Gracie's Big Day at Dorney Park.

 Today was a HUGE day for Grace! We went to Dorney Part and she had a Great time!!!!!!!
 She went on everything!
 This picture was AFTER the ride stopped.
She waited patiently in line ALL DAY and had NO tantrums or behaviors.

SHE WENT ON EVERYTHING that her father took her on!
She went on the carousel!! WE could NEVER get her on the Carousel!
 AND SHE WENT ON THE LITTLE ROLLER COASTER AND LOVED IT!!! I have her first roller coaster picture but I'll post that later. Every ride Chris took her on , she followed willingly behind him.
 The roller coaster,, the Whip, the Dragon Boat, you name it, she did it-without any fear.


She has a cold but the constant runny nose and mouth breathing and sneezing didn't stop her. Her eyes were even watering, poor baby, but it didn't get in her way of having a good time!
She was absolutely amazing.
Guess we can get season tickets next year!!!








Back to CHOP


Two weeks ago, Grace had her yearly all-around check up at CHOP, where she sees her cleft surgeon, along with an ENT, speech therapist, anthropologist, audiologist and dentist check how she is doing. The last doc was the anthropologist , who took measurements of her head. She talked to us before we left, because Grace's head growth jumped a percentile in a year. I guess the growth wasn't unusual but the time period that it occurred in set off a warning bell. So when all of the team members got together, several of Gracie's traits put together signaled a need for a Neurology exam. They were concerned that there might be pressure on the brain.
SO as per Dr. Lowe's nurse, I attempted to make an appointment with Neuro. Both the nurse and my pediatrician were skeptical that I would even get an appointment that wasn't a year away. Well, I did. For today. I thought this was great and we could start to formulate some answers. So I waited anxiously all week.
Then we got there today and the Dr. walks in and says, basically, "So what brings you here today?!" I looked at her in disbelief and related what Meg had told me. The Dr. said there was no information on her record to suggest a reason for this visit?!?!?!? I found that very hard to believe after Meg had been so thorough with telling me what they thought was going on. At least the Dr. did what the team wanted and asked for an MRI. I was so ticked off. They were in the same building and she wouldn't even make an attempt to contact them.
So I tried to talk to Meg before we left but she was in a meeting. At any rate she returned my call and I told her what happened.  She seemed sincerely apologetic and told me she would make sure they knew what was going on with Gracie. So tomorrow I schedule the MRI and then see what happens from there.
Poor kid. Hasn't she gone through enough?

FIRST day of PRESCHOOL



Today was Grace's first official day atol.Today was Grace's first official day at Preschool!She went off with her little backpack. She looked so cute. Her therapist, Miss Heather will be with her on school days but our BSC councilor, Rachelle, was there to make sure her first day went smoothly. She took all the pictures for me ( I was at home having a heart attack- well it felt like it) I couldn't relax until the half day was over.
I didn't get good sleep last nite because my big girl had a second life changing experience in two weeks. I can't say more than she is growing up, but that gave me another thing to worry about on the eve of first day of school. I was a basket case when Joy went to preschool too. Both of them cared less that I was away! But my baby girls are BOTH growing up! It's not fair!!!!

 i love the face in this picture.


 She seemed to do really well with the kids.
She loves to do her art. I have  2 artists.






 She sat down with snack and had a drink.

 The ladies tried to make sure she did everything just like the other kids. She only had a few behaviors, and she lasted the entire 3 hours.



She looked a little nervous here.



it's so good to see her fit in with other kids. Granted she is apart from them right now but it will come. Maybe speech will come with it.
We watched the movie about Temple Grandin yesterday and I cried at the end. But the end of the movie was another beginning for Temple; another door that opened. 
I think we opened a door today for Grace.