365 Project-Week 14 thru Week 17

Yikes!  Did that really just happen?  A whole month has passed since I last published a 365 Project post?  Where or where did the time go?  I shouldn't even ask that question.  You'll soon see.  We were caught up in Easter and wee visitors and outdoor play time and park dates with Grandma Meredith and a minor kitchen mishap and...and...and...It's no wonder a month has passed since photos were slid into place amid blank squares in collage templates and the publish button was pressed.  

1.  Channing paused for a rest on the stairs after showing us exactly how the Easter Bunny would deliver goodies come Sunday morning.  2.  Dinosaur climbed Tomato Mountain with Channing's assistance while I juiced a couple glasses of goodness.  3.  Leanne, Leo & Amber brought lunch and well wishes for a post-first-chemo lunch and a chance to catch up in person.  4.  This retro lovin' mama couldn't pass up the Fisher-Price cash register while at Babies-R-Us.  Channing can't get enough of it.  We play 'Target' constantly.  Constantly.  And for the record, everything costs 40 bucks.  5.  Checking out signs of spring at Hidden Valley Park on an outing with Grandma Meredith.  6.  Channing cruised the neighborhood in his friend, Lexi's, pink Jeep.  7.  Channing, like so many others, decided to eat his chocolate bunny ears first.

1.  Best $1 spent on a 'bath' product.  Channing loves to snap-start a couple neon bracelets and take glow-in-the-dark bathes.  Dollar Spot at Target, I [heart] you.  2.  This week, Channing insisted holding the computer all by his 'big guy self' while Google chatting with WM one evening.  3.  Mustache Man  4.  Channing has a best friend at Target, Joyce.  She adores him as much as he adores her.  She surprised him at the checkout this week with an extra Easter basket.  Not too spoiled, is he?  5.  I started making numbered bean bags for WC to play with.  Started.  They're still in pieces sitting on a shelf.  Maybe we'll finish them off one of these days.  6.  WM's attempt at starting a new trend-square pancakes.  While the shape may not have added to the flavor, the cinnamon and the coconut extract made them divine.  7.  I could stand beneath a blooming apple tree and drink in its heavenly scent all. day.  long.

1.  In preparation for the arrival of his big guy bed, WC helped me shop for new pillows, a waterproof mattress pad and an extra set of sheets.  2.  A mac-n-cheese, living room floor picnic at Kelli's house.  She was kind enough to host Sewing Club.  3.  Testing out the big guy bed mere seconds after the mattress settled into the frame.  4.  Allowing Channing to be in charge of stand mixer operation may not have been the best idea.  While baking banana bread for WM, we had a bit of a flour explosion.  OK.  It was more than a bit of an explosion.  Much more.  5  My growing belly.  Funny how big it looks from this angle.  6.  The 'before' photo on the morning I had Laura shave my head.  Does anyone else see this 'do and think of Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory?  7.  Technically, I didn't take this photo, Kendra did, but it is worthy of the project nonetheless.  This was the very first moment I saw myself sans hair.  I like rocking the bald.  Truly, I do.

1.  Channing insisting he was dirty laundry and that he needed a thorough washing.  2.  Batting practice in our backyard.  3.  Playing 'train' on the dining room chairs.  Grandma Meredith pushed them all out of the way while she steam mopped the floor.  Channing and his guys took the opportunity to make an escape on a train bound for Walt Disney World.  4.  While this scene has become the norm on the mornings WM is in town, it never fails to melt this mama's heart.  I'm sure I'll look back on this in wonder when WC is grown, amazed that once his wee toes failed to reach the ground when he kissed his daddy goodbye.  5.  Playing blocks and marbles.  The goal is to make intricate structures and to pass the marble through the openings without toppling the tower.  6.  A morning at the driving range perfecting his swing left WC just a tad tired.  Sweet sleeping boy.   7.  WC hopped into an empty produce box that had yet to hit the recycling bin in the garage in an attempt to jump out and scare WM this morning.  Not exactly sure what the expression on his face says.  I hope it isn't the beginning of the 'awkward smile' phase.  It's way too soon for that.

Rite of Passage

It started earlier this week.  My hair was falling out-slowly in the beginning and then turning into cascades.  Showering lost it's appeal.  The hair would run down my body with the water.  It felt like spiders.  Not my favorite of bugs, that's for sure.  I stopped drying myself with a towel on Wednesday.  All it did was make more hair fall out and the stick it elsewhere on my body.  By this morning, you could see clouds of hair flying off my hair from the force of wind the hair dryer produced.  

The hair, it was everywhere.  I was ready.  More than ready. 


Kathy's stylist was kind enough to come to the house to lend a hand with the cutting.  Kendra and Libby made the trek across town to photograph the event.


We'd been talking to Channing about my hair falling out for a while now.  At night, when tucking him into bed, he'd reach up to push my hair back from my forehead to try to see what I was going to look like.  Sometime's he'd predict beautiful.  Other times, he'd choose a word a little less flattering.  


This evening, he was allowed to help.  Laura first trimmed my hair down with her clipper and then helped Channing with one she'd brought along for him to use.  He was careful.  He was thorough.  In the end, he was quite pleased with his work.  

WM, with his kind, kind heart, shaved his head in solidarity.  Channing said he wanted to too.  Unsure if he really understood what those words meant, he was given a trim instead.  

Here we are.  One more bald than not, happy family.  

And one last thought to share tonight.  It seemed appropriate for today, this piece I came across while perusing Pinterest a day or two ago.  

Red Umbrella-Chemo Round II

Yesterday, it was back to the infusion center for round two of my chemo.  It was rather uneventful.  My labs looked great.  The routine was the same.  I didn't even bother to bring the camera.  Although, I could have taken a lovely photo of Hali, my nurse, holding out my rainbow colored assortment of popsicles.  I think I ate one of every color while she injected two of the three drugs into my IV.


To clear the chemo cobwebs, we went for a post-dinner walk at the nature preserve down the street.  Dusk was falling quickly upon us as we arrived, the redwing blackbirds greeting us with a chorus of song.  

Channing threw sticks and rocks off the bridge.  He ran excitedly along the path through the tall grass and managed to talk WM into a shoulder ride or two.

We returned to the car as the sun started to dip below the trees, refreshed and ready for bed.  

And They Call It Puppy Love

Seriously, how could it not be with a cute, little face like this one?

Tonight, we visited Grandma Kathy's friends, Tim & Sue, whose German Wirehaired Pointer had a small litter of pups just four weeks ago.


Channing could hardly contain his excitement when we arrived at their door, a GIANT grin plastered on his face.  It never went away.

He was smitten with Jake the Puppy.  No, not just Jake.  Jake the Puppy.  They cuddled and snuggled and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.  Each time I announced it was time to head home for bed, Channing begged for 'just five more minutes...puh-lease.'

At one point, Channing delightedly declared, 'He likes me!'  


It must be puppy love.  

Sweetie's Pies

My sweetie, he loves to get down and dirty in the kitchen.  If you measure it, pour it, stir it or scoop it, he's right there in the middle of the action.  Oh, and the more sugar, the better.  

That's Grandma lending a hand with the meringue.  She deserves as much, if not more, credit for this dessert than Channing does.  Thanks, Mom!!

Last Sunday, with Grandma Meredith ready to swoop in and lend a hand, Channing had his first turn at making pie.   He made individual lemon meringue pies with honey meringue and graham cracker crust.  I'd come across the recipe on another blog I follow, Sugar & Charm.  A special occasion deserves special dessert, making these tasty treats the perfect ending to our Easter dinner.

Channing's got this baking thing down.  His pies did not disappoint.  My sweetie, he makes a perfect pie.

Compatibility Issues

It's embarrassing.  I'm close to a month behind in my personal correspondence.  The list of thank you notes needing to be written grows increasingly longer each day.  With Channing contentedly racing his cars across the dining room floor, I thought I'd make a dent in it.  


Pulling open the drawer where I was certain the boxed note cards were stashed, I found three things:  1.  the Entertainment book  2.  a cell phone charger that no longer works  3.  a self-adhesive mustache.  Yes, you read that correctly.  A self-adhesive mustache.  (Not the note cards I was looking for, I might add.)


As fast as the backing was peeled off, that mustache was stuck to Channing's upper lip.  He laughed.  It tickled.  

With no knowledge of the inner workings of a three-year-old brain/imagination, I do not know what possessed Channing to then grab a pear off of the kitchen counter and begin eating it.  Hilarity ensued.  

You see, wearing self-adhesive mustaches and eating pears are two activities which are not compatible.  The mustache, it seems, prefers the freckled, yellow flesh of a pear to that of a small boy.  

Told ya!

Home Improvements

It's spring.  Have you decided to tackle a home improvement project or two?  We did.  Well, Channing did. 


He needed a pool.  NOW.  No, he could not wait a few more months for outdoor temperatures to accommodate summertime activities.  


While said pool is truly made of my chemo quilt, blue side up, and the argyle quilt Kathy made WM & I for our birthday spread out on the living room floor and has a folded beach towel diving board, to Channing it is the ultimate in hotel luxury right at home.  Sometimes, we're at the condo in Florida.  Other times, we're up on our own roof basking in the sunshine.  Yes, my darling son has a very vivid imagination.

No joke.  We spend HOURS each week playing 'hotel pool'.  Channing always wears his swim trunks and rash guard.  Some guests are even provided with poolside refreshments.

While Sophie the Doll sometimes finds the water to be too cool and prefers to stay wrapped in a towel with only her toes in the water, Grandma is game for jumping two-at-a-time off the diving board and into the deep end.  

Post-dinner pool time calls.  I've been advised we need to jump on in.  I sure hope the water's warm tonight.  

365 Project-Week 13 & A Wee Little Update

Surely, I should wait until tomorrow to be writing this post.  I could combine weeks 13 & 14 into one newsy notation.  Somewhere between discovering the Easter Bunny has hidden his precious eggs all over the house and falling into a sugar induced coma, Channing will rest & opportunity will present itself to sit down with the computer for a little Me Time.  However, it bugs me that a 365 collage has been waiting in the wings all week.  It's crying from its desktop folder, 'Let me out!'


It's been a good week.  A surprisingly good week.  I had prepared myself for the worst.  Mom was here all week.  Dad was here off and on.  Yep.  Two extra sets of hands to help with meals and dishes and errands and entertaining Channing, or rather being entertained by Channing as the case always is.  


Amber & Leanne stopped in with lunch on Wednesday, their words of wisdom and kindness, settling on my already content heart.  I felt guilty answering their question of, 'How are you feeling?' with a loud and resounding 'GREAT!'  No, seriously.  


Truth be told, my nights are very restless & I nap for two hours every single afternoon.  But, the nausea I was promised has yet to arrive.  My appetite is healthy.  But, black olives no longer taste like they used to.  I actually asked my mom to eat a few out of a newly opened can to ensure they hadn't turned before putting them on Channing's lunchtime pizza.  They hadn't.  It's just me.  My labs on Thursday were better than expected with my white blood cell count still in the normal range.  But, my hemoglobin is lower than its already too low starting point.  You see it?  Some good.  Some not so good.  It feels balanced though.  Perfectly.  


I'm not delusional.  I know the bad days are there, off in the distance. The side effects of chemo will eventually show in more obvious ways.  I'm OK with that.  It's part of the process.  For now, I'm savoring this, these good days post-round-one.  

1.  My 5x10s all stacked and ready to be stitched together in the mad dash to make my chemo quilt.  I still cannot quite believe how beautifully it came out given how quickly we threw it together.  2.  The excitement of WM's return home after a long day at the office never, ever lessens.  Here, WC jumps fearlessly into the safety of Daddy's outstretched arms.  3.  A sanitizing station now greets all visitors as they come through our front door.  Although, unlike the clinics and the hospitals, our visitors are offered their choice of tasty scents rather than just the plain, boring stuff.  4.  Channing & I tried making cookies with carob & agave nectar.  I shuddered as I typed those words.  Yes, they were that disgusting.  Eeeww!!  5.  I know.  This one's a repeat, but chemo did happen this week so I had to put it in yet again.  6.  Rarely, do I get to capture a sleeping Channing on 'film'.  He was feeling under the weather & sleeping on the couch making it easy to snap this shot.  7.  Pussy willows from Mom & Dad.  What a lovely & sure sign of spring.