T+1176 Six Cakes

About a year ago, Torie said, "Mama, my next birthday will be 6.  I think I need 6 cakes."  And so, of course, she got them.  And this year she did a much better job of ordering them.  She said "I need pink and purple cakes.  They need to sparkle."  And they did! 

I can't believe that it has been 6 years since I met Torie.  She was born by C-section because she was breech.  Lexie and Dr. Ellinwood let me come into the OR suite.  She was delivered and handed to the attending pediatrician.  She swaddled her and handed her to me.  I loved her right away, but I never imagined the road we'd travel together!  Kind people often say, "She is so lucky to have you and your family."  But really, we are the lucky ones.  We are so fortunate that she picked us!  We treasure her every day!

T+1159 The Tooth Fairy

 Torie went to the dentist in January and they told us she had a loose tooth!  She is getting pretty good at dentist chairs now.  Her 1st visit, last year didn't go well, and she had her first cleaning under anesthesia in the OR.  Torie is not fond of having people look in her mouth, and she hates lying down for exams.  Unfortunately, the dentist is both at the same time!  But this time she actually sat in the chair and had her teeth cleaned.  She still has no cavities, just some demineralization.  I'm so glad she loves to brush!

So anyway, we talked about her loose tooth. A lot.  "Mama, I have a loose tooth."
       "I know.  Pull it out."
       "I can't.  It's stuck in my mouth."

And so on.  Frequently!  We left Arizona on February 5 to head home.  The conversation started again...
       "Mama, I have a loose tooth."
       "I know.  Pull it out."
       "I already did."
       "WHAAAT?  Where is it?"  (We were in the car and I was picturing tearing it apart to find that 1st precious baby tooth!)
       "Right here.  I have to put it under my pillow so the Tooth Fairy will come see me."

And that was that.  No tears, no crying, no bleeding, just that precious little baby tooth.  The Tooth Fairy did come and "Mama, the Tooth Fairy left me 2 moneys!" 

T+1158 3rd Un-Birthday!

 February 4th was Torie's 3-year transplant anniversary!  It doesn't seem that long ago!  We celebrated in Mesa with our Arizona family.  They have been such a huge part of this story and they have supported us every step of the way.  Torie can never get enough "Duzin" (cousin) time!

 We had an Un-Birthday party with Makinley, Chase, Laikyn, Brielle, and Cooper.  When we first started talking about going to Arizona (Papa Tom, Torie, and I), she told us, "I really need to see my Duzins.  They are my Duzins and my best friends."  I think Grandma Flake is so pleased!

 We had a great pizza party at Organ Stop Pizza.  Torie had never been there, and Tom and I hadn't been since Makinley was a bitty girl.  It was Laikyn's first time too.  The place hasn't changed a bit...even down to the organ player!

 On Torie's to-do list?  "Watch Cooper play soccer.  Watch Kinley and Brielle dance.  Hug Laikyn."  I asked her, "What about Chase?"  She replied, "Oh, my Big Duzin is taking me on a picnic."

Arizona sledding with Big Duzin!

 We didn't get to watch the girls dance, but we had a great picnic.  We had a sleepover with Brielle and Cooper at the hotel, complete with popcorn, movies, and bubbles.  We ate tons of great food at Auntie Heather and Uncle Colby's, we had some Laikyn hug time at Auntie Erin and Uncle Jason's, and generally just hung out.  We are so grateful for our Arizona family!  "We wub dem!"

T+1157 She's Back!

Our "Tute wittle wamb" in her Christmas pageant.

 Why in the world do I put off blogging for so long?  The "no news is good news" line certainly fits, but this is ridiculous!  I get so far behind that it just gets harder and harder to start.

Torie is fantastic!  She is in preschool and loving it.  I don't know what will happen when summer rolls around because she would go to school every day if she could. 

She continues on her weekly enzyme infusions and she handles it like the trooper she's become.  She knows "Hospital Thursday, Enzyme Thursday" is just part of the routine now.  She has been getting infusions for 6 months now, so only 18 months, or 76 weeks, to go!

Our holidays were excellent, with the highlight being the marriage of Lexie and TJ-Dad!  They were married on December 21, and their little family is settling in well.

"Hospital Thursday, Enzyme Thursday"

Rykerand a lemon.  "My brother is a squishy-face!"

"Mommy and TJ-Dad"

Looking kind of like Cindy-Lou Who!