Pa's Pumpkin Patch

On Tuesday afternoon, we took the kids to "Pa's Pumpkin Patch" in Long Beach. Aside from sitting in her chair for about 90 minutes at a birthday party last Saturday, it was Gracie's first big outing since being discharged from the hospital. It's not too far from our house... and is on the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street... so it is a "patch" of parking lot! But, the kids loved it. And, because of that, so did we! It is strange, though, to hear traffic from PCH and literally smell the salt water while picking out a pumpkin!

When Gracie was discharged last Thursday, they said she could resume all normal activity. I chose to keep her home, let her build some strength and, as I mentioned in a previous post, allowed myself to get us into a routine with her new marathon of treatments. As many of you know from facebook, Gracie went back to school Wednesday, had a good day and then spiked a low-grade fever that evening. During the night, her fever persisted and her secretions increased with a vengeance. The likelihood that this development is "bacterial" in nature is slim... she is on two heavy-duty, broad spectrum antibiotics. Her labs taken on Tuesday afternoon looked improved from discharge, so that is also a good sign, however, the labs weren't ordered to look for any fungal issues (like the yeast she developed in her PICC line over the summer) which are always a possibility when on antibiotics so much and for so long. Thankfully, we have a scheduled appointment with Pulmonology (our third appointment of the week) today (Friday), so we can get a better handle on what the deal is... I hope.

We almost decided not to go to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday - - we were going to wait until Thursday. I'm so very glad that we seized the moment and enjoyed that very small space between.

I took a ridiculous amount of pictures... and so many turned out cute that I had a hard time choosing just a few for the blog. So... enjoy the slideshow!

I have to mention a few highlights that aren't captured in photos (so I don't forget!)...

- Gracie, upon seeing the sea of pumpkins as we entered the gate, signed, independently... "Jack-o-lantern." And, while they were still very much "pumpkins," I was floored and so very proud. We had told her we were going to the pumpkin patch, we had never once signed "Jack-o-lantern."

- Preston, was terrified of the man who ran the little train ride... he had a long, Santa-like beard, with a spider dangling from it. Preston could barely look at him to say thank you for the ride. Let's just hope, for the sake of the Christmas tree patrons, he removes is eight-legged friend come November.

- Gracie was signing up a storm in the petting zoo, mostly prompted, but after we'd been in there a bit, several were unprompted and correct!

- Preston loved the House of Mirrors. LOVED. Gracie and I stayed outside and I heard this terrifying "thud," which I thought for sure was going to be followed by crying and a bloody nose, but instead, the most infectious laughter erupted. John and Preston rounded the corner inside and I could see them... both of my boys, giggling like crazy. Then, bam! It happened again. More giggling! When they finally made it out, we all cheered for joy (for the fun and no broken noses!) and Preston wanted to go right back in!