Slip slidin' away

Amelia got a new Slip-n-Slide yesterday. She was thrilled and immediately began requesting it be set up. However, her patience was tested mightily as she had to wait until after daddy finished mowing the yard to test out her new toy.

Her patience was rewarded handsomely, as these photos show, when she got to slip and slide for the better part of the afternoon.

Lola watched from the sidelines as it was too windy and cool for her to test the waters, but, even though her first birthday isn't until June 13, I went ahead and showed her present to her. She seems happy to know she'll be able to "swim" in her very own hippo-shaped baby pool very soon. Stay tuned for photos.

Why grandmaw, what strange visitors you have!

Tuesday afternoon Amelia, Lola and I spent the afternoon at Grandmaw and Pawpaw's house. I was in the kitchen feeding Lola lunch when Amelia came flying through yelling about something in the front yard. I went to the door where I discovered a large snapping turtle was in the front yard being terrorized by the grandparent's three dogs: Boomer, Quizzy and Itsy.

The turtle seemed none too happy to have the dogs converge upon it with much barking and fervor. It kept craning it's neck as if trying to make itself bigger in the hopes of frightening the dogs away.

Grandmaw said the turtle might be a female making her way to the kids' sandbox to lay her eggs - an occurrence which happened last year, she said. Even though the turtle might have been on her way to the sandbox, Grandmaw and Pawpaw decided she, and any eggs she might be carrying, would have a better chance at survival if they relocated her.

So, after giving Amelia ample time to inspect the turtle and me time to snap a few photos, Pawpaw scooped the turtle up in a bucket, deposited her in the bed of the truck and took her to a spot in the creek affectionately known in our family as "the wash hole."

Amelia reported the turtle loved her new home, but the dogs seemed genuinely sad their new, exciting visitor was gone. Oh well, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, they'll find something new to bark and growl at that will make them forget all about the turtle who came to visit.

What a difference a month makes

Lola one month ago. Less than 24 hours after surgery at Children's Hospital to reshape her skull.

Lola now. If you didn't see the scar running across her head from ear to ear, you'd never imagine this baby had MAJOR cranial surgery 30 days ago.

Green beans are great!

Lola has a new-found love for green beans. She inhales these veggies and can almost polish off an entire can by herself. I think these photos adequately capture her excitement about green beans. Don't you?

The winds of change are blowing

Change is inevitable, I know; but knowing something and liking it are two entirely different things.

Amelia marked her last day of preschool on Friday, and last Monday was her last day as a member of the preschool dance class. While she has taken these finales in stride, I have been plagued with anxiety over the changes that are on the horizon.

Since September, Amelia, Lola and I have become accustomed to our routine of rising early each morning and heading off to school with Monday afternoons being accentuated by dance class. We've also gotten used to the occasional field trips, skating parties and birthday parties.

While I know we'll get to enjoy these things again, I also understand, much more than my kids, that we'll likely be enjoying them with a whole new group of friends.

We were lucky heading into preschool to start the year with one true friend at school and a few acquaintances. By the end of the year, we'd made three super-duper friends and become associated with many, many more great folks.

But, because we don't "run in the same circles" as most of these fine people, I know we will see less and less of them as we all get on with our lives outside of preschool. This makes me sad.

Some of them I will pick back up with in the fall when we resume dance classes because our girls will be in the same class. And one momma has already made plans with us for a playdate, so I am confident I won't lose touch with her and her kids. But, for so many of the rest of them, our only contact, I know, will be email and Facebook, which is nice, but not the same as seeing someone in person several times a month.

Oh well, I suppose this is part of being a grown-up - learning to accept the changes that come with the shifting seasons of life. I still don't like it, and I am not looking forward to having to get to know a whole new set of parents and kids when Amelia starts kindergarten in the fall.

It feels a little like dating to me, and seeing as how I haven't been on a date in about 15 years, I am not too well-versed in the rules anymore. Plus, I tend to be quite reserved until I really get to know someone, which can sometimes come off as being stuck-up something I can assuredly say I am not. It's also hard because making and maintaining friendships has never been my strong suit (Maybe because I don't handle rejection well. I kind of gave up after putting myself out there and getting burned a few times.)

However, I know I have to try for Amelia, and Lola's, sakes. It kills my soul to see Amelia chase buddies begging them for attention much like I did as a child and eventually give up and come ask me to play with her. She's a likable kid, I know, but, as I was, she doesn't make friends easily nor does she handle rejection well. Therefore, it's as important as ever that I get comfortable negotiating the social scene so my girls will be able to navigate it with less problems than I have had.

The best I can hope for is that I can learn to weather these changes so that Amelia feels little to no anxiety in response to our "new normal." She has already felt the sting of rejection when she discovered, quite innocently, that we weren't invited to a get-together that some of her preschool buddies attended. It's really hard to explain to a 5-year-old that some people are friends only at school while others are friends both in school and outside of school.

I think she handled the news pretty well, but I, as evidenced by this post, am still struggling with the realization our lives aren't going to be the same.

Great teachers

Amelia has had to good fortune to be a student of two wonderful teachers this year: Ms. Ginger Brooks at preschool and Ms. Melissa Kohl Blackburn at dance school.

Ms. Brooks celebrated her 30th year of teaching this year. Twenty-four of these years have been at Kiddie Kollege, where Amelia attended this last year. Ms. Brooks has a knack for dealing with four-year-old students and makes learning fun for them.

Amelia learned so much at Kiddie Kollege. She progressed so much academically as well as socially and personally. She and I are going to miss Ms. Brooks so much, but she hasn't seen the last of our family because I have already reserved a spot at Kiddie Kollege for Lola, who I plan to send when she turns three.

Amelia with Ms. Brooks after Ms. Brooks presented her with her preschool diploma.

Ms. Melissa has been dancing since she was two years old. I've known her since I was four and became a student at her mother's studio. Amelia has been fortunate to have had Ms. Melissa as a teacher the last two years. Because of Ms. Melissa's teachings Amelia has really gained a lot of confidence in her dance abilities and has developed an deep love for the art.

We've already signed up for dance classes that begin in the fall, but, in all likelihood, Amelia will not have Ms. Melissa as a teacher because she will be busy raising her baby boy and girl who are probably arriving at the end of July.

We wish Ms. Melissa all the best, and even though we are sad she won't be teaching next year, we completely understand. After all, she's been dancing a long time, but this is her first chance to be a mother.

Amelia and Ms. Melissa on the last day of dance class during which Amelia received her "gold medal" for perfect attendance.

Lola: Three weeks since surgery

Little Miss Lola is doing so well since having surgery three weeks ago. She has resumed all of her activities, which include crawling all over the house, getting into all of her sister's business and working diligently to pick up and eat the most minuscule items on the floor.

I swear, I could vacuum three times a day and she would still manage to find some tiny item to put in her mouth.

Her appetite is better than ever. Lola LOVES table food. Just this morning she ate about a quarter can of green beans, a chicken stick and yogurt for breakfast.

She enjoys her bottle still, but mostly only wants it when she's sleepy and ready to catch a few zzz's.

Some of her favorite foods are grits and eggs, biscuit and gravy, Cheerios, beef stroganoff, pasta with meat sauce and macaroni and cheese.

The fair is in town

I noticed this morning on my way to take Amelia to preschool that the fair is in town. I haven't been to the fair in probably 20 years, but every time I see the carnies setting up I think of a movie and a television show, both of which I love.


"Two Moon Junction" is an oldie but a goodie. It's from Zalman King, who is known for "The Red Shoe Diaries," and borders on being soft-core porn, but I love it anyway. Alabama native Richard Tyson was in fine form when he appeared in this film. He makes lovely eye candy, which is one of the reasons I can watch this film over and over again.

"Carnivale" is a short-lived series that came on HBO. It tackled good versus evil, free will versus destiny and included supernatural and spiritual twists all while being set in a carnival that traveled through the Dust Bowl during the Depression. Sounds crazy, I know; but it was a great show that I was sad got cancelled.


I highly recommend taking some time to watch both of these. You won't be disappointed, and you'll have some nice memories to recall when you see the fair come to town.

Our little star

Amelia performed in her second dance recital yesterday. Her class performed a ballet to "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," which is such a fitting song because she is such a little star.

The girls also showed off their tumbling skills while wearing their new bathing suits. Amelia has mastered the somersault, but still needs some practice with her cartwheel.

Lola: Eighteen days since surgery and doing great

Lola had her post-op visit Friday and received a super report from the doctors. Both the plastic surgeon, Dr. John Grant, and the neurosurgeon were pleased with her progress. They were so happy with how she's doing since her surgery that they don't need to see her again until November.

Dr. Grant said he wants us to let him know how her right eye does during the next six months because it's continuing to stay a little swollen. He said there is a slight chance he could have to operate on it if the swelling doesn't subside, but he wouldn't make a decision on that for some time.

Dr. Grant also reminded us that her face will continue to change, especially over the next six weeks. But he said we will continue to notice subtle changes over the next six months.

Lola with Dr. Grant, who is responsible for her "makeover" as I like to call it. I cannot say enough wonderful things about him. He is a fantastic doctor who really loves what he does and genuinely cares about helping his patients. He also has an amazing bedside manner, something in which some doctors could stand to have a refresher course.

When Lola smiles, the swelling in her right eye is especially apparent.

However, it's also noticeable when she's not smiling.

Waiting as patiently as she can with daddy for the neurosurgeon to come see her. We let her tear up the paper on the doctor's exam table because it held her attention while she waited. We had to take it away from her, though, when she decided it was a delicious snack.

Wordless Wednesday: Eleven months old and thriving

On Wednesday, Lola celebrated her 11-month birthday as well as marked two weeks since she had her operation to correct a fused coronal suture in her skull. Her recovery has been terrific, with the exception of two big falls (one between the recliner and end table and another out of our club chair), and she is as busy as she ever was exploring her environment and bothering her sister.

Prayers for Kaiden

Kaiden enjoying his new Tommy Tub.

I am calling on all my buddies in blog world to seek prayers for a precious 4-month-old little boy named Kaiden who will be undergoing surgery for craniosynostosis in two days.

I have never met Kaiden or his mother Kellie, but I feel very close to them as Kellie has been a lifeline and wellspring of information for me. I met her through a support group on Facebook for parents of children with craniosynostosis. When I was at my lowest sick with worry about Lola's surgery and recovery, Kellie, who lives with her family in Utah, and other mothers were there for me to offer kind words, advice and support that helped me to know I could get through this.

Kellie, who has blogged about her situation, which you can read about HERE, is struggling mightily with the situation she is facing because this is the second of her children to have to have surgery for craniosynostosis. Because she's been through this before, Kellie is having a very hard time coping. Please say a prayer that she will be able to keep it together for Kaiden as well as her other children.

Also, please pray that Kaiden will have a successful surgery and speedy recovery.

Lola: Coming right along

It's been 12 days since Lola had corrective surgery on her skull. She made her debut at Amelia's dance class today. Everyone seemed genuinely happy to see her and were all happy with her progress.

I was proud as punch to show her off, especially to the mommas, grandmaws and friends at dance school because they've all become like family to me and because each and every one of them offered up so many well-wishes and prayers for my little girl. I will never be able to say enough thank-yous to these and sooooo many other fine folks who helped me find the strength to make it through this ordeal with my sanity intact.

Some friends had already seen Lola either in person or in photos I've posted online so they were not surprised by her appearance, but those people who hadn't already gotten a glimpse of her were thrilled with her makeover, as I like to call it. A few of the kids were very concerned about her incision on her head, but each one was so sweet and politely asked what happened to her.

One child, a darling 3-year-old, hesitantly approached Lola, checked out her incision and then went back to her grandmother to let her know that "the baby hurt her head." Isn't that precious!

Lola returns to Children's Hospital on Friday for her post-op visit with Dr. Grant and Dr. Wellons. I am praying she gets a good report. I've been scrutinizing the daily photos I take to see if I can detect even the most minute problem. Of course, considering I am not a doctor and don't even play one on TV, I have nitpicked these photos to death and have twice asked my husband if he's noticed what are likely imaginary changes in her appearance. Jeff, ever the level-headed one, has wisely advised me to give it a rest.

Because so many of my loyal readers have loved getting to see the latest photos of Lola, I now present the newest additions to her photographic progression of healing:

The darkness under her eyes will fade more with each passing day, according to Dr. Grant and mothers of other children who've had the same surgery.

Her incision is continuing to heal beautifully, and her stitches are slowly dissolving.

"Hello, somebody, anybody? Will you please tell my momma to stop taking my picture?"

Most days Lola's right eye seems to be puffier than her left. but the area under her left eye is often darker than the area under her right eye.

This photo shows how much more apparent the puffiness is around her right eye. Because she sleeps on her tummy, she is always puffier in the morning and after naps. I am trying not to fret too much about her continued swelling and bruising because the doctors said it could take up to six weeks before it completely goes away.

I haven't been able to snap a good photo of it, but the bone above her left eye protrudes farther out than the bone over her right eye. Dr. Grant said he did this on purpose because the left side of her forehead will grow more slowly than the right so he is kind of giving the left side a "head start" (pun intended) so that both sides will eventually be even. This could take about five years he said.

Mother's Day blessings

This Mother's Day is extra-special for me. It's my first as a momma of two girls and the first on which I received precious gifts from Amelia crafted by her little hands at preschool (which, by the way, made me cry like a baby). Sadly, though, it's my second Mother's Day as a mother-less mother. I had a wonderful day, but it would have been precious to have been able to visit with my own momma for a while.

Today also served to remind me how precious my girls are and how blessed I am to be their momma. Lola had surgery just 11 days ago so it's still very fresh on my mind how important it is to cherish each moment with these little dolls.

While I am fallible, like so many other mothers out there, and I have my moments filled with frustration and awash with guilt, I know that being a momma is what I was meant to do, and I am grateful for each moment, each giggle, each smile, each hug and each kiss.

Don't you just love Lola's "Popeye face?" I can just hear her saying, "I yam what I yam, and that's all that I yam."

Amelia got all dolled up to celebrate ALF's birthday party. She loves the 1980s sitcom featuring the alien life form better known as ALF. He's been her imaginary friend and co-conspirator since she first watched the show on DVD with her cousins. She said she had to make herself "extra pretty" in order to go to his party. I think she managed to meet her goal, don't you?