Let it snow...

Toward the end of Scott and Cindy's stay the Northern weather finally caught up to them, and snow began to fall, and fall, and fall...

It began on Wednesday, didn't think much of it, slushy snow / rain mix mostly.  We had decided to actually GO OUT together (very unusual these days) after triumphantly returning from the clinic earlier that morning where we learned that C was on the way up in his white blood cell counts, somehow sailing through this round.  We figured with as close to a normal immune system response as he'll ever have, may as well enjoy it right?  So, what to do...  We went to see the planes at Udvar Hazy!  We had the place to ourselves due to the weather and it really was a fun trip.

Upon leaving the museum, it was just starting to turn to snow, that was around 3:30...  We finally arrived home, just before 6!  Yep, 2.5 hours to go 5 miles, it was some ride in two cars...  Luckily the kids were sleeping for the most part, and the adults were amused by things like watching mail delivery trucks driving up hills sideways, watching snow accumulate in the branches next to us as we sat still on the road, and the occasional expedition uncle Scott made to help push a stranded motorist up a hill or out of the road.  And we all made it home in time for dinner, even daddy, thanks again Scott for shoveling everything out, and even moving bagel vans out of the way!  ;)

We even managed to make room for a stranded last minute guest from B's work, whom H promptly drafted as a new play mate.  The happy consequence of our full house was that we were lucky to have 3 men around on Thursday morning to help with the shoveling and they made quick work of it.

And we also managed to enjoy sledding yesterday before uncle Scott and aunt Cindy left, and again this morning along with snowman assembly.  Hot cocoa always follows our snow escapades, which is as it should be.  Luckily I have managed to keep our pantry stocked with it.  :)

And finally, I found a couple of cute shots on the new camera from our last hospital stay, so here are some gratuitous cute chemo pics, so nice to see him smiling his way through it... 

Belated Christmas post...

So I meant to post this long ago, on Christmas day itself actually, but by the evening we were off to the E.R. again to start what would be our longest hospital stint yet (23 out of 24 days inpatient, between 2 hospitals...).  So finally, here is the tree built by the unexpectedly overflowing kindness of others:

The tree itself, as well as the overwhelming majority of the lovely gifts beneath it, were funded or gifted directly to us by a great many kind folks, co-workers, neighbors, family and friends, and even some strangers through charitable organizations such as Growing Hope and some groups who provided gifts to the kids in the hospital around the holidays.

Some of these gifts brought tears to our eyes, most brought smiles to the faces of our children, and all helped to make this a wonderful Christmas morning for our family to share together, without the stress of trying to pull it all together from the hospital.  The real gift was a great memory that we will always hold close of this first Christmas that we were able to share as a family.  We hope you know how dear of a gift you gave to us by including us in your holiday shopping and keeping us in your thoughts.  :)

P.S.  Jessie and Lonnie, I still owe you pics of those adorable little hats, so cute, also to the Young family for Casey's wonderful hospital jammies, so warm and comfy, we reach for them first always and get endless compliments on them!  Here are a couple to start off...

Happy 9 months!

So not the normal interval to reflect upon, and no pictures as it is hard to manage photo postings in the hospital, but I felt the need to wish our little C congrats on an amazing 9 months, today. As of today you've been out in our world for as long as I carried you within me, at least in your present general configuration (I know you've really always been a part of me in some form). You have been through so much in this short time, and taught us so much, and touched so many. You are still stunning us with your contagious smiles, and reminding us to appreciate the good that we have in these moments we are living right now. Thank you, C, we are so blessed to have made your acquaintance, feel free to stay as long as you'd like. :)

2nd Round Catch Up...

I know there will be ups and downs on this path, but it has been so wonderful to have a few more ups lately, for a while it seemed to be mostly spiralling down.  He tolerated this round so much better, and seemed a bit more like his old self.  We are home for Christmas, and very thankful of this, we know it could have easily been another hospital holiday.  I think this Christmas will be as perfect as it can be this year, we have much to be grateful for today all things considered, at least in this moment.

Pics from our last hospital stay...

 H feeds C (sort of, he still doesn't get the bottle concept, we're trying sippys now)...  :)

 MUCH more playful this round...

 Casey has a little lamb...

 He loves it so, rarely found far from his little hands...

 We even had floor play, these moments made me so proud and happy, I've been missing watching my boy enjoy playing and wanting to be mobile...

 C's reflection...

 A lovely blankie made for C by a local church...  He seems to like it.  :)

 Santa visits the hospital too, C tried to nab the elf's toy...

 C lovingly wipes his sheep, have I been supplanted?  :)...

Snow!

We had some snow today, H loved it.  Aunties are in town after grands went home through the weekend, new play mates for H, she is really pleased with all the attention.  We are back in the hospital tomorrow for chemo, so caringbridge will be updated again, until then a few more pix posted here...

Our Christmas tree from outside...

 H playing in the snow...

 Finger paints...

Fun with grandpa...

 Wearing Auntie D's boots...

Look ma, I can work this with my feet!  :)

Long time no see...

A few pics from the last month to catch up...

C being adorable, getting a sponge bath during his first big chemo, I was wiping him so he found a wipe and began to gently wipe mommy in return...  :)

C's first time initiating a game of peek-a-boo, I was happy to see him so playful...  :)

C's chemo Christmas tree, as we called it, they wear protective gear just handling this stuff, it is a lot for such a little boy...

C and Daddy...

A good day, up on all fours again!

When C gets chemo, we have to wear gloves to protect ourselves when we change his diapers...

Grandma and C at the hospital...

This is probably a pretty good representation of me at the hospital when C is having a bad day, unfortunately these days there are more bad than good it seems, I guess it just makes us appreciate the good even more...

He still has a hunky smile in my opinion...

Cuddling in a new favorite blankie last week, one of several kind gifts C has received...

H has really been enjoying having the grands around, I'm so thankful for their help with everything from childcare to hanging closet doors (finally)!  :)