Today was Pure Hell Wednesday, or the Day Belly Had Surgery on Both of Her Eyes. That little darling was so brave. I wasn't. We went to Baby Circus this morning as usual, but then we essentially dropped Buggy off at home where Nanni was waiting and we whisked Belly off to the hospital. Dude and I cuddled her in the waiting room until they called us back. We put her in this tiny hospital gown but got to leave her sparkly penguin socks on. The nurse gave her a little oral sedative so that she'd get loopy before being taken away from us (and thus she wouldn't care). She got a little silly, but nothing like what we'd been told would happen. I wish to hell that we'd insisted they wait longer to take her back. When we were told it was time, I carried her over to the door marked "Surgical Staff Only" and the anesthesiologist took her from me. Belly didn't cry but looked at me like, "Mommy? What's happening?" And they walked away. The doors closed. THAT'S when I started crying. Less than a minute later, someone walked through those doors and I could hear Belly screaming from somewhere around the corner. I wanted to throw up. Dude and I went to the waiting room.

Belly was taken back at 12:10p and we were told that it would take an hour and forty-five minutes. Starting at 1:45p, my head whipped around every time the door opened. 2p came and went. WHY WAS IT TAKING SO LONG? At 2:15p, the surgeon finally came out. He said that everything had gone well but then Belly had vomited at the end. The anesthesiologist was still with her and trying to make sure that she hadn't aspirated anything when that happened. They were giving her extra oxygen. We were basically told we shouldn't panic but that there was a possibility that she'd need a chest x-ray and be admitted to the hospital overnight. WHAT?! Oh, and we couldn't see her yet. Ten minutes later the anesthesiologist came to talk to us - Belly was fine. They'd let us back "soon." Dude and I essentially paced around until they called our names just before 3p.

Belly was sitting up and starting to look for us. I scooped her up. She fell back asleep on me. God, I love that little girl. They let us take her home about an hour later. She puked a bunch tonight as the anesthesia continued to wear off and her brain got used to what her new eyes are seeing. She's sleeping now. I'm hopeful tomorrow will be dry.

I should also mention that Buggy was phenomenal today. She spent six hours with Nanni - by far the longest she'd been away from the rest of her family - and she did just great! God, I love that little girl, too.