Happy Birthday Sarah!!!!

Today is Sarah's actual Birthday. We had decided because of the timing of her surgery that we would have her party early so today is going to be a quiet day for everyone as we are still catching up on some much needed sleep. Sarah is still recovering extremely well but she does get tired so we are trying to keep her quiet.

Mommy thought that she still had to have a present on her Birthday so we popped over to WalMart and got this cute little car - Sarah really liked it and was using it even before it came out of the box.

She seemed to like it even better when it was out of the box and Mommy assembled it.

We also bought a small cake to have for desert tonight. Sarah felt that the cake should have been a little closer.

Sarah was much happier when the cake was on her tray - not to worry - she did share with Mommy and Daddy.

We're Home

We arrived home from Sick Kids Hospital today in the early afternoon. Sarah's surgery went very well on Tuesday. I was able to take her right into the operating room as she was upset and didn't want us to leave her. The operation was suppose to last anywhere between 3 to 4 hours. After 3 hours the operating room sent a message that the operation was going slowly but well - it ultimately lasted 5 hours. I can tell you that it was a very tiring 5 hours. The Sick Kids Hospital lived up to it's reputation about being all about the kids. The recovering room had us come in as soon as she woke up as she was upset and crying that Mommy and Daddy were not there. They let me hold her right away and she didn't want to let go so they let me carry her up to her room. The nursing staff is so compassionate and helpful. Sarah has recovered very well - the doctors and nurses were all very pleased on how well she was doing. We did end up staying an extra day as Sarah wasn't eating and drinking enough to go home. We had taken a hotel room but one parent is allowed to stay overnight in the room at the hospital - they have a cot built in for parents in the room. I stayed all night the first night - it was a long night for me as the staff comes in every hour to check the equipment and Sarah wanted to be held a lot while she slept. Having the hotel room was a blessing as it allowed Wes to get some sleep and I went back in the early afternoon to have a nap and have a shower. Wes stayed the 2nd night so I could catch up on some sleep but the 3rd night the hotel was booked so I stayed again and Wes went home on the GO train. Uncle Kevin offered to drive in to pick Wes up but visiting hours were only until 8:00pm and Wes wanted to stay later to help me out if Sarah had a difficult night - fortunately she didn't. Daddy came back early the next morning with the car. Again the staff at Sick Kids was wonderful. They were very pleased with Sarah's progress but before they discharged her they wanted to make sure Mommy and Daddy were comfortable with her post operative care. The nursing staff would help you with anything and always tried to be supportive and encouraging. I wanted to make sure I could bath her okay at home and the nurse popped in to make sure the bath was going okay and if I needed any help. They have arranged for Home Care to help us out and we have to go back in 10 days for more follow-up appointments. Sarah will need a 2nd surgery in 6 to 8 weeks. This was a very stressful and tiring time for all of us but we are so thankful that Sarah is doing so well - now it's time for everyone to try and catch up on some much needed sleep.

Sarah's Birthday Party

Sarah had a great Birthday Party. The gifts started to arrive early. Uncle Kevin came over at 8:00am to start assembling Sarah's present from Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Heather and Gavin. Sarah supervised the assembly very closely.

Here Sarah asked Uncle Kevin for detailed analysis of the slide and it's construction.The first test slide.

More discussions with Uncle Kevin.

And final approval - the new slide is a hit!

Sarah had to have a nap in the afternoon so she would be fresh for the party so everyone arrived later in the day. Daddy got Sarah a special Happy Birthday balloon which she loved.

Here, Bear and Millie are patiently awaiting the arrival of the guests.Uncle Greg arrived and performed his magic tricks for the Birthday Girl.

Sarah just loves playing with Kiley and they had a great time playing with some of her new toys.
It was a beautiful day which was very lucky for us since we had a full house of people at the party. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

Sarah, Aerilyn and Kiley seemed to really enjoy playing on Sarah's new slide

Sarah was very interested in Uncle Kevin's car shirt.

She even let Uncle Kevin help her with her dinner.

Aerilyn and Kiley were a big help when it came time to open Sarah's gifts.

Here Sarah is demonstrating how to work the book Auntie Nancy got her.

Sarah got lots of wonderful and beautiful gifts - a big thank you to everyone.

Sarah just loves her cars and Mommy was so happy to find a cake with a car on it that wasn't so boyish looking - mostly to make Daddy happy but still, this was a really cute cake.

Sarah got an early start on the cake before the lighting of the candle.

After all the festivities, everyone was able to just relax.

Thanks again to everyone for the making the day so special for Sarah.

Tomorrow we are heading into Toronto to spend the night so we don't have to travel on the day of Sarah's surgery. We will try and keep everyone posted on how Sarah is doing.