Another day in DC - visiting the Castle and Museum of American History

Update on me: I was supposed to have surgery on 3/4, but it was postponed due to funky labs.  I have been seeing a hematologist and have been having numerous tubes of blood drawn (22 since 3/5/09 and counting).  It seems I am missing some factor in my blood that causes it to appear to not clot fast enough when in actuality it hypercoagulates.  Or not.  Latest bloodwork  was weird.  

Surgery has been rescheduled for 3/30.  Please pray that I am fully cleared, that my blood is fine for surgery and that the surgery goes off without a hitch.  Thanks!

ER visit 2009 - Take 2!!!

The kids were playing around upstairs.  TA slammed EQ's fingers accidently in his bedroom door.  S ran upstairs to blood all over.  I ran up to help.  Ran water over her fingers and saw the nails moving.  We wrapped a towel around her hands to control bleeding and called the pediatrician.  Then off to the ER we went...3 stitches in her little thumb and 2 stitches in her pointer later, we were home.  Total visit time: 4 hours.  silly girl even watched them put the stitches in her fingers.  

Update:  She watched them remove the stitches a week later, while saying, "Don't hurt me. Don't hurt me. Don't hurt me."  The nails will fall off, but you can't see where the stitches were.  She is a trooper!!!

A visit to the National Zoo...





 

The day was overcast and cool so the animals were very active and fun to watch.  My own little animals were a bit crazy, of course.

How does your tongue compare to a tiger's?

SNOW!!!!!!  Almost 9 inches - and we loved it!

Visit to Grandma B's, Mardi Gras Beads and Boyd's Bear Country in Gettysburg, PA

They love each other!!

Like the pink bandage?? It was the only way to keep her fingers protected.

In front of Boyd's Bear Country

On the bridge inside

the nursery

A big stuffed Giraffe!!!

The Barn.

NOAH Ice Skate-A-Thon

We joined other DC NOAH folks for an ice skate-a-thon in February.  Officially NOAH has a bowl-a-thon, but we dared to be different.  It is not too late to donate to NOAH.  You can contact them by clicking here and they will gladly accept your tax deductible donation to assist with albinism research, awareness, advocacy, education and conferences.

TA sporting a grandma original!

The soon to be marrieds - C and A!

The gang...a motley crew if you ask me!

Me trying not to fall, TA ditto, S trying to help him skate!

TA and triceratops...

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.