TGIF

To say that I am thankful this week is over is an understatement.  Last Friday we went to Children's to have  a CT scan done on Katie.  We left Friday night with the information that it wasn't anything "big and bad" but that we would have more information on Monday.  We were thankful.  Monday, we found out that she does, in fact, have a Dermoid Cyst, but it's eroding her skull.  The nurse told me that we should schedule a surgery "as soon as possible," but to wait until the next day after she had spoken to the doctor.  I went into panic mode again.  Tuesday rolls around and we determined that it's best to wait until March to have the surgery - when Katie is 9 months.  They want to wait until she is older, but get it out as soon as possible - a weighing of risks.  All in all we are counting our blessings and are thankful that we have Children's and that the cyst hasn't reached her brain.  We are praying that it doesn't grow too much between now and March.

In the meantime, we have been dealing with some other sadness, some scares, and we have been doing a lot of praying.  Our dear Lorna passed away from an enlarged heart.  It was sudden and in her sleep.  She literally passed away from having too big of a heart, which only seems fitting considering how loving and caring she was.  She was much too young and we will miss her dearly. 

Baby Natalie Razore is at Children's on an ECMO - fighting for her life.  She has Pertussis (Whooping Cough) and has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks.  She only is 6 weeks old and her little body is maxed out.  We are praying her lungs and heart get stronger by the day and she can go home where she belongs.

To add to the list, I had a colonoscopy (not a fun prep process!).  I never knew how hard it was to eat a "low fiber" diet.  I received good, but inconclusive results. 

Needless to say, we are tired, thankful, and continuing to pray for our family, for our health, and for our friends.

I never have felt so appreciative of "my village" and the support and love we have received.  It sure does take a village, and I have a pretty darn good village : )  Is noon too early to have a glass of wine?!?

Jolly Jumper

It's that time - we brought out the Jolly Jumper.  Katie doesn't last long - but it's a nice change of scenery for both her and me : )

Children's

I have a love/hate emotion toward Children's Hospital.  I LOVE that we have such an amazing resource in our back yard, but HATE it when I (or someone I love) have to utilize this resource.  Last night, Kyle and I took our little Katie to Children's.  She has had a bump on her head since she was born.  At first, doctors thought it was from being stuck in my pelvic canal and her scull just formed that way.  We learned last night that something like that should go away in the first few months after birth.  We checked into Children's, and since it was our first visit, we had to get our badges created.  They say that the badges only work for one day - but not to worry, the information will be stored in their database so that when we come back next time it is an easy process.  I was thinking...but I don't want to come back.  I am a little sensitive to Children's as it was there where I learned I had a tumor at the age of 15 (ironically, Katie saw one of the doctors who diagnosed my tumor).  So any lump or bump, especially on my child, makes me nervous.  All in all, we pretty much received the best news we could ask for.  Katie most likely has a Dermoid cyst in her skull.  We will be going in for a CT scan in the next few weeks to verify and to get an idea of the size.  She will need surgery, as these masses continue to grow and burst with high impact, but they like to wait until babies are one before surgery.  I can't imagine my 4 1/2 month old going in for surgery!  I want to get the CT scan results right now, but it is a test of patience and a practice of prayer. Driving to Children's on a rainy Monday night definitely puts things in perspective and is a good reminder that health is everything.  We are thankful for the resources at Children's.

HALLOWEEN

On Queen Anne, all of the merchants open their doors to trick-or-treators from 3 - 6.  They also hold a Farmers Market and it's just fun to walk around, people watch, and chat with neighbors.  For those of us with little ones, we can get the trick-or-treating out of the way and then cozy in at home and open the door for the older kids.  We didn't get a ton of visitors, but Andy LOVED opening the door for those who came.  He had to say goodbye to each one and was super excited every time the doorbell rang.  We were thankful for the dry weather and surprised by how many older kids came by and asked, "how many can I take?"  Really? How about just one?  We were all tired at the end of the day yesterday, but had a successful and fun Halloween weekend!

Me with my ladybug - and so proud of my spiderweb masterpiece in the background - ha!  (One little girl came to the door and said she loved my Halloween decorations.  She got an extra handful of candy for that!)

Heading out to the QA Ave

Halloween Weekend: Grandparents

We went trick-or-treating at Gamma's and Gumpa's house on Friday night.  Andy had been trick-or-treating at the different merchants in Magnolia and then had more than his share of chocolate.  So, when we went to Gamma's and Gumpa's door, he decided to cut to the chase and said, "chocolate please."  Pretty funny. 

Doesn't Katie look happy?

We have gone to the Husky game with Ka and Bapa for the last two weekend (not Stanford, thank goodness!) and when Ka and Bapa showed up, Any said, "Husky Game?"  Who cares about Halloween when one can watch Husky football : )



Halloween Weekend: Magnolia Trick-or-Treat

On Friday, 10/29, we headed to Magnolia to take part in the Village Trick-or-Treat.  Since we go to preschool in Magnolia, we knew more people there than on Queen Anne.  Andy had a blast and was so sweet when asking for candy.  We changed Andy into a Dino - which was a better fit (size and personality).  We also visited with our cousins and saw William the adorable Lobster.

Andy trying on his Dino costume for the first time.  He thought the claws were pretty cool.

A little overwhelmed on the streets of Magnolia

Off he goes!

Our 'lil ladybug

Halloween Weekend - Gamma Phi

We had a week long celebration for Halloween.  It started on 10/25 at the Gamma Phi house.  We met Kristin and Ty and Jess and Gabbi and Alivia.  The house had a poor showing of trick-or-treators, but we had a fun!

Andy the Lion - the costume was a little small

Andy and Ty on the Gamma Phi doorstep

Where's Katie?!?

Gabbi and Alivia chasing Andy

Katie Girl - 4 months

Hard to believe Katie already is 4 months old.  She doesn't seem like a "baby" anymore.  I was updating my baby calendar that has been tucked away since about August.  All you have to do is put stickers on the calendar to document milestones about the baby's life.  For the life of me, I couldn't remember what we/she did during the month of September.  It's like my memory doesn't exist.  Good thing I have this blog - but even the blog is hard to keep up on! 

Katie's stats at 4 months:

Weight:  13.35 lbs - 50%

Height:  24 inches - 50%

Head:  15 3/4 cm - 25%

These days, Katie is interacting a lot more.  She has become very well acquainted with Sophie the Giraffe and especially like to chew on the "horns."  What are those on a giraffe anyway?!?  She gives lots of smiles, coos, and sticks her tongue out for raspberries.  She enjoys tummy time, her bouncy seat, and her swing - even when the batteries are low and the music is quite disturbing.  She likes to scoot in circles when she is on her back - counter clock-wise.  When she wakes up from a nap she sometimes has scooted in a full circle.  She'll suck on a binky for a little bit, but prefers her right thumb or left two fingers.  Overall, she is a happy baby - only crying when she is hungry, really tired, or has poops.  She is a good eater - only eating about 6 times a day now, and she sleeps for 12 hours at night (8PM - 8AM) and takes two good naps a day.  I feel pretty lucky!  Our biggest concern is protecting her from her brother who likes to stomp, shove, or pick Katie up.  He knows he isn't suppose to do it because afterwards he immediately puts himself in time-out and then comes back and gives her kisses.  Fun times.

Here she is sleeping in her bouncy seat - doing the "dada"

Co-op

This is our second year with Andy at the Magnolia Co-op.  Andy is on the young end of his class, since his birthday is right before the cut-off.  I don't know who has more fun, Andy or me.  I love the moms who I have met and gotten to know better and I love getting to know Andy's buddies and have them know me.  This year, I get to drop Andy and Katie off and have two whole hours to myself.  It's amazing how much you can get done in two hours without kids : )  I took pictures of the kids on the first day of class (way back in September) and never posted them.  Since we're in our second year - the kids have snack, which is hard enough in our own house!  It has been so much fun watching Andy learn from his friends and hear stories about him when I am not in class.

We love Teacher Gina

Waiting for his turn

Feeling pretty special that he gets a big boy cup

YUM

Misty and Henry

Misty and I have known each other since high school.  Although we went to different colleges - we have found each other at a similar stage of life now with our kids being close in age.  It has been so much fun reconnecting with each other - and we FINALLY met up for a walk that we have been talking about for awhile now.  We also were able to enjoy the October sun before the weather turned.  I look forward to more walks in the future!

Katie all bundled up - ready for the walk

Misty with the boys