A blog has been brewing in me for several weeks and now as I sit at Children's Hospital waiting for Isabella to emerge from her latest MRI there's time to think and reflect once more. I find reading difficult on these days.
Isabella was obviously agitated (though I am not sure why) last night and fell asleep in my bed, but this morning she was pleased to receive words of encouragement from Papà (who is currently on mission in Peru) and a hug from Mati when she woke up (yes she also joined the bed during the night!) At the hospital this morning there was quite the welcome from the MRI team.
...interruption. It is a little surreal here in the hospital atrium cafe, the nurses are all dressed up as witches, pumpkins, cowboys, Michael Jackson, you name it and Ghostbusters is blaring out!! Ten years on the Halloween phenomenon is still overwhelming at times...
Back to radiology. They were so happy to see Bella and wanted to know all about her holiday this summer and showing her around the newly expanded MRI wing with a great view down to the Capitol. Bella was singing and dancing songs from the upcoming school pantomime of Puss in Boots. As she was given laughing gas she was telling riddles. At the last minute she shouted out the answer before she fell asleep. The nurses were in fits of laughter. She should be out soon and we will get the results next Thursday. That day we'll be seeing the oncologist, neurologist, endocrinologist and opthalmologist. Get the gist? After a four month break from hospital visits we are pleased to get all appointments done on one day.
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Proudly showing off
her homemade sushi |
Meanwhile there's always plenty to keep us busy. The girls have been enjoying their half term break. Emma D has been here to entertain, she is always very welcome! What they haven't done with paper, glue and paint, I don't know. Not to mention the cooking: flapjacks and lemon curd and even sushi for supper one night. Our camp creativity director even insures an English education - tea parties complete with cucumber sandwiches AND history lessons. Yesterday, Emma notices a bag that I had picked up at some travel fair, with Henry VIII on it and asks the girls if they know who he is. They proceed to learn about all his queens,
divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Emma was then turned into King Henry with beard and they were each a queen. Mati was, needless-to-say, the one who divorced and survived!
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| Some of the prize winning pumpkins |
At this time of year we've also had much preparation for Halloween, including the annual visit to Cox's Farm. When I picked up a coffee earlier, I was pleased to see the Brain Tumor Institute had won the pumpkin carving contest here at Children's. We still need to carve ours. We have various parties and trick-or-treating lined up this week-end. The girls are going to be vampires. I said I'd be a legal alien, my fully-fledged American daughters don't understand the joke!
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A fun time is always had by all at
Cox's Farm, including me! |
Other exciting news: Matilde is starring in the Washington Ballet's production of The Nutcracker. She is absolutely thrilled and prances off to all the rehearsals every Saturday and Sunday with a big smile across her face. Of course she has a major role as a prima bumblebee.
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Nutella is part of the Cox's Farm
annual picnic outing! |
This past month we have also been learning to ride bikes (for obvious reasons this went on hold for a couple of years). Those of you who've been there will know what a sense of achievement it is learning to ride on two wheels, and not just for the kids!
We'll let you know when we have news of the MRI, probably not till we visit the clinic on November 4th. Finger's crossed for the all stable.
Emma, Isabella, Matilde and Gregorio from Peru. xxx
PS I have almost finished uploading all our summer photos, for those that are interested!
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