We are scheduled to arrive at the Children's Hospital by 0600. Since we live an hour away and Lennon gets very car/motion sick we have opted to spend the night in Iowa City so that we are close to the hospital and can hopefully get some sleep. Not likely, but it's the thought that counts.
We pack up far more than we'll ever need, because we've been here, far too many times. We've even been here when it was unplanned and we had no idea what we'd wear until someone drove the hour home. Overpacking has become another skill of mine. List upon lists of the must haves and maybes the what ifs and needs.
We want this day to be special for her. A day to take her mind off of what's coming, and to be fair to distract us as well. We check into a hotel more of convenience than of luxury, but they have a pool and she's asked to go swimming, so swimming we shall. We head next door to Olive Garden to eat a late lunch/early dinner before embarking on our adventures of the day.
Lennon wants to make her birthday build-a-bear so that's our first stop. She chooses the light brown bear since her last birthday bear was a darker brown, gives her a quick upgrade so she sings happy birthday and sets off to stuff her. She ensures her bears heart is full of love, courage, snacks, playfulness, and makes her birthday wish before placing the confetti heart inside to be closed up. Cupcake is ready to join our family after donning a pink birthday shirt and denim shorts. She'll fit in nicely with the others, except cupcake won't be going home just yet, she'll be joining Lennon for surgery and a stay in the hospital.
She's convinced her daddy to take her into the Iowa Children's museum to play until they close. Never mind it's just her without her brothers, this fearless girl never fails to make/find friends wherever she goes. When it's time to go, we quickly realize Lennon's sweetheart Meier and his family are watching the hockey game happening at the rink right next to the children's museum. We can't not say hello.
It's funny the way life hands you people, the best people, and at the time you never realize how much you'll need them. Meier's mom, Gretchen, is one of those people. She first appeared in our lives when she taught our Auggie's preschool class, only for us to realize she had known my husband for years since they went to high school together. We became quick and easy friends, and this school year our sweet babes are in the same classroom and theyve become mad about each other. It melts my heart to see them together, to know the bond they have, and to receive so many sweet texts and videos of him sending his love and well wishes and miss yous to Lennon. Her heart picks good ones and Meier is the sweetest.
They ran to the Photo Booth to take some quick snap shots to remember their meeting up, and so they'd have some photos of each other while Lennon was away. We had no idea how long she'd be in the hospital and even upon discharge it's a road to recovery, but now she has memories of a day well spent.
I can only hope that as she lays her head down on her pillow her mind floods with all the fun she had, the people she met, the friends cheering her on, and not a moment is spent anxious filled. Let mama have that burden, you sleep easy my girl, for tomorrow we take our first steps
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