We are so relieved today to have made it through Aliza's surgery. We are so grateful that everything went well and our little one is feeling better today. For those of you who were asking questions, Aliza had a small surgery to remove a epigastric hernia. It really wasn't a huge deal but to all the moms out there you know that whenever it's your child it's a big deal. I didn't realize how stressed I was about it and how obvious it was until after the surgery. Micah and I were laughing last night about all the phone calls making sure I was okay. When we got to Primary Children's Monday morning Aliza of course was very hungry. An hour later when they finally called us back to prep her for the surgery I think she could tell something was up because she just screamed. They had to give her a quick acting sedative before they even took her back to the OR. We had to leave her screaming which didn't help the situation.
This is Aliza one minute before the next picture.
Is that fast working stuff or what? That sedative kicked in so fast. The poor little thing. When we were in the waiting room Aliza became very attached with this Elmo coloring book. We couldn't get it away from her. Needless to say when she came to her first word was Elmo. That tells you where we stand. We even had to bring it home with us. I promise we will replace it when we go back next week for her follow up appointment.
In the recovery room all of the nurses were laughing at her relaxed pose. She kept putting her hand behind her head like she was sitting on the beach. They had to keep her other hand covered because she wanted to rip out her IV whenever she got a glimpse at it.
We made it through and are so grateful that we have healthy children. After being in the hospital for pretty much the whole day it sure makes you think about how lucky we are to be healthy and well. Aliza is doing amazingly well today. In fact I expected her to just want to sit around all day taking it easy, but no way. She has been running around trying to keep up with her sisters. Every once in a while she will stop and say "owie," but it's not slowing her down much at all. We are glad to have this all behind us.
We started out our Christmas at a great Christmas Eve party at Micah's parents home. Every year this is my favorite time because the kids are so full of excitement. The anticipation is almost too much for them to bare. We play games, eat, eat, and eat some more. Then the evening always ends with one last sit on Santa's lap for any last requests. I love it when the kids come up with something totally random that they must have just thought of. It happens every year and makes for a good laugh. We always leave their house in new jammies and a fun Christmas Eve present from Santa.
This is the first year that Abbie had no hesitation to sit on his lap. She would do it in years past but would never sing with Santa or really have a conversation with him. This year on the way to the party she was really concerned that she would not get to ring his bells and sing a song with him. Luckily her wish came true. 
Avery is our very shy little girl. This is where she was all night to insure that she wouldn't have to sit on his lap. I was informed to tell him she wants a roll over puppy, but to please not make her sit on his lap. She was attached to me until Santa left.
Aliza really surprised us by sitting on his lap without screaming. Afterward Micah informed me that he kept telling her that he had a present. That must have been the key. Avery has learned from past years that you still get the present no matter what. Aliza hasn't learned that yet. She looked terrified the entire time. I always laugh when we head to the mall to see Santa each year and there is always a few screaming kids. Why do we do this to our kids?
Christmas morning was so much fun. Luckily the girls didn't get up too early and everyone seemed pleased with Santa's picking of toys. Aliza would just ooh and ahh over each gift she unwrapped. She would have to get it out of the package and play with it before she would move on to the next. Abbie wrote Santa a letter which she had asked for a bell from Santa's sleigh. He responded back telling her that she couldn't have a bell because it would throw the balance off on his sleigh. She was really disappointed. (I would love to talk to the Santa writers if anyone knows them). After all the trauma he did leave her a special bell from his sleigh. Both sets of Grandparents made a visit that morning and then we were off to visit family for the rest of the day. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.
