I’m borrowing the title of this page from the site Ryan created for Della when she was born, The Della Daily Dose. My goal for this page is to write 1 thing daily about or for Della, and the briefer the better. I read about a similar idea on the day of her first birthday and thought it would be an interesting way to chronicle a year of her life. Seeing how I was not blogging when she was born and am terrible about keeping up with my pen-to-paper journal, I thought I’d give it a try on here. And so I give you a dedicated space for The D Daily Dose.
(FYI, because I write so much about these kids, their pages are all broken into yearly chunks so as not to crash my site. I’ll keep the current year on the main page for ease of use. Enjoy!)
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January 8, 2019
Unfortunately, my love, today was your turn to be home sick. Thankfully it’s just a cold, but I think you and Morrison together went through an entire big box of Kleenex today. Your poor nose is so raw underneath from all the wiping and blowing, and you have been complaining of a headache since yesterday afternoon. Last night you even gag barfed in your bed a little, so home today it was. I love when all 5 of you are here together with me, but I hate when any of you are sick. You girls are both going back to school tomorrow, though, because I think the worst is behind us for this one. Feel better, my sweet pea!
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January 31, 2019
Peanut, I say it all the time, but you are absolutely the sweetest. Tonight I heard some of you 3 up in your room late after I’d put you to bed, and Morrison came out probably an hour after bedtime to get a drink. He told me you’d been sleeping in his bed with him and reading books because he was scared about something. Thank you, sweetheart! I love you so much. We’ve all been home 3 days this week for snow and frigid cold, and you all have been playing so great together. I cleaned out the basement and expanded your play area, so you’ve been loving hanging out down there again. I’m glad there’s just the 1 day of school tomorrow before the weekend. I love having you guys home so much!
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February 4, 2019
Peanut, you are such a great big sister. The past couple nights, Morrison has been saying he’s scared during the night. So you get into his bed and read books with him, and a few nights ago you even slept in bed with him all night. Then last night he slept on the floor next to your bed so he could be close to you. Thank you for loving your brothers and sister so much, my love!
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February 8, 2019
Aw, my sweet girl, you are so sick. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you this bad. This morning I got you up for breakfast, and you came out to the table just as usual. You rested your elbows on the table with your head on your hands, which isn’t that unusual since you guys are always sleepy in the morning. I asked if you were ok and you gave me a smile and nod, so I assumed all was well. You left the table a minute later I thought to pee, but then Lana said, “Della’s barfing.” Uh-oh. So I took your temperature, fever of 102.5, and I sent you straight back to bed. You slept all morning until about 10:00, and you looked so much better when you came out. You said you felt a lot better, too, your tummy didn’t hurt at all, and you drank a couple water bottles of water and diet 7Up. You ate a little macaroni and cheese and blueberries for lunch, then had a little bit more mac a little while later, it all stayed down, so I thought we were in the clear. You were peeing, too, so you were hydrated. You still had a 102+ fever, though, so I was afraid the afternoon might bring the usual downward slide. And it did. You went to the bathroom after a little post-lunch nap, and when you came back out I could tell you did not feel good. Sure enough, back to the bathroom for barfing round 2. You’ve been pretty much back down for the count since. You stayed on the couch for a little while, then I moved you back into your bedroom where you watched a tablet for a little bit, you fell asleep shortly thereafter, and you’ve been asleep since. I took your temp just after 7:00 this evening and it was 104.4, the highest any of you has been in a very long time, maybe ever. I put a cold washcloth on your forehead to try to bring it down since you’re asleep out cold, so hopefully it helps. I didn’t give you any ibuprofen today because I didn’t think you’d keep it down, but if you wake up tonight and feel at all better, I might try giving you some if you still have a fever. I really hope you get well soon, my love! I hate seeing any of you guys sick.
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February 10, 2019
This sickness really got you down this weekend, my love. Thankfully you didn’t throw up after Friday, but your fever lasted a little and now the nasty bad cold symptoms are sticking with you. You did go to your Brownies field trip to Discovery World this afternoon and then to the art museum with your friend Bella and her mom, so fortunately you got some fun time in. But you were the first one in bed tonight, real quiet, and coughing all night. I hope you feel better soon!
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February 11, 2019
You went back to school today, but you were still coughing. I had you go to bed first and early again tonight to try to kick this, and you wanted me to sit with you for a little bit while you nestled in and started to fall asleep. I don’t think you’ve ever asked me to do that, and I was afraid something was wrong. No, nothing wrong, you just didn’t like having to go to bed first by yourself and wanted a little Mama company. Morrison was sorry you still feel bad, so he brought 2 of his little truck/rocket/tractor/train/etc. books in for me to read to you. The love among you guys makes me so, so happy. My heart is so full. You are such an amazing girl, sweet pea, and I definitely don’t get enough one-on-one time with you these days.
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February 12, 2019
Another snow day! And just in time, because unfortunately I now have what you’ve been dealing with, and bad. A fever has taken me down for the count, but thankfully I’m not puking like you were. I’m so happy you girls are home today to help me if/when I need it. I hope we’re all well soon!
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March 2, 2019
The variety show! You and Lana were part of a performance of “It’s A Hard Knock Life” that Miss Kristen and Miss Rachel put together for a bunch of K5-4th grade girls this year, and you loved it. You girls did so great, looked so cute, and I was so proud of you both. You put on 2 shows, and you said it was the most fun day of your life. Except when you got upset after the first show because I got mad at you for not listening to me and being rude and grabbed your arms when you walked backward into Lana after I had just told you to stop it and turn around. I’m sorry, sweet pea. I hate seeing you get so upset, because you’re such a great kid!
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March 3, 2019
Today you had Luke and Luisa’s birthday party at Adventure Rock, a climbing place, and you loved it!
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March 9, 2019
The next round of swim lessons started this morning for you and Lana, and you hopped right back in and picked back up exactly where you left off. I’m so proud of you both! You and Lana waving at each other across the pool made my heart so full.
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March 24, 2019
You had your first non-family sleepover last night, peanut, and you had an absolute blast! Your good friend Minnie had you and another friend from class over, and your little trio could not be cuter! You all took dresses, party shoes, stuffed animals, and dolls, and you had quite the lineup ready. You three had been planning for literally weeks – dance party; “spa” by turning Minnie’s shower into a sauna and playing around in your swim suits; makeovers; dress swapping for dress up; sushi dinner out at Kawa; a night at the movies complete with candy, popcorn, and soda; then breakfast at McDonald’s. Talk about heaven! You three are the best – you’re all going to be rock stars when you grow up, and your group name is the MAD Stars. Each letter in MAD is one of your first initials. You’re already working on your songs and performances. I love it! You were a little nervous about not being able to talk to me during the night, but that faded instantly when I dropped you off at Minnie’s and you both started riding scooters in the driveway to wait for Asmara. How fun!
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March 25, 2019
Unfortunately it’s your turn for strep now, my dear. Ugh, not a fun way to kick off spring break. I had to text Minnie’s and Asmara’s moms to let them know, since you probably gave them some of the germs at the sleepover, but thankfully none of them are sick. We had a fun dinner at Firehouse Pizza in Sheboygan Falls tonight with Grandma and Grandpa Rau, and fortunately your first dose of amoxicillin will help stop these germs before we head to Palos Park for the rest of spring break..
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April 8, 2019
Your heart of gold never ceases to make me smile, peanut. You came running out of school today saying you had the best anniversary gift ever for me – you found the snack bag you lost at variety show rehearsal a few months ago. 😀
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April 17, 2019
You were crying at bedtime tonight, so I had you come out into the living room to talk to me because Daddy had to work late at an event. You said you’ve had an unlucky past 2 days – yesterday you didn’t get to go to the grocery store with me when it was your turn, but that was my fault. I thought it was Lana’s turn, so I took her with me while you were outside playing with friends. You get 2 turns in a row now to make up for it. Then you said today at recess, you and Minnie, one of your best friends, and Asmara, your other best friend, had what you called a conflict. Another girl in your class was worried that yet another girl in your class didn’t want to be her friend anymore because she’d been playing with a different classmate for the past couple days. You and Minnie told the friend that maybe she should fill out a recess slip and talk to your teacher about it (a recess slip is something you fill out when you’ve had a problem at recess). The friend said no, she didn’t need to do a recess slip. Asmara told the friend she should talk to the girl, which she had. Then you and Minnie saw the recess supervisor pushing the playground spinner and you wanted to go on that, so you two walked away. Then Asmara didn’t seem to want to play with you guys anymore, you and Minnie wrote her an I’m sorry note for walking away, she said she wasn’t mad, but then she walked away each time you and Minnie approached her after that. I assured you that don’t worry, tomorrow will be better after everyone has a good sleep, and Asmara definitely doesn’t want to stop being your friend. Then tonight you tripped while you were playing with the babies and kind of hurt yourself. I said oh man, that’s not unlucky, that just happens. I almost dropped Avit over the gate today and practically fell down, knocking the whole thing over. You have your zoo field trip tomorrow after it was postponed from a below-zero wind chill day a few months ago, so that will make up for it and be a really fun day. Sleep tight, sweet girl. I told you you can always talk to me about anything and everything that’s ever making you sad, and you said this all made you feel better. I love you so much, you and your beautiful, sweet soul.
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April 18, 2019
You have strep throat again, my love. Ughhhhh! They put you on a stronger, 5-day antibiotic today plus children’s Claritin for a little fluid behind your eardrums, so hopefully this knocks it out for good.
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April 28, 2019
You and Daddy went over to Asmara’s house for her 1st communion celebration lunch, and you had so much fun. You’ve been very interested in church lately since your two best friends both attend church, so you were really excited to be part of her big day.
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May 18, 2019
You moved up to level 4 in swimming today – great job, peanut!! Then you had Minnie’s birthday party and sleepover. Awesome day!
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June 13, 2019
Last day of 3rd grade – off to be a 4th grader!
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July 6, 2019
Tooth #9 came out today! Daddy pulled it out this afternoon.
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August 1, 2019
Happy 9th birthday, peanut!! You and Lana are at all-day zoo classes today, and I know you’re having a blast. I can’t wait to hear all about your zoo doctor adventures. You are such an amazingly wonderful girl, Squeaker, and I can’t wait to watch you grow! I love you so much!!
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August 3, 2019
We had your small birthday party today, and it was the first time you got to invite school friends. Minnie and Asmara both came, and you had so much fun! Gwen came down with Grandma Rau, too , and she taught you and Lana how to do real backbends, not the ones where you push up from the ground. I was amazed! I remember Grandma Barbie teaching me how to do that on a pile of pillows at their house in Spring Bay when I was little.
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August 8, 2019
You’re off on your long weekend by yourself at Grandma and Grandpa’s, and you could not be more excited! You’ve literally been looking forward to this all year, and you’re so happy it’s finally here. We pared it down from your original plan of a whole week, but you’ve got so much planned for almost 4 days – a trip downtown Chicago with Grandma, shopping at Target, dinners out, the Plush Horse. So much fun! We miss you dearly, but I know you’re having the time of your life.
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August 11, 2019
You got home from your big adventure at Grandma and Grandpa’s house today, and you had the time of your life! (apparently i really like to say that about this trip, ha!) We missed you so much while you were gone, but I know you had the most fun you’ve probably ever had. I loved getting pictures and texts from you and Grandma along the way!
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August 30, 2019
Today we had your 9-year checkup, so here are your official stats:
- Height: 56″ (92%)
- Weight: 69 lbs. 14.4 oz. (67%)
- BMI: 15.7 kg/m2 (38%)
- BP: 111/72
Everything looked good, except I do need to take you to see an orthopedic surgeon about your back. Our pediatrician has been watching the curvature of your spine for years now, and she said it’s finally time to have it checked out further because it’s getting pretty uneven. She doesn’t think it’s anything serious yet, but they’ll probably take some x-rays for us to see what’s up. We definitely don’t want any scoliosis getting out of control for you, my love. Thankfully it’s never caused you any pain or discomfort, so hopefully it’s not too big of a deal yet.
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September 3, 2019
Happy first day of 4th grade! You looked so great with your new sequin outfit and sandals from Grandma on, my love. We had to line up in the gym because of rain this morning, and I could tell you were a little nervous waiting in line because your teacher was taking a long time to get in there. We dropped Lana at her line first, then I waited with you until Mrs. Bowman came. Then you were really happy to see her, and you were first in line, which I know you like. I hope you’re having a wonderful day, my sweet girl. I hate having you guys away from me all day again, but I know this will be a fantastic year for you. I love you so much, sweet pea. Have an amazing time!
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September 16, 2019
Tooth #11 came out at school today!
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October 3, 2019
So we had kind of a nerve-racking doctor’s appointment today that thankfully ended up 100% fine. Since you were younger, our pediatrician has been watching the curvature of your spine, just to make sure it isn’t leading to scoliosis. Finally this year at your 9-year checkup, she said it was time to have it looked at further, since you looked more lopsided than usual. She had us see an orthopedic surgeon at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Talk about pooping my pants! Of course my mind immediately went to the worst possible outcome. Which would actually just be a brace, but still – I don’t want any of you to have to endure anything but pure joy and happiness. So today we saw Dr. Channing Tassone, who turned out to be one of the coolest doctors we’ve ever seen. They had you start off the appointment right away by changing into a hospital gown and going into the x-ray machine, though, so I thought oh no, this is going to be really bad. But it all turned out perfectly fine. The curvatures of your spine are currently 6% and 7%, and the diagnosis for scoliosis doesn’t come until 10%. So all we have to do is go back in a couple months for another x-ray to see if anything has changed. If it hasn’t, everything is good and we’ll be on our way, which is what the doctor expects. If it has, well, then we’ll just go from there. But you didn’t get any restrictions or anything, so it’s as if nothing happened at all. You’re just a little crooked, no big deal. Whew!
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October 23, 2019
Today you guys had a half day of school before 2 days off for conferences, and you had your Halloween parties and costume parade. You were so cute this year – a homemade witch, how creative! You looked absolutely adorable, and when I saw you in the parade I noticed you snuck your party shoes to school to wear with your costume. You cute little stinker!
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November 18, 2019
Today I took you to the CVS Minute Clinic for a lice check, because I thought I saw what looked like the eggs stuck on some of your hair. They said you were all clear though, whew! I’m sorry I scared you with it, though, because you got so nervous about it this morning you threw up, so I had to keep you home from school for the day anyway.
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November 25, 2019
CVS could not have been more wrong last week – you and Lana both had full-blown lice! UGGGHHHH!!!!! Thankfully the woman in the office at school told me exactly what to do and recommended the Lice Clinics of America, where you were treated with heat to kill everything and were able to go back to school this afternoon. And we don’t have to miss going to Peoria at Thanksgiving! Yuck. The ONE thing I hoped to always avoid from school days. Oh well, at least we got rid of it immediately even though it cost a lot. And magically the rest of us were clear!
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December 2, 2019
1-week lice recheck was all clear – WAHOO!!!
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December 21, 2019
Last night was our annual dinner and Nutcracker night with Grandma, and you had so much fun! We could barely get you to go to bed at 10:00, well after we got home. It’s always such a fun time that we look forward to all year.
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December 25, 2019
Merry Christmas, peanut! You are so cute – you told me the other day that last year you snuck out in the middle of the night to see if you could catch Santa, but he had already come. Then last night you snuck out again, at 12:40, because that’s when the Santa tracker said he’d be arriving. But no luck this year either! I told you, his magic is so strong I doubt he’ll ever let himself be caught. Keep trying though, my love, and never lose that magical Christmas spirit!
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December 31, 2019
Happy last day of the decade, peanut. Wow! Here’s to a great next 10 in the 2020s!