The Slow Life

We've had another 5.5 weeks in quarantine since the last update. We all remain virus-free and definitely have a routine. Izzy continues to sleep a lot. She wakes around 7am each day and naps from 10:30/11am until 2:30/3pm, and then to bed for the night around 7pm. Thankfully, she is no longer angry with herself for sleeping so much.

Izzy has also reached a new calm in her being, which has left her happier overall and many fewer nightmares. We've heard a lot of giggles over the last several days and that warms the heart more than most anything.

Izzy is eating less. If you know her normal, you'd think "how is it possible to eat less?" But she is eating less. Izzy still gets angry with herself about her inability to eat, but we try and reassure her it is okay as long as she is eating when she is hungry. She does eat then--a couple bites at a sitting. This is expected and normal for heart failure, so we don't need recipes or tricks. Her body is slowing and food is not the top priority at this time.

Izzy has received several letters recently. She has a list of people she intends to write back, but she doesn't seem to have the energy to do so. Her list gets longer and longer. Please know that if you wrote her, she thinks of you almost daily, but can't find the energy to write back and is sorry it is taking so long.

Overall, we are at a sad, but pleasant place. Izzy still brings us lots of smiles. She still tells us stories. Yet, she has definitely slowed down. I think people who spent time with her before the pandemic would be quite shocked at how much slower she is now. But there is also a contentment in the moment (at least some moments). Izzy desperately wants to hug those she loves (she misses her grandparents, aunts, uncle, and cousins the most), but she is happy that she has us near. Moving a bed into the living room has made her so much happier (she is napping there now--2nd nap of today).

We hope you all are staying safe and will continue to do so.

Love,

Mel

PS
Here are some pics from the past 5.5 weeks. I know Izzy's grandparents want to see :)

Golden Easter Eggs!

 

Tooth Fairy brought a golden Lego brick.

 

Zooming!

 

Making chocolate chip cookies!

Izzy in space! (But really on Zoom while wearing a green night gown.)

Izzy thought she paused the "Christmas Prince" in a hilarious fashion. She took a mental picture of the pause screen to place in her Hall of Ridiculous Pictures in her castle, so I took a picture of her with the ridiculous picture.

First bonfire and cookout of the year!

Izzy got a new fairy costume.

 

Now Izzy can hold the galaxy in her hands and it lights up!

Mother's Day!

Izzy had energy to draw with Osmo a couple days this week.

Waiting for the Blue Angels to fly over the house.