Christmas Collage

As much as I wished that we could be home for the holidays, our Christmas at Primary Children's was still lovely.  This sweet sign was made by Annika's Primary friends and teachers.  What a cheery sight to greet us!

This ice sculpture outside of the playroom was fun as well.  I suspect it got sculpted while we were in the ICU, but started to melt quickly given the warmer temps.

Giving gifts is just as fun as receiving them, so we made some snowflakes to share.  I was pretty proud of my snowmen and trees.

Even more impressive is Talia's creation.  Can you spot the stormtroopers?

Annika got an early Christmas present from the Ronald McDonald Room on Christmas Eve.  While the packages were wrapped, this one said "Pony" on the outside, so she knew it would be something that she would love.

Annie also loved the food we brought food back for her.

Spending time with family was just as much of a treat.  We were only allowed two visitors in her room at a time so we met in the lobby.

That evening Annika and I ate sushi for Christmas dinner while everyone else ate at the cabin.

Falling asleep on Christmas Eve is never easy, but traditions help.   We read Luke 2, the Night Before Christmas, and Jabez Dawes, just like we would at home.  Annika was a little distressed that we hadn't left cookies and milk for Santa, but I assured her that it would be okay.

December 25th.  Merry Christmas!

Santa filled our stockings and brought gifts for the entire family!  Thanks to the town of Fairfield, there were extra special surprises under our paper tree.  I still feel so humbled and grateful for all this love from people we've never met.

Squishmallows and sushi.  Someone knows our Annika!

Whatever could be in this package?

Talia was ecstatic about her Chucks.

Legos for the win as well!  Always.

Out of her many packages, I think Annika has been most excited about her ant farm.  After all, the doctors never told her that she couldn't have ants!

Rubiks cubes, Owala water bottes and art supplies.  What a great Christmas!

We slipped away from our room for a little while to listen to the beautiful Christmas caroling.  This family is amazing.  They work in the School Zone and provide the music for Primary Children's sacrament service every week.  Plus, they provide expert advice on 3D printing as well.  

Santa stopped by as well.

Best of all, the Wheelers came that evening so that we could enjoy Christmas dinner and open presents together.  Annie was so very happy to see Ruby again!

Naturally there was pie--all the pies!

We didn't take any group pictures since we were trying to social distance but Justin, Brianna, Ruby, Violet, Christy, Ben, Lance, Austin, Charles, and Susie were all there.

Amazing look, Eli!  The ski tie suits you particularly well.  

December 26-27th.  I don't have very many pictures from our final days at Primary Children's.  I was mostly focused on moving on and getting home.  I did snap this photo of our first time filling Annika's pillbox.  That's a lot of medicine!

Child Life brought by this delightful Little Mermaid Lego set.  I think I was even more charmed than Annie.

Annika had her first post-transplant biopsy and catheterization.  She handled it beautifully and everything looked great with heart. Annie enjoyed breaking up with her IV pole Steven as well.  Theirs was a close relationship, but thankfully it didn't last long.

Saturday, December 28th.  Annika walks out of Primary Children's Hospital at noon, just 26 days after walking in.  While an outsider might think that she looks the same, inside she is very much changed.

As she left, she carried a tiny poinsettia that she rescued.  When she first found the abandoned plant, its leaves were all wilted and drooping.  As she brought it into her room, the nurse commented on how she wasn't sure that it could survive.  Well, Annika watered that little plant, placed it by the window, and named it Hope.  By the time we left, Hope was thriving...

...and Annika was too.

Whether your holidays were challenging and fraught or shining and bright, we wish you Hope to light your way into the New Year.  Merry Christmas.