Thursday, May 29, 2008

Like father, like son, like baby doll


Hi! Finn has recently adopted one of Regan's old baby dolls. He likes to hold it and kiss it and then fling it across the room. What do you expect from a one-year-old? Anyway, last night Finn was playing with his baby doll and he thought it was funny when I would hold them both together. We decided to take the picture when we noticed that we all happened to be dressed the same. Just thought some of you might enjoy it.
Jeff

Monday, May 26, 2008

Take This Job and Love It!

Hi All. Kelly here. Jeff has graciously allowed me to commandeer the blog to announce that after more than six years at Petrie & Stocking, I will be leaving to start a new job July 1st. I have been invited to join Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. (http://www.whdlaw.com) practicing family law. I will be moving from a firm of 13 lawyers to a firm of 140 lawyers. My practice has evolved in such a way that I need to be able to draw upon highly specialized teams to effectively represent my clients (corporate lawyers, estate planners, business lawyers, real estate attorneys, etc.). My new firm will be a better fit for my clients and will give me the best opportunity to grow my unique practice area.

So, that's our big news. For this week. :-)

Friday, May 23, 2008

A birthday and anniversary


Hi! The big news this week is that I turned 36! My folks were in town to help us celebrate, which was nice. Jack said my birthday was extra special this year because it coincided with the American Idol finale. Appropriately enough, I received my "Happy Birthday" serenade during a commercial break. Kelly and the kids gave me the only thing I asked for this year: a basketball hoop. We actually had it installed about a month ago, and it's been quite a hit at our end of the cul-de-sac. I can't play very well these days, but I get a big smile every time I look out the kitchen window and see the kids (usually accompanied by the Murphy boys from next door) shooting hoops in the driveway.

As you can see in the photo, my cake this year was actually chocolate chip cookies. Aubrey made them. They are the best cookies I've ever eaten--and if you've ever eaten the cookies my Mom makes, you know that's saying a lot. I like to think I have better-than-average self-control, but I lose all of it when I take a bite of these delectable morsels. Aubrey must have inherited her baking skills from my Mom. She certainly didn't get them from me. I can't make a decent cookie to save my life.

The bigger news this week is that Kelly and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary! Being married to her has definitely made my life better, and I certainly can't imagine what the past 17 months would have been like if I hadn't had her by my side. In honor of our anniversary, I'm posting an email message I recently received from an old friend. I think anyone who has children--the fruit of marriage--will find it amusing. Anyone who does not have children will find it educational. Either way, I hope it kickstarts your Memorial Day weekend with a grin.

Note: The descriptions of the first three children are from an anonymous author. Kelly added the descriptions of the fourth child herself.

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

Maternity Clothes
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
4th baby: You wear the same maternity clothes you wore with baby number one, except that they are now hand-me-downs twice removed from your sister and sister-in-law.
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.
4th baby: You ask for whatever drug will knock you out during the delivery and allow you to stay knocked out until the baby is, oh, let’s say TWO YEARS OLD.
________________________________________________
The Layette
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
4th baby: Babies are just as cute without clothes. Or in a Size 5 pair of pants that one of your older kids found on top of the laundry.
______________________________________________________
Worries
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown--you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
4th baby: You can’t tell the difference between the baby wailing and your big kids’ whining. You know that whoever wants you bad enough will come and find you.
______________________________________________________
Pacifier
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
4th baby: You lick it clean yourself and pop it back in.
______________________________________________________
Diapering
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
4th baby: You teach your eight year old how to change diapers and add it to her list of “chores."
____________________
Activities
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
4th baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and let your six year old push the cart.
______________________________________________________
Going Out
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby : Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
4th baby: Babysitter? Isn't that why you had the older kids?
______________ ________________________________________
At Home
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
4th baby: You spend a little bit of every day trying to get your other children to gaze at, poke, squeeze, or otherwise entertain the baby.
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin, you deduct it from his allowance.
4th child: When fourth child swallows a coin, you let your second and third children swallow a coin too just so everything is “fair.”

Happy Memorial Day!
Jeff

Friday, May 16, 2008

Perspective



Hi! I met with Dr. Richards today in Chicago. He said my latest CT scans reveal that the tumors in my liver, kidneys, pancreas, and abdominal cavity have grown, both in mass and in number. The cancer also appears to be in my lungs now, too. As a result, we are going to discontinue the clinical trial because it appears that it is not working. He presented a few other treatment options but recommended that we take six weeks off before choosing one.

Yes, that news sucks. But let's put things in perspective. First, I have other options. No one has told me to "get your affairs in order" and I don't expect to hear that directive anytime soon. Second, I still feel pretty good and can eat what I want. I could have a relentless bout of nausea and severe fatigue. Third, I have a loving wife and kids, a supportive network of relatives and friends, and I'm happy with my life. Not all people in my situation can say that. Fourth, it could be worse. I just received word this morning that my cousin, who is nine years younger than me and who has been battling cancer for three years longer than me, was Lifeflighted (is that a word?) to the KU Medical Center to have emergency surgery. His doctors discovered a softball-sized tumor in his pelvis, which was causing his kidneys to shut down. Now that would really suck. So although it makes no sense at all, I remain optimistic about future treatments and continue to pray that things will get better.

I pray also, undoubtedly with a greater sense of purpose than I would have had a couple of years ago, for everyone who needs healing. This blog almost seems silly and vain when I think of the ailments afflicting other people I know, who suffer but do not have a way of communicating their own need for understanding, for sympathy, for support, and for prayers. Please pray for them, too. You may not know their names. You may not know their distresses. But they probably need God's help as much or more than I do.

In other news, we celebrated Finn's birthday last night (May 15th). He is now one year old! I'm posting a couple of pictures. The first is of Finn trying to figure out what to do with these strange wrapped objects we put in front of him (he eventually figured it out, of course!). The second is of Finn enjoying a bite of brownie and ice cream. I know it looks like I'm yelling at him, but I'm actually demonstrating how to open wide. Really. : )

Jeff

Thursday, May 8, 2008

The MRI results are in . . .

Hi! Yesterday I met with my neuro-oncologist to discuss the results of my recent MRI brain scan. The doctor said the results looked great. He said the only portion of my brain that "lights up"--the lights evidently indicate abnormalities--on the scan is a portion of the site where the largest tumor was resected (removed). He said this area has lit up exactly the same way on all of my post-surgery brain scans, which indicates that it is most likely nothing more than scar tissue. The doctor also mentioned that the site where the smaller tumor had been--the one that was gamma knifed--is not lighting up at all anymore.

So thank God and Hallelujah for that bit of good news! I have my chest, pelvis, and abdomen CT scans this coming Monday and meet with Dr. Richards in Chicago next Friday (May 16) to get those results. Kelly will be traveling with me, which makes me very happy. Opportunities to spend five or six uninterrupted waking hours with her do not arise often, so I view this trip to Chicago as one big date. Granted it's the kind of date when you take the girl on a picnic even though thunderheads are rolling in and the forecast calls for hail. But, hey, a date's a date, and I'll go on one with Kelly every chance I can get.

In other news, our little Finny-pum is going to be one year old in exactly one week. I don't know what we'll do to celebrate. It will all be lost on him, although I'm sure he'll gobble up a little cake. He has been slow in taking to table food unless it's something sugary sweet. He didn't like spaghetti last night, for instance, but he really enjoyed the syrup-soaked french toast I gave him for lunch today! : )

That's all for now. Jeff

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Aubrey Breaks A Leg

Hi! This past week, Aubrey and 85 of her fellow middle school classmates staged a production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Aubrey had the role of one of the wicked stepsisters, and several of her close friends were also involved in the play. We went to several of the shows, and enjoyed them thoroughly. Regan and Jack wanted to go--and did go--to every show, which I think is a true testament to how entertaining it was. All of the students did a great job. Of course, I thought Aubrey was the best! : ) We couldn't take pictures during the production, but I was able to take this one afterward. Aubrey designed her own dress, and her friend's mom helped put it together. So not only is she a budding actress, she's also a fashion designer!

I had my brain MRI this past week and see my neuro-oncologist and neurosurgeon this coming Wednesday. I expect that the results will show no new cancer activity in the brain. I have my chest/abdomen/pelvis CTs the following week, and a followup appointment with Dr. Richards on the May 16. So that will keep my mind in a steady state of anxiety for the next couple of weeks! : )

I'm going to ask Aubrey to add a few notes to this comment when she wakes up. I'm sure she'll want to tell you all about her own experiences with the production.

Jeff