Sunday Snapshot

This is the first photograph Abigail has ever taken of us.
Since she got 90 % of us, it is not too bad, right?

Vacation To Charleston

This past week, we took a 3-day vacation to our old haunting grounds in Charleston, SC.  It was, as Larry described, "bittersweet" to be back where our home was for over 26 combined years.  We stayed with friends who lived a few streets over from our old home.  We ran our old running route through the neighborhood. We took Abigail to her old playground and park.  We met up with many old and dear friends.

We had a few "surprises" for Abigail, who kept declaring "I love vacation!"

One day, we arranged for her to have a lead-rope guided horse ride at Middleton Plantation.  Her horse, old and decrepit and wrinkly around the muzzle was presented to her and she gasped "Oh!  He is SO beautiful." His name was JP and Larry was given the lead rope to guide her around for her 35 minute ride.  He was more interested in munching grass than following Larry, but sweet Abigail, with her last 2 minutes of time said 'Go back to the grass Baba to give JP a thank you for me riding him.'

On another day, in-between the frequent bursts of rain that kept happening and were just long enough to get things wet and disrupt outdoor activities, we surprised Abigail with a trip to "Shell Beach" on James Island (really Peter Demetre Beach or something like that).  She had a fun time digging holes.

When asked about her favorite part of the vacation, Abigail said "Staying in this (the Watkins') house."  I guess she has really missed these friends.

Sunday Snapshot: Red Umbrella

It
has
been
a
little
rainy
here
lately.

There
are
mushrooms
growing
in
the
landscaping.

Sunday Snapshot: Epic Parent Fail

Okay, I think it looks worse in the picture than
in person, but you get the idea.
I swear that we put sunscreen on her.
I think the problem was that she went right into the
pool after we slathered it on.  Truthfully, she has
never burned before but I feel like the worst mom ever.

Yearly Cleft Clinic

Today was our yearly cleft clinic for Abigail.  The first 2 years she attended the MUSC cleft clinic in Charleston, SC.  Since we have moved, we got into the clinic at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Our amazing little nerd reading a book about
Assateague Island horses

During her 4 morning sessions, Abigail saw the audiologist, the speech therapist, an ENT, and the dentist.  It was discovered that her right ear tube is out and is causing hearing loss in that ear, that her speech is excellent for a kid her age ("three" sounds like "free" for example) but all of her possible troublesome cleft sounds are fine.  (Although, it did take a home video and a mini bag of Doritos for the speech therapist to get enough info about Abigail's speaking abilities  and don't you dare judge us for bribing!!)

After a quick lunch break, Abigail saw the plastic surgeon and then fell asleep in Larry's arms for our sessions with the psychologist and the geneticist.  

Lar and I were not initially blown away by the team:  they weren't bad or anything, but from what we have experienced, audiologists and speech therapists are a special breed of patient, saintly people and must be like that everywhere.  ENTs are all business, which is their job, so that is good too.  So given the horrible traffic (it was 1.5 hours to get there and 2.5 hours to get home!!) we were thinking of switching to the Richmond clinic next year.  Then we met Dr. Oh (plastic surgeon) and the British psychologist, who sounds like a genius just because of her accent and we were hooked on the DC clinic.  

Recent family pic

Abigail was such a trooper, really.  Larry and I were incredibly proud of her, how she behaved, and how she comported herself.  She cooperated all day (besides the little bribe in the speech evaluation) and was polite and not moody or difficult.  Then she peacefully fell asleep in her Baba's arms, which just made him melt.  
I also know that I am lucky beyond belief that this amazing, intelligent, funny, clever, beautiful, creative little individual is my daughter.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about that.  And when I am in a children's hospital all day, and I see the Huge problems that so many kids are facing, I am scared out of my mind at my  own good luck and fortune.  I can't even wrap my mind around it sometimes!

Abigail's First Hike

In South Carolina, we lived less than a mile from Palmetto Islands County Park (a 700+ acre park through wooded spaces, marshes, and open playing fields), and we have missed having a place like that since our move to Virginia.  Today, however, we explored a great little place a few miles from home.  Our out-and-back hike probably totaled only 2 miles, but it was a fun hike and Abigail became very excited about climbing on rocks and exploring. I love to watch my kid move:  she is so powerful and graceful.  I can't get enough of watching her.  (She was also excited about the picnic she packed and she picked out a great spot to eat, but was too excited for food at that point so she ended up eating it in the car on the way home instead.)

This section was her favorite part of the hike

Tell her aunts and uncles:  Abigail is
getting ready for her first hike up Old Rag!!

Kid at play

Fishin'

Her first catch of the weekend

We took advantage of a 3 day weekend and made the drive to PA to visit Grandma and Yinski.  Abigail got to experience her first time fishing.  She caught 5 on the first day.  She loved touching them and after the 2nd fish, she wanted to do everything herself and she became defensive and indignant when she was given any  help (especially with casting).  Abigail is more patient at fishing than I am!  (Abigail is more patient with many things than I am!)  On the 2nd day, she caught 2 and then just wanted to throw bread in the water and watch the fish eat. 

Becoming a bit more independent

Reeling in the "big one" as Baba looked on, jealous

During the visit, Abigail certainly enjoyed her days and being the center of attention among 4 adults.  But in the evening, she seemed to be experiencing "homesickness" for the first time.  She cried of wanting to be home and in her own bed and in her own room.  When I pointed out that she was having fun with her grandparents, she sobbed and agreed that she was and that she loves them but she just wished she could be home and she was very confused by that.


When Abigail is asked "what was your favorite part of the weekend" she simply said "playing with Grandma Judy."  My mom certainly had to earn her place this weekend:  Abigail had her on the floor playing before Larry and I even carried the suitcases in from the car, woke her at 5:15 in the morning to start playing, and ran her pretty hard.  During Sunday's nap time, Grandma Judy ended up asleep on a picnic blanket in the yard!