Ali turns 4!

Ali on the stairs waiting to meet Ariel... LAST year...

...Ali in practically the same spot waiting THIS year. [BLINK - BLINK]


Just like that, we're back at Ariel's Grotto in Disney's California Adventure. I still remember last year's dinner there. How Ali and Cinderella both had on silver shoes. How Sleeping Beauty colored with Ali, then danced with her outside on the terrace patio. POOF! A year and a baby later, we're back for more over-priced Princess madness - er, uh, I mean - MAGIC! LOL.

Ali turned 4 yesterday. A fact that I can't quite believe. Oh they grow up so fast they say... they ain't kiddin'!

I was away Wed-Sat on business, and when Ali got up Sunday morning to tell me all about Saturday at Grandma's, I was listening to a completely articulate young girl. It was surreal. It was like she had grown 6 months in 4 days. Not just her vocabulary, but her expressions, facial expression, and comedic timing are all far beyond a child just turning 4 - I gotta believe. I know, I know, proud papa.

[Bella] "Hey! What the hell is THAT??"

All is pretty good on the Bella front. She is as healthy as an ox, and her left leg has remained closed and healed for perhaps its longest spell since birth. YAY! Finger nails are still falling off, which makes me sad, because I was hoping to get to and through BMT (the bone marrow transplant) with as much of her nails intact as possible so she could have a shot at having normal, girly fingers, but it looks like she'll be missing at least 2 maybe three nails per hand by the time we make it to MN. The challenge is that in order to cut those super rounded nails, it takes some special, angular snips. The trouble begins when the clippers grab the nail imprecisely, and Bella flinches. Just that involuntary, reflex tug is enough to separate all the skin under and around the nail from the end of her finger. Then, the nail just falls off eventually.

In one sense, the fact that she's already lost both thumb nails works to her advantage currently as she is attempting to suckle her thumbs when she is tired. She doesn't "suck" them per se, but she mouths them, and a couple of snaggly nails messing around in her mouth would not be a good thing.

Ang has started giving Bella vinegar baths. They seem to help keep the bacteria away, but man, the bathroom will never smell the same! LOL. It's the new smell of a clean baby, I guess.

Hey Ali! Look at the camera...

... wait - no - Bella! Stop looking at the giant Mickey Mouse head on the Ferris Wheel!

Later this month, Ang, Bella, and I fly back up to MN to scout out our lodging situation. Currently, we're leaning toward renting an extended stay apartment. RMH (Ronald McDonald House) = lots of kids = lots of new and different kid bugs visiting from all around. I suppose the same could be said for an extended stay. We like the idea of a full kitchen, and especially of laundry and maid service being handled. That is one thing that has perpetually suffered since Bella's arrival here at home, so to have that handled would be nice. Also, having two actual separate bed rooms would be nice since we'll be having visitors in helping from time to time throughout the stay. We've pretty much ruled out furnished apartments since a lease is a mess to deal with in the midst of everything else. Anyhow, we'll keep you posted.

Okay, off to bed. A sinus infection has crept in to my head and the jackhammers are jackhammering!

Blessings,

Tim