Just Busy

Gracie has had a much better week this week.  The weather was so nice last weekend that we spent pretty much every waking hour outdoors.  If she was outdoors, she was happy.  Actually all weekend she was happy no matter where she was.  We had no tantrums, we had a very happy girl.  Both Jeff and I commented that it was probably the best weekend she has ever had in regard to happiness and being cooperative.  It was just plain fun to hear her singing and giggling.  It was music to both of our ears.

Gracie started in her new preschool class this week on Monday and Wednesday.  There were alot of tears, but we expected that might be the case as she has been out of school for almost a month with being sick.  Wednesday was better than Monday and I'm optimistic that it will get better each time she goes.  I LOVE her new teacher.  I love her approach, I love that she commands respect, and I love that she really understands kids and has such a positve way with them. 

On Tuesday afternoon, I took Gracie to meet with her allergist.  He made time on his already full calendar to meet with us.  His first comment upon looking at her was that she had some major seasonal allergies going on.  Her eyes have been red and itchy.  So he gave me advice on how to deal with that (eye drops which she hates and some other antihistamines) and we did a blood test to see if we could pinpoint what environmental things were giving her a problem.  Then we began talking about her tree nut allergy and her anaphylaxis emergency last week.  Seems our sweetie's tree nut allergy is much worse than we thought and we thought it was bad in the first place.  Gracie can react not only by ingestion, but also by contact with an allergen...one we may not even know is there.  If someone eats nuts and has nut dust on their hands and touches her she could go into a reaction, if someone kisses her after they've eaten nuts she could go into anaphylaxis.  We have to have the school bus staff wipe down all surfaces of the bus with soap and water prior to her riding.  She will now have a car seat that she alone can use.  When she is not in it, it will be put away in a sealed container.  We'll have to make sure her environment is truly nut free.  We know our house is, but we were strongly advised about the houses of relatives and friends, as well as just being out and about.  Soap and water is our friend...antibacterial wipes don't do it!  We'll have to be more restrictive about the places we visit. 

When it was time to do the blood draw, Gracie was so brave, she hopped up into the chair herself and pretty much let them stick her.  I held one hand.  She didn't even fuss when they poked her.  She didn't like her arm being restrained, but she has never liked any type of restraint.  Afterward she did keep telling me "ow" and that she had an owie. 

Gracie has been having a good week at daycare.  She's been more tired this week, but so have I.  I think the recent time change and getting used to the milder weather might be to blame. 

Yesterday morning at 2:00 a.m., Gracie woke up and here is our conversation.  She can be such a little comedian.

GRACIE: "Mommy, Whatcha Doing?"


ME: "Sleeping! What are YOU Doing?"

GRACIE: "Just Hanging Around."

While being sick, Gracie lost 3-1/2 lbs.  I think she might be gaining it back.  She's been a very hungry girl lately.  Yesterday at daycare she ate 5 little coffee cakes for breakfast.  All her little buddies said "Gracie must be hungry!" 

Also I'm told a little boy at daycare named Tommy was overheard telling our little girl "Gracie, you are so beautiful!"  I'm with Tommy -- she is a beautiful girl inside and out.

She is continually talking more and more and the kisses and "I love you's" are free flowing.  Life is good.

Have a great weekend.

Love,
Lisa, Jeff, and Gracie