Uncle Karl Arrives

Today was the day before Daddy & Nanny go home, Daddy was all bright and breezy as we were so late back from shopping last night that he couldn’t be bothered to go to the Irish bar!

We decided to go to the St. Louis Arch & the Mississippi today. Libby was on good form, apart from an ‘ouch’ on every single movement that she made (as and when she remembered!), she was relatively pain free!! She still has a rash (although, no-one seems particularly bothered by it) and I wonder if it’s all the drugs she has had coming out? She also has a slightly swollen left foot which we will keep an eye on. It is obviously very painful for her to stand on her feet and it feels like we are back to square one, she is a dead weight trying to get her around but I am assured this is the norm.

We got to the Arch, which was spectacular and decided to go up it, however, you cannot take a wheelchair. Libby’s little face fell and the tears were about to fall until Daddy offered to carry her and she promised not to ‘ouch’ at every move. It wasn’t the easiest of trips and if you don’t like heights going up 630 feet in a claustrophobia pod, isn’t much fun - Daddy did really well and it wasn’t easy but Libby got to see St. Louis from a high. We then went on to the boat trip on the Mississippi, another 60 odd steps to get Libby down and then onto the boat and of course we want to be upstairs, outside on the top deck! Daddy earn’t some brownie points – finally!! A good day had by all, Ben and Libby spent some of their money on ‘junk’ in the souvenir shop (God, don’t you just hate the rubbish they insist on buying!), Ben was the photographer for the day and Libby said ‘Diva’s don’t smile’!!

We headed home and Daddy set off to buy the BBQ food for tonight and I went to pick Uncle Karl up from the airport, Sat Nav is great but when I was asked to ‘Circle’ the pick-up point, I politely headed off and ended up back on the motorway!! Anyway, that killed some time and by the time I got back to the airport and sussed out the circling Uncle Karl had arrived. I took him back to the apartment to meet a very excited Libby & Ben and then gave him 45 mins to shower and change before we headed off to meet all the other SDR families at the Residence Inn.

We had a lovely evening with all the other families, Dave thought he was gaining some more brownie points by cooking our food (and sinking a few more beers), whilst Libby & Ben had a smashing time with all the other children. It’s so lovely for Libby to spend time with other children going through the same as she is and also for Ben to let off some steam with the other brothers & sisters. A very successful night and we came home around 9pm and put the children straight to bed.

My third child, however, had other ideas, Uncle Karl hadn’t been to the ‘wonderful’ Irish Bar and how could he possibly go to bed on his first night here, jet lagged and desperately  in need of sleep, without paying a visit – so off they went. Oh, how Dave knows how to lose his brownie points - OHHHH Dave, Disappointed again !!!!!!!

Dave & Mum leave tomorrow – what am I going to talk about!!