Off to see the "Real Tree" - April 19th - April 26th! Ali's Wish Trip PTR!

[dmbfan]

He rocks. Going to bed!

Everytime I see Dave, I melt and feel as though I have gone to heaven... He looked SOOOO good...

 

[kellyw8863]

So as part of Maya's 100th day of school celebration, she was asked to draw a picture of herself in 100 years. Can you guess what she drew? A picture of herself horizontal in a hole in the ground with Xs for eye and someone standing above the hole shoveling in dirt. She said she explained to her teacher that she's not going to look like anything in a 100 years because she's going to be dead. That girl cracks me up.

Not much planning going on here at the moment. Word got out that Gabe was bagging on the trip, so the kids at school started in on him that he's crazy not to go. So we asked him if he had a change of heart, and he said no. I don't get it. But at least we know we made the right choice to cancel his plane ticket. I was afraid that we'd cancel it and then he'd change his mind. Oh well, I guess.

 

[Momofwishkid]

That is so funny She's a smart girl. Im still sorry Gabe chose not to go but glad you made the right decision to cancel the ticket.

 

[dmbfan]

Too cute... As for Gabe, I think you made the right choice...teens will be teens...what can you do right.

 

[kellyw8863]

It's been one heck of a week here at Chez Weiderman. On Wednesday, our nanny/nurse quit effective immediately, on Thursday I came down with what I thought was the flu but ended up being strep throat, on Friday, G. ran away forcing us to call the police, and on Sunday, we learned that he plans on taking off from here the day that he turns 18. To say that we are stressed would be a gross understatement.

Let's start with the nanny/nurse. We hired her in August with the understanding that she would be able to commit to giving us the academic year. Well, she must have "celebrated" her new employment because a month later, she came to us telling us that she was pregnant and due in June. Considering that she was considered high risk due to pre-term delivery of her last son, she was hoping to make it to the end of April. Fast forward to the past week. She decided that she's been feeling "funny" a lot and had her care transferred to a high risk OB. And that, folks, was the end of our professional relationship. I do understand that she needs to do what she needs to do in order to have a healthy pregnancy and child, but at the same time, it's not exactly easy to put a kid like Ali into a daycare situation.

Then on Thursday, I woke up with a scratchy sore throat. By 10 in the morning, I had spiked a fever and was feeling worse than I have ever felt before. I came home from work and crashed. I woke up Friday feeling even worse than I did on Thursday, called the doctor, but no one called me back. Woke up Saturday morning and committed to go to the ER if the doctor couldn't fit me in. She took one look in my throat and said, "Why didn't you call sooner?" Strep test was hugely positive and I started antibiotics Saturday afternoon. I didn't go to work again today because strep as an adult is infinitely more miserable than I remember it being as a kid. I haven't eaten nor slept since Wednesday night. This stinks.

And then on Friday, G. ran away because he likes neither our rules nor our expectations. I imagine all teenagers would like to run away at some point because they don't like their parents rules/expectations, the difference here being we do not have a history with him so we really don't have a whole lot of influence in the grand scheme of things. He has decided that he does not want to stay here anymore because we simply ask to much of him. Apparently asking him to call when he is going to be late, to speak to us with respect, and to do the garbage on Mondays is too much. Oh, I forgot completing homework on time. That's another killer. He will be leaving here of his own accord on his 18th birthday, meaning we will say our goodbyes the day before we leave for Disney.

So that's pretty much our week in a nutshell. But we do have some things to look forward to like February vacation! It's not even like we're doing anything exciting. Monday and Tuesday, Ali will be admitted to Children's for further allergy testing in an attempt to see just how allergic is allergic. That will be fun. Not. But then on Thursday, we're going to Disney Celebrations on Ice through the Starlight Foundation. That should be a blast! And then on Friday, we have an advocacy day at the State House in an attempt to get a house bill passed in support of mitochondrial medicine research. We will be meeting with Senators Kerry and Brown and with Representative Olver from our home district.

As for Disney planning, Pamela (pacrosby) is throwing me for a loop! I was all set to kind of back off with SW and US, but after reading her trip report and looking at all the pictures, I'm pretty gung ho about both! We need to schedule in time to spend at GKTW, so I'm still in the process of trying to figure that out, but it's all good!

 

[Thumper321]

I'm so sorry that you've had such a tough week! Have you been able to find a temporary replacement for Ali's nurse/nanny? Are you feeling better now? As far as Gabe, I think that you are right. This is typical teenager stuff, but you don't have the history with him that it would take to tip the scales a little bit. I'm really sorry that he's making things tough for your family though. I know that you guys love him, and it's got to be tough planning to say goodbye right before your vacation. This seems to explain though why he refused to go on the trip. I just feel bad that you've had such a hard week. I hope that things get better and you get a little bit of a break for a while. Hang in there!

And as for the itinerary, I've decided it is never truly finalized. Mine seems to change constantly. But we're pretty set on doing both SeaWorld and US/IOA. Actually, if my contact with US so far is indicative of anything, there is no way that I would consider not going to US! Keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Kelly Im so sorry you are having such a tough week. I hope your feeling better from the strep and things work out with Gabe.
As for itenerary, I thinkit definetley changes constantly but In my opinion SW and US are a definete DO. It's so hard to fit it all in but Im sure it will be worth it.

 

[pacrosby]

Kelly! YIKES!! Here's a hug from the Crosby family


The nurse situation..............what can you do huh? Can't be mad at her but the aggravation is certainly understandable. Obviously I don't understand anything about the specificity of Ali's needs but, are there any short-term nursing options available through home health agencies? At least until you find a more permenant solution. I do so understand your not being all that thrilled about a day care placement.

And Gabe??!! Did that throw you for a loop or have things been cooking for awhile? Sure teenagers don't always 'like' rules and expectations but that's quite an extreme reaction. Perhaps an inkling of where he 'came' from and what he was used to. IDK.....what can I say? Nothing really

And sick as well ???? A girl can't catch a break huh?


Glad to hear you have some fun to look forward anyway. We are thinking of going to Disney on Ice over vacation as well. Hopefully you'll be back to 100% by then.

Sorry to hear I threw such a monkey wrench into your planning

 

[yinyanggirls]

Sad about Gabe, hopeful about the additional tests, frustrated with Nanny, and totally commiserate on the strep. I've had tonsillitis twice in the past year and it totally stank!!! I hope you're feeling well soon can get life back to some semblance of normal!

 

[Wee Annie]

Kelly,

sorry to hear things have been so challenging recently. I hope you are feeling better, and will be thinking of Ali next week as her tests are run. Elke is having an impt procedure on Monday too, so I will definitely be thinking of you all.

And I agree about your issues with planning! I was going to virtually write off IOA/US and SW, but now think that that would be a mistake. I may still write off SW, in the quest to keep our schedule less hectic and with more down time at GKTW, but who knows??? I will begin truly planning it out next week. Can't wait to share plans!

Ann

 

[kayrosek]

So sorry things have been so difficult latley. Hope things get better soon.

 

[kellyw8863]

Hi ladies. Gabe is gone. We are heartbroken.

 

[Momofwishkid]

Kelly, I dont even know what to say but wantd to offer you a big .

 

[pnutallergymom]

Oh Kelly, I am so sorry.

 

[Wee Annie]

Kelly,

I am so sorry to hear that. I wish had something more helpful to say. But I am truly sorry.

Ann

 

[erika412]

I'm sorry.

 

[Thumper321]

I wish I knew what to say, but I don't so I'll just give you hugs. I'm so sorry.

 

[yinyanggirls]

From what you've shared with us here, I have no doubt that the time he spent with you will be invaluable to him at some point in his life. That doesn't make losing him any easier, but maybe at some point, he will be able to come "back". So sorry you guys' hearts are breaking.

 

[dmbfan]

Hi ladies. Gabe is gone. We are heartbroken.

Kelly what happened??? I am so sorry...I know how much you and Garth put into Gabe, making sure he had the best chance in life...do NOT ever doubt yourself....he must not have realized how lucky he was.

I am here if you need to talk...

 

[kayrosek]

I'm so sorry to hear that. I have to echo Melissa's thoughts. I have no doubt that the time he spent withyou will be invaluble to him in some way in the future. You did an amazing thing by taking him in. I'm so sorry you guys are hurting right now, thinking of you and sending lots of your way.