Happy Boy!

For this month's entry, I wanted to share a few pictures of our big baby boy. Not that it's new to have pictures, but do note how he sits up, is huge (21 lbs), and is becoming more of a little boy all the time. By the way, he no longer fits into his 9-month old clothing. (He is only 7 months old and wearing 12-month clothes---remember how he was premature at birth- 5 lbs 10 oz. LOL!) We had a wonderful time this Christmas. First, we celebrated with my family in Sacramento, then spent some time at my cousin's house (Will and Riva), saw my Uncle Mick and Aunt Rolane, surprised Bill's Mom (Tab) on Christmas and spent a wonderful few days with her and Kent, then spent a few more days at my other cousin's house (Bryan and Cara) before coming home. Ryan travelled well and slept most of the way there and back in his comfy new car seat. We had to get the larger one for our growing boy. Luckily this one is able to change to a booster seat too, so no more car seat changes in the future. Bill had this week off too, so I worked all five days and am pretty tired. Hooray for a relaxing weekend. I am feeling better all the time, and will get another scan 1/27, so pray for good results. Bill is such a great dad and we still have time for just the two of us. God is blessing us more and more each day. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7

Are you feeling neglected?

Ok, so ummm, well I. . ., what I mean to say is, you seeee. . ., FINE! I have no excuse. I have been busy, and I keep meaning to blog, but there are all these distractions. You must know how bad I am at keeping up on the computer. I check my email once in a while too, but really... I am an ignorer (is that a word?) of the computer. Bill is the one who keeps me updated on all of your blogs-- and only sometimes. He is much better at all of this. I guess that when I get a spare moment I either sleep, play with Ryan some more, or clean. Yes, there are more options than that, but I don't want to bore you with all of my day-to-day chores. Anyways, what's new? Well, I am officially done with treatment and feeling better every day. I am still not 100% on energy, but I do also have a baby that wears me out. But, a couple of weeks ago I went up a flight of stairs without being winded! I know! What an accomplishment! Really, it was. God has brought me a long way! A big concern to everyone is my hair. Yes, it's growing back, but is too short for my tastes! I like my super cute wig much better. Maybe I'm just attached after wearing it for 8 months straight! For now I'm in the watch and wait part of the journey. So far clear of cancer, but it feels too soon to claim remission yet. I'll get a MRI soon and see how things are. Back to fun things- Ryan goes through spurts of sleeping well through the night and then realizing that he can get up every four hours and get more mommy time. I think he just misses me on those nights. Oh well, he's still a good natured, happy, lovey "little" guy. At his 6 month check-up he weighed 18 pounds and 7 oz. That would be in the 75th percentile for his age. Hee hee- who knew he came out so scrawny. He gives kisses and rolls over and loves every food we've given him. (shocker!) I love this age. Can I freeze him right here? Adorable but still immobile? I guess I'll have to start baby-proofing my house soon. I am working 3 days a week and doing ok with it. Bill and other friends have been helping with the day care. Bill is still wonderful, by the way- as if we had doubts! I have been abundantly blessed with such an amazing husband. He enjoys Ryan time as much as I do- so it's fun to share in the parental duties. Well, I'll try to write more later.........hopefully not too much later. :)

Squishy love

I can't believe that I'm almost done with treatment! Only 8 more days of radiation and I'm finished! Ah, relief. So far I have some sunburn effect on my left side where they are radiating and it's sore, but not too bad. I hope it continues this way till I'm done- these side effects aren't very difficult at all. My hair is really starting to grow back and take away from the "scalp" look. I still wear my wig- I like it- it's easy, cute, fast to get ready, removable when I have hot flashes, and the hair I have growing is so incredibly short that I don't like the way it looks right now. Not really my style. Anyways, I've spent 7 months in the wig already and people are just starting to not make the comments I'm now used to hearing like- "Wow, you really cut your hair" or "Your hair is soooo different" or "You look like a different person with straight hair". I've heard it all by now- multiple times- and if I go to super-short, natural, growing-in hair then I'm just welcoming the cycle all over again. I don't mind it, but of all things, the hair seems to get the most conversation. Crazy, huh? Did my hair define me that much? Oh well, Ryan doesn't seem to care if I have hair or not- I think babies focus on faces, not hair. Hat, wig, bald, short hair, glasses or not, makeup or not, he seems to know it's me and like it when I'm there. It's lovely to know that he loves me no matter what I look like. And so does my ever-supportive, loving, and studly husband, Bill. He still tells me I'm beautiful multiple times a day- and means it. I am the most blessed girl in the world- sigh!! Well, enjoy Ryan's latest pictures. I know that's what everyone is looking for on this blog- and I can't blame you. He's adorable, still good natured, mellow, and happy- and HUGE. Our boy is 17 pounds of squishy love and drool. Told you I was blessed.

It hasn't been THAT long!

I know, I know, I am a slacker, lazy, - etc. Can I blame the month-late entry on my forgetfulness? New baby? Chemo? Well, whatever the reason, I am now giving you all an update on our lives. Bill is awesome and working all the time to support us. I am now working Mon, Wed, and every other Thurs to help a little. And I enjoy my job, the people I work with, and getting out of the house once in a while. I started radiation yesterday and have 6 weeks to go. It's like getting an xray. I'm not radioactive afterwards and do not glow, much to Bill's disappointment. I will probably be tired and get sunburn effects later on, but for now, the only irritation is the time commitment of going every single day during the week. Oh well, this is the last step of the process and I'm done!

Ryan is laughing all the time now and talks his cute baby-cooing language. We love it and do whatever we can to make him do more. He also, as you can see, is gaining weight regularly and has had no problems outgrowing his clothes. At 4 months old, he is now wearing his 6 month clothing. I find out exactly what his weight is on Thurs when he gets another round of immunizations (yuck). Two weeks ago he was 14 pounds. I can only imagine what the current number has reached. But how cute are his rolls and chub?? I can't stop kissing him and he is so huggable. I hope you enjoyed the slide show. Bill put it on the blog for me after I spent some time. . . putting it together. Here are another couple cute shots for ooo-ing and ahhh-ing.

State Fair and other cute photos!

Smiles!

More cute shoes

I don't know when life will slow down. My guess is never again, but I'm enjoying the ride. My last chemotherapy was on Thursday, which means that I feel crummy this week. But oh well, the feeling of ick only lasts a week, and all I have left is radiation. Yeah! Ryan is keeping us very busy, nothing new really, just being adorable and eating constantly. Sometimes I just think that God blessed me with not being able to breastfeed -because I don't know if I would have been able to keep up with my "little" pigglet. Seriously, he's up to around 13 pounds now- at 3 months old. Just look at the cheeks and arm rolls! He decided to grunt out a hernia on the other side. Yes, he just had surgery 2 months ago for pyloric stenosis and a hernia- but this is the other side. Anyways, more surgery :( but it should just be a one night stay. I don't know the day yet, but I'm hoping for next week. He doesn't seem to mind his little bulge, so at least we aren't dealing with crying baby in pain. In fact, Ryan smiles all the time now and coos to us. And to the ceiling fan, and to his toys--- whatever, it's super cute to hear his little voice. And an occasional giggle makes life wonderful. Oh, and he slept for 7 hours last night!! Don't worry, we still had to get up in the middle of the night- it was from 7pm -2am, but hey, it's progress.

Look at our chunky boy!!

Ryan had on this adorable outfit- bringing out his beautiful blue eyes. Can you stand the chunky cheeks?!?

And the shoes!!!

I can't believe that Ryan is 11 pounds now! He is so fun, and starting to smile and coo a little bit. We (the parents) are doing well too. :)