Ronald McDonald House

I called the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey this afternoon to ask if they had a room available because I thought it would be better to drive down this evening rather than really early tomorrow morning. This is a very nice Ronald McDonald House. I'm not complaining about the one we stayed at in 2008 and 2009 during our NICU stays, but this one is much larger and fancier (as to be expected since it's in a larger city and closer to a larger hospital). Our room is quite spacious. There are two queen size beds in the room plus a pack n play for Ian. The bathroom only has a shower, but down the hall there is a communal bathroom with a tub (for kids). We had already eaten dinner when we arrived, but they had lasagna tonight, and it looked delicious! It's going to be harder to keep my weight in check with a such an undending supply of yummy (free) food. They had all sorts of homemade and store bought baked goods sitting on the counters. We won't starve; that's for sure! They said most people in the feeding program check in on Sunday night and check-out on Friday morning. That's what we'll plan on doing. We met the mom and the other boy who will be in the feeding program with Ian this week. Dylan is 3 years old, and this will be his third (and last) week in the feeding program. I was shocked to see what he was eating for dinner (a variety of table foods). I had been trying to keep my hopes in check, but I admit right now my hopes are soaring sky high if her son could go from only drinking from a bottle to eating all that "regular" food in 2 weeks. She said in just the first week they had him eating 38 different foods. Wow. She said the first few hours he screamed almost the entire time, but by the afternoon of the first day he was making progress. Now his situation isn't totally the same as Ian's as there were two foods he had eaten in the past (although not recently) - Spaghettios and french fries. So he had already chewed something prior to coming here although lately had been living only on a bottle (even being fed throughout the night at the age of 3!).

It was a little adjustment for the kids to fall asleep in the same room. Ian normally falls asleep within one minute of being put down, but having a sister to talk to in the bedroom definitely changed the dynamics. Thankfully he was out by 8:40pm. I was beginning to wonder how long it would take. I'm sitting in the hallway outside our room typing this. I'm going to go to bed early, but I didn't want to go to bed at 8:05pm. They gave each of the kids a coupon to pick one free toy, book, puzzle, blanket, or stuffed animal, etc. I picked a little fire truck that you build with blocks for Ian, and Nadia picked a Peter Pan book. I told her NO stuffed animals. I suggested she pick either a game, puzzle, or book. I thought she'd pick a Tinker Bell puzzle, but she picked the book.

I mentioned my friend, Donna, a few days ago. Well her husband passed away yesterday. I'm thinking they were married for about 40 years. I had their youngest daughter as a student in a couple of my classes at the university (she's now a teacher). This must be a big shock to the family as 9 days ago I don't think they had any clue that his life was coming to an end in the near future. He was busy at the hospital (a doctor), a tour guide at Gettysburg, father, husband, grandpa, member of a choir, etc. My heart is breaking for Donna, their three kids, and their 3 granddaughters (grandchild #4 is due in August). I was struck by the reminder that we shouldn't take life for granted. We just never know when the Lord is going to call one of us or our family members home. I'd appreciate prayers on their behalf. I wish I could attend the viewing or funeral, but it's taking place while I'll be down here in Hershey.