Charlee's yearly visit to Children's Hospital

This has been a marathon of a week!  Monday night we spent at the middle school hosting a spaghetti dinner for our track athletes.  Hailee had a field trip and was off to the zoo on Tuesday and after work, Bill and I were off to the RML Championship meet.  Our kiddos did great!  Both our 7th grade girls and 7th grade boys brought home the trophy!  Our 8th grade teams were very small this year, so we were quite proud of them still being able to place 3rd in the league. Turned out to be a pretty emotional night.  I have absolutely loved coaching at Gypsum Creek, and have formed a bond with my athletes, their families, and the other coaches.  When parents started thanking me for my hard work and expressing how much they were going to miss me, the floodgates were opened.  Then Becky started crying, as we realized this was our last meet coaching together.  I don't do good-byes very well, so this is going to be a rough 3 weeks. 

That brings us to Wednesday.  Hailee had a soccer game in Edwards Wednesday night at 6:30.  We also planned to drive to Longmont to stay with Billy & Alisa, as Charlee had her yearly neurology check-up at Children's this morning. This made for a very late night, but at least we knew we would get to sleep in a little. 


I always get a bit nervous and maybe even a bit emotional pulling into Children's.  The first time we pulled onto the campus I was pregnant and we were given a prognosis that our baby may not make it, and if he/she did, would likely be blind, have developmental problems, trouble maintaining body temperature, etc.  Although this was upsetting because we of course want the absolute best for our child, we knew that no matter what, we would love our little one and give them the absolute best life we could provide.  Pulling onto the same campus almost 2 1/2 years later, with Miss Charlee all smiles and talking up a storm, you can understand why this trip is an emotional one.  I had half a mind to march her up to the office of the doctor who told us during the delivery that if the baby's heartbeat should slow, we should just let the baby pass.  Why?  He said we really needed to consider her quality of life.  What do you have to say now doctor?  I'm pretty sure her quality of life is just fine :-)

Charlee was into everything waiting for doc!

She refused to look at me and smile for the camera!

 

Charlee loves this ball contraption on the 1st floor.

Yes, she's laying on the floor in the doctor's office,..crazy girl :-)

Okay, enough with that rant.  We absolutely love Dr. Parsons, Charlee's neurologist.  She has been Charlee's neurologist since she was in my belly.  She is absolutely thrilled with Charlee's growth and development.  I'm pretty sure her words today were- "I have absolutely nothing to offer!"  Yep. That's great news!  It means she's doing amazing, but let's be honest.. we all already knew that! ;-)  Although Charlee was a bit stubborn because she wanted more sprinkles out of Dr. Parsons' bag, she passed all of the developmental tests with flying colors.  Doctor said she's happy to see her in a year, but she really doesn't need to see her for 2 years!! That's huge folks!!  At that point, we shared our news that we would be leaving the country for the next couple years, but we would come home each summer.  She was very excited for us, and even asked us to send a Christmas card and wants our blog address. 

After her appt., we went down to medical records and ordered copies so that we would have them with us overseas.  That's one more thing off the list.  T- 3 weeks until we leave Colorado! 

As a last thought, I'll leave you with this song.  B and I heard it on the radio, and she told me to listen to the words as they were perfect to think about in terms of Charlee.  I couldn't agree more, especially considering today's appt.

"Wonder"

Doctors have come from distant cities
Just to see me
Stand over my bed
Disbelieving what they're seeing

They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation

Newspapers ask intimate questions
Want confessions
They reach into my head
To steal the glory of my story

They say I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as they can see they can offer
No explanation

O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way

People see me
I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads
How I confound you and astound you
To know I must be one of the wonders
Of god's own creation
And as far as you can see you can offer me
No explanation

O, I believe
Fate smiled and destiny
Laughed as she came to my cradle
Know this child will be able
Laughed as she came to my mother
Know this child will not suffer
Laughed as my body she lifted
Know this child will be gifted
With love, with patience and with faith
She'll make her way