Santa!

We took the boys to see Santa last Saturday. The mall was packed with people doing their Christmas shopping. Luckily, the line to see Santa was relatively short this year and we didn't have to wait too long for it to be Peyton and Hunter's turn to sit on his lap. Peyton understands a lot more about Christmas this year. He knows that he needs to be good and that Santa will bring him presents. He was pretty excited to get to visit Santa.

We dressed the boys in their cute Christmas shirts that Kim gave them. Peyton's says "Santa's Little Helper" and Hunter's says "Baby's 1st Christmas." Hunter's also came with the cutest little reindeer hat. Here's the picture of the boys with Santa, which everyone has already seen because it was on our Christmas card.

Peyton chatted with Santa like they were old pals. When Santa asked Peyton what he wants for Christmas, Peyton simply said, "Toys." It was pretty cute. Santa also told Peyton that he needs to be good and listen to Mommy and Daddy. Hunter was laid back and didn't mind Santa holding him.

Radiation and Chemotherapy Finished!

I have finally completed my radiation treatments and my oral chemotherapy regimen. I took my last chemo pill Sunday night. My last radiation treatment was Monday, December 20. I don't think that I've been counting down to any day so anxiously in a long time.

I took the girls at the radiation office some of my homemade Christmas cookies as a thank you for the wonderful care that they gave me. Everyone there (the radiation therapists, my nurse, and my doctor) were all so kind and caring. I felt that they really got to know me and I got to know them too. Each morning as I was getting ready for my treatment we'd chat about various things, but mostly the important things like our kids and Christmas.

After my last treatment, I got to take my mask home with me. How exciting!? As I was leaving the office, each and every person that was a part of my treatment team stopped what they were doing to wish me well and give me a hug. Two of the girls even chased me down to stop me so that they could say goodbye. Everyone told me that they would continue to think about me and pray that I would stay healthy. While everyone was so friendly, I hope that I never have to see those people again!

On Monday evening, Kyle, Peyton, Hunter, my parents, Jeremy, and I went out to dinner to celebrate the end of my treatment. It was an entertaining evening, as Hunter peed on my mom when she changed his diaper, then Hunter spit up on her after she fed him his bottle, and my brother knocked over an entire soda onto my dad's lap.

I want everyone to know how much their support has meant to me during this ordeal. And now that it is over, bring on Christmas!

Decorating for Christmas

We decorated for Christmas about two weeks ago. We decided to let Peyton help us with the decorations this year. Previously, we had always decorated in the evening after he was asleep. However this year, we figured he was old enough to help us out. While Kyle put together our fabulously fake Christmas tree, Peyton and I got out some of the other decorations. We hung the stockings on the fireplace mantle. Grandmom made Hunter's stocking. She also made Peyton's back when he was born.

Next, we got out Mr. and Mrs. Snowman. Here's Peyton with Mrs. Snowman.

Once the tree was put together, we worked on decorating it. Peyton started out by putting the angel on top of the tree. This took many attempts, but he and Kyle finally got it positioned correctly.

Next Peyton put the candy canes on the tree.

Finally, it was time to hang the ornaments. Peyton mostly put the non-breakable ones on the tree. Kyle and I took care of the more delicate ornaments.

Hunter even got to hang his special Baby's 1st Christmas ornament on the tree.

Here is our decorated Christmas tree.

Even though Peyton helped us with the decorations this year, as soon as he came downstairs the next morning, he ran right over to the tree. He yelled, "Oooh pretty!" It was hilariously cute, because it was as if he was seeing the tree for the first time. He then had to walk around the house and check out all of the other decorations that we put up after he was asleep.

Advent Calendar

One of Peyton's favorite things about December is getting to eat the chocolate from his Advent calendar each night after dinner. These pictures are from December 1, so it was the first day of candy for the month. Can you sense the excitement?

Here are Peyton and I finding the number 1 candy.

Peyton opened the door and removed the candy.

I think he liked it!

More Birthday Gifts

Mr. Spoiled AKA Peyton, got even more birthday gifts a few days ago. He received a gift card to Toys R Us from Grandma Moreau. I know he can't wait to go spend it at the store, but we will wait until after Christmas for a shopping spree. Here are the pictures of him opening his gift.

His card sings the Hot Dog song from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so it was a big hit.

Thanks Grandma!

Thanksgiving 2010

I'm not going to lie - this was not the best Thanksgiving that I've ever had. I was having quite the bad week emotionally. I was pretty bummed out the whole week, but Thanksgiving was especially bad for some reason. I know that I have a ton to be thankful for this year (and every year) but I just couldn't really get into a good mood. There was lots of crying and some yelling by me. I would like to officially apologize to everyone for being a crazy person on Thursday and I'd like to thank everyone for putting up with me!

However, it was Hunter's very first Thanksgiving, so that was exciting. I got up with the boys on Thanksgiving, while Kyle enjoyed a sleep-in day. The three of us played for a while, and then we all sat down to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade together. Peyton especially liked the big Mickey Mouse balloon, the Spiderman balloon, the Sesame Street float, and the Dora float. He sat pretty still throughout the parade and was super excited to see Santa Clause at the end of the parade.

Peyton ate a light, early lunch and then we tried to put him down for a little nap before heading to Nadean's house for dinner. He stayed in his room for about 15 minutes and then decided he was finished sleeping, even though he never even quieted down while he was in his room. We fought with him for a while and he finally ended up falling asleep for about a half-hour. He was grumpy when I woke him up to get ready for dinner since he was tired, but he was also super excited for the huge dinner that was awaiting him. He eventually calmed down and cheered up.

Here's Hunter is his special Thanksgiving outfit. It had turkeys and pumpkins on it and says "I'm Stuffed."

My two cuties. We really need a new pose for the two of them, haha.

Dinner was at Nadean's at 3:00. Prior to dinner, Peyton entertained us all by playing (umm, banging on) the piano. Everyone was there for dinner. Even Jeremy and Jill made it in time to eat with us. Yay!

Dinner was delicious. I think we all enjoyed everything, including the turkey, dressing, cracker corn, bread and butter, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes. Peyton ate pretty well. He'd been looking forward to that meal all month. He chose a variety of foods, even things that he'd never tried before. He surprised me by liking the cranberry sauce. He also ate tons of sausage, which seems to be one of his favorite foods lately.

After dinner we did our drawing of names for the Christmas gift exchange. Then Kim, Bo, and Dougie gave Peyton and Hunter their Halloween gifts. Peyton got some treats like cheese curls, cookies, and candy, as well as a Halloween coloring/sticker book.

I didn't get any pictures of Hunter's gifts, but he got a new rattle and a hat and glove set. Thanks for the gifts! Aunt Bev also hooked Peyton and Hunter up with their Advent calendars. I know Peyton is excited for December to get here so that he can start to eat his chocolates each day to count down to Christmas.

We left dinner early to head down to Kate and Dave's house for dessert. They hosted dinner at their house for themselves, and Dave's brother, his family, and his parents. Kate made three pies, including a pumpkin, coconut cream, and apple crunch. I made a double chocolate cheesecake. Peyton chose to eat the apple crunch pie, which tasted really good. Peyton had a good time playing with Noah and Kate and Dave's nephews, who are 4 and 2 years old. Hunter was up way past his bedtime and was super tired, but thankfully wasn't fussy. We changed him into his pajamas and he did eventually fall asleep. Peyton was also pretty tired from not taking a good nap, and he fell asleep on the way home from Virginia.

I'll end with this picture of our family on Thanksgiving.

More Firsts for Hunter

Hunter has been a busy boy since he's turned 4 months. We've started putting him in the high chair some nights while we eat dinner. It is nice to not have to hold him all of the time while we try to eat. This was his first night in the high chair. He and Mr. Bee didn't quite get along. Hunter wanted that bee in his mouth, but couldn't reach it, so he decided to just stare it down instead. So cute though.

Hunter also gets to play in this bouncy toy now. This was the first time that we put him in the jumper. He wasn't too impressed with it the first time, but he seems to like it more each time we put him in there as he's learning what he can play with on the toy.

Finally, we tried to give Hunter some rice cereal. He just spit it out though, so we're going to hold off on it for a few more weeks, and then we'll try again. But here was his first taste.

More Halloween Gifts

My kids are quite spoiled by everyone in my family. They got some Halloween gifts from Aunt Bev and Nadean, Vester, and Austin. Since everyone has been a little busy lately, the boys just got the gifts a few weeks ago. First, Hunter opened his gifts from Aunt Bev. He got some yummy baby food.

He also got some money, which I think was his favorite part, since he wouldn't let it go.

Next, Hunter opened his gift from Nadean, Vester, and Austin.

He got a cloth book that makes a crinkly noise and has teethers on it. It has become his favorite thing to chew on and play with lately.

Peyton chose to open his gift from Nadean, Vester, and Austin first.

He got a really cute Halloween pillow and blanket set, some delicious cookies, and a Halloween coloring/sticker book.

Next, Peyton opened his gift from Aunt Bev. He got some special treats and also some money.

Peyton and Hunter say thanks for the gifts!

60% Finished with Radiation

Today I did my 18th of 30 radiation treatments, which means that I'm 60% finished. I'm still doing pretty well physically with the side effects. Some days I'm pretty tired, but most days I still have most of my energy, which I'm thankful for. My only other new side effect is that the skin on my forehead has been hurting. It looks normal, but I basically feel like I have a bad sunburn. My doctor gave me some special lotion to put on my face to combat this 'radiation burn.' It occurs because the radiation is killing my skin cells faster than they can regenerate themselves, so my face feels raw. Hopefully the lotion will help!

In other good news, the doctor decided to wean me off of the steroid medication. This is the one that has been making me gain tons of weight and feel super hot all of the time. She said that the weight should start to go away when I stop taking the steroids. That is really welcomed news. And I will love to not be sweating all of the time too. As long as my headaches don't come back and I don't get blurry vision or dizziness, I should be able to stay off of this medication.

Last week my hair took a turn for the worse. It is crazy how much of it falls out now every time I brush is and wash it. There is a ton of hair on my pillow every morning and each time I take my bandanna off, it is also covered in hair. I'm pretty much completely bald now on the front half of my head, where the radiation is being concentrated. My "ponytail" is also so so so thin. I know that my hair will grow back, but it is just so depressing to lose it like this. I was pretty bummed out all of last week. The depression sort of comes and goes. I am feeling much better this week though. I'm trying my best to stay happy, but sometimes it's tough. I'm definitely counting down until my last treatment. I think we're all ready for this to be over!

Also, I just wanted to mention how wonderful Kyle has been through all of this. He is such a great husband and father and I haven't given him any credit for all that's he's been doing to help me out. I love you Kyle and really appreciate all you've done for Peyton, Hunter, and me lately!