I never had a sister. I always wanted one, but I just had 2 stinky brothers :) I have only been able to observe the "sisterhood" from the outside in and wonder what it would be like. Of course, I have some friends who I would call my sisters...but I'm sure it's not really the same.
It has been amazing to watch my girls become sisters. Because I'm with them both everyday, I don't think I have really noticed how strong their bond has become. When I took Gracie for 2 weeks to Cincinnati three months after she had come home, they loved to see each other on skype but there was no talk about missing each other. This week was different!
Richard and I brought Wesleigh to see a new pediatric neurosurgeon in Birmingham. We were only gone one night, but both my girls missed the other one greatly. We decided to spoil Wesleigh the entire time and fill her up with all the love and attention we could, since she has to share it with 4 others at home! She ate it up!
We took her to Build a Bear(which she never knew existed!). She was in hog heaven!
Of course, she had to make one for her sister!
She was in heaven "living" in the hotel and sleeping between the two of us.
And we thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend some time with just her. We were able to focus on everything she said fully. She truly is the sweetest, cutest thing ever! You can imagine the people who fawned over her everywhere we went :)
But...even with all this excitement, there were still moments when her eyes would well up with those big crocodile tears and she said "I miss my sister". She fully enjoyed herself, but I don't think she felt complete without her sister.
On the homefront, Gracie had no trouble going to school by herself and had a brother lay down with her to help her go to sleep at night, but she missed her sister too. She would utter the same words "I miss my sister".
Wesleigh was so excited as we were driving into the neighborhood. I couldn't wait to see what their reaction would be!
Here it is: (Listen closely to what Wesleigh says as she runs through the laundry room)
On the medical side, we found a doctor that we loved and fully trust with the decisions that will need to be made for Wesleigh in the future. In case you're not aware, Wesleigh has spina bifida. Because of this condition, her spinal cord is tethered. She has a 50/50 chance that she will need a delicate surgery to de-tether her cord in the future. It is a big decision and you definitely want a doctor that you trust to help you make it. You might remember that our local doctor was a complete a$$ to us the last time we were there. There was NO way I would darken that door again!
The good news is that he was completely smitten and impressed with our girl. He said she was well above average on her function and he thought she was doing amazing.
Again, I marvel at the fact that God chose me to be her mom. I can't get over the detail with which God presented her file to me in a way that I couldn't close the door at the words "spina bifida". What a blessing this journey has been! What a precious gem Wesleigh Jane is!