And then there was this...

We couldn't be any prouder of her!

 

Letting Go, but Holding On

Ever since Marleigh started walking, when we were out somewhere in public, her little hand always just found mine.  It was automatic.  I'd get her out of her car seat, and without really knowing who reached for who, her hand was in mine.  To be honest, I had never really thought much about it at all, until last week.

One day last week, I was dropping Marleigh off at preschool.  We were chatting about what her letter was for the week.  I put the car in park, and got her out of the car.  As I was shutting the door, I reached for her hand.  She ran ahead, yelling over her shoulder, "Mom, I don't need to hold your hand!!!"

Whoa.  I stopped dead in my tracks.  My ears heard what she said, but my heart heard, "Mom, I don't need you!"  Ouch.  Marleigh has always been so shy and dependent.  She has been the one that sticks close by, never venturing too far from me.  With all that she has been through, I have always been right beside her, trying to help her or protect her.  Looking back, I probably held on a little too tight.  But at the time, all I knew was the tremendous pain and struggles she had at such an early age.  I had felt so helpless then.   Much the same as I felt in that moment when she said, "Mom, I don't need to hold your hand!!!"

Marleigh noticed I had stopped behind her, just as she was reaching for the door.  (That in itself is HUGE for her.  She normally waits for me to open any door.)  She hollered to me, "Come on, Mom!" I quickly followed her in,  we hugged and said our goodbyes just like we do every morning.  Obviously, she had not thought twice about not holding my hand.  I was so shocked and proud of her.

 The past year or so, we have been making a real effort with Marleigh.  We've been fostering confidence and independence. There has been plenty of bumps on our road to independence. She still refuses to ride a bike, because it is "Just. Too. Hard."   Numerous times, she's gotten frustrated or hurt and came running, but we have tried to keep encouraging her to do things on her own.  It has been hard both for her and for me.  Marc has had to remind me often to let her do things for herself.  It is a work in progress.  But there is progress.  She doesn't need my hand anymore.

So precious girl, I am letting go of your hand, but holding on forever with my heart.  You may not need me the way you used to, but I will always be here with my hand out, just in case.  I love you so much!

Kade's Allergies/Asthma and Immunology

This poor, sweet boy suffers with allergies.  Back when he was younger, Kade was diagnosed with allergies and asthma.  He does fairly well while medicated, but there are times when he is miserable and coughs all night.  Then back a few months ago, he had multiple times when he broke out in hives.  We consulted his doctor, and they suggested a trip to the allergist.

There aren't many allergists out here, so it took us a few months to get in.  Last Monday was Kade's appointment.  Praise God, the doctor did NOT think his hives were anything food related.  However, in order to do allergy testing, Kade had to be completely unmedicated for a week before his appointment.  He was miserable.  Runny nose, cough, itchy eyes and nose.  She suggested testing him for other allergies.  

Kade is allergic to dust mites, mold, basically all trees and all weeds.  He actually handled the testing fairly well.  We played cows and tractors while we waited.  Cows and tractors makes everything better.  :)

The doctor said that Kade being so young, his allergies will probably worsen as he gets older, and he will probably develop more.  What makes matters worse, is that he suffers from both indoor and outdoor allergens, and basically year round.  In addition, the allergies make his asthma flair up.  She prescribed Zyrtec, Singulair, Flonase, for daily treatment, and since he was so miserable, we were temporarily on breathing treatments and oral steroids.  She then mentioned Immunology.  Basically, for 7 months, Kade would go in once a week, and receive 2 shots that were specially mixed for him, with small doses of his allergens.  After 7 months, he would go in every other week, and gradually taper off.  The allergy shots are a 5 year treatment program.  Ugh.  However, she said it would decrease his symptoms and keep him from getting any new allergies.  Her hope would be that he would be able to not require all the medications. 

Marc and I have talked a great deal about it. I think in the long run, the shots would be beneficial and make the most sense, but I'm having a hard time with how young Kade is.  I've spoken with some other medical professionals and mothers.  They all say the same thing.  There isn't a medical reason to not start them now, but being under 3 years of age seems awfully young to have to sit through weekly shots.  Once we start, it is a huge commitment. I think we will do it, but just not sure at what point.  

Has anyone out there had any experience with allergy shots with little kids?  Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!  

Marleigh update

Guess who rocked Kindergarten Roundup?  

This girl!

About a month ago we had Kindergarten Roundup.  I had no idea what to expect, but I was both nervous and excited all at the same time.  Daddy very graciously agreed to go with us.  The moment we got in the door, they whisked Marleigh away from us for her evaluations.  Marleigh took it in stride.  She just turned and waved over her should as they walked off.  I can honestly say it was probably harder on me than her!  We sat down to fill out paperwork, and I realized Marc was the only Dad there, so I let him off the hook and he got to leave.  He is such a good Daddy.  

What seemed like forever later, they brought Marleigh back into the common area.  She sat down to play with 2 of her friends, and they took me back to go over her screening.  Marleigh did extremely well in all areas but the motor/coordination.  She was only in the 40 percentile, but when I explained she was born 14 weeks early at only 2 pounds, they were very understanding and impressed with how well she has done.  

It is insane to think that Marleigh is about to begin school in the fall. She is more than ready.  I told her that Kindergarten will last all day, and she jumped up and down saying, "Yippee!  I love school!"

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A couple of weeks later, we returned to Wichita for another eye check up.  Marleigh has continued to progress very nicely.  We had only been patching her good eye for 2 hours a day 3 times a week.  Her vision had maintained at that level, so I am thrilled to report, that we no longer have to patch her good eye!  We will go back in May to make sure that she can maintain it on her own, but for now, we are just so happy!