Elisabeth is One!

My darling baby turned one year old today! We celebrated by going to get portraits done in the morning. It was her 24th photo shoot of the year. Needless to say....we haven't missed a moment! After pictures, she had her therapy session. During therapy she was having some strange seizures, so I decided to call the neurologist. He sent us to the emergency room. Not the best way for a baby to spend her first birthday, but she's used to it. We are home now and gearing up for a night at Chuck E. Cheese. Her big sisters are excited!

The Love Between Sisters

Elisabeth had a very strong seizure this afternoon. There were several times during it that Alexandra said she was scared for her sister. After it had gone on for 10 minutes or so we decided it was time to pull out the diastat. It is a single dose medication that her neurologist had given us for situations like these. It is the same thing she would have been given in the hospital, but it saved us a trip to the E.R. Within minutes, she calmed down and returned to her normal self.

A little while later Alexandra came up to me while I was getting ready for work. I was incredibly moved by what she told me:

"If we weren't born yet, I would take her place so that she didn't have to be blind and have seizures. I am not joking Mom, I would take her place."

"I know you would," I replied with a smile.

Pure love.

Fun With a Box

We bought diapers at Costco and Lorelai asked if she could have the box that they came in. She had FUN!

School Tour

Tonight was an open house at Alexandra's school. We went as a family and she had so much fun playing 'tour guide'. She showed us everything from the music room, to the library, to the monkey bars outside.

I am so thankful that she has adjusted to kindergarten so well. She loves her school and feels very comfortable in her new environment. I am also happy that Donald and I followed our instincts and put her in the dual language program. She is really taking off with Spanish. What a gift in this day and age to be bilingual. I know that it will truly benefit he in years to come.

Weekly Weigh-In

Elisabeth's weight went up again. She was 20lb 15 oz. They continue to be amazed that she is gaining weight. Usually children on this diet can't keep the weight on. If she continues gaining too much, we'll have to decrease her calorie intake.

We are having trouble keeping her ketone levels up. It seems to fluctuate a lot. Yesterday it dropped down to low. This has us all a bit puzzled. There has been no variation in her diet, no place for error, so why is she dropping out of ketosis? Hmmm.....we'll figure it out....eventually.

First Homework Assignment

Notice the stamp in the upper right corner?

It says, "Good Work".

We're off to a great start.

Now if she can keep it up till high school...

Testimony

Alexandra loves to bare her testimony at church on the first Sunday of every month. She has been doing it since she was 3 years old. Well, yesterday was the first day that she had the courage to do it all by herself. I still stood by her side, but the words were all hers.

I am so proud of Alexandra. Her confidence is strong for such a little girl and she sets a great example for her 2 younger sisters.

Miracles Do Happen

Lorelai was taking an afternoon 'quiet time' (this means playing quietly in the play room) when she came to me about an hour ago and said, "actually Mama, I want to take a nap."

????????????????????????

And who was I to argue with the dear child. So napping she is. And happy am I.

Weekly Weigh-In

Now that Elisabeth is on the ketogenic diet, a dietitian comes out to the home every week to check up on her and get her weight. She lost weight at the beginning, and they feared she might continue to lose weight if they didn't increase her calorie intake. But guess what!?! Her weight was up 1/2 a pound! Way to go Elisabeth! Last week she weighed in at 20 lbs 3 oz and today she was 20 lbs 11oz.

Also, our insurance agreed to pay for 11 cans of formula a month! Woohooo! That should be enough for the entire 30 days. Previously they had only committed to covering 6 cans.

A good day indeed!

Lorelai and Elisabeth

Only Child (sort of)

Lorelai has loved 'adjusting' to her new role as the big kid at home now that Alexandra is at school every day. There is a smile on her face from morning till night (or should I say afternoon...3:12 to be exact). She loves having Mommy to herself, the toys to herself, Elisabeth to herself, the TV to herself...you get the picture.

Yesterday, Lorelai discovered the Frances books. We read this one a couple times today:

She also requests that we play Memory over, and over, and over. Magically, she wins everytime...