JJ is in charge, SS refuses to read the memo.

JJ arrived yesterday afternoon, and SS promptly ignored him as punishment for taking his time driving safe through snow (just at the beginning). SS is one tough customer. When he arrived, JJ noticed that I had some ingredients out, asked where I was in the recipe and wanted to take over. But since he had a long drive I just wanted him to spend time with his cruel sister. Everything was going well until I got a chill. My temperature was barely 100.8, and I made the terrible mistake of telling P. He wanted me to call the doctor's office, and for once I listened. By the time I was done talking to Dr. JG my temperature was up to 102.5, and I felt lousy. It appears that Dr. JG's partner was supposed to send me home with antibiotics. Dr. JG was not happy about the omission (his mumbling was amusing). Some Tylenol took care of the fever last night.

I had a 9:00 a.m. appointment with Dr. JG, and it felt so weird not to have SS there with us. The incision area is a bit infected and I need to return Thursday (I also got antibiotics). Dr. JG assured us that it is rare to have another surgery. Worst case scenario is an abscess that he would wait to drain 10 days post-op. He also let us know that he removed more diverticula, so that scan was not accurate. Not concerned, I have a lot more intestine there.

With the pesky fever situation out of the way, Dr. JG moved on to the sermon part of the appointment. He reminded me that I had major surgery (well aware here), and said that most people spend one week in the hospital. Dr. JG went on to say that after discharge, most people do not do "anything" for at least one month. Sermon ended with "no one tries to get back to life so quickly." My question was how the heck did he know or felt knowledgeable that I was trying to get back to life. P noted that I was walking the day after surgery. Well, from the moment I opened my eyes in recovery, I was repeatedly told that the sooner I walked the better. Maybe they should get their expectations together before passing them on to the patients. Also, what have I done since Thursday? That's right, n-o-t-h-i-n-g. Later in the day I was discussing this with JJ, who kindly interrupted me to say, "But Mom that IS exactly what you are doing, trying to get back to life." Again, why did I have him? Work with me JJ, work with me. At least SS is on my side, for now.

When I returned home from my appointment JJ and SS were still asleep. Somehow I was sure that JJ heard me come in and walk upstairs. I took my meds and dozed off. I awoke to the sound of JJ doing dishes, and SS watching TV. SS was not wailing, always a good sign. My first instinct was to get out of bed and cuddle with SS. I do not like pawning her off when I am nearby, but fatigue got the best of me and I stayed a while longer. JJ was surprised to see me when I made it downstairs, since he thought I was still at the doctor's office. SS had a clean diaper on, her milk sippy and Cheerios, and no desire to be with Mama other than to say hi.

After lunch JJ took SS to the basketball court in her Cozy Coupe, to use their birthday snappers. We neglected to get them out in Monterey. I stayed inside on the recliner and out of trouble. When they returned, JJ came in to ask me for bubbles. I showed him the machine and was going to step outside for a moment when SS stopped me. She placed both hands in front of her, "No Mama no outside. SS and JJ outside. STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP." I am yesterday's news, SS has moved on. SS and JJ played with bubbles and listened to 80's music, while I remained banished indoors. It was really good to have alone time, since the pain was pretty nasty.

As happy as SS is to have JJ all to herself, she is not happy about being disciplined. She loves to bully her brother and when everything is OK he allows her to become a tiny tyrant. Instinctively JJ knew that this is not one of those times, and SS could not stop attempting to be in charge. JJ did a great job redirecting her and keeping her entertained. I am going to do my best to let go and not interfere. I did promise P that I would work hard at recuperating, because next week is just SS and I.

After dinner we watched a few episodes of Breaking Bad, a series on A&E. P turned to me during a break and said "it's great to see them together you know." Yes P, it is, it is really great.

SS scored a cook duck and a ninja duck from JJ. Her collection is growing.

Come on JJ, we can both fit easily.

Guess whose life must now revolve around the mail.

SS tried her best to snap one but I could not hear it. That did not stop her from declaring herself the winner.

Just realized she plays air guitar left handed.

SS's excellent hospital adventure.

We should have probably substituted traumatic for excellent, but we are trying to keep things positive. This time around things were so different and we are grateful for the change. I think my biggest discomfort is due to the bloating from the IV fluids. Last year, it took them 6 days to flood me with fluids and I left the hospital 15 pounds heavier. Dr. JG went full throttle with the fluids this time and by Saturday, I was asking the nurse to please slow down the flow, and thankfully she did after looking at me. I am sure I have gained as much water weight in such a short amount of time and it feels awful. That is a lot to add water or otherwise in three days. Pain I can do well, but this discomfort leads to a serious foul mood. Reminds me of my last week of pregnancy with JJ. Yeah, that good, so good I hurried up to do it again. Snort. I still have water pills from last year and started taking them.

When we discussed the surgery with Dr. JG, he made it clear that I would have an open colostomy wound, would go home with a wound vac and would need home health care. I was not thrilled about the WV (just the inconvenience), but at least the atrocious 13 inch scar would not be reopened. Imagine my surprise when I woke up in recovery, sans wound vac. The doctor used Permabond instead of stitches, think of it as super glue. That really helps aesthetically. We will ask him next week what changed, not that we are complaining. I am grateful to have returned to some semblance of how I was on October 27. As I have said many times, this is not a ride I would have ever signed up for, but am so glad I had SS riding shotgun. P and JJ were also integral parts of my recovery. I am calm today, because I know SS will be well cared for by her brother. One thing we admire about JJ is that he does, he does not ask what he can do. That was so helpful last year when SS got caught in the middle of the drama. JJ just took his sister out to play, out of the madness. We love that about him.

On the hospital's gourmet food. This is what I had for B-L-D, jello, sorbet, hot tea, broth, and 4 ounces of juice. Had is a stretch, I don't drink tea (hot or cold), and do not care for jello, sorbet or broth. SS ended up eating most of my food. Makes sense because not even a five year old would touch that three times a day. When I was upgraded to "full liquids," they added cream of whatever soup (double yuck). Since I last had solid food Tuesday afternoon, I was giddy with delight.

SS did a great job getting out of her crib this morning. She knows Mama still has an ouchie and she was excited about helping.

Day 1:

We stopped by P's work first, where a very proud Baba showed off the littlest, cutest doctor ever. He then posed with his lab coat, look at P's face, so into his little girl. That is sulfuric acid on P's coat.

She looks like she is on her way to D*sney. The ladybug backpack is not my stuff. It's full of SS's snacks and entertainment.

Rechecking Mama's vitals, SS trusts no one.

Pulse

The first thing the pre-op showed us was the TV.

During Per-op I was taking to SS in Spanish, when Nurse K commented "I think it's so nice that you have a commitment to your culture and talk to her in Puerto Rican." HUH? P was doing his best not to bust out laughing, it was very hard for him. I said "It's just Spanish." Nurse K then told me that she has a friend who speaks Spanish from Spain, and it is definitely different. "You must speak a Puerto Rican dialect of Spanish." I understand the accent part and was able to speak to Nurse K, just like her friend, much to her surprise. Nothing to it, it's like English in America vs. English in England. Still she was convinced it was not the same language.

When Nurse K excused herself, we were able to let it all out. But we are still puzzled, first our doctor calling it Mexican, and now the nurse calling it Puerto Rican. These are not dumb, nor uneducated women. Why is such a simple concept so hard to grasp? Are we as Americans so narrow minded that we cannot comprehend something so simple, just because it does not apply to us? We hope our kids do much better.

Day 2:

Baba, get out of MY bed.

Not intimidated by the IV when it suited her needs.

Taking care of Baba.

Blood draws are SS's current favorite. We wonder why.

Walking with Mr. Drip.

Same window, 10/29/09.

Dr. SS, please make yourself at home. "Don't mind if I do."

Day 3:


Another quirk SS shares with her brother. They both scare(d) me by completely covering themselves. JJ began as an infant, and SS was doing it when we met, so she probably did the same.

Waiting room outside pediatric wing.

Thank you Nurse JN, this is one yummy cookie.

Happy Easter!!

We made it home late in the afternoon, with SS singing the entire way. The funniest bit was "simmer down SS." Baba taught her that one. Since SS spent Halloween at the hospital, we made it up to her in the candy department. Good thing that every Holiday equates candy and gifts. We turned SS loose with her basket and forgot all about dinner. She enjoyed the goodies and ate as much candy and chocolate as her little stomach would accommodate.

After dinner (for us) and the sugar comma, we snuggled together upstairs and watched the Am@zing R@ce. SS was out cold before the end and we were thankful that the sugar G0ds took pity on our foolish, yet well intended souls.We then kicked SS out of bed, because she was sleeping without thrashing, but for now, I need to sleep sitting. If SS woke up and saw me sitting, she would think it's party time and no one would sleep.

The pain is there but so much different than last time. I came home to a quiet house, and my daughter was not sucked into a vortex of unnecessary drama. Is SS hypersensitive now? Of course, she is only three and saw her Mama in pain. But she is so much easier to handle, to bring back when she cries.

My next unexpected hurdle will take place next morning, getting SS out of her crib. There is no way I can pull that off myself. I am going to have to teach her how to climb out on her own, with my assistance. Hopefully she will not attempt to break out on her own later. JJ will be here tomorrow until Sunday morning, so I do not have to worry about this again.

Hope everyone had a great, quiet Easter. Although unconventional and low key, we cherished ours.

First basket I have ever put together.

For me?

Solid chocolate, JJ is going to enjoy changing that diaper. We know he will, because we are saving it for tomorrow. Yeah, we are evil.

Oh drat, these are not edible.

Robin eggs. Not pictured, M&Ms, jelly beans, giant chick sugar cookie, Nemo fruit snacks, and original gummy bears. Plus, Nurse J gave SS a pretty pink bunny sugar cookie at the hospital. SS swallowed that cookie in record time.

SS now has two extra sunglasses to add to her collection.

Wow, my own hand held bubble maker.

Unconventional Easter.

Dr. SS had an exhausting day and crashed right next to Mama. Although she was very restless Thursday and Friday nights, she slept peacefully last night. P and even insomniac me slept well.

Nurse J was my night nurse last October and gave me a hug as soon as she saw me. If you have read here, it is obvious that I'm the patient from hell. Heck, I would run the other way if I saw me. Nurse J was there the night Abu made a scene and she was so nice and understanding. I think anyone else would have banned Abu after such behavior. P was in a difficult situation, he had to get my mother out of there, thus cutting short vital SS-Mama time. The man was furious, but Nurse J told him she would keep an eye on a very embarrassed me, and she did. Funny how a complete stranger can have more compassion for a person than the so much touted flesh and blood. It was really good to see her again.

My friend Mr. Drip is gone, but the Norco is working well. I spiked two more so called fevers and that is now the hold up. Dr. JG's partner said yesterday that I will most likely go home today. Once the not a fever clears.

That big Sn00py that SS is hogging is mine. P bought it for me around Christmas and told SS it was for Mama's hospital stay and she could not have him. Our daughter is a great listener.

Minor setback.

I awoke with a so called fever this morning, only 101. I don't consider anything under 103 a fever. But they do not see things my way here. Plus, I had just finished my juice when Nurse B took my vitals. I had to have blood drawn on two different places this time. The phlebotomist sucked big time, it's going to bruise ugly. Dr. JG is coming this afternoon to look at the incisions. I doubt I'll be going home today. The nurses are amazing, I lucked out big time. But SS needs me home.

As much as we prepared SS, and she is having a blast playing Dr. SS, she is only three. She is afraid of the IVs and any other tube protruding from my body. I pushed to have the catheter removed , and that was one less tube and I ditched the hospital gown. SS did much better when she saw me in jammies. But the IV and drip still scare her. She won't sit down next to me, let alone cuddle. She wants to, is too afraid, then becomes frustrated. She is the reason I have minimized the pain I feel. Not a smart move, but it slays me when SS hurts. Then last night I picked up SS and got in big trouble with P and the nurse. That one was not my fault. Dr. JG told me I could lift up to 40 pounds, and SS is only 26. Apparently I was not supposed to lift one day after surgery. See? Totally not my fault and P should feel awful for getting mad (really mad) at me.

Milchelle, not only are they giving me good drugs, they don't think I'm using the drip enough. They keep remnding me to press the button every ten minutes. This is junkie heaven. :) Brenda, I'll do my best to stay a reasonable amount of time. But SS has gone through so much that I do not want to add more trauma to her young mind. JJ will be home Monday, and we hope it will help SS.

Doing much better.

The picture is blurry, but Dr. SS is wearing Snoopy scrubs today. Yesterday things were ugly in the pain department. Nurse E requested authorization for Toradol along with the Dilaudid drip. By 9:00 p.m. the pain had decreased significantly, and this morning I felt much better. That is, until it was time to walk. My body did not enjoy the walk and repaid me in kind. Another shot of Toradol made things much better. I walked twice this morning, and the second walk was around the entire floor. Tough on the body but I needed to do it. Dr. JG will be here in the afternoon, and my campaign to be home by Sunday begins.

Dr. SS is doing as well as expected being away from her Mama. Last night I did not sleep at all, P hardly slept and SS was restless all night. Co-dependence bit our backsides.

All done.

Last thing I remembered was at 1:10 p.m., and opened my eyes at 4:20 p.m. Dr. JG told P everything went well, but it took longer than expected. He spent an hour and a half on my scar. Dr. JG was surprised at how bad it was. P and I are surprised at the difference. The pain is much more than I expected. The recovery nurse informed me that the takedown is more painful than the colon resection. Interesting, and once again lucky me. SS was apprehensive pre-op, but back to her happy self now. We do realize that this is only because she missed me. We are going to have to work very hard on reassuring SS. She is now on the bed next to mine munching on ice chips. Sorry about typos, posting with the cell.

Dr. SS has a great bedside manner.

Dr. SS checking Mama's vitals.

Yep, we brought our own surgeon.

Let's get this takedown out of the way.

This post should be published as I am checking in at the hospital. Let's face it, it is courageous (or incredibly stupid) to schedule a fairly delicate procedure on April Fool's Day. And at the same time it's so us. Gotta add some levity to the situation. Unlike my previous foray into the slice and dice arena, we had the opportunity to prepare SS. Well, as much as one can prepare a three year old. We started last Christmas with the medical kit and it really helped her with regular medical check ups. SS stopped trying to claw the eyes off the poor souls assigned to take my vitals. I have talked (blatantly lied) to SS , almost daily about Mama going back to the hospital, and how excited (not) I am about going there so I can get better soon. SS listens to me babble about this fantabulous hospital stay, then sums it up 3-year old style, "Mama no C bag?" That's right my love, no more annoying C bags for Mama. I also talk about how we will be able to return to our walks and later on to the water park and aquatic center. Just doing my best to place a positive spin and hopefully prevent a major regression.

A while back we came across the cutest personalized scrubs on another blog, and I showed them to P. I jokingly told him that it would be cute to have Dr. SS in scrubs, and bring her to the hospital, along with her working stethoscope. Since we are useless at preventing the other from acting juvenile, P jumped on the idea, and added a personalized lab coat as well. P excitedly told me that he would wear his personalized lab coat to match SS. A first happened, common sense somehow made it to my atrophied brain and I had to kindly decline. A 3-year old playing doctor when Mama is in the hospital is cute. A grown man doing the same will make people wonder about our parental adequacy. I do want to postpone that Social Services visit for as long as possible. It is touching the things P will do for his little girl. He is SO whipped.

Thanks to Abuela and Abuelo (aka the Abus) for SS's professional threads. It's part II (apron kit was part I) of their Dia de Reyes gift.

We have never posted in advance and hope it works. We do not know how far they will allow SS to accompany me this time. Back in October everyone but me knew how bad it was, and she was allowed to be with me until just outside the operating room. See you on the flip side.

The pictures and the post were done on March 10. I knew I would not feel like posting this morning.

They are accepting them into medical school really young these days.

Oh come on Baba, being in debt for the rest of your (and Mama's) life after paying for medical school is not that bad. Tell you what, since I like you guys so much, you each get your yearly medical check up pro bono.

Baba, it's bad, really bad, and there is no cure. I have wormed my way into your heart, you are a goner, resistance is futile.

SS making sure that Baby H0lden is in tip top shape. Yes, she named her female doll after her male cousin. We are sure that Baby H is very secure in his maleness and won't mind.

SS and the Easter Bunny.

Today was not all about me making a dent on SS's head. We really wanted to have SS's picture with the bunny done before tomorrow and today is all we had. SS had been awake since 5:00 a.m., and did not get to the bunny dude until 11:00. She was not in the mood to smile, although she was really excited to see him and willingly sat on his lap. But the smiles were not there. I worked it as best I could, but I'm not P. When the photographer got a smile (bunny dude handed SS her gummy candy treat), SS's dress was hiked up in a very non lady like manner. So I opted for the sad shot.

When P came home for lunch he saw the picture and while he thought she looked beyond cute, the man wanted a smile. Since SS was dead to the world, P thought that after a good nap we could go back in the afternoon. My husband was on a mission to get a smile on SS's face. And instead of staying home and waiting for P, I went out to run a few errands. Then I tried to decapitate our daughter, and that ruined our second trip to see the Easter Bunny.

On the way home (before my attempt at knocking SS unconscious), we were behind a school bus that made two stops. SS was spitting bile in the backseat, but I could not understand the source of her displeasure. I looked back and she had D-O-G, and did not seem to be looking for something she dropped. I calmly asked SS to use her words, and that she did SS style. Through clenched teeth my daughter said "I SAID DRIVE." Man that was so Criminal Minds creepy. Our girl has a mercurial temper. It's time to send her to preschool and let her spread sunshine elsewhere.

The last thing I did before bed was make SS's Easter basket. I really want to be here with her Sunday. If not, P is going to have to deal with the sugar rush on his own. I broke down and got her candy, and whether or not I'm here, we know she will be having all of it for breakfast. We have never allowed much candy and never before a meal. This is going to be fun.


Our baby last year, with an actual smile and sans D-O-G. It's amazing and sad how much she has grown. I should have left her hair down to get a good comparison shot. But SS requested pig tails and P loves them. What a difference a year makes. :(

It finally happened. (Updated)

SS sneaked behind me as I was closing the van's sliding door. Our doors are heavy and we both have learned to give it all we have. It knocked her on her back. Now we are waiting at Urgent Care.

SS holding an ice pack to her forehead is a first. She has never allowed us to place a cold compress on her body, let alone hold it herself. Another reason I worried, she was obviously hurting.

Thankfully she is no longer crying and blue. The receptionist reassured me that "this happens all the time." Then went on to tell me that her husband once brought home the wrong baby from day care. At least he did not give the baby a head injury.

Guess we'll finally get SS's first urgent care visit, and the visit from the nice social worker out of the way. Way to go me!

****Update****

All smiles until the doctor walked in. SS is fine and I was just being overly cautious. SS manages to run into walls daily, head bumps are not new to us. What scared me was the amount of force I knew I used when closing the door (and how it knocked her back quite a bit). It is not unheard of for a person to develop complications after what seemed like a minor hit. Way too much precious stuff inside the head not to be cautious.

I was shocked that SS is only 26 pounds of love. We both must be deteriorating rapidly, because it takes a lot more strength to schlep SS around. She is now a full 36 inches tall. When I voiced my incredulity at SS's weight, the nurse said "Chill Mom, she is doing just fine, she is a big girl, big for an 18-month old." Really Nurse Clueless? I informed him that she's three, and his answer was "Oh." A big pet peeve of mine is people calling me Mom. Only two people in this world have that right, my kids. How difficult is it to look at the mother's name or simply ask? It think it is incredibly rude to do that.

On a nicer note, I told the nurse about my last visit and he did not remember me, but remembered SS and the concern about left side appendicitis or diverticulitis. I told him about the surgery and my return tomorrow for the take down. The nurse was pretty shocked to hear how bad it was and went to get the doctor who saw me that day. The doctor did not remember my face (I am very forgettable), but totally remembered SS, and said he was concerned about the outcome. At least I had the opportunity to thank him.

I never realized how difficult it is to cook when you can't taste the food, never done it before. Yesterday I made chicken tetrazzini, this morning made pinto beans a la El Pollo Loco, and after the urgent care detour, I made pasta with carbonara sauce. A bonus is that SS loved the carbonara, saying yummy, yummy with each bite. I have never had so much home cooked food in our freezer. Regardless of how I feel post op, it will give us the opportunity to hang out without worrying about having to cook, and most important, to focus on SS.

I did find out that SS, like her father, is all about watching me being poked and prodded, but not herself. As soon as she saw the doctor the smile disappeared and the tears began. A total mini P. Not kidding about that, when P had wrist surgery, he neglected to collect his post op urine for the nurses. The man is a camel and could not replicate the deed, so they were going to insert a catheter. P went ballistic, he was so scared, child like. He kept telling me, "Baby, please help, I can't have that done to me, I won't make it." Men can be such lightweights. I have had a few and even managed to remove them twice. Not intentionally, I was heavily sedated, uncomfortable and before they could react I took care of the discomfort.

I'm off to down some of that G0d awful liquid I have to drink. No way am I taking all 4 liters.

SS has come a long way becoming comfortable with needles, the sight of blood and other unpleasant things.

This morning I had my pre-op appointment. It would have been nice of them to inform us that it would take the entire freaking morning. I was told they would go over the surgery, and take blood. They forgot to add the pre-registration process, urine test, EKG, MRSA swap and chest X-ray. Good thing we always have something to eat and drink for SS. We were there from 9:40 to 1:00 p.m., and did not get to eat until that late. Not a good thing on an empty stomach.

SS was once again a trooper and reminded us how lucky we are to have her. This was my first time at the hospital since I was discharged, and it did kick my gut a little. Unlike her wimpy Mama, SS was cool and exclaimed "Mama's hospital!" That set the tone for the morning and we are so grateful. SS was paying attention to everything and did not flinch once. That is such a change from wanting to rip the face off whomever drew the short straw and had to take my vitals. That F*sher Pr*ce medical kit really paid off. So much that SS got an upgrade on one of the items.

One of the nurses gave me a scare when she mentioned that admissions may balk at having SS at the hospital. She asked if SS had the H1N1 vaccine and to bring proof on Thursday. Would you believe that unorganized me had the darn card in my purse? During lunch I had a bit of a freak out moment and told P. He reassured me that SS would be there, he would make sure of it. The man has never been the grand gesture type, but he has come through for me so far. I'm counting on saying goodbye to SS, and then looking at her beautiful face a few hours later.

After the blood draw, SS said "bad news guys." Wish she had elaborated on that thought. No idea where that came from, but her recent return to the world of mindless TV might be the cause. We are allowing Nick Jr. on a trial basis, since SS hit the magic 3. P thinks the guys part is from JJ, who has a tendency to say "hey guys," when he wants both our attention. SS did say hey guys later today. SS is going to be renamed Little Sunshine if she keeps spreading news like that two days before a surgery. She is such a mini P.

In other news, R*cky Mart*n is g@y, I know, that is such a huge shocker. As much a shocker as when Ellen came out. Their sexuality is their business alone, but please do not make a big deal of the obvious. Also, what the heck is with the fortunate homosexual comment? P and I have never described ourselves as fortunate heterosexuals. Although we were once accused of "flaunting your heterosexuality." Still cracks us up over a decade later, even though we still have no clue what it meant. Also, how did I miss that Mr. La Vida Loca had twin boys? Ah, they were born in August 2008, that grand ole time when we had just arrived from China, and could not care less if the Virgin Mary had another immaculate conception. When P texted me the news, my first thought was that R*cky Mart*n was as straight as W0W W0w Wubzy's tail. Sadly, there are a lot of female broken hearts out there. That is because they really had a shot with a celebrity. Hee hee.

In case someone does not know who W0w W0w Wubzy is.

SS trying out her travel tray. Her sippy cup is on the other side. We are slackers, all are phone pictures.

They had the coolest bug game, SS got the idea of using the magnet to move the bugs around way faster than her Mama. I was applying too much force.

Making sure Nurse B did a good job on her Mama. SS was looking the entire time and did not flinch when the needle went in, nor when she saw blood. Our daughter kicks royal a$$.

SS declared the EKG reclining chair hers, and she let out a huge "MINE!" when I had the audacity to sit as instructed. All was forgotten when SS saw Mama's torso covered with electrodes (stickers to SS). The nurse got a kick out of SS happily throwing away the "sticker" holders she gave SS and saying "garbage." SS became the designated garbage thrower during the session. Her sleeve is pulled up, because is what SS does now when she sees a nurse.

I am stuck with this nifty bracelet (NOT) until discharge. Just as I was concocting an accident that would lead me to lose it, Nurse B burst my bubble. With a big smile she stated that if it falls by accident (dude, does she read minds) I will have to go to the process of blood typing (meaning more needles) again. B@stards! And why did she have to place it on my right wrist, my watch wrist?

Starting tomorrow, I am only allowed clear liquids, and that does not include vodka and gin. I was intimidated when I saw the big jug, but I can easily down a 2 liter bottle of soda in one day. Of course that is when I do not have to.

Bubble chaser.

SS gave her new bubble machine a try this afternoon. It was windy so we had to protect the bubble maker. SS never got the promised 5,000 bubbles per minute, but she still had a blast. The best part is that we did not have to blow bubbles for our demanding toddler. Next time I'll comb her hair and put shoes on. but there's something about SS's chubby toes and almost flat feet that gets us, they are so darn cute.

Today, I received pre-approval from our insurance for my surgery. The problem is that they have the date wrong and they approved only one day, albeit the wrong day. P called the insurance company and they approved a longer stay, a much longer stay. My husband was so proud of himself when he informed me that they approved five days. WHAT? WTF P? Seriously? Five days? Why didn't you get them to turn down the laparoscopy while you were at it, and insist on another butcher job of my torso? P is a giver, but why oh why am I at the receiving and of all that giving? There he was, standing in front of me with such pride at navigating the insurance hiccup for me, and all I wanted to do was smack him upside the head. Yeah, I get violent thoughts, but have yet to act on them. So, I have yet to enter that cesspool of contamination and death, and I'm already losing the battle to come home ASAP. SIGH. However, I am known for going MIA and scaring the daylights out of the staff, I might have to go exploring around as payback for P's generosity.

I

Mental note, comb SS's hair before taking her picture.