We love this girl!

We are so happy that she is feeling better and back to her playful self!

Martin Farm

Ansel and Siena Playing

The morning of Ansel's birthday:

We had crepes for breakfast and Ansel opened his gifts. Then we went to the hospital where Siena finished her last round of IV antibiotics and finally had her IV removed.

Siena, Day 3

Today Travis took Siena to the hospital for another round of IV antibiotics.

I joined them there after my appointment to extend my visa.

The IV seemed to be running pretty slow today. We were there for hours.

Siena hasn't eaten much for the past week. Today we got some Mickey D's. She actually ate all four of her chicken nuggets and was thrilled to have two Jewel birds from Rio. And they match Travis' shirt, what's not to love?

We have two days that now remain.

Back at the Hospital Today

Siena was such a trooper today. She had to get more IV antibiotics and, apparently, she needs to have more all week. We were disappointed to hear that. She can't even hold her cup with the shield that's on her hand. Every time the medical staff came into the room she started to get upset thinking about what they might do. She was pleased to send them away. Whenever they would leave, she said, "Bye" and waved at them.

It was difficult to pass the time. We had to distract her from her IV, so that she would keep her arm straight. She watched Curious George and Travis dancing around the room for awhile. Then in the last minutes, she managed to pull a number of items out of the diaper bag. In the above picture, she is hanging onto her diaper rash cream.

Hospital Experience and Siena Sick Again

Siena had fever for 3 days. The doctors weren't sure why. On Saturday, we spoke with the pediatrician and he told us we should start her on antibiotics because preliminary lab results indicated that she is likely to have another urinary tract infection, with pus cells in her urine. The doctor told me to potty train her right away because of her history of UTI and this possible new UTI. Her fever seemed to have gone away, but around 9pm after Ansel's party we called her pediatrician. We told him that she had only two wet diapers all day and her fever had returned at a whopping 103 degrees Fahrenheit. The doctor advised that she be seen to determine the degree of dehydration. She had not been drinking much water either.

We brought her into the hospital. We agreed that she seemed to be getting worse, so we had her admitted. They placed an IV. Thankfully when they put the IV into her hand, she only cried for a few minutes although it felt like an hour. Ansel had fallen asleep in the car, and woke up when he heard her crying. He said he didn't want Siena to get any "pokes" and wanted to be with her. Travis stayed by her side because I couldn't bear watching her get the IV.

Siena received IV fluids.

We are home from the hospital. Siena is doing much better. We praise God for his protection and thank Him for our friends who brought food to the hospital for our little girl and took Ansel from afternoon to evening so we could take care of Siena.

We had a pretty nice experience at the hospital. It was a very nice facility and we felt the care there was great.

The doctors are awaiting more test results to determine the cause of the fever and infection. She still has the IV so they can administer more IV antibiotics tomorrow.

Ansel's 4th Birthday

Ansel had a nice birthday party on Saturday on the rooftop terrace of our flat. He enjoyed playing with the kids he celebrated with. Most of the time was spent blowing bubbles, playing with bean bags, and riding around on the terrace. Here is our birthday boy, blowing out the candles:

Making Cupcakes

On Friday we baked chocolate cupcakes for Ansel's birthday party. Ansel really enjoys spending time in the kitchen. Here's our boy mixing the cupcake batter:

Bangalore Palace

Today's Conversation

Ansel: "Momma, where are the bananas?"

Me: "In the refrigerator."

Ansel: "Really? Which aisle?"

Me: "They are on the top shelf."

Ansel: "Oh, I couldn't see! Siena wants a banana too! (To Siena) Say please, baby!"

Siena: (To Ansel) "Peas!"

Ansel: (talking to Siena, pointing to me) "No, baby! The please is over there!"

Playing in a Tub of Rice

Ansel and Siena were so much fun to watch as they played in this tub of rice for hours. I love watching these two interact; it is even more fun as Siena grows older. She wants to be just like Ansel. They were throwing rice, laughing, and hugging each other. Precious times!

Bangles

Our housekeeper brought bangles for Siena. She enjoys wearing them and playing with them. Ansel has been putting them on her the past few mornings.

Bring On the Pomegranates!

Ansel and Siena's favorite fruit is pomegranates. They share one just about everyday. Our housekeeper, Jackline, recently showed me how she gets the seeds out. I used to dread serving up the delectable fruit, but that is a thing of the past. Bring on the pomegranates!

Beautiful Lalbagh Gardens

Update

My mom came back to India with us. We had a great time exploring with her and sight-seeing together. We got to spend about a month with her. We miss having her here. At night when Ansel goes to bed he still says how much he misses Mimi.

Shortly after my mom left, the kids and I got sick. We are still all battling coughs. It has been exhausting. We are thankful that we all seem to be on the mend.