Well first I'll start with a thank-you. I'm not a fan of baby showers, or any event that is in our honor. (I like going to other people's showers just fine!) I didn't want one for Noah or Cecily - and I definitely didn't think one was needed for baby #3, Cason. But my friends and family always have a way of sneaking these events into production... and the week started off with a lovely dinner with friends and family. While I wish they wouldn't have spent the time or money on us - we are very grateful and it made us realize just how close we are to having this little guy join our family. Thank you for spoiling us time and time again.
Cecily continues to have some struggles tolerating her feeds and sleeping at night. She is in a lot of pain and watching her scream out and not be able to console her is a Mommy and Daddy's worst nightmare. But on the positiive side - we have 2 new Doctors on her team and they are both approaching Cecily from very different angles. In the coming weeks we could be making some changes that will have a big impact on Cecily's life and hopefully they will reduce and/or eliminate the pain she seems to have as a result of eating. It is so nice to have a fresh perspective from the medical community on what may be causing Cecily's discomfort to grow and we are just praying that she feels better soon.
That said, the amazing thing about Cecily is despite these set-backs with her feeding she continues to plow forward in every area of her development! She is continuing to show an aptitude and an interest in signing and she is talking up a little storm. She is so proud when she says a new word, especially when we are able to understand and repeat it to reinforce her progress. She claps for herself and her face erupts into the biggest grin. It is magical! Her new favorite letter is "B" - whether she is calling to Noah (her baba) or saying big girl words like boys, baby, bump, ba,ba,ba, boo, bus and buzz... like a bee!
And speaking of bees... I came home from work on Wednesday to find the house a buzz... literally. I wasn't sure what was going on but Cecily's nurse heard me open the door and quickly came to inform me about our new houseguests - bees! Sure enough I looked into the kitchen and there were bees buzzing around! Worse - it sounded like there was an army of bees about to invade from our kitchen range. The buzzing was intense and my heart was racing.... I was on my cell (always multi-tasking) and the irony is the person I was talking to happened to have this very same thing happen in his kitchen and was able to give me some quick advice. After ensuring Cecily was safe I called Orkin and they arrived to see the bees flying around....It is honestly one of the wildest experiences to come home and see a swarm of bees... Luckily no one was hurt and so far the bees have not returned!
With only 4 weeks left until Baby Cason's arrival we're buzzing around trying to make room for baby, get organized, get our taxes complete, install a new bathroom, get Cecily's Closet events organized for the next 2 months, close out work projects and oh yeah... a little thing called rest. (That last one is not going as well...) I've been told to rest by my OB and my asthma Dr. so I will likely be headed out on maternity leave earlier than I had expected but I am trying to be optimistic about the need to rest. I know life will be very busy with 3 - and I want to shower Noah and Cecily with extra hugs and kisses because it will be an adjustment for all of us - especially the kids. And since the Doctors have told me not to hold Cecily (that's impossible and they know it!) I am very grateful to all the family and friends who have stepped up to help us in these final weeks. (And a big thanks to Mom and Dad who steped up to fill-in after Cecily's nurse threw out her back.) We are praying that I don't have to have a C-section but so far it looks like I'm not avoiding it... so we'll see.
Our biggest family news is that we've made the decision to go ahead and start Cecily in school. All of her Doctors think this is the right thing - and after touring the school this week - we are starting to agree! The thought of sending our baby to school is still making my stomach churn but after seeing Sycamore Ridge and meeting the amazing team we feel NOT sending Cecily would be a mistake. Cecily is social. Cecily loves to be around other children. Cecily seems to leap-frog ahead when she is with little kids because she always wants to do what they are doing. At Noah's school this week Cecily sat at an art table and colored with the kids! She walked (holding my hands) all the way to the play area and happily played in the grass, the sandbox, and bounced on the trampoline with the other children. We are eager to see how Cecily adjusts to her new school and you can be we'll be sharing her progress. We're nervous and excited about the future!
And last but not least... we received MORE amazing news for Cecily's Closet. After the UPS news last week we didn't think things could get any better but it will on March 10th for one lucky family. I will share the news after the makeover!
A busy but fun-filled, crazy week in the Ackerly home.
Onwards & upwards!