Sabrina's Cheer Competition

In November Sabrina and her squad competed in their second competition.  It was hosted by our church, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.  She (and they) did a fabulous job.  The cuteness is off the charts!  Before she started, Sabrina saw us sitting there and waved at us:

Moving to her spot:

 A high V with her arms and a big smile:

 Clapping out the cheer:

 Her jumps barely leave the ground:

 Sabrina was the center of the pyramid:

 Exiting the pyramid:

 More cheering:

 The final pose:

Waiting for the results:

 The squad reacting to the news ... they won!

The squad's plaque:

 Admiring her medal:

Sabrina the Ham

The weather is finally turning nice ... spring in Atlanta usually starts a lot sooner than it has this year!  So, we took the girls for a bike ride.  Robby brought his camera, of course.  He asked Sabrina to stop and smile for the camera.  This was the result:

I was helping Catherine, who is insanely cautious (that's code for VERY SLOW and GETS OFF THE BIKE EVERY TEN FEET TO WALK IT AROUND A PEBBLE), so I did not see any of Sabrina's antics until we uploaded the pictures.

If you are wondering where her bangs are, just look on the floor of her bedroom.  They are in a pile next to the scissors she used to cut them off.

So while Sabrina was being silly for the camera, Catherine was a focused, serious cyclist:

I am so happy the weather is starting to turn warm!!

Silly Sabrina

Sabrina is so precious ... she is always happy, smiling and just plain silly.  Even when she does have her melt downs and screaming fits, they are always short lived and can usually be turned around with a few laughs.

She has a ridiculous side to her and gets herself in hysterical situations almost daily.  For example, we walked out of the bathroom for a few minutes during one of her baths.  Catherine ran to us, to tell on her sister.  We learned a valuable lesson:  Sabrina + body wash + bath jets + five minutes of  unmonitored time = a big clean up opportunity!

We also took Sabrina to an event at our local elementary school, where Catherine was performing.  They had a balloon artist.  Sabrina requested to be completely decked out in balloon accessories:

Five Years!!

In honor of Sabrina's fifth birthday, here are some of our first pictures of her.  Her birth was scheduled initially for the first week in January 2008.  Robby spoke with our accountant and made me call the obstetrician to move her date of birth up a week.  This is why (the onesie says "TAX DEDUCTION":

Sabrina was born two days after Christmas, so we got this cute shot with her stocking:

Her first birthday and the traditional smash cake:

An early doctor visit, with Catherine performing a pre-examination while we wait:

Her 2nd birthday, we had a party with an Elmo theme:

Her 3rd birthday must have occurred, but I cannot find the pictures right now.  Ugh.  Oh well.  For her 4th birthday, we had a party with a Minnie Mouse theme:

And lastly, a picture of Sabrina and me chatting at our neighborhood pool this past summer:

Happy 5th birthday Sabrina!!

Sabrina's First Cheer Competition

This fall we signed Sabrina up for cheer leading at our church.  I have never been involved with this before, so we had no idea what we were getting into with it.  She had never taken dance, tumbling, or anything at all.  But, she smiles a lot, is bouncy and is outgoing.  She has a "cheer leader personality" and I thought would be a good fit.

Today was her first competition.  I had seen the routine many times (they practice twice a week; Catherine and I do school work while she is practicing - but the last ten minutes they let people watch).  It is a 2 and a half minute routine with tumbling, dancing, pyramids, etc.  Very active and well choreographed.

Before the competition, each girl had to get "cheer hair."  This was a totally new phenomenon to me.  The coaches gave the parents a four page memo on how to do the girl's hair, in addition to giving us a demonstration.  Plus, the night before the competition we met as a group and rolled the girls' hair together.  But, by the morning Sabrina's hair was no longer slick and had tons of "wisps" in it.  Apparently this violates the rules for how "cheer hair" is supposed to look.  So, a friend of mine with FIVE YEARS of cheer hair experience touched her hair up for us in the morning (the little tugs of course are painful, but Sabrina was a trooper and did not cry at all):

Before the competition Catherine put on Sabrina's practice t-shirt and marched around with one of the team signs (Sabrina is on the 4 and 5 year old squad).

 The starting places (Sabrina starts in the back row):

 The 15 girls on the squad constantly change formation, running around to new spots on the floor:

 See all the hyper-curly ponytails and glittery stars on their cheeks?

 Sabrina's big smile:

The group pyramid (Sabrina's back is to the audience but she is in the front helping to lift the middle girl):

This may be overkill, but I love all these action shots of Sabrina:

Shaking her hips as part of the dance:

 I haven't seen the score sheets, but if "cuteness" was a category, we would benefit:

 They chant "Johnson Ferry, the best just got better!" part way through the routine:

 The ending pose:

Sabrina found some pom poms to shake for a picture:

At the end of the competition, we attended the awards ceremony.  Our squad won first place!!  Here is Sabrina with her coach, and Catherine about to give her a hug:

Sabrina's personality is custom made for cheer leading and she loves it!

Mother Daughter Talks

We take a lot of pictures, most of which end up being deleted.  Many are good, but every so often we snap a shot that is (in my humble opinion) precious.  This is one of them.  I have no memory of Robby taking it and there is really nothing unusual or special about the setting or the moment in time. 

It it simply Sabrina and I having a conversation.  I have no idea what we were discussing.  Because she is four, I doubt that it was a "deep" talk.  But, she seems so engaged.  Whatever she was telling me was important to her. I am so blessed that we get to have these little chats!

Sabrina is such a happy go-lucky child - love that little girl!

Grocery Shopping with Sabrina

When I was working I almost always went to the grocery store alone.  It seems to be easier to do most errands without small children, so I went while the kids were in day care and school.  But, now that I am home with them most of the time, I have to do more errands with them.  Including the grocery store.

I prefer to have both kids ride in the cart as I shop, because it is easier to contain them.  Catherine usually remains fairly quiet and just watches.  Sabrina, however, adds a fun, exciting dynamic to grocery shopping.  She loudly proclaims the following statements:

Wait!  You just passed the ice cream!
We need Pringles!
Get some orange juice!
How come you didn't get me some cookies?
We are out of cereal!  Get some!
Look!  They have syrup!  We need that for waffles!
Daddy wants you to get some bananas!
We are out of cheese!  I love cheese!
Why did you pass the cake aisle?
They have Coke over there!

She has something to say in nearly every aisle.  She is neither subtle nor discreet about these requests.  Just about everyone else in the aisle hears her and chuckles.  I am so glad I can provide a brief moment of joy and laughter to complete strangers.

"I'm Honoring My Mother and Father!!"

Recently I borrowed a book from our church library called "Let's Chat About the Bible."  The book contains Bible stories written at a child's level with questions based on each story, as well as drawing connections between the Old Testament stories and New Testament truths.  Robby reads a story from this book almost every night.  We have enjoyed the great discussions encouraged by the book so much that we have actually ordered our own copy of it to own.

About two weeks ago, Robby taught the girls about the Ten Commandments.  The girls really pay attention during the lessons and he takes the time to answer all of their questions and explain any terms they may not understand.

A few days after that lesson, Catherine and I read a book about Noah and the Ark.  As that book opened, the text described that people disobeyed God.  The picture showed some people fighting and others stealing from a neighbor.  Catherine stopped reading to me and studied the picture.  She pointed to the theft and said "that person is not following the Ten Commandments.  He is taking something that does not belong to him."  I was so impressed that she remembered that not stealing was one of the Ten Commandments that I didn't have the heart to tell her that God did not deliver the Ten Commandments to Moses until much later than the Flood.

A few days after that incident, Robby taught them a lesson from Judges.  As he was reading the story he said "the people were worshiping idols."  Catherine immediately gasped and said "Uh-oh!  They shouldn't do that!" 

This morning Catherine woke up fairly sick.  We read for awhile and then she began projectile vomiting.  She was feverish and hot to the touch.  As I held her while she was sick, I asked Sabrina to get me another towel (the first was covered in vomit).  Sabrina promptly did.  Then I asked Sabrina to get me the baby wipes so I could clean Catherine's face and hands.  As Sabrina was walking down the hallway to the bathroom to get the baby wipes, she turned to me and said "I am honoring my mother and father because I am obeying you!" 

I am so glad that we are able to teach them these lessons and that we see evidence that they are learning and applying the lessons. 

A Tired "8"

Sabrina is a lot of fun to teach.  She is normally quite obedient and compliant.  But lately she has been exerting a new found assertiveness in the silliest ways.

I gave Sabrina a worksheet with sets of objects.  Her task was to count the objects and write the number corresponding to the set next to it.  She correctly counted that there were eight items, but wrote the digit "8" sideways, instead of upright.  I asked her why she wrote her 8 sideways.  She said it was laying down because it was tired. I told her that she has to write the 8 standing up, or else it would not be a correct 8.

Sabrina argued with me and with a stern, mad expression on her face she screamed "I want to do it the way I want to!"  I had to smile.  Then I reiterated that she cannot be creative when writing numbers, that there is only one way to write an "8."  She hated my response and began to cry. 

Nearly every day my kids say something which completely shocks me, something which I never expected them to say.  I never would have thought about whether a number would get tired and want to lay down.  I guess I do not think like a four year old.

I had no idea what to say, but fortunately my years of litigation experience taught me to think on my feet.  So, I suggested that when we do art class in the afternoon she can draw or paint 8's any way she wants.  But with math worksheets she has to write it the correct way.  She seemed OK with this option.  I want to encourage her creative and independent spirit, but of course she has to learn to write numbers correctly.  Alas, the "how to write a number 8" debate is over in our house.  For now. 
 

"My Sissy Needs Help!"

We have tried to shield our children from fear, disappointment, shock and all the other negative emotions associated with having a medically fragile child.  Usually, we are successful.  We have always tried to treat it as "normal" and "OK."  As a result, both girls think it is just fine to get your milk through a tube.  Sabrina will frequently try to hook Catherine's feeding tube into her belly button.

They have both given their stuffed animals pretend IV's and will frequently be seen using masking tape to check a Barbie doll's blood pressure.  This is their reality and so it is part of their pretend play.

However, this last surgery has been different because both girls have a heightened awareness and understanding of what is happening.  Sabrina helped me pack all of her stuff to go spend a week at Grandpa's.  She understood that Catherine would be in the hospital for surgery, although I am not sure if she understood what the surgery was for.  Catherine was (and is) well aware of what the surgery was for (she says she will get a te-te tube and a poo-poo tube).

When Catherine came back from the hospital, we had to give her colon irrigations once a day.  She also has a catheter bag for now.  She currently has two tubes coming out of her abdomen, in addition to her G-tube.  The openings are new, so they are still healing.  They are bloody and have mucus coming out of them.  Her te-te tube looks like there is hamburger meat coming out of it.  (Hopefully this will improve with time!)

On last Saturday evening we did the first colon irrigation.  Robby and I had never done it before, so we were nervous about how to do it.  Catherine sits on the potty while we push 8 ounces of saline into her colon through a new tube.  She has to hold her shirt up high so we can see what is happening.  While we were pushing it, we kept asking Catherine if it hurt, if she could feel it going in, etc. 

Sabrina walked into the bathroom, because we were all in there.  She saw the new tubes, with the yucky bloody openings, for the first time.  We probably had uneasy, scared looks on our faces. 

I turned to look at Sabrina.  Her mouth was gaping, her eyes were wide open, and she was staring straight at her sister's tummy.  She was totally silent.  For the first time ever I saw fear in her face.  She had no idea what was happening and had such a look of worry.  We had to comfort her and show her the new tubes.

After that first colon irrigation, we are much more comfortable doing it.  She has to sit on the potty for 20-30 minutes.  We give her the laptop on a desk so she can watch a DVD or play some computer games.  Sabrina sits on a stool next to her and also plays on my laptop.

On Monday evening, I was in the office at my desk while they were in the bathroom.  Sabrina came running down the hall, full speed, screaming "My sissy needs help!"  She has never done that before.  So, I ran down the hall to he bathroom.  Catherine threw up a little, probably because she was straining during her colon irrigation.  She was fine, but it was unusual.

Again, I hated that Sabrina was afraid for her sister.  I was proud of her that she ran to me to get help when she thought her sister needed help.  That was a mature reaction and I praised her for it.  But again, I was so sad that Sabrina had experienced fear.

On Tuesday Catherine spiked a fever and was so sickly that I decided to take her to the ER.  Robby was still at work.  I called a neighbor to watch Sabrina, but she did not answer.  So, on the way out of the neighborhood, I stopped at a neighbor's house.  I knocked on the door and begged her to watch Sabrina for what I thought would be 2-3 hours.  Sabrina had never stayed at their house and really did not know their kids well.  We had seen them at the pool during the summer, but this was essentially dropping Sabrina off at a stranger's house (to her, I knew the mother pretty well).  My neighbor said OK, so I got Sabrina out of the car.  I told her she would stay here for a few hours while I went to the hospital with Catherine.  She asked why and I told her we just needed to go.

Sabrina is quite compliant and easy-going, so she just walked into my neighbor's house.  I wonder what she was thinking.  Was she worried about her big sister?  Did she understand that this was serious?  Did she think I was just dumping her off at some one's house?  Did she think she was less important than her sister?

Things have settled down since we returned from the hospital after this second stay, so we are trying to act like everything is normal. I am also trying to give Sabrina lots of attention so she feels loved.  It is so hard to balance all of this and it is is frequent prayer of mine that Robby and I balance everything (these are not listed in any particular order):

Catherine's medical needs
Catherine's non-medical needs
Sabrina's needs
daily maintenance of self, house, etc.
rest
couple time
personal time
service to others efforts
social time with friends, family

Silliness

I know that we should not label our children, but it hard not to regularly use the term "Silly Sabrina."  She is generally a very happy child and is so unpredictable in her silly behaviors.  For example:

-   While Sabrina is in the bath tub, I frequently walk up and down our upstairs hallway putting laundry away, cleaning, etc.  The other day Sabrina climbed out of the bath tub, in her birthday suit, and walked into the hallway (dripping).  She screamed "Mommy!"  I responded "Yes, Sabrina?"  She said, in a completely serious tone of voice, "Can I play hopscotch in the bath tub?" 

-    Robby walked into a room and found Sabrina with a pair of scissors, cutting her hair.  He took the scissors away and told her she cannot cut her own hair.  She had cut about half of her bangs off, leaving about a centimeter of hair in their place.  He asked why she did it, and she said "Sissy told me to."

-    We have been reading the Laura Numeroff books lately (If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Take a Mouse to the Movies, If you Give a Pig a Party, etc.).  These books are custom made for Sabrina.  When I tell her to pick out some books for me to read to her, she always chooses these.  As we read them, she studies the pictures.  She will ask ten questions per page:  Have you ever seen a pig wear a hat?  Have you ever seen a mouse draw with a crayon?  Have you ever seen a dog ride a bicycle?  I think she knows these are all fantastical situations, and finds them hysterical.

-   She has always been very ticklish.  Recently I have started doing "air tickles," when I hold my hand out like a claw and pretend to tickle the air in front of her.  My hand remains at least a foot from her, never making contact with her. Nevertheless, she will respond like she is being tickled.  She will writhe and giggle, screaming out "stop, Mommy, stop!"

Sabrina Turns Four

Sabrina continues to be our little bundle of energy.  She wanted a Minnie Mouse themed birthday party, so we did it for her.  We let her plan as much of the party as possible.  We decorated with pink and black balloons everywhere.  We served pink lunch and "polka dots" (aka mini marshmallows) for treats.

 She wanted a hot dog bar for dinner:

 She wanted polka dot cupcakes:

Roasting marshmallows and making s'mores around the fire pit (yes, Sabrina is wearing a Minnie Mouse costume):

 Sabrina asked if all the kids could do the "hot dog dance" from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show:

The Minnie Mouse pinata was a little different.  Instead of hitting it with a baseball bat, each child pulled a string.

One of the strings opened a magic trap door, which caused the candy to fall out:

The mad dash for candy once it all hits the floor:

 Opening presents (Sabrina got a doll and a bunch of accessories):

Sabrina got a set of wooden dolls with magnetic clothes.  This is a great game for her because she can change the doll's clothes, by herself, every few minutes,

 Another doll outfit:

 A sock monkey:

 Grandpa gave them a toy grand piano, a bunch of Disney figurines, and new Ariel nightgowns:

 We are so blessed that friends and family can celebrate her four years with us!