Our little fish.

Last Sunday we were invited to M's house (P's coworker) for pool time and fun. M and his wife had offered their pool throughout the summer, but SS was making do with her little one at home.  We were worried that SS would have lost some of her abilities due to the cancellation of the summer swimming classes in our city. But our little fish did very well considering, and we all had a blast.  All that swimming really paid off because SS downed three hot dogs, with buns for dinner.

Belly flop!

A milestone that made me say OUCH.

Pick up yesterday went better than I expected, but I did and will remain anxious about SS among so many bigger kids. Especially when those bigger kids are running and plowing through the younger ones in their haste to get the hell out of Dodge. I could see SS scanning the area for me and I was able to catch her attention easier than I expected.

And this made my day, because my girl went back to her wacky self. It reminded me of the lyrics, "I'm free, I'm free, things are only as important as I want them to be!"  In true SS over dramatic fashion, the walk from her classroom to the van dehydrated her. And of course, she was the only person there who was hot and uncomfortable. A few gulps of iced water calmed her down a bit, as did the AC on full blast.  SS stated that she liked her teacher, describing her as "nice." Let's hope she is right.

SS helped me with dinner and that made a simple protein with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli an almost two hour ordeal. But I really miss cooking with SS, it is something we did quite frequently since she was so young. And now SS has a new job, reading the recipe ingredients and procuring those that she can carry. Another reason it took so long, but Mami taught me how important it is to be patient and allow children to learn. SS even cracked three eggs and I'm in shock that there were no shells in the bowl. I wish I had filmed it, because it is virtually impossible given her funky technique. She deserves major kudos because I sure was not cracking eggs when I was seven years old.  The day caught up with her as soon as she was done helping. I placed the dish in the oven, turned around and found her tuckered out.

Darn, a nap was not part of the plan because there was no way she would go to bed at eight if she napped, and it was late in the day. As usual I took the cowardly way out and waited for P to come home and wake up SS. Hey, I value my life, I was not going to poke that bear. She was furious and I think she tried to decapitate P when he took her upstairs for a bath. As we expected SS did not touch her lunch, just the strawberries and milk. She did have a good sized dinner, with rib sticking food.  SS got a second wind and we were afraid she would be up late. We grew a backbone and kicked her out of our room at eight after a Halloween story and cuddles. SS was out quickly and when I woke her up at seven this morning, she was still groggy.

Today's lunch, quesadilla, broccoli, apple slices, and her usual milk, juice and water.  We just have to keep trying to find what will do the trick on any given day. SS let out a YEAH! when I asked if she wanted broccoli for lunch. It still stuns us how much she loves broccoli, and without Ranch dressing or cheese sauce. I would love to see the lunch monitor's face when SS opens her lunch box. 

Why oh why do I keep purchasing pleated skirts and blouses that require ironing?  I don't mind  ironing, I do mind how difficult it is to get the pleats just right.  And when SS sits down for breakfast she stands up with wrinkles all over. Oh well, she does look absolutely adorable.

SS's Maui bow, we got it on our last trip. Damn, we could all use a Maui fix right about now.

About that ouchie milestone... One thing I learned this past school year (yet P was way ahead of me) is to enjoy those days when I get to drive SS to and from school. We always walk with SS to her classroom and hang around until the bell rings. It's a treat, being cognizant that it won't last for long.  I was absentmindedly carrying SS's backpack today (We prefer she carries it, so she won't be looked upon as being a baby.), and when we arrived at the gate she asked for her backpack. Realizing that I was perhaps embarrassing SS I quickly complied. SS put her backpack on then said goodbye and motioned for a hug and a kiss. WHAT?????? I said that we always walk her to her classroom, and SS sighed and made an annoyed face. Man, I was totally dissed by my seven year old, and it stung. I told SS that I do not get to walk her to class often, and that soon she would be too grown up for this. So for now she has to suck it up and deal with it, because we want to enjoy what may be the last year we can enjoy time with our girl this way.

Second grade here she comes!

Sorry to be MIA for so long, but after blinking and missing first grade, I did not want a repeat of that awful feeling about SS's summer. We did not take daily pictures, did not go to Knott's/Soak City as often, did not do anything big during summer.  But we made it a point to enjoy each and every second we had with our girl. And just like that second grade arrived way before we were ready to let SS go and keep growing. 

We started the morning with a refreshing shower to make sure SS would be fully awake, then a nice breakfast. If you have been here before it should not surprise you to see avocado on SS's scrambled eggs. As usual we worry about her penchant for not eating when away from home. In her lunchbox today she had milk, juice, yogurt, strawberries, apple sauce, Mexican rice, and flautas topped with freshly made guacamole. SS loves flautas, so we are hoping she at least eats those. We also made sure she had a thermos with iced water, because it gets nasty hot around here. SS cleaned up her plate, so even if she does not eat all her lunch we feel much better.

This is new, because SS is all into making silly faces and super hero poses. When I asked her to take her place for the obligatory first day of school picture, she surprised me. Dear G0d, please don't let this be a shift to girly, frilly, vacuous behavior.

SS added a shout out to her beloved Angels to her uniform.

Greeting the school principal, Mrs. R.

Look who is finally in transitional kindergarten, none other than Miss M. Her brother is SS's age and a good friend, but M has always been drawn to SS. Such gorgeous girls. And as you can see, SS's school is still an uniform optional school. Since I had SS wearing uniforms before this became an option, to SS is just the way to dress for school. And Chucks, SS must have Chucks.

SS first grade class was split this year, then again being a K-1st combo class there were not that many first graders. Only two of her classmates are in her classroom this year. At least SS had T as a familiar face.

Lunch boxes and snacks are always placed outside,.

Then came the curve ball our stubborn daughter did not like one bit. Backpacks are to be left outside as well. We do not know if this is temporary or not, but SS's mood soured right away.

New year, new desk, new challenges.

K and first grade kids walk with the teachers to the gate and are released only to the parent or approved person. This will be SS's first year leaving among the free for all that is release time. We found the past two years rather overwhelming, and not looking forward to have SS among so many bigger kids. We'll see how she handles the utter madness that is the end of the school day.

We think it was rather clever for the teacher to get them busy right away, amid all the chaos that is that first morning of the new school year.Thankfully for us the task was math, SS's favorite.

First day of summer camp.

Summer did not start out well for SS. It looks like her archery teacher is not coming back, and B&G has yet to find a replacement. After the accident that damaged his trailer Coach A just could not get back into the swing of things which is a shame.  Once we are settled with our summer routine we are going to look into whether he still has his archery shop and see if SS can have classes there.  Last Saturday I got up bright and early to sign up SS for swimming classes and could tell a block away from the community center that something was wrong. No line of early risers around the building. SS swims in the last session of the day, and no one wants it, so we have some leeway getting there.  There will be no first session of swimming classes. Why? Because they have no staff. The swimming instructors graduated and moved on to college and our city administration was asleep at the wheel.  They did not see that one coming? If they can hire enough staff they will wold sign ups June 21 for the remaining sessions. We are not holding our breath on that one.  Of course that also means no family swimming at the pool. Really glad we at least have the tiny inflatable for SS.

Setbacks aside SS was excited to return to B&G yesterday for the first day of summer camp.  It was a long one, a 10 hour day, because I dropped and picked her up. We are so amazingly organized that we were out of breakfast foods, totally out. Not a problem, because crappy sausage muffins with eggs are acceptable breakfast fare around here.  So yeah, I fed my child substandard food, while assuring her that Baba will stock our kitchen while she endured playtime at B&G.  You can see how upset SS was at the inconvenience. 

And there she was, beyond excited at the summer ahead, which is only three days a week. SS is still happy because she does not know that we are signing her up for the reading/writing/math program. We are evil that way and my goal this morning is to have her scheduled starting next week.  It would be nice if the B&G gave discounts for referrals.  Their rates increased by $4 a day, and that adds up. In the past week two of my coworkers have signed up their kids. One last Friday, a 14 year old boy, and one yesterday afternoon, a 7 year old girl. Both parents started training with me last year and we work in the same office. J, the girl's dad picked my brain about B&G and how appropriate it is for a 7 year old. We feel comfortable, as long as SS does not go on field trips, she is too young at this time, plus we provide plenty for her. J then paid me a backhanded compliment.  He said he feels comfortable because "you are anal when it comes to your daughter, so if you allow her to go there it has to be OK." OUCH, excuse me for wanting my kid to be well looked after.

SS is all smiles here, but I found a hot mess when I picked her up. A happy, hot mess with hair all over the place. The girl barely said two words during the drive home, but perked up as soon as he hit the driveway.

Not very happy that I told Baba she was a mess.

Is obvious SS had a great day yesterday and burned some energy, because this is what I found this morning. She has been starting to sleep with her head towards the foot of the bed, like I do when not feeling well. Gee SS pick up all my bad habits why don't you. Baba came through for us with a nice dinner, then while SS was in the bath he did a Costco run to tide us over until we can do the big shopping trip that is a must.

Sunday is not only Father's Day but also our anniversary and we have yet to plan anything. There's a little trip we are contemplating but it will have to wait. We just do not (well, I do not) have the vacation time necessary to pull it off. But we are going to chill and spend the day together.P will come home Friday and Saturday bone tired and crash shortly after dinner. I'd be surprised if he makes it past seven on Saturday. That leaves one whole day for us to enjoy family time. Sucks big time, but at least the girl gets what she needs.

SS celebrated the last day of school by stomping all over the dress code with our blessing.

Thursday was SS's last day of school, and it hit me unexpectedly hard. I blinked and missed first grade. I know that I should be grateful that I had so much time with my baby. That at least I got to volunteer last year in her classroom. I should be grateful that I was able to limp all over Legoland and shared SS's first big class school trip. SS's teacher made a video of the many milestones the kids experienced. The video is over and hour long and we have watched only half of it so far. I got teary eyed many times when I realized how much I missed.

There are many moms that are busy raising children as single moms, and they sure as hell do not get to be there for every milestone. Intellectually I realize that I have been luckier than most, that I have a husband who decided we would live in a two bedroom apartment for a few years, because the trade off was SS and Mama time. I know that I could have made much more than P did in his last job, but we lived frugally, the trade off being time with SS. And again back to one of my few smart decisions in my life. I chose right the second time around.

Then why am I b*tching in a public forum? Because I'm rather surprised at the battle between my heart and my brain. I am my bio mother's daughter, even Mami instilled in me that I had to get an education and not rely on a man to meet my, and my children's needs. I was going stir crazy as a stay at home mom. I missed working and feeling productive. Not that raising a child is not productive. But I was either wired this way, or had way too many working women (with husbands) around me growing up to develop a need to work outside the home. I don't regret a single second I spent with JJ and SS. But man I sure was not expecting that push me pull me thing that swirls around in my head.

I also married a man whose grandmother worked for Ma Bell, and had a set idea that wives work, his grandma, mother, and aunt M did (lady has a Ph.D. to boot). Yet he put all that aside and was really OK with working double shifts so I could devote myself to our daughter. It was cool but I know there is no way in hell I can do that again.

So yeah, watching SS's year made me sad. I already told P that I expect him to get his purple badge (red badge means one can only be around the kids with supervision, purple badge allows us to have the kids on our own) and we will both volunteer in SS's classroom. Jackie Kennedy said "If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much." I read that quote at an early age, when children were not even a thought, I was just a child. But that quote has stayed with me, and I don't know why. For the record, I don't think I have done a remarkable job as a mother, maybe that is why that quote taunts me.  

Apropos of my bad parenting choices let's get back to Thursday. Last week P and I went shopping for summer shoes for SS. Even though JJ is home SS will be at B&G Club three days a week. It's pricey but SS needs to socialize and we are OK with cutting back on other things so SS can have the opportunity to go to summer camp. It goes back to that choice I made in a parent for SS. P could easily say hell no, she stays home with JJ. Choices... We bought two pairs of shoes, because Kohls has expensive shoes but when they are on sale they have great prices. We got SS an orange pair and a blue pair with sharks. SS could not wait to wear her sharks shoes, because her Baba has taught her that sharks are cool and need our love. She asked every day to wear them to school, and I could not allow her. Why? Because her school has a strict policy that kids are to wear closed toe, closed back shoes and socks.  

My husband the rule breaker thought I was being to damn prissy about the dress code. This is the same man who has insisted on SS wearing her Halloween costumes with a (gasp) mask, totally against school rules. He does not care and he makes no apologies for his rule breaking. I took the middle ground and told SS that I would allow her to break the rules on her last day of school. Unlike P I had a plan. What were they going to do? Suspend her? I told P that if he got a phone call from the school (he is now the main contact since it is easier for him to leave his work than me) to tell them I would bring a change of clothes and shoes at 2:00 p.m.  School is out at 1:45 p.m. 

SS was happy when I set out her clothes Thursday morning. Spaghetti strap tank top, check. Short shorts, check. Shoes with open back and no socks, check. We knowingly sent SS to school as a rebel, and did not feel an ounce of guilt.  It wasn't until P pulled away from the house that I realized SS was wearing a pair of $26 shorts and what could go wrong as in staining them permanently. Oh well, we live we learn.

SS was so excited about her last day of school outfit.

Grandpa, you have spoiled our children forever. JJ and SS want to turn our tiny backyard into a Tiki paradise. They won't shut up about our last two trips to Maui, and although JJ is old enough to know better he acts as though it is his birth right. Their last brilliant idea was to get Tiki torches, and here is P indulging their delusions.


A weird thing about me is that I do not care for characters and gimmicks on kids shoes. When we bought SS's sandals I had no idea they were the light up kind. SS has never had light up shoes, and had I noticed that, I'm ashamed to say I would not have bought them. Why? I have no idea, but shoe gimmicks disgust me.  SS is thrilled however, and thinks she has the best pair of shoes ever. Because her Mama was asleep on the job.

It's small, but it'll do for now.

Next Thursday is SS's last day of school, we can't believe it's over, and now we start the summer routine. A great change as far as SS is concerned is that she won't be in tutoring all summer in two languages like last year.  Mrs. S is confident that if SS reads and writes on her journal daily there will be no problems when she starts second grade in August. We can't believe SS is about to complete first grade, that went by so darn fast. Our goal this school year was for SS to be at grade level, since she missed kinder by all practical purposes. SS met that goal, next year we will work on helping her exceed her grade goals.  That will take work because SS is lazier at seven than her brother ever was as a teenager. Forget that stereotype that all Asians are driven, our girl is not going to be the one asking for more homework, let alone any educational challenges. It's going to be up to us to motivate her lazy a$$. That should be fun. However, if she slacks off on her reading and writing, then off to tutoring she goes.

SS is looking forward to Boys and Girls club and swimming classes. It's funny because last summer she swore she did not want swimming classes. The trip to Maui did help SS realize that swimming has its advantages. She now calls her snorkeling mask her SCUBA diving mask, and practices in her little pool. Our unemployed daughter confidently states that she is visiting Maui next year, and she's going to SCUBA dive.  SNUBA maybe, SS will be old enough, but she's three years away from a SCUBA certification. And I would not put it passed P to sign her up.

SS is having fun with her little pool and enjoys diving for her sticks.  She does quite well considering that she has only three feet of water to work with. It does not bother her one bit, she is a fish, and loves to be in water. P bought a solar cover for the pool and we are surprised at how well it works. The first day that water was freaking freezing. Now it's nice and warm, perfect for a dip after work to cool off.  Although SS said the surface water is too hot for her.  SS can easily spend 30-40 minutes diving to get her sticks. That translates into a tired SS who crashes by 8 (sometimes before) and saves us the I'm not tired why do I have to go to bed whinefest. We all win.

Since P has been holding down the dinner fort around here (work has been beyond stressful) I decided it was time to get back in the kitchen. I made chicken piccata for dinner as a thank you to P. Not only did SS clean her plate, but she requested and liked capers!

Happy Memorial Day

We got an inflatable pool for SS to help her keep cool during the summer. We do not have much space but it will come in handy when the temperature is 100+, and wicked miserable. She had a blast this afternoon even though the water was cold.

SS makes her first rocket pops.

Mango, papaya, pineapple and strawberry chunks. Add Orange juice and honey, then blend into a thick smoothie. The Popsicles were a hit and tasted good as well. SS is going to have fun trying out different flavor combinations this summer.

MRI Friday.

SS had her MRI Friday and we are grateful we got that out of the way. P greeted us Thursday morning by declaring the next day MRI Friday or MRIF. What can I say, not only is he brilliant and hot, but also witty.  By the time I fell asleep Friday something I never thought possible happened, my admiration and respect for my kids and husband had increased tenfold. P has done the waiting room wait five times while I have been cut open. My count was three, but P reminded me about my two knee surgeries. I was surprised he included those, there was nothing to worry about. But he did, and I had no idea he was worried at the time.

This was our first time in a hospital setting with our child since JJ's pulmonary embolism. I was a mess, but P has clocked a lot of time waiting for me and he was very calm, cool, and collected. JJ was there and because they allow only two at a time at the MRI prep and recovery, he was out in the waiting room for hours. Not one complaint about spending six hours just sitting around. Then there's SS, my guardian angel, our baby, a child whom we know spent time hospitalized before we met. A child who went through three surgeries with her lame Mama. SS had every right to be scared, she was, but she was also a champ.

I was up by three in the morning, I was an anxious mess and needed to get out of bed. P joined me downstairs at five, with JJ and SS getting up at six. I had been looking all over the house for SS's lovie, DOG. You'd think since there are three one would be found quickly. But that darn security blanket was nowhere to be found and I started to panic.  I washed SS's Snoopy blanket, there was no doubt in my mind that SS was going to need her baby comfort items. SS found DOG just as we were about to leave, and what a relief that was.

We arrived at seven thirty, with SS decked out in her Batman costume. SS loves all her super hero costumes, but Batman is her go to outfit when she is insecure. It is what she wore her first time back to school last year after getting her teeth knocked out and nose busted. Our tiny super hero was ready to take on the MRI.  We got a LOT of looks as we made our way to the hospital accompanied by a lot of smiles, and aw how cute. There was also a "Oh my gosh what a cute little boy," we are used to that.

It was bad enough that I had not set foot at Loma Linda University Medical Center in about sixteen years, but they are also under construction, and we were totally lost as to where the check in desk was located.  As I was about to call for directions, a woman ahead of us asked what we were looking for. She was dressed in scrubs and obviously an employee. She took us through the maze like corridors and waited in line with us to make sure we were at the right place. I thanked her and told her we would be OK, since I did not want her to be late. The woman said she was right where she needed to be. P was very impressed by her eagerness to help. And that is pretty much how I remember my experiences at LLUMC.

For someone who is so super hero crazy, the leg crossing cracks me up. Just because SS likes adventure does not mean that she is not feminine. And as you can see, DOG was by her side the entire time.

Then it was time to get SS's vitals and she did much better than we expected. We had the usual background questions about SS's health, and the Dr. did not get the fact that our child is adopted. I know, how the hell is that possible? We carefully framed our answers by prefacing the fact that what we know is from a week before sixteen months to now. Finally the nurse said that she didn't understand. Really? a freaking doctor and  nurse see a Caucasian guy and a  Hispanic woman with a Chinese daughter and they can't put it together? So I had to spell out to them that SS was born in China and we adopted her. When the nurse asked me how SS got here, I was tempted to say on an airplane, but was able to bite my lip instead. The nurse then cracked us up by thinking SS was wearing a Batgirl costume. She then asked SS what princesses she liked to dress up as, and SS's look was just one of pure disgust. The nurse still did not register that look and pressed SS about liking princesses because her granddaughter does. Well, good for you lady, but come on, get off my daughter's back, she's made it clear it's not her thing. And for the record, P and I are very sensitive about people trying to force feed SS pink s*** and girly crap. It royally PISSES us off because it UPSETS SS, makes her feel like she is doing something wrong. She isn't, she is being an amazing little girl who is true to herself, and we pray she remains that way.  Wow, feels good to get that out. Before moving on to the play room we changed SS into her scrubs, must to the delight of the doctor and nurse. They were amused that there was a costume change going on.

SS had the playroom to herself, and had fun exploring. The room could use an update, some of those toys were really old. But we had a backpack full of super heroes for SS. We brought most of the big figures Grandpa gave her for Christmas. Did I over do it? Maybe, but my goal was to make SS as comfortable as possible.

Leave it up to SS to find every single car and truck in that room. P had not even noticed the Tonka dumpster until SS pulled it from a corner. Wow, it just hit me that SS has never had a Tonka, we are going to have to correct that oversight.

There was some silliness going on...

And SS decided she needed to check our hearts and lungs.

And this is where the fun stopped. SS became immediately withdrawn and shaky. It was weird, like she knew the nurse was about to come and get us, kind of eerie. I held her and suggested we go and see JJ to say see you later. And that is where SS fell apart, sat on the floor of the waiting room, hugged her knees and it broke my heart to see how scared she was. P being P simply pointed out that at "at least she is not being c-u-t o-p-e-n." At least he had the decency to spell the last two words. I was a bit upset with P and his lackadaisical attitude. When the nurse came by and asked if we were ready, SS buried her head in my neck and began to sob. On instinct I said no, she is not ready. My oh so cold and helpful husband simple retorted, "yeah but they are waiting so she has to go." And at the time I did think he was being cold, and quite annoying. I now realize that we had a role reversal from JJ's close call. P was the one curled in fetal position on the floor, while I was talking to doctors, with my jaw set, and not a tear. I am at a loss as to why I was such a mess, but I was.

The nurses were simply amazing, all four of them. We were quite impressed with how many they had, we expected two at the most. And they obviously do this a lot, and have it down. The greeted us, and SS still had a death grip on me and was having none of their smiles, and reassurances. They offered SS a smell of the scents they had for her mask. The choices were lemonade, bubble gum (the most popular), strawberry, watermelon, vanilla, and grape. SS would not choose, and that is when my brain kicked into gear and my neurons finally fired. I had to nip the crying and stalling right there. I told SS that the MRI was happening and not choosing would not get her out of it. SS deferred to me, and I selected a watermelon and strawberry mix. That's when I realized that I have been robbed every time and I have been under anesthesia. I have NEVER been offered a scent! Next time I am not going under unless I get to smell something nice.

When the nurses realized SS was wearing scrubs and personalized no less, they were all over that. They asked SS if she wanted to do rounds, and asked if they could trade places with her. They had several sheets of stickers and not a one seemed surprised when SS chose a super hero sticker, then they kept adding more stickers to her mask and to her bracelet. We are so impressed with the amazing job they did. We thought it was going to be an ugly sight, and something we would remember and cringe about for years to come. But the nurses were simply amazing. They played with the stickers then asked SS to try breathing with the mask, and showed her the balloon. SS was told that the doctor placed five dollars inside the balloon, and if SS popped the balloon she would keep the money. SS fell for it, and it took me a while to realize they were really anesthetizing her, not just getting her used to the mask. We had been warned about SS becoming hyper with flailing, and eye rolling as she was going under, but that did not happen. SS kept taking deep breaths, and soon there was a nurse holding her back, because they did not want to force her to lay down. SS had been smiling the entire time, as the nurses kept praising her breathing.  Then I saw a smile I have never seen on SS, our girl was HIGH.  I helped the nurse lay SS down, and that was it, SS was under. It was so difficult for me to leave SS in such a vulnerable state. And I did cry, rationally I knew she was in great hands, but it was awful to part with my baby.

No one had had breakfast or even coffee, for me it was a conscious decision, I was not going to eat until SS could. P and JJ intended to eat at the cafeteria. P was dying for a cup of coffee when he had a thought. P asked me if the hospital carried caffeinated products. Oh shoot, I had forgotten about that. It is a Seventh Day Adventist hospital, and they are bat sh*t crazy about health, fitness and no caffeine. If we ever return we are bringing a gallon of Starbucks with us. Even though I drink caffeinated sodas in the mornings and do drink regular coffee, being raised by strict SDA standards, my preference is for decaf sodas. So while P stared at the soda dispenser in horror, I was glad to see so many of my old favorites. There's also no meat in their cafeteria, something Min had to suffer through when P's mom was hospitalized at LLUMC's sister hospital. In short, the offerings at the cafeteria made JJ and P abstain from eating as well. Yeah, that bad.

And here are their coffee choices, decaf and decaf. My husband was not amused. I reminded P to look at the bright side, at least SS was receiving top notch care.

I was torn about the appropriateness of posting this picture, but we have always shown the good and bad, so here it goes. SS was in the MRI tube for an hour, as they did a brain and neck scan. The neck part came as a surprise to us, we only learned of it as the nurse escorted us to the waiting room. I was on pins and needles at the one hour mark and those extra ten minutes until SS was wheeled out were hell. Busted foot and all I ran to the gurney as soon as I saw them. SS was still out and they reminded us many times not to wake her up. Yeah, we are not that crazy, we know how SS gets when she is awoken before she is ready. 

We were allowed to be by SS's side until we arrived at the doors of the pediatric recovery wing. We were separated for only about ten minutes, but man it felt like so much longer. 

The recovery wing is the biggest we have been in, and it was busy, every bed taken. P was very impressed with how well cared of SS was. The child next to us was getting a prep for an endoscopy and colonoscopy, and the nurse was helping. But she kept checking in on SS frequently.

So glad SS had the comfort of her baby blanket and her DOG.

P titled this picture "Look at all the pretty colors."

SS went into stiff mode and for some reason it cracked P up. The nurse kept looking at the silly man laughing his a$$ off at his own child. Speaking of, I forgot to mention that when the nurse (different from those at the MRI) came to get us for the MRI she actually asked "are you the parents?" Took everything in me not to snap back "No, we are her neighbors, her parents had other things to do." People, I tell you.

And how did we get a smile? After much asking I changed tactics, and asked SS to smile for her teacher. Talk about feeling replaced.

A little bit of TV managed to get SS to be fully awake.

SS really enjoyed her ride on the wheelchair too much. When I went to get SS out of her carseat to get lunch she said "wheelchair,"knowing she was loopy I said yes baby you were in a wheelchair. P carried her into the restaurant and he turns to me, "she is actually requesting a wheelchair." And yes we carried her, because the girl trips on air, we did not want to risk a fall and injury.

It was recommended that we feed SS soup to gauge how her stomach handled food. We had the perfect soup for SS, Phở.  Poor SS was famished as she had dinner the previous day at five in the afternoon. I felt awful when SS said "Mama, where's my soup, I'm hungry." We are sticklers about SS's dining behavior, but man the girl needed to eat. This is the first time since meeting SS that we have requested to have her food brought out ASAP. And the staff were very understanding and very fast with her order. 

And hungry she was, I had to cut the chicken and noodles into a small plate because the soup was too hot. I added ice until I got the temperature right for SS.

And boy did SS eat really well, as you can see their kid size serving is quite large, and she polished it off. And now you know more about SS's first MRI than you needed to know. We are also happy to report that there were no complications, she handled food just fine, and spent the rest of her day with her iPad in bed. Tomorrow we need to schedule SS's follow up appointment.