little dude ~ so in love

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Nathan has surely proved this to be true. The month of June was exceptionally hot and humid. While we do have central a/c, I figured Nathan needed to get an early taste of summer. We spend time under the shade of our gazebo and watch Theo play chuck-it, but this teal bucket was calling out Nathan's name. I had the lawn hose laying in the yard after watering my garden, so the water sitting in the hose was the perfect tempurature of warm water for my baby's first "pool".

Tell me, how could I possibly pick just ONE picture to print/enlarge?? Seriously, my little dude is so freaking adorable. I can't stop kissing that face, stroking his hands as he falls asleep, and "eating toes" when we change diapers. Tom and I are so in love and so in awe of this little miracle we made!!

Here is a slideshow to wrap up the month of June for you.... and some pics from 4th of July, which Nathan LOVED the fireworks!

Click on the picture to view the slideshow. Hopefully it works....I forgot how to do this! :)

Love,
Roxanne:)
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Nathan 6 months

We had so much fun doing these pics and the special X-Box picture for Daddy's surprise Father's day present!

At 6 months old, Nathan is rolling over ~ mostly to the right, and mostly from back to belly ~ twice he rolled from belly to back. Nathan eats fruits and veggies for lunch and dinner, and cereal with bananas for breakfast. He has a blast jumping in johnny jump up (I will try to post a video), and he loves sitting up like a big-dude playing with his rattles and singing toys on the floor. More recently, he has begun to take after his father..... rocking!!! These pics were taken early June right after he turned 6 months old. I can't believe this month is about over and my 6 month old is actually just about to be my 7 month old! WOW how time flies!

Enjoy these pics. They sure were fun. Nathan is a little flirt!

Click the white play button, then maximize in the lower right corner. Hit esc key to exit.

This video was taken at my mom's house one day when we were sewing up a storm for my Snuggli Bebe business. Nathan was supervising from his johnny jump-up.

Love,

Roxanne:)

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Yeah!

It's gone! The doctors got the melanoma from Tom's abdomen and we got the call that the cancer is GONE! YEAH!!! They got it all! Also the nevis from his knee did not have melanoma, so that was good. Better that it's not there worrying us anyhow!

Thank you, everyone, for your constant prayers, kind thoughts, and care. We were very scared to learn his cancer had returned; looking back at the horrible chemo and tough times we went through was not fun thinking about having to relive that and with our blessing little baby, Nathan, added to the mix. We are SO greatful to the good Lord for laying out our lives just as they should be. Had I not lost my job, and had to move Tom's check-ups by 1 month, we could be in a very different boat right now. You just never know.

Tom is healing well. The doc took about a 3x4 section of skin out from his right side abdomen wall (full depth of skin), and he has about 27 stitches we counted. He keeps appologizing to me for being "deformed" from all these surgeries and scars and I keep telling him I wouldn't have him any other way. He is still beautiful to me. Better WITH the scars and the melanoma gone than the alternative!

Stitches come out on Friday this week and he returns to work (his new job) on Monday. We are so greatful, too, that his new job was so understanding with Tom having to take care of this right away after starting a week prior.

I have more updates and Nathan pics to post, and I PROMISE to post about how I can't believe my baby is 6-months old, and about our first trip to the Zoo yesterday!!


Tootles,
Roxanne:)
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Pray

That's all I ask... Pray. Please.

We got the call Wednesday afternoon that Tom's cancer is back. This is how it all happened...

Since losing my job March 6th, we had to move up Tom's 6-month appointments from the end of April to happen in March since our insurance would expire at the end of the month. Tom's blood work and x-rays with his Oncologist came back just fine. However, the Dermatologist took a suspicious mole off his right front abdomen. It's not the first time he took a mole off, but it was the first time we got a call that it had A-typia cells. Which means for someone with no cancer history, it's not cancerous, and no further action is required. BUT for someone WITH cancer history, it could become (or is) cancer. May 15th the area was excised; about 1-1/5" x 3" oblong area. About a week after we got that first call, a cyst had formed under Tom's skin about a half inch away from the mole that had been removed. He first noticed it because he had an itch, then it hurt (which is how the mole on his back started feeling before we found out he had cancer). The dermatologist thought it was just a normal cyst that people get from time to time; however, this was not the case.

We got the call on Wednesday this week that the cyst actually WAS melanoma, and a larger excision would be necessary because the margin they used was too small to ensure they got all the cancer from the surrounding tissue. Info was sent to Tom's Oncologist, a cat scan was scheduled (did that yesterday), and a follow-up appointment for today to find out the results of the cat scan and determine a treatment plan.

Results (it's gonna be ok).
Tom was sooo nervous to get the results of the cat scan today. I was nervous, too, but I also am his strength. God gave me a gift of strength. To be a person of strength in times like this to get us through it. I thank God for giving me this. We believe all things are possible thru Him. Anyways, Tom's blood pressure was really high when we got to in the Dr.'s office (to be expected). Nathan was quite lively looking at the pretty lights and scratching at the funny paper on the examination table.

Tom's Oncologist explained the cat scan showed three noduals. Two that were there in '06 and have not changed in 3-yrs. (ok, so nothing to worry about) The 3rd nodual was new, but that's not to say it wasn't there 3 yrs ago and just not seen. It isn't huge or mass-like, no nothing to worry about, just monitor. Tom will have an x-ray and blood work in 3 months, then another cat scan in 6 months. Dr. said at this time, there is no evidence that the cancer spread anywhere past the localized area it was found, so no reason to go through chemo again. Did that once, hopefully we never have to do it again. He did suggest that we could find out if UW-Madison is doing any vaccine tests for a situation like this. He will get us info when we go back in 3 months. For now, we needed to schedule surgery to ensure a larger area of affected skin is excised.

Tom's surgeon was in surgery all day today, but they paged him and he said YES, I will see Tom today. We saw the most wonderful surgeon on the face of the planet and Tom's surgery is scheduled for June 10th.

Insurance nightmare.
As if having cancer return isn't a nightmare enough. Since losing my job, trying to get the new ARRA Cobra program, finding out we couldn't, trying to get signed on Tom's plan, and now finding we missed the window.... it's a nightmare. Basically, we have a wonderful woman advocating on our behalf to get ppwrk backdated so that we acrually have coverage since April 1st, which would cover about $20K+ worth of medical services. The final answer is still unknown, so this is an angoing battle.

The Job.
Tom starts a new job on Tuesday (next week). No insurance for 90-days (but we will somehow get cobra, one way or another....). Tom will have to explain to his new job that he is having outpatient surgery on the 10th, and he will not be able to return to work until the 22nd, and probably on light duty. We're hoping and praying that his new job will understand, and they should because Tom disclosed his cancer diagnosis at his physical after the job offer.

We are so greatful Tom got this new job! THEY called him, and he happened to be on lay-off at the time, so the timing couldn't be more perfect... or more troublesome with the cancer coming back right now... Regardless, he will be closer to home, only driving about 2-3 miles to work instead of 30, he will be on 8-hr shifts, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, rotating and we will see him one heck of a lot more than when he worked 10's on 2nd shift 35 mins away with no hope of any other shift.

Pray.
It's a simple request. Please pray for us that Tom's surgery is a success, his follow-up scans have good results, insurance gets figured out, his new employer understands, and his job is the right move at the right time. We are so greatful and thankful for such wonderful friends and family for your support and emotional understanding. God Bless each of you. Nathan says Thanks, too!

Love,
Roxanne :)
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Playing Catch-up

Man! Life has been busy! I haven't had much time to blog..... as you've noticed! Sorry for such a long lul in conversation, my happy bloggers. I've hopped on my friend's blogs over the past couple of days (when I have 2 minutes to spare) to try and get caught up with what they've all been up to, so tonight I thought it is my turn to play the catch-up game...

I just love being a new Work-at-home-Mom. I couldn't ask for a better boss (myself) or human resources department (Nathan). Plus, the added bonus of having Tom around the past few weeks (laid off, and now starting a new job June 2nd) has been really great; a rarity that will probably never happen again, which is good that we've had this time together NOW when Nathan is so young and needs his loving parents.

Work-at-home-Mom?

Yes, that is me. After loosing my full-time job, I picked up an old hobby...sewing. I got an early Mother's Day gift from Tom and Nathan....a sewing machine! It's electronic, super fancy, has over 110 stitches, and I just LOVE it!!! The past 6 weeks, or so, Nathan and I have spent many days and afternoons over at my mom's house sewing and visiting. We made a ton of new things for my Snuggli Bebe business. I participated in an expo last weekend, made some sales, contacts, and have some custom orders lining up. The foot traffic at the expo wasn't nearly what we had expected, and the first expo I did with this coordinator wasn't all that great either, so I won't be participating in anymore of her expos. My Etsy Shop is doing well. I've got 5 online sales there so far, and lots of hits. Google Analytics is really fun to look at, but then again, that the Probs and Stats in me that I loved in college. I also am keeping up with my Pampered Chef business as well, so I have really enjoyed being a Work-at-home-Mom. I think Nathan appreciates it, too.

I have to give HUGE props out to all the part- and full-time working mothers. I don't know how you do it. You are amazing! Those are big shoes to fill and I know I will someday probably end up back working full-time, but right now I just can't imagine how I could function. So, hats off to Work-away-from-home-Moms!!!!!!

Nathan:

Our baby is growing! I can't believe he is 5 1/2 months old! Where does the time go? Our little guy is learning so much and is such a joy to watch. He amazes me everyday. He loves to smile and laugh, and he sure thinks Theo is hilarious. We got him on DVD video laughing hysterically from the depths of his tummy as Theo jumped and did tricks to get his Stud Bone toy. I think Tom and I watched that clip on the DVD recorder a thousand times. There's no better sound in the world than your baby laughing. Here are some pics of Nathan...

Click on the white play button, then maximize on the lower right corner.

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Yes, I am alive!

I can't believe how busy I've been?! Even being a new WAHM, my days are packed to the gil! In fact, I made my lunch today, then Tom got up, Nathan had a #2 emergency, then I jumped in the shower, got out, make up on, hair dried, and I realized I never even ATE my lunch!!!

So I just wanted to let you all know I am HERE and I am ALIVE! I have LOTS to post about, so once I get pics edited and have 5 mins here and there to type up a blog post, I will!

Keep posted....

*hugs*
Roxanne :)

ETSY & Simply J Crochet shout out!

Life has been crazy-busy since I lost my job and now am SAHM. I have been helping my mom paint at her new condo, and renewed a craft in sewing... which brought me to find a new business adventure on Etsy! I love that I am sewing again and making cute things for babies. I've made 1 sale so far, and have many lookers and heart'ers! My mom and dad also love that Nathan and I come over to visit (so I can use my mom's machines). I think just about every day my Dad asks my Mom "Is Nathan coming over today?" That really means a lot cuz my Dad's health is declining very quickly. He loves when Nathan "talks" and laughs. I swear those two have their own language!





Here's a link to my shop: http://www.snugglibebe.etsy.com/ You can see everything I've made so far, and here is one item I made just for Nathan... It's a special unique blankie just for my baby!

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A SHOUT OUT TO: SIMPLY J CROCHET

As I was browsing on Etsy tonight, I found the most amazingly beautiful crocheted caps for babies and kids! The seller is SIMPLY J CROCHET. Below is a link to my favorite!
Newsboy Cap

This one is by another seller, but also very cute....would be adorable on Ava! Sense and Sensibility Cloche

So this very talented gal, SIMPLY J CROCHET, is having a March Madness, and I'm playing in her game for a little fun. She has a blog at blogspot....click here....and she said if I blog about her and link to her blog, another ticket is earned. So here you go, girl, you rock!!! Once I'm done with this post, I'm going to make my Etsy purchase in your store! (PS - the photography of her work is also very beautiful).

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Well it's nearly 11pm and I have not gone to bed yet although Nathan is sound asleep and will probably wake up as soon as my head hits the pillow. Time to sign off for now, go buy that Newsboy cap, and attempt to get an ounce of sleep.... I'm painting with Mom tomorrow!

*HUGS*
Roxanne :)
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