4.5 Ounces

every 4 hours- that's what D needs to eat/drink in order to get out of here. Unfortunately she is expressing her displeasure about being here through non-violent protest and a hunger strike. Last night she had a plan "sleep eat go home" Unfortunately, being forced to take her medicine has re-ignited her desire to not do anything they want her to do. Someday this stubbornness will be valuable- however, that day is not today. (Not that I blame her for being stubborn right now- however, that isn't going to get her home)

The ENT repeatedly told us that this is so much less recovery than tonsils- (and we all know what a non-issue tonsils were for her) but apparently there are several other p-flap kids here that all had the surgery on Wednesday and except for one they are all at about the same place D is. Which makes me think the ENT was way over optimistic..... this has been much more like the palate repair.

The frustrating part is I KNOW she will eat/drink fine once we are home-

Hospital Day 2

The doctors removed the stints early this morning so she is feeling a little better. She just ate a popsicle and made a brief visit to the playroom but is now back in bed watching Wonderpets. I made a trip to Target this morning to stock up on videos (the hospital unfortunately has a very dated collection of videos- and seriously- if I didn't want to watch Barney in the 90's I certainly don't want to watch it now either) So we now have a healthy collection of Wonderpets, Backyardigans, and one that is a collection of all the Nick Jr faves (unfortunately including Yo Gabba Gabba- but it's still better than Barney) We will probably leave several of them behind for the next families who have Wonderpets fans.

The child life specialist indicated that a lot of p-flap kids need more time in the hospital (like 3-4 nights) and that they have a tough recovery but our doc is still saying no restrictions, and leaving tomorrow as long as she is eating and drinking (which is a major qualifier). She has been hit and miss with the food/drink but hopefully she take enough to make them happy. I think she will be much more cooperative at home. I mean this is the kid who we almost had another night stay after her palate surgery since she wouldn't eat or drink ANYTHING but then came home and ate a bowl of mac and cheese.

Out of Surgery and Sleeping in the Room

The surgeon said everything went great and once she feels better she will have no restrictions on anything (Clearly he doesn't know her) She is very unhappy because they have placed stints in her nose and are keeping her on oxygen for the night to make sure she is breathing well. Unfortunately, the stints are also making her unhappy and making her nose bleed (alot) which is unpleasant for lots of reasons (it's also the reason I won't be posting photos at this time) She also has tons of wires for all the monitors and arm restraints on to keep her from removing the stints herself. Tomorrow they will remove the stints and if her breathing maintains throughout tomorrow night we will be home on Friday at some point. The doctor assured me that won't let her go home until she can breathe (ummm, yeah... thanks!) I suspect she will be a champion snorer after this....

She isn't totally out of it though because since she really isn't able to get to the bathroom with all the wires and all, we put a pull-up on her and she cried big tears and wanted her underwear back. Then she fell back asleep.

I am being forced to watch Max and Ruby however so I am looking for some Versed for me too

In surgery

Considering she wouldn't get out of the car willingly- things are going well. She is in the OR now and it will be at least another hour or so before they are finished.

D is getting Meow Meow (Hello Kitty) all dressed for surgery

Meow Meow is ready for surgery- D is still refusing to put the gown on however. We are waiting for the "happy pill" before attempting to get her dressed again.

After a dose of Versed (aka the "happy pill")

Surgery Day (again)

Tomorrow bright and early we will be leaving to drive 2 hours to the hospital that will do D's P-flap surgery. Pray she doesn't freak out- she varies between being almost excited to have mom and dad to herself and complete and total refusal about the whole thing. We have lots of Hello Kitty toys to bribe her/entertain her and her stuffed Hello Kitty even has a hospital gown to wear too (it's amazing what they sell at Build-a-Bear). We will be updating the blog- hopefully with the computer/wi-fi but if not by cell phone.

Any good thoughts or prayers you have would be appreciated (both for D, but also for the other kiddos who have never spent a night without at least one of us home with them)

One Belt, Two Belt

Green Belt, Blue Belt

It was belt test time again for the boys in Kung Fu. A tested and earned his junior green belt and X tested and earned his junior blue belt.

6 years old

We finally got the photos from X's 6 year old photo shoot (and more truthfully- I am finally getting around to posting them)