First Fall in the 'nati

We have had a busy two months! Russ completed his chemo and we await the final 'all clear' scan results next week. Aidan & Kristin are enjoying 3rd & 1st grade, respectively. I'm back to my 4-day work schedule and am happy to report that Lera just LOVES daycare (whew!).

Lera is doing great. We've learned that she thrives on routine, and she has us all trained! Bedtime, for example - all the typical stuff, with mandatory skipping-is-NOT-an-option rituals like her turning on the night light, jumping off the step stool ("I need jumpy!"), and rubbing lotion on her cheeks, arms & legs. Whatever works - it's nice quiet time together! She still puts her hands on both of my cheeks for our goodnight kiss, and says "love you" (which sounds more like lubwu).

Other Lera news - she's potty trained - yippee! And, she finally had her "oral rehab" surgery last week - under general anesthesia as she needed quite a bit done. They pulled all 4 front teeth, which were badly decayed from what was apparently a textbook case of "bottle rot." Also a root canal/crown (on a molar that needs to last 10 more years) and multiple fillings. Good grief. The whole thing was tougher on me than on her, though - she was running around and eating like nothing had happened later that same day! I'm still sad about the loss of her front teeth - but the good news is, her permanent teeth are there and in place; that's what matters most!

The mutual love & fun club with Aidan & Kristin is still going strong - they have such a good time together. Russ and I love watching them teach her stuff, and she is a little sponge, soaking it all in. Every day I find myself thinking, "She is so darn cute!!" We all feel lucky to have her in our lives. It is hard to believe that this Thursday is the 6-month anniversary of when we met her. She hardly seems like the same child!

Here are a few pix of the last two months:

First camping trip, to Caesar Creek State Park near home...she loved it, rain and all!

Another camping pic...couldn't resist. Schlepping that pink potty back from Kaz was a good decision ;-)


Bathtime is big around here

Aidan & Kristin - first day of school

Lera loves to climb, just like her big sister does

Kristin comforting Lera after an "owie"

"Hiking" at the Cincinnati Nature Center

She really loved walking in the woods

With Reid & Marie at the Nature Center


This is how Lera kisses...seriously!

Lera was funny at the pumpkin farm...she thought it quite odd we were bringing these big weird things home!

Recuperating after her oral surgery

Showing off her new toothless grin