2 Good Pieces of News

Last night we got the results of Riley's blood work from her visit with Dr. Kobrynski - good news!  Her immune system is functioning normally and she will be able to get live vaccines for the first time starting at her 12 month check up.  We have also cut back on her calcium from 1 ml to 0.5 ml 3 times a day; we will do a follow up blood test in about 2 weeks to make sure that she is maintaining a proper calcium level naturally (so keep your fingers crossed!)

This morning we had Riley's routine appointment with the GI and we are eliminating her Prevacid ... one more medicine down!  This is good news!  We'll be increasing Riley's fees from 170 ml per bolus feed to 185 ml and Dr. Sherrod will be ordering a slightly longer Mic-KEY since Riley is growing (from a 12 French 1.0 centimeter to a 12 French 1.2 centimeter) - Riley is a whopping 17 lbs 10 oz and 27" long.   That's 12 lbs more than her birth weight and 8".  You grow girl {yep, I went there}

Weekend Update and Kindergarten Send-off

We had a busy weekend with an end of season tennis party Friday night kicking it all off.  Saturday we were invited to help say "good-bye" and "good luck" to Breanna Betts as she prepared to leave across country to start college at USC - yup, that's right the University of Southern California, as in on the other side of the country.  Unlike the Betts, I don't plan on letting Zoey or Riley know that there are colleges west of the Mississippi.

Riley was a little pooped out from the festivities, so she & Duke opted to take a nap

Sunday Zoey, Anne & I finally got a chance to go tubing up in Helen, GA.

There really are some interesting people on the river.  Did you know you can smoke while tubing?  Not  combination I would have suspected.  Zoey had a blast, and I think both Anne & I ended up with a bruising of the buttocks as we hit some shallow areas.  We all agreed that next time we need to get the stick to push off the rocks with!

Afterwards Zoey & Josh prepped lunch for her first day in Kindergarten

Today was the Big Day ... 1st day of Kindergarten.  Josh woke Zoey up a little after 6 and she was racing to go form that point on.  She urged me to get her hair done fast so that we wouldn't miss the bus (even though we had 40 minutes before the bus came).  Breakfast at home was followed by a backpack fashion show.

Followed by some family photos to mark the occasion

Proud Parents

Then it was finally time to catch the bus.  Luckily for us the bus stop is just diagonally across the street at the Robey's house.

Waiting for the bus with Sean & Sam Robey

Zoey's mad dash for the bus

After a super busy day, Nana & Riley went to meet the bus

Waiting for Zoey to get off the bus

Our Kindergartener home from school

Kindergarten Countdown

Can you believe that my baby will be starting Kindergarten in less than a week?  I really don't know how that is possible, she's still a baby.  Okay, that last part is not really true considering that Zoey read me a whole page out of a Curious George book last night before bed.  While we are still having some major melt downs, overall Zoey is a great kid to have.  She is a loving daughter and an amazing big sister to Riley.  While I know next Monday will be a super hard day for me (and probably Josh too), Zoey cannot be more excited to start this next chapter of her life, so I am trying to adopt that attitude as well

New Hi-chair Cover

Can you believe that you cannot buy a replacement hi-chair cover?  How crazy is that? After much searching, I finally decided to just go ahead and make one.  Rose Mary & I found some nice fabric and some foam to cushion Riley's tushy.  Here is how it came out ...

Tea Party

Zoey was invited to a tea party at her friend Harper's house yesterday.  It was a fancy tea, so I persuaded Zoey to let me curl her hair, with the promise of body glitter.  Hey, a mom had to do what a mom has to do, right?  Zoey was quite tired and cranky, so she had a little melt down there, I went over and hung out and then she had a fabulous time with all the girls.  Putting on a fashion show, decorating frames, running around and generally acting like a bunch of crazy little girls.

American Girl

We had our annual lunch at the American Girl Bistro.  As a surprise birthday present, Grandma & Aunt Nellie let Zoey pick out a new doll. My little girl is oh so creative with their names.  Zoey's bitty baby is named Bella after her friend from Brookeside Academy, and her new doll is named Isabelle.  We had a lovely lunch and the girls looked adorable in their matching outfits from Grandma.

Getting ready for our big lunch date

Aunt Nellie & the girls

My girls and their baby dolls

Baby & Riley

Zoey with her 2 babies

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!

Turning 5

Today, my tiny baby girl turned 5 years old.  How on Earth did that happen?  Just 2 minutes ago she was the little bundle of joy.

These past 5 years have been an amazing gift to me - I can never thank Zoey enough for making me a Mom.  While we have had many challenges and growing pains, there have been so many wonderful moments and memorable occasions to outweigh them.  

Zoey & I spent a great deal of time together, having some much needed mommy & me time.  As wonderful of a big sister to Riley that Zoey is, it's easy to forget that Zoey needs to be babied some times too.  I took Zoey out for a burger at Steak N Shake, then we went to the movies to see the new Winnie the Pooh movie (super cute btw).  After the movies we were practically melting in this hot, hot Georgia sun, so we opted to cool off in the warm bath tub that we affectionately call the pool.

We gave Zoey her presents today ... a Hello Kitty guitar that she's been drooling over for some time.  I am not sure where the  idea came from, but that is what she wanted, so that is what she got.  Now we are contemplating guitar lessons.  Anyone know of a good (cheap) instructor who has the patients for a 5-year old?

I had bought a mini cake last night at Publix, but by this evening it was a bit melty.  Luckily it was still yummy

I am looking forward to what this next year will bring our way.  Zoey starts Kindergarten on 8/15 (tear), and that is the beginning of the next chapter of our lives.

Love you Zoey Lynn!

222 Clinic

Today was our first appointment with Dr. Kobrynski at the 22q Clinic at Emory, although Dr. K has seen Riley several times in the hospital.  We got there early, as requested, then waited around for a while.  Overall, it looks like Riley is doing really well.  The shaking that Josh has had some concerns about is a normal baby thing.  Everyone is so pleased with Riley's speech development, the fact that she is making clear "d" and "m" sounds and especially that she is making raspberries (you go girl!).  I still pray that Riley is on the more mile end of the syndrome and from all the specialist that we've seen, it appears that my prayers may be being answered.  Dr. K will be testing Riley's calcium levels and phosphorous levels to see if they are still normal, which she is guessing it will be.  Babies that have sever calcium problems never seem to get above an 8, even with the medication, and at the last testing, Riley was at a 9.  If things look okay on that, then Dr. K will start weaning Riley from her 3 x a day dose to 2x, then 1x, then possibly down to none.  Of course all of this will need to be retested during the course of the weaning to make sure that there are no problems.  We need to look for consistent shaking .... likened to a person on too much caffeine, and constant irritability, which would be abnormal for out brave little girl.  She is so beyond amazing and I was really pleased with her appointment.

We'll go back at 18 months for a follow up and at that appointment we will be given more information on studies that they would like her to participate in (and Josh & I on one test too).  If we can help any kind of study, or other family then we are more than happy to assist.

Zoey's Birthday Party

For the first time ever we had Zoey's birthday party outside the house.  This was a Huge step for me, but I have to admit that it was way easier.  The the point where I was calling the place to see if there was something that I needed to be doing.  All I had to do, we bring cupcakes, paper products and the goodie bags.  We celebrated at Out of the Box art studio, where the kids got the make creations out of clay then paint it.  I will go back at it's been fired in the kiln to collect the masterpieces.  I cannot believe how well behaved the kids were and how engrossed in what the lady was telling them.  Zoey seemed to have a great time and in the end, that's all that matters.

A special keepsake plate for Zoey to take home

Out art filled goodie bags ... it's great when you have a built in theme!

Riley & Grandma enjoying the festivies

Aunt Nellie & Riley

What an artiste we have on our hands

The proud parents