Finding a new normal...

So far we are really loving Maintenance! If you have to be on chemo treatments...this is definitely the way to go. I finally feel like I'm getting my Wee-Mee back. Your steroid hunger has disappeared, which I have mixed feelings about.... it took a lot longer than I thought. Your extreme moods only lasted about a week, but the hunger lingered for two. I was beginning to worry you were going to be obsessed with ham for the full 2 years of Maintenance!! Now your back to not eating hardly at all, and I'm wishing you'd ask for some ham. Oh well. I guess I'm going to have to get used to the ups and downs. I think its going to be our new normal.

You've been asking me almost everyday if you have a "docker poinment" today. I am SO GLAD I get to say "no, not for 4 (3,2,1) weeks!"  Since you have no real concept of time you don't really get how long that is...but the relief on your face says it all. I'm so happy for you!! The fact that you can relax a little is huge for me, and you. I cant express in words how nice it is... I'm just so grateful you've made it this far and done so well. I worried that you'd have more side effects to your meds, but so far so good. Your next appt is this Thursday. 2 days before Christmas. No back poke, so all should go well.

We've been doing some fun stuff lately...

We went to our ward Christmas party. I was SO surprised
how outgoing you were. You've been a little overly shy
at these kinds of things since you were diagnosed.



You even participated in the nativity...you were an angel. My camera
wasn't taking good pictures in this lighting. You are the blurry bald
one in pink in the front row center.

We finally got our tree up. Me and dad (mostly dad :)) aren't so
good at lights. I laughed so hard at our tree...dad says its the
best one we've ever had! Thank you Walmart...only 20 bucks!

What a cutie...big sisters old soccer uniforms are your
favorite pj's! (you can really notice the lack of skills on the
lights in this pic. Hilarious)



You've had the energy to play with Ry quite a bit. This is you and
her in a fort you made all by yourself! It was filled with
pillows and blankets and snacks, because building
a fort is exhausting!



They say a picture's worth a thousand words...and this one says it all!
You called me from your room and said "uhhhh mooommm...my panties!"
When I came in you were just sitting on your kitchen, so I asked what
you were talking about your panties for. You said "I'm stuck..."
It took me a minute to figure it out, but once I did I laughed so hard
I cried...then I ran and got the camera!



A close-up of the panty incident! So funny!!



This is a pic of you on the bus to the Polar Express. Dad said you sat
next to this boy who was bald and had a mask on. (you can kind of
see him in the back) He said you sat by him all on your own and said,
"hi, do you have cancer?" The boy said yes. You said, "leukemia like
me?" He said "no, sarcoma."You said,"that's what (uncle)Josh has!"
You chit-chatted for awhile. I thought it was sweet of you to go out
of your way to talk to him. I think its so interesting how you have
 an instant connection with fellow cancer kids. Dad said you were
very sweet.



Thank you KBER 101 and Make a Wish for taking so many "wish families"
to ride the Polar Express! I think I was more excited than you or your
sisters! I was devastated when Tucker woke up the morning of
with a fever...no train ride for me! Dad said it was really neat...you got to
have lunch, ride the train to Santa's Lodge, meet Santa, and even
got a gift from him! What a fun day!

Your ticket...

Carly and Lyssa had a ticket too...

You better watch out...

You better not cry...

You better not pout, Im telling you why...

Santa Claus is coming to town!

I'm so excited for Christmas! I love watching the magic of this time of year in you and your sisters eyes. It so fun to hear the squeals of delight as you anticipate Christmas morning, and as you deliver gifts to neighbors and friends. I LOVE this time of year. So much to look forward to and be thankful for! Speaking of which...

On Monday December 20th, the 7 month anniversary of your diagnosis, Make A Wish is having your Star Raising Party! We are so excited for this special night. You will get to write your name on your own star and watch it raised to the ceiling with all the other wish-kids stars. What a neat, symbolic day. I hope you are always grateful for the wonderful people who put together this program. I am so excited to be a part of this special day! They will do the star raising, present you with a Barbie house (with elevator), and let you pick which playhouse you want them to build you in the spring. You also get to invite your friends and family to come share the moment with you. It should be so fun! So looking forward to it. Loving the new normal!