Dear Friends,
I have missed you. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long. I promise I haven't been idol. We moved. Again. It was our 4th move in 2 and a half years. I'm staying put now. Forever. If you are new to this blog or have just forgotten while I left you hanging here is the recap:
March 2010 sell everything, rent out our house, and move to Beijing China
May 2010 have a baby in China and rush back to the States with her to wage war on lymphatic cysts
July 2010 husband and two other kids move back from China with the suitcases of what we have left
August 2010 move into 120 year old farm house as the house we own is still under contract
July 2011 move back into the house we owned only to realize it doesn't fell like our house anymore
July 2012 move up the mountain to the house where I wish to remain until the day I die. Really.
So much has happened with Maaike as well. She has healed up nicely from her tongue reduction and is making real strides with the Passey-Muir valve. We did a coblation laser treatment to her tongue and lip that caused massive swelling and in the end produced no results. We are gearing up to have her tonsils and adenoids out in December to help open up her air way a little more. And some other stuff that I can't remember.
But, what I really want to talk to you about is hibernation. I'm worried this year. In years past she was too small to notice that she was always left behind. She never cried when we the rest of us went off to a holiday party, Sunday church meetings, or the grocery store. This year she is painfully aware. Her first questions of the morning are usually: "You not going?" and "I going too?"
I'm not sure how to handle it. I have ramped up the crafts and books, but I'm wondering what you do. Any suggestions? I'm thinking about getting a little indoor slide for her for Christmas. I'm wondering about trying to find someone to come and do a gymnastics class at our house. Or dance? Maybe art lessons? Something that is her special thing. I'm wondering if I can find a fun 12 to 16 year old that would want to do it. Brainstorming phase here. Any other ideas?
It is hard to be so protective when she is doing so well. I want to take her everywhere and let her experience everything. I have to remind myself that this year we don't have the protection of the synergist vaccines (RSV vaccine) and that she still got RSV with the vaccine last year, though thanks to the vaccines it was mild. But, we have to do what we have to do. And more than just enduring it I want us to enjoy it. Time to put on our thinking caps and work together.
