Today I am tired.  I know it’s just the chemo that’s making me tired, and the Neulasta shot makes my bones hurt.  Last night I had a very restless night, and consequently so did Chris.  I just couldn’t get comfortable. So the Saturday after my shot, I just have to remember that’s not gonna be a perfect day…

Trinity was at Sarah’s house today. Gracie was at Trindon’s.  I got to take a bath in relaxing sea salts and then I fell asleep in the tub.  Just for a little while. It felt soooo good.  Then Amy brought us dinner. Tonight after Trinity gets home, I’m packing them up to take them to Dick and Janie’s…Happy Birthday, Da!

I hope you don’t get sick of me thanking you for all your prayers.  It really means so much to me that so many people are helping us through this, with childcare, gifts, meals, cards and encouraging emails and phone calls.  It’s been amazing.  Chemo’s not been as bad as I thought it would be because of my friends and family.

When I realized a few months ago that they were building a Cheesecake Factory in OKC, I got so excited.  Gracie got excited and wanted to go too even though she’s never eaten cheesecake. I told her when they opened I would take her for her first bite of cheesecake.  So last night, we got dressed up, dropped Trinity off at my parents house, and went to eat Strawberry Cheesecake.  It was a very special “date” for the both of us.  How I enjoyed having a real conversation with just her, no interruptions, delicious food, and just looking into the blue eyes of my precious little girl! She is such a treasure. And so grown up!

Trinity said “dada!”  It may have been a mistake like when she said “mama” a couple times but we can’t get her to say it on command, so I’m not counting it yet.  It’s just fun to hear her experiment with new sounds.  It’s a joy having a baby in our lives again, however hectic things get sometimes

My 2nd chemo experience today, I was a bit less nervous since I kind of knew what to expect.  Janie and I dropped the girls off at Jan’s house and then went to my Dr’s office.  The infusion room is a long room with recliners comforting sick (mainly old) people lined up with warm, white blankets all getting chemo drips.  The nurses bustle around, taking care to visit with each one of us and change the IV drips when our machines start beeping. Someone was sitting in “my” recliner in front of the saltwater fishtank, so I took a cozier-looking chair by the TV.  Another woman was there watching “the Price is Right” so I just ignored it and was thankful I had brought some scrapbooking things.  I did get a laugh out of one lady who had won a car or something and she almost bounced herself right out of her spandex pants and her homemade “I LOVE THE PRICE IS RIGHT” shirt.  It was so shocking and hilarious, I laughed out loud.  I made two pages today while I got my chemo and visited with Janie.

The worst part is still sticking the IV into the port. It hurts and I yelp like a puppy.  So far, two for two.  I don’t think I’m going to get used to that feeling. It’s not any less painful when they pluck it out.  The only difference there is that it’s a little easier because that means chemo is over and I get to go home.

Then we ate at Nickelette’s with Chris.  Let’s hope it just stays down LOL.  I did get a different supplemental prescription today to help with nausea.  It’s called Emend, I think. They said no insurance companies cover it yet and it’s $200 each pill.  This was a sample pack. I took one pill before chemo, then I take one each day for the next two days.  So far so good.  Of course, that’s what I said last round about this time too. You guys pray it’s a little easier this time around! Cause I am a terrible thrower-upper.  If it works, hopefully they have more samples for each of my rounds of chemo.  Swallowing $600 each chemo treatment and thinking about paying for it out of our own pockets makes me wanna puke all over again hahahaha.  Samples are our friends…drug reps are our friends…drug samples are good!

Thanks for all your prayers and cards.  I have quite a collection started on my closet door.  So far I have a little over 40 cards!  And I cherish each one.  I feel like I’m so fortunate to be connected with so many people on such a deep level.  I have friends everywhere, and that is a wonderful place to be. 

 Trinity’s sitting up by herself for short periods of time now! What a big girl. And she’s eating a little bit of soft solid foods now, here she is enjoying her first taste of ice cream.  She loved it of course.

She’s such a happy baby!

I took this picture this morning, just because I thought Trinity looked sweet in her swing:

Then I thought it looked really familiar and looked, sure enough there’s the same picture, same outfit, three years ago.  I swear I didn’t even mean to! But here’s Gracie (she had a fatter face):

Gracie prayed this long prayer for Daddy when we dropped him off for work.  Precious!  Only at the end, it was  bit disturbing…she said, “and let Daddy have a great day, for the love of God, Amen.”  Hahahaha.  Where does she hear that???

Trinity’s not feeling well.  She got her shots yesterday at Dr Stephen’s office and she’s got a snotty nose.  I’ve been keeping her doped up on Tylenol so she’s not so miserable.  She got three shots and her chubby little legs were so sore yesterday.  My poor Trin!

Dr Stephens told Chris that he has been praying for me.  He is the best pediatrician and the most wonderful example of a Christian professional I have ever seen. I admire him so much and thank God that he was recommended to us when Gracie was born.  It’s so important to able to trust your doctor, especially your kids’ doctor.  And then to know he cares enough that he’s been praying too, well, that just makes me adore him even more!

Last night, Chris took me on a date.  We split chicken fajitas at Ted’s! Everything tasted sooo good last night, I guess because Ritz crackers and Ginger Ale get very old after awhile.  I dread my next chemo.  It’s on the 26th so I have a week…one week to really enjoy life again…

Gracie and I spent the afternoon reading books.  She’s “reading” them to us now and that’s super fun for me. 

Oh–I buzzed my hair off.  It’s gone!  It was starting to pull when it came out, and that was uncomfortable.  Plus, since it had started falling out, every time I tried to style it with gooey manipulator, the hair would come out and stick to my fingers instead of my head.  LOL I know it’s ugly but it sure feels better now, and this cold weather means it’s time to bust out the beanies anyway! I have several cute ones I can’t wait to try.    

Okay, that’s it for today.  I’ll try and find a picture for you here…hmmm…oh yes, this one will do.  Here’s a picture for you all.  Trinity wearing Mommy’s new wig.  She looks good with hair, dontcha think? 

Other than the occasional need for a long nap, I’m doing great!  Chemo can only have me for 5 days, I guess.  And hopefully when I go back next time, I can ask the nurse for a different kind of anti-nausea IV that will work better for me.  I didn’t know they had different kinds.  Apparently you just have to experience them all to know what works and what doesn’t. My hair hasn’t fallen out yet, but I am shedding really bad.  Like when you pet a cat. 

The other day, Gracie wanted to watch The Wonder Pets.  Trinity was on a blanket with some toys having a very frustrating “tummy time” and I heard Chris IM me from work.  So I went in the dining room to sit at the computer and  realize after a few minutes that all I hear is the TV.  When I go in to check on them, I see Gracie is asleep on the recliner and Trinity has turned herself all the way around, and is laying on her side, watching TV!  So cute!  

I met with some really special people the other day…my youth pastors from Cherokee Hills.  I haven’t seen them in over 10 years! Eddy and Carolyn, it was really great to catch up with you.  See you again soon!

The girls went to people’s houses all week and had a blast. So many of our family and friends brought us groceries and meals this past week.  It was so amazing.  Thank you, everyone!  I’m so glad we have so many people around us that love and care for us…I remember when Chris got that offer to go work for the computer software company in Nashville, TN.  I know God was guiding us to take his present job and stay here.  What a terrible thing this would all be if we had to go it all alone! 

And I have to add a picture or two, just because I know that’s what most of you come here for anyways!

My little chunker: 

and then the sophisticated one, drinking her morning peppermint tea and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: