My trip to the ER and my first Halloween

My Halloween extravaganza started almost a full week before the actual day. My dad went to Pittsburgh and mom and I were on our own. I was on my best behavior and I wanted to try and give mom a break. I went a little easy on her and even stuck to a good bedtime schedule.

Because dad was out of town mom and I went to Night Eyes at the zoo by ourselves. We picked up Bubbe and Zayde and met Uncle Aaron., Aunt Laura and Carter at the zoo. Carter's other grandparents were there too and so were his cousins. Mom dressed me up in a nice and cozy pea pod costume. She thought I looked especially cute and lots of people at the zoo complimented me on how cute I was. Mom even tied a green stripey bow on the top of my pea pod so people would know I was a girl pea pod . I had a nice time all snuggled up in my pea pod while everyone else pushed me through the zoo. Not many animals were out for Night eyes but I did get to see the lions and a few other cats.

On Saturday after dad was home mom and dad started setting up for our big Halloween bash. Mom cooked lots of food and all my family was coming to see me. I told everyone to wear costumes so I could guess what they were. It was very cold on Saturday night but my mom dressed me up in a really cute pair of pumpkin pj's that my Bubbe bought me. My Nana and I wore almost matching costumes!! We were both pumpkins and boy were we cute. It was really cold outside and I was crabby so I got to spend the night at Bubbe and Zayde's house on Saturday night. My parents said the party was a hit when they came to bring me another pair of clean pj's the next day at Bubbe and Zayde's house but I didn't really care. I was not feeling well by Sunday and neither way mom. Mom and Dad had a meeting they had to go to on Sunday afternoon and I tried to sleep at Bubbe and Zayde's house but I was really grouchy and congested. Mom and dad thought I might be getting an ear infection but I really didn't seem that sick.

On Monday during the day I had a really hard time settling myself down and couldn't get myself to rest. Monday night I cried for four hours straight and nothing helped me. Mom wanted to give me the bubble gum medicine from the fridge but dad wouldn't let her. Bubbe told mom to call the on call Dr. for my pediatricians office. When we called the doctor and explained that I am prone to ear infections and my ears had fluid in them at my four month appointment he told mom and dad to take me to the emergency room. The Doctor didn't want to give me anything over the phone. I fell asleep just as they were strapping me into my seat. We ended up at the ER at 11 pm on Monday night. You could almost swear the it was a full moon and close to Halloween on Monday night because their were lots of people there. The whole waiting room was full. When they called me back it was much later and they took one look in my ears and prescribed me bubble gum medicine again. Mom and dad picked it up and took me home. I slept the whole time.

On Tuesday night it was trick-or-treat night in my neighborhood and mom had invited over my Uncle Aaron and Aunt Robyn and everyone for dinner but I wasn't feeling up to company and neither were my parents. Cousins Abbi and Ashley came to our house for treats with Aunt Cari and Uncle Chris but after they left we turned our light off. We were all tired. I cried a lot on Tuesday night too. By Wednesday the medicine was starting to take effect and I was finally sleeping a little bit better. I still have a really bad chest cold but my ears are slowly improving.

Wednesday was Halloween and my Aunt Caroline's thirtieth birthday. I made her a special sign for her birthday. She is the first one to turn thirty, next is Aunt Laura and then Uncle Jason and mom finishes up the thirtieth birthdays.

My mom finally put together this really cool toy I got from Bubbe and Zayde for the office. It makes all kinds of sounds and flashes with light. I love it and I talk to it every time I get to play in it. The toy came in hundreds of pieces. Mom had quite the time putting it together and Bubbe even came in and helped read directions a few times so Mom could get it put together correctly. Now I have something to keep me entertained for a little while since I really am getting tired of playing with the same people.

On Friday Mom, Dad and I went to see the surgeon about my cleft. The next time we will see him will be in surgery. My cleft surgery is on December 13th, 2007 and the doctor and the social worker at the hospital said we can have as many of my family and friends as we want in surgical waiting and in my PICU room. I will be in the hospital for at least three days and I may have stuffed animals and balloons but no latex balloons. If you want to come visit me you can. I am not sure how good I will feel. I am going to have special bottles to drink out of and I have to wear arm restraints. Mom and Dad are sad about that but since I am starting to teeth they don't want anything in my mouth after surgery most especially my fingers. We got to go on a hospital tour of the PICU and of the surgery area and we met a really nice lady who helped us and answered all of our questions. She is going to visit me in the hospital. They also introduced us to one of two pain specialists for the PICU, he told me he would help me the best he could while I was visiting him in December.

Yesterday we went Hanukkah shopping. I showed my parents all the things I want for Hanukkah. Mom and Dad bought presents for all the kids and they only have a few other things to buy before they are completely done shopping. This month is a busy month. Bubbe is going to have surgery on her right foot on Tuesday because it is gimpy. I hope she gets better fast so I can play with her soon. I can't wait for my first Thanksgiving at the end of the month. I will get to meet my Great Uncle Roger for the first time.