Another couple days on the books...

Monday afternoon after our appointment, we made a brief stop at Jacob's favorite spot in the hospital, and then we were on our way.

We took the T just one stop away to Fenway.  We walked around a bit around the stadium, and looked in the pro shop.

We had planned on going to a game this trip, but I messed up and thought they played Monday night, but Sunday was actually the last home game for a bit.  I was really disappointed but I'm sure we'll be back another time, and will have to be sure to watch the Sox play.  MLB is the only sport I really have no investment in, as far as fanhood goes.  I am committed in both College and Pro football and basketball, but never have cared much about MLB either way.  I love sports though, and we owe much to the city of Boston, so I figure the least I can do is become a Sox fan.  So I'm on the bandwagon, but for noble reasons I feel!  Anyways, by the time we made it back, we were exhausted. Lucky for us there is a tiny little Italian place 2 blocks from our place, that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  So we stopped and got a couple of pizzas for dinner.

Tuesday morning began quickly for Jake and I.  We made our way (during rush hour mind you) on the train across the city to the hospital for his preop testing appointment.  It wasn't much to speak of, just the usual preop physical and what to expect for anesthesia.  Jacob is an old pro at this, so we got through it without a hitch.  Jacob said Hi to his fish friends in the tank at the preop area, and we made the rounds with nurse, practitioner, anesthesia, and admitting.  Then we were on our way out. 

We left the hospital and took the train back across town to meet up with the rest of our party at the New England Aquarium.  We made our way in to immediately check out the penguins.  They have 4 species of penguins there which is really cool. 

Unique from our aquarium they have several species of seals, which the kids thought was awesome. They even had 2 seal pups, one that they rescued, and one born in house.  Both were so cute!

We made our way throughout, especially enjoying the petting tank, with horseshoe crabs and starfish.

Afterwards we walked a couple blocks to Fenuil Hall and the Quincy Market.  We shopped around a bit, and had some dinner, watched some street performers, and went home.  

Today we spent the morning at "home" relaxing.  The little boys actually got a nap on their normal schedule for the first time in a week!  After all we've done this past week, it was nice to just do nothing and hang out for a bit.  Once the boys were up, we headed out for one last fun outing before Jacob's surgery tomorrow.  We went back downtown to the Boston Common, and went for a swim in the frog pond.  It is really a cool spot to play.  The frog pond is where the ice skating rink is in the winter, but in the summer it is a huge wading pool and fountain. There is also a big playground right next to it.   Like the adjacent Boston Public Garden, it is right in the middle of the city.  

We had such a great time watching them play together.  They swam and wrestled, raced and played.

It truly was the highlight of the trip for me...so far!  How full our days have been.  We have seen and done so many things together.  I so prayed this would be a real vacation for all of the kids and for us, and it truly has been.  I could not have asked for any more.  I love the city of Boston, and am so thankful to have had this time to explore it with my whole family.  What a week we have had.  Well, it is back to reality tomorrow, with Jacob's surgery scheduled for 7:30 am.  We have to be at the hospital at 6:30, and with the commute, we will really be up early.  Please pray for all the kids as tomorrow is sure to be a long day.  Especially pray for Jacob, of course.  Pray for his anesthesia team, that they will work diligently and creatively to get him to sleep as least frightening for him as possible. Pray for the doctors hands as they work, and for Jacob's recovery to be as quick and pain free as possible. Pray for David and I to be all we need to be for each of our kids, as we navigate the day, and night as well, with Luke and I separated, which is a challenge.  Even with our minds so focused in on all that is going on with Jake, pray we will stay attuned to the other kids' needs.  I pray we will trust God with the health and safety of our boy, as the doctors work to keep him healthy.  Thank you all who hold thought or prayer for us tomorrow.  I am ever thankful for all of you who are continuing to follow our journey with Jacob, and rejoice with us in "Today's Miracle", as we have certainly had a week full of them.