Ashlynn & Ethan's Play Date

Last weekend we had some fun at Nana's house! Ashlynn enjoyed some time on the tractor, and played some ball with Ethan.  After we went inside Ethan and Ashlynn played upstairs for awhile and i got to relax!  A little later the rest of the gang arrived at Nana.  Evi was having fun crawling all over the place.

Snuggles with Kiah

Garrett's sister Lauren just got a new puppy.  She is an adorable black lab.  We of course had to go down and snuggle her.  Kiah kept falling asleep in the grass, and Ashlynn thought she should cover her up with a blanket.  

Last Day of Chemo

We have finally made it to week 48 of chemo! The whole past year has been a long, busy, blur for us.  We couldn't be more thankful for everyone who has helped us along the way.  I was thinking back to the week Ashlynn got diagnosed, which was also the week my father passed away from Colon Cancer at age 52.  We had just ended a 2 year battle with ups and downs, and then found out 2 days later that we would have to start the journey all over again, to say the least we were overwhelmed.  Thankfully this journey has had a much better outcome, and I know this is because Ashlynn has her Grampy watching over her every step of the way.  Although the two of them only got to enjoy each others company for 11 short months, they will always have a special bond.

Over the past year we have driven over 12,000 miles just back and forth to the hospital, spent 7 nights at the hospital, Ashlynn has had 2 surgeries (Tumor removal, and placement of her medi- port, a third scheduled for July 8th), 2 blood transfusion, 1 platelet transfusion, countless hours spent hooked up to an IV pump, and many hours spent feeling under the weather.  Even with all of this going on Ashlynn has still been able to lead a very normal life for a toddler.  She has meet all of the major development milestones, and even exceeded quite a few of them!  This whole situation has molded Ashlynn into quite an amazing girl.  She is always happy, and has no problem going with the flow.  We are looking forward to seeing what the future will bring for our sweet girl!

Now getting to the actual last treatment.  Treatment 48 was another long one.  We planned ahead and brought lots of games to help pass the time.  We also ordered cupcakes from Sweet Olive Bakery for Ashlynn's team.  They have taken such good care of her, it was time for us to do something nice for them.  Ashlynn did a great job drinking her water on the way to the hospital, and she was hydrated enough when we arrived.  Chemo got started on time, making our day a little shorter, and by shorter I mean we were at the hospital for 10.5 hours instead on 12.  Nana kept Ashlynn busy for most of the day so I could get some work done.  Ashlynn did a great job all day, there were a couple points when we thought she might get sick, but she pulled through!  It was almost as if her body knew it was the last treatment!

Lost & Found Dogs!

Last Tuesday morning I let Roxy and Remi outside as I do every morning before work.  Ashlynn was in the house, and took a tumble.  I turned around to make sure she was ok, and when I came back out to the porch and the dogs were gone.  I spent the next few hours looking for the dogs.  They have gone out of the yard a few times since we moved to Deerfield, but never longer than a hour.  Garrett came home at lunch time to help look for them.  At that point they had been gone for several hours.  I called the Animal Patrol thinking they might have gotten a call for them, but nothing yet.  I also got in touch with Granite State Dog Recovery (they are a volunteer agency that help locate lost dogs, they are amazing!) We talked to several of our neighbors to let them know the dogs were missing.  Tuesday night came around and still no dogs!  Wednesday I started calling local vets and shelters, and had 100 flyers made up.  Wednesday after work we hung flyers in the rain, still no dogs.  Thursday afternoon Danica helped me hang the rest of the flyers, and still no dogs.  Thursday afternoon I saw a car coming down the driveway that I didn't recognize, and thankfully it was the Animal Patrol Officer with our dogs.  I was so happy, the poor man must think I'm a little looney, I gave him a big hug and was crying.    The dogs were found a mile and a half up the road.  Remi was in good shape, and Roxy had gotten into a porcupine.  I'm guessing they were on their way home, and then Roxy got hurt.  What we would give to know what they were really up to during the 2 and a half days they were missing!

Thank you to everyone who helped locate the dogs, and helped get the word out!  A special thanks to Dee (Remi's breeder Mommy) and Kim who helped get the word out to lots of people!

Happy to be home!

Girls Day!

Saturday I got to spend the day with my Nieces!  Evi and Madi had lots of fun playing with the farm and animals.  Although Ashlynn needs to work on sharing her own toys.  She kept stealing toys from Evi and telling her 'No Evi, my toy!'.  Ashlynn was even so upset about it a couple times that she cried. I think we need to have more play dates at our house before October.  She is great at sharing toys when we go to other people's houses, but she didn't love sharing her own toys.  Madi helped mediate the toy stealing!

Evi is on the move now!

Chemo Round 4 Session 8 & 9

Wow, we are almost done!  The both treatment 8 and 9 were short days for us.  Ashlynn is such a pro at getting her chemo now that it usually goes very smoothly.  She even has no trouble when the student doctors come to watch.  Martin, one of the student doctors came to watch for session 8, and Dr. Kim was telling him how awesome of a patient she is (Proud Mommy Moment).  We really have been very lucky that her side effect have been so limited.  Ashlynn should have basically no immune system, but hasn't gotten sick even at much as a typical child her age.  This alone is amazing!

While we are at the hospital Ashlynn has been enjoying the hola hoops, or Big Circles, as she calls them.  She still loves the cozy Coupe, and has a recent love for the train table, but her favorite thing of all is socializing with all of the Doctors and Nurses!  This past week she went for a walk with Kami, and came back with a spoon asking for Ice Cream.  Kami got the ok from me, and in a minute was back with some Ice Cream for Ashlynn.  Ashlynn of course did the Ice Cream Dance for everyone, and then enjoyed the ice cream.  I prolly shouldn't mention that it was barely 9am...

Chemo Round 4 Session 7

Last Friday Ashlynn had another one of her dreaded long treatments.  Auntie Donna and Nana both came to lend a hand.  I was thankful to have a couple extra people to help.  I was able to work all day while the two of them kept Ashlynn busy.  This treatment went far better than her last long treatment, and I am happy to say we only have one more long treatment to go!!!

Ashlynn was really excited to wear her shirt that had a google eye fishy, and her Cow Boots.  I kept telling her they were Cow Girl Boots, but she was quite sure we should just call them Cow Boots!

Thank You Auntie Donna for keeping us company!!

Grandpa Lyman Turns 90!!

Over the long Memorial Day weekend Garrett's Grandpa Lyman turned 90!  Not too many people live such a long life, and we are very lucky to have him around still.  Ashlynn spends every Thursday at their house with Poppa and Gram.  Ashlynn has nicknamed Gramp Poppa for some unknown reason, but now he has his own special name from her.  The two of them adore their time together each week.

Saturday was a great day for a party, the weather was perfect.  Ashlynn had fun visiting with everyone, eating fruit salad, and playing in the kiddie pool.  She also had enjoyed some ice cream and some of Gramps birthday cake!  

Ashlynn giving Poppa a birthday snuggle!

Sitting with Grandpa Wally

Too many camera's every one is looking different ways.

Nothing wrong with a little crack!