Dr. visits, park and more!

We went to the ophthamologist a few weeks back. We are supposed to go every 3 months so he can monitor Hailey's eyes and look for changes. I was shocked to find we had not been back in a year! But then I remembered that I had scheduled appts, but kept cancelling them because of infections and things of that nature. The doctor was very understanding, as he always tells us to take care of the other stuff, her eye issue is just cosmetic at this point. I am still trying to get up the courage to take Hailey to the dentist- she has never been! But even her pediatrician had told us to wait and deal with the big stuff. I know now that it is time.

Hailey has been a little afraid of dogs in the past but now it is really bad! She screams and tries to climb up my body to get as far away as she can! Little dogs, big dogs, does not matter! She is starting to fear cats too! Don't know where this is coming from. She has been afraid of my mom's dog but she used to be okay around other dogs. hmmmmm...... Went to a party for a friend's daughter at the park. OOPS! It is also a dog park! Oh No! She was stuck to me like glue the whole time we were there! She did love the swings though! :-)

I went to a meeting at Hailey's school, to review her goals for the year, check her progress and make new goals if necessary. Hailey, my amazing girl, met or exceeded ALL 18 of her goals for this year! WOO HOO! We are so proud of her! We are starting with all new goals. It was a quick meeting and it was spent with a room full of teachers and therapists telling me how wonderful our daughter was and about how much progress she has made! Wonderful afternoon!

A day after the meeting, I was reminded of a concern I was having. There are a couple of kids in Hailey's class that she is really weary of. They are rough and loud and like to grab her and touch her. A big fear of Hailey's is a fear of losing her balance and she gets very upset if she feels someone around her could cause her to fall. Hailey greatly values her personal space and they invade that. That particualr day, Hailey was sitting in the double stroller with another child (they have so many kids and not enough adults that they put a couple in the stroller to walk down where the parents/ buses pick up) and he was trying to move her backpack that the teacher put as a barrier so he could get to Hailey. The look on her face broke my heart and I have seen that look before, when the children she fears come near. I called the school that day and talked to the psychologist. She put me off for a week after trying to talk me out of moving her. I had learned that the pm class was very different- the other kids were calmer, not in your face and quieter. I called the psychologist back and she once again tried to change my mind, but I held firm and she honored my request. Hailey started on Monday and here it is Wednesday night and I have NO regrets! Hailey is happy with her new classmates. Same teacher and therapists, so it wasn't a huge frightening transition. She made a friend on the first day and did not shed a tear when her new friend sat next to her and they played with dolls!

I had a fight on my hands with the insurance company as well. They refused to pay for a refill of Hailey's meds because they said I reached the quota for that med for the year! That is what is keeping her infection free!!! After 3 days with no meds, and phone calls to pharmacy, doctor and insurance co, they approved it. Next day Hailey started acting sick. Back to the doctor where they said it looked like infection. It could be infection, or it could be elevated bacteria because an infecton was on the horizon. We treated it and waited for the culture, which came back negative.

Hailey and I went to Irvine Regional Park last week. We took a stroll through the zoo and saw bald eagles, black bear, chickens, rabbits and more! We also fed the ducks some bread (used to do that with my dad as a kid! Fun Memories!) We spent quite a bit of time on the swings and Hailey loved the fact that Mommy could swing next to her! We ended our outing with a picnic lunch- I love the fact that I can make Hailey peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

I have been preparing for Hailey's 4th birthday and have been doing things with pictures and I am just so amazed by all of her progress! My daughter is almost 36 lbs and is 38 and 3/4 inches tall! She has muscle and is trying to step up the curb without any assistance. She is trying to repeat EVERYTHING we ask her too! She can spell her name and my name with foam letters without any help. She can recongnize many letters and give them to you if you ask for them-h-a-i-l-e-y-s-c-o!

Hailey is such a joy!