Dana Daily

Emmy is now in braces too. Like Sarah, she'll have them approximately 18 months. We took before and after photos. She admitted to me a few times over the past year or so that the gap between her middle teeth made her self-conscious about her smile, so I hope this helps.

Sal has polycystic disease. I learned this within 2.2 seconds of meeting him, not really, but I've known a long time. Anyway, he had an appointment today with a nephrologist and laid it all out for me. His numbers have doubled. He needs an MRA to check for an aneurysm. He need additional bloodwork. He has to switch to a no salt/low salt diet. He has other dietary restrictions. He has to decide what type of dialysis he wants. He doesn't know when he will start dialysis. Soon. I had successfully denied the presence of this thing, this  disease , for eight years.  If I even bothered to think about the disease, let alone dialysis, it was always in terms of an eventuality, something that would happen  in the future . I never considered that each day, each week, each year was propelling us closer to that reality. This, in spite of Sal telling me over the years that he had lived longer than his grandfather, that he made it longer without serious complicati...

Seth and I picked up his things from Seelos, and followed up with a tour of Holy Cross. He starts on Monday. I wasn't sad at all leaving Seelos, and I'm glad to put that school behind us. We struggled through last year, and after only two weeks, it was apparent we would be going down the same path this year. I could go into details, but ultimately, it just wasn't a good fit for Seth. I had called several centers/daycares over the summer, but either places didn't have availability or they were unaffordable, which is sad to say. I don't know why Holy Cross didn't come up in any my searches, because I thought I had called all the centers in the area. Adding to the madness and confusion as to what was really going on with Seth; he had attended a daycare in Cranberry for two weeks during that gap between Sal returning to school, and his first day at Seelos, and we didn't hear of any issues, potty, behavior, nothing. Upon returning to Seelos, issues started ...

I received a call this afternoon from Seth's teacher, and apparently the trend from last year continues, he pooped in his underwear. Not only did he poop, he tried to clean it out himself and it would up on the floor where several kids walked through it. We discussed how to handle this, why it's happening, and whatever else. When I returned to my desk I had an email from the school stating that they were discontinuing the aftercare program effective October 1. It would be available, but only until 4pm. I can't arrive for pick-up at until 4:30, at the earliest, most days so we had to find another option. Right away, I messaged one of my friends with a "you're never going to believe what Seelos has done now ." She told me to Holy Cross Academy, where her 4 year old attends. I explained the situation, and the secretary asked me a few questions, and then told me could start on Monday. It's Thursday. My head was spinning. Mrs. Spagnolo directed me to the ...

I have more insight into Seth's day than the girls, which is great given his age. He's not able to, or doesn't talk about his day as much either so it's nice to see it in pictures. I love that Seth's teacher took a picture of each kid with a first day sign. She uploaded them to the class app, and I was able to download. I caption this "Grrrrr. . .I love preschool." What is with that face? He had a busy day today. Look at that concentration.

Today was Seth's last first day of preschool. He was at this same school last year, but in the three year old program. This year he moved up to Pre-K. We have eight payments to go, and then we are tuition-free! Seth was so excited to be an "upstairs" kid, and be back with his friends. He's the star of the day on Friday, so we went in his completed "homework," and snacks. In an update from his teacher, he had a good day, and earned a sticker. In extended day care he made a paper airplane and a ladybug craft. The school year is officially underway.

And. . .she's off. The only difference for Emmy this year is that she goes to school without Sarah. This is Emmy's last year of elementary. Same building, same bus, same routine. She's excited to have the same team of teachers that Sarah did last year. She connected with one of the teachers in particular, I think because Emmy's locker was right outside her classroom, and she ended up with her for ELA. ELA is the one subject she struggles with so I'm glad she loves the teacher. That's half the battle. One day closer to next summer.