Trick or Treat!

Just wanted to let you know Paul had his platelets checked down in Boston again today and they went up - so no transfusion. Yay!

We got home in plenty of time to rest up for this evening. Paul had planned to try and go with us but he was still pretty worn out so he opted to stay home. So us girls headed up town to try and scare up some candy. Alayna was dressed up as Abby Cadabby from Sesame Street.

Eden looked adorable as a 50's girl in her poodle skirt.

We lasted a little over an hour trick or treating. We didn't get to all the houses but the girls were getting tired and so were we. But of course when we got home - Alayna was ready to dive into her candy.

She got a few licks of her lollipop and then I wisked my little fairy off to bed where she promptly fell asleep. We hope you all have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Fantastic day!

I am back with pictures from the Wiggles!

But first, I am so thrilled to say that my sister's adoption of Eden will be finalized on Monday! She has a conference call with the judge in New Mexico and it will finally be done! We are so happy for my sister and for Eden! :)

So today my sister got out of work about noon and we met at home and headed out for our girls day. We stopped for lunch at Bugaboo Creek really quick since we were all hungry. And then we went to Manchester. Parking was really close and easy and only $15. We got inside and to our seats about 2:30 for the 3pm show. The girls got little light sabers to keep themselves entertained until everything began.

Our seats were actually pretty good. I guess that's what you get for being ready to buy them the minute they were available!

It was a really great show. Alayna and I only knew about half of the songs - but she was pretty mesmerized with everything happening. Here is my baby girl putting on the cheese for the camera.

We all had a really great time and can't wait to go again!

They won, they won!

When Paul and I lived in New Jersey we went to Phillies games as often as we could. There aren't many players left with the team that I remember - but I am so happy they won!

Hello everybody!

Paul had his appointment in Boston yesterday. His platelet levels fell pretty significantly since last week so we need to go back on Friday to have them checked again. The Physician's Assistant said there was no cause for worry that it does happen. So we will see how things go on Friday. Paul was able to make the appointment for earlier in the morning so we still have time to come home and go trick or treating up town. Since Mont Vernon is spread out they hold trick or treating on the Main Street. All of the original old houses participate and decorate their houses and give out candy. We are all looking forward to going.

So I just have to say that Alayna has really caught on to potty training. She never used to tell me when she had to go but she lets me know when she has to go poo poo now. We don't always make it on time but we are on our way to no more diapers! Yay!

I will be back with pictures to post after our day with the Wiggles tomorrow!





This is Alayna's favorite Wiggles song right now. She shakes her little hips - it looks sooo cute!

Double date...

This Thursday me, Alayna, my sister, and Eden have a date with 4 guys.




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We have tickets to go and see the Wiggles at the Manchester Arena! Alayna has been boning up on all her Wiggles grooves so we should be set for a fun afternoon!
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Our weekend has been quiet. My arms are super sore and about to fall off from all the raking I have been doing. And my fingers are stiff from doing 10 of my paisley dinosaur shirts in 2 days for my upcoming show.
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And Paul is slowly, slowly getting better. Everyday is a small step to him being well.
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Hope you all had a relaxing weekend!

My, my..

Time is passing so quickly! We are amidst some beautiful Autumn days and they are slipping away fast.

It appears I haven't updated the blog since Saturday! Let me see if I can remember everything that has happened. Paul had his first check up with Dr. Koreth since being released from the hospital. Everything went really well and he didn't even need any transfusions. He will go back to the doctor this next Tuesday, which is good news in itself. We were originally told he would be going back to Boston twice a week. Paul's stomach is still very sensitive and we've had some accidents to clean up. He is still eating very little.

I am happily watching my Phillies in the World Series! Staying extra busy with Alayna's Closet, and preparing for a Mont Vernon Artisans Show and Sale in November. I can not believe Halloween is just about a week away! I haven't even gotten together cards to send out. Most days my head is swimming with so much going on! I really have to apologize to those dear family and friends who so sweetly sent Alayna a gift for her birthday. Typically I would be so on top of getting out the thank you cards within a week. It has been over 2 now. :( I will still be sending them out so please forgive my lateness.

Until then, here's my sweetie in another Alayna's Closet original.

Slowly...

Hello everyone - the weekend is here already.

Paul has been home for 3 .5 days now and it is getting a little bit easier as each one passes. He slept nearly the first two days he was home. He gets really wiped doing seemingly easy tasks. He has gotten sick a few times, mostly while trying to get down his magnesium (horse) pill. He isn't eating anything of real substance yet. He is living on New Hampshire's own Stonyfield Farm yogurts and smoothies and Cocoa Pebbles.

I have been trying something new for Alayna's Closet - you can read more about it and check out the pictures here.

We hope everyone has a restful Sunday!

Paul's home!

Alayna and I were able to pick up Paul at the hospital this morning. It was so good to see him.

It has only been a couple days since I saw him last but he looks much thinner. In the last week he lost 10lbs. The whole month he was in the hospital he lost nearly 30 pounds. Not much agrees with his stomach unfortunately. Guess I will have to get creative in the type of foods I make to entice him. But the doctors did say it would be awhile before his "taste" for things comes back. We don't have to go back to Boston for a visit until next Tuesday. Until then he is on a steady diet of about 20 pills daily.

We just want to thank everyone again for all of your love and support during Paul's sickness. We truly appreciate it all.

Getting antsy...

The doctors have said Paul will come home on Wednesday! I am not putting all of my hopes out there in case there is some delay. But I HOPE he comes home that day! Alayna and I are very excited to have him home again. He is doing good today, although his feet are quite swollen. Dr. Ho said it was just water retention and should go away on its own.

My parents left early this morning and the house is quiet. Eden's daycare was closed for the holiday so I watched her for my sister. I was also able to clear out of the attic some baby things of Alayna's to give to one of her friends at work. I am so glad someone will be able to use them.

I have been asked by several friends in town to join them in the Mont Vernon Artisans. I have always declined because I don't think of myself as an "artisan". But I finally decided I would give it a try. Tonight is my first meeting with the group and I am nervous. Although I am glad I will have my friends, Anita, Heather, and Jennifer there to offer support. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Alayna!

Yesterday our sweet girl turned 2 years old. Originally I wasn't going to have a party since Paul is in the hospital. But then I really felt Alayna should still have a little gathering for her friends to celebrate. I only decided this late last week - time was short and I thought a Halloween theme would be good. My mom and I had fun decorating the house and making all kinds of food to go with the theme. You can see more pictures of the party here. Thank you to all our thoughtful friends and family who have sent Alayna such nice gifts. She really loves opening all of the cards and presents. : )



A couple of things about Paul. His right line in his chest was getting infected so they had to pull that out. That was the line they were giving him nutrition in so he has had to start trying to eat small meals. He is doing good with soups and Ensure drinks. He has thrush in his mouth and gums which still makes eating a difficult task. But - he is doing well. so well that the doctors think he will be released to go home during this next week! They have mentioned Wednesday or Thursday. It will be so good to have him home. I have a checklist of things that need to be very well cleaned before he gets home. My parents are leaving this Monday so that will give me a chance to organize and clean.
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I am staying the night nearby tonight one last time while my parents are here. Paul is taking a nap and the sun is shining on a beautiful day in Boston! Have a great weekend everyone!

Sorry to make you worry...

I just got a phone call from Aunt Mary - she was concerned because I hadn't posted any updates on Paul in several days. Nothing has happened I have just been very busy. Thank you for worrying about us Aunt Mary! :)

So first off, Paul is doing well. He has had a rough time with his throat which caused him to be nourished through his IV. He hasn't had food or much of anything to drink for almost a week. The food bag is about 2.5 gallons and he gets it during the night. I always ask what he is having for dinner - sometimes it's lobster. :P But as of this morning he is feeling much better and may be attempting to actually eat something in the next day or two. He has received a few bags of blood and platelets. This is the ENT doctor making sure Paul's throat wasn't too constriced to impede breathing. Thankfully it was ok just very swollen and irritated. Paul wasn't too thrilled with having the scope threaded through his nose down his throat. But he was a trooper.

This past weekend all of us went and stayed in Boston. I was able to get two rooms at the discounted rate. My parents and sister took the girls around Boston to the Children's Museum and to the Aquarium while I was able to spend time with Paul. In the evenings I was able to head back to the hotel. The girls enjoyed the heated pool with Grandma.

Hi all...

Paul is doing good except for his throat still. During the rounds this morning the doctors said they will send an ENT doctor to check Paul out. He has been coughing up some bloody phlegm today. Paul still isn't able to eat much more than a yogurt or applesauce so they started him on liquid nutrition through his IV. He is also getting a blood transfusion today as his red blood cell count is low. And the inevitable - his hair is falling out again.

Work on our septic system is finally getting done at home. They started yesterday and should be done by tomorrow. Our whole side yard is a giant hole now. I am on Paul's Mac so I can't post pictures - it is a complete mess!