Braden's Surgery and Fun Visitors.

Braden's strabismus (lazy eye) surgery was scheduled for December 21st. We got up bright and early. Brielle stayed home with my brother. I'm so grateful he is here and he is able to help us out when we need him. We got there and everything went as we had anticipated. Everyone was so nice and friendly which helped my nerves.

Waiting to go to the O.R....killing some time playing with the ipod.

...still waiting...

I HAD to take a shot of Braden's cute little bum in his hospital gown...

I got (it's not an exciting "got" but instead a dreaded "got") to go in with him before they put him under the anesthesia. He was really sad and was clinging to me with all of his might and strength! I had to force him to lay down and then the anesthesiologist grabbed his little head and put on the mask with the anesthesia. In less than half a minute he was out! My poor little guy!

The surgery took less than an hour. They called us in to come see him, at first he was still mellow, trying to wake up from the anesthesia...we thought, "oh this isn't too bad..." but we spoke too soon...within a few minutes he was INCREDIBLY upset! He was screaming bloody murder!...he kept rubbing his eyes and was trying to rip his IV out! We finally decided that it was the IV that was making him so upset...after the nurse took it out he calmed down...but it was quite intense there for a while.

We got to come home right away. His little eyes were VERY sensitive to light, they were red and had a little bruising right at the bottom...he just wanted to be held and loved...

...and he wanted ice cream. Scott wrapped a scarf around his little eyes and he was able to enjoy his ice cream cone!

The doctor told us his eyes would be blood shot for a few weeks...I guess I didn't realize how bad it was really going to be...but other than that, he was back to being his old little self in just a few hours with the exception of the lights. We had to keep them dim for the rest of the day.

Later that day, our good friends Jonathan and Daija with their little boy Bridger came to visit us. They stayed with us for a couple of days. It was sure nice to see them and spend time together talking, eating and playing games (our favorite thing to do whenever we get a chance to hang out with them). I think this visit the girls kicked some guy trash! Daija and I won at Canasta and I won at Settlers! It's always a joy when we can be winners!:)

On Tuesday, we all headed to the U.S. Botanic Garden in D.C. I love going there because there is beauty everywhere you turn!

There was an awesome exhibit when we went. Everything in the exhibit was made of plant-based natural materials...and it has little trains everywhere going around. Of course, Braden LOVED it!

Look! A choo-choo train!

There it comes again...choo-choo...

It amazes me what people can create with their hands! This whole place was just incredible!

All made from plant-based materials...crazy!

So much beauty everywhere! Every single flower or plant at the Botanic Garden looks as perfect as this one!

Bridger...just yummy!

It was so fun to see Jon and Daij.

Thanks for coming to play with us guys! We had a great time!

Never a dull moment in Brielle's life...therefore never a dull moment in the life of anyone in Brielle's family.

Cute little family.

I'm telling you...never a dull moment...

Throwing snowballs outside of the Botanic Garden.

...and can I say BEAUTIFUL! The U.S. Capitol Building is so aesthetically pleasing!

I'm not looking forward to the day when we have to move away from this beautiful place...it's will certainly be a very sad day. It's a good thing we aren't moving any time soon...:)