Shopping

Kimmie has a one track mind and lately it has been fixated on shopping. Unfortunately she is not happy to just go out and wander around looking. She thinks she needs to buy something every place she goes.

Usually she also has in her mind something that she wants to buy. Unfortunately it is often something that we cannot find in the stores.

As you might guess, shopping with Kimme usually involves a lot of screaming. Screaming because what she wants is not in the store. And screaming if we try to leave without her buying something.

It's a challenge.

--Mom

The Waiter

Tonight we went out to eat. Kimmie was determined to hug the young man who was our waiter. Every time he came to our table she would look up at him and hold her arms out. Dad would try to distract her and redirect her.

One time she was smiling at the waiter and I asked her if she was flirting. The waiter laughed and said, "that's ok" as he went about his work.

We managed to keep Kimmie off him until we were leaving. As we were leaving the waiter came past us to speak to us as we left. Kimmie's arms went up and he got his hug. Another waiter went past about that time and paused to say he must have done a good job. Our waiter laughed and commented that his customers love him. It was cute and sweet and funny.

Kimmie's sister was laughing as we finally made our way out of the restaurant. She observed that every time we go out to eat Kimmie hugs the waiter or waitress. I pointed out that most people who work as waiters and waitresses are outgoing, people persons, which is good because they are not too bothered by a little girl hugging on them.

Another life Kimmie touched.

--Mom

The Back Dilemma

Kimmie's back problems have become a bit of a dilemma. This week we went to the neurosurgeon so he could look at the MRI films and determine if her spinal cord and related problems would be ok through scoliosis surgery. He looked at the MRI but could not determine for sure whether her spinal cord had become reattached and tethered again. Since he could not determine this, he could not say it was ok to have the scoliosis surgery, nor could he say that she needed to have the tethered spinal cord release surgery again.

We continue to wait for the doctors to figure out what can be done about Kimmie's back. The neurosurgeon said he would get with the radiologist and spine/bone doctor to see if they could figure something out. Maybe the radiologist can see more than he can see? Maybe there is another test or a different angle that could be done to see the area more clearly?

The neurosurgeon's assistant is suppose to call us when they decide something.

Waiting is not my strength.

--Mom

New Friend

Kimmie made a new friend this week.

Kimmie was complaining about her mouth hurting. We couldn't exactly pinpoint a spot that looked like a problem, but Kimmie rarely admits to anything hurting. She's too afraid of going to the doctor or, worse yet, the dentist.

Her dentist is on vacation, so we were given the phone number of the on-call dentist. A new dentist, new staff . . . Dad decided he better meet us there to help hold her still. The dentist did real well with Kimberly. Dad held her arms out of the way while I kept her legs straight so she couldn't dig her feet in and leverage her whole body around. The assistant stood a couple feet away looking a little lost, not knowing what she should do.

When the dentist was finished looking, he received about eight hugs from Kimmie. The assistant received a really nice big hug, too.

When we were leaving, all the staff appeared to breath a sigh of relief, along with smiles and comments about how well it went. I couldn't help but think about how Kimmie had touched some new people that day. I think the dentist and the assistant will remember her and her hugs for a long time.

--Mom

July

July has arrived. An exciting month for Kimmie. Her birthday month.

Unfortunately it is also her siblings birthday month and Kimmie's birthday comes last. Celebrating her sister and brother's birthdays while waiting for hers to arrive is a very difficult thing.

Kimmie is not very good at being happy for others especially when it means that they are opening gifts and she is not.

--Mom