Best video of Bryce

I think the video speaks for itself. We have one very talented little boy on our hands.

Fun Bryce Videos

Its been awhile since I've added videos of Bryce. So lets hope I remember how...the first one was at Navy Pier with Shaun's former student, Phillip. It was Bryce's first time playing miniature golf but he seemed to like it. Or at least he liked picking up everyone's balls and putting them in the hole. The other videos were taken tonight while Bryce was playing. He is talking a lot more and I tried to capture that. Hopefully, you can understand what he's saying :) Enjoy!

On my own

I've been in Toronto for the last few days for a conference. Its the first time I've been away from Bryce for such a long period of time (4 nights, 5 days!). I can't remember the last time I've been away from Shaun this long either. Needless to say, I miss them terribly and can't wait to give them both huge hugs!! But this week was an adventure for me. Its been a long time since I've had so little responsibility and no one else to care for but myself. It creates many mixed emotions, at first I was lonely, bored and home sick. Morning sessions for the conference started at 9am so when I woke up at 6:30 (sleeping in for me compared to normal work days) I was befuddled with what to do with all that time in the morning. I didn't have a 90 minute commute. I didn't have to feed or dress a two year old. And if I didn't feel like it, I didn't even have to go to the session at 9m but seriously, what else was I going to do? As time went on I met a few acquaintances and talked a lot of science. Listened to good talks and got caught up with the latest cutting edge stem cell research. As my circle of friends grew, I wasn't as lonely or even home sick. I actually had a lot of fun. I explored the town of Toronto, ate really good food and stayed up way past my bedtime. I was totally free for a few days. No running around with Bryce, no cleaning the house (haha like I do a lot of that), no helping Shaun with his TPN, just me. Thanks to a new Aussie friend, I had a great time relishing this freedom. But its time to go back to reality. I welcome the responsibilities of being a mom and wife and scientist. The rewards definitely out weigh the challenges. I can't wait for those big hugs! Good bye Toronto, its time for me to get back to the loves of my life.

Make the best of things

I'm writing this entry to tell everyone how proud I am of Shaun. The past couple of weeks have not been easy. When we were in Birmingham, UPS destroyed the overnight package carrying his IV nutrition, TWICE. So he had to go 3 days with no calories and minimal fluids. We are fortunate to have a very dear friend as an oncologist in Birmingham (Thanks Andres!) who could get him set up with fluids which provided enough energy for Shaun to make it home. But, unfortunately, the second half of our trip was not as good as we hoped it would be. I was fortunate to be able to visit with a lot of friends but poor Shaun was stuck in the hotel most of the time. Luckily before all this, Shaun gave one hell of a introduction for the valedictorian of Altamont's graduating class (whoo hoo Shawn!). He really is an amazing public speaker and can be quite sentimental. Anyways, due to weather in Chicago, we were delayed in coming home and we all caught colds from the recirculated air on the plane. Shaun still went to chemo on Tuesday but possibly from this cold/infection he spiked a high fever at the end of the treatment. So for precautionary measure, they kept him in the hospital over night. It seems that it was most likely as we suspected, from this virus we all got in conjunction with the chemo so he got antibiotics and sent home the next day. But as anyone who has been in the hospital can attest, it drains you. There have been painful days and tired days and nausea days and days with all three (ok thats most days) but Shaun still gets up and carries on. Yesterday, Shaun went out with Bryce and me to the splash pad and played with Bryce in the water. Even though he feels awful, getting out of the house and spending time with us helps him feel better. I'm so proud of Shaun for continuing to persevere. He may have lost his big muscles, but he is still the strongest person I know.

Pictures from Disney

We had a wonderful time in Florida. Perfect weather, minimal crowds, excellent people who helped us out and a great family adventure. I can't say Bryce's favorite part because there were so many fun times but he definitely liked meeting Mickey Mouse and playing in water every chance he could get. Shaun and I really liked Harry Potter world and was glad we went in the afternoon and missed most of the crowds. If anyone else plans on going there, my advice is not to get there at the crack of dawn and race there. Everyone does that. Go after 3pm when all the early goers are done. The wait is a lot less. If you can borrow a kid and do a child swap you only have to wait 5 minutes for the forbidden journey ride (the best part).

In a lot of the pictures he has his typical deep thinking or frowning face but I swear he had an amazing time and loved every minute. He is such a champ, he made it through 4 parks in 4 days!! Shaun deserves some credit too, 4 parks in 4 days after spending a lot of the last few months on the couch is quite the feat. I think I got grouchy and over tired more than they did. I wish I could write a book on all our fun times but I know you would much rather see pictures. here are some of my favorites. Sorry they posted out of order.

DISNEY

Whoo hoo!! The trip is a go and starts tomorrow!!! YAY!! See you in a little over a week.

Happy Times

Since the last post, things have been getting better and better. Shaun has been tolerating chemo really well. He has a couple days where he is out of commission but the rest of the time, he's been way better! His digestive track is not perfect, but its working again and he is eating, A LOT! He's working to build his strength and stamina so when we go to Disney, he can enjoy his time there. Don't get me wrong, there are still daily struggles, but we are thankful for his improvement. Maybe its the nice weather that is helping. Shaun was feeling so good on Friday he even mowed the lawn! We've been trying to enjoy the outdoors whenever possible and Bryce LOVES it. I've started running with him in a jogging stroller again (haven't done that since he was small) and we go to the park almost every day. As always, we are trying to live in the moment and truly enjoy these good times. When Bryce presents me with a beautiful flower, ok maybe its only a dandelion, I stop to smell it. Life is too short not to.