Our Kids

We have some great neighbors who have a couple of girls aged 7 and 10.  Last Friday night we made an Asian feast between the two of us.  I made homemade wontons that turned out fantastic.  Earlier in the week I had also made some seitan for the first time and used that in the wontons and the stirfry I made.  Erin and I also made sushi in the form of california rolls.  We made both types the one with seaweed on the outside and with rice on the outside.  It was loads of fun and quite a feast when we got it all finished.

So as we converged at Erin’s house to eat, Piper took her place on my lap and Lela on Jason’s and we chowed down. Erin had some training chopsticks and she gave them to Piper since Piper wanted my chopsticks.  I’ll be darned if she did not pick those up and go to town.  She picked up noodles, veggies, wontons and even edamame with those buggers.  I have to admit I was quite amazed that she got the hang of it so quickly and was so good at it.

We had our checkup at the cardiologist yesterday.  After a tense 20 min or so we got her settled in for her EKG, Echocardiogram and blood pressure tests.  Jason had to lay on a hospital bed in the most uncomfortable position while holding Lela.  She stayed still for almost a half an hour while the doctor did all the tests.  She was very good and very happy.  There was an Elmo video going and a life-sized (for them) Dora and Elmo that mommy made sing and dance and tell stories until she was settled.  Piper enjoyed the whole thing sitting on a chair with giant Elmo at her side.  I think she was just glad it wasn’t her on the table and I am sure Jason was wishing it was me, and that he brought an extra shirt since Lela had cried and snotted on the one he was wearing.

The good news is that they could not find the VSD on the echo (which is like an ultrasound).  Her EKG was perfectly normal and of course her blood pressure was good as soon as she calmed down.  The doctor could hear a murmur that he said sounds like a VSD but he could not see it on any of the pictures.  Some funny blood flow that might be a VSD but he can’t be sure.  So the great news is that she is fit as a fiddle and we will go back in 2 years to check again.  It causes her no pain and does not interfere with her running, jumping or any activity.