Happy new year! It was a mighty eventful close to 2015, as it always is. I don't know how we manage to do it, but every year we get sick right before Christmas. Last year Leah was sick the day of my work holiday party, and we had a repeat offender this year. The week before Christmas, she had a high fever and cough that I think turned to croup. She missed 3 days of school, and would have been a 4th if we didn't normally have Fridays off. She finally recovered in time for Christmas to come. Ty and I also battled colds those last few weeks of December. Icky!! This was our year to be in Peoria for Christmas. We drove down with the car loaded full to the max on Wednesday, just in time to arrive for the craziness of a Cunningham Christmas. Ty left on Sunday morning for a work trip and then home to Minneapolis, while Leah and I stayed until New Year's Eve. We had lots of cousin time, and I got to spend a good amount of time with my best friend and another high school friend. All in all, a very successful and fun holiday!
We have so very much to be thankful for, as I reflect on another year of blessings and look forward to this new year ahead. There aren't enough words to express how much I love our little girl, or how grateful I am for everything about her. She is the sweetest, kindest, and gentlest person I have ever met. Her sense of humor and laugh are infectious, and she has a stubborn streak that I mostly adore. She has a fiery spirit and lights up a room. Because she has Spina Bifida, she needs extra support in her life, which makes me ever grateful for where we live.
Minneapolis, and, in particular, our little corner of this city, has been very kind to us. In less than a half hour, we can reach all the doctors, therapists, and services she needs to treat the different parts of SB that we deal with. Our school district is amazing, and provided us great early intervention services from birth-3. Ty and I work about 20 minutes from home, and half-way to our office is Leah's preschool, which is the best, best, best place for a child with a disability. Her school offers an inclusive preschool, so she is in a class with many normal kids and also some who have other special needs. They have been incredibly accommodating with all of her needs, and are a true partner to us.
Then there is Leah's overall general health, which *knock on wood* continues to be excellent. With the exception of her cold a few weeks ago, she's been incredibly healthy. No sign of a UTI in over a year, which I can hardly believe! We made it through 2015 without antibiotics or any major trips to the doctor's office. Her neuro exam showed that her shunt is working well, and her spine looks good. We will return to Spina Bifida clinic in a few weeks to do more kidney and bladder tests and a check-up by the rehab and physical therapists. I suspect we'll start our bathroom training soon, and she may need some new braces to continue her walking. All in all, 2015 was a very good year for us.
Here's wishing all of our friends and family a very blessed 2016!
