20 Weeks... oh my!!

It's hard to believe some days that we are having another baby. For me, I suppose it's surreal because when I look at Caleb he's still a baby himself. I find myself thinking (A LOT) "what have I gotten into". 

So many of my friends have said that this is Gods reward to our family for getting through Braxton's illness with minimal (I didn't say NO) complaining, I suppose now that it has all set in, that is a wonderful way to look at it. We have learned to trust in God for any and everything. 

He has never let us down whether it be with Braxton, or moving 500 miles away from everything we knew and starting over, to having another baby. 

I would be lying if I said, I was stoked from the beginning, that I took the test and jumped for joy. I actually took the test and cried for a spell. It's amazing all the things that go through your mind. The increase in bills, raising 2 so close in age, stress.... and not mention I thought where am I going to place another baby in our 3 bedroom home that we are so very quickly outgrowing.  I think too, being a cancer mom, the thought of a serious illness always lingers in my head. I know the chances of one of Braxton's siblings ever having Leukemia are slim but the chance is increased from the "average" child. The fact that the baby will be a boy is another increase in the slim probability. The fear that lies in a mothers heart, whether spoken and made known or not, is a very real thing for me at least. 

Now, the worry has worn off and the excitement has set in. I am now 20 weeks. Can you believe it 20 weeks? Already half way there. 

According to a website, the baby is the size and heirloom tomato. For me it's a little difficult to think of my baby is a garden vegetable. It's rather humorous for me. Seeing that my husband loves to garden ... lol

My kids are beyond elated and the fact that it's a boy makes it a little bit easier to get excited. I would have been happy for a girl, Zoe would have loved a sister but seriously this house is barely big enough for that Diva. I have tons of things to pass on to this new little one, again a plus. 

So now, at 20 weeks, we are ready to meet another Adkins baby. They are awfully cute :)

If we have learned anything as parents, it's life is not written out, things change and you just have to take the good with the bad. And that have done. 

Happy Thursday y'all

in the club

Today marks a momentous occasion for me as a mommy.... I joined a very elite club just for mom's of toddlers and preschoolers. 

I received my "my kid swallowed a penny" badge. 

I suppose I can mark that off my list of things you never want to hear as a mommy.

Just when I think things are going to be easy and that we will now be "normal" Braxton swallows a penny. 

I called the pediatrician after some extensive Q and A with Braxton... 

"are you sure you swallowed it?" (as if it dissolved)... 

"yes, mommy, I swallowed it".... 

"what color was the coin"... 

"brown"

"why was it in your mouth"...

 "I told you I needed my piggy bank"

Oh, geez, the adventures of motherhood never seem to stop. 

So, after calling the pediatrician, given Braxton's medical history they decided to do an x-ray just to see where it was. More than likely we will have the privilege of "waiting on a refund"....

I have a feeling that Braxton will enjoy this a little too much.

Being a mom to 3 very rambunctious children is for sure an adventure everyday, never boring. Being a mom to boys is an experience all in itself. 

Happy "Rainy Monday" Y'all

snow... again ... UGH!

It's a well know and publicized fact that I am from North Carolina. Sure we had our fair share of ice and flurries, but very very rarely did we get snow!

Now I have been transplanted into the North and adjusting .... well.... it's taking a smidge longer than I had anticipated. 

While I love my friends and church family that I have acquired, it has been so hard adjusting to my family being 500 miles away and this stinking, awful weather. It's really not that bad in the spring and fall, actually rather pleasant. I really don't mind the nights that we can stay out on the back porch while the kids play in the yard with a nice breeze blowing. 

BUT, then winter hits. Temps dropping down to the single digits and feeling even colder with the wind chill factored in. I was just not made for this. AT ALL. I have complained for 2 1/2 years (always knowing this will get me no where and actually get me a few evil looks from the locals) but a person has to have some sort of sensory issue to survive this and to go out in it like it's the greatest thing ever. Seriously, people here actually, pray for it. 

Where I come from it's looked at as a national emergency. The stores are emptied of every dairy and bakery product. SPAM and non perishable food items fly off the shelf. NO ONE leaves unless absolutely necessary. I mean, limb falling off, heart about to burst. That's how I was raised, I haven't prayed for snow, since I was in school only because it meant a snow day and possibly missing a test I had neglected to study for. 

I believe, through evidence of this post, it's safe to say that I have "cabin fever". 

In conclusion.... I am NOT made to live as a polar bear. It has been proven, so I suppose it's best that I stay in side for now, away from the general public because all this dreaded cold precipitation does for this southern belle is make me a little grumpy. I'm much happier in my house, in my flannels with knee high socks and a cup of STRONG coffee. 

I do believe the only thing that makes me smile about all this "cold stuff" is the look on my kiddos face, and even the smile it brings to the hubs. I suppose their happiness can make this bearable. 

Gitty in Gatlinburg

Oh my! Where do I begin???? 

Well first let me say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet Cabby. Caleb's First birthday was on the 18th. I feel like this past year has flown by and that my baby really wasn't little all that long. He has changed so much.

His Stats: 

He is 22lbs

He is 27 in long

He is in size 4 diapers 

He is down to one bottle of whole milk a day

He still has a pacifier (and I'm absolutely fine with that)

He is RUNNING all over the place

He says "momma, dada, bubba, bye bye and nana"

He is in 12-18 mth clothes and size 4 shoe

He has 6 teeth

He is absolutely the sweetest baby ever

We haven't had his party yet, it is this weekend. We were out of town the weekend of his birthday so we pushed it back a week. Very much not like me. 

We got to spend a few days in Gatlinburg on a last minute trip with Eron's parents and brother's family. 

It was nice to get away and CELEBRATE all the many blessings in our life. Braxton being completely med free and chemo free and CANCER free. And of course my sweet Caleb turning 1.

We stayed in the most amazing Cabin called the TreeHouse. It was tucked into the side of a mountain with amazing views. The cabin rental company even left an amazing gift basket for Braxton, filled to the brim with Spiderman things. For the first couple of days we had the mountain all to ourselves. One thing that we were not expecting was snow and we had snow. And of course we underestimated the snow and we payed for it dearly. 

*This is the pic from the web but it doesn't do it justice. It was truly awesome.*

We got stuck at the bottom of the mountain and ended up having to walk up the steep, snowy heel late in the evening with 3 kids. Oh what fun that turned out to be!!! My Brother in laws van made it up the hill after much coaxing and rocking but Ole Bessie just wasn't having it. So up the hill we went. Kudos to my brother in law for carrying my 50 lb 5 year old up the mountain because he was being contrary and insisted that he was too tired. And then Goob carried a very sleepy and cranky Zoe up the hill. Then they both went back down the hill for the groceries. It felt like we were climbing Mount Everest so you can imagine our surprise and laughter when we realized it was only .3 miles!

Fun Times. Making memories.

Every night the kids were up late playing until they were about to fall over and every morning, bright and early, they were at it again. We went to a new show there called the The Lumberjack Feud if you are in the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area I recommend it. Honestly the food was just OK but the show was great and the kids loved it. Braxton got to be in the show and they announced to the audience that he was a cancer survivor and then the tears started flowing from me. 

We also went to the Dixie Stampede and that is always a great time. My kids thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was fabulous and the show was amazing. Braxton, again, got to be in the show and he was the cutest little chicken chaser I have ever seen. 

When we weren't at shows, the boys were riding go carts and the girls were shopping it up. We bought out Hartstrings and between the outfits that my Mother in Law made her and the ones she got Zoe is set for awhile. :)

And let the pics begin:

At the Aquarium or E-quarium as Braxton called it

  

At WonderWorks ( or the "upside down building")

She did not leave her Papaws side for a second

The boys ready to climb the rock wall

We later learned that Braxton is deathly afraid of heights and Charlee has Spidey like skill

                                          

And a Few that were just too cute:

All in all a Fabulous trip and much needed. But I will say that in the end it was so nice to be home and in my own bed.

Happy Tuesday y'all

JUST THOUGHTS...

In some ways the last three years have been a blur (a blur that I can remember every moment of). One minute in 2009 we had a healthy, normal 2 year old and then in one day within hours, our life was turned upside down and we would learn to adapt to a "new normal". 

Braxton in the pediatrician's office on Nov. 9th 2009

Braxton Dec 31st 2012 ready for his last Chemo

Almost over night he overcame every 2 year old fear he could possibly have. He grew up almost in the blink of an eye into this amazingly brave little man. He has been my strength. We have smiled through many many tears. We never let him know that he was "different". We always made him feel as normal as possible. Not until recently has he really started to ask question about why he's "different" than the other kids.

In 3 years, we have become medical terminology experts, I've never left the house without a change of clothes, a bottle of Tylenol or a thermometer. In 3 years, Braxton has had numerous spinal taps, needle sticks, more medicine than I could ever keep track of, more prescription refills, and more doctors visits than I care to the think of. He's had spinal taps and tests, been administered about 7 different types of Chemotherapy. He has taken a pill without ceasing, unless in the hospital for some reason, every night for the past 2 years like a champ. He has taken a steroid twice a day for 5 days every month for the past 2 years. He has missed out on fun activities because of low counts, I have learned what good blood work looks like and what bad blood work looks like.We know what the skin looks like when platelet counts are extremely low. He learned quickly that legos were the way to go and I learned how to make balloon animals while "secluded" in a 10X16 room. Braxton has learned to pole surf (the art of riding on your IV pole while being pushed down the hall). Braxton has met many doctors, nurses and made friends all across the United States. Braxton has overcome hills and valleys. Braxton is a hero to many. Forever my hero. 

We had too many scares to remember. One ambulance ride to Cincinnati (that he still talks about). We spent 2 Thanksgiving's and 2 Christmas in the hospital. Braxton has started preschool. Braxton has never once stopped smiling. Braxton has shown me strength and bravery that I would never expect from a small child. 

Sure, in 3 years we have had ups and downs and moments when we felt the world crashing in on us. But I have to say that I am so blessed to know the amazing God that has stuck with us day in and day out. He has provided for our family, made the doctors scratch their heads. He sent us to the perfect pediatrician from day one. One that was amazingly thorough and then took the time to pray with us and come to see Braxton in his first week in the hospital. You can't tell me my Gods not real, I have felt his prescence in a dark hospital room when it was just us. I have felt his strength and sweet peace flood my soul. I have seen miracles upon miracles. I know what a mighty God I serve.

Brac had his final chemo treatment on Monday the 31st and all those tears that I have held back in "mommy mode" just came flooding out. Living in this cancer world I know just how precious and valuable life is. How quickly things can change. How quickly the ones you love so dear can be taken from you. I now, kiss my children A LOT more and hug them A LOT more. I listen when they talk. I play games with them when the laundry is overflowing and needs to be folded. I sing silly songs and we dance in the kitchen. I watch them as they sleep and smile and thank God that I get the privilege to be their mother. I am an amazingly blessed mother.  Braxton looked at his Sunday school teacher on New Years eve as she was congratulating him on beating cancer and said "Sis. Orr, do we have church on Sunday?" to which she replied "yes, why?"...Braxton said "I can't wait to go back to church, God is sooo good".... that's my 5 year old :)

Braxton is with ME. Braxton is HEALTHY. Braxton is CANCER FREE AND IN REMISSION. Braxton HAD Leukemia.

BRAXTON BEAT LEUKEMIA!!!!!!!!!!!

This is going to be an amazing year, I just know it. This year I get to watch my cancer free, med free little boy go off to Kindergarten. I get to put him to bed at night WITHOUT taking his medicine. I can leave the Tylenol at home and not panic when his temp goes up. I can take him to the pediatrician and not spend time waiting for the Oncologist on call. He's FINISHED (huge sigh of relief)

It was a wonderful day of celebrating for the entire family.Games and laughing and happy tears ... lots and lots of happy tears and a few happy dances too. So many have been with us on this journey and I want to say thank you again. Thank you for the continued prayers and faith.  Thank you to my mom and sister and extended family for holding me up. Thank you to Eron's parents for holding me up on the other side :)  Thank you to our wonderful Pastor and Pastors wife and to the amazing church family at Apostolic Truth Tabernacle. Your prayers have always been felt so strong. Thank you to Bro and Sis Schintzius and your church family, for being so wonderful to our family and for blessing us the way you have. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful prayer warriors on our side. Thank you of course to all the doctors and nurses. Thank you to my friends for being my shoulder to cry on and my vent partners.Thank you to all those at WHOG that were with me in those first months. You prayed for Braxton, raised money, donated time. You were amazing. Thank you for your support and friendship that remains even 500 miles away. I know that I am probably forgetting about a million people but thank you so much to everyone for your prayers, support and  love. It has been felt no matter where you are. 

We are blessed and we hope and pray that you all have an amazing new year, we sure plan on it. :)