4 weeks

I cannot believe we are now exactly

four weeks post-op.

where does the time go when you're 

having well, um, fun?!

we fit in some sparkler time

Quinn called this his "statue of liberty" pose

we've eaten lots of popsicles

(check out that new little smile 

emerging under that tape!)

we also saw Dr. Matthews last week.

he actually wasn't totally pleased

with how her lip is healing...

not what you want to hear.

we are applying, as Gracie calls it,

her special lotion

(1/2 castor oil, 1/2 sesame oil)

as often as possible during the day.

we were told that the nasal stents will need

 to be in for probably 4 more weeks. :(

the process of cleaning & changing tape

is still NO fun, but getting slightly easier.

God REALLY does give grace in the areas

 you think you would never be comfortable in - 

grace for daddy to hold her down,

& grace for mamma to clean a sore nose

& insert that tool of torture, I mean healing,

as her baby screams "no mommy!!"

sleep...well, she's had a handful

of nights where she slept all the way through.

it's just so frustrating to her to not

be able to breathe well through her nose.

we've tried to adhere to her surgeon's dietary 

restrictions for Gracie as well.

he's very anti- refined sugar - that makes sense.

he also told us that Asian scars can heal 

better when you eliminate wheat & dairy from

 the diet. she's done surprisingly well.

there are many gluten/wheat free products now

(for a small fortune, I might add)

and then there's, of course, fresh fruit & veggies -

imagine that!

she's LOVED the homemade popsicles.

here are her 3 favorite recipes!

(W.Mart has great popsicle molds for

$3 in the frozen food section!)

Summer Splash 

juice of 1 1/2 whole oranges

  (Trader Joes is the only place I could find valencias around here)

1C chopped strawberries

1/2 C blueberries

1t flax seed 

3/4 cup silken tofu (sneaky, eh?)

3T agave nectar(sold right by the artificial sweeteners)

combine all in blender until smooth. 

pour into molds & freeze!

Orange Joy

juice of 6 oranges, or 2C of freshly squeezed orange juice

1 whole pineapple, cored & cut up

3T wheat germ

1 or 2 bananas

1/2C water

puree in blender until smooth.

pour into molds & freeze!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate

1/4C dark chocolate chips, melted

1/4C organic peanut butter

1T wheat germ

1C soy milk

puree in blender until smooth.

drink half, just to make sure it's OK, then pour into molds and freeze!