School Girl

Well, we're in the big time now, Georgia is officially a school girl!  Today she was all smiles when she woke up, first words out of her mouth, "I'm going to school today!"  After breakfast she got dressed in the outfit she'd picked out.  Before heading out for a quick picture, Georgia put on her "shiny boots" as I was zipping up mine, she said, "we both have boots on mom, because we're stylish."  Already a fashion maven whose all about style. 

We arrived at school and headed in, she hung up her coat and waited to meet her teacher.  Georgia said hi to teacher Janet and she helped her put her nametag on.  Then, she was off, coming back quickly to show me where she'd been, "LOOK!"  She was looking into a room filled with a sensory table filled with soapy water, painting easels, a play kitchen and more.. she was thrilled.  She looked up at me and said, "you can go now mom."  Her teacher looked at me and said, "wow, she's ready!" 

I felt so happy, leaving her in a place she was so happy, playing with kids and being so normal, she deserves this time in her life!

When I picked her up she had two art projects to bring home and her teacher asked if I was sure she hadn't been in school all year, she did great.

I am so excited for Georgia to be in school for many reasons but one most of all is for other people to know her, not because she had cancer, not because she's a survivor, because she is Georgia, plain and simple, there is so much to know, all wrapped up in this adorable little girl.

Someone made a comment today that I just loved, she said, "Go light the world on fire, Georgia."  You know what?  I think she just might.

 

 If you look, Georgia is pointing at herself.. I asked, "whose first day of school is it?"

 That's right!

 Leo was up and accompanied me to drop Georgia off at school

 I'm beyond proud of my girl!

 When I left, Georgia was at the "sensory table" washing baby dolls

Ready to go

Tomorrow a new journey begins, something that wasn't even on my radar for a long time, then became a goal and now it's here, tomorrow Georgia is going to school.  Technically school started two weeks ago but Georgia had a cold, one that came with a fever and cough.  We were all so disappointed when she missed her first day, she had tears and I held back mine.  We've spent the last two weeks recovering and getting even more excited about starting.  Georgia got a letter in the mail from her teacher telling her all about school and the activities she'll be a part of, I should have taken a picture of her face after I read her the letter, she was beaming.
A few weeks ago I attended a parent meeting to go over the school curriculum, parent involvement, fundraisers, and then it was my turn.  I'd asked the meeting coordinator (also parent educator) for about five minutes on the agenda and the time had come for me to share a little about us.  All of a sudden I welled up with tears and all I could say was, "I can't believe I'm sitting in an orientation for preschool."  I got myself together and told the other parents and teachers about Georgia, how she is so excited to come to school and that she has the immune strength of someone about half her age.  I told them that I knew she would get sick throughout the year but asked parents to pause when sending kids back to school after being sick, making sure they're ready.  The support I've felt has made me feel confident we chose the right school for Georgia.  I am excited to watch her learn and be involved with other kids in ways she never has before.  Her school is a co-op, so once a week I will be able to see it all unfolding.
There is certainly a part if me that's scared to send her to school, fear of germs has been so engrained in me, I'm working to let some of that go but certain things are hard to unlearn.  I am trying to stay focused on the fact that germs and sickness will happen, but that she has a healthy immune system to take care anything that comes her way.
Tonight before turning out the light we talked about going to school in the morning, the outfit you chose is ready to go and you told me that you knew parents would be in the class tomorrow but that I didn't need to stay... So to my amazingly bright, fun-loving, smart, miraculous daughter, go enjoy tomorrow, soak in every minute of fun, you'll only have your first day once, but there are many other days to come. I love you my girl, more than you'll ever know.

Six Months

 

Leo, it's hard to believe its already been six months since you were born, time is going so quickly and your growth is keeping up with the fast pace.  You continue to be a happy, mellow guy.  You have two teeth, one completely through, the other one just at the surface.  You're sitting up and prefer to be this way, a new view on the world.. you are also proving to a bit mobile, scooting on your belly around the room, you'll be crawling in no time.  The last month has been especially rough in terms of sleep, this is the area where we need to make great strides, your mama misses sleep!

You love Georgia, seeing her, having her play with you and especially watching her jump, run and dance around, you start to squirm with delight and I can tell you want to keep up.. soon my boy!

We started food about two weeks ago, I woke up one day and decided I would make my own rice cereal for you, out came the food processor, organic brown rice, filtered water and when it was time to eat... you choked, I mean literally you were choking on the small grains of rice.. so much for homemade!  We later tried the store bought rice cereal and you did great.  We've since moved on to avocados which you like as well.  Eating seems to be exciting and overwhelming at times, all of these new sensations at once must be quite an experience.

You're a social guy, letting anyone hold you, laughing and always wanting to be where the action is.  I love you so much can't wait to watch you emerge into your sweet, lovable self.  We had your six month wellness check today, you're a healthy, big boy!

 

Six Month Stats:

Weight: 19lbs 11oz (80th%)

28.5 inches long (Greater than the 95th%)

 



 

 Food?

 Ah, what's this?

 WHAT??

 Disgusting!

 This is more my style 

 Maybe it would be better to try this thing head on..

I'm a mess!!!!

 

 

Avocados went a little more smoothly..



Dare to Compare

 

Since birth I've heard how much Georgia looks like Brian, I've joked that I had to have Leo to make Georgia look a little like me... but then everyone says they look so much alike!  Without a doubt these two are siblings, and there is certainly no need for a paternity test but I do see me in both of my kids too..  I took a look back at some old photos of Georgia and did a little comparison, some almost identical, some very different all of which is very fun to see.



 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day these two look like Georgia and Leo, siblings who love each other and are delighted by each others company.  This is how I found them the other afternoon, happy as clams together.

Just after returning from Montana we headed down to Nana and Bawdy's house for more cousin time, this time though it was with our east coast cousins, Landon & Holden!  Georgia hadn't seen the boys since they were about eight months old so it was fun to see them play and have Auntie Lex and Uncle Wade meet Leo.  It was really busy with four little ones around but everyone managed to have a great time and celebrate three birthdays!

 

 Landon

 Holden 

Georgia helping Auntie Lex make birthday cakes

 



 

 Happy Birthday Holden 

You too Landon...



And Happy 70th to Bawdy!

 

Old Habits

Last week Georgia celebrated being off of immune suppression for one year!  Immune suppression was such a major part of our life, even just the act of taking her medication at the right time everyday, we're one year stronger and haven't looked back.  Some habits don't go away so easily, immediately following this picture Georgia asked to go wash her hands, and I'll admit, I was a little relieved to get all of that grimy dirt off... old habits die hard.