Never A Dull Moment

Things have been busy over here, that's for sure!

Chris had a rough couple of days on Sunday and Monday, but I think we're finally on the upswing now.

It was this time last month that he had a few really bad days, too. Could just be a coincidence, or not, but we're taking note.

His stomach really bothers him a lot of the time, he has a hard time eating. We've made an appointment for next Friday with the GI doctor that Chris saw back in October when all of this started, hopefully he'll have some suggestions for us. We're going to consult with a nutritionist as well, and see what they have to say.

We go back to see Dr. D. on Monday for his next monthly injection and we'll run everything by him as well.

It's rough seeing him so down and out. The stomach/digestive issues just take a lot out of him - and I'm sure the stress he's feeling about his job doesn't help matters either.

Please continue to keep him in your prayers. We're still just three months into this and we're still trying to figure it all out. The prayers are good all around - body, mind and spirit - so keep them coming!!

Much love and appreciation . . .

Shane's First Hockey Game

So it may not have been the NY Rangers, but it was his first hockey game none the less!

A few weeks ago Dr. D's office called all 3 numbers that they had for us, trying to track us down. Let me tell you it's a bit nerve wracking when you realize your oncologist has called every number in the chart trying to find you! When we finally got in touch with each other we were relieved to hear that they were calling to offer us Dr. D's seats to the Soundtigers/Wolfpack game that Saturday! Dr. D. is the internist for the Soundtigers team, that is based in Bridgeport, they're the "minor league" team for the NY Islanders. As it turned out, this night they were playing the "minor league" team for the NY Rangers, the Hartford Wolfpack - how could we not go?!?!

So, at 6:30 at night, in the middle of a snow storm, we loaded our little family into the car and took off for the arena.

I think Shane's favorite part was watching the zambonie's clean the ice!! But we all had a great time and we were able to stay until 1/2 way through the 2nd period when Shane started to get tired (and cranky!)

Thanks, GramZ, for letting us take your point-and-shoot, so that we could capture these memories!!

Shane - in awe! Notice our first row seats!!! My boys, my heart.

We bribed him to be good in-between periods by getting him a treat! He clenched that cup like it was the last drink on Earth!!

Chris -

Total plug for Land's End here, but check out his ADORABLE snow boots in this shot! The front of the boot is the face of a bear! How stinkin' cute is that?!?!

On our way out of the arena:

Can I also say that our kid looks pretty stinkin' cute in his Rangers jersey! Great gift Rich & Lauren - thanks again!!

More Shane-isms

"no toucha me, woof" = "listen dogs, leave my food alone"

rock-a-do-do = cockadoodledoo (from The Wiggles)

nomac gee = snowplow (don't ask!)

bye,bye car - ba? = "can we go for a ride in the car so I can watch Bob (the Builder)?"

"back night-night" = "I want to go back to bed so I can lay around like a prince and watch Toy Story all day"

Anything that has four legs and isn't a dog or a cat, is still a cow (or a pig) - and it still says "moo", unless it's a pig - then it says "pig".

Any time he falls or gets hurt (whether there's a boo-boo there or not), he'll tell us "boo, boo. Cars? Me?"= "I have a new boo-boo and I need a "Cars" band-aid so I can pull the backing off, look at it, stick it on my hand for a minute, pull it back off my hand, throw it out and then blame the whole things on the dogs, okay?"

Anytime either of us brushes our teeth we here "ME! TEETH!!". Could even be from across the house. Damn that noisy electric toothbrush!

****Hands off, folks! He's all ours!!!!****

A Visit From Aunt Trae

Aunt Tracie braved the cold and came up from Florida for a few days right after Christmas to visit with us! We all had a fantastic time and it was great to see her - it had been over a year!!!

Family shot, taken after dinner to celebrate Papa's birthday (Photo credit to Grandma):
Daddy, GramZ, Papa and Aunt Trae (Photo credit to Grandma):

Yeah!!!! (Photo credit to Grandma)

Shane with GramZ and Papa - is he up to no good or what!?! (Photo credit to Grandma):

Shane and Aunt Trae (Photo credit to GramZ):

Hope to see you again soon, Aunt Trae!!!

A Few More From Christmas Day

Christmas morning, to proove he did get toys other than the train table!! Daddy and Papa (photo credit to GramZ):

Our crazy little guy looking mighty cute in his train outfit! (Photo credit to GramZ)

Daddy & Shane (Photo credit to GramZ):

And one more from Christmas Eve! Santa's helpers putting together the train table! Thanks Daddy and Aunt Kate (Photo credit to GramZ):

My Dancing Fools

A typical night at the O'Connor house!

Watching them interact like this completely melts my heart . . .

Christmas Eve

Just a few snapshots of my boys on Christmas Eve. BOTH of them loved every second of opening up their gifts!!!

Like father, like son . . . they both love their books!

Shane with his Wiggles car -

AGAIN with the books!!!

And I think this look pretty much sums up Christmas for Shane:

Hope everyone enjoyed their holidays!

My (3rd) 29th Birthday

Me & my (favorite!) helper:

He's so proud of himself!!With my boys:

Update

We still have a good number of photos to share from our little holiday vacation - spending lots of time lounging around the house sort of lends itself to snapshots! But I thought I'd use today to update everyone on how we've been doing.

Chris has been doing really well. Christmas day was his last really bad day. Since then, he's started to take a daily Pepcid which has REALLY helped to control the majority of his stomach/digestive issues, which have always been his biggest complaint. The difference in him was noticeable between Christmas and New Years - he was looking better, he was feeling better and he was acting like his regular old self again - that week was heaven for me (and for him, too, I'm sure!) He got his 2nd monthly injection on Friday, January 2, and aside from a few "not so great" days following the injection, he's been doing really well again. This month has been going SO much better than last month - and we hope that continues to be the case. He's been out of bed more, he's been doing more, and the pain pills, with the rare exception, are finally starting to stay INSIDE of the bottle! Yippee!! Chris has also figured out that his eating habits have a lot to do with how he feels. He can't let his stomach get empty, and he can't eat too much at one time. Smaller, more frequent, meals seems to be the ticket to him feeling better. Needless to say, we're extremely happy that things seem to be going well and we're hoping that the problems he was having last month was just his body's way of adjusting to the new doseage of medication. Still, please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers - they certainly don't hurt and do appear to be working!! His next Dr. appointment isn't until February 2nd, when he'll get his 3rd injection.

Our little guy is growing in leaps and bounds!! I swear that he's bigger everyday! His vocabulary has REALLY started to take off lately and he's even putting together lots of 3 and 4 word "sentences" - it's SO friggin adorable! He's at such a great age now - he's completely in love with his dogs, he has no problem telling you that he doesn't want to wear the shirt that you picked out for him and that he'd rather wear "this" one instead, he gets his shoes out of his closet, HE reminds US that he needs to wear a hat when he goes outside, he knows he'd rather be spending his days with Mommy and Daddy then going to visit his friends at daycare, he's decided to call his Grandpa "Papa" and to hear it come out of his mouth is the cutest thing ever (sorry, Grandma's!!!), he's such a good helper when it comes to feeding the dogs (or cutting their nails, or taking Zoe out on the leash, or giving them baths), he runs to get the phone when it rings - but no way will he answer it . . . he's just the best!!! He's the absolute joy of our life and we couldn't possibly be any more in love with him!!!

Even the dogs are doing well! Zoe's new (fishline) ACL is well on the way to being back to normal - despite the scare she gave us on Christmas Eve, and Kylee . . . well, Kylee is fine as long as someone is around to devote their undivided attention to her!!

This year has been good to us so far! Hopefully this trend continues! 2008 has a lot to make up for!!!

My Snow Babes

His Favorite Christmas Present

"Finally!" - that's what you're all thinking right now, isn't it?! I know, I know - I've been pretty bad lately about updating the blog, but life has been hectic. I promise to post an update tomorrow, but today I'll cut to the chase and give you all what you're really for - a few pictures!!

Santa brought a train table for Shane this year! Saying he LOVES it is the understatement of the century! It's, by far, his favorite gift of the season and the look of joy on his face when he plays with it just warms our hearts!

Mommy & Daddy set up a pretty basic track on Christmas Eve and have already purchased some additional pieces and have played with quite a few layouts!

Hello, Thomas! Christmas morning, after the table was moved into his playroom!

The determination just kills me!

And by the next day, Daddy was just as excited about it as Shane was!

So hard at work, my boys!

Have I mentioned how much I love these two???

Happy New Year!

We've all been off from work and daycare and have been enjoying some much needed, relaxing, family time! It's been wonderful! And to say we're all dreading getting back into the daily grind come Monday is an understatement!

We all enjoyed the holidays and we have tons of pictures to share once our little vacation comes to an end in a few days.

Chris has a follow up with Dr. D. tomorrow afternoon and he'll also get his 2nd monthly injection - so keep your fingers crossed, and keep us in your prayers, for a good report from the doctor's.

Here's to 2009 - hopefully a much better, happier and healthier year for all of us . . .