Happy Birthday Rudy!

We headed up to Fredericksburg today for Rudy's 3rd Birthday party, it was a pool party at the YMCA. What a fun idea! Madelyn had fun swimming and gobbling up yummy chocolate cake!

Rudy is the son of Ben's best friend - Jeremy - and his wife Kim. They also have Jake, who'll be 5 this June. It's so hard to believe! They are such great friends, even though we don't see them as much as we'd LOVE to - it's like we can pick right up and forget how long it's been since we were together last.

Here are a few pictures from the birthday party:

The BIRTHDAY BOY!!

Madelyn & Steven

We're baaaack....

Whew - I think now that things have DRAMATICALLY improved with my Dad we can finally get back to some blogging and taking pictures!

First I can't say thank you enough to all of our friends and family who have been there for us the past month. It's sad that it takes a tragedy to keep long distance family and friends close, but thats what we're all here for. I'd be right there for anyone else just the same. The prayers, the cards, the calls, the well wishes, the support across the miles...EVERYTHING -- has been awesome! It's been a powerful impact on my Dad's recovery. He doesn't know how many people across the COUNTRY have been pulling for him. Most of you know how strong willed he is, how independent and straight forward he is, he's a no nonsese tough Marine on the outside - but inside he's sweet as pie and has a heart of gold, he'd do anything for his family and friends. Thank you all so much for helping us through this!

We've had lots going on in our household lately - besides caring for Dad. I'm just about into my 8th month of pregnancy -- two more to go! Madelyn is loving this big belly that has shown itself the past few months. She says "bay sista in mommy's beyy" and knows her name is going to be "emimy". (Emily Claire, we're pretty sure) She's excited, she's such a little mommy and takes such good care of her dolls and animals.

This is all for now...we'll get back into posting some fun stuff soon -- bye for now!

Three weeks now...

I can't believe it's been three weeks that my Dad has been in the hospital! WHERE has time gone? It's been a rough time, it's gone by quick - but he's slowly improving.

Since my last posting, we've learned that Dad has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma -- he's already gone through his first treatment of chemo. He's been moved out of the ICU and he's off all meds at this point. He's also off the ventilator! FINALLY! Physically he's made great strides - he looks amazing.

Mentally, he's a different story. He doesn't recognize his family yet, we've all been in and reminded him of who we are...but it's not coming together in his head. It's quite a scary thing, although apparently it's very normal for someone who's been isolated in the hospital for so long. His state of mind is known as hospital (or ICU) psychosis.

Honestly, it broke my heart when I gave him my love after seeing him in such good condition and he just stared at me...the feeling might have been the worst I've felt throughout all this! How could he not know me?? He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day, and just two years ago Ben and I gave him his first grand-daughter!! I've spent so much time in the hospital by his side and this is how he thanks me?? I was angry! How could this be real?

It felt like a bad dream...and that night I couldn't sleep - all I saw was his innocent, helpless face - and I thought the next day, how does this feel for HIM? I was being selfish, wanting my Dad to snap out of it and angry that he didn't know his family...imagine the bad dreams HE is having. So as hard as all this is for us, for me -- I know it's SOOO much harder on him. He needs us to be there, he needs time and our love to get better and soon he'll be home.

I'll be heading back up in a few days - I've taken a little step back to regroup and rest. Being 7 months pregnant and chasing after an almost 2 year old is work enough!! But I love it! I wouldn't have it any other way :) If I didn't have Madelyn, this GROWING belly and my husband - I don't know how I'd be feeling!!!