Happy Chinese New Year of the Ox!!!
We celebrated by going into Chinatown for the parade (we missed it) and the giant firecracker (it was cancelled due to a gas leak).  We met a wonderful lady "Miss Judy" who took us to the roof on her building so we could watch the action with a great view.  A week later we went to the Capital Area FCC Dinner.  Great Food, New Friends and Excellent Entertainment!!!  

The Kramer Crew

TA and the Lion

EQ actually enjoyed the loud lion dance

Chinese zither player.

Shooting silly string off the roof...just missed the cop!

friendship gate from above...

my family...crazy yet loveable!

Friendship Gate - chinatown dc.

Lion blessing local restaurants in DC Chinatown.

Surgery Post-Op

Going to see Dr. Hertle...it was the wagon or carry them. He even did his exam without moving them.

This morning we returned for a post-op visit.  At 7:45am!!!!  (yes-we are tired)  Dr. Hertle said the kids look great.  They started opening their eyes some this morning.  When we left the car with the valet, there were some red wagons inside.  We put the kids in there to take them upstairs since they weren't too keen on opening their eyes or walking for that matter.  We have some ointment for their eyes as well.  We will return in April/May for  a followup.  

The kids are keeping cool compresses on their eyes (especially TA)  and taking tylenol.  TA did get some codeine to help since he seems to be in more pain.  We were back at the hotel by 9am and ate breakfast.  The kids at waffles, juice, fruit, and dry cereal.  Appetites are back!  EQ is asleep again.  

TA: When do I get surgery?

me: you are finished.

TA: How do they reattach the muscles?

me: It's like sewing patches on your sparkies uniform - except he uses special thread for eyes.  

We are heading home today.  Hope traffic isn't too bad.  

Goofing off in the hotel...while having a pre-midnight snack!

Modeling the latest in hospital jammies

Reading while waiting

Enjoying the playroom

...and of course TA found trains!!!

Traveling to the holding area.

Me in my spacesuit so I can go back with the kids.

"Granny, get in the wagon and see if I can pull you."  He could!

Albino Power!!  Flat Elephant was over his eyes to block the light.

Discharged.  Finally.  In wheels.

Both kids are tired and currently in bed.  They haven't been able to keep anything down, but because we return for postop at 7:45am and they pottied, they let us return to the hotel - at 8:30 pm.  At 11pm, Mom and I finally finished dinner.  Who knew NPO included everyone!?!?!

Tips:  there are lockers in the playroom.. 25¢ to use and you get the quarter back.  Great for storing clothes and coats.  We wished we had brought snacks for the adults.  

The kids aren't wanting to open their eyes, normal.  TA has been weepy and EQ has been pukey.  tomorrow is another day and will be here way too early!!!

We are in Pittsburgh. We left NoVA around 4pm and got here at 11pm.  There was a 2 hour dinner stop in Hagerstown at a Cracker Barrel.  TA and EQ are not quite behaving, but I think they are nervous.  We are in our hotel, had a premidnight snack and now they are down for the count (I hope).  We will be up tomorrow at 5:45 so Mom and I can sneak down for breakfast before our 8am appt.  More tomorrow...

Photos in no particular order from the past month....

Our snowman...from the January 27 snow!

Fashion statement - snowbibs and apron!  And yummy cookies!!

Fun!!!  Hope he doesn't get lost!

Princess Doodlebug and her royal subject.

Our snow princess

TA and a friend from China - adopted at the same time and TA is older, but only by a month!

Argh Matey

Clean Clippies - there is a story...later.

TA and the "World's Largest Big Mac"

Our Cubbie!

Our Sparkie clubber of the month for Nov/Dec.

It was itchy - and went right back to the store...ahh my sensory girl!

Happy 5th Birthday Lucas David

Five years ago today I was in labor in Colorado Springs, waiting for our little boy to make his appearance. At 2:01am on Saturday, January 24, 2004 Lucas David was born still after my uterus ruptured. He lives in our hearts and EQ and TA know they have a brother in heaven. I think of him often and wonder what he'd be doing now - especially since he is 6 months younger than TA. At 8 pounds, 13 ounces and 21 inches long, he was a big boy...in my mind's eye he is forever my baby. I can't wait to hold him again in heaven one day!!!

Thank you to everyone who donates blood!!! Last Wednesday I was sent from my doctor's office to the emergency room with severe anemia.  I spent two nights in the hospital and received 4 transfusions.  I am feeling stronger, but still very easily tired.  The doctor said that it will be a few weeks before I feel 'normal' (what ever that is!)  

If you have only considered giving blood, please do.  My father in law has given almost 20 gallons...can you catch up to him??

Cookie Magazine is holding a contest for Smart Cookie 2009. The prize is $35,000 to the winning charity. Amy Eldridge from Love Without Boundaries is one of the finalists. LWB is an amazing organization. Please go to the site and vote for her. It is only one vote per email. This can help provide many heart, cleft and other surgeries so needed. Or help pay tuition for a student that otherwise wouldn't be able to go to school. Click here to enter.

More from Woot...


This is what the elevators are really like in China!


This is what I am ready for...wishing wistfully, like the snowman!