our day (longer than we wished)

An emergency newborn surgery pushed John Paul's surgery to 1:30.  That translated into a LOT of time to kill with an active hungry John Paul!  Mom and Isaac sneaked away to get some breakfast while John Paul and I took pics in the lobby. 

Then Mom came back and I took a secret snack break.  We figured that no food sightings were the way to go - no need to remind John Paul that he had not eaten since dinner the night before.  It helped tremendously that the entire OR area in that part of the hospital is food/drink free - signs everywhere saying "no food or drink - kids preparing for surgery". 

With a few hours still to go we wandered the premises and Isaac was such a gift - the perfect brother to run around with :) It was in the mid-40s around noon and the sunshine felt wonderful.

Finally we got called back - the anesthesiologist agreed with me that since we already had one traumatic leaving-for-the-OR experience under our belts we'd make this one as easy as possible.  I carried him into the OR and was with him until he was totally out.  Perfect. 

Back in the waiting area Mom and Isaac had a few purchases to share.  One balloon for each boy :) 

Isaac is pretty much the perfect child to have along for this kind of day.  He is mild-mannered, easy-going, fun-loving, often-content, and LOVES his role as big bro.  While we waited the final stretch Isaac entertained himself taking photos with my phone.

blue sky, American flag, Isaac's reflection in the glass

Mom and I walking a few laps up and down the halls

It wasn't long before they called me back to meet my grumpy, disoriented little boy :)  He woke up fast (but not happy) and we were gone within the hour.  Every step away from the hospital brightened his little spirits and by the time he was buckled in his seat and we were on the road home he was asking for a snack. 

The rest of the evening was relatively uneventful.  Until the Christmas tree fell over :)  Still not sure why it fell ... no children were involved.  Seriously.  All five of them were present, accounted for, and nowhere near the tree when it toppled. 

But fall it did.  The mess is cleaned up, the presents are drying out, the broken ornaments vacuumed (total damage minimal), and the tree anchored to the ceiling with twine. 

It won't fall again this Christmas!

[My Dad is the oldest of five boys and no stranger to attaching a tree to the ceiling.... his Mom always tied their tree to the ceiling.]