Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It may have been because my expectations were kind of low, but despite not being able to travel back home for Christmas, we had a good day. We were fortunate that this year, for the first time, the Ronald McDonald House in Ottawa was open over the holidays. Apparently, they usually kick everyone out on December 23rd. They close for the week and clean and renovate the house. Staying at the house allowed the four of us to spend time together for the first time since Victoria was home back in November. Victoria has been feeling well and was given 4 short passes to come over to the house. She had to go back to the hospital for her IV antibiotics every four hours. She was really looking forward to seeing Jake. When Jeff showed up with Jake on Christmas Eve she was thrilled. She grabbed his hand and practically ran to the playroom with me close behind chasing her with her IV pole! From that moment she also became very chatty and hasn't stopped talking since.

The Ronald McDonald house is very nice. It is very comfortable and was beautifully decorated for the holidays. There are 14 guest rooms, a very large kitchen for everyone to share, a few living rooms and sitting areas, a dinning area, playroom and library. Upstairs there is a game room and exercise facilities which are under renovation. The kids had a fun time. Victoria was so happy to be with everyone but she made it very clear that she did not want to sleep there ( she wasn't even allowed ). She said she wanted to go sleep in her bed at her hospital. When I said I was bringing Jake home, she said she did not want to go home and kept pointing to her port! Either she is really starting to like the place or understands that she needs to stay at the hospital.

CHEO did a lot of nice things for the holiday. They brought in a decorated and lite tree for her room, she received gifts from everyone she saw and painted wooden ornaments. Because she left the hospital fairly early on Christmas morning, she missed Santa's visit. When she returned that afternoon, there was a picture of Santa standing beside her name on the door as proof he had been here, and a CHEO teddy bear wearing a little striped hospital gown.

On Christmas morning, we ate a relaxing breakfast and the kids spent some time playing in the playroom. It was nice because they didn't really remember what goes on on Christmas morning so for last time, until they will be much older, we had a chance to have a coffee before the madness began. Then the kids opened their gifts in our room at the house. Auntie Lisa and Uncle Mitchell drove down to spend some time with us on Christmas day. Together, we all got to enjoy a yummy lunch and hang out. Tina and Randy also paid us a nice visit. The kids opened more gifts from everyone and we basically just hung out until Tori had to head back to the hospital. She was granted one more pass that evening. She came back to enjoy a big turkey dinner that the volunteers had prepared for all of the guests of the house.

The Christmas tree in her room

Jake thinks Victoria's suitcase is his so he pulled it for her :)

Jake fighting nap time

Victoria received a giant version of our original sock monkey, Victor. For now we just call him Big Victor. He is awesome!

Big Victor gets a piggyback ride

Selfie with Auntie Lisa and Big Victor

Victoria's hair was really getting sparse. We finally gave her a big chop. Now she has hair just like Daddy and she doesn't mind one bit. 

Jake enjoying some time in our room at the Ronald McDonald house

Enjoying part of the play area

Waiting for their gifts :)