Lauren had her checkup at the Valerie Center on May 30 and passed with flying colors. She was a trooper for her blood draw and was really happy they got everything in one "poke". They were all so happy to see her and see how well she's doing. Everyone commented on her full head of curly hair. And in true Lauren fashion, she had a comment about her hair for them. She told them she wants me to shave it all off and that she liked it better when she was bald! When asked why, she answered "then I won't have to wash or brush it anymore. I hate that!"
Lauren also had her 6 month checkup with the orthopedic. According to her xrays she is still stable. Her curves have not changed. He talked about her still being borderline for a brace and that we will have to watch her carefully during growth spurts (usually between 4 - 5 & around 11 - 13). He will not be surprised if at some point she wll have to be braced. I again brought up the question of whether she may not grow normally in the trunk area due to all the radiation to her spine but again he told me not to worry about it. I already know from talking to other doctors that this is a likely scenario so I didn't push it. We'll just have to wait and see. I'm going to see if we can start doing sitting heights as well as overall when we measure her so i can start keeping track.
Well, HAMA results came in last week and not surprisingly she is still negative. We head to the city for Round 11 next Sunday June 23. We'll be spending July 4th in the city but will not have to go in to clinic. We'll actually get a vacation day. I'm sure they'll have something fun planned for the kids. Lauren will also have all of her 4 month scans during this round. In my heart I know she is still doing great but I always get a little anxious at scan time. I'll breathe a big sigh of relief as soon as they're over. Sadly, I've learned this week that some of our friends at RMH are not doing so well. Unfortunately there have been quite a lot of relapses over the past few months. It is always heartbreaking when a child relapses (or has disease progression) but it is especially hard when it's kids that you have grown so close to.
The kids have been pretty busy these last two weeks. Timmy's last soccer game was Saturday and we ended the spring season Tuesday with a game of parents vs. kids. As usual we (the parents) got our "butts whipped". This year it was 5 - 1! We ended the night with a team trip to Dairy Queen. On Wednesday Timmy had karate promotions and I am proud to say that he was promoted to a Blue belt. Now he advances to the next level of classes and will participate in sparring. He was so excited to try on all his new equipment as soon as we got home that night and can't wait to try it out for real in his first sparring class next week. Today was also Timmy's last day of school. I can't believe summer vacation has officially started!
And last but certainly not least - Lauren's birthday was this past Monday (June 10). The little princess is now 4! Whoo Hoo!
We had a family BBQ on Sunday with both sets of grandparents, Aunt Nean, Aunt Eileen, Uncle Davey, Aunt Maureen, Davey, Patrick, Uncle Gary, Aunt Trish & Elizabeth. Later in the evening Aunt Val, Uncle Mike, Jen & Devon came up too. It was great that everyone could come up and celebrate with us. Lauren spent a lot of the time either riding around in her new Barbie jeep or jumping in her Jumpolene. And of course all the kids had to take a dip in my neighbor Betty's pool!
Then on Monday she had her first "real" kids party. We had it at a place called the Tree House which is kinda like a big McDonald's playland but private and much, much cleaner! She has always wanted to play at McDonald's but has never been allowed so when we got there she looked around then looked at me and said "I get to play in the ball pit??!! Yipeeeee!!! LOL She had such a blast! It was so awesome to watch her running around like a totally normal kid.
Well Lauren says that I have written enough and have to end this update because it's bedtime and she's been "waiting very patiently for her bedtime story". Hmmmm you see why we call her the " little princess"!
As always - thanks so much for checking in on us and for all the thoughts and prayers you send our way.
