Attitude

So we finally went to the sleep doctor, and it was a pretty uneventful visit.  The doctor is WONDERFUL, and he completely agreed that we should do a sleep study on Emma to make sure that her Chiari II malformation isn't causing some sleeping issues.  He did tell us that kids can to have odd breathing patterns when they sleep, but that doesn't mean that we don't need to be on the lookout for Emma.  We have an appointment later in the month to spend the night at a sleep disorder center right around the corner from us.  Either me or Russell will spend the night with her.  We'll get there at 8 pm and leave at 6 am, and there will be a nurse who will monitor her sleep all night.  Then the results will be analyzed and read, and we'll come back a couple weeks after the study.

Emma also got her AFO's on Tuesday (no pictures of her in them yet).  She will gradually build up to wearing them 8 hours per day, and it's just something we have to get used to.  We, not she.  She tolerates them just fine.  She didn't tolerate getting fitted for them very well at all.  She was smiling and being really sweet to the orthotist (I don't know what to call him, so that's what I'm calling him for now), and then the second he sat down on a stool, rolled over to her, and started taking off her socks, she pitched a fit that last for a good 30 minutes.  All because she thought she was going to have to do therapy.  We took Emma out to the lobby to look at the illuminated Coke machine, and she was fine...the moment we stepped back in the exam room, the screaming started again.

This type of fit happened again at the sleep appointment.  They did all kinds of things with her - weight, length, breathing, measuring her neck, etc, etc.  They even took her blood pressure with one of those tight blood pressure cuffs, which kids usually hate.  Not Emma - didn't bother her one bit.  But then the nurse took off her sock and started to put an oxygen monitor around her big toe, and the tantrum started.  Nothing is wrong with this child, other than the fact that she doesn't want other people making her do therapy.  Emma also pitched a fit during therapy on Monday, as always.  Once it gets warmer out, we're going to attempt therapy outside on their playground.  Maybe a change of scenery will help...who knows.

Oh, one more thing about the sleep doctor - besides the whole sleep apnea thing, he thinks he can help us help Emma nap better and sleep in her crib better.  He said, "Give me 5 to 7 days."  What a delight that would be...but I'm skeptical.  I guess that means he's going to move in for a week.  That's the only way I see him helping.

Ok, time to put the little one to bed.  Russell was dad of the year tonight while I did massive shopping at Switcharoos Consignment.  It's a semi-annual consignment sale of epic proportion.  I'm exhausted and quite happy to spend some cuddle time with my sweet girl.