The next day we drove down to Bill's parents for the weekend. We took the kids to see the Holiday Light Spectacular at the PNC Arts Center. What an awesome light display! We also went to Allaire State Park where we rode an old steam engine train with Santa and then walked around an old village set in the 1800's. It was a nice relaxing weekend. Bill and I even got a chance to go out and start Christmas shopping.
Yesterday was the Valerie Center's annual Christmas party. The kids got to dance and play and we all got to visit with a lot of friends that we haven't seen in a while. And of course there was a visit from Santa. Lauren waited so patiently for her name to be called then ran up and jumped right up in his lap. What a difference from last year when she wanted nothing to do with Santa! Everyone commented on how great she looks and what a spitfire she is. At last year's party she had just gotten out of the hospital (from her transpant) the day before and wasn't feeling very well. It's hard to believe that was a whole year ago.
After the party the kids and I came home and Bill caught a train to Washington where he will be all week for work. He managed to get all the lights and decorations up inside and out before he left which was no small feat. Anyone that has been to our house during this time of year knows just how much "stuff" Bill puts up for christmas. Now it officially feels (and looks) like Christmastime even if the weather outside feels like springtime!
Originally Lauren and I were to be heading to Sloan for antibodies this coming Sunday but there has been a change of plans. Lauren was exposed to chicken pox at preschool this past week. If she's going to get them it would be between 14 - 21 days after exposure which of course is exactly when she was supposed to be in for the next round. While her immune system should be well enough to handle this, for a child with low or no immune system it could be deadly so we are not allowed to be in clinic or at the RMH until at least 21 days after exposure. Since I don't want to be away over the holidays we rescheduled round 8 for Jan 7 -18. We also found out that Lauren will need another eye surgery for her strabismus (eye crossing) but we're going to put that off til after the holidays too.
While I definitely welcome the extra break, I had gotten myself geared up and ready to get this round done and over with. Oh well. Now it looks like I'll have time to do all the things that Bill was going to do for me while I was away. Like bake 15 dozen cookies for a cookie swap!
Well that's about it for now - As always, Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.
