Earlier this month we attended the Cooley's Anemia Foundation Patient-Family conference. I actually had the honor of speaking on my favorite subject, adoption! I obviously come to this from a very unique perspective, having thalassemia and adopting a child with thalassemia. E and I are a one-of-a-kind pair! Many of the attendees were moved to tears by our family's story. The conference was amazing, it was great seeing old friends and making some new ones. Little E was quite the celebrity, and she really tore up the dance floor at the dinner dance.
E's transfusion this month was the toughest one yet. Even with special "vein finder" lights, 4 different nurses and IV specialists, tons of hydration, and a VERY cooperative patient, it took 6 tries to get her IV in. Still, E was so strong (in fact, she was tougher than she needed to be) and didn't even cry until the last couple of sticks. By then, she had enough. Poor baby. It was interesting, though, yesterday I went to have some labs done and E was all excited to come with me and "hold me." She was all smiles when we signed in, when we went into the drawing room, as they put the turniquet on, and so on, but the minute the needle went in, she WAILED like she has never wailed for her own sticks! She was holding my hand and crying, "Mama!" and was so, so, so sad. It took quite a while to calm her down and reassure her that I was OK. She is such a gentle soul, and VERY protective of her Mama!
All of that "business" aside, we've spent a lot of time going to different beaches and enjoying the sand, sun, and COLD water. Of course, no matter how cold, it doesn't seem to phase E (although, the seaweed does!). We've visited Footbridge Beach in Ogunquit, Rye Beach, and Good Harbor Beach for daytrips and loved them all, but the highlight was our stay at my aunt and uncle's house on Cape Cod. E had such a wonderful time, and it brought back memories of when I was a child at the Cape. I remember last summer when we were at the same aunt and uncle's house, we were so nervous waiting for the final version of our home study to be ready. I can remember talking about how much we were all looking forward to meeting E, and being able to share the Cape and our family with her. Well, our time together this year was even more incredible than we dreamt it would be. Just like every experience we have had with our daughter.
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| In "Big's" truck. This might have been one of E's favorite parts of our trip to Cape Cod. |
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| My 22 year old cousin, "Tiny", graciously celebrated his birthday with an Elmo party. |
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| Bye-bye, Cape Cod! See you again soon! |
