Sunday, January 2, 2011

Hello Monday.So wish I could have delayed you ...

And Monday comes and with it,most begrudgingly,our routines must return to their former states.Bummer.I actually think I am in denial.I have so loved the kick back days.The time spent with my big girls and my beautiful grandbaby.My husband that took some uncharacteristic time off from work.The lazy mornings that turned into completely lazy,unproductive days.The boys bringing new meaning to the term pajama rats.And Miss Zoey, content wearing the wardrobe of choice ..on most days, comfy cozy,in her warm footsie jammies.I have been known to tubby or shower her,only to return her back into a clean pair of pajamas.Wouldn't we all like to be able to do that?Wait,I think I actually did do that a few times over this winter break!

I will however,unfortunately also have to do some serious video/Wii deprogramming,detoxing, with the boys ... they are so going to hate me when I re-implement the no electronics rule,on Monday through Thursday's.I will be watching closely for signs of physical withdrawal ....and you think I'm joking.Definitely not.The weather here has not helped matters.Our usual sunny California weather has been scarce to say the least.As I write, it is dark,gloomy and pouring rain at 3 pm.Not the the stuff that will illicit motivation of any kind,that is for sure.Yep,definitely in denial.

Christmas came and went far to quickly once again.Much like this past year that evaporated into thin air.Jake commented the other day,"I think it was in 3rd grade that I realized that time goes by fast."He is only 9 years old for gosh sakes.Hearing him say that made me sad.Realizing that we all feel the passing of time in our own way.No matter our chronological age.For me,this side of 40 and closing in on 50 in a few years,the knowledge of that resounds loud and clear within my head as well as my heart.I think too,having already raised 3 into adulthood,I know that in a blink of an eye the years fly.So perhaps that is why I hold on a bit tighter to these moments.I can't slow down time,try as I might but I do have the choice of how I spend that time.That is about as close as I will come to making New Year's resolutions.I am notorious for breaking them.So I'll focus on time.How I use it.How I give it.How I honor it.What I do with this precious gift of time.As for tomorrow ...

Like it or not,we start right back with stuff.Like PT stuff.Been a PT slacker as well this Christmas break.Don't want to get up and drag her there.Have to though.Or at least should.So I suppose that means I will.Then,joy of all joys,just the way I want to kick start the new year,Zoey has a check up at UCLA with her neurologist.Always a fun time.The drive.The waiting.The discussion ... we will once again revisit weaning of her medication.I still am not clear why we need to even entertain that though.I subscribe to the theory,if it ain't broken,don't fix it but for some reason,her neuro has other ideas.Ones I really need to understand more fully before we go that route.I do trust him,Zoey's neurologist,you see.It's sneaky seizures I don't trust.Bottom line for me is,Zoey is doing fine.Has she plateaued off a bit in her development?Yes.Absolutely.But even though her medication can sometimes have a cognitive dulling effect and can inhibit speech,and in some rare cases,stunt it all together,I am not naive enough to believe that her medication and her currant dosage has anything to do with what she is or is not doing.I pretty much fully and soley rest that on the shoulders of that damn stroke.I am however, very realistic as to where she is at and at this point and strangely enough,at this moment,I could care less.Now that could change from day to day,without notice and most likely will,but for now,it is what it is.So I am pushing for no med change,thank you very much.

I'll keep you posted.I leave you with a few pictures of Zoey with her darling makeup kit she got from Caitlin and Danny.She was so darn cute with it!

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First a little blow dry ...

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Then a little lipstick ...

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A little blush ...

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Checking herself out in the mirror ...

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Yep,looking beautiful as ever ...

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18 comments:

Lacey said...

Oh my gosh, that makeup kit is the cutest thing I've ever seen! Arina wants to come play!
I thought her neuro went up a bit on the topamax last time? I hope he doesn't think about weaning yet. I love the lazy days, but the boys have been making me crazy this time. I guess because its to flippin cold to go outside. Yuck!

Elizabeth said...

I know I've said this before, but that Zooey is just so damn cute it's hard to take. Those "makeup" shots are the best!

I can ditto your first comments about the lazy pj days and getting back to "schedules." I can also ditto you on the electronics freeze. Oy!

Good luck and hopefully, we can remain resolute in our intention to meet one another in person soon!

Cheri said...

Oh I hear you....so not ready to give up the relaxed feeling of the last two weeks. I think I am in denial as well and feeling out right ornery about it actually!!! ;)

Zoey and the make up kit is too much, she is so cute ....no actually beautiful! She is just stinkin beautiful!

Will be thinking about you and the dr. appointment! I don't know why but it seems our "kiddos" plateaus last extra long but boy when they hit a particular stride it is so amazing... hoping another one for her is right around the corner and the med. decision one way or the other will support that growth spurt.

Little Miss Z. Reid misses you and needs to see you soon!

Anonymous said...

I love reading your website and of Zoey's progress and development. It is always difficult when making decisions about medications, especially when it is a risk vrs. benefit situation. As most of my work has been with children with severe autism, I consider Zoey to be quite high functioning cognitively even though she is below average for her age (e.g. I have seen in the videos of her that she can use signs to communicate her needs, uses appropriate gestures, understands much of what is said to her etc). One of my research interests (I am pursuing a Master's in special education) is to develop communication methods for children with severe-profound cognitive impairments and to give them more control over their environments. She will always require help in life, but will be able to make simple choices that will allow her to feel a sense of control over her life. She has the ability to lead a happy and full life even if it is not a "normal" one. She just needs to be provided with the right environment to live that life and you are doing an excellent job.

Stephanie said...

oh i'm with you !!!! We didn't get dressed at all this week. i have a lack of dirty clothes to prove it!!

I'm sitting here and in 30 seconds I have to sound the alarms. get the kids up and start this whole long miserable Monday. I too canceled everything for Em last week.

please keep us posted on the med change. hope he has a really logical reason for wanting to mess with it.

love Zoey with her make up, is it just instinct that girls know what to do with it? Miss Em got a handbag this Christmas with some lipstick and a mirror in it and she just knew. She was sitting on the potty the other day with her mirror and lipstick!

Good luck getting through Blue Monday!at least I'll get through it first! LOL

Bethany said...

I'm depressed that we gotta get back in the grind too. :( Shall we have a session? lol

Tina said...

Love the make up kit and she knows what to do with it too! I love how she is putting her blush on, she's quite the party girl. Zoey, she's so beautiful.
I know what you mean about getting back into the routine my son's school starts tomorrow and I'm dreading getting up an hour earlier each morning now, but has to b done, I think I'm dreading his school more than he is!!! Hope the New Year has started off beautifully for you.

Anonymous said...

What a great gift she got from big sister Caitlin and brother-in-law Danny, (Sounds weird Miss Z having a brother-in-law and a niece) That proves time marches on and waits for no one, mommy Heather! phew!

Listen - 40's are nothing.. how about 60's heading for ...dare I speak it?....70's UGH!! talk about What happened? Oh well.... AND.. how about you & Mark being grandparents at your tender ages - Yikes, now there is a show stopper for sure!

Anyway, great photos of the little make-up routine - love it! Miss Z is certainly a girlie-girl!

Routine is a bummer I know, but I guess we need it or else we all become....unroutined (is that a word) PJ's on cold wintery days in Syracuse are a great thing too

Good posting Heather and glad we were able to connect on the "tellie" over the holidays.

Aunt Bluebelle
Oops - there I go being super "chatty" again! Sorry folks

Anonymous said...

To Laura Gilmour

Thank you for your intest in all the very "special" children. Good luck on your Masters. Wonderful, inspirational words.


Loraine
(Aunt Bluebelle)

Rochelle said...

We are enjoying 2 more days of laziness before Aidan heads off on Wed and Alayna starts back on Thursday. LOVE the makeup kit pics. Super cute.
Praying that the neuro appt goes well and no med change is needed.

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

We have been the same way lately, lounging in our pj's most of the rainy days! I wish the rain would go away and it would warm up a bit. It's really cold! (Lacey and Ray, I know ... we're wimps! hehe)

I hoep that Zoey's neuro appointment goes well. That office is making me crazy right now. I hope you can come to an agreement on her medication that you are both comfortable with!

Becca said...

The end of the weekend, the end of the holidays and the passage of time in general is pretty bittersweet. So many good things have happened, so many good things are yet to come...gotta keep remembering that.

Zoey is cracking me up! What a little doll with that adorable makeup kit! So cute. It sounds like the medication is definitely the way to go, though. No seizures = happy, beautiful child. :-)

Cammie Heflin said...

So cute! Today is our last day home as well. I am in denial that I will be back at work too!

Reagan Leigh said...

Hello...most days I'm lucky to get out of my pjs by noon!! Love those picks of Miss Zoey! She's such a little ham!

The VW's said...

Zoey....you are simply adorable!!

I miss Christmas vacation! Boo!

Love and Hugs!!!

SECRET PEPPER PERSON: said...

Difficult decision isn't it? The Teen is on Zonegran which is similar to Topamax and just had another med added during menstrual period for her increased seizures at that time. The Baby has been on Phenobarb for 3 years and I think I am finally willing to consider weaning. The neurologist gave me the option but my exact words were "If it isn't broken don't fix it." Sound familiar?!

Denise Pequignot said...

Sydney has those same PJs!!

Googsmom said...

Beautiful Zoey!!! Love her bunches!