We're all settled up in Mesa Grande! It has been beautiful weather. I forgot what it was like to see the stars so clearly at night, and hear all the noises of the night. It's wonderful to see all the creatures you don't see so much in the city, even in Ramona. We have a King snake that patrols the rocks around the house, lizards galore that let you get within inches of them, turkeys, cows, frogs, dogs... all kinds of good stuff. Katelyn loves the animals, she loves the country. She never gets tired of the cows. She's done exceptionally well with the drive as well. Sometimes she wants to watch a movie, but mostly she wants to look out the window. She can express herself incredibly well, I love to hear her speak to me. She's also thoroughly enjoying the pool, or "tool" as Katelyn would say. She is a little fish, obsessed with the water and quite the little swimmer. She can swim all by herself, she'll swim about 6' under water, to and from people or to the edge. She can climb out of the pool all by herself (elbow, elbow, tummy, knees) and she can crabwalk half the pool. She's also enjoying the slide! She prefers to go down on someones lap, but she will still take a ride all by herself. She is fearless in the water, just like in every other aspect of her life.
We went to cousin Tayden's first birthday party on Saturday. I can't believe that she is ONE! The time has flown. She is absolutely adorable and had a wonderful birthday celebration. The company was nice, and it was a beautiful day. There were babies galore! And, lots of girls. There were 3 or 4 little girls between two and three, so Kate had a great time with the kids. She swam most the time, and played hard. We had a great time. Yesterday we had breakfast at the Lovely Lake Henshaw Grille and spent the day basking in the sun by the pool. Kate was in and out of the water, having an excellent time. I started the first of the Twilight Saga. Then I finished it. I was in a trance and couldn't put the book down. Todd gave me a break... I called payback for golf. I forgot how much I enjoyed reading.
Kiera is getting so big. She is still the happiest little girl. She is made of pure joy, I know it. It's rare that she shows you anything but a smile. She talks up a storm and today I heard her first laugh! It was adorable! I look forward to many, many more!!! She goes to get some immunizations this week. I hate to see my girls get shots. I hate shots but I would take them all for those two if I could. She can't have any live, or partial live shots as it could comprimise Katelyn and her immune system. Kate can't get any immunizations for another 6-8 months. Then she has to start from scratch. When all the chemo wiped or her immune system so many times it included all of her previous vaccinations, so we have to start from day one. Breaks my heart.
Kate is doing wonderfully. Her last CBC came back clear as we suspect and pray for every day. She goes back in a few weeks for her 3rd checkup. October is only a few months away. I can't believe that ten months have come and gone. I thank the Lord everday for granting Katelyn health, and life. I continue to pray that she stay healthy and that the Lord hold her close to his heart, wrapped in his embrace, so that she never experience the pain and misfortune that she has already experienced. I pray that for both of my girls and all of the children I've come across that need the prayers themselves.
Special prayers are needed for Zara, Christian, Haley Simonds, Trayci Ozuna and many more. Zara is doing well. She recently experienced her first bacteria infection, which, from our experience is trying and very scary. Her counts are rising as the last chemo round is almost out of her system. She'll be coming home soon. She will be monitored frequently and as long as her blasts are under 5% she will not go to transplant. Christian went through transplant a few months ago and recently relapsed. He is undergoing more chemo and will start radiation soon. Unfortunatly his cancer has proved treatment resistant. Please pray for him and his family. Haley has had some complications with her kidney, they are not sure what to make of it yet, but we are hoping and praying for the best. Trayci is undergoing chemo after her masectomy. I know it has been incredibly difficult on her husband, my step-brother Peter, as well as their three children. Please keep each of these people and their family in your prayers.
Well, I need to get the kiddo's fed! Have a wonderful night. Thank You for checking up on us. As soon as I get internet in Mesa Grande I'll post some updated photos.
Love to All,
Krystal
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Catching Up!
Wow Wow Wow. I have so much to update on!
Kate's birthday party was wonderful! Everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl! She played hard all day and skipped out on her nap. She did really well for not having a nap! Unfortunately, I didn't get a single pic of her smiling! If anyone else scored on some photos of Kate, please send them my way. We all had a great time. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate our little Angel!!!
We've spent a lot of time at the beach and at Balboa Park these last few weeks. Kate LOVE'S Balboa Park, she asks me every day if we can go to Balboa Park and play with kids. We have a great time! Her first beach experience was last week and she spent a lot of time in the sand. She was afraid of the water and wanted to stay far far away from it. We went to the beach 4 days in a row, and on the 4th day she finally took to the water. She went down to the shoreline to sit in the sand and catch sand crabs with my cousins, Jake, Josh & Austin. Once she let her guard down and experienced the water, I couldn't get her out! We were at the beach today and she LOVED the water all over again. It is a ton of fun!
We also swim a lot. She is fearless in the water. She is pretty good at paddling & kicking but still has a hard time getting her head out of the water. She can crab walk on the side of the pool loves to jump in. I'm worried about her being fearless in the water. We are working every day on swimming. We'll keep at it so I don't have to be worried about her near the pool.
We're moving! It's that time again. Todd and some of our friends took a big load up to the house on Friday, and now we just have to pack up our everyday stuff and get it up there. We have until Friday so we'll do it slowly and enjoy our time down here while we still have it. Kate is so cute. If you ask her where we are moving she will say "we are moving to the Mesa Nande!" . She is so excited and adorable. Her little friend Alissa (whom she played with frequently before the hospital) lives in Santa Ysabel! We're happy to have a friend close by.
Kiera is amazing! She is cooing and grabbing at things. She is the happiest little thing around. She really is a very joyful baby. She talks and smiles ALL the time. She adores Katelyn. Katelyn gives her so much love. As soon as Kate gets near, Kiera is all smiles and noises. Kate knows that Kiera gets happy when she's around. Kate is suprisingly gentle and attentive to Kiera, it is so wonderful to watch. I took Kiera in for her 4 mos checkup and the Dr. said she hasn't gained much weight. I've started to nurse her more often and keep better tabs on how much she eats and her wet diapers. I've already noticed her eating more, and my milk supply replenishing quicker. I hope things continue to go well so I don't have to start supplementing formula for her. It means a lot to me to be able to nurse her. I truly believe that it is vital to her health, as it was to Katelyns.
Please pray for our friends Kylie & Zara. Kylie is experiencing neurological problems due to the chemo she has had. Zara still has some lingering abnormalities in her bone marrow. Please pray for the girls and their families. Worrying for your children is awful, please lift them all up in prayer so that they may be strong and brave.
I'll try to update soon! Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, support and love!
Love,
Krystal
Kate's birthday party was wonderful! Everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl! She played hard all day and skipped out on her nap. She did really well for not having a nap! Unfortunately, I didn't get a single pic of her smiling! If anyone else scored on some photos of Kate, please send them my way. We all had a great time. Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate our little Angel!!!
We've spent a lot of time at the beach and at Balboa Park these last few weeks. Kate LOVE'S Balboa Park, she asks me every day if we can go to Balboa Park and play with kids. We have a great time! Her first beach experience was last week and she spent a lot of time in the sand. She was afraid of the water and wanted to stay far far away from it. We went to the beach 4 days in a row, and on the 4th day she finally took to the water. She went down to the shoreline to sit in the sand and catch sand crabs with my cousins, Jake, Josh & Austin. Once she let her guard down and experienced the water, I couldn't get her out! We were at the beach today and she LOVED the water all over again. It is a ton of fun!
We also swim a lot. She is fearless in the water. She is pretty good at paddling & kicking but still has a hard time getting her head out of the water. She can crab walk on the side of the pool loves to jump in. I'm worried about her being fearless in the water. We are working every day on swimming. We'll keep at it so I don't have to be worried about her near the pool.
We're moving! It's that time again. Todd and some of our friends took a big load up to the house on Friday, and now we just have to pack up our everyday stuff and get it up there. We have until Friday so we'll do it slowly and enjoy our time down here while we still have it. Kate is so cute. If you ask her where we are moving she will say "we are moving to the Mesa Nande!" . She is so excited and adorable. Her little friend Alissa (whom she played with frequently before the hospital) lives in Santa Ysabel! We're happy to have a friend close by.
Kiera is amazing! She is cooing and grabbing at things. She is the happiest little thing around. She really is a very joyful baby. She talks and smiles ALL the time. She adores Katelyn. Katelyn gives her so much love. As soon as Kate gets near, Kiera is all smiles and noises. Kate knows that Kiera gets happy when she's around. Kate is suprisingly gentle and attentive to Kiera, it is so wonderful to watch. I took Kiera in for her 4 mos checkup and the Dr. said she hasn't gained much weight. I've started to nurse her more often and keep better tabs on how much she eats and her wet diapers. I've already noticed her eating more, and my milk supply replenishing quicker. I hope things continue to go well so I don't have to start supplementing formula for her. It means a lot to me to be able to nurse her. I truly believe that it is vital to her health, as it was to Katelyns.
Please pray for our friends Kylie & Zara. Kylie is experiencing neurological problems due to the chemo she has had. Zara still has some lingering abnormalities in her bone marrow. Please pray for the girls and their families. Worrying for your children is awful, please lift them all up in prayer so that they may be strong and brave.
I'll try to update soon! Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, support and love!
Love,
Krystal
Thursday, July 9, 2009
I can't believe my Angel is already TWO! Time flies. We celebrated Katelyn's birthday with an afternoon at Sea World with Zara. Kate & Zara had a wonderful time watching the Baluga whales swim in cirlces, the polar bears sleep, the penguins swim & waddle, the dolphine swim around, and they even got to hold starfish! We had a great time. Afterwards we went to Red Lobster (Lobsterfest -- YUM!) for some dinner and a birthday Sundae. Kate and Zara both ate Salmon and some sides. I am so blessed with such a good eater. She will eat anything we eat. It is wonderful. No special meals at our house! The wait staff came out with a Sundae and sang Happy Birthday to Kate. She was a little in shock but managed to blow out her candle and share her sundae with Zara. As you can see with the pictures above, she thoroughly enjoyed it!Only two days until Kate's big party! I am really excited to share our joy with all of our friends and family. Again, everyone who wants to come is invited! We have a jumper, water balloons, a pinata, food, drinks and cake. The party is from 1-4 at Ramona Oaks Park in the San Diego Country Estates. It will be a wonderful fun filled day.
I hope to see everyone there!
Love,
Love,
Krystal
Monday, June 29, 2009
What a wonderful life!
Kate is doing great! She had labs last week and all of her counts look perfect! We are so happy to see that things are back to normal. Before we went to the hospital I explained to her that since her hickman is gone the nurse's have to poke her finger for some tests. She was so excited to see the nurses that she didn't even worry about the poke. She cried during the poke but just after she told me and Auntie Ashley that she was "Brave". She is such an extraordinary little girl. We are so incredibly proud of her!
We had a busy week last week. We saw the nurses on Tuesday, went to Julian and saw the Grandma's on Wednesday, went to Wildomar & saw Auntie Nutters & Malakai on Thursday, the Zoo and Mac House on Friday, 2 birthday parties & a housewarming party on Saturday, 1 birthday party and a family dinner on Sunday, and the Zoo again today! Needless to say, we are all over-exerted. Todd finally has a day off tomorrow, so we're going to hit the fair for half a day. After tomorrow, I am going to attempt to lay low until the weekend. We have been so busy!
Todd is back to work, which has been good. We have really needed the money. Thankfully we will be moving up to Mesa Grande the end of July. My Uncle has graciously opened his home to our family for as long as we need it. We are so thankful. This will give us the opportunity for Todd to spend some time studying and go back to school. We are so thankful. We will be far from civilization but are looking forward to some quiet time and fresh air.
Kiera is incredible! She really is the happiest little girl I've ever known. She is all smiles! She can't help but to smile all the time! She is already rolling over! At 3.5 months she is rolling from both back to belly and belly to back. It is insane! Kate didn't start rolling over until 5 - 5.5 months! I wonder what comes next... I hope she takes her time with crawling and walking. I'm not sure I'm ready for two little ones running a muck! I am so thankful for both of my children. Kate is so strong and inspiring and Kiera is incredible, she just brings so much joy to our little family!
Kate has been more than a handful at bedtime. We had a good six weeks of cooperation. She would lay down and go to sleep all by herself. We could have people over or be by ourselves, it never made a difference. This last week has been awful. She won't stay in her bed to save a life. It is so incredibly dramatic. I'm thinking the constant stimulation this last week is just a bit much for her. I guess I need to have a more regimented schedule. We are really good at getting her down during her normal nap time, but that hasn't seemed to matter at bedtime. It is rough. We will figure it all out.
Kate's birthday is in a week! I can't believe my Angel is turning two! Her birthday is the 8th and her birthday party is the 11th. Just 7 months ago doctors told us that it was possible for Kate not to make it to her second birthday. That was the most devastating day of my life. We are so thankful that God has greater plans for her. Not only has she made it to her second birthday, but she has excelled! She is in remission and off treatment. God is Good. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Through you our baby has life! Each and every one of you are invited to celebrate Kate and all that she has accomplished in her short two years of life! I hope to see you all at the celebration!
July 11, 2009
1pm - 5pm
Ramona Oaks Park
25386 Pappas Rd, Ramona, Ca 92065
Light lunch & cake will be served.
I can't wait to celebrate and see everyone there!
Some people have inquired about Kate's likes and sizes. She is in a 2T and size 6 shoe. She loves to read, dress up, and play instruments. She likes princess' and Sesame Street. That's about all I can think of. The best gift is your presence, so don't worry about a present. Just come celebrate!
We had a busy week last week. We saw the nurses on Tuesday, went to Julian and saw the Grandma's on Wednesday, went to Wildomar & saw Auntie Nutters & Malakai on Thursday, the Zoo and Mac House on Friday, 2 birthday parties & a housewarming party on Saturday, 1 birthday party and a family dinner on Sunday, and the Zoo again today! Needless to say, we are all over-exerted. Todd finally has a day off tomorrow, so we're going to hit the fair for half a day. After tomorrow, I am going to attempt to lay low until the weekend. We have been so busy!
Todd is back to work, which has been good. We have really needed the money. Thankfully we will be moving up to Mesa Grande the end of July. My Uncle has graciously opened his home to our family for as long as we need it. We are so thankful. This will give us the opportunity for Todd to spend some time studying and go back to school. We are so thankful. We will be far from civilization but are looking forward to some quiet time and fresh air.
Kiera is incredible! She really is the happiest little girl I've ever known. She is all smiles! She can't help but to smile all the time! She is already rolling over! At 3.5 months she is rolling from both back to belly and belly to back. It is insane! Kate didn't start rolling over until 5 - 5.5 months! I wonder what comes next... I hope she takes her time with crawling and walking. I'm not sure I'm ready for two little ones running a muck! I am so thankful for both of my children. Kate is so strong and inspiring and Kiera is incredible, she just brings so much joy to our little family!
Kate has been more than a handful at bedtime. We had a good six weeks of cooperation. She would lay down and go to sleep all by herself. We could have people over or be by ourselves, it never made a difference. This last week has been awful. She won't stay in her bed to save a life. It is so incredibly dramatic. I'm thinking the constant stimulation this last week is just a bit much for her. I guess I need to have a more regimented schedule. We are really good at getting her down during her normal nap time, but that hasn't seemed to matter at bedtime. It is rough. We will figure it all out.
Kate's birthday is in a week! I can't believe my Angel is turning two! Her birthday is the 8th and her birthday party is the 11th. Just 7 months ago doctors told us that it was possible for Kate not to make it to her second birthday. That was the most devastating day of my life. We are so thankful that God has greater plans for her. Not only has she made it to her second birthday, but she has excelled! She is in remission and off treatment. God is Good. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Through you our baby has life! Each and every one of you are invited to celebrate Kate and all that she has accomplished in her short two years of life! I hope to see you all at the celebration!
July 11, 2009
1pm - 5pm
Ramona Oaks Park
25386 Pappas Rd, Ramona, Ca 92065
Light lunch & cake will be served.
I can't wait to celebrate and see everyone there!
Some people have inquired about Kate's likes and sizes. She is in a 2T and size 6 shoe. She loves to read, dress up, and play instruments. She likes princess' and Sesame Street. That's about all I can think of. The best gift is your presence, so don't worry about a present. Just come celebrate!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Bathtime
Bathtime is amazing! Katelyn was so excited to take a bath, but when we put her little feet in the water she got very anxious, she said it was hot and "i don't like it Mommy". We put a few toys in there and eventually she sat down in the water. She got very upset when I rinsed her hair with a cup of water "I don't like it Mommy!". She played in the water, splashing and making a bubble beard for about a half hour. Last night she was so excited to take a bath! She kept going in the bathroom after dinner saying "Not ready yet". It was adorable. This time she just got right in and after awhile she was dumping the cup of water over her own head! It was great! We set Kiera in the tub for a bit too... This is her first experience being submerged in water as well. We always did spongebaths for both of them out of convenience. Kiera got a little upset at first but quickly calmed down. She is such a joy! My Mom gave me a couple photos from when I was a baby and Kiera looks just like me! It was cool to see the insane similarity. They are such incredible children! Todd and I are so blessed!
Please continue to pray for Katelyn, Cassidy & all the Hem/Onc kids. Your prayers are healing and I have proof. Katelyn wouldn't be the healthy miracle here today if it weren't for your prayers. Please pass that blessing on to all the other children that need your prayers.
Love,
Krystal
Please continue to pray for Katelyn, Cassidy & all the Hem/Onc kids. Your prayers are healing and I have proof. Katelyn wouldn't be the healthy miracle here today if it weren't for your prayers. Please pass that blessing on to all the other children that need your prayers.
Love,
Krystal
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