Thursday, January 10, 2008
I started last year's journal entry with "wow, 2007 already??" and I can't believe it's 2008 already!! Yikes time flies!! RJ is walking like a champ and babbling up a storm, saying a small handful of words and learning to point at what he wants. He's a true little toddler man now. He LOVES hockey and knows just what to do with the little hockey sticks he got for Xmas. Other than that, it's been status quo around here - but that's not a bad thing!!!
Friday, January 25, 2008
If you had asked me on Monday what I planned on this week being like, I would have told you nothing out of the ordinary. It's been nothing like that. Tuesday, RJ fell in the bathtub and cut the inside of his mouth bad enough that we had our first ER visit with him! He is fine, but I was a mess!! I got home to a voicemail that Dad's dog, Greta, didn't look so good, so I got a last minute vet appointment and went to pick Dad and Greta up. Little did I know, Greta was in kidney failure from Lyme Disease. She was originally infected several years ago, but it turns out this was a new tick bite and a new infection that just overtook her little body. She had lost a lot of weight and wasn't eating. She was on fluids and medications for two days before she started to have neurological changes. They called us to make the decision and I brought Dad over to say goodbye. Greta wasn't even lifting her head at that point, but she saw Dad and tried to stand and wagged her tail. I handed her frail little body over to Dad to hold and she settled right in and fell asleep on him. She LOVED Dad, almost as much as he loved her. She was relaxed and comfortable for the first time in a long time, so we decided it was the best thing to do to get it over with then. Dad held her as she slipped away - the last thing she remembered was falling asleep in his arms. I am amazed at his strength. It's moments like these where the "old" Dad comes out. He was strong for her and I know he is proud of that. I am too. It breaks my heart to see him so heartbroken, and it's SO unfair. He LOVED her and treated her like the queen she was. There was no reason for her to have to go so early. Dad's been through so much, I find myself asking why he has to go through this. I suppose only time will tell. Perhaps Greta had to move on so something, or someone, else could come into Dad's life. All I know is that there is a part of Dad's heart that will be empty. He will bury her ashes in his garden in the spring. And as Maddie said, "she's up there now in doggie heaven, hanging out with the other doggies until the day comes when she sees your dad, and then heaven will witness more wriggling in an 8-pound sausage than it's ever known."! RIP Pookie. We love you. You were a GOOD DOG.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
I got my first real hug from RJ! It was probably the sweetest thing I've ever felt in my entire life. He threw his arms around my neck and squeezed and I almost cried it was so wonderful!!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Happy almost St. Patrick's Day! We're headed over to Mom's for the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner....can't wait!
Bob and Maddie got married March 1 in a beautiful ceremony - everything went so well and I think everyone had a wonderful time - even my little man, RJ, was there in his baby tux! I have pics up on my picture page - I'm trying something new with pictures so there's a link on the left hand side of that page that will take you to my share page on photoworks.com. Check it out!
RJ has picked up some sign language, finally! We've been signing at him since he was 6 months, but he started signing back to use a few weeks ago. He's got about 6 words, but we're working on more. He's definitely not a baby anymore....getting so big and opinionated!! I put a few videos up on You Tube - search for my user id, chelle828, and they'll come up. There's one with him falling asleep in his highchair that's hilarious. It's hard to believe he's the same 3 1/2 pound baby I tried to sing to in the NICU...I couldn't think of a song other than what Rick and I danced to at our wedding - I could barely choke out the words for crying...now look at him! He amazes me every day.
I want to say good luck to my friend Cat - she's scheduled for a c-section at the end of the month, but she's been having contractions, so I don't think she's going to last that long. She's early (37 weeks), and there are some issues with the baby - she'll be transferred to CHOP as soon as she's born for surgery, so please keep Cat and her family in your prayers!!.
Wednesday, April 24, 2008
My last entry asked everyone to keep my friend Cat and her baby in your prayers...and apparently they worked!! Cat had a baby girl, born completely HEALTHY, no problems!!! How incredible is that?
Life here is chugging along, RJ is growing like a weed and talking more and more. He got a trike and loves to play outside now that it's warmer. On a bad note, my father in law was diagnosed with cancer, so we've all been coming together as a family to support him in his progress through treatment. He had his first surgery today, so please keep him in your prayers. While we're talking about praying, say one too for my friend Sharon and her parents? They're having a really tough time medically, and the family is having a tough time supporting them. Not that they don't want to support them, but that it's taking a HUGE effort on everyone's part to help out and it's taking a toll on them all. Hang in there Sharon!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wow I haven't posted in a long time. Sheesh. Been busy!! RJ is growing bigger every day, and my mom keeps saying "he's a little boy now!!". The baby is gone!! He's still not speaking too much, at least in any language we can understand. Tonight we went to the neighborhood pool for the first time this year - he was really tentative about getting in, but we let him take his time and he eventually was running down the ramp and splashing all over. We even sent him down the waterslide (with me catching him at the bottom) and he loved it - the little daredevil! He got cold and started shivering so we didn't stay too long, but I know we'll be back soon. When we got home, he ate dinner and was running around when Rick and I had a moment in the kitchen - we were hugging and smooching and all of a sudden RJ ran up and threw himself in a bear hug around both our legs - he wanted some lovin' too! We both picked him up and said "BIG HUG!!" and he giggled and laughed and threw his arms around both our necks. It was one of those moments I'm sure I'll remember forever. :)
Rick's Dad has finished with the initial chemo and radiation - he lost a lot of weight, but is finally feeling better and putting some weight back on. His big surgery is in August, then he'll have more chemo then he's done. Hopefully he'll be 100% recovered and like new by Christmas. They're going to create an esophagus from part of his stomach, so he'll have normal functioning. How cool is that? Sharon's dad has been doing chemo and they started him on an appetite stimulator and he's put on 12 pounds in the past week or so - he was down 40 so that's wonderful! Sharon's busy planning her wedding so it's really nice for her to have some good news.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Does anyone actually read this? It's really nice for me to have this as a journal to look back on, but I was wondering last night if anyone out there actually reads this...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Most of you won't know what I'm talking about, but I wanted to write this....I have been given the closure I have been looking for for 13 years. It makes no sense - to me even - that I still had a part of my heart that ached just a little every now and then when I heard a certain song, or had a random thought. I hated it and tried for years and years to make it go away. I gave in to it, wallowed in it, ignored it, hoped time would heal it, and despised it - and yet it stayed right there. I'm happier right now than I've ever been in my life - and yet it has stayed put, this nagging little hurt. Not even a hurt, but the scar from the old hurt. Knowing it was there has been embarassing and made me feel stupid and feel guilty for so long. I guess I never had official closure, even if my brain knew better a long long time ago. In a most unexpected and very simple way, I have finally gotten the closure even after I stopped looking for it. For the first time in 13 years, I have finally taken a free, deep breath. It's finally gone and its the most incredible feeling. I am so excited for the rest of my life to play out without that pang of regret and sadness living in me. Prayers do get answered, all in their own time. .
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Rick's Dad has his total Esophagectomy on Monday - it was a LONG day....there was an inpatient emergency surgery that pushed him back, so after arriving downtown about 8am, Dad wasn't prepped for surgery until 1:30 - and they didn't start surgery until close to 3:00. The operation was 5 hours long and nervewracking for us all. Rick's mom, his sister, Rick and I were all in the family waiting room the whole time. He came through it with flying colors and the docs all think he is cancer free - although they are waiting on pathology reports to confirm this. He was still on a ventilator when we finally got to see him about 9:30 in the ICU but he was able to hear us and nod his head and open his eyes a little in response to us. He's got a long recovery ahead, but every day is a little improvement. Every time we see him there are less tubes coming out of him, and he's even been up out of bed to a chair. Tonight they transferred him out of the ICU! We've set up a "care page" for him through the hospital: http://www.carepages.com/carepages/RickGallagher. You have to register to see it, but they don't spam you or anything. We'll make sure Rick's dad sees all the messages that are left on there for him. Thank you again to everyone for the prayers.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
This is my happy place. As my mom says, I really think that part of my soul lives here...that's the only way I can explain the sense of peace I feel when I'm here. It's a vacation, it's special, but it's also like coming home. I know where things are in the kitchen and the bed is familiar. There's such a different feel to being here then there is to being on vacation somewhere that isn't familiar. We're now into the third generation of my family coming here....this year marks 30 years since my parents brought us here. I was 3. Now I'm here with my husband, my son and stepdaugher and her friend, and my mom is in the grandma room at the top of the steps. It's all so surreal, but just feels so right.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Life is settling back into the routine....work, being home with RJ, dealing with colds, Preslee's back to school, Rick's back to refereeing. RJ's cutting molars too which is *oh* so fun. Michelle Krywolt came home and RJ and Duncan got along really well, and Cecelia is ADORABLE!! I love when Michelle comes home, but we never seem to spend enough time together. My how times change - we were telling the story of the strawberry daquiri incident in the same conversation about potty training. Geez. Rick's dad is eating solid foods now and his main goal is to gain weight and get the feeding tube out. He came through the surgery well with only minor setbacks. Soon it will all be a (not-so pleasant) memory. Thank you to everyone for their prayers. I have another request for you pray-ers too...Sharon's dad and the whole family need them this time.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Honestly, I was a Hillary supporter. I wasn't fully behind Obama for a while....I made a point of watching the debates and finding out as much as I could so I could make an informed decision. Rick and I voted this afternoon with Preslee and RJ in tow. Preslee pushed the buttons for me - we are hoping to teach her the importance of voting. We each voted our conscience, for whom we thought would do the best job for our troubled country. Tonight, as we watched history unfold before our eyes, I found myself tearing up. I didnt hear all the fireworks and shouting outside my window like I did last week when the Phils won the World Series. Instead, I sat in bed, watching tv and felt a sense of pride and hope. Enough so that I actually got up out of bed, went downstairs and kissed my husband as he worked on his computer and went into my sleeping son's room, brushed back his hair and whispered to him that there's so much more hope for his future now. I've always voted and always tried to be a part of the democratic process, but this is the first time I've felt so strongly - since I've become a mom. It's so much more important for me. McCain was eloquent and classy and 100% correct in his speech - we need to put partisanship aside and come together for the future of our great country. Some of my most favorite people in the world are disappointed tonight - I love them no less for their views and convictions, in fact I respect them for them. If we can co-exist in one family, we can co-exist and co-author a better future in this country. Obama said in his speech - what if his daughter lives 100 years, what changes will she see? That really hit home with me. RJ, Preslee and their future sibling(s) will see so many wonderful things, so much change, in their lives. Yesterday I was more worried about their lives than I am today. That is an incredible feeling.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Finally....a chance to update. I can't believe time is flying so quickly....RJ's birthday, Rick's birthday, Thanksgiving...Christmas will be here before we know it. I hope everyone is having a good fall! We've had 2 more ER visits with RJ....both for falls. That child needs a helmet.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The holiday season is upon us...time is sure flying!! I'm actually sort of set for getting ready - just have wrapping to do and cooking to do. Last year ended with RJ learning to walk, and this year, he's a full on toddler, learning to talk in sentences and climbing on everything. What a difference a year can make.
I wanted to post lyrics to a Christmas song that I have loved for a long time. Happy Holidays to everyone!
Alfie, The Christmas Tree
Did you ever hear the story of the Christmas Tree that just didn't want to change the show? He liked living in the woods and playing with the squirrels. He liked icicles and snow. He liked wolves and eagles and grizzly bears and critters and creatures that crawl. Why bugs were some of his very best friends, spiders and ants and all. Now that's not to say that he ever looked down on a vision of twinkling lights, or on mirrored bubbles and peppermint canes and a thousand other delights. And he often had dreams of tiny reindeer and a jolly old man in a sleigh full of toys and presents and wonderful things. And the story of Christmas Day. Oh, Alfie believed in Christmas alright. He was full of Christmas cheer. All of each and every day and all throughout the year. To him it was more than a special time, much more than a special day. It was more than a beautiful story, it was a special kind of way. You see some folks have never heard a jingle bell ring, and they've never heard of Santa Claus. They've never heard the story of the Son of God. That made Alfie pause. Did that mean they would never know of Peace on Earth, or the Brotherhood of Man? Or know how to love? Or know how to give? If they can't, no one can. You see, life is a very special kind of thing, not just for a chosen few, but for each and every living, breathing thing, not just me and you. So in you Christmas prayers this year, Alfie asked me if I'd ask you, say a prayer for the wind, and the water, and the wood. And those who live there too.
