This is how old Laelia was after her first two tendon releases when we first learned that she was indeed looking forward to a more major surgery someday.

Day 4, or 3? Or whatever.

It’s only been a few days since I got scary surgery news, and, thanks to my family and friends, I’m feeling so much more hopeful now! I had so many emails and phone calls and texts from a rag-tag group of wonderful people who have really made this so much easier! Chelsea is back from touring with a band for the past week, so that’s great news for Laelia. Because *Laelia* missed her a lot. **Laelia**is really needy apparently. (Unlike her mom who is a rock of self reliance. ) And then there’s Megan, who watches Lali Mondays through Thursdays, who has been completely flexible with our crazy schedules, occasional doctors appointments, future school schedules, etc. She brings her little Joshua (12 months) over and Laelia loves him to pieces. Laelia and Joshua share a straw cup and take turns drinking water from it. It’s so cute! I love watching them play peek-a-boo, or the times when he walks all over her while she barks at him! Laelia can even say “Sew-a” now, but prefers to call him “Baby.” I think Joshua is doing a lot to prepare Laelia for school with other kids.

Besides my friends, I’ve recently been contacted by other families affected by AMC who have gone through similar surgeries. I’m starting to love these wonderful strangers!

It also looks like some of my family will be able to come down around Sept. 16th and go with us to the hospital. That will be helpful just to have them near to distract me while I freak out during our hospital stays. I know myself. I know I won’t be able to breath until she wakes up, and I won’t be able to rest until she’s out of pain. And I know they will be a great help to me.

Right now Charley and I are trying to work out the little things: getting days off work, working around Laelia’s school schedule (her teacher says she can come when she’s up for it, even in her body cast), trying to get information from the surgeon’s assistant (like if a post-op Lali will fit in a carseat–they haven’t gotten back to us yet), among other things.

If feels good to be doing something! I hated just dealing with the news and feeling so helpless. I was fixated at one point on how bad her scars would be. I was even looking up how old you have to be (or how young you can be with parental consent) to get a tattoo in California. It just feels wrong to make this decision to give Laelia giant scars on her legs, feet and hips without letting her make a decision when she’s an older teen to cover them up with ink. I know that’s the age when a young girl’s self image means a lot. Of course not everyone thinks tattoos are pretty (or even good things since they are permanent and all), but  no one think scars are pretty. Well, I know everyone is different, and maybe Laelia will want to show her scars off, or just treat them like any other part of her body, no big deal.  I hope so. I got a lot of advice on the scar issue. Laelia’s Grandma Christina even told me about Mederma Kids for scars. I’m sure we’ll get some of that and try it after they heal a little.

Not that everyone with scars have poor self images, but I think it’s different if your scar has an adventurous memory tied to it as opposed to being from a surgery. I also think it’s different if you’re a kid, or even a boy, but I hate that Laelia will have to have these scars as a young lady. And I think, strangely enough, that fixating on the scars instead of the awful surgery is helping me stay sane. Sometimes I stop and realize that the ONE sugery Laelia’s doctor mentioned a year and a half ago, is now TWO much more involved surgeries, and it drives me crazy.

Speaking of Laelia’s doctor, I have talked to a dad of a kid who had hip surgery done by the same doctor when he was little. I’m told this doctor is the best of the best. So that makes me feel better. Even though I’m not thrilled with the man, who cares about liking him?! Just as long as he does his job expertly! I’m told I will like him after surgery is all over with, not because he’s the nicest man in the world, but because he can sometimes work a miracle! I would love to see Laelia totally straightened out and able to put her legs down, knees up. Here’s to hoping!

So I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been so wonderful. I really appreciate it! I’m doing a lot better. No more tears for a while.

Little Laelia was your average law-abiding citizen. She was known for her good deeds like helping this nice old lady learn to play the drums.

But secretly she was Super Bitty Bear! A crime fighting super baby known for even gooder deeds!

One day all the super heroes started to disappear. Rumor was that they had been trapped in some elaborate cage! Who will save them?

Super Bitty Bear will save them! She was off in a flash! There’s no need to fear! Super Bitty Bear is on her way!

So Super Bitty Bear looked and looked. She got a tip from a concerned citizen that there were strange noises coming from the crib room!

Hey guys, if you all look to your left you’ll notice the crib isn’t actually holding you here! Yea! We’re saved! Thanks Super Bitty Bear! No problem fellow Do-Gooders! Now who wants to buy an action figure? Anybody?

Once upon a time there lived a little girl named Laelia. She was an everyday citizen who should have been unconcerned with city crime. But Laelia had a secret. She was in fact: Super Bitty Bear!

What’s that Daddy? You hear a crime being committed? Will the machinations of evil never cease? I’m on my way!

Zooooooooooooooooooooooooom! Got there just in time to save the day!

All in a day’s work. It’s tough being a super hero.