Countdown to Summer!

It’s only been a couple of weeks since our last post but, boy, the full spring calendar continues around here and we’ve packed in quite a bit …Mother’s Day, a trip to the pediatric dental clinic at UCLA, a Girl Scout camping trip, Rudy’s first “beach day” and Rolf’s birthday!!! With just 12 school days left of school, the boys’ finals and Livy’s 6th grade promotion are just around the corner. It’s an exciting time, for sure.

With so much going on in the life of our family, it has been nice to have a little respite from major medical “to dos”….we’ve remained current in all of Rudy’s routine appointments but there hasn’t been any medication changes or follow up treatments to schedule and it feels like a break.

Rolf and I took Rudy down for his first teeth cleaning at the dental clinic at UCLA and we were very encouraged by the appt…Rudy cooperated and his oral health status continues to be good. There is no sign of calculus (hardened plaque) at the base of his teeth and gums (which would be BAD) but the calculus that is on the surface of his teeth continues to provide a protective seal against decay (which is GOOD). The dentist he saw this time confirmed what the dentist told us back in September during our first consultation and all of the information gathered by the dental clinic will be passed on to the docs at the heart clinic as it will be important in determining Rudy’s eligibility for a heart transplant down the road….just one of many variables in determining his eligibility but it’s definitely an important piece of the puzzle. The tiny victories along the way are definitely encouraging.

Even though Rudy resisted at first, he eventually opened up and made it through 3 verses of "Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth" to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" while the doctor methodically cleaned his teeth! :) Yay Rudy! — Even though Rudy resisted at first, he eventually opened up and made it through 3 verses of “Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth” to the tune of “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” while the doctor methodically cleaned his teeth! 🙂 Yay Rudy!

Here’s a look at some of the other big events of the month…

Mama on Mother's Day. The family speaking my "love language" at In n Out! — Mama on Mother’s Day. The family speaking my “love language” at In ‘n Out!

I broke tradition and actually went camping this past weekend with Olivia’s Girl Scout troop…one last big hurrah before promotion. It was a special time, for sure, with the girls…most of whom have been Girl Scouts together since Kindergarten! Since we camped at El Cap just 10 minutes away from home, Rudy and Rolf joined us for our day at the beach and it was fun to share Rudy’s first REAL day at the beach with the girls.