Giraffe Thistlethwaite, Nice ring to it?

Bryce had his 2.5 year check up with the pediatrician. Other than the obvious fact, Bryce is awesome, she confirmed that he is really really tall. He is >99th percentile in height at 40 1/4 inches (~3'4"). My dad read somewhere that if you double a kids height at this age, you get the projected adult height. If thats true, do the math with me, Bryce will be 6'8". So I think the nickname of "Giraffe" will suit him if he chooses to play golf (or any other sport I guess). Other stats, he is 32 pounds (80th percentile) and has advanced verbal skills. I guess the doc wasn't used to carrying on a conversation with a 2 year old and being able to understand every word. His vocabulary is always expanding including, adventure and obstacle course. Oh and if DJ Nurre reads this, he can recognize the show Bar Rescue and asks to stay up and watch it with us. The commercials on that channel are really not appropriate (A Good Old Fashioned Orgy movie promo?)

Bryce is doing really well on the toilet training front. He's had several successes (both kinds) and minimal accidents. Overall, I'm pretty impressed with how quickly he caught on. No more diapers at night and nap time will be the next challenge.

Shaun has had some challenges lately: mainly fluid drainage issues. His legs and feet are really swollen and water pills don't seem to be enough to get rid of it. Poor guy can barely walk because his feet are 5 times their normal size. Thankfully we got a wheel chair from Chris Dunn and an electric chair from the Buckwinklers. Shaun can ride around the neighborhood in style now. I think it will be great for him. He'll be able to get outdoors again and watch Bryce play more. He can go to the library or Walgreens if he wants to. He hasn't been able to drive since being put on a pain pump so this will hopefully help his regain some of that freedom. Shaun's mom has also agreed to stay with us during the week so Shaun can have someone with him during the day to keep him company and take care of anything he needs. Hopefully these measures will make Shaun more comfortable.

The pictures are of Bryce's clay creation he calls his sea monster.

Happy Birthday, Shaun!!

Well, you made it! These last two years have been challenging to say the least. But you made it to another birthday. Statistics say you shouldn't be here, but you are still fighting and I love you so much for your strength. I'm amazed every day at what you are able to endure and how you persevere. Instead of complaining that I hurt you by stabbing you with a needle, you reassure me that I did fine and that it didn't hurt (much). That is what sets you apart from the rest of the world. You care enough about everyone else to protect us from your pain and are strong enough to keep going when others would have given up. You are the source of strength that keeps me going and our family afloat. You continue to amaze me. I know today is pretty bad on the discomfort scale and it sucks to be on chemo on your birthday, but I know you are doing it so you can see next year's celebration. You promised me 82, so by my calculations, you have 48 more celebrations to go. Happy Birthday, Shaun. I love you so much.