Ready for a story of incredible bravery? For years now, Anyka has had a phobia of life-size characters - Elmo, Hopkins from Signing Time!, McGruff the crime dog - you name it, she freaked out if it was anywhere near. Meals at Red Robin were plagued by "Is the bird here?" as a panicky Anyka searched the restaurant for a 6-foot robin. When asked why she was a afriad, Anyka replied, "Because I am little, and I am three. When I am FOUR, I will not be afraid and I will shake that bird's hand!" This was repeated over the course of several months, and the adults in her life figured she would eventually realize she was four and push back the deadline. Well, Saturday came and on the way back from her birthday party, Anyka asked if we were going to Red Robin so she could shake the bird's hand. Surprised, I called and got the time that the robin would be there. We headed over, and despite my doubts I took her inside. The bird was across the restaurant and Anyka asked to go RIGHT THEN. So I headed over - and her grip tightened with every step I took. Once near the bird, she extended her (visibly shaking) hand and grasped the tip of the bird's wing. She giggled nervously, shook his wing and said "Get a picture for my scrapbook mama!" So we took a photo. While eating, she was able to talk to the bird every time he came around and by the end of the evening announced that he "is my friend now!". I was so proud of her for facing down her fear!

Anyka is GLUED to her new Signing Time DVDs! SHe is totally in love. she is still not speaking, but thanks to rigorous work on all our parts, Anyka is learning signs, with a current active sign vocabulary of over 125 and a passive vocabulary of about 300 more. We're so proud of her!

Anyka saw Dr. Wang today, who pronounced her palate in excellent shape. A week from Friday, she can start having hard food again! There are no holes though, and her stitches looked good.

Anyka came home today. She is supposed to be in her restraint 24/7 for the next 4 weeks, but there is no way! So we are just watching carefully. I will be home for the next week with her.

Anyka is doing better today. Visits from Vincent, Blake, joyce from Any Baby Can, and Oma have helped. She has several new Elmos and is watching Signing Time practically non stop. She seems to be hurting less though there is still significant swelling in the back of her throat. We'll be here at least one more day. She has no interest in dringing but has begun eating - ice cream, jello, popsicles...

Anyka remains hospitalized after having some pain and breathing trouble related to the swelling in the back of her throat. After arguing with the PICU docs, we managed to get her some pain meds (they were giving her TYLENOL!) and so she could rest better. we will see what the next few days bring.

Anyka is having surgery today to repair (again) her cleft palate. She is expected to be out by noon and home tomorrow afternoon. Dr. Wang and Dr. Garza are performing the surgery, with Dr. Olomu doing the anesthesia. We're very fortunate, since Dr. Olomu is no longer scheduling other than heart patients - he agreed to come in on his day off for her procedure!