WHAT A GREAT DAY

Today, we had a CHEO day, CHEO being our local children hospital. Ever since Emma can walk, CHEO days were always very tiring. Emma would run away, she would escape, she would fuss, she would do the noodle on the floor, she would not cooperate with most of the staff. It seems like I was the only adult running around and not in control... Whenever we came out of there I was always exhausted.

Sometimes I would notice other children with Downs sitting with their mom, reading a book. I would always wonder if Emma would ever be that way; not really believing that it would ever happen.

Some parents would smile at my running around and tell me: my child used to do these things too...

Well, guess what? Today was a wonderful day. Amy and I took Emma to CHEO an hour before her appointment. Emma had some bloodwork that needed to be done. At the lab, Emma could hear a baby crying and she kept saying: sad. Yes, that baby was sad. She also had a chat with another baby while his mom was nursing him. Then came Emma's turn. Of course, they have to be 2 to handle us... Emma found out why that baby was sad before... Then she said: Thank you and Bye.

A trip to the bathroom, on the toilet, thank you very much. No changing diapers on a tiny counter when your child weighs 50 pounds.

We now had a little bit of time, so we went to eat a chip at the small restaurant. Again, Emma acted so grown up. She waited in line to pay. She sat and chatted with us while we all ate. Then we were off to meet the anestesist. I let go of her hand and, wow, Emma just walked along beside us. No running, no escaping... Could it be? The doctor made her take deep breaths 3 times and Emma did exactly that. Again, once done, Emma said Thank you and Bye.

Then we headed for the x-ray lab. We had to take pictures of Emma's neck. She was not too happy at first, but I told her all these guys would do is take her picture. So, come on Emma, put your hands on your lap, look down, don't move, and... say cheese! It worked perfectly: 3 pictures in all. Again, thank you and Bye!!!

We walked, not ran, all the way out of the hospital. NOBODY WAS TIRED. All in all, we had a great day.

I thought, Wow our turn has finally come. Emma is a big girl now. So if you have little ones running away, escaping, doing the noodle, do not fret, one day your turn shall come too!!!