More Baseball & First Time at the Pool!

Last year we went to San Bernardino for the Little League western regional championship. We had so much fun that we really wanted to go again this year. The teams playing this year were Northern CA and Southern CA. It wasn't that crowded last year, but this year it was PACKED! We were there about 45 min early and it's a good thing or else we wouldn't have gotten a seat. But before we went to the game, we drove by the Redlands Temple. I had never seen it, so Kyle decided to drive by it and let me and Jack get out and walk around for a minute. Joey was sleeping, so Kyle stayed in the car with her. We are trying to teach Jack to recognize temples, so when we point one out he gets excited. He even knows that Moroni is on the top and that he plays a trumpet. So smart. ;)  Anyways...after driving by the temple, we grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to the game. It was a good game and Southern CA won. However, we had to leave in the middle of the 5th inning because we were meeting a friend of Kyle's for dessert. The games are only 6 innings, so we didn't miss much. While we were getting dessert, Jack fell asleep and Joey fell asleep as soon as we got back in the car. It was a long day for them but everyone had a lot of fun.

More exciting news about Jack...he got his line out! No more tubies! He got them out last Tuesday and had to wait 48 hours for a real bath, and once that time was up he got to enjoy the first good bath of the year. Of course he had baths throughout the year (we do still believe in good hygiene), but with his tubes it was a big ordeal and he couldn't really enjoy it. So having a lot of water and being able to play and splash was a big deal. The next big thing he had to wait for was going to the pool. He had to wait until Saturday to be able to go. Saying that Jack was excited is an understatement. We went to the store a few days before his line was taken out and bought him some swim shorts (or what he calls his Jellyfish Pants). Every day after that he would beg to go to the pool. So when Saturday came and we actually said he could go...he was so excited he could hardly stand it. In the early afternoon we put on our swim suits, packed up our towels and sunscreen, and headed up the street. Both Jack and Joey had tons of fun splashing and swimming in the water. Jack also had fun jumping off the edge into the pool. A good bit of time was also spent in the kiddie pool. Jack didn't have to wear his floaty vest and it was easier for both of the kids to play and have fun. We were at the pool for about 2 hours and Jack really did not want to come home. But we finally made it home and both kids were so worn out that they immediately fell asleep. They were even tired and grumpy all through the next day as well! They sure had fun though. I'm so glad that we didn't completely miss going to the pool this summer. We are getting a late start, but some time is better than none.

Jack and Joey are so goofy that they make it so much fun to be with them all day. Of course we have some rough times or rough days, but overall we have happy kids. I love them and I just can't resist those cute little smiles!

Exciting Last Few Weeks

Another few weeks have gone by and a lot has happened. The biggest thing is once again regarding Jack's cancer. He had some scans done and they came back clear! He is cancer free and now just has regular scans and blood work to do. So now we are starting to get back to a more normal life. I know the summer is almost over, but we will actually be able to go to the pool for the first time next weekend! Jack's line will be out and he can get back in the water. He is getting so big too I just can't believe it. Yes yes...he's only 3 but this last year has gone by so fast I can hardly remember anything outside of hospital stays and doctors appointments. And during all this time, little Joanna has been growing like a weed as well. She is almost 8 months old and her personality has really been coming out. It seems that she is quite a stubborn little girl and knows what she wants. That's gonna be challenging later on...Anyways. The last week or so Jack and Joey (Joanna) have actually been getting along a little better and are starting to play together a little more. Of course it's not all the time, but more than before. Jack loves to make Joey laugh and even tells her to follow him around the house. He is still very protective of some of his toys, but what kid isn't. 

But moving on. We attempted to take a couple of pictures of the two of them together outside, but Jack was having one of his moments. Joey was having fun on the blanket, playing with a comb, and Jack did NOT want to come sit by her. So finally after about 5 minutes of trying to get him close to Joey and trying to get him to smile or laugh, we finally got a decent picture. It's not exactly what I was hoping for, but it worked.

Last Friday we went to an Angels baseball game. We had just gotten results about Jack being cancer free earlier that week and it was also Mormon night. So it was a great night to go and have fun. We were so excited too because Jack's name was going to be on the big screen! It was just a simple "Congratulations" but it was neat to see it up there. The game started at seven and by about nine, both of the kids were asleep. We wanted to stay though because there were going to be fireworks after the game and Jack had been talking about them ALL day. So we stayed til the end and woke up Jack to see the fireworks. It was actually a really exciting game and the fireworks were great. It was definitely a great way to celebrate Jack's great news and have a fun night out as a family.

Done with Chemo!

Hello again! This has been quite an exciting last few weeks. Jack has finished his last round of chemotherapy and is doing well! But before we get to all that, I just had to share a few cute pics of my kiddos :)

Now, back to Jack's chemo. We went into the hospital for his last big treatment that requires him to stay for a few days. I was excited also because he was getting a nice big room all to himself. He was given some new cars and was having lots of fun playing with them and sliding them all across the floor.

That night, Kyle, Joey, and Kyle's mom came up with pizza and cookies to celebrate Jack's last big chemo. Jack was so excited and enjoyed a nice big slice of pizza and a big cookie with sprinkles on it.

A little bit before the family came up to celebrate, Jack got a roommate. But it worked out. Jack was moved to his own room again later that night where nobody else would bother him. The second day, Jack slept ALL day and only woke up long enough to go potty and maybe watch a few minutes of cartoons before he fell back asleep. But the next morning he woke up feeling good and was ready to go home. Just before we left, the nurses and his doctors came in with a poster, a trophy, and a gift. They even sang "Happy Last Chemo" to the tune of "Happy Birthday". He was a little embarrassed but you could tell that he enjoyed it. So after they left his room, it was time to go home.

The following two weeks Jack had his small treatments at the Outpatient Infusion Center. He always plays with the food and makes me a great meal every time. ;) So his last time going, he did the same thing and then went back to watch a few minutes of cartoons. We weren't there long but it was long enough for him to have some fun playing.

That night we decided to let Jack pick what he wanted to do to celebrate being all done with chemo. He of course shouted that he wanted ice cream. So we went down to the mall and got some ice cream and Farrell's. He picked out the kind of ice cream he wanted and ate all that his stomach could handle. After ice cream we walked around the mall and let him go in his favorite store...The Disney Store. Then it was time to head home and get ready for bed. It was a great night and I'm so happy that Jack is done with his chemo. We start his follow up appointments this Friday, but we wont be heading to the hospital nearly as often as we have since last Christmas. So now we start to get back to a more normal life and let Jack get back to doing the activities that he loves. I know I say this a lot but I love my family and I'm so grateful to have a wonderful and supportive husband, and to have 2 beautiful and sweet children in my life!