Today is the annual daddy/daughter outing. It is an event that is looked forward to all year long... (as in... the day they come home from the daddy/daughter, Bailey and Papa start talking about next years outing!) But as life would have it, this year Bailey and Papa spent the day together without the company of ward friends and neighbors. Bailey even traded in cozy jammies for an open back gown (comfy) and a sleeping bag in a tent for hospital bed and a surgery center. Papa still took off work and stayed close by her side... (which is saying a lot since Papa LOATHES surgery, blood, heart monitors and the like.) Bailey was elated to finally rid her throat of those meat ball sized tonsils that prevented her from sleeping all through the night, swallowing whole food without nearly choking and the dreaded chronic strep infections that haunted her. Though it was most unfortunate that she had to miss her favorite outing of the year!

Bailey had a love-hate relationship with those tonsils. After all, they were a part of her body that the good Lord provided her to care for in this mortality. But she hated... I mean despised... those strep infections, sleep apnea and choking on her food because they got in her way. Dr. Mancuso actually recommended that this procedure be done years ago. Years! And though I can think of no pediatric docs that I trust and love more than that Doc Mancuso, we waited in hopes that she would grow into those beasts. I swear that as she grew, so did they! This time another favorite Doc (Davis... Oh so amazing and ever talented and sharply skilled... we so love him... you would too!) recommended that Mancuso take them out. So back to Mancuso we went and again, he invited us to take them out. And we partook! It took the dynamic duo of skilled docs to convince us, but we are absolutely certain that we won't be missing any more daddy/daughter outings because of sick tonsils!

So today I was kicken up dust and trippen' over myself to mash potatoes, pour clear liquids and open Popsicles. And that papa Nate, he couldn't get to the store fast enough to pick up pain killers, more juice, apple sauce and videos. Hallelujah... things are looking bright! Bailey Buns... Consider us "at your service"!

p.s. if I may put a plug in for Dr. Mancuso... Please meet the man. If your kids don't have ENT probs you might pretend that they do just so that you can meet him! When he took "the oath" he meant what he said... and I can't recommend a more professional, kind and intelligent individual than he is. He really broke the mold.