It's only Saturday

It feels like so many days have gone by since Thanksgiving even!

Thanksgiving dinner was provided by Stop and Shop, courtesy of my sister. Both of us agree - we won't go that route again. We thought it would be easier since it was just us girls eating. Paul still has no appetite so he rested at home.

After our meal my sister and I planned out our day of shopping on Black Friday! Yes, we were among the crazies out at 4 in the morning. My friend Anita joined us as we hit up Wal Mart, Target, Circuit City, Michael's, and the local County Store. Then we capped it off with a fantastic breakfast. By 10 in the morning we were shopped out - plus my car couldn't hold anymore! Fun times!

Later that afternoon we all gathered in our backyard to make wreaths. Anita and I have become addicted to creating these beautiful grapevine based wreaths. I have made 2 so far and will be making some more tomorrow at my friend Heather's house. I will share pictures after then.

We hope you all had a wonderful day gathered with family and friends!

Still so much to be thankful for...

Evne though it seems that this past year has been full of hardships and illness, there is still much to be thankful for.

Paul, Alayna and I want to wish you all a wonderful day filled with fantastic food, family, and friends!

Totally my fault!

Ugh. I was finally sorting through Alayna's monstrous pile of summer clothes and cleaning out her closet today. She was in her crib reading her books and coloring. It was nearing her nap time and she was lying down and closing her eyes. So I quietly slip out and she falls asleep. I, myself, was incredibly tired today. So I also took a nap. I wake up a couple hours later and hear Alayna chattering away in her room. I go in to get her and to my surprise I find...

She was very proud of her work. She also drew me a nice abstract piece on her sheet and pillow.

So my dad is still in the hospital and is expected to be there for the rest of this week. They inserted a PICC line today and will continue giving him antibiotics. Apparently they said he has a staph infection that has entered his blood stream. He was lucky he went in when he did otherwise he could have gone into septic shock and died. This is really distubing information to hear and is hard to deal with from so far away.

Paul has his weekly appointment tomorrow in Boston so hopefully things will go smooth with that as it has been.

I am pretty busy with orders in Alayna's Closet. I even sent my first package out to Hawaii this morning. I am so grateful for this little escape that I have as it keeps my brain from thinking about things too much.

This is for Addie... I haven't taken a picture of my do yet. I still might but I think there is too much red! :P Love ya! ~A

Happy rainy weekend!

Today is the most perfect rainy, foggy, dreary day to stay inside safe and warm with your loved ones.

I just wanted to update you on my dad. The tests came back negative for MRSA! That is really great news! I am still not sure why he had an infection in his back - but they are still giving him many antibiotics and he will remain in the hospital for a few more days. Thanks again for all the well wishes.

Paul is doing good also. His sense of humor is slowly returning - much more dry than before! :P I need to take a picture of him to post since I haven't in awhile. He is really thin. I had to buy him some more jeans because his others just fall off him even with a belt. We are hoping he starts eating soon since Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I can't believe the holidays are upon us!

Christmas Eve is 40 days away!!! Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I have only purchased a couple things for Alayna and Eden but nothing else. I better get on it.

Thanks so much!

Thank you everyone for all the thoughts, prayers, and kind words sent out to my family. Times have really been trying - but we will get through them! There isn't any update on him today. They are still waiting for the cultures to come back. So in the meantime he is enjoying a (not so)lovely stay at San Juan Regional Medical Center.




Today Alayna and I decided to escape the house and went to The Butterfly Place with our friends Anita and Lina. It is just over the Massachusetts border. The girls had a great time seeing all of the butterflies flitting about. They also have a koi pond in there and little Chinese Painted Quail running around.




This is a really cool looking glass winged butterfly.

While I was holding Alayna this really big, beautiful, blue Morpho butterfly landed on her arm. She just looked at it for a long time and then it flew away. I think Anita may have snapped a picture of it. I will try and post that later. ** updated to include pic ** Thanks Anita! :)

Another favorite was these giant Owl butterflies. I don't think we actually ever saw any of them flying around. They were all busy eating bananas.

I've been lucky...

Up until Paul was diagnosed with Leukemia, I really haven't had a close family member experience any kind of illness. My grandpa passed away almost 15 years ago. So it has been a good run. But now - I feel like my luck has run out. It is very hard to know that people you love are hurting and there is nothing you can do.

I hate that my dad is in the hospital. He has always been so strong, someone you don't think anything will happen to. They are testing my dad for MRSA. He is in an isolation unit. He sounded in good spirits when I talked to him this morning. But then when we were saying our goodbyes and I told him I love you - his voice cracked. He started to cry. That is the worst.

It's getting cold!

The days are so short and there is still so much to do! I thought I was ready for Fall but it looks like we are quickly moving towards Winter.

Paul had his appointment today and it went as good as can be expected. All of his numbers are where they should be and are improving each week. Yay for that!

Alayna and I went in to the hospital with Paul today so I could get a flu shot. I don't have a primary care doctor (luckily I don't ever really get sick) so they gave me one down there. I was totally fretting it - I HATE needles! I think I work myself up and make it worse than it really is. Yesterday Alayna got her flu shot at her Pediatrician's office. She also received a booster from another shot. One in each arm and my baby girl didn't even shed a tear. She is so tough. :P Certainly not like her mama.

A little bit of sad news though. My dad is in the hospital in New Mexico. He was having some seriously crippling back pain for the last week and after going to several doctors and urgent care - he was admitted into the hospital today. Late this afternoon he was taken into surgery. They believe he had some sort of infection. He came through ok and we are now waiting for results from the samples they took from his fluid. I really wish I could be there for my mom and dad.

Umm, what else. My show this weekend went well. I had fun and bought more than I made - that's for sure.

There were 19 different artisans from Mont Vernon. Half of us were in the community room in the new fire house and the other half were across the parking lot in the town hall. I was with the lucky bunch in the fire house.

My booth was right next to my wonderful friend Anita - who makes the most beautiful bracelets and her own boro glass lampwork beads.

The next showing for the Mont Vernon Artisans is for Spring Gala. Definately looking forward to that!

Goodness! It has been another week since I last posted.

First, update on Paul... He is doing really well. His whole demeanor has lifted a bit. He is still on a mostly liquid diet - smoothies, Ensure, soups - but occasionally I can sneak him some of the dinner I have made. His doctor appointment went well on Tuesday. His numbers have gone up so no transfusions have been necessary. And he has been watching Alayna for me more and more which has been a giant help!

I have been getting ready for the Mont Vernon Artisan Art Show and Sale this weekend. So I have been sewing and stitching and cutting and packaging, and everything like crazy the last week! Yesterday a reporter from the Union Leader even came over to take some pictures to use for an article. You can read more about it here. I will have alot more pictures to post after this weekend is over.

Have a nice weekend everyone!

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!