Haley’s Giggle

This is what the well-meaning nutritionist asked us when she saw Haley. This was Haley’s first nutritionist visit (we tried to get an earlier appointment, but this was all they had). We went through her entire eating history, and tried to map out where and when her eating problem started. It was a long conversation. And in the end, she suggested a “monkey-see, monkey-do” approach; that perhaps Haley’s problem is behavioral and all she needs is a good role model. The problem with that argument is everyone’s always eating in front of her, trying to entice her. The nutritionist also thought that we weren’t trying enough kinds of foods. She suggested cheese. If i tell you we’ve tried every single food there could possibly be (except for bacon and such, for obvious reasons), I would not be exaggerating.

We’ve lowered the Tacro level once again, and watching for exploding situationon her skin. So far today it seems a bit worse than yesterday, before we lowered the Tacro, but I will be patient.

We send love, as always, to Dave in New York and Josh In New Zealand, and hope their days are getting easier.

Oh, for those who wanted to keep tabs on the basketball tournament situation, Haley was upset about georgetown losing, but is loving the underdog #10 seed Davidson, hoping they knock off Kansas to go into the Final four (even though we have Kansas in our final four– gotta root for that underdog!). We also predcited Wisconsin to choke. One of us, and I won’t say who because I don’t want to hurt her feelings, isn’t faring so well in her bracket. One of us is happy she picked some good upsets. So in the end, we’ll even out. In any event, the tournament’s the best it’s ever been, and this year, we’re even going to remember it!

Hi everyone! This is Haley, and I’m sneaking in an entry before Mom wakes up.

I don’t want to talk about the food I don’t eat. I don’t want to talk about the bottles I’m now refusing. I don’t want to talk about how I can’t walk yet (I’m trying, that’s for sure!). I don’t want to talk about any of those things. Not this entry. This entry is about the most exciting time in sports: March Madness, and especially the NCAA tournament (for Josh in New Zealand, it’s college basketball, and lots of fun to watch). It’s what I watched all last year while tethered to my crib, and it’s what got me through some very rough patches. This year, I’m enjoying it alot more; I even have my own picks! I didn’t want to say what they were until now, because there were already too many people lending their “expert” opinion. What I learned from last year, and for those who don’t know, is that most of the top seeded teams advance, with an occasional upset. I’m not going to share with you every single pick. But suffice to say that this year’s rankings were pretty spot on. So picking the upset was a bit tricky. 

It’s no secret I’m a Georgetown (#2) fan (for what they did for me the first two weeks of life), and luckily they’re good this year. I have Duke (#2) losing in the sweet 16, which normally would be an upset for such a tournament powerhouse. But judging by the last-minute nail-biting, heartwrenching, near-historic game against Belmont (that’s in Tennessee, folks, and they’re one of the lowest-ranked teams. they lost at the last second by one point), I’m not sure Duke is going to make it even that far.

I should have picked Kansas State over USC. That was a tough call. Mom and I went round and round on that one. In the end, I chose USC. I chose wrong. Luckily I don’t have them going far, I should be OK in the standings.

I’m not going to bore you anymore with the picks, but it’s UCLA in the finals, winning it all against UNC. We’ll see how I do. Oh yeah, Georgetown (of course) and Texas also make it the final four. I have pittsburgh in the final four in another bracket, but no way I’ll win that bracket since I also have Butler upsetting Tennessee. Yep, I’m crazy. I guess it’s the Purim spirit in me (Purim is a Jewish holiday, where the Jews were almost annihilated, but fought back and won. Purim is today! Happy Purim!).

OK, I’m done. Oh wait! I forgot! This is a very special announcement! To all college basketball tournament players out there still left standing, please do me these favors: Use that bounce pass, get those offensive rebounds, and for goodness sake, whatever you do, DO NOT PICK UP YOUR DRIBBLE UNLESS YOU HAVE A CLEAN PASS. Please. You’re driving me crazy.

Most people who’ve ever had to go through physical therapy will say that it’s a lot of hard work.  I don’t remember it being this tough for Haley when we were in the hospital (then again, it was an easy time relative to other things she had to endure). Luciana the therapist is very nice, and very encouraging of Haley. But Haley wants nothing to do with her other than wave at her from my lap. And after 10 minutes, it was clear: I can’t actually be in the same room as Luciana and Haley; Haley won’t go to her otherwise, and it’s really hard for Haley to trust her when I’m around.

Looks like the only hand-holding contraption tall enough for Haley that will get her walking is some trampoline toy. The theory behind the trampoline is it helps you walk by helping you jump, or something like that. Don’t worry- Haley won’t go unattended (there is a side rail, plus it’s from a physical therapy catalog, and they wouldn’t put anything in that catalog that can actually be dangerous, right?). I have a feeling Anna will be on it just as much as Haley. And of course, I will have to test it out occasionally.

Today, Haley has refused her bottles outright. I’m hoping she’s teething/has a stomach virus. All recipes are welcome. ALL recipes. even the weird ones. Especially the weird ones. Please. Anything.

Next blog: Haley’s picks for the Big Dance. They’re mostly good. She’s definitely the risk-taker between the two of us. Her passion-pick: Georgetown, since they saved her life.