We were at a family party this past weekend and one of my cousins, upon picking up L, commented to me on how big and heavy she is getting.  She is growing.  Leaps and bounds.  And this is a great sign for many reasons – one being that she’s getting adequate nutrition (many Rett sweeties have growth issues, due to feeding issues, and though we aren’t out of the zone of fear on this – it’s a crap-shoot until she reaches about 15 or whenever you stop growing physically – it’s definitely a sigh a relief at this point, for this momma).

I’m going to have to start stregnth training.  A very smart Rett momma gave me a piece of advice shortly after we got the diagnosis – she recommended that I start lifting weights as the physical toll of having a child, then young adult, then adult, with Rett, is very real.  And I’m already feeling some pain.  My left shoulder.  My back.  My neck.  I always say that L is my walking gym.  But I do need to invest in myself so I can maintain the physical stamina needed to care for her.

It’s just one of the many things on my to-do list.  Actually, it’s not quite on my to-do list.  It’s on my ‘once everything from my to-do list is done, I can then start on this and a slew of other things’ list.

What is front of mind right now is moving L from a crib to a big-girl bed.  She is outgrowing that crib.  But we can’t make any switches until she gets herself settled into our new home.  Eventually I’m likely going to put her mattress on the floor and create a pillow barrier around the entirety of it.  Oh, I’ve spent many unslept nights thinking about, and researching this.  But this is likely not of interest to you, dear reader.

Oh, but back to this big girl – she is so happy and full of joy, and is loving the long summer evenings when she and her momma go on strolls and get caressed by her friend, the wind.

1. Grandma is back in the US and is on the road to recovery.

2. Lease is signed. Move date will be near the end of August. Ditmas Park. 3 bedroom. We expect visitors!!!

3. Lily is spending much more time at mommy’s home as of 1 August!

4. My movie role is a ton of fun!

So much more going on but don’t have time to fill in the details just yet.

Love,
C and L

I’m starting to get nostalgic about the views from my apartment.  Lily and I have gotten spoiled these past two years.  And we’ve also gotten suntans sitting in our living room.

Last night, the sunset was spectacular.

As L and I were dancing around the living room, with me singing the opening number to ‘A Chorus Line’, I noticed how stunning the light streaming into our living room was.  So I swooped her up and took a few shots.  I’m only attaching one, but there are a gazillion others.  Photo is untouched.

This kid is full of sheer joy when her momma is singing. Which is funny because I have a terrible singing voice.  I guess it’s improved a bit after 3 years of nonstop singing (I’m known as the mommy jukebox in the neighborhood – am always singing to L walking down the street, swinging in the park, buying coffee at the patisserie, etc…).  But in comparison to my mom, or my sister, or any of my other family members, this singing voice of mine still stinks.

And L is so picky about the music she likes.  So picky.  Some mornings I’m at a loss as to what else to sing to her.  There are only so many times I can do a rendition of Jason Mraz’ ‘I’m yours’.  And she’s growing out of the ABC’s.  But a miraculous thing happened the other morning while we were hanging out in bed with me crooning to her (one of our favorite past-times).  As I was mentally scratching my head to think up another song to sing (while still singing the song I was already singing – L doesn’t like gaps in her music), I had a spark of an idea – which I’m pretty sure was whispered to me by my dad – I should start singing the soundtrack to ‘Grease’!  And – tada!  We have a new slew of songs that makes L laugh and giggle.  And thankfully I know ALL the words to all the songs as I listened to the record nonstop as a kid.  So thank you Dad for reminding me about a movie that was a favorite of ours to watch together.  I know this is going to be a new favorite of L’s too.