Surgery, new love and Christmas time!

I'm always amazed at the people who complain about wait times for medical care.  We have had many appointments with specialists for Anna and have never waited very long for anything.  When her heart murmur was first detected we waited no more than a couple of weeks for her first echo then less than a week for the second.  Then when they determined that it was indeed a defect we were referred to McMaster and didn't wait very long for that appointment either.  It was less than 2 months for sure because I was already a month pregnant with Christina when Anna's defect was originally diagnosed and was less than 3 months when we went to McMaster the first time.  Since then we have had regular appointments with no delays for extra tests.  When we first found her hernia we were told she would have to go to McMaster for that as well because of her heart.  I figured we would wait a few months to even see the surgeon but it was less than a month.  We were told at that appointment that it would be 6 to 9 months for surgery.  OK that's a pretty long wait but we were also told that if she had any complications or any issues we were to bring her to emergency and they would fix it right away.  Well we had no issues and we only waited maybe 4 months for surgery.  We went for pre-op just over a week ago with no surgery booked and less than a week later we were called to go for surgery.  So now only 4 months after our first appointment she has had the hernia repaired.  For a non-life threatening issue I'm happy with that kind of wait.  Now we only have to worry about the heart part again and that should be repaired in the next year or so too.  That will depend on how much she grows and how much her heart changes at the next visit.  

We also have some excitement in our house because Meag has found a new beau.  It's funny how things work and how when the right person comes along everything just falls into place.  Meag had been pretty stressed about life in general and all of a sudden everything has just worked out.  School was not going well. She didn't like the program she had chosen and was struggling with marks.  On the same day that she decided to switch programs and move forward she also met this new boy.  It happened by fluke really.  The family was going to Niagara Falls to stay overnight at a hotel and she had to take the bus to meet us there after school.  She doesn't know Niagara Falls and was saying to a friend that she was worried because she didn't know where she was going or where to get off the bus.  This guy overheard her and said he was going to the Falls and would help her.  The rest is history!  They have spent lots of time together since and she can't stop smiling.  This makes me happy!

Christmas is now only one month away and with two little girls in the house things are getting very exciting.   We get our tree this weekend and they are both now old enough to help with all the decorating.  I just love this time of year and all the time we get to spend with family enjoying each others company and just having fun.  I feel like this year I am looking forward to things even more than usual and can't wait for everything to be ready and the holidays to start!

Well Hello There:)

Wow it's been a while since I posted!!  I haven't forgotten about the blogging world but I just haven't had much to write.  Things are the same as last time I posted.  Still going to the gym and working out.  I haven't been running as much.  I'm blaming that mostly on a huge brain block where I felt like I had to run with the group or not at all.  In the last couple of weeks I've identified that as a problem now I just have to get out there and run.  I have to find my motivation again and I know that to do that I have to lace up the shoes and hit the pavement.  I know that the minute I step out the door and feel that wonderful rush of the fresh, late fall air I will remember what I love so much about running.  It's the getting out the door that has become the problem.  I know I can do it and will do it.  I just need to do it.  Tomorrow is a Y night but Thursday looks like a free and clear day so hopefully I can get my butt in gear and get out there.

Tonight would have been a running night but it was parent/teacher interview and I felt like coming home as a family and spending the night together was important.  I had no surprises at the interview.  Anna is doing fantastic at school and is, for lack of a better word, the teachers pet.  She is having no problems except for being a Chatty Cathy (I have NO idea where she gets that from lol).  I'm very proud of her and hope that she retains this love of school.  One of my favorite things is that she is a natural leader.  I have always known that but it's nice to hear that.  Her teacher said she is respectful to everyone, encourages her friends to do things and is always eager to work and help.  She is a rule follower but will also question things to understand better.  Her school work is always done when needed and she is right where she should be if not ahead of the game.

Anna has two surgeries coming up in the next year or so and one of my biggest worries was her missing too much school and falling behind.  Her teacher laid that worry to rest today when she said that Anna could miss an entire week of school and have no issues.  We go for pre-op for the first surgery next week.  I'm hoping that she has the actual surgery over the Christmas break so that she doesn't have to miss but if it lands during school time I won't worry so much now.

The teachers have all loved Anna so far.  She is a calm, happy child who focuses when she needs to and gets things done.  She is a rule follower and listens well.  Next year Christina starts school:)  Those teachers have no clue what they are in for next ;)