Stelliac

Stella's hospital fashion.

A bunch of years ago a parent commented to me that our girls were so cute and small. I answered that we raised them that way due to the lack of space in New York City apartments. Like Shetland ponies.

Indeed, the girls are petite. And that's what began to concern their pediatrician. So a month ago the doctor ordered some tests for Stella. A bone-age x-ray and a blood test.

To put it mildly, Stella didn't like the blood test. Or the second blood test.

The bone-age test came out okay. But the blood test results indicated that Stella had Celiac Disease.

Well, that explained a lot.

The next step, after much arguing discussion, was to do an endoscopy and tissue biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and determine the damage to her stomach and intestines.

Nana and Papa Shepard came down to Brooklyn to take care of Marni on the day of Stella's procedure.

On Tuesday (July 30) Lisa and I drove Stella to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital early in the morning. Stellie was in good spirits and chatted nervously as we checked her in. 

Waiting to get started.

She got into her hospital pajamas (extra small) and played on the iPad while the doctors and nurses did their thing. Eventually, she was given liquid "sleepy juice" to mellow her out. After a while she got drowsy and we brought her into the room where the procedure was going to take place. She was fast asleep within 15 seconds of gas.

Less than a half hour later we were brought into the recovery room where sleeping beauty was already waiting. It took her over an hour to wake up, but when she did she was a very happy camper. She actually said it was very cozy there and that she wouldn't mind doing it again. Within another hour we were on our way home.

Two days later the results of the biopsy came back confirming Celiac.

So now what?

Stella's been amazingly brave and accepting of her new lifestyle. She bemoans that fact that McDonalds and Subway are no longer a part of her life. She misses french fries. And Stella often thinks that Marni should no longer eat things that she used to like (that's still to be determined). She's very involved in her dietary changes and is cautious (and a little worried) about what she eats. She's discovered Chex cereal and some very expensive gluten-free pretzels. She's understandably apprehensive about going back to school but she's excited about switching back to home made lunch (Lisa, not so excited).

As for Lisa, she's researching and shopping nonstop for new gluten-free foods for Stella. I've become very adept at using my phone and the web to determine what's gluten free and what's not.

Stella's gastroenterologist has recommended that Marni, Lisa and I all get tested for Celiac since it's genetic. Supposedly it's very likely that siblings have the disease. My blood test has already indicated that I don't have Celiac, but genetic testing (which is a cheek swab) is required for all of us.

Meanwhile, we patiently wait for Stella's damaged tummy to heal and for her anticipated growth spurt to start.

One less Shetland pony.

The sleepy juice is kicking in.

Coming out of it.

Cozy and happy after her "nap".

Hot Fun in the Summer Time

So here's a wrap-up of all the other things we've been up to so far this summer...

Reddi Whip time with Uncle Chuck.

Our first visit to Zoom Flume.

Catskills ice cream place.

Marni's new doo.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" at the Old Stone House.

Zoom Flume part 2 with Maeve.

Stella on the Thrill Hill at Zoom Flume.

The Summer Spectacular

It just wouldn't be summer without the spectacular Belmont pool party.

As always, Joel and Adraine pulled off another amazing event. Let the photos and videos speak for themselves...

(Mostly) Happy Campers - 2013

Here we go again.

The girls joined their cousins in New Jersey for another 3 weeks at awesome Oak Crest Day Camp.

Last year things started off rocky, then smoothed out, then got a little bumpy near the end (nervous girls).

This year the nervous girl (Marni) was fine, but Stella has been a bit anxious. Even though she has a blast at camp and comes home smiling, every morning we send her off in tears. This is not fun for anyone involved. She's even managed to miss several days of camp due to stress.

So we had to make some changes.

Stella said she would feel better if one of us was sleeping over in New Jersey every night. Now, Lisa and I alternate staying at Jill and Brian's house. This has calmed Stella down a bit (Marni couldn't care less) and has racked up the miles on Goldie. I get a nice dinner out of it when I'm on duty and I've gotten to know New Jersey Transit intimately.

Tyler tying Marni's sneaker on day 1.

With only a couple of days left of camp, Stella has stopped the crying and Marni has asked if she can go for another week.

Jill and Brian have put up with a lot and we thank them for making this all possible.

Meanwhile...

Visiting days for Marni and Stella were this week and last. We got to watch the kids swim and play and eat. Both girls are doing much better with their swimming.

Marni has turned out to be an amazing camper and will no doubt end up as a camp counselor at some point. Stella still needs to find her way.

Hopefully, next year she will find it.

All ready to go.

Sleeping campers.

Four-square with Stella on visiting day.

The daily de-briefing.

Marni on visiting day.

Visiting day.

Mouth full at lunch.

Stella doing the back stroke.

State of Their Art - Summer 2013

The girls have churned out some pretty cool stuff throughout the school year. Here are some of the better pieces that your tax dollars have paid for...

"Chrysler Building" by Marni Shepard

"Family First" by Stella Shepard

2013 Art Festival by Marni Shepard

"Wire Man" - 2013 Art Festival by Stella Shepard

The 2013 PS39 Dance Festival

This is our fifth year with a kid (or kids) performing in this event (Click here for a retrospective). It's started with a super-shy Stella in 2009. Then Marni joined the club in 2011. Now Stella is retired (they only participate in this until the 2nd grade), but Marni continues the tradition.

The dance festival is supposed to take place on 6th Avenue in front of the school. But bad weather can push it into the school's crowded gym (as has happened a few times over the past 5 years).

Monday's festivities started outside but had to be moved into the gym for the 1st and 2nd grade performances when the rains started.

Enjoy the show...

The Summer Tradition: 2013

The Shepard, Stefanoff/Imhoff, and Asanovic families (plus Steve Cherches) got together again at Rye Playland last Sunday for our annual summer fun-fest.

Five hours of rides and food were followed by a relaxing dinner at the Pier Restaurant Tiki Bar.

Jenna and Stella buddied up on a lot of rides because Marni just couldn't make the 48" restriction.

Poor little Marni!

Dancing Queen(s)

I think Stella was a little jealous of all the attention Marni got at her dance recital last year.

Stella had been pretty dead set against dance lessons until the recital. But soon after Marni's recital, Stella announced that she wanted to dance again.

So be it.

Flash forward a year and Stella is performing right along side of Marni in the 2013 Creative Arts Studio "Color Me CAS Spring Showcase".

The girls performed together in a tap routine, and Marni danced with her class in a hip-hop routine.

Right up to the last minute I thought there was no better than a 50/50 chance that Stella would make it onto the stage. She can get nervous sometimes. But old pro Marni kept her sister calm and Stella did a fantastic job! (So did Marni.)

Later in the performance Marni did another great job in her hip-hop routine.

And then Marni announced that she was hanging up her tap and hip-hop shoes in order to concentrate on ballet next year.

I'm sure that wherever Marni goes, Stella will soon follow.

Getting ready to perform.



The final bow. Marni in the middle. Stella far right.

 

 

Memorial Day 2013

The Farkle Family reunited again (inside joke).

Like the swallows returning to Capistrano or the salmon who must swim upstream in order to mate, the Shepards are bound by the forces of nature to return to Old Orchard Beach every Memorial Day.

Our journey north began Friday night with a tedious trip to Natick.

The next morning we continued to Maine through a steady rain, eventually reaching The Cottage in time for daddy's favorite meal at Ken's. Later in the afternoon Karen, Glenn and the hounds joined us, and the festivities began.

"Festivities" mostly consisted of us staring at each other on a bleak and rainy day.

On Sunday the weather cleared up enough for the kids to venture out on their bikes. After a stroll on the beach we headed to Palace Playland to pick up the girls' first-ever all season passes. And then we turned them loose on the rides for a while.

Later we went to see the movie "Epic" and then had dinner at "Wilbur's" (aka Famous Dave's).

Monday was gorgeous and we spent the morning on the beach in bathing suits just as if it were August. Lunch at Surf 6 was followed by more rides at Palace Playland and then dinner at Ken's with Cousin Janet.

On Tuesday morning we packed up our belonging and started on our 8 hour trek back to Brooklyn. (We really need to buy a helicopter.)

All in all it was a wicked awesome weekend! We pretty much packed an entire month's worth of activities into a few days, and whet our appetite for our real Maine adventure in August.

T-minus 50 days and counting!

Back to work.

Cousin Janet et al.

Me and my bathing beauty.

My 55th year of digging in this damn sand!

 

Stella's first lobster of the season.

Girls and their passes.

 

 

Ladybug Bug-Out

For Marni's 7th birthday we got her some creepy crawly bugs.

After all, it was only fair. Stella got butterflies for her 8th birthday. And not wanting to be left out, Marni requested ladybugs.

The baby bugs showed up via UPS along with their cute-as-a-bug habitat. We fed them and watched them grow bigger and juicier every day. Within a couple of weeks the larva all curled up into pupae and, when they emerged, were actual ladybugs.

It was interesting to watch the ladybugs emerge. At first, they had no spots. They were just a pale yellow/orange. But, within an hour all the spots would appear. Who knew?

We were all very excited about our 10 new family members. We fed them grapes and water and watched them scamper around their house.



This is a ladybug larva.

After about a week we (and by "we" I mean not Marni) decided it was time to let them go free and enjoy the great outdoors.

One evening we took them to the park across the street and opened their house. Slowly they began to explore their new freedom. Stella and Marni helped several of the shy ones by taking them out of the house and letting them crawl on their arms.

Eventually all the ladybugs flew off into the nearby flowers, and a somber Marni waved goodbye to her little babies.