My first birthday in New York City in 8 years and my twin sister spends the evening in the emergency room. Great.

Day started just fine. I slept really late and then my sis came by with her car. We went into the city and had lunch with my mom. My sister complained about something in her eye. It kept getting worse and worse. While browsing at Barney’s on the Upper West Side she started to really worry about her eye. Maybe there’s something in there? It’s not getting any better. She bought some eye wash at a pharmacy and that didn’t help at all.

Once in Brooklyn we drove by my doctor’s office in Cobble Hill but his office was locked up. It was close to 6 p.m. We went to a few of the local eye glass shops on Seventh Avenue hoping there was a ophthalmologist around.

At Eye Shoppe, the owner said: "Go to Methodist. If she’s got something in her eye than she needs to get it out. Go to the emergency room.

So we did. Triage went quickly. But then we waited and waited and waited. My sister’s friend, who was supposed to meet us for a birthday dinner at Belleville, came by and sat with my sister while I went to meet part of my family at Belleville. OSFO would not leave Diaper Diva’s side in her time of need.

She finally saw a physicians assistant and a nurse. They didn’t have much to say. Gave her a script. She’s going to the eye doctor today. Most of my experiences with the Methodist emergency room have been positive. The pediatric ER was especially great when OSFO bashed her head into the gate at the 9th Street Playground — there was so much blood they saw us right away. HC has been there numerous times with breathing trouble — so they always saw us quickly.

The rest of us had fun at Belleville and kept trying to reach them in the emergency room but of course they weren’t allowed to use their cell phones. When they finally returned: jubilation and questions. And a birthday cake from Two Little Red Hens.

Happy Birthday!