Three weeks of happenings to catch up on ... let's see what I remember.
Valleyfair with Daddy
Since Lyla's sleep study we've swtiched from CPAP to BIPAP at night. It's a different machine and it's a little louder than the CPAP, but for the most part it's the same. Lyla had a bit of a rough time adjusting to the increased pressure and still wakes up a couple times each night, but she's adapting well and her daytime hours are definitely seeing the benefits of finally getting her carbon dioxide levels under control.
She has started to wake up refreshed and ready for the day -- often before I do. I'll here, "Mom, Good Morning, I'm ready to get up now!" over the monitor. Who needs an alarm or a snooze when your kid greets you so cheerily! She's also been waking up much earlier even when she goes to be late. A happy kiddo with an easy morning routine makes life easier all around. the hardest part is usually getting her to let me put her hair up.
Helping Daddy get rid of those pesky gray hairs. The other day she gave me a haircut and botox in my face.
Climbing up the rocks at the zoo to see the penguins.
She took this picture of Masud.
Lyla's newfound energy and stamina are giving her a new lease on life this summer. We've enjoyed a couple nights at the park with friends where she was able to navigate the park, climb and slide all by herself. This is not only fun for her, but also a HUGE boost for her confidence. She was able to sit on the tire swing, hold on and stay upright while Melanie and I took turns pushing her and CeCe in a circle. Then, she had a great time climbing the ladder over and over again to get to her favorite slide. She even said, "Mom! Look at my strong legs! I'm so strong to climb! I want to be a climber when I grow up!" Climbing might not be a big deal to some kids, but for a kid whose legs haven't always been there to support her, this new-found strength is a whole new beginning. Now she climbs on everything -- into and out of the car (yay!), on the couch, on her slide to reach things on high shelves in her room ... it's crazy.
Faye has been working on bathroom independence during daycare hours. As usual, Lyla is much more willing to be a big girl there than she is at home. She has started going to the bathroom entirely on her own and just needs a check to make sure her pants are all the way pulled up in the back. Hopefully I can get her to do it at home if I just keep reinforcing the idea. It would be great if she had a good handle on it before school started -- yet another skill to bring her up to speed with her "normal" peers!
Our second visit to the Arboretum -- another trip on the bog walk and through the maze. We made it out!
Lyla had a great time at the interpretive center. She did veggie art, planted some lettuce (which is growing nicely on the windowsill), looked at plants under a microscope, and played in the sand. She loves making me cakes at Faye's, the park ... pretty much anywhere there's a sandbox and bucket!
We're loving spending time outside and my child who used to think cloudy days were ideal now remarks, "Isn't it great to get outside in the beautiful sunshine?" Whether we're at the zoo or the arboretum she loves being outside and adventuring. Picking up leaves, pine cones, and last weekend a black walnut is the highlight of our nature walks. We don't usually bring home a lot of souvenirs, but who needs 'em when you get mosquito bites that swell to the size of quarters and dollar coins? Last weekend she even had one on her eyelid and woke up with it so swollen she could hardly open her eye.
So happy to have a summer of fun! I can't express how great it feels to watch Lyla run up to Cece at the park -- the happy reuniting of besties! -- or climb on the playground or walk around the whole path at the pond without needing the stroller. She's curious, inquisitive, and loves exploring the world around her. What an awesome kid!
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