busy times for the exley family...

Watching Harry Potter.

Drinking eggnog - switched seats to sit close to Daddy.

Scary part in Harry Potter....

Mommy plays hairdresser - makes Grama proud. (wish this wasn't blurry)

New jammies are funny

Things are going full tilt around here - not sure where the time goes, but it sure flies by in a hurry. I can't believe we're so close to Christmas. It's scary considering I haven't really had time to start shopping yet.

School has been insanely busy lately. Combine that with Liam's school, concerts, tae kwon do, figuring out how to get him to and from school, etc. and Lola's therapy (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech/Language, Music Therapy, Feeding Group, Sensory Group) doctor's/specialist appointments, etc. and I'm ready for a break. I'm in bed most nights around 8:00. How sad is that? Anyway, enough whining - it's still a good life no matter how you slice it.

So this week we had Liam's Christmas concert. He was front and center, and got to hold up the "H" in Christmas, so he was pretty darned excited. He sang loudly and with great enthusiasm and knew all his actions. Last year at this concert, we didn't get to bring Lola, as she stayed at the hospital with Theresa babysitting her. Everywhere I looked that night, I saw sweet-faced little girls, dressed in their pretty Christmas dresses with bows in their hair. It was all I could do not to start crying. I told myself, "Next year, she'll be here." (over and over again). Well, she did it - she made it to Liam's concert this year, and she did great. She watched wide-eyed - so many kids! So many loud noises! She had a great time (and got crabby just as I was ready to leave too - Steve got to stay behind and wait for Liam.) It made me very thankful that we've come so far with our sweet girl.

Lola got to celebrate with an EEG, which she did NOT enjoy very much. It was the worst one yet in terms of her protesting (screaming/kicking/freaking out), but I think they caught a lot of what they needed to see. Since she's been on Keppra, she's been doing much better - until about a week ago, when she started to do the exaggerated startle thing she was doing awhile back on Trileptal (which led to the nasty drop seizures). So we're not sure if she needs her dosage increased or what - we see the neurologist on Tuesday. Pray that it's just a med tweak and nothing more serious.

She's doing great with her g-tube gone - everything is healing nicely. She'll be ready for bikini season no problem. I've already been online shopping. ha

While watching the Leon's commercial this morning (at about...oh, 6 am), Lola watched the pathetic Santa-auditions and said, "Thantha". I couldn't believe my ears. She said it several more times, and even said it for Aunt Pubba on the phone. She says "dada" a lot, but this sounds different. I'm sure she means to say it. She's also been spanking lots of bums lately for some reason (it's a strange household), and giving high fives. She has a blast with Leni (her caregiver), and Deannie (her Developmental Specialist), and they've given her so many new skills to work towards with the program she's involved in (GRIT, it's called "Getting Ready for Inclusion Today"). We couldn't be more happy with everyone involved. They're so caring and skilled. It's really amazing. Last week we had Lola's IPP meeting in our living room (didn't have to drive into Calgary for it - they all came here at 7:00 at night!), and amid lots of laughter and stories, we figured out Lola's IPP goals for this year. In many cases, they were writing and re-writing the goals at an amazing pace, because Lola's gains have been significant in all areas. For example, one of the goals was to learn to use a straw sippy cup, and for her to hold it herself. She mastered this a couple of weeks ago. She's quite a girl (but then, we already knew that).

Tomorrow night is my staff party (I'm the designated driver - fun...) and Steve's staying home with the kids. Then Sunday we're off to my staff's kids Christmas party. Liam is so excited to see Santa and to party it up elf-style.