I subscribe to a listserv for neuroblastoma. This listserv has literally been a lifesaver for us. Without it I would not have known about the uniquely talented surgeon who has removed tumors from Nathan that other doctors could not. I would also not have known aout the antibody therapy that I also believe is one of the reasons Nathan is still here with us.
This listserv also serves as emotional support for the family members. In the last 24 hours, three children have died. One of these kids was a walking miracle. He was in treatment for 84 months before achieving remission. He had been cancer free for three years. Normally a child who does not reach remission in the first 7 months or so will die. Well - he died, not from cancer, but from a perferated bowel. Most likely his abdominal surgeries and cancer treatments were a contributing factor.
It is all just so sobering.
There is a member of the listserv whose 40 year old husband has been battling this children's cancer for 3 years. She writes in prose, mostly and never in caps. She wrote something today I would like to share:
i do not think I shall ever understand
how real life is opposite
to what seems right
strength comes out of weakness
love is forged in the fires of battle
patience comes through trials
wisdom comes through loss
grace comes through pain
kindness and compassion come through having been wounded
such things
all the money in the world cannot buy
and if
we are lucky enough to possess any of them
even for a moment
it shall come through real trial
and we cannot ever
close our hand over it and keep it as our own
it is given
to share and to be given away freely
because
crazily enough
the more you give away
the more you have
how strange life is
carrie
Monday, April 03, 2006
Interesting Tidbit
This was forwarded to me....
On Wednesday at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.......[1,2.3.4.5.6]
That will never happen again.
You may now return to your (normal?) life.
On Wednesday at two minutes and three seconds after 1:00 in the morning, the time and date will be 01:02:03 04/05/06.......[1,2.3.4.5.6]
That will never happen again.
You may now return to your (normal?) life.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Hot men
So - Luke's most recent blog entry is of women with guitars. He likes Lisa Loeb in particular. He mentions her in his entry title "if I were single"
Ha!
I thought I should reciprocate with two of my favorite leading men.
Ha!
I thought I should reciprocate with two of my favorite leading men.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Pimp my Ride, Strawberry Shortcake
So - the night before last I had a very vivid dream. I was in a parking lot and there was something illegal going on with another van in the lot. Nothing too strange there. However - in my dream the van was pink with Strawberry Shortcake all over it. No reason why. I tried to emulate the van - couldn't really capture it though...
Tagged....
~A~ has tagged me with a meme.
Here goes....
1. Who was your first prom date?
Terry - he was also my second, third and fourth prom date. Here is a prom picture...when you see my hair, remember this was the 80s
2. Who was your first roommate?
My freshman dorm-mate in college. I moved out half-way through the year because we could not get along as roommates. We were friends afterwards and even shared an apartment later which worked out OK since we had our own bedrooms.
3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk the first time?
Christian Brothers brandy taken from my friend's parents liquor cabinet.
4. What was your first job?
I worked at Old Mill Pottery- a large craft store. It wasn't too bad for a first job. Sometimes I had to vaccuum and that was bad. I also had to bag peat moss on occasion.
5. First CD you bought?
I honestly cannot remember. My first tape was Journey - Frontiers
6. When did you go to your first funeral, whose?
I actually have never been to a funeral. My grandparents' funerals were all out of state and my sibs and I did not go.
7. How old were you when you first moved away from your first hometown?
18 to go to college. I lived in the same house in the same town until then.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Pittman. She was so old-school. She would rap your palm with a ruler if you did something wrong.
9. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
England to live for a year when I was 3
10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
Hmm - well I never snuck out when I was supposed to be in - but I did sneak my first boyfriend in.
11. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them?
Diana who lived 2 houses down. No - I am not. I got in touch with her a few years back but I only got one email and didn't hear from her again.
12. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents' house?
A dorm at Purdue University
13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Luke
14. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?
Julie - college roommate. The dresses were purple crushed velvet with “dog collars”.
15. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Take my thyroid medication
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Neil Diamond with a friend's family when I was about 8 or so.
17. First tattoo or piercing?
No tattoo - I got my ears pierced when I turned 18 at college. My dad wouldn't have allowed it when I was living at home.
18. First celebrity crush?
Morten - lead singer of A-ha
19. First crush?
Hmm - probably Matt W.
20. First sexual experience?
All I will say is it was not with the prom date from question #1
The tagging will stop here because most of my blog friends are men...they are not so fond of the meme.....
Here goes....
1. Who was your first prom date?
Terry - he was also my second, third and fourth prom date. Here is a prom picture...when you see my hair, remember this was the 80s2. Who was your first roommate?
My freshman dorm-mate in college. I moved out half-way through the year because we could not get along as roommates. We were friends afterwards and even shared an apartment later which worked out OK since we had our own bedrooms.
3. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk the first time?
Christian Brothers brandy taken from my friend's parents liquor cabinet.
4. What was your first job?
I worked at Old Mill Pottery- a large craft store. It wasn't too bad for a first job. Sometimes I had to vaccuum and that was bad. I also had to bag peat moss on occasion.
5. First CD you bought?
I honestly cannot remember. My first tape was Journey - Frontiers
6. When did you go to your first funeral, whose?
I actually have never been to a funeral. My grandparents' funerals were all out of state and my sibs and I did not go.
7. How old were you when you first moved away from your first hometown?
18 to go to college. I lived in the same house in the same town until then.
8. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs. Pittman. She was so old-school. She would rap your palm with a ruler if you did something wrong.
9. Where did you go on your first airplane ride?
England to live for a year when I was 3
10. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with?
Hmm - well I never snuck out when I was supposed to be in - but I did sneak my first boyfriend in.
11. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them?
Diana who lived 2 houses down. No - I am not. I got in touch with her a few years back but I only got one email and didn't hear from her again.
12. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parents' house?
A dorm at Purdue University
13. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Luke
14. Who's wedding were you in the first time you were a bridesmaid or a groomsmen?
Julie - college roommate. The dresses were purple crushed velvet with “dog collars”.
15. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Take my thyroid medication
16. What was the first concert you ever went to?
Neil Diamond with a friend's family when I was about 8 or so.
17. First tattoo or piercing?
No tattoo - I got my ears pierced when I turned 18 at college. My dad wouldn't have allowed it when I was living at home.
18. First celebrity crush?
Morten - lead singer of A-ha
19. First crush?
Hmm - probably Matt W.
20. First sexual experience?
All I will say is it was not with the prom date from question #1
The tagging will stop here because most of my blog friends are men...they are not so fond of the meme.....
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Turn your head
There was an article about this product in the paper yesterday. What a unique idea.http://www.turnyourhead.com/
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Songs for a long, empty road
On a board I am part of, my friend ~A~ asked the question,
What songs would you love to listen to while driving down a long, empty road?
Here is my answer - if you read this and you have a blog - consider yourself tagged (or answer in the comments of you don't).
1. Big Log - Robert Plant
2. In a Daydream - Freddy Jones Band
3. Lake Charles - Lucinda Williams
4. Song Two - Blur
5. Going the Distance - Cake
6. Sunset Grill - Don Henley
7. Snowin' on Raton - Pat Green
8. Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads
9. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
10. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
What songs would you love to listen to while driving down a long, empty road?
Here is my answer - if you read this and you have a blog - consider yourself tagged (or answer in the comments of you don't).
1. Big Log - Robert Plant
2. In a Daydream - Freddy Jones Band
3. Lake Charles - Lucinda Williams
4. Song Two - Blur
5. Going the Distance - Cake
6. Sunset Grill - Don Henley
7. Snowin' on Raton - Pat Green
8. Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads
9. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
10. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Paying the man
So - yesterday I tackled the medical bills. This is something I do about once every three months. Being an accountant (in my former life) it feels counterintuitive to leave a bill sitting for three months. However, I have learned that if I were to go through these bills once a month I would waste a heck of a lot of time looking at incorrect bills. If I give them a few months to send the bills out they are more likely to be correct after a few months.
So my stack of bills (picture is coming if stupid blogger will only let me add one) yielded five checks, and five phone calls. Yup - 3 of the bills were just plain wrong. Actually a fourth was wrong too - but I paid them the right amount and sent them a spreadsheet showing them the correct figures.
If I didn't have a CPA I would be paying a lot of money I didn't owe. I really feel for people who do not have the training to decipher a medical bill. So many people are being screwed.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Sick Sick Sick
Last Monday I had the stomach flu. I got it again Thursday night. Yesterday (Monday) I had another bout of Mastitis. I am so tired of being sick! My body is so dragged down right now. Unfortunately nursing moms are susceptible to mastitis when they have been sick. I am going to try to get back on my vitamins and try to figure out some way to boost my immune system.
One good thing that happened is the on-call doctor agreed to prescribe me antibiotics without seeing me last night. I convinced myself all day that I would get better as the day went on but my fever rose right after the office closed.
I laughed out loud yesterday while readin my breastfeeding book " Now is the time to pamper yourself so you can get well before attempting to resume responsibilities. Enlist all the help you can from your partner, extended family, friends, neighbors or members of your church. For at least two days, arrange to be relieved of all your duties, except brestfeeding your baby.....etc etc"
So I guess trudging through the snow with an infant carrier to deliver Julia to and from her classroom this morning and shopping at Wal-mart was not what the author intended.
One good thing that happened is the on-call doctor agreed to prescribe me antibiotics without seeing me last night. I convinced myself all day that I would get better as the day went on but my fever rose right after the office closed.
I laughed out loud yesterday while readin my breastfeeding book " Now is the time to pamper yourself so you can get well before attempting to resume responsibilities. Enlist all the help you can from your partner, extended family, friends, neighbors or members of your church. For at least two days, arrange to be relieved of all your duties, except brestfeeding your baby.....etc etc"
So I guess trudging through the snow with an infant carrier to deliver Julia to and from her classroom this morning and shopping at Wal-mart was not what the author intended.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Choir - Sunday, March 19 2006
After 2 weeks off I got to sing in church today. It was so nice to be back singing.
The Offeratory was: "Lord, You Are Our Life" by Dauermann. You can here it here. The song is written for a choral group, Liberated Wailing Wall who sings "jewish gospel music". They are a part of Jews for Jesus.
The Anthem was "Be Still My Soul" - arranged by Bird. It is an beautiful arrangement of the classic hymn. You can hear a clip here.
Now if I could just start singing two services again. As it is I wake up Lauren to eat at 6:30, leave the house at 7:00 - rehearse at 7:30, sing from 8:00 until 9:00 and then it is time to feed her again at 9:00 - so I really can't sing at the 9:30 (for which I need to be in the rehearsal room by at least 9:15). Time is flying though! She will be a year old before I know it and weaned.
The Offeratory was: "Lord, You Are Our Life" by Dauermann. You can here it here. The song is written for a choral group, Liberated Wailing Wall who sings "jewish gospel music". They are a part of Jews for Jesus.
The Anthem was "Be Still My Soul" - arranged by Bird. It is an beautiful arrangement of the classic hymn. You can hear a clip here.
Now if I could just start singing two services again. As it is I wake up Lauren to eat at 6:30, leave the house at 7:00 - rehearse at 7:30, sing from 8:00 until 9:00 and then it is time to feed her again at 9:00 - so I really can't sing at the 9:30 (for which I need to be in the rehearsal room by at least 9:15). Time is flying though! She will be a year old before I know it and weaned.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Stroller skis
http://www.basiccomfort.com/item.asp?item=20052
These actually might have come in handy a few times in NYC when we had several inches of snow. Too funny.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Valley boy?
Nathan has started using verbage he is picking up elsewhere. About 2 weeks ago he started saying things such as "I was like, 'what are you doing with that?'" He does it constantly and I know Luke and I do not. He does watch Scooby Doo and Shaggy uses like alot - but I don't think he uses it in that way.
As of today he has started to use the word bummer. Luke and I occasionally use it but Nathan is clearly trying it on for size. He has been muttering it, like tonight when he said, "only two! what a bummer!"
It is such a funny thing to hear your child create their own way of talking and trying on new ways to expres themselves. I just hope the "I was like" phase doesn't last too long.
As of today he has started to use the word bummer. Luke and I occasionally use it but Nathan is clearly trying it on for size. He has been muttering it, like tonight when he said, "only two! what a bummer!"
It is such a funny thing to hear your child create their own way of talking and trying on new ways to expres themselves. I just hope the "I was like" phase doesn't last too long.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
My little turtle
Lauren is 4 months old today. Where has the time gone? At my last report she was rolling like mad. Now that she mastered that skill she is trying her hardest to sit up from laying on her back. She lifts her head as high as she can and holds it up until she is too tired. She will keep the pose in the picture for 10 seconds or more. It is crazy and also quite humerous.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Awesome weekend
The blog has been quiet as we have all been in Chicago all weekend. Well - I did manage to slip in the Steak n Shake post. I LOVE Steak n Shake and they do not have any in Colorado. We got in Thursday night and by 10:30 Friday morning I had to have it. So off Luke and I went to grab some and I scarfed it down in the car and the kids were none the wiser. We also had it again late Friday night. Yummmm.Anyway - we were in Chicago to see Matt (my cousin, Luke's friend...well not just my cousin because he and Beth are my friends too) get his head shaved for St. Baldrick's. Luke and Matt went into the city around noon and Beth and I brought all the kids in around 2:00.
The event was in an irish pub and it was loud and crowded but fun. Nathan had the honors of shaving Matt's head. We weren't sure he would even consider doing it but he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Afterwards we hung around for awhile and the kids had sodas and food. Nathan was all smiles. He truly enjoyed the bar scene. I even nursed Lauren while we were there...that was a first for me.Beth and I packed all the kids in the van and headed out. We had an "only a mom would do this" moment when one of the children had to pee while we were stuck in traffic. There was an aborted attept to use a water bottle and a successful pee into a mug while driving along.
The kids had lots of fun playing and adults enjoyed conversing and catching up. Saturday night my brother, Aaron, Luke's sister, Anna, her boyfriend, Nick, and friends (who will remain nameless and that is a story I won't get into) joined us for pizza. It was great seeing everyone.
We returned late night to bad weather here in Colorado but eventually made it home from Denver.
I was wary about how hectic this trip would be but it far exceeded my expectations and was worth every difficult moment (of which there were few).
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Funny and sad
First the sad...
I went to Wal-mart yesterday. I glanced at the clearance rack in the boys department. They had a pair of boys snow pants for $5. They were too big - maybe the right size for Nathan in a year or so. I wanted to buy them and pack them away. I just couldn't do it. I just cannot buy clothes ahead for Nathan. I picture myself coming accross the pants and Nathan is no longer with us. This is not the first time this has happened. For some reasons buying clothes based on a bigger older Nathan is one step I just can't quite take. It was a big bummer in what was just supposed to be a routine grocery shop on a morning without the big kids.
Now the funny...to me anyway
Nathan was smelling a plastic bag (why do kids have to smell everything?).
He told Julia it smelled like oxygen. These little warped things from his medical life always make me laugh.
Also -this morning Luke finally proved to Nathan and Julia they were not drinking Seventy Delight. He had Nathan read the bottle. We had tried to tell them it was Sunny but they didn't quite believe us.
I went to Wal-mart yesterday. I glanced at the clearance rack in the boys department. They had a pair of boys snow pants for $5. They were too big - maybe the right size for Nathan in a year or so. I wanted to buy them and pack them away. I just couldn't do it. I just cannot buy clothes ahead for Nathan. I picture myself coming accross the pants and Nathan is no longer with us. This is not the first time this has happened. For some reasons buying clothes based on a bigger older Nathan is one step I just can't quite take. It was a big bummer in what was just supposed to be a routine grocery shop on a morning without the big kids.
Now the funny...to me anyway
Nathan was smelling a plastic bag (why do kids have to smell everything?).
He told Julia it smelled like oxygen. These little warped things from his medical life always make me laugh.
Also -this morning Luke finally proved to Nathan and Julia they were not drinking Seventy Delight. He had Nathan read the bottle. We had tried to tell them it was Sunny but they didn't quite believe us.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Potpourri
I have several things to blog but I will be lazy and do it all in one entry.
Geeks R Us
So - Sunday night Luke and I were in bed watching TV. He leaned over to kiss me and our glasses clinked together. We chuckled about that being geeky. Then we reviewed our activities of the day. Our HD TIVO's hard drive had died the day before. So - we bought a new one - stuck it in our desktop and put the TIVO OS on it and popped it back in the TIVO. We then took the old TIVO one reformatted it - found it was workable again and fiddled with all our drives in the computer, moved some data around and put it back together. Pretty geeky activities. Of course - I did have a hard drive residing on my bedside table for over a year from when we hacked our bedroom TIVO. That's a good sign too.
How to traumatize your five-year old
Poor Nathan. I went through a car wash today. He hates this particular one because it is very loud. He started screaming when the water started. I looked back and soap and water were streaming in the pop-out windows in the back of the van by him. I promptly closed them - no big deal - but he was so upset. He just cried until it was over. Unfortunately I couldn't stop laughing.
Why I LOVE Colorado
I love the weather in Colorado. It is almost always sunny and the weather has great fluctuations from one day to the next. Not so long ago it was -12. Today it was 70. It will still snow and get plenty cold before summer but I love these *bonus* spring days we get here and there.
Geeks R Us
So - Sunday night Luke and I were in bed watching TV. He leaned over to kiss me and our glasses clinked together. We chuckled about that being geeky. Then we reviewed our activities of the day. Our HD TIVO's hard drive had died the day before. So - we bought a new one - stuck it in our desktop and put the TIVO OS on it and popped it back in the TIVO. We then took the old TIVO one reformatted it - found it was workable again and fiddled with all our drives in the computer, moved some data around and put it back together. Pretty geeky activities. Of course - I did have a hard drive residing on my bedside table for over a year from when we hacked our bedroom TIVO. That's a good sign too.
How to traumatize your five-year old
Poor Nathan. I went through a car wash today. He hates this particular one because it is very loud. He started screaming when the water started. I looked back and soap and water were streaming in the pop-out windows in the back of the van by him. I promptly closed them - no big deal - but he was so upset. He just cried until it was over. Unfortunately I couldn't stop laughing.
Why I LOVE Colorado
I love the weather in Colorado. It is almost always sunny and the weather has great fluctuations from one day to the next. Not so long ago it was -12. Today it was 70. It will still snow and get plenty cold before summer but I love these *bonus* spring days we get here and there.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Living my life three months at a time
That is my reality. Now that Nathan has had clean scans we have a three month reprieve. I literally will only plan ahead in three month increments. Last spring we had the whole summer break planned out and then Nathan relapsed. It was so disappointing to have to cancel plans. I guess I am feeling burnt by that.
One of the fun things to plan in this period is a visit to my parents in Hilton Head. Nathan and Julia adore the beach, pool and grandparents there and have been talking about the trip for weeks already.
I just can't really describe the way it feels during scan time. It is as if someone is flipping a coin. One side says "your child gets to live..go on and have a normal life for 3 months" the other side says "your child is going to die, but first he will have grueling treatments and months of pain"
It makes it hard to live a normal life. Living a "normal" life is what I aspire to do and is something I work very hard at. That is really what it is all about for me. I don't think anyone knows how much work it really is for me.
One of the fun things to plan in this period is a visit to my parents in Hilton Head. Nathan and Julia adore the beach, pool and grandparents there and have been talking about the trip for weeks already.
I just can't really describe the way it feels during scan time. It is as if someone is flipping a coin. One side says "your child gets to live..go on and have a normal life for 3 months" the other side says "your child is going to die, but first he will have grueling treatments and months of pain"
It makes it hard to live a normal life. Living a "normal" life is what I aspire to do and is something I work very hard at. That is really what it is all about for me. I don't think anyone knows how much work it really is for me.
We have a roller!
Lauren has been trying so hard to roll over. So, of course the other day when we were in NYC I walked away for a moment and came back to find her on her tummy. This morning she repeated the feat two more times for us. She is trying to go from tummy to back but is a ways away from that. She is our earliest roller at 3.5 months. Part of me is a little sad that she is growing so fast!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Le Pain
As in "the bread". My favorite place to eat in NYC is Le Pain Quotidien. It is a french bakery with divine salads and sandwiches (tartines) and a cappucino to die for. Nathan requested McDonalds for lunch and so that is what he had and then Luke and I had lunch while Nathan at a belgian brownie.
Yum.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Scent memories
Last night Luke drank a cognac mini bottle that he had gotten in his Christmas Stocking. I took a whiff of it and I was immediately transported back to the age of 15. The first alcohol I ever had was Christian Brothers Brandy - swiped from a friend's parents stash. It was just an immediate jolt and for a milli-second I was 15 again. I love it when things like that happen.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Feeling stressed
It has been a stressful few days trying to figure out Nathan's scan schedule in New York and all the travel details. Mostly the decision about who will be going with Nathan is causing major angst. Luke and I have so many mixed feelings. We decided earlier today that everyone but Julia would be going. I am not having second thoughts about that. I just picture it from her perspective...her whole family heading off on an airplane without her. It tears me up. We are trying to balance what would be easiest, money, and emotions and there is no good answer. I am hoping i wake up tomorrow with a more clear idea of what is right.
I called our neighbors to see if they would care for our dog. They have cared for her in the past when we have been away for medical reasons. Their oldest daughter (16) also babysits for us. They told me that this daughter had just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. I was floored. I just can't believe that they are also being affected by childhood cancer. It just sucks and darn it - I feel like since it happened to us that the rest of the neighborhood should statistically be exempt.
We all went to church tonight. I am just so emotionally tired that it was hard to concentrate but I am really looking forward to singing this Sunday. I will do a separate post about that.
I hope my stress level is down tomorrow and we can make a final decision about our trip.
I called our neighbors to see if they would care for our dog. They have cared for her in the past when we have been away for medical reasons. Their oldest daughter (16) also babysits for us. They told me that this daughter had just been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. I was floored. I just can't believe that they are also being affected by childhood cancer. It just sucks and darn it - I feel like since it happened to us that the rest of the neighborhood should statistically be exempt.
We all went to church tonight. I am just so emotionally tired that it was hard to concentrate but I am really looking forward to singing this Sunday. I will do a separate post about that.
I hope my stress level is down tomorrow and we can make a final decision about our trip.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Legos
Nathan got Lego X-pod at the clinic on Friday. He took to it very quickly and was soon making all kinds of vehicles out of it. Of course, I had to first convince him it was OK for him to play with it since it said ages 6 +. I told him that he rounds to 6.
I went out yesterday and got the biggest tub of Legos I could find (and some more X-pods for travel) and brought it home. This tub said ages 4+ and Julia was quite happy about that. The two of them have been having so much fun. I love Legos and am quite excited to now be able to play with them again! I am now wishing for the hundreds of Legos and cool Lego parts I played with growing up that are now residing in South Carolina with my parents.
I went out yesterday and got the biggest tub of Legos I could find (and some more X-pods for travel) and brought it home. This tub said ages 4+ and Julia was quite happy about that. The two of them have been having so much fun. I love Legos and am quite excited to now be able to play with them again! I am now wishing for the hundreds of Legos and cool Lego parts I played with growing up that are now residing in South Carolina with my parents.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Missing in action again
I have been remiss in blogging again. Thursday and Friday were pretty busy. We had appointments and errands and Lauren is becoming more demanding as she becomes more aware of the world around her.
As I wrote in Nathan's blog, we are going to be off to New York very soon to do his scans there. Luke got a call Friday afternoon confirming Nathan's bone marrows for Monday morning. He had to tell them there was no way we could be there Monday morning so they are rescheduling. I had given them a range of dates that they obviously ignored. Hopefully we will have a schedule early next week. We still need to figure out how we are getting there and where we are staying so we can figure out if we are bringing Julia with us.
We are in enjoying the company of Luke's parents this weekend. Mike was unable to travel at Christmas and so this is his first chance to meet Lauren. Luke and I took advantage of them being here and ran out to mattress shop. We tried out one of those foam beds. We decided they are comfy and less bouncy - but not worth $1000 more than a regular mattress. We picked one out and said we were going elsewhere to look. They then played the "call my manager" game when we put our price out there. Of course, the manager said yes and the other salespeople went on and on about how suprised they were that the "manager" let him give us such a good deal. Luke and I just rolled our eyes at eachother. Do people really fall for that stuff?
So - we are off to church in the morning. I am looking forward to singing after missing the past two weeks. It does mean me getting up at 5:45 so I can get ready and also feed Lauren - but it is worth it for me.
By the way - it was negative 10 degrees this morning when we woke up this morning. Right now (mid-afternoon) it is a balmy 8 degrees. At least it is sunny....
As I wrote in Nathan's blog, we are going to be off to New York very soon to do his scans there. Luke got a call Friday afternoon confirming Nathan's bone marrows for Monday morning. He had to tell them there was no way we could be there Monday morning so they are rescheduling. I had given them a range of dates that they obviously ignored. Hopefully we will have a schedule early next week. We still need to figure out how we are getting there and where we are staying so we can figure out if we are bringing Julia with us.
We are in enjoying the company of Luke's parents this weekend. Mike was unable to travel at Christmas and so this is his first chance to meet Lauren. Luke and I took advantage of them being here and ran out to mattress shop. We tried out one of those foam beds. We decided they are comfy and less bouncy - but not worth $1000 more than a regular mattress. We picked one out and said we were going elsewhere to look. They then played the "call my manager" game when we put our price out there. Of course, the manager said yes and the other salespeople went on and on about how suprised they were that the "manager" let him give us such a good deal. Luke and I just rolled our eyes at eachother. Do people really fall for that stuff?
So - we are off to church in the morning. I am looking forward to singing after missing the past two weeks. It does mean me getting up at 5:45 so I can get ready and also feed Lauren - but it is worth it for me.
By the way - it was negative 10 degrees this morning when we woke up this morning. Right now (mid-afternoon) it is a balmy 8 degrees. At least it is sunny....
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Finally healthy
I have finally fully recovered from the bug we had as well as a bout of Mastitis that cropped up on Sunday. I was actualy able to go do a full grocery shopping trip yesterday while Nate and Jules were in school. I even made it to Julia's class party. Nathan also had one - but I am completely a "slacker mom" in his class. I haven't done one thing in his classroom. I would like to, but I do not have the time or ability with having a nursing baby. I figure by the time Lauren is Kindergarten I will be able to be one of those moms that does everything and fills the other moms with guilt.
Sleep is still running short in this house because Lauren is not sleeping. We believe she is teething. Nathan and Julia both got teeth at 4 months and I think Lauren is trying to beat them. After crying off and on for 2 or three hours I finally went and slept with her. She laid on my chest and whimpered. It was so sad. She is normally such a happy baby and she has been so cranky. I hope if it is teeth the first one hurries up and pokes through. The first one is always the worst.
I need to cut this short- I have a baby on me who seems to be waking up. She has her mouth burried in my shoulder. Poor thing.
Sleep is still running short in this house because Lauren is not sleeping. We believe she is teething. Nathan and Julia both got teeth at 4 months and I think Lauren is trying to beat them. After crying off and on for 2 or three hours I finally went and slept with her. She laid on my chest and whimpered. It was so sad. She is normally such a happy baby and she has been so cranky. I hope if it is teeth the first one hurries up and pokes through. The first one is always the worst.
I need to cut this short- I have a baby on me who seems to be waking up. She has her mouth burried in my shoulder. Poor thing.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Tagged: Three things
I got tagged by Mommasita
3 names I answer to:
Susan
Mommy
Hun
3 parts of your heritage:
Irish
German
Swedish
3 things that scare me:
losing a child
spiders
nuclear war
3 of your everyday essentials:
my computer
cranberry juice
breast pump
3 things you are wearing right now:
jeans
gray long-sleeved T
diamond earrings
3 of your favorite songs:
Big Log - Robert Plant
Come What May - Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
3 things about the opposite sex that appeal to you:
Intelligence
Kindness
Athleticism
3 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
equal partnership
ability to laugh together
trust
3 of your favorite hobbies:
singing in choir
taking pictures of my kids
reading
3 Places you want to go:
Tahiti
Australia
Grand Canyon
3 things you want to do before you die:
learn how to ski
take a trip around the world with Luke
speak another language fluently
3 ways that you are stereotypically a female/male:
I scream at the sight of an insect in the house
I love to shop for clothes
I like talking on the phone
I will tag Anna and also tag readers Katie A. and Beth D. to answer in the comments
3 names I answer to:
Susan
Mommy
Hun
3 parts of your heritage:
Irish
German
Swedish
3 things that scare me:
losing a child
spiders
nuclear war
3 of your everyday essentials:
my computer
cranberry juice
breast pump
3 things you are wearing right now:
jeans
gray long-sleeved T
diamond earrings
3 of your favorite songs:
Big Log - Robert Plant
Come What May - Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
3 things about the opposite sex that appeal to you:
Intelligence
Kindness
Athleticism
3 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
equal partnership
ability to laugh together
trust
3 of your favorite hobbies:
singing in choir
taking pictures of my kids
reading
3 Places you want to go:
Tahiti
Australia
Grand Canyon
3 things you want to do before you die:
learn how to ski
take a trip around the world with Luke
speak another language fluently
3 ways that you are stereotypically a female/male:
I scream at the sight of an insect in the house
I love to shop for clothes
I like talking on the phone
I will tag Anna and also tag readers Katie A. and Beth D. to answer in the comments
Saturday, February 11, 2006
A pretty ideal Saturday
First off - I slept in... until 7:30. I am not being sarcastic - it was very nice. I was up at 4:00 to feed Lauren but she went right back to sleep.
We lazed around in our pajamas for quite awhile. Now this "lazing" includes nursing Lauren every 2 hours for about 45 minutes each time this morning - but it also involves sitting in my pajamas using the computer with one hand - so it counts.
We all bathed and dressed and had lunch. Lauren took a little nap and so I worked on a puzzle and Luke did something or other on his computer while Nathan and Julia played.
After yet another nursing of Lauren we went out intending to go to Wal-Mart. Thankfully it was actually too crowded and so we did not go in and instead went to Payless and got Nathan some dress shoes. If we had made it inside the insame Wal-mart this day would have definately been less ideal. Only our dinner suffered...more on that later.
We then drove to Dunkin Donuts for afternoon snack followed by a stop at the park so I could nurse Lauren in the car while the kids played. It was only 35 degrees but it was sunny. The kids got a kick out of seeing the ducks walk around on the frozen lake.
We came home - I fed lauren again and we threw in a frozen pizza and pizza rolls in the oven (which meant no dishes). The kids cleaned up toys and showered and are now in bed. Luke is giving Lauren a bottle and then we will entertain her, I will feed her again and then I will fall asleep in front of Saturday Night Live.
Yep - this kind of normal everyday stuff is the kind I like. When I actually write down how often I feed Lauren it is a bit daunting, but like I said before - it is pretty relaxing - it just takes so much of my time.
So - what did you do today?
We lazed around in our pajamas for quite awhile. Now this "lazing" includes nursing Lauren every 2 hours for about 45 minutes each time this morning - but it also involves sitting in my pajamas using the computer with one hand - so it counts.
We all bathed and dressed and had lunch. Lauren took a little nap and so I worked on a puzzle and Luke did something or other on his computer while Nathan and Julia played.
After yet another nursing of Lauren we went out intending to go to Wal-Mart. Thankfully it was actually too crowded and so we did not go in and instead went to Payless and got Nathan some dress shoes. If we had made it inside the insame Wal-mart this day would have definately been less ideal. Only our dinner suffered...more on that later.
We then drove to Dunkin Donuts for afternoon snack followed by a stop at the park so I could nurse Lauren in the car while the kids played. It was only 35 degrees but it was sunny. The kids got a kick out of seeing the ducks walk around on the frozen lake.
We came home - I fed lauren again and we threw in a frozen pizza and pizza rolls in the oven (which meant no dishes). The kids cleaned up toys and showered and are now in bed. Luke is giving Lauren a bottle and then we will entertain her, I will feed her again and then I will fall asleep in front of Saturday Night Live.
Yep - this kind of normal everyday stuff is the kind I like. When I actually write down how often I feed Lauren it is a bit daunting, but like I said before - it is pretty relaxing - it just takes so much of my time.
So - what did you do today?
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Sick is not just sick (in this house anyway)
Well the blog has been quiet - so that means that life hasn't.
Julia started the morning early on Sunday by throwing up. She couldn't keep anything down all day. She is better now.
Lauren is now sick. She woke up at 4:00 am and was just crying and grunting in pain. She pretty much did this all day when she was not eating or sleeping and she has a fever. She also seems to have aches and pains. I almost wish she had vomiting or diarrhea so I would know she had Julia's bug. But she doesn't.
So - I can't be like a normal parent and call it a virus. No - I have thoughts of "bad" things. It doesn't help that she was crying out when I picked her up under the arms and that she has a low-grade fever. Those were Nathan's first symptoms of his cancer.
So - her pediatrician gamely let me bring her in at 6:30 this evening. She said they would do anything for us. She is, after all, the one who referred Julia for Kawasaki's disease treatment even though she didn't think she had it, saying, "She is a Gentry after all!" And - wouldn't you know it- a week after Julia's treatment her tests showed she DID have Kawasaki's disease. So - her doctor is almost as paranoid as I am.
No obvious infections. Lungs are clear - pulse-ox is fine. They even checked for a urinary tract infection. Yep - they put in a catheter. I really wonder if they would have done that for another patient or if they were trying to ease my mind. If they did it for me - then I feel bad...I didn't suggest it or anything.
Her doctor thinks she just has a virus and her body aches.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
On a "happier" note - now that Julia has been sick I think we know why Nathan had such weird stuff going on on Friday - his body just handled it differently.
Julia started the morning early on Sunday by throwing up. She couldn't keep anything down all day. She is better now.
Lauren is now sick. She woke up at 4:00 am and was just crying and grunting in pain. She pretty much did this all day when she was not eating or sleeping and she has a fever. She also seems to have aches and pains. I almost wish she had vomiting or diarrhea so I would know she had Julia's bug. But she doesn't.
So - I can't be like a normal parent and call it a virus. No - I have thoughts of "bad" things. It doesn't help that she was crying out when I picked her up under the arms and that she has a low-grade fever. Those were Nathan's first symptoms of his cancer.
So - her pediatrician gamely let me bring her in at 6:30 this evening. She said they would do anything for us. She is, after all, the one who referred Julia for Kawasaki's disease treatment even though she didn't think she had it, saying, "She is a Gentry after all!" And - wouldn't you know it- a week after Julia's treatment her tests showed she DID have Kawasaki's disease. So - her doctor is almost as paranoid as I am.
No obvious infections. Lungs are clear - pulse-ox is fine. They even checked for a urinary tract infection. Yep - they put in a catheter. I really wonder if they would have done that for another patient or if they were trying to ease my mind. If they did it for me - then I feel bad...I didn't suggest it or anything.
Her doctor thinks she just has a virus and her body aches.
We'll see what tomorrow brings.
On a "happier" note - now that Julia has been sick I think we know why Nathan had such weird stuff going on on Friday - his body just handled it differently.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Nathan
I guess it is time for a more journal type of entry.
I just updated Nathan's caringbridge site with all things medical. So you might want to read that first.
So anyway - it was hard seeing him feel so bad today. He has actually felt so good these past 7 months since relapse we can pretty easily shift our focus away from his battle. I have been feeling some angst lately about his disease. There have been several relapses of other neuroblastoma kids and a few others having progression. In particular there have been a few who relapsed and got back into remission again only to relapse again recently. Since we stand at second remission with Nathan right now and knowing that chances of him NOT relapsing are very, very low it is disheartening seeing the evidence of that being true. I "know" these kids through the Neuroblastoma listserv on ACOR. Some of them I have met in person.
We have been waiting for a vaccine trial to open for Nathan. When he had his surgery in August we were told - "have him do 2 rounds of chemo and then come back for the trial in 6 weeks". After six weeks the trial still ahd not opened and we were told it would be another 6 weeks. Then we were told almost certainly the end of January and the latest is sometime in March. Meanwhile he has been doing rounds if chemo that are not very well tolerated by his bone marrow. If his disease comes back he will not be eligible for this trial (though he will suddenly be eligible for a zillion others). The hold up is FDA approval - so we don't blame the institution - we just wish it would hurry up at get approved. Nathan is eligible for so few trials since he has no measurable disease. That is FINE with us - but we know he still needs treatment and so this vaccine trial is ideal since it is not a chemo. I just keep thinking that it will keep being delayed and then he will relapse and we will always wonder if he had just gotten to do the vaccine trial maybe that would have been the thing that could have saved his life. Ughh.
Then - there are the set of non-life-threating problems I mentioned in his caringbridge site. A runny nose and chronic diarrhea/loose stools. I do believe we have now tried every single allergy medicine out there for his runny nose to no avail. His upper lip is always coated with snot. No matter how often his wipes or blows - there it is. It has been this way since he started chemo in April 2003.
Who knows about the loose stools. They have been a problem since his second surgery in November 2003. They are such an annoyance to him and they have contributed to him being skinnier than he should. I think he compensates by eating. He eats more than an adult does.
Anyway - Of all these things - the trial opening ASAP is top on my list. I can't explain how crazy it makes me that his life may be riding on this and there is nothing to do but wait.
Well - I have ignored Lauren long enough and her babbling is starting to sound a little fussy - so I will wrap this up - but I could go on and on....
I just updated Nathan's caringbridge site with all things medical. So you might want to read that first.
So anyway - it was hard seeing him feel so bad today. He has actually felt so good these past 7 months since relapse we can pretty easily shift our focus away from his battle. I have been feeling some angst lately about his disease. There have been several relapses of other neuroblastoma kids and a few others having progression. In particular there have been a few who relapsed and got back into remission again only to relapse again recently. Since we stand at second remission with Nathan right now and knowing that chances of him NOT relapsing are very, very low it is disheartening seeing the evidence of that being true. I "know" these kids through the Neuroblastoma listserv on ACOR. Some of them I have met in person.
We have been waiting for a vaccine trial to open for Nathan. When he had his surgery in August we were told - "have him do 2 rounds of chemo and then come back for the trial in 6 weeks". After six weeks the trial still ahd not opened and we were told it would be another 6 weeks. Then we were told almost certainly the end of January and the latest is sometime in March. Meanwhile he has been doing rounds if chemo that are not very well tolerated by his bone marrow. If his disease comes back he will not be eligible for this trial (though he will suddenly be eligible for a zillion others). The hold up is FDA approval - so we don't blame the institution - we just wish it would hurry up at get approved. Nathan is eligible for so few trials since he has no measurable disease. That is FINE with us - but we know he still needs treatment and so this vaccine trial is ideal since it is not a chemo. I just keep thinking that it will keep being delayed and then he will relapse and we will always wonder if he had just gotten to do the vaccine trial maybe that would have been the thing that could have saved his life. Ughh.
Then - there are the set of non-life-threating problems I mentioned in his caringbridge site. A runny nose and chronic diarrhea/loose stools. I do believe we have now tried every single allergy medicine out there for his runny nose to no avail. His upper lip is always coated with snot. No matter how often his wipes or blows - there it is. It has been this way since he started chemo in April 2003.
Who knows about the loose stools. They have been a problem since his second surgery in November 2003. They are such an annoyance to him and they have contributed to him being skinnier than he should. I think he compensates by eating. He eats more than an adult does.
Anyway - Of all these things - the trial opening ASAP is top on my list. I can't explain how crazy it makes me that his life may be riding on this and there is nothing to do but wait.
Well - I have ignored Lauren long enough and her babbling is starting to sound a little fussy - so I will wrap this up - but I could go on and on....
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
If you can't trust your own mother....
Nathan has always been a pretty cautious kid. Yesterday he and Julia wanted to watch a movie. Of course, it was when I was nursing Lauren. They never need anything from me unless I am too busy. Nathan hunted down the portable DVD player and battery. I told him to try to put the battery on and he told me he didn't know if kids were allowed to do that. It took much more persuasion for him to try. He is convinced that batteries are dangerous. I suppose I told him one time not to play with batteries. The thing is - he didn't trust me when I told him it was OK. I finally told him that I am his mother and that I, of all people, would not have him do something dangerous. Sheesh.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Mmmm... Margarita
Luke made me a Margarita the other night. Since Lauren takes a bottle at 7:00 I can drink around dinner time. Anyway.. we have the BEST margarita recipe. I have made it for people who don't like Margaritas and they like it. S0 - I thought I would share....
Makes one drink - a double recipe will fit in most shakers.
1 1/4 oz Tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/3 cup margarita mix (we use Jose Cuervo mix - does not have alcohol in it)
Combine in shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into a glass over ice. Enjoy!
Makes one drink - a double recipe will fit in most shakers.
1 1/4 oz Tequila
1/2 oz triple sec
1/2 oz fresh lime juice
1/3 cup margarita mix (we use Jose Cuervo mix - does not have alcohol in it)
Combine in shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into a glass over ice. Enjoy!
Monday, January 30, 2006
Chrystal
This is so not going to resonate with any of the male readers out there....
I remember when I was a little girl - I love the name Sindy - yes Cindy but spelled with an "S". That was the name I gave things and used as a pretend name.
Julia has chosen the name Chrystal. She uses it when playing pretend. She often asks Nathan to call her Chrystal when they are playing. Just now she is playing with "birthday cake" playdoh (a set she got) and she is singing happy birthday to the imaginary Chrystal. I have no idea where she heard the name, but I think it is so cute.
Of course - in her mind it could be spelled Kristyl or something.
I remember when I was a little girl - I love the name Sindy - yes Cindy but spelled with an "S". That was the name I gave things and used as a pretend name.
Julia has chosen the name Chrystal. She uses it when playing pretend. She often asks Nathan to call her Chrystal when they are playing. Just now she is playing with "birthday cake" playdoh (a set she got) and she is singing happy birthday to the imaginary Chrystal. I have no idea where she heard the name, but I think it is so cute.
Of course - in her mind it could be spelled Kristyl or something.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Quack Quack Quack
I dropped off Julia this morning at preschool and then preceded on my way with only Lauren in tow, asleep.
I found myself singing along to the music playing. It wasn't until it changed songs that I realized I was singing along with "Six Little Ducks" by Raffi. I quickly switched over to my iPod but I still can't believe I didn't even notice that I was singing "quack quack quack" aloud.
I found myself singing along to the music playing. It wasn't until it changed songs that I realized I was singing along with "Six Little Ducks" by Raffi. I quickly switched over to my iPod but I still can't believe I didn't even notice that I was singing "quack quack quack" aloud.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Shoehorn
Ok - so this is one of those annoying posts about something my kid did that I find interesting. You can stop reading now if you are one of those (nonparents likely) that are bored by these.
Anyway - Nathan has taken to using a shoe horn to put on his shoes. He is a very inflexible (physically) child - most likely due to a combination of chemo (Vincristine) and my genes. So the shoe horn really helps him since he can't sit down and bend his legs very much. I guess he decided he needed to keep it in a more convenient place.
Anyway - Nathan has taken to using a shoe horn to put on his shoes. He is a very inflexible (physically) child - most likely due to a combination of chemo (Vincristine) and my genes. So the shoe horn really helps him since he can't sit down and bend his legs very much. I guess he decided he needed to keep it in a more convenient place.
I guess he went and got the clothespin and stuck it there. Perhaps when he is a little older he can help organize things in this house.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
I will never be a professional party planner...
Julia had her birthday party today. She wanted it at home. She has been planning a Strawberry Shortcake theme party for a good nine months. Over the months she would occassionally instruct me in a very detailed manner about how she wanted her cake. She decided she wanted a party similar to last year. Last year the kids did crafts and decorated bags with fabric paint. Last year we had the party on a Saturday.
Ok - so this year I planned the party for a Monday afternoon. For some reason I thought it would be good and easier to have it on a weekday afternoon. Well - it really wasn't. First off - Luke had to work and couldn't help much. Also I had to go get Nathan from school. That coupled with the fact that I fed Lauren 3 times for at least a half an hour at a time before the party left little time to get ready. Fortunately I did get everything done.
I had some crafts. The kids did those for about a half hour and then went off to play instead. The two other moms that stayed and I worked on one of the crafts that proved to be too difficult for the kids.....
I actually did get the cake right. Julia wanted me to make it. It was white with pink frosting and strawberries on top.
I convinced her to wait to put the strawberries on after she blew out the candles.
After cake, presents were opened and that was that.
All in all - it went fine - but the stress and preparation I could do without. I just do not enjoy throwing parties.
Ok - so this year I planned the party for a Monday afternoon. For some reason I thought it would be good and easier to have it on a weekday afternoon. Well - it really wasn't. First off - Luke had to work and couldn't help much. Also I had to go get Nathan from school. That coupled with the fact that I fed Lauren 3 times for at least a half an hour at a time before the party left little time to get ready. Fortunately I did get everything done.
I had some crafts. The kids did those for about a half hour and then went off to play instead. The two other moms that stayed and I worked on one of the crafts that proved to be too difficult for the kids.....
I actually did get the cake right. Julia wanted me to make it. It was white with pink frosting and strawberries on top.
I convinced her to wait to put the strawberries on after she blew out the candles.After cake, presents were opened and that was that.
All in all - it went fine - but the stress and preparation I could do without. I just do not enjoy throwing parties.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Four gallons of milk
Is this really my life? I am someone who buys four gallons of milk a a time? When did this happen?
This is what ran through my head today at Sam's club as someone waited for me to get done loading the milk into my cart. I ran to Sam's club this morning since I had an opportunity to do it without kids. Last time I took all 3 kids and it was a bit crazy. The term "3 kids" is also something taking getting used to. I walked out of a friends house briefly without Lauren the other day.
Anyway - these were the contents of my cart...my shopping list only had five things on it.
Aforementioned Milk
Box of 204 size 1-2 Pampers (no explaination needed there)
Box of 1200 paper plates - we use these at lunch and when we are lazy. If we didn't use these we would have too many dishes to fit in our dishwasher. These are the really thin cheap ones and we use more than one at a time if neccessary.
Gallon of canola oil
Socks for Luke
Juice boxes - Nathan only likes the orange juice in Minute Maid juice boxes - fortunately he can get them and do the straw all by himself - so worth buying!
4 large bottles of apple juice - mainly for Julia who has a cup every morning
Potato chips and tortilla chips - $2.44 for the big bags...not bad
6.5 pounds of ground beef - at $1.88 a pound it is worth packaging into 1 pound bags and freezing
Frozen sausage patties - total impulse buy. I love sausage and this way I can make myself one patty at a time.
Laundry detergent - With five people now in this house the amount of laundry is getting out of hand. Our habit is to do laundry once a week but we are getting the point where we can't get it all done in one day.
Clorox toilet drop-in thingies - we have a four and five year old using out toilets.....
I think that is it. Wow - how suburban mom can I be? This is a far cry from my former life as a CPA. I am not saying there is anything wrong with my life now - but sometimes it just seems weird to me that I am that thirty-something suburban mom with three kids buying four gallons of milk at a time.
This is what ran through my head today at Sam's club as someone waited for me to get done loading the milk into my cart. I ran to Sam's club this morning since I had an opportunity to do it without kids. Last time I took all 3 kids and it was a bit crazy. The term "3 kids" is also something taking getting used to. I walked out of a friends house briefly without Lauren the other day.
Anyway - these were the contents of my cart...my shopping list only had five things on it.
Aforementioned Milk
Box of 204 size 1-2 Pampers (no explaination needed there)
Box of 1200 paper plates - we use these at lunch and when we are lazy. If we didn't use these we would have too many dishes to fit in our dishwasher. These are the really thin cheap ones and we use more than one at a time if neccessary.
Gallon of canola oil
Socks for Luke
Juice boxes - Nathan only likes the orange juice in Minute Maid juice boxes - fortunately he can get them and do the straw all by himself - so worth buying!
4 large bottles of apple juice - mainly for Julia who has a cup every morning
Potato chips and tortilla chips - $2.44 for the big bags...not bad
6.5 pounds of ground beef - at $1.88 a pound it is worth packaging into 1 pound bags and freezing
Frozen sausage patties - total impulse buy. I love sausage and this way I can make myself one patty at a time.
Laundry detergent - With five people now in this house the amount of laundry is getting out of hand. Our habit is to do laundry once a week but we are getting the point where we can't get it all done in one day.
Clorox toilet drop-in thingies - we have a four and five year old using out toilets.....
I think that is it. Wow - how suburban mom can I be? This is a far cry from my former life as a CPA. I am not saying there is anything wrong with my life now - but sometimes it just seems weird to me that I am that thirty-something suburban mom with three kids buying four gallons of milk at a time.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
The Sound of Us
This is the book I am currently reading. I love to read but haven't been doing much reading lately. Luke used to ask me what my books were about but I always told him the same thing - just a book about people's lives. Generally, those are my favorite books.
From Publishers Weekly
Willis (A Good Distance) gracefully explores the world of foster care through the eyes of 48-year-old Alice Marlowe, an interpreter for the deaf living a lonely life in Cleveland. When Alice receives a late-night phone call from a six-year-old girl whose mother has disappeared, the last thing she expects to do is apply to become her foster parent, but one look at beautiful, dark-skinned Larissa Benton changes everything. Alice's maternal impulse surprises her—"How did this child and I become us?" she wonders—as she attends foster parenting classes and wonders if she can cope. Willis allows for ambiguity in her moving story: when Michelle, Larissa's white, wayward mother, returns, she's neither a villain nor a victim; Alice, who converses with her dead twin brother, is not a saint. When Michelle moves into Alice's home to be closer to her daughter, the narrative reaches its height of tension; Willis shows both the safety and generosity of Alice's world and the unpredictable but loving home that Michelle would provide. A careful, tender story of the complex bonds of motherhood, this novel doesn't shy away from its problems, but still comes to rest on the side of its wonders. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
$1200 dog
Sure... lots of dogs cost that much - so I now decree our dog Ellie no longer a mutt but a pure-bred.
Last night she came down on some metal landscape edging and severed 2 tendons in her back paw. She had to have surgery and is supposed to stay off stairs for 3 weeks.
Did I mention that our house has FOUR sets of stairs?
Last night she came down on some metal landscape edging and severed 2 tendons in her back paw. She had to have surgery and is supposed to stay off stairs for 3 weeks.
Did I mention that our house has FOUR sets of stairs?
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Our weekend....
We just got back from a wonderful weekend in the mountains.
We took off late Friday afternoon for Grand Lake, CO. The sky was a very unusual color as the sun set so I snapped the shot on the left from the moving car.
We met my brother and his family at the house they have there.
They wanted to go skiing and to put their 3 year old into ski lessons so we put Nathan and Julia in as well. We were not terribly optimistic about either of them enjoying it and were generally concerned about Nathan having the strength and stamina physically - and the stick-to-it-iveness mentally. Well - they both LOVED skiing and did really well. I can't begin to tell you how amazing it was to see Nathan skiing after all he has been through.
This morning we had fun sledding down the hill behind the house. The snow there is several feet deep and the weather was 30s and sunny so it made for perfect sledding weather.
All in all a very fun weekend. I may blog about it more later - it has been a long day.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
My three bears
There is one baby outfit that all three children have worn. I put Lauren in it this morning. She is already in to 3-6 clothes. I can't get over how fast she is growing!
<--Nathan
<--Julia 
<--Lauren
<--Nathan
<--Julia 
<--Lauren
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
CNN.com - Offbeat News
It is hard to type while I am nursing Lauren so I browse around. I have been enjoying these video clips today.
CNN.com - Offbeat News
I especially enjoy the Jeanne Moos segments
CNN.com - Offbeat News
I especially enjoy the Jeanne Moos segments
Monday, January 09, 2006
Why I love my iPod
Luke got me an iPod for my birthday in September and I have been slowly putting music on it. A few weeks ago I was listening to it while folding Laundry. I had it shuffling all songs. I absolutely love shuffle. I enjoy the surprise of what song plays next. "The Final Countdown" by Europe came on. This is a song I would not normally pick to listen to, yet I added it one time after going through old CDs. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it - at full volume while folding baby clothes - yet none of the rest of my family had to be subjected to it.
I finally put my A-ha CDs on it the other day and while it was just Lauren and I in the car this morning I escaped back to the 80s.
I have not even come close to filling my iPod. I think I am too picky about what music to put on it and so in the end I miss songs that I don't choose to put on it - but if I did I would enjoy. So - I need to have a second go-around with my CD collection and add more music.
Finally, in closing I have to say the iPod makes an excellent buffer from the screams of fighting children.
I finally put my A-ha CDs on it the other day and while it was just Lauren and I in the car this morning I escaped back to the 80s.
I have not even come close to filling my iPod. I think I am too picky about what music to put on it and so in the end I miss songs that I don't choose to put on it - but if I did I would enjoy. So - I need to have a second go-around with my CD collection and add more music.
Finally, in closing I have to say the iPod makes an excellent buffer from the screams of fighting children.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
How I kept from singing...
Well - I didn't get to choir practice or church this week. Wednesday evening I was not feeling well enough to go to practice and this morning we were concerned about Nathan being up to going since he is having some side effects from chemo. We could have gone to a later service this morning after we determined Nathan was OK - but unless we have a plan in place it is hard to get motivated after spending some morning time in our pajamas. We are used to being out of the house at 7:00 am.
We actually had a pretty dull weekend. It was filled with cleaning, laundry and disciplining children. Nathan has really started to develop a mouth on him and an attitude to go with it. At the same time he still cries like a baby when anything does not go his way. We are also in a constant battle to get Nathan and Julia to pick up their toys.
I did get to go out briefly with some other moms to PF Changs. We usually meet at 8:00 for dinner. Since I have to nurse Lauren at 9:00 I could only have dessert last night.
Boy - this is one of the most boring blog entries ever. I felt like I should write one - but perhaps writing for the sake of an updated entry is not wise. Next time I will wait until I have something interesting to write.
Random parting thought: The other day Luke was surprised when he was proofing an email I wrote to one of Nathan's oncologists. He thought it odd and, I think, antiquated that I use two spaces after a period. He said his company went to one space a long time ago. Is this standard now? Am I out of it? Please tell me what you do.
We actually had a pretty dull weekend. It was filled with cleaning, laundry and disciplining children. Nathan has really started to develop a mouth on him and an attitude to go with it. At the same time he still cries like a baby when anything does not go his way. We are also in a constant battle to get Nathan and Julia to pick up their toys.
I did get to go out briefly with some other moms to PF Changs. We usually meet at 8:00 for dinner. Since I have to nurse Lauren at 9:00 I could only have dessert last night.
Boy - this is one of the most boring blog entries ever. I felt like I should write one - but perhaps writing for the sake of an updated entry is not wise. Next time I will wait until I have something interesting to write.
Random parting thought: The other day Luke was surprised when he was proofing an email I wrote to one of Nathan's oncologists. He thought it odd and, I think, antiquated that I use two spaces after a period. He said his company went to one space a long time ago. Is this standard now? Am I out of it? Please tell me what you do.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Real life baby doll
At times I like to call Lauren my real-life baby doll. With almost 4 years since my last baby and only 19 months between the first two I really have an appreciation for all the newborn things. I can hold her and rock her and kiss her all I want with no comments!
So - when I saw that Julia had gotten all her dolls out and put them on a blanket this morning I could not resist the urge to take this picture:
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Kindergarten and chemo
School resumed today after the Christmas break (or excuse me...winter break). Nathan wasn't feeling so great since he started his fifth round of his current chemo regiment yesterday. Luke and I kind of pushed him into going to school and were justified by him having a good day and even participating in PE. We have always strived for him to live a normal life as possible while going through his treatments. Nathan was semi-famous among his classmates this morning for being in the newspaper during break.
He is having chemo at home in the afternoons the rest of the week. He really takes it all in stride. Here he is playing while attached to his chemo. It is in that ball-like thing.
I suppose I need to post about this in Nathan's caringbridge page. I can't get away from there being some overlap between the two sites since his treatments are a big part of my everyday life when he has something going on.
He is having chemo at home in the afternoons the rest of the week. He really takes it all in stride. Here he is playing while attached to his chemo. It is in that ball-like thing.
I suppose I need to post about this in Nathan's caringbridge page. I can't get away from there being some overlap between the two sites since his treatments are a big part of my everyday life when he has something going on.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Thoughts at 5:00 am
I got up at 4:30 last night to feed Lauren. I could not go back to sleep and so all kinds of thought filled my mind.
1. Nathan has now lived more than half of his life as a cancer patient. He was 33 months at diagnosis. He is now 66 months. How warped his life view must be.
Nathan just came in the room as I was writing this - he just asked me did I remember when he had cancer and was wobbly and he had to hold on to the IV pump to walk. So - yes - I guess I just confirmed my thoughts. Before he just told me this he came up and snuggled up to me and said he loved me. I then took his picture because he is wearing a new shirt and looks so handsome.
2. I am trying to put together a birthday party for Julia. She turns 4 on the 22nd. I was working on the details of that. She wants a party at home with a Strawberry Shortcake theme. She wants to do arts and crafts. I really need to send out the invitations. I must try to keep my house clean between now and then so it isn't too much work to get ready.
Hmm - my other thoughts seem to have escaped me. Probably because now I am thinking about getting ready to go and all I need to do today. I am taking Julia to Tammy's (sitter) getting some things from the store and then taking Nathan to the clinic for chemo this afternoon.
Gotta go.....
1. Nathan has now lived more than half of his life as a cancer patient. He was 33 months at diagnosis. He is now 66 months. How warped his life view must be.
Nathan just came in the room as I was writing this - he just asked me did I remember when he had cancer and was wobbly and he had to hold on to the IV pump to walk. So - yes - I guess I just confirmed my thoughts. Before he just told me this he came up and snuggled up to me and said he loved me. I then took his picture because he is wearing a new shirt and looks so handsome.
2. I am trying to put together a birthday party for Julia. She turns 4 on the 22nd. I was working on the details of that. She wants a party at home with a Strawberry Shortcake theme. She wants to do arts and crafts. I really need to send out the invitations. I must try to keep my house clean between now and then so it isn't too much work to get ready.
Hmm - my other thoughts seem to have escaped me. Probably because now I am thinking about getting ready to go and all I need to do today. I am taking Julia to Tammy's (sitter) getting some things from the store and then taking Nathan to the clinic for chemo this afternoon.
Gotta go.....
Monday, January 02, 2006
Dull miscellany
CHOIR
I did sing in church choir yesterday. I didn't have much of a voice - but enough of one to enjoy taking part. Before Lauren came along I sang at the 8:00 and 9:30 services. We normally leave the house at 7:00 am. This was our first attempt to attend the 8:00 since Lauren was born. I set my alarm for 5:50 am in order to have time to get ready and to feed Lauren. We left the house only 7 minutes late. Not bad! There is something inherently unnatural about waking up a 6 week old baby though.
As the choir sat ready to practice prior to the service the minister preaching (not the usual one) came in to pray but beforehand make a crack about us all needing to get a life since we were actually at church at 7:30 am New Years Day. It didn't go over all that well...I don't think he quite meant it the way it came out.
DOG
It is not a good thing for new carpets when a dog eats a whole gallon bag of peanut brittle...'nuff said
FREECYCLE
Yesterday I ventured into the crawlspace and cleaned it out. I pulled out all of the boy clothes stored in there and sorted them. I then offered up 7 boxes on freecycle. Freecycle's goal is to keep items out of landfills by bringing together a local group of people to give and take unwanted things. I have only ever offered items and not taken any since I am just the kind of person who would prefer to jut go out and buy something if I need it - but I am so happy to be able to give my uwanted things to others who want them. Great service.
I did sing in church choir yesterday. I didn't have much of a voice - but enough of one to enjoy taking part. Before Lauren came along I sang at the 8:00 and 9:30 services. We normally leave the house at 7:00 am. This was our first attempt to attend the 8:00 since Lauren was born. I set my alarm for 5:50 am in order to have time to get ready and to feed Lauren. We left the house only 7 minutes late. Not bad! There is something inherently unnatural about waking up a 6 week old baby though.
As the choir sat ready to practice prior to the service the minister preaching (not the usual one) came in to pray but beforehand make a crack about us all needing to get a life since we were actually at church at 7:30 am New Years Day. It didn't go over all that well...I don't think he quite meant it the way it came out.
DOG
It is not a good thing for new carpets when a dog eats a whole gallon bag of peanut brittle...'nuff said
FREECYCLE
Yesterday I ventured into the crawlspace and cleaned it out. I pulled out all of the boy clothes stored in there and sorted them. I then offered up 7 boxes on freecycle. Freecycle's goal is to keep items out of landfills by bringing together a local group of people to give and take unwanted things. I have only ever offered items and not taken any since I am just the kind of person who would prefer to jut go out and buy something if I need it - but I am so happy to be able to give my uwanted things to others who want them. Great service.
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