Back to Palo Alto...oops accidental detour!

So Sunday, Patrick and Sofía leave for Phoenix, and the girls have a dramatic farewell.  They hug each other and say how much they love each other, and how much they will miss each other. Again this was very emotional for me as I knew hard it was for them to say goodbye. It only took Anise 4 minutes to stop crying and start reading.  Uncle Leonard had a Norman Rockwell biographical book, with a chronological rendition of all of his work...Anise was enamored. I went on to ask her what she noticed in the pictures, and she looked up at me and says, "Mommy, there are a lot of dogs in the pictures."  It was cute.

We spend the rest of the evening with Aunt Rosie and Uncle Leonard, had a nice warm home cooked meal (thanks Aunt Rosie!), and off to bed, as tomorrow (Monday) we would be driving back to Palo Alto, CA.

Monday we wake up and head downstairs and the 1st thing Anise asks for...surprise! Cinnamom Toast Crunch cereal...her new favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

We ate breakfast headed up to get ready and packed.  I have to say the draining part of it all was asking Anise to let me pull her hair back and to let me put the antibactirial ointment on her ear.  She did not want any part of it...and after a few minutes of wailing, she would give in.

Side View of Anise's bandages

Side View 2 Anise's bandages

So we said our goodbye's...thanks Aunt RoseAnne and Uncle for your hospitality, Anise got somewhat antsy, but knew that she was ready for a nap.

Our journey back to Palo Alto began, it would be a 2 1/2 hour drive back, and I knew Anise would be sleeping.  During my trip my navigation device died (Shame on our reliability on technology!!!!). As I pursued to drive I realized that I had made an accidental wrong turn and ended up in San Francisco...yes San Francisco. I panicked for a split second, and said to myself, "you either panic and freak out, or you can follow the signs and head over to the Pier 39, and make the best of it!  Anise was in good spirits, we had clam chowder for lunch, saw the sea lions, and made for a good afternoon.  Once we figured where we needed to go, we made it back to the hotel in about 40 minutes. Our detour turned out to be very adventurous, and I didn't freak out!






San Francisco

Bay Bridge

Pier 39

Pier 39 and Sea Lions from afar

Fisherman's Wharf

Sea Lion statue @ Fisherman's Wharf

Sacramento!

This past weekend Thurs thru Monday, we had the opportunity to drive two and half hours to Sacramento to visit our Aunt RoseAnne and Uncle Leonard. Patrick and Sofia were there waiting for us, it was amazing how happy the girls were to see each other! Sofía definately had a very hard time to be away from her sister, as Rhonda our daycare provider put it best, "It was as if Sofia was missing a limb." It was great to see my hubby and my other princess! I was emotionally and physically exhausted, and my wonderful husband took on full daddy duty to let me rest and sleep in. One of the best things was not to worry about cooking or what I was going to feed Anise. Aunt RoseAnne was so hospitable, and made some delicious meals...and discovered that both of my daughters love Cinnamom Toast Crunch...they cleared out her supply. Thanks Aunt Rosie and Uncle Leonard! I so appreciated it!

1st day at Aunt Rosie's and Uncle Leonard's

It was a handful to keep the girls from running and jumping, as they had missed each other so much! I felt pretty stressed that she would get hurt and wondered if all this activity would hinder Anise recovery. I was still overcome by the joy to see my hubby and Sofia,and knew that the best medicine for Anise was the presence of her sister.

Happy to be together-best friends

The other amenity that the girls loved were the wild turkey that live in AuntRosie's neighborhood.  They loved the turkeys!

Wild Turkey's, even on someone's roof!

The day after bandages off...tough.

Anise is up and down, she is happy one moment then the next she upset. Dr. Roberson said she she have mood swings based on the new sounds coming in through her new ear canal. We have been couped up in the hotel all day until I said we are going for a walk. We ended up driving 5 minutes to Stanford Shopping Center. I figured that I would spoil my little one with a Sprinkles cupcake and Pinkberry yogurt. She was so happy to be out and about, and I was even happier...yay!

Anise happy to be at Pinkberry's

Mommy and Anise at Pinkberry's.

Dr. Roberson-post surgery-out of order.

While waiting for the surgery to be over I was overcome by emotion, I couldn't believe that I was here waiting for the the doctor to come out and give the news.  I was anxious, nervous, and hopeful all at the same time. Dr. Roberson came in right after the surgery was over, he was very pleased of the outcome of the surgery, he explained some logistics of recovery, aftercare, and the outcome of her hearing. He was very caring and could see in my face that I was very relieved that everything was a success.  It validated and reassured me that it was all worth it.  Soon Anise would be coming out, and into my arms.

The man that made the magic happen-Dr.Roberson

Anise and Dr. Roberson

Anise happy to have bandages off: Before/After

Anise before bandages were taken off--Note: Happy

Anise is waiting for Dr. Roberson to take bandages off, she really wanted the headband as she called it to be taken off. We opted to go in and have the bandages removed by the doctor versus us taking them off at the hotel.  To be honest, I wasn't sure if my stomach could handle the unknown (of what was under the bandages....and I am glad I opted to go in for the doctors to do it! She was really excited. Probably the most excitement she had shown since the surgery.  Dr. Roberson and his medical assistants came in and really made it exciting for her.  Praising Anise on what a good patient she was, and as you can see in the picture above, she was bribed with a plethora of Tinkerbell and Princess stickers...always work...wink...wink.

Well, the happiness only lasted for a few minutes...as they were taking off the bandages, a little piece got stuck on her skin graft, and then (prepare your stomach) the blood came, and Anise when bazurk! She was wailing for about 15 minutes, and until then I had to hold her tight and my heart was aching for her!  At this point she became so paranoid for anyone touch her ear.  I politely asked everyone to leave as I felt that their presence was making her more upset.  Everyone left, and I tried to do what the doctor instructed me to do, which was put a bandage over the skin graft area on the back of her head.  After another 15 minutes, Anise finally let me do it, and it didn't come easy.  Up until now, this was most exhausting--emotionally...being able to explain to your 3 year old daughter that you will not do anything to hurt her...yet you have chosen surgery for her, and are putting her through this (again this is guilt part of me...I know it's for her own good).

Anise after bandages were taken off--Note: Angry

The day after.

Our hotel room has a dry erase wall, and she was having a blast with it!

Anise is good spirits, she is up and about. Woke up with an appetite.