We're here and we're ready!

It's been a loooong day, so I will try and keep this short. (I know you all are laughing thinking...."sure you are!" :)

I brought my laptop and have taken adorable pictures of Kai and the surroundings, but unfortunately, we do not have internet access in our room. They do have a computer that is hardwired, but no USB ports or way for me to download pics. But, I'm glad I have the opportunity to at least post. Maybe things will be different at the hospital tomorrow.

So....here goes. Well, I want to first say THANK YOU.....THANK YOU....THANK YOU to all of you that have taken the time to write emails and comments and offering up prayers for our little man. You have no idea how much it means to us.

I awoke this morning at 4:30 am when the phone rang. It was a wrong number (after I walked to the kitchen to answer, half scared out of my mind!). I was pretty ticked. I went back to bed and about 2 minutes later, the phone rang again. You'd think I would have brought the phone to my room, but who the hec would think you'd get TWO phone calls at 4:30 a.m. It was the same wrong number. By that time, I couldn't go back to sleep, so by day began then. Needless to say, by now, I'm exhausted.

We got the kids ready, finished last minute packing, dropped everyone off with my sister and Mom and headed to Orlando. Before I continue, I just have to say to both my sister and Mom that both Scott and I are so incredibly grateful and blessed to have you. I don't know what we'd do without our amazing family and the support you give us. You are all priceless to us!!!!

Back to the journey. We arrived in Orlando about 45 minutes before Kai's scheduled pre-op appointment with the surgeon, so we headed straight to the Ronald McDonald house. I can't emphasize enough to you guys that when you have some spare change as you are at McDonald's, please drop it in that little plexiglass container they have by the registers or the drive-thru window. Not only has the amenities been AMAZING, but the support and lack of stressing about paying for hotels is something that we cannot thank them enough for. What a great organization!

After we settled in, we walked over to the doctor's office, which is only 1 block away from the hospital and the RM House. He was charming as ever and treated us as he usually does, like family. He spent over an hour with us going over all of the details of the surgery, including all of the scary complications I had discussed in this post.

When we were finished there, we walked over to the hospital to pre-register and for Kai to have some lab work done, which we weren't expecting. I have to say that this little guy asked me about 20 times today, "No shot?" every time I said we were going to the doctor. I kept reiterating, "No, Kai. No shot." Well, WRONG! When we arrived they sent us to draw blood. I guess technically it's not a shot, but tell him that. The screams made the floor tremble. The nurses were amazing with him though. We eventually got over it with the incentive of going by the "candy basket" that they have in the lobby of the RM House.

The nurses assured me that tomorrow morning when we arrive (6 a.m. for 7:30 surgery time), there will be no needles until AFTER he is asleep. We will be allowed to be with him until the Versed (relaxing cocktail) is given to him, along with some Tylenol and when he is relaxed and loopy enough, he will be taken to the operating room. The surgery should last approximately 2.5 hours.

Gosh, how I wish I could share pictures. If I find a way, you know I will....so don't give up hope. :)

Otherwise, we are doing great. Exhausted but great.

Anna Grace has spoken to me a few times today and her Ayi has reassured her that "Mommy comes back". I, too, have reminded her with each phone call. She was so darn cute when I left her. I knelt before her and told her that Mommy and Daddy are taking Kai to the doctor and that she was sleeping at Ayi's house, and to remember that Mommy always comes back.
Well, she'd repeated everything I said over and over, but I could tell that she had no clue of what I was saying.

AJ on the other hand was his happy-go-lucky self. He spent all of last night without a fever and feeling back to normal. Thank you, Jesus!!! That really had me so worried. I miss my babies already, but I know they are in great hands.

Kai is all tucked in and sound asleep now. Poor little guy has no clue what he's in for. Scott is bummed he has no internet in the room, but he's so tired that I don't think he'd make it too long on the computer anyways, and I am heading to bed.

Again, thank you ALL so much for your prayers, love and support!! You humble me and give me strength. God bless and I will try and post sometime tomorrow if I can get my laptop to work at the hospital.

PS. Since I really can't keep my eyes open much longer, there are a few emails/comments I want to respond to quickly.

Aus & Marie - Congrats on that TA! I can't wait to see Braelyn in your arms.

Charlotte - God speed my dear friend. Now you can start counting hours till you hold Rachael instead of days.

Sara W. - I received your last email. THANK YOU for the reminder about not letting Kai drink from a straw. I had forgotten! Oh! And I asked about giving him Tylenol w/codeine instead of the morphine, no problem!!

Becky N. - Lord knows I need a vacation and NYC sounds wonderful, especially at Christmas....but alas, I don't think it's happening. So, for now, I'll continue to dream about my "White Christmas".

Yvonne - I feel your prayers, my friend. I love you!

Again to everyone....THANK YOU so much for your love, support and prayers. I can't say it enough.

Ily & Mom, thank you for taking care of our babies. Please give them big kisses and remind them how much we love them and that "Mommy comes back!!!!!"

Amanda, Adam & Tito - I LOVE YOU GUYS AS MUCH AS THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD....AND BACK AGAIN!!! MMMWAAAHHH!!!! Remember to pray for your baby brother, especially tomorrow morning.