handsful

They’re all fun,

silly,

sweet,

and beautiful. 

And, they’re all mine.  I am blessed.

How sweet.  Ethan is teaching Lainey how to play his guitar!  I love it when the big kids share their lives with Lainey.  I’m sure L will give him a big hug and kiss for this privilege. 

Or, maybe she’ll just steal his guitar pick.

inside and out.

Matching game…classic, preschool task to learn.  Lainey digs it big time. 

And, Payton is more than happy to set aside his school books long enough to play a game. 

Afterall, school is more than just books.  It’s learning to take turns…to match pictures…and, to celebrate when the other person finds that perfect match. 

This little preschooler is learning her lessons well.

Yesterday (computer was down, couldn’t post!) was 2 years with Lainey!  We celebrated with dinner out at Al’s Pizza and she received a new book.  I started that tradition last year, giving her a special book for each Gotcha day anniversary. 

I took the above picture yesterday.  Here she is a year ago…what a difference!

See the changes?  She’s lost the “baby” look.  Sad, but I do love seeing her grow into a “big girl”. 

Here are more shots from yesterday! 

I told Lainey I wanted to take some pictures of her.  I think she misunderstood. 

belly laugh!  Abbey was tickling her…she’s a great assistant photographer. 

At the restaurant.  Obeying mom’s request for a smile…cheesy. 

Oooh, a present. 

She likes it.  I read it to her right after she opened it.  After finding out that the rabbits were both boys (she’s a stickler for needing to know gender), she listened intently.  What a sweet story. 

A squeeze from Lainey.  Slightly painful, but totally appreciated. 

Dada’s turn…

Big kids get goofy.  I’m sure the noise level wasn’t bothersome to those around us.  Nah…

We weren’t THAT loud.  Right?

After getting kicked out of …leaving the restaurant, we came home and took a shot of the special girl with her sibs.  Happy 2 years with us, Lainey!  We love you!

The norm for Lainey Q…drinking soup. 

How’s she doing? 

* sleeping restlessly, waking a handful of times a night crying. 

* waking up in…shall we say…a less than sunny disposition? 

* doing a wonderful impression of Jekyl.  Or Hyde.  Depends on the moment. 

* glad her nose stitches are out (ear and upper lip come out tomorrow). 

* tolerating her liquid/soft diet wonderfully…her favorite is “hot soup”.  Any kind. 

* wanting to be held.  A lot.  Mommy gets lots of snuggle time. 

* struggling with staying dry.  The nurse told us that lots of little ones regress after surgery.  It could also be because her diet is almost entirely liquid.  Either way, the washer is running…

* going through a lot these days.  But, like with anything she’s dealt with in her young life, she’ll come through it and be just fine.

In the playroom, waiting to be called to the pre-op area.

In pre-op, a few minutes after receiving the Versed medicine that makes her loose and carefree :)

About 4 hours later…

Kitty was with her the whole time.

Next day…still very out of it, in pain, and cranky. Still not wanting to drink anything unless we forced her to.  Somehow, she was released from the hospital anyway.

First day home…awake most of the day and drinking like a champ.

by last night, she was asking to be carried in the Ergo and fell right asleep.

Today…playing dress-up.  Only a little complaint of pain.  She was seriously cranky this afternoon, but we are glad to see her “personality” coming out.  Her nostril stent and nose stitches come out on Monday, and the lip stitches on Thursday.  She’ll be on a liquid/soft diet for about 3 weeks.   We’re all happy to be on this side of surgery.