I can't believe this school year is almost over. Although I won't miss 6:55am bus, homework, projects, box tops, and running to lessons once school is out each day...it's just another sign that my little ones are growing up. I am looking forward to summer. We have a lot we want to do but have to leave our calendar very flexible, you'll understand why later.
Clarissa has done really well in school again this year. She was a member of the choir, helped the librarian and music teachers, completed two Envision/GT projects, and I think was a great friend and example to her classmates. The ballet studio where Clarissa and Marinda dance performed Swan Lake this year. Clarissa worked very hard and did a beautiful job. Her group was also among those chosen to perform at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion as a pre-show for the Houston Ballet. It amazes me how much she is learning and remembers. She learns all of the ballet terms in class and knows what they all mean-WOW! She's also doing really well with her piano. I'm going to have her help me with piano this summer. Clarissa will be moving onto the Intermediate school next year, this is just another sign that I can't keep them little forever.
Elisabeth has also done really well in school. I think she has "blossomed". She loves to read and even after lights out usually has a flashlight and a book in bed with her. She was one of the first to become a Master of Addition and Subtraction in her grade. Elisabeth was also involved in a lot of class and GT projects this year at school. Elisabeth chose to do gymnastics this year and did a back-walk-over by herself while Grandma Smith and Aunt DeAnna were here in March. She is having fun and was notified yesterday that they would like her to move to the next level. Her piano is coming along nicely we just have to remember to practice. Elisabeth is wonderful at playing with Nathaniel-I really appreciate her help.
Marinda has done really well in Kindergarten. She is reading and tells me her favorite subject is math. Marinda was old enough to participate in the Swan Lake ballet this year and did a wonderful job. She was so excited because she got to be a "line leader". It was a little strange to see her in a slicked bun and makeup. She smiled only enough to show her dimples and was proud of this. The child we were worried about not talking never stops.
Nathaniel is doing okay. When we went into the cardiologist in January because he seemed more blue and winded it sounded like we would be moving things along as expected and have the Fontan sometime this summer. We were seen again in February to see if things had improved with the changes made in his medication. He was sent home with a "halter" to monitor him for 24 hours. We were scheduled for an echo on February 29th as a routine procedure before having the Fontan. While they were checking the pressures and flows the doctor also performed an angioplasty hoping to help with some of the flow across the aortic arch where it had narrowed since his first surgery. We hadn't planned on staying overnight but because of the repair work he had to be evaluated overnight. Nathaniel was not a happy patient, the popsicle and chocolate milk option didn't even help. He wanted his shoes and pants "NOW" and wanted to go home. So then we were scheduled for a meeting with his surgeon...on my birthday. James and I were expecting a discussion on the Fontan and a date for how soon it would be done. Just before turning right onto the road to enter the parking garage our cardiologist called to let us know, so that we wouldn't be shocked, that our surgeon would be talking to us about a transplant. Happy Birthday to me your son needs a transplant. I was a little shocked but at least could hold it together enough in front of the surgeon. Apparently the poor function that Nathaniel has had since he was born is not an HLHS problem it is a Nathaniel problem. We had thought that he would be in his late teens before needing a transplant. So the question in this meeting became not 'when do we do' but 'what should we do'? Since this meeting we have met with a member of the transplant team and been given all of the good, bad and ugly. After not hearing back from them by the 23rd of April like we were told I called the Cardiologist and he said that the last he had heard was that the surgeon is thinking repair work sometime June/July maybe a Fontan. He called the transplant coordinator who finally called me to say that she would call me this week with some dates. I haven't heard from them. UGH! The surgeon wants things in place for Nathaniel to be able to be put on the transplant list in case things don't go well during the surgery. It's hard to write all of the issues involved. Testing will take about two weeks to complete and because of the amount of blood that they need it will need to be drawn twice. We'll also need to meet with the Infectious Disease team. All of this before the surgery. I just want some dates...so this is why our summer plans must be flexible. The girls will be home from school so scheduling will be more involved. This may not make sense so if you have questions feel free to ask. On a happy note...Nathaniel is amazing as always. If you didn't know about his heart you would probably never guess. He loves to ride his bike or scooter to the park. He runs as fast as his sisters just for a shorter time. He is a great big brother!
Brent is getting so big. I wish I had put up newborn pictures of him but life just never stops! He is so happy and mellow. He is very patient with his big brother's "affection". He loves to eat his toes and endears everyone with his double-dimple smile.
James and I are busy as are most parents/people. James is now in the training dept at work. He recently travelled to Dubail and Thailand. He is still the elder's quorum president. After learning about what we have ahead of us with Nathaniel I was released from the YW and now I get to teach in RS. I am having the children help plan this years ABC Summer so LOOK OUT SUMMER HERE WE COME!!!
