like bronchitis it won't be as serious and hopefully eliminate the need for hospitalization.  It sounds good and it is for the greater good of Olivia until she has her Fontan, but these shots also mean that we're now on a monthly schedule to go in to the Peds office for the shots.

Round 1 is tomorrow and I'm guessing she's going to know what's up as soon as we walk in the door of the office. Because she's a svelte 25 lbs, she will require two injections which are a bit hefty and I'm sure create a lot of pressure under the skin as they're going in.  Luckily, I confirmed with the nurse that she wouldn't move up to three injections until she hit 30 lbs, so let's hope the Fontan comes before that!  Maybe I'm wrong and it won't be so bad, but it's like she senses it because she was possessed something fierce around midnight.  Poor little lady Liv.

Olivia the Meowing Cow

While we'll have to see if the animal sound confusion continues, it was pretty hysterical to have a meowing cow that might have slightly resembled the Chik-Fil-A Cow whose slogan is "Eat More Chikin".  Since Olivia eats there at once a week with her grandparents as a Friday treat - she could have been inspired.  Either way, here she is in full effect.

Cuz it's Tradition

Do you know which one I'm talking about?  I'll give you a hint - it's something I observe every November 1st and have for over a decade now.  Still don't know?  Here's another hint "It's the Most Wonderful Time", "The Christmas Song", etc etc.  Yes I am one of those holiday fanatics who start listening to Christmas music on November first to get the holidays going.  It used to be that between November 1st-December 31st was the best part of the year to me.
 
Now with the Livster every day is that much better, but I definitely still have a special place in me for this season.  I've got so much to be happy and grateful for that I can't but just be almost giddy listening to the music here at the office thinking of all the memories made decorating trees, making construction paper holiday chains, baking empty pies (because we ate all the pie filling before we baked 'em), shopping for the absolutely most perfect gift for family members, you name it I have a memory of it somewhere in my archives.

Tis the season everyone!