Brave Girls

Today was the first day of Gymnastics Camp for Elizabeth. Going to new places is a little stressful for her sometimes. But, I think I had answers for most of her questions so that helped alot. The camp goes from 9-3 and they will be swimming and cooking as well as doing gymnastics. I can't wait to hear all about it. I am thankful for the ability to work from home these next 3 days. The school the camp is at is between home and daycare so it won't take long to bring her there and get back home to keep working. Thanks boss! When I left Elizabeth this morning she was very excited and happy to be there.
Thanks for being so brave Itty!

Then it was Ella's turn to be brave.

It was time for her palate expander to be put in her mouth today. At our last visit a few weeks back, they did a mold of Ella's mouth to make the expander. They called it a butterfly so that is what we call it too. Ella picked the color purple for hers with sparkles in it. Ella was in a great mood when I picked her up from daycare. She was charming with the Doctor and Dental Assistant. She was telling them she wanted to take her Butterfly home with her and was very happy. They did a dry test to check for fit and it tickled. I was hopeful.

The downfall came when they put the glue/bonding agent on. Oh My that must be an awful taste. Ella was very unhappy and wasn't shy about showing it. They worked fast, got the butterfly in, cleaned up the glue, rinsed Ella's mouth and let me hold her. She kept saying that she wanted the Butterfly OUT MOM. NOW. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT HOME MOM. TAKE IT OUT.

That is hard to hear. You hate doing stuff that bugs your kids but its for the best. I wish it didn't have to be so difficult for her but she needs it. The expander/butterfly will be in her mouth for at least a year. It will encourage her upper jaw to move forward which will help with the R and S sounds. Ella has a big under bite so this will correct it. Still, it was so hard on her.

As we were leaving she said she wanted a treat. The bummer is the candy machine only had hard stuff and Ella focused in on cookies. I had to say no. She doesn't have any food restrictions except for sticky stuff, but I didn't see a need to mess up the installation because of cookies. Thankfully there was a distraction. But, being the stubborn girl she is, Ella didn't crack a smile until the pony ride.

The distraction was the St Paul Fire Department was putting on a Free Carnival for the kids at Gillette. We saw it when we were driving in the parking ramp. They had it on level E of the ramp. Odd maybe but it worked. We didn't know about it ahead of time either. Just lucky.

We went to level E and played games, had a picture taken, ran into a Dad of one of Elizabeth's school mates, and had fun. Ella got to see Snow White and was told how cute she was by more Firefighters than I could count. She started to relax again but then when she wanted a hot dog it got tough. She said it was so very hard to eat with that butterfly in and really wanted it out. I explained that I would never have them do something to her if it wasn't going to help. That I knew she would get used to it and she just needed to take smaller bites. She kept trying and only got a little frustrated but was able to eat the hot dog. I was so proud of her and told her that many times.

I am amazed by what Ella has been through. Born with a cleft lip and palate, abandoned at 2 months old very tiny, foster family, surgery in China, adopted by me, surgery here and now the butterfly. Ever step makes all of us stronger but it was so hard to not just take her and say Take it Out... its too hard. But, this really will help her speech and she will be fine.

As a matter of fact, I got her laughing on the way back to daycare. She had gotten a balloon from the fire fighters. She picked Hannah Montanna. (Elizabeth will be really bummed - Ella is thinking of giving her the balloon) When I looked in the rear view mirror I thought someone else was in the car and squealed. She couldn't stop laughing and wanted to scare me many times. The first time was real, the rest I pretended. And I just love the way Ella says Hannah Montana. I'll have to have her say it to me again because its like Hannah Montamaah.

So proud of you Ella. And you are so strong. By the time Ella got to daycare, she was telling everyone about the butterfly in her mouth and had told me that she'll get used to it and it will get better, right Momma? Yes Ella it will get better.




Update - Ella is not feeling good. I have a call in to the dentist but my guess is that some of the glue/adhesive went into her tummy. She had diarrhea at day care and is home now with me. She is on the couch with a bucket just in case because her tummy hurts. Guess she won't be going to her last gymnastics tonight. She doesn't have a fever so I think it was either something she ate or the glue.

Ella is much better. I picked her up at daycare about the time Elizabeth was getting done with Gymnastics Camp. We are skipping Ella's Gymnastics tonight as well as the local National Night Out at a nearby park. But the dentist office called and thought maybe it was nerves. Ella got very upset with the glue part of the process so it could be.

The best shot I could get so far of the Butterfly
I think Ella is done with me trying to get a better picture
Ella's profile shows the under bite
Elizabeth allowed me to take pictures of her. She is a model in the making for sure.
She picked this location for this pose - The back of the couch.
Elizabeth's Crane Pose :)

I also have to say how neat Elizabeth was this morning. She knew Ella was going to be upset and said she really wanted to go with to the appointment. She looked Ella in the eye and decided Ella needed a picture to hang on to so she would know her Big Sister was there in spirit. What a sweet heart.