My musical theatre degree has served me well. First of all, I love what I do....or did...professionally outside of the home. I have been fortunate enough to perform, tour, choreograph, direct and teach. But theatre people are a rare breed and our training and personalities prepare us for literally any situation. We can adapt, improvise, pick things up quickly, or when all else fails, act like we know what is going on- ha! So when Ramsey and I were learning how to change a trach (pronounced like "cake", although I like cake a lot better), we just had to jump into this new role. Like any good actress I researched the part, studied my blocking (unhook trach tie and move stage right. Cross down stage center and insert new trach... all while singing Old McDonald Had a Farm.), and made it through opening night. Now that we are taking Gracie out into the world a bit more, I am really glad that I am used to people watching me because we tend to attract attention :) First of all, Gracie is pretty cute if I do say so myself. And nothing brings on public attention in a retiree town like a cute baby. But other parents, checkout people, etc are always giving us curious glances. And I totally understand their curiosity. Sometimes I don't feel like telling our story, so I just edited the script so I have a "short version" of my monologue on hand. But it really only takes one dress rehearsal at a new location because we are hard to forget. So now that people are getting used to this baby with a funny tube sticking out of her neck, we have store employees running to get Gracie a balloon, library ladies fawning over her....it's really sweet :) She is creating quite a fan club and even more people are rooting for her! And the silver lining to our family surviving this trauma is that every little new thing we get to do is super, super special. It was only a few months ago that I couldn't even drive Gracie to a doctor appointment without a nurse in the car because I had to suction her airway every five minutes. So the first car ride, the first walk at the park, the first time playing at the playground- those were huge milestones. So now it's like we have been sprung from jail! There are still tricky things, like we have to have hand wipes and sanitizer and we have to use a cart cover. The hardest part is that Gracie really shouldn't share toys with other little ones as they end up in mouths. And she LOVES other kids so I am trying really hard to find a middle ground. But overall we are having good first experiences, one little outing at a time. You are on your way Gracie- take a bow!!
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AuthorLauren, a Yoga Teacher, Choreographer, Director.....and new Mom!! I hope to add "tube slayer" to my list of credits. Archives
March 2014
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