In Theory

Finnley is pretty good at taking directions and running with them. That is not to say that she always gets things right. She generally gets the idea. She gets it all pretty well in theory. We still need to work on mechanics, though. All in good time. For now, I like how she tries. Her "trying" is about the cutest thing I have ever seen. Her "trying" makes my days happier than most people ever experience.

In Bloom

Even though Spring hasn't officially wrapped the East in rich greens and dense buds, it is already in bloom INSIDE at the conservatories of Longwood Gardens. We were lucky enough to spend the better part of the day yesterday walking some of the expansive grounds, playing in an adult-sized treehouse, smelling the fragrant and brilliantly colored flowers, and most importantly...splashing in the numerous and diversely creative fountains. Finnley is a water-girl. There is no doubt about it. The fountains to her were impossible to resist, just like a huge rock of crack being swung in front of Charlie Sheen (although not "now" because he is sober and doing very well, I hear). I love her all the more for being so quick to smile, laugh, and light up at the sight of a fountain, pond, puddle, or pool. She doesn't stop there, though...she gets fully entrenched in the whole aquatic experience...her dripping wet clothing acting as fine evidence for that. I cannot wait until we are able to spend even more time outside as the weather invites us to wander without hesitation. At least for now we have alternatives. Wonderful, wonderful alternatives. Just see for yourself...

All Dressed Up

The first few months of the year are generally busy for us in regards to the black tie circuit.  The special events allow us the chance to pretty ourselves up and partake in a night out on the town.  Last night was a strange occurrence, though.  We had not just one, but TWO, black tie events to attend in the same evening.  Luckily the parties had different start times so we were able to easily attend both.  Crazy?  Yes.  Fun?  Youbetterbelieveit!

First up was the Philadelphia International Flower Show.  This year's theme was Springtime in Paris.  It did not disappoint.  Not even a little bit.  Second on our dance card was The Red Ball, a soiree held to benefit the American Red Cross.  A great venue and an even better party.

Today it was back to reality, but last night was a chance to be our rock star alter egos.  We sucked up every minute of it without hesitation.  I wouldn't want to be a rock star every night, but every once in awhile is not such a bad gig.

An Approved Outing

The pediatrician requested that I keep Finnley mostly at home, and especially away from overly germy places, while she was sick.  That isn't easy for people who are on the go a lot and who enjoy exploring pretty much all  of our surroundings.  However, I want what is best for my baby, and I heeded the doctor's advice.  So, our first outing didn't occur until Tuesday of this week.  I took Finnley to a Dr. Seuss event in Collingswood at The Pop Shop, a restaurant replica of soda fountain shops of the past.  It was an opportunity for us to get out, but we also weren't at a place where we were constantly touching 5 million things that 20 million other germy children had previously touched.  A nice balance.  Finnley loved it all (balloons!  food!  toys!  friends!), except for the Cat in the Hat.  She has a dislike of any costumed anything walking around and intending to invade her general personal space.  This includes the Chick-fil-A cow and the Cat in the Hat, most recently. Can't say that I blame her....silly girl!

Don't Judge...

...lest ye be judged yourself.  That being said, this is a picture that denotes the state of our sink pretty much every evening while Finnley was sick.  Empty sippy cups for her.  Empty wine glass for me.  A little juice makes us all better, it seems!

Time

          Finnley playing about a day before the cold really hit her hard

Sometimes it gets away from you. Such is the case when it comes to me keeping up with the blog this past week.  I have only good excuses for that, though, I can assure you.  Finnley was sick.  Again.  And, no matter what, Finnley comes first.  So, I guess it really isn't as much an excuse as it is a declaration of my position as her mother.  As it should be, right?

Another cold unwelcomely invaded the temple of Finnley.  Another cold in a season that has proven unforgiving when it comes to toddler illness.  And, for Finnley a cold is not just a "cold".  She was diagnosed a few months ago with "reactive airways disease".  This is a catch all diagnosis for a condition in which the airways overact when faced with an illness.  For most children, a cold that produces a cough generally lasts for a week or so.  For Finnley, the cold itself might only last that long, but the accompanying cough might last a month or more (and it might not completely go away at all).  This is a condition that all affected children in time will outgrow.  It might happen in a year.  It might happen in 11 years.  We won't know until that time actually comes.

 In the beginning Finn was a "borderline case for treatment".  She has now crossed over into the category of "requires treatment".  Treatment comes in the form of a noisy nebulizer / mask / inhalants (albuterol) / and the like.  Has anyone else been faced with the task of "explaining" to a 1.5 year old that they must sit quietly for 10 minutes with a mask held up to their face (completely covering their mouth and nose), and they must breathe in a mist for that duration, all while the machine to which the mask is connected noisily pumps along???  Well, if you haven't, it just isn't possible.  Not at all possible to explain.  At first Finnley was curious, and she also didn't feel well in the least.  This allowed us to get some decent treatments in for a few days (which is when it was most "critical").  Now that she is feeling better overall, she "politely declines" (read:  outright refuses) treatment altogether.  We as her parents follow her lead because we have tried the alternative (forcing treatment), and it does no one any good...in fact, I believe more harm comes from it than anything else.  As she gets older and can actually understand its purpose, I think the nebulizer will be a great tool in our battle against "RAD".  For now, it is just is what it is...and that is whatever Finnley wants it to be and when.

So, there you have that.  As a parent we make choices.   Not all of them will align with what the professionals want all of the time.  Nor will they align with what other parents might advise.  We make those choices for ourselves and our family based upon each individual situation, and we choose what we feel is the least of all evils after reviewing them all.  That is all we can do.  That is what we will continue to do.

Now the nasty beast of a cold is mostly gone.  The cough still lingers.  The sinuses still drain.  My baby is mostly back to normal.  The world goes on.  And, I get back to the blog.  Just another week in the life...

Sweet Whispers...

A deep sip of glorious sunshine, hot and bright. A small taste of teasing warmth usually kept locked away for another season. Sweet whispers of brilliant days to come. Lovely and well beyond. Thursday. Our day.