So little man is doing well after his big day.
Once we got home he has been a pill but who could blame him? It was a rather traumatic morning for him.
He keeps touching his tummy, so although there seems to be no real need for the dressing, we are keeping it there so he doesn’t rub or scratch it as it heals.
My Thursday Thirteen is all about his big adventure to Palo Alto and back.
It does not include any hospital pictures.
Sorry.
He has been at Packard Children’s a few times before to see his GI specialist and endocrinologist as well as a few lab tests so although this was a “happy” procedure, he was not a happy camper when we arrived. I am sure his hungry tummy didn’t help matters much either. Suffice it to say he kept mommy and daddy very busy while we waited his turn in the ambulatory surgery unit. The staff at Packard Children’s, as always, was awesome. Although I appreciate all that they have done for him and, a few years back, his sister, Zoë, I hope that I never have to cross their threshold again.
So here for your enjoyment are a few pictures of Daniel’s Palo Alto adventure for the Thursday Thirteen.
Enjoy!

1. Here we are at the Best Western in Redwood City, and, according to the hotel manager, just 2.3 miles north of Packard Children’s Hospital. Any hotel withing a 1 mile radius of the hospital and University campus was running 200-300 dollars more a night than the rate we were charged here. It seemed to be the place for patients and their families as I noticed some of the guests. The hotel itself was more than acceptable. The location? Well, across the street was a parking lot where the day laborers hang out waiting for jobs and watching hotel guests arrive. Around the corner were several porn shops and porn theaters. It certainly wasn’t uptown! But as Daniel surveyed the property it was clear that it would do for our purposes.

2. Greeting Dad, who met us after he got off work at the hotel. Even here, little man ran out to welcome and greet the conquering hero. Bill, of course, eats up this welcome he receives from his kids at this age.

3. Burning off a lot of pent up energy after a 3+ hour drive from home to Redwood City.

4. Daniel relaxing in his hotel room. While mommy got in a quick workout in the hotel gym (word of advice: avoid the steam room and sauna- they smell bad) and daddy showered, little man checked out his new Little Einsteins dvd. He gave it two thumbs up.

5. Among all the high-end shops and restaurants at the Stanford Shopping Center was McDonalds! Of course this is no ordinary McDonalds. Anyone remember the Big Mac tonight ads from the early 90s? Mac is still alive and kicking playing hits of the 80′s, 90′s and today on his baby grand player piano.

6. Even the chi-chi riche McDonalds has a playland complete with the required obnoxious, bratty child and his clueless, inattentive mother. Once they left, Daniel had the place to himself and had a blast!

7. All that high-end window shopping (Daniel especially enjoyed Tiffany’s even if dad didn’t) and pigeon chasing really makes a boy hungry. Thank goodness there are several Haagen Daz stores in Palo Alto including one at the Stanford Shopping Center.

8. OUCH! Ice cream headache!

9. Daniel gives his approval for his new jammies

10. Now mama did say no monkeys jumping on the bed, but c’mon…it’s a king sized hotel bed. You gotta jump!

11. ‘Twas the night before surgery…

12. Checking out the card that came with the balloon bouquet delivered shortly after we got back home. His best friend, Ryan and mommy sent the wonderful get well wishes. Little man had the biggest smile on his face as he proudly carried the ballons throughout the house.

13. Daniel’s tummy after the surgery. We changed the dressing tonight after his bath (sorry, no pictures) and it looks great with no leaking so far.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! I hope that you will play along and leave me a link to yours.
Check out these Thursday Thirteen players:
mommyof4 ~ mama B ~ chickadee ~ Shelli’s Sentiments ~ Ulsce ~ Write From Karen ~ Jeni’s Volcanic Sacrifices ~ Killired ~ Courtney ~ Chris ~ Suz ~ Mrs. Fun ~ WendyWings ~ Almost An Angel ~ mar ~ fefyfomanna ~ Novelist in Training ~ Insight to Lala’s world ~ The Purple Giraffe ~ Snickerdoodles ~ TheIdleReceptionist ~ Crib Ceiling ~ Broken Spirit ~ This Is A Test ~ :: d.challener roe :: ~ Owlhaven ~ Reflections of a Not So Ordinary Mom ~ Mental Excrements ~ My. . . ~ Lazy Daisy Log ~ My Lighter Side ~ The Moonjockey Lounge ~ Cheeky Lotus ~ All About Fun And Life ~ Enigmatic Life ~ Insanity Prevails ~ Almost Pure Perfection since 1970 ~ CraZedMoM ~ Gone to Plaid: The Blog ~ Walk ‘n Talk ~ TNchick.com ~ The Color Purple ~Reverberate ~I’m Just Sayin’ ~ Ask Daddy – Mommy is Off Duty ~ Is Your Room Clean? ~ Selfish Behind the Scenes ~ Katherine ~ Jaded Sunburns ~ Faithful Mommy ~ Mama Kelly’s Musings ~ YellowRose’s Garden ~ Pink Chihuahua Princess ~ Charley ~ Does She or Doesn’t She? ~ Shades of Pink ~ The Life and Times of Emma ~ The Last Page on the Net ~ …thanks for the memories ~ Daughter of Felicitas ~ Chronicles of an exhausted mom ~ The Ramblings of One Tired Mother ~ The Chaotic Home, flying through my crazy days. ~ Jen’s Horde ~ Nyasha’s Coffee Corner ~Scalzi’s way cool mom ~ Anna ~ Jenn ~ This Is Me