Sunday, October 22, 2006
11:49 AM
Gracie's OFFICIAL birthday was Friday, so Gracie, my parents, Tom, and I went to dinner at our favorite local Italian place, and then came home for cake. It was pretty low key, but Gracie got a beautiful holiday dress from my parents and she got to eat lots and lots of ice cream cake. Thanks to everyone who remembered her and sent her ecards and stuff. I printed them all out, and while most of them ended up crumpled or torn up, I can say with certainty she did LOOK at all of them :)
Another interesting thing on Friday is that her allergy tests came back- and I was right, she's allergic to cats. She ranked a 4 allergy on a scale of 1-6. It explains her stuffiness and sneezing and general congestion. Luckily, she's not showing signs of hives, so if we can get the congestion under control, we'll be okay. So off to the allergist we will go. And we are going to finally buy one of those Dyson pet vacuums and make sure to keep the cats out of her room (only Ginger goes in there, anyway) and vacuum daily. I'm trying not to obsess over the cost of the vacuum, but the doctor recommended it and I heard they really make a difference, so there you go. We have hardwood in the rest of the house, and I clean it daily. I will just have to make sure to dust and clean when she's NOT in the room so I don't kick up the cat hair. Luckily, none of the cats go near her except Ginger, so we can head the allergy off. The doctors have said that we are doing a great job, if she's a 4 and not really showing any signs but a few sneezes every day.
And no, there is absolutely NO WAY we would consider getting rid of the cats. I know for some people that sounds insane, but if there's a way we can make this work, you better believe we will do everything we can to make it happen. I have been working at the animal shelter too long to even consider anything of that nature. I have major issues with people who dispose of their pets without REALLY trying to make things work.
Gracie is also allergic to cow's milk (but can have it periodically, which is why she didn't get sick from the cake on Friday), peanuts, and egg whites. The cow's milk explains the throwing up. She hasn't thrown up since we changed her formula, so we think we have that under control.
This week was spent pretty much getting ready for Grace's birthday and finishing up a few projects. I had a few hours to scrapbook on Thursday night, which was awesome. I stayed up until after midnight (Grace spent the night at my parents') and I enjoyed it a lot. I have to admit, though, it's very difficult for me to do anything anymore without worrying if the baby is okay and feeling like I should be with her.
We decorated for Halloween- I am really excited because I have been waiting years to do that. We have a big Dracula-Tigger inflatable thingee on the lawn and a few light-up pumpkins on the front steps and porch (I will take a picture soon!) I hope we get some trick-or-treaters, but I doubt we will. The Island has "organized" Halloween activities, and the two big shopping centers and the YMCA hold trick or treating events where the kids go in costume and get BUCKETS of candy. Plus, half the residents aren't here- they leave for the summers and don't return until after Christmas, so for kids to go out and find only one of two houses among ten blocks isn't worthwhile. But we are at the front of our community (on the road people drive on to get into our neighborhood) and maybe parents will know we are trick-or-treating friendly and bring their kids by. I love Halloween and I can't wait to take Grace to all the events with her cat costume.
I was hoping there would be a local pumkpin patch- not the kind where they have a bunch of pumpkins in a pile, but an actual little piece of land with pumpkins you can go out and choose. However, it doesn't look like the Everglades is a place where many people harvest pumkins. Oh well, maybe we can still find something.
One thing I am learning with Grace is *exactly* what "living in the moment" means. I never ever understood it before. I mean, I understood the concept of it, but couldn't grasp how it worked. Now I totally get it because that's how babies live. While she most likely will not retain any memories of what is happening now, it doesn't mean she's not aware or conscious of what is happening around her. She has emotional reactions to everything- she laughs, cries, smiles, gets ecited. So while I know bringing her to a Halloween party will not really stay with her, if it's a chance for her to have fun and enjoy the lights and other kids and EXPERIENCE of it, even for just a few minutes, it's worth it. It's about the experience at the time, not the memories it will or won't create.
I get puzzled when people say "so-and-so is too young to get anything ouit of it, so it's not worth doing"- to me, babies "get things" right away. Just because they won't remember it when it's over, doesn't mean it's not worth doing.
I am trying to live the same way- in the moment. I'm trying to live in the moment with Gracie. Not worry about what happened to her before she came home, or what she'll be like when she's walking and I can't keep up, but who she is RIGHT NOW and what I can do to not only help her enjoy her life, but also enjoy HER.
And also, for once, enjoy my OWN life. Doing things for the fun of it. Not stressing too much (this is hard, but I'm trying). One moment at a time.
Photos of her birthday and some new layouts to come... just need to get them off my camera!
Beautiful, reflective post. Love it! Happy Birthday Gracie!!!! LOVE the pictures, by the way. Your layouts are so beautiful!
Posted by Nicki @ October 24, 2006 03:29 PM
