The Tovington Post

My tiny little ex 553gram 24 weeker just turned 4 years old.

It was fun having two three year olds for a couple of weeks. Now it is fun having one 3 and one 4.

Happy birthday princess.

We went to uncle mordi's cafe for birthday coffee. They made her a sticky date pudding cake with a sparkler, she loved the sparkler. I loved the pudding.

Saba gave Tova some of the sauce and ice cream from the cake. Tova isn't able to eat her cake yet (unless I puree it). So the condiments had to do. I look forward to the birthday where Tova grabs a piece of cake and eats it 'as is'. One day!

Nissim ate some.

The kids got about $150 cash, so we went and brought some crazy expensive clothes from Seed and Country Road. Every time I asked Nissim if he liked an item of clothing he replied "I don't think so!". So cute!

We are meeting a new speech therapist tomorrow, not that there is anything wrong with the one we see now (she is lovely and helpful). We just figure the more therapy the better, and another point of view can't hurt. Perhaps this one can help us get Tova to chew and eat dry foods.

I wonder if it is more than just low muscle tone in Tova's mouth? We will see. I wish there was a feeding clinic for issues like Tova's here in Australia. I would love to go to an intensive feeding program (live in style) for 10 days. The only ones I have found are either closed or only take severely CP and other special needs kids, they told me Tova doesn't have a severe enough special need... BIZARRE, because I would have thought that anyone who can't chew, can only eat purees and can't self feed is severe enough. Not to worry, we will find a way. Hence the new speech therapist.

Tova is eating almost normal quantities of food again thankfully.

We now have two 3 year old children in the house. Tova is 4 in a few weeks and Nissim just turned 3.

They had a big birthday party in a hall next to a park. It was great fun and the sun even came out to help us celebrate. I didn't see Nissim for the entire afternoon. He wasn't interested in me and spent his time playing with friends and in the park (at least that is what I have been told).

Tova was a good girl and enjoyed herself right up until the end. By the time most people had gone home Tova had also had enough and insisted on going home, so the two of us left Nissim and Yuval to tidy up. They had loads of helpers such as cousins and grand parents. To whom Tova and I are very grateful.

Savta Aviva made two amazingly beautiful birthday cakes, I will attach a photo.

Nissim waited for two sleeps before opening his presents on the morning of his birthday. He was so excited to open them and every single one was fantastic. Thank you everyone for being so generous! We are waiting to open the rest of the presents on Tova's birthday.

Of course, turning 3 means Nissim had his hair cut. Wow, I can't stop looking at him. He looks like a little boy! Last night I crept into his bedroom just to take a look at his hair again. He really looks different, his entire face seems to have changed. Of course he remains the cute little man that he is.. Take a look at the pics.

Also, surprisingly, Nissim didn't react at all to the hairdresser nor Yuval cutting his hair. Yuval did the first big cut and snipped off Nissm's pony tail. When we first arrived at the salon he happily sat in the chair and let the lady touch his hair and put the gown on him. Really, we were all in shock about that more than the actual hair coming off. It was really strange. I think it must be all the preparation we did with him over the past few months, where we explained every single thing that would happen on the day. He was simply excellent!

:-)

Happy birthday little man! We love you so much.

Since being home from hospital earlier this week, Tova has slowly gone off her food.

While she was in hospital and for a day or two after, she was eating like her normal piggy self. But now for the last couple of days she doesn't want to eat much at all. She is drinking which is a good thing.

The other day she slept until about 9.30am from about 6.45pm the night before! She has also been sleeping for an hour a day and requesting to go to bed pretty much from the moment she is awake.

I hope this sickness/tiredness passes quickly.  I have a feeling that her ears are hurting too, because when I put her ear plugs in (for the bath) she cried a little (which never happens).

We have the kids birthday party tomorrow. We are all hoping that she is at least 99% better so she can come to the party.

I haven't panicked too much while she has gone off her food. But it does still make me nervous. It shouldn't. Most people go off their food when they don't feel well.

Nissim is fine, he has been playing with his cousins who are down from NSW for a few days. Tova signed to Timna (cousin) "I love you"!!! So sweet!

Tova went to bed very early again tonight. I suppose her body is telling her that she needs sleep to get over what ever it is she has, perhaps croup takes this long to get over even though she didn't need oxygen or adrenalin. Maybe it is the steroids working their magic, yet disrupting her sleep pattern.  If she is any worse tomorrow, I will take her to the Dr.

Tomorrow will be filled with cake, lollies and junk food! yay!

I miss the gym. I haven't been for about a month. Hopefully we will get back there on Monday!

It's been a while between sicknesses. Months even! I was wondering how long we could go without illness and hospitals.

Yesterday Tova woke up with labored breathing and a barking cough. No other symptoms. Ventolin did nothing so I figured it was Croup.

Yuval was at work (he started at 4am) so I asked my mum to pick Nissim up and take him to creche. Of course she did, she is always there for us!

I took Tova to the hospital. The ER was completely empty, so we were ushered in right away. Croup was confirmed, her lungs were clear and she was given Pred. No oxygen, no adrenalin, only pred! Easy!

Through out the day she didn't get better, but didn't get much worse.

The doctors worried a little because of Tova's history and proven ability to deteriorate quickly, we were kept there for the entire day and over night mostly for observation.

The Pred made her sleep for hours during the day and kept her awake for half the night.

All the medical staff were lovely.

Mum picked Nissim up from creche, so Yuval could spend some time with Tova and I at the hospital. Nissim ended up sleeping at mums too! I always feel torn when things like this happen. Nissim gets passed around and all I want to do is be home all together. He doesn't mind at all. He loves staying at Savtas house, it is his second home.

As usual on the hospital ward I ended up in a room with someone that had loads of visitors including other small kids. I never understand that. I don't want Nissim anywhere near the place nor have to worry about guests.. But unlike usual, none of my room mates turned their lights on during the night, which is lovely.

It wasn't an especially hard night, but it was broken and uncomfortable sleep for Tova and I. One nice nurse gave me panadol to give to Tova to help her settle. It helped her.

We were discharged at about 11am. It is always so nice to be home.

Tova is in a good mood.  Nissim seems a little tired and fragile, but very cute.

Tova has remained with no other symptom, other than funny breathing that sounds loads better today. She is perfectly happy.

One week until the Nissim haircut. WOOHOO

Tova feels heavy. My arms hurt from carrying her. She is still a tiny dot on the planet, but getting heavier. I wonder what she weighs? Perhaps I will weigh her sometime soon out of curiosity. Mostly to find out if it is just me getting weaker.

Tova, Nissim and I are in Tasmania visiting family and friends.

We went to a birthday party for a little boy turning 5, whom is also a Graz graduate! And yes, he ate his cake!

Flying here was very easy. I am not sure why, but my kids are very easy on the plane. I put them in their seats and they didn't move until we landed. Tova was a bit worried by the loud noise of take off and she settled very quickly once the sound stopped.

I never stay here long enough. Last time I was here for about 5 days, this time about 10. Next time I am going to stay for at least 2 weeks. It is so beautiful and easy going here.

Eating is good. Not much to report. I have been using the dvd player here just because I don't want to struggle in an unfamiliar place (Tova is a bit out of sorts because it isn't familiar and aba isn't here).