What's next?!

Today marked the true end of Summer for PP. The weather is sweater-worthy and we began our busy weekly schedule. I've been yawning a lot today.

Oh, it's also Friday? Thank goodness.

Friday means we had a very important appointment today. Friday means that there are only two days until Monday. Friday means 4-5 days left until we get PP's glasses back. The most exciting thing while thinking about Friday is Saturday, because PP and I will go to a Fall Festival in the community! There will be a petting zoo and live music, among other things. It's just a hop skip away from our house so there's no pressure for time, food or supplies!

PP's famous pink glasses went out of commission on Wednesday this past week. I couldn't stand the gouges and scratches that always end up in the very center of her lenses! Sadly the optical store was not able to do a quicker turn around time than 4-5 business days, considering the extra special-ness of the glasses, so PP will just have to make due with horribly blurred vision for the time being. The absence of glasses is a welcome change to PP because I no longer can scold her for taking off her glasses to put on various other types of glasses; she just wears a million pairs in a day now! I felt like it was a good time to get those goggles fixed up anyways. PP saw the eye doctor last week and he discontinued the daily eye patching regimen! I was very happy to hear this because not only am I able to throw away the stupid eye patches, but the glasses alone are making a positive change in PP's vision. She never, ever let me put the patch on her eye without a fight anyways!

On Monday PP has an appointment to see her orthotist. She will most likely get new braces for her feet. She might be ready for a simple sole insert! The orthotic braces have made a huge, positive impact on PP's ability to walk and I love them especially because they have a dinosaur pattern! This appointment is wedged in between two therapy appointments at Children's Hospital, thus marking the start of tri-appointment days! We will run into a FULL day of appointments about once a week from here on out.

Cue insanity, wish for a bottomless cup of black coffee and a cigarette.

Today was a big day. PP had her first follow up with Developmental Pediatrics. After her first appointment with Dr. McLellan, we started the cocktail of therapies through Children's Hospital. I was anxious to see what the Doc would say now, but I didn't think it would be more than just a pat on the back and an order to carry on. As it turns out, the Speech Therapist at Children's works alongside Dr. Mclellan on a weekly basis and PP is often the topic of conversation. PP has both the ST and Doc stumped in terms of how to deal with some of PP's issues. The ST told Doc about a weird characteristic of PP: it's hard to tell if PP is crying or laughing sometimes during the day. If she experiences a strong emotion she doesn't seem to know how to express it so she laughs and cries at the same time. This characteristic put up a flag for the ST because she had never seen a child behave like that before. Speech is the hardest thing for PP to practice, so the ST sees a lot of this weird behavior and how confusing it can be from an adult point of view. Personally, I would call it a "tick" for lack of a better explanation, but Doc had a different idea. Doc referred us to the head neurologist at Children's Hospital in St. Paul because he wants Neuro Doc to rule out the possibility of Gelastic Seizure in PP. I was a bit skeptical of this possibility for PP, but as I searched YouTube for videos of gelastic seizures I feel certain that PP has this type of Epilepsy. I felt like I was watching a video of PP when I came across this video in particular. The possibility of Epilepsy strikes a few raw emotions in me, but I am trying to stay positive.

With that said, I need a drink (of wine). I have a bonfire waiting outside and it's a beautiful evening.

Good vibes and long drives
XoX