not to fear...

...more posts are here! Sorry for the delay, it's just been a busy few days getting settled. But man, does it feel good.

Backing up, Georgia had a great last day at the hospital, although we both thought that the physical leaving of the place was a bit anti-climatic. No fan-fare? No parade? No tears? That being said, Georgia did have a great few final therapy sessions on Thursday and her therapists didn't go easy on her for the send-off. Remember those one-arm push-ups? OK, not yet, but close. Terri, the PT, had her doing 1 leg sqauts, we kid you not. But to make up for the hard sessions, they also threw her an ice cream going-away party. Georgia was thrilled to say the least. Ice cream for lunch? Nice! Mom was a bit teary saying good-bye to everyone. Georgia really had such a skilled, caring and energetic team and she made so much progress working with them. If you are reading, thanks again so very, very much Terri, Kara, Beth, Megan, Shannon, Kim and Shaunda (oh, and the weekend team too!).

Our arrival home brought a lovely surprise for Georgia - balloons, signs and gifts from our neighbors the Wehr's. Thanks guys for spiffing up the place for her return! Georgia was smiling ear to almost ear (still droopy on the left) and took off for a few victory laps around the kitchen island. She was a bit slower and definitely more cautious than she used to be, but it was a joy to see her so happy and also jumping right back into her old activities. More on our reflections through this whole process to come, but one of our biggest fears with going through with this surgery was that it would change who Georgia is. With what we have seen so far, and as demonstrated by how quickly she resumed some of her favorite home past-times, we feel reassured that it didn't.

On her first night home, Georgia also enjoyed exploring all of her old toys as well as quite a few new ones (thanks everyone!), checking out her new bedroom furniture (thanks Pops and Papa for setting it up) and taking a walk through the 'hood. You could tell by the look on her face that she was just so happy to be home.

No rest for the weary, though. Friday brought 2 hours at the Children's Hospital satellite clinic in Littleton to meet her new team of therapists and get back to work. We will also be resuming sessions with Larisa, her physical therapist up in Evergreen so we feel really good about our outpatient plan. And what's most important for Georgia is that it is FUN. There are all sorts of swings and climbing things in Littleton as well as sword fights with a fellow Sox fan (see video) and trike riding, obstacle courses and fresh mountain air in Evergreen. What more could a 3 year old want!?

Highlights from the past 2 days:

Good bye treat


Giving Beth some love and a huge thank you


Welcome home swag


Home sweet swing (this was before the puking...motion made us a bit nauseous it seems)


Welcome home kitchen laps

PT sword fight