Hanging with Paul

Mary Jane was a bit cranky this morning so Daddy knew what would improve her demeanor: some panda time! Her favorite stuffed animal is Paul the Panda. He was originally a Christmas present given to the family by the Phoenix Children's Hospital while Mary Jane was suffering from RSV. She received many gifts over those few days (poor girl was in there on Christmas Eve through the 27th). Paul the Panda has quickly elevated to the favorite animal status. She tackles him every time he is introduced. Sometimes it looks like she's even trying to suck on his nose.

"Dude, she tackles me so hard I, like, hurt my neck, man," said Paul this morning. He's quite a chill panda; not your average high-strung panda. He does crave bamboo like all pandas but Mary Jane doesn't know any dietary concerns of animals. Considering pandas are endangered species, I shouldn't even mention that we have a panda at home right now. But Paul is a good soul and gets along with the other animals. He does have conflicts with Max the Monkey because Paul loses his patience with the monkey from time to time.

Mary Jane actually napped in her parents' bed this morning. She laid down beside her dear ol' dad during "panda time" and then she was out for about 40 minutes. Good for you, Mary Jane! Everyone needs their "panda time" to get to sleep.

Heading Home... at Last!

Miss Jill, Mister John, and Mary Jane are finally on their way home to Los Angeles tomorrow after a longer-than-expected stay in Arizona. That darn RSV held up Mary Jane for a few days but now she is sleeping like she always does... with that nice soft grunting sound. It was quite helpful to have Jill's family provide the overtime hospitality for us. Typically dead fish and guests smell after three days but we tried our best not to overlive our stay.

Today we managed to wander around the desert with MJ. Well, she was kinda held up in my pouch but that's ok. She'll be out and about and wandering next year and we'll be telling her then not to touch the cholla and watch out for scorpions, fried foods, and guys with tattoos on their foreheads. But all in due time.

But for now... a peaceful night of sleep and a hopefully inconsequential drive back into rainy (once sunny) California. At least the rabbits will be happy to see us... or will they? Thumpmas has come and gone yet again. Hmm...

Mary Jane out of Hospital

It took three full days plus a few hours but our little girl finally was cleared to leave the Phoenix Children's Hospital this evening. She was admitted on Christmas Eve with bad congestive signs. She was later diagnosed with RSV which is some form of respiratory virus (you go look it up). It is something that could be fatal if left unchecked for too long. Luckily our girl was surrounded by lots of family that night so everyone was all, "What's up with that wheezing?"

The hospital was extremely efficient in admitting her. We never had any doubts regarding her health, it was just the inevitable wait for her to recover completely. After three full days, she sounded so much better and her eyes started to dart around like the Pilot's Boy in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." OK, so some of you have not read that recently. Well, snap to it!

Anyway, she is back at Chez Kendall now and will head off with Mister John and Miss Jill on Wednesday. Of course the fates have it lined up that it will rain incessantly on Wednesday again. Joy. Didn't we just leave that alluvial madness?

Mary Jane Improving at the Hospital

Our poor little girl came down with a tough case of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) for those like me who are not in the know. She came down with a bad bout of congestion and we were lucky that we were right near a children's hospital in Phoenix. She's been in for a few days now and all is looking better for her.

It is kinda sad wandering the halls and noting all the sick children who are missing out at being at home with their families over Christmas. Santa did make a visit through the hospital floors yesterday and little Mary Jane did get a cute stuffed animal. It's quite kind of people to volunteer their services for such beneficent duties. Not only that but all the children received a multitude of games, gifts, and stuffed animals from people's donations. It's one of the few times that you can see the other side of giving gifts to charities. While MJ is still fighting her illness and does not quite get those whole stuffed animal thing yet (oh, she will some day!), it still does make her parents smile. At least I think I was smiling, I just got off the night shift so my sleep was negligible to say the least.

Anyway, throw some prayers in the general direction of Phoenix. We'll hopefully be home in the next day or two. Tonight Miss Jill will be the recipient of the night shift so I might be able to type up another update then.