Hello Everyone, 

Several weeks ago we hit a milestone in our home.  After Chantels lovely birthday party, with lack of sleep and too much chocolate cake and chocolate “cream” as she calls it, she came down with a cold.  Later in the week I also gave into her cold for a few days.  Sharmi however did not get sick.  A week or so later Dean had some signs of the flue, and several guys working on a major landscaping project at our house were feeling sick including having the swine flue.  And even through all of this Sharmi still DID NOT GET SICK!  Hallelujah, Sharmi’s immunity is back and stronger than ours!!!!!

Last months doctors visit for Sharmi went well.  I bribed her into letting me take her to Chantels doctor, here in Marysville, instead of taking her all the way to Children’s.  We are now at the point in Sharmi’s treatment that her oncology doctors are OK with us going to Children’s every third month.  Sharmi prefers Children’s Hospital, but since the last couple draws didn’t go well there I was able to bribe her.  I promised that if she would go to Chantels doctor for her appointment, I would take them to Red Robin for lunch.  Chantel had a doctors appointment as well for her 2 year check-up and shots.  Then Sharmi had her exam.  Sharmi’’s lab draw went very well.  She was crying initially becauseshe was afraid, but the tech was good.  He was accurate and fast.  The tech’s were very impressed with how Sharmi handled it and held still for them, especially after her initial crying.  So as promised the girls and I went to Red Robin for Mac n Cheese and fry’s.  It was actually a lovely morning. 

As I mentioned earlier, we have taken on a huge landscaping project in the last month.  We have brought in tons of dirt, tore out our drive way, regraded our entire 1 acre yard, cut in a new driveway that is more aesthetic, made an actual walkway up to our house (which wasn’t there before), had 50 ton on rocks set in our landscaping, and we are putting on a new deck and new patio.  We are tired.  I specifically am tried of the filth.  But, the girls have loved it.  I believe the mountains of dirt were their favorite.  However, they did really enjoy the mud phase as well.  And today, they splashed in a giant 14 foot wide puddle filled with hazelnut color release used to color the concrete.      In between the constant loads of laundry, mopping and vacuuming the floors (sometimes many times a day) I am trying to stop and take pictures of my kids loving life.  For a few moments I can see it through their eyes, but it isn’t long after baths are taken and new cloths are donned that I am yelling again, “DON”T GET DIRTY!” 

They have loved the excitement but it is taking it’s toll on them as well.  They are not sleeping well.  Chantel especially is having sleeping problems.  She has discovered in  the last couple of weeks how to get out of her crib and out of her room.  Not only does she do this at bed time, but she also does it in the middle of the night.  I have tried everything I can possibly think of.  I have tried all of the nice, loving, patient mommy approaches and I have tried all of the harsh disciplinary mommy approaches.  None seem to work.  One night when I was trying the “middle of the road approach of just putting her back in her bed calmly”  I quit counting after 40 times.  I think I am making baby steps but if anyone has any wisdom I am open to suggestions.  

Another thing that was significant for Chantel, this past month, was her birthday party.  Sharmi has had so many parties for her the last few years and Chantel hadn’t had any other than her 1st birthday.  Chantelwas so excited about her party before it happened,  since then she looks at pictures of the party almost daily and any present that she got at her party she emphatically says, “mine, my paaarty!”  She makes it very clear what is hers.  It is actually quit cute. 

All in all life is good.  For a few weeks before the landscaping started life was actually bliss!  It was the “paradise” of being a mom with two healthy kids that I had never known before.  I had a glimpse of what a “normal” life is like.  I am looking forward to that again.  I am praying for sun so that they guys can get done and get out of here so we can have a wonderful holiday season with just our happy family.

Love to you all,

Cheris