My friend Randi

Here we are the day before they loaded up for FLA. Lucky bums!!!

Friends

Today I got to see my girlfriend Randi and her son Jack. Randi is the ULTIMATE friend. Despite having 2 kids and one on the way, Randi spent a week with me in Nebraska during the time of my stem cell transplant. Randi took wonderful care of Jackson while I was running from doctor's appointments or tests. I was honored that when the time came to name the baby she carried while we were in Nebraska, she asked if she could name him Jack. Of course I said YES! To top it off, her Jack was born on Jeff's Birthday! In December, Randi and her family moved to FLA. I miss her terribly. Here is a picture of my Jackson and her Jack last December.

Books

My extent of reading these days is either a catalog (which I love to read) or kids books. Some of the kids books are so cute! I am in love with a book I got for Jackson at a library sale called "Hugs and Kisses". It is about a little puppy, Hugs, who goes out one day to find something out. He asks a bunny, a duck, a butterfly, a horse, all for a kiss. When he gets home his mom tells him that she was so worried about where he had gone. She then kisses him. Hugs proclaims to his mom, "that's it, now I know. Those other kisses were soft, tender, etc but YOU give the best kisses!" Having Jackson in my life brings SO many wonderful things. Including time to experience kind, gentle situations like reading him a book at night. Ahhh, life is good.

The potty

Jackson is now 4 years old. We have had our share of potty training successes but mostly failures thus far. The therapists and teachers tell us he is not ready. But we (Jeff, our daycare provider Kim, and myself) think he knows exactly what he is doing. Sure he gets busy and will forget like any kid, but he is aware of himself and can do this! It is so frustrating to have him sit on the potty, say he is done, get up and go in his pull-ups. Help! Any suggestions? I feel like we have tried it all!

Welcome to my blog!

You must have found my blog! Welcome! I hope we can keep in better touch using this new (to me) technology. Good night!!

Jeff's Birthday Celebration

For Jeff's 50th B-day I would have thought he would want a HUGE BASH! But he chose a laid back weekend in Chicago where all of our activities centered around Jackson. I have come to realize that once you are a parent, everything, including your birthday revolves around your child.

Jackson and I took Jeff to Shedd Aquarium and out for dinner. Then we took Jeff swimming in the pool at the hotel which was on the 4th floor of the building next to ours so it was a rooftop pool. It would be soooooooooooo cool in the summertime. As you can tell Jackson is really enjoying dinner with us - eating a Dove Bar! Like I said, life revolves around his wishes and wants now! ; - ) Ahhh, the life of an only child.

New friend

Today, I met a 28 year old with a sadly, familiar story. She was just diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma while pregant. We have been talking via phone or email and she asked that we meet face to face! First of all let me say that all bald women are beautiful! She is even cuter being pregnant and bald. I have to admit, I got teary eyed feeling for her and her family. Especially her husband. I thank my lucky stars everyday that I had Jeff there for me. He was (is) my ROCK. Yeah, you could say he rocks! ; )



This girl will be induced tomorrow at her 36th week of pregnancy. It is just not right to have this beautiful, thrilling time ripped away from you to be diagnosed with cancer. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

On with technology

My girlfriend, Natalie, has been trying to get me to journal for years. I have always wanted to journal but have never gotten around to it. This is my idea of how to share photos and journal (Ok, not my deepest, darkest secrets, but some thoughts) at the same time.