Tonight as you were going to bed to asked for Mom and I to both come with you. I put you in the crib, you lay down and asked us to sing Jesus Loves Me. After we were done you said, “Dear Jesus”? Which means you wanted us to pray. I prayed and then nudged Mom to pray, as she was about to start you said, “Dear Jesus, helping Mommy, Daddy, Georgia. Amen.” That was the first time we heard you pray.
That was a nice end to an evening where you were whacking the Christmas tree with the back scratcher.
Hi Great Grandma Emma!!
I hear you are doing well and having fun in rehab. I also hear the food is good so that is never a bad thing!! My momma told me how you were learning to go up and down the steps the other day. We have so much in common Great Grandma, I only go up and down one stair at a time too. Sometimes, I like to slide down the stairs on my butt and say “whee.” Maybe they will let you try that in your therapy session. It is a lot of fun and it helps to work on your sitting balance skills.
Well, I have to tell you something Great Grandma – I went pee pee on the potty last week. It really wasn’t that exciting and I am not sure why my parents were so happy. I ended up getting a chocolate kiss to eat so that wasn’t too bad. I’ve sat on the potty since then but nothing has happened.
Have you ever had an ice cream cone Great Grandma? That is probably a silly question because I am sure by now you have tried one. Well, I had my first one on Memorial Day. As my daddy was making the cones for me, momma and himself I was getting sooo excited. I kept trying to reach up on the cabinet to get it and constantly saying “mmm mmm.” We went outside to eat it and I really didn’t understand how it worked. I wanted my momma to hold it and then I would put my lips in it. I decided to hold it myself and figured you eat the ice cream with your fingers. That didn’t work so well. My daddy kept sticking his tongue out at me. I am not sure what his problem was! Finally I figured I would just eat the cone so I started at the bottom. It made a big mess and fell onto the ground. I still tried to eat it off the ground because I didn’t want to miss out on anything. My daddy had to spray me down with the hose when I was done.
I can’t think of anything else new and exciting to tell you. Keep up the good work. Hope you have a nice visit with Uncle Kenny when he comes.
Lots of love,
Georgia
I hear you are getting out the hospital and going to rehab. I am so happy for you. That’s me cheering for you in the picture. I hear you are doing great and getting stronger every day. I know you will work really hard in therapy. Don’t forget to share some stories while you are there. I hear you love to tell stories and jokes too! Remember how I told you about the potty I got? Well, I tried it out this week. I sat on it for about 2 hours. It seemed a little long for me but I didn’t mind because I got to eat chocolate and watch Mamo on the TV. Nothing happened again but I did go pee pee on the carpet three times. Once, I dropped a Hersey Kiss in the potty and my daddy thought it was poo. That was funny. My momma put the potty in the closet. I guess we’ll try again when I get a little bigger. Oh, you are probably wondering what Mamo is. His real name is Elmo. He is the red, furry monster on Sesame Street. I used to call him Mama but apparently that created too much confusion around here so I know I call him Mamo and everyone seems happy! I have a new fruit I like. It is called watermelon. Actually I LOVE it. I don’t like it cut up. I like hold a big piece and eat it. My momma said the watermelon by your house is really good and we’ll pick up some this summer when we come to visit. I don’t really have any good stories for you right now. My momma has been at work the past couple days. We went to the grocery store this morning and I played outside for a few minutes. It was a little chilly and I have a runny nose so my mom had me come inside. I was tired and I told her “night night” and started to go up the stairs. She knew I wanted to take a nap. Keep up the good work great grandma Emma!
Hugs & Kisses,
Georgia
Hi Great Grandma Emma,
My momma told me that you fell and hurt yourself. Don’t worry Great Grandma, I know you will be alright – I fall all the time. Did you cry? I have been trying to cry lately when I want something – not really when I am hurt. My momma doesn’t seem to like that but I keep trying anyway. Maybe you should try it in the hospital.
I hope they are taking care of you are the hospital. How is the food? Are you ordering anything I would like to eat? I love all kinds of food but especially love fruit. So think of me any time you have a nana (banana), abble (apple), bapple (pineapple), and babu (blueberries). My momma and daddy don’t always feed me when I want to eat (I like to eat all day long) so yesterday I tried to said the word food but it only came out foo. I think they got the point.
Today, I wanted to take on more responsibility in the house so I tried to feed Tigger (my kitty) some graham crackers. I put them in her food dish but my momma said our kitty only likes dry cat food and tuna fish. How boring!
It is a bit chilly today here so I am not sure I will go outside to play. Yesterday I got a couple new toys from a garage sale and I love them. I love to go outside and run around and in some cases run away. My momma said she needs to exercise so I am just doing what she asks, right? I got another new thing last week. It is called a potty. I have sat on it a few times but nothing has happened. Last night in the bath I kept telling my daddy poo poo and he put me on the potty. Again nothing happened.
We went to church today and may go back again tonight if I take a good nap. I really get excited going to church. You should try to talk to people about Jesus when you are in the hospital. Not everyone knows about Him.
Well Great Grandma, I have things to do and food to eat so I better get going. Tell Great Grandpa Paul I said hello and my Grandma Phyllis too.
I LOVE YOU!!! XXXOOO
Georgia
Hi Georgia,
You are just about to start forming some sentences. I’m kicking myself for not writing down when you started forming words but it’s been a little while now. Your first word, probably around Christmas time was “book”, pronounced “buh”, often in rapid succession “buh, buh, buh”. You love books. Following close behind was Mama and Daddy. You may have started calling our cat earlier then that, calling out kitty as “tee tee”. You really like making animal sounds. Your first animal sound was a dog, “woof-woof”. I was reading you a book and barking like that when you copied me a couple times. It took a while until you started saying woof-woof on your own. Your first animals sounds on your own were cow and sheep. Instead of moo for cow, you’d say “booooooo” and tend to go on for a few seconds. And then you started calling our cat Tigger with a meow as “meeeye”. Just last night you stopped saying “meeeye” and just said meow. I love how you do a horse sound, Mom and I say “neigh” and kind of draw it out. You try so hard to copy us, get all excited and go “eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee” at the top of your lungs. Now that it’s spring, you love going outside. You’ll stand by the door and politely ask, “siesie?”.
You do say more things now, those were some of the first. We’re about to get to the point where your vocabulary will be too big to keep track of. Mom and I hear what sound like sentences, you talk to Tigger, some toys and things outside. You have some pretty complete conversations but we don’t quite understand you yet. I’d love to know what you’re talking about.
And I love it that all your conversations are so fun for you.
Love,
Dad
Georgia had her last immunizations today and now will only need to see the doctor yearly around her birthday for a well child visit. Her stats: Height- 33 1/4 inch (80%) and Weight- 25 lbs 14 oz (75%). Georgia’s growth chart from birth to now has been a very consistent curve. Since Georgia is tall, she said the weight is very proportional so she looks healthy. Since Georgia is a good eater and drinks her milk she doesn’t need to take any vitamins (which is also unusual for kids this age). Georgia is at or above in her development and no concerns noticed. Georgia graciously waved and said bye bye to the doctor when she was leaving the room. Georgia tried it again on the nurse but unfortunately it didn’t work and she still got a shot (which she didn’t like at all)!
Georgia will still need to follow up with the pediatric orthopedic doctor at 2 years. Please continue to pray for Georgia that her hip is developing normally.
Well Georgia had her 15 month well child visit with the doctor today. Her stats are: Weight 24lb 12 oz (75%) and Height: 31 1/2 inches (80%). The doctor still heard her hip click but states it is continues to be stable. I talked to the doctor about Georgia continually getting colds and her cough that she has had since the end of September. The doctor feels Georgia’s symptoms are related to a cold and not allergies. She said the average child gets 6-12 colds a year and me just taking Georgia to the gym or nursery once a week could be doing it. She said most coughs last for approx one month after the cold symptoms resolve and since Georgia hasn’t gone a month without getting another cold, her cough has never gone away. Her chest is not congested however she does have the beginning signs of an ear infection so she prescribed Georgia some antibotics for that.
Georgia didn’t care for the two shots she got and is already associating the “crinkly paper” on the exam table with bad things! She has had a rough few days but hopefully on the road to recovery. She did say abble today (for apple). I think Matt and I may be the only ones who can understand her language!!
Hi Georgia,
It’s been a really long time since I’ve written you last. There’s a bunch of snow on the ground and it’s pretty cold. Mom and I can see that you’re warm most of the time just like me. Mom’s usually cold and I’m usually warm. Looks like you’re taking my side! That’s a good thing for winter but the summer can get too hot quick.
I was in the bathroom downstairs this morning with the door open so I could still see you in the living room. You came in, shut the door behind you and then walked over to me in the dark to give me a hug. It’s as if you were telling me everything would be ok in the dark. This isn’t new. You don’t mind the dark. In fact sometimes you’ll start laughing in the dark. I think that’s great.
As I’m typing this now you’re watching Curious George. That seems to be our show. And well hey, I guess that’s your website too! Your favorite thing to watch is a dvd series called Baby Faith or Brainy Baby. Those are the two that you just keep staring at for the whole thing and then you’ll clap and laugh at certain times. Clapping and laughing usually happens when you see a cat, dog or other baby you like.
Another funny thing I noticed today is when you get a snack you like, after a few bites you start walking around and you do this little Stevie Wonder thing with you’re body and head like your doing a dance move. It’s hilarious. Mommy has a funny thing she does when she’s about to get a snack she really likes, she rubs her hands together really quick … it’s just a little woosha woosha woosha. For the longest time she didn’t even know she’d be doing it. Then I started laughing and she started noticing.
Well this is common knowledge to everyone by now but you’re favorite thing is books. You love to carry a book around and flip through the pages. Not just flip through the pages, you really study everything on the page. Lately you’ve been going up to the couch with a book, you’ll put the book on the couch then pound your hands on the couch while looking at one of us to tell us that you want to get up there to read. You do a pretty good job at sitting on the couch. Sometimes though we’ll catch you trying to stand and walk around on the couch. If you’d lose your balance and go towards the table, you’d really start hurting. So we can’t leave you on the couch for long. Or at least we make sure to sit next to you.
The last thing we tried to do lately is take some pictures of you for a Christmas card. We bought a fancy camera and I decided to try and set up some lights upstairs for taking pictures. I need to read a book on how to set up lights for photography properly, and then a book on how to really use this camera properly. We’ve got some pictures that are good, but they could be better. You certainly couldn’t have done better though, you looked like you were really having fun playing with a little Christmas tree Nani made for you and some Christmas lights.
I’ve leave you today with one of my favorite pictures from the day.
I love you Georgia,
-Dad
Today was a beautiful fall day. The air was crisp and cool with a slight brisk wind. The trees are starting to change all different colors. I love the transition seasons (spring and fall) and only wished they lasted longer anymore. Soon winter will be making her way into Chicago so we figured we better get out and enjoy this nice weather. Your dad and I have always wanted to go to The Morton Aboretum in Wheaton and we talk about it every year but never go. Today we are going and you are coming with us!
We arrived at the aboretum (which is 1,700 acres of land and nature) and deceided to go to the Children’s Garden first thing. They have lots of fun things for kids to see and learn about nature, plants, water, etc. There was a lot of tents outside of the garden where you could buy fall themed items or food and there were a lot of children dressed up in their halloween costumes.
You’ve been walking now for about a month and are getting around quite well. Of all of the fun things to do and people to see at the Children’s Garden, all you wanted to do was walk. You loved to walk on all of the different types of surfaces they had there: paved, gravel, soft, stone walkway, mud, and wood. You loved the inclines and at times just wanted to keep going up and down the same walkway. First you wanted to hold my hand but then you were off on your own not even looking back for mom and dad. You didn’t want to stay still to play with any toys or exhibits they had, to get your picture taken, have a drink or to even just rest. Whenever we picked you up to go to another area, you cried. When it was time to leave, you cried. (Is this the same baby who was having separation anxiety this whole week?) You just wanted to keep exploring and walking. We didn’t see much (well really nothing) at the arboretum but we let you lead us and show us what you wanted to see.
In the end, we all had a great day. Nothing would have ended the day better than a cup of hot coco or hot apple cider. You’re still a bit young for that. Maybe next year.
I wanted to give you all an update from Georgia’s follow up appointment with the pediatric orthopedist this morning. Overall the appointment went well and no immediate concerns noted. Due to Georgia’s new development of separation anxiety she either cried or held onto me like cling wrap throughout the visit!
The doctor took a couple x-rays and then took a measurement to determine if the bone is developing as it should be. A normal angle for a child Georgia’s age is 20% or lower. Georgia’s is between 24%-26% (the measurement cannot be exact due to movement in the x-ray). One hip is a little better than the other and the socket is started to curve. This doesn’t overly concern the doctor and he doesn’t recommend that any form of intervention be done at this point. Abnormal is 30% or above and at that time he would put Georgia in a brace. According to him, there is no good research to suggest a brace is effective for where Georgia is at. He kept referring to her as borderline and states most kids in this range improve.
So she does have hip dysphasia which he referred to as a silent disease thus we will not be able to notice this in Georgia’s development or walking in any way. Basically it means her hip isn’t growing as quickly as it should be. If it does not continue to grow as it should then the hip socket will not become rounded (they are a flat angle at birth) and problems wouldn’t become evident until adulthood (probably arthritis). The doctor is hopeful that her growth is slightly behind but will continue to improve. He wants her to come back at 2 years for another x-ray to compare and determine how the bone is growing. Worse case is if the bone doesn’t grow as it should by age 3 or 4, then the doctor will take her into surgery and round out the hip socket so she wouldn’t have any future problems.
Thanks for those of you who were praying for Georgia and just keep in her in prayers at times throughout the next year that her hip is continuing to grow.