Saturday, September 25, 2010

Pediatric Cardiology Reunion Picnic!

I love September!  Although the weather in Virginia has been more like July - September always brings the Fairfax Children's Hospital Pediatric Cardiology Reunion Picnic.  This was my second picnic.  The surgeons and cardiologists who did my surgery are there, and lots of kids who have had heart surgery at some point in their life.  It's a good chance for the doctors who don't see me that much anymore to check out how good looking I've become, thanks (in large part) to their handiwork.  And it's fun to play with my friend Taylor.  Taylor and I first "met" when we were roommates in the hospital.  She's a month younger than I; I was there recovering from my surgery, and she was coming in to get ready to have hers.  Although she was in her crib on one side and I was in my crib on my side, our parents became good friends.  Then Taylor and I were able to start playing together when we got out of the hospital.

Thanks to all those doctors and nurses - Taylor and I are "SO BIG"!

The picnic is held at that same cool playground Tucker and I went to this summer.  After we ate some food and caught up with a lot of the doctors - (all of whom were happy to see me - and all of whom said they hope to NOT see me again anytime soon!!) - we went off to play.

Who's out there??

Peek-A-Boo!!

Dad took me for a ride on the tire.

And Mom took me on my very first Merry-Go-Round ride!   The jury is still out on my feelings about the merry-go-round.  Some minutes Mom thought it looked like I was having fun - other minutes it looked like I wasn't so sure.  But, seriously, people... what kind of horse is painted pink and goes up and down and round and round?  That's just weird.  Wouldn't you have to debate it?

Dad wanted me to wave at him - but that meant taking my hand of the only sturdy part of this whole contraption.  Who comes up with these stupid ideas??

Taylor and I were a little sad to say goodbye... but we'll see each other again in a few weeks!  In October the hospital has a race - the Star Kid 8K/ 2K Family Fun Run - to raise money to help them buy great equipment and other such things.  Last year they bought a new heart and lung bypass machine (that I am hoping to never use!  I used their old one, though!!) with the proceeds from the race.  My dad has to be out of town that weekend, so this year, I'm running with mom!  There are two plans currently in the works: 
Plan A:  (aka: Mom's plan) I learn how to walk by the day of the race (10/10/10) and I carry my own weight through the thing.
Plan B: (aka: My plan) I lounge in my stroller like a princess attracting attention and waving to my fans while mom huffs it with an additional 25 lbs.  Sometimes, I like to take a nap while she goes - just to add insult to injury.

Who do you think will win?  Seriously - you're nuts if you even CONSIDERED mom would win.  Perhaps you haven't read enough of my blog.  Abby wins.  Every time.  All the time.  Duh.

We'd love to have you come out and join us!    If you'd like to sign up or support the cause you can visit my page.


Happy Fall Everyone!!