Everyone is present and accounted for

Warning: I am feeling overly emotional and territorial so this post may not make sense. Read with caution. Or sign off and don't read at all. The real reason for writing at all is to get it out of my system.

Right this moment, it's 11:00 p.m. and I am tucked in E's bed. (By the way, I am more in love with E than I have ever been.) I have myself propped up in such a way that I can tilt my head ever so slightly to the left and see O snoozing in her bed across the hall.

Eric and E are sleeping in my bed tonight. Eric has offered to take the night shift with E since we're still having to wake her every three hours to give her pain meds. I'm having a little bit of a control problem with that, but trying to let it go. He's been out of town and just got home a few hours ago and wants to help out.

O got home a few hours ago after staying TWO nights at Eric's parent's house. They were gracious enough to watch her since the night before E's surgery. E and I started missing her so much today we didn't know what to do with ourselves. Talk about a quiet house without O!

I was missing her energy, her questions, her high-pitch voice. It just wasn't the same. The first thing O did when she walked in was make sure E was tucked in on the sofa and of all things .... she spread her beloved blankey over top of E and kissed her. I was in shock ... although E assured me O would do that. I never saw it coming. I mean, the blankey is usually off-limits. I guess O loves her sister more ?

We have been inundated with love and support this week from so many people (from so many of you!). It was just overwhelming! My parents, Eric's parents, my family, friends and even people I didn't know who read this blog. I appreciate it all so much.

E is doing well. I'm sure I'll write more about her surgery later, just so she'll have it to remember, but for now, I'm just amazed once again at the amazing girl she is. In the middle of the night last night, I got up to give her her pain medicine, and as I was crawling back in bed she was rubbing my hair and said, "Mommy, I am sorry you have to do this in the middle of the night for me. It must make you tired".

She is such a gem.

There is nothing I would rather do on this earth than take care her.

Once Eric and O were finally home and we were all together under one roof, I was so ready to lock us all inside. I am SO glad we're all back together again.

Even with my parents staying with me last night (thank you!), there is just nothing like having the four of us together, home, locked in, where we should be.