Decatur General Hospital - June 30th, 2009

You got sick on a Sunday evening after a day at the pool. Your temperature went up to 104.5 and I was in a near panic. It came down slightly after Tylenol but rose up again quickly the next morning. Monday we went to the doctor and found out you had pneumonia. We tried a night of antibiotics, but they didn’t work. Your temperature remained high. The next morning you were admitted to Decatur General Hospital. The hardest moment of my life so far is watching your small body look so helpless and sick and listen to you cry as they gave you the IV. You were brave, though, and we spent a lot of time singing songs, coloring, and watching Disney princess movies. You also became a fan of Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet. By Thursday, they let us go home. Amazingly, you healed rather quickly and by Friday afternoon you were back to your wonderful self. I am so happy you are feeling better and please don’t scare me again! Really, though, if any silver lining can be found, it’s that I got to spend two days holding my baby girl and giving you lots of kisses. What’s better than that?

An Elephant Named Binky

Baby girl. Today was a big milestone for you. This is the day you said good-bye to your beloved Binky. For the last few months we have told you about the baby animals at the zoo that have no binkies. Their mommies need help taking care of the babies, so I asked if you would be kind enough to give them yours. After all, you are a big girl now. You know how to soothe yourself and don’t really need a Binky anymore. But those baby animals could sure use something to make them feel better. I asked you which animal you would give yours to. You informed me – the baby elephants (pronounced “L-fants”).

Today was a beautiful Tuesday in April (April 28th). As soon as we arrived at the Nashville Zoo, we went directly to the Baby Elephants. After giving the treasured Binky a kiss, you placed it on the stoop. The mommy elephant was kind of far away, so Daddy threw the Binky to her. You said bye-bye to Binky as the Mommy picked it up with her long snout. I guess you then realized it was gone and got very upset. You also thought she chewed it up. We assured you the Binky was given to the Baby. You walked away crying, but in return, the Mommy elephant gave a plush toy elephant as a symbol of her gratitude. You happily took the toy elephant and gave it a hug and kiss. We asked you want the toy elephant’s name to be. You promptly replied, “Binky.” So there on that brave April afternoon, an elephant named Binky came into our lives.

Carrot and Karat

Miss Julia and you were playing with your alphabet puzzle. She instructed you to place the letter “C” in its spot. To help you, she said, “Riley, place the “C” on the picture of the “carrot.” You promptly put the letter on the picture of the large diamond ring. At least you have your “karats” prioritized correctly!