Yes, we are feeling pretty good right now and it is all because Gwendolyn seems to be doing a little bit better. Baby steps, but we will take those! Gwendolyn had an okay Saturday, a great Sunday, and an okay Monday. I'm not saying we are in the clear now or that all is fine, but… she had a GREAT Sunday!!! A really great Sunday! And every moment of goodness feels awesome right now.
It has been weeks since we went on a family walk together. Gwendolyn just has not been up to it. And so seeing her more bright-eyed, we seized the opportunity to try to get out together — and when the first steps went okay, we kept going. It almost felt like it was the first time we ventured out of the house. I was taking photos of us walking, of Bill smiling, of Gwendolyn's eyes darting around looking at birds and trees and everything. I wanted to capture that good, good, really great feeling. Miss G was loving being out that we even stopped to have an early dinner out on the patio at Elements, one of our favorite restaurants where she likes to look at the Santa Barbara Courthouse and watch weddings and activities that happen there. And, to Gwendolyn's delight, she got to see (and wave to) a bride…a real bride and she was in heaven! On our way home, she and Daddy raced and did spins, landing next to her initials in the sidewalk (I wonder who put those there?). And we even heard the faint sound of a giggle. It felt good — really good.
Sunday also happened to be Gwendolyn's 47th month birthday — as in next month (just ONE more month) is her 4th birthday. And her golden birthday to boot = 4 on October 4th! We've been talking about it with her for months so it didn't exactly sneak up, but I guess the summer went faster than I expected (hate when that happens). And, well, maybe it felt scary to plan something when G didn't seem that strong. But, seeing that twinkle in her eye again, even if just for one day, got me feeling excited about making her 4th birthday a special celebration. Every day with Gwendolyn is a blessing and 4 years is something very special indeed.