Happy? Birthday

Zoa's 3rd birthday has already come and gone, but I wanted to post something to the blog about it, since it turned out to be an ordeal rather than a celebration. The day before her birthday party, Zoa has an allergic reaction to Augmentin and was covered in hives. She also had a fever and her joints became so swollen that she began to walk like Frankenstein. So, we went to Urgent Care, who sent us to the ER. The ER Doc thought it was a virus, don't ask me why, and after about 4 hours of observation sent us home. The next day we canceled the birthday party as Zoa was still had a temperature, and although the rash was changing, it was not getting better. So, Saturday we headed back to the doctor's office where she got a steroid shot. The shot did not really help that much and so on Monday, her birthday, we went to see her regular pediatrician who referred us to an allergist. Monday afternoon we saw the allergist who gave us the initial diagnosis (serum sickness) and the treatment plan (oral steroids) first recommended by the Urgent Care doc 4 days earlier. After her 10 days of steroids and countless doses of Benadryl, the rash finally started to go away. It took about 3 weeks for it to really clear up. Needless to day, Zoa did not really have a great birthday. On the plus side, Grandpa was here visiting and she did get to eat cake, so it was not a total wash.

Grandpa and Zoa's rash on Saturday.















Sunday, rash turns into one big gray blob with a raised red border. Left eye practically swells shut. Very itchy!

We Miss You Grandma

For those of you who know us well, you understand the reason we have been away from the blog for such a long time. I realize now that it has been 6 months since I have contributed anything. The last six months have been the absolute worst and left our family a little bit lost.

It did not seem right to start posting to the blog again without acknowledging the great loss that Zoa has suffered (and the rest of us too). Zoa is not quite aware enough to realize that she will not have the privilege of growing up with my Mom in her life the way that I did. She will miss out on my Mom's endless enthusiasm, constant support, bright and loving smile, and overall pride in her family.

Zoa was truly a great light in my Mom's life since her arrival three years ago. Here are just a few pictures of the two from over the years.















Proud Grandma holding Zoa for the first time.















Grandma visiting and taking a fall hike at Arbor Day Farm, 2005.




















First Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma's house.














Play time with Grandma and Great-Grandma before 1st Birthday.



















Touring the "new" Guthrie Theater with Grandma in Minneapolis summer, 2006.



















Visit to Omaha spring, 2007.



















Fun at the Madison zoo summer, 2007.














Drawing with Grandma summer, 2007.














Sitting on Grandma's lap wearing her glasses summer, 2007.




















Playing with puppies and Grandma in October, 2007.