Common sense for driving in snow

I know a lot of you are worried about us driving around in snow and ice conditions, but I'll have you know I did some research and it confirmed what I already thought; just use common sense.

The first rule of driving in snow and ice is simple: The less time you spend out in ice and snow conditions, the safer you are.
Drive faster to reduce your risk, otherwise you'll just be spinning your wheels.

The second rule is brake like you mean it:
Applying the brake firmly and quickly let's it know you mean business. The snow and ice won't have a chance to stop you.

Yes, yes. The puns are terrible, so be glad I couldn't think of any more.

You might get a charge out of this

Zelie had her ETV procedure yesterday and it went perfect.

She's doing so good that she'll be discharged TOMORROW!

What's in a name?

So I know several people want to know more about Zelie's name. So here it goes.

What does it mean?

It is a variation of French for 'solemn'.

Why did we pick it?

That is a loaded question, so I'll just say we are really fascinated by this particular Saint. Marie-Azelie Guerin Martin is a fascinating individual, who was very influential in the lives of her daughters who all became nuns (some became Saints). She originally wanted to become a nun herself, but was turned away due to medical reasons. Zelie became a lacemaker and prayed to God for children so that they could be consecrated to Him.Wow. I mean, just wow. We can't help but marvel at the impact of her life and devotion.

Not a Private Room

I see that Daddy has been keeping everyone up to date on the medical front.  There really isn't any more to tell in that regard.  We are still waiting for Tuesday and surgery and hopeful that those things will bring our hospital stay to an end.  More on that as we know it.

In the meantime, there is something else I wanted to share.  The floor of the hospital on which we are staying is in the throes of moving.  Soon they will be in a shiny new wing, every room will be private and there will be proper beds for moms or dads, rather than the current cots of chain link fencing.  God willing, we will not be there to see it.

As it is now, most of the rooms are shared.  And, when the room is not private, neither are the worries and stories of the folks inside.  That has been a little hard.  Not because we worry what others may think or know about us, but because we begin to know them and to feel the weight of their struggles added to our own as they crowd into the corners and pathways of the one small room we both occupy.

In this Advent, this season of waiting, we have been waiting in a way that has before now has been unknown to us.  Before now the season of Advent has been one of reflection of preparation by meditation and self chosen penance.  This year there has been only the hard, numbing slog of actual, physical waiting.  A waiting that often closes the door on meditation and such like, insisting on its own course. In that, the waiting, we have found ourselves waiting, not alone, but with every other family that has shared the room.  There have been several.

Their stories are not mine to share, but as you prepare hearts and homes for Christmas this year I hope you will share some of the generosity that you have showered on us with those whose burdens have become mingled with our own.  The Louds, and the Twins, little Madison and Jacob and Mr. Scissors.  Some of them, most of them, have gone home now, though I doubt they are fully recovered.  Some remain on the floor.   When you stop to think of us, to pray for us, please spare a thought or word for them and pray that we will be able to shine some of the light of your love on those around us.

Holy Lasers, Batman!

Lasers indeed. Zelie is part of a little study that is using light to measure blood oxygen levels in her head similar to the one on her foot, but as part of a bigger study to see if they can correlate that to other aspects of health. We won't get any results, but are simply allowing them to take measurements. It's a harmless process, but I'm excited to see that they're working on ways to provide non-invasive measurements using optics.

Orthopedics came by and evaluated Zelie; they were happy with her and said she wouldn't need to see them again.

J went to the aquarium today for a fun little outing. Everyone else is doing great and getting ready for the snow.

So that's how you pronounce Norfolk

The GPS has a funny way of putting things. It would have been more interesting if it were Norfolking way instead of Norfolk street. I think Louis Pasteur rolls over in his grave when the GPS says Lewis Pastor Avenue. Clear skies and sunny for a few days, but that's just because it is too cold to support cloud cover. All is well in the general day to day of Boston. Interesting points to note are random 3-point turns, statues of pears and fishes randomly placed, jumbo-jets flying above, and discovering all of the different styles of the north face jackets available (and our lack of that marks us as outsiders). Little miss Z is doing great. Position restrictions are removed. Urology has totally signed off to leave her alone for 6 months. Ultrasound today went fine -- Neurology is reviewing it now. Ever try getting ultrasound goop out of so much hair? Nevermind, don't answer. Head circumference is up slightly -- still looking at surgery Tuesday. I stayed overnight with her here last night and it was not too eventful -- she only wakes up like 3 times and the nurses were at her side before I could get up. Also, when I returned for the night, I had to once again pry the baby away from the nurse's station. She's Queen Zelie to them. Mrs. K is recovering nicely. Not too much to say here other than she is being a good girl and following her Doc's orders.

So, um, where's our baby?

Don't let the title scare you. She is in hand and doing well.

Mrs. K and I got here she was not in the room and blue portable phone that nurses carry was on the bed. A quick call determined that her nurse had her and was just holding her. The conversation went like this:

N: How can I help you? D: Just needed to see the nurse. N: What for? S: We're looking for our baby and we have milk that needs to go in the fridge. N: Oh. We've got her up here. We'll be right down.

Ms. Z has charmed the staff and is getting some extra attention and care... her lungs work in her favor -- she's a little opera singer.

Zelie popped a few stitches and that is being seen to right now. Neurology is taking care of it and said this normally happens right about now... another reason that they keep us here. Position restrictions to tummy and side laying are back on for now.

Everyone else is doing well.