Joanna today

I know you all just can't wait to hear about Joanna's GI problems, so here goes! A couple of times over the past couple of days, I've seen that child try to go, look like she's going, but not actually go. This is a first for us, which is good. It didn't really click for me that she was in distress until today. I think the last time she had a dirty diaper was for Mamma on Friday morning. I don't think I've seen one since. I think that's long enough for poor Miss Joanna! She seemed fine to me this morning at church, but this afternoon and evening she was kind of lethargic and clingy. At one point after nap time, she was struggling to go and started crying. That just breaks my heart! We went Christmas caroling at church this evening (more on that in a bit), and decided to stop at the drug store on the way home. I picked up some glycerin suppositories for children as well as some yummy prune juice (and Star Trek Pez dispensers!). The suppositories did the trick! They gave her an uncomfortable sensation at first, but worked like a charm! She was still pretty clingy so we snuggled and I tried to get her to drink some prune juice just for extra measure. I put it in a straw cup (her very favorite which I hardly let her have), and I think she drank a little. I really hope she's feeling better in the morning.

Now as your reward for reading about Joanna's bathroom issues, I'll tell you about our fun caroling this evening. I decided to dress her in a frilly Christmas dress because how often do you get to wear frilly party dresses, and she has three. She was a hit! We break off into groups at the church and go sing to nursing homes and homebound people. It's very cool, and fun. (Except nursing homes keep their buildings quite warm because older people have really thin skin I guess, and they have no pregnant women living there!) Last year Joanna did okay, but didn't really have much fun. This year, she really had a good time, and I think she made the day of a few people. I was very excited about the number of young families that went caroling this year! The second place we went to was an assisted living type place. We sang in the dining room while the residents were eating or getting ready to eat. Joanna wanted down after a few minutes, so we let her wander. She walked right over to a lady who held out her arms to Joanna. She climbed up into her lap and sat there cozily the rest of the time we were there. I was FLOORED! She didn't try to mess with the lady's stuff on the table, or squirm down, or holler or anything. It was unbelievable! And also so incredibly precious. I just know that lady is a Grandma. She was so comfortable holding on to Joanna, and she helped her clap after the songs, and she adjusted to her body language (like if Joanna just needed to lay back or sit up or whatever). That lady was definitely a grandma, for sure. And Joanna knew it. I will just never forget how she climbed up into the Grandma's lap, as comfy as can be. Stranger anxiety? Not my child.