Mommy and Daddy's first race!!

Seriously people, my mom and dad are crazy! My mommy has been running in the cold for weeks now only to get up and run outside on a cold day! I can't believe my daddy did it too, he is really crazy! I need to take a nap so I will let my mommy tell you all about it. ~Carter

Mike and I ran in our first race ever this morning! I still can't believe we really did it. Back in September my friend Katie and I joked about participating in the YMCA Holiday Run, and today we really did it. Katie and I tied running 3.1 miles in 32:18. I'm not going to the Olympics or anything but I think that's a pretty good time for our first race. And considering we never ran more than 2.5 miles before today! I was pretty sure after 15 minutes I was going to die, but Katie kept telling me I was fine and sure enough I am. I already want to sign up for another one. I want to do a race that benefits kids with cancer, so if anyone knows of one in Missouri let me know. I had my friend Rachel take pictures for me today, they are not great but it is proof. Have a great weekend.

Katie and Me before the race, I was really excited for some stupid reason.

The start

Katie and Me finishing strong!

I almost forgot to tell you all what a great wife I am! Mike was pretty far behind us and when I could see him coming I went and met him and ran with him to the finish line.

So Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have so much to be thankful for this year it makes me emotional. I will never be thankful that Carter got cancer, but I will always be thankful for God's grace and all the ways He provided during that rough time. We are so thankful for all of the wonderful doctors that Carter has/had, the way everything was over so quickly, and the many family members and friends that walked with us loving, encouraging, and praying for us. How wonderful that our little boy is with us and didn't have to have chemo and will be able to celebrate many many more Thanksgivings with us. When we look back at the day we were told Carter had a tumor and the days following, we are so amazed at the way God held us in His hands and took care of us. Yes we were emotional, and yes it was hard, but with God we made it and are now stronger because of it.
I am so thankful to all of you who prayed for Carter and us and who helped us through the nightmare. Thank you!
Hope you have a great day full of thanks!

I can't believe I did it!

WOW! I am finally posting. Where have I been? I'm not even sure. Apparently the Ryan's have been very busy. I wanted to post on November 1, that I can't believe 6 months have flown by since our sweet Carter was diagnosed with cancer. 6 months!! Can you believe it? I sometimes think my life stopped on May 1st, so its hard to believe its November, and well now its the middle of November and I haven't posted on anything in a LONG time. (OK sorry for rambling)

I can't believe I did it! What did I do you ask? Well, I cut Carter's hair. Yes, Yes, I know, WHAT hair? I was well aware that the child did not have very much hair, but the stringy fuzz in the back was driving me crazy and last week I couldn't take it any more. Most people can't even tell a difference, but I can and that all that counts! Right? I will probably keep his hair trimmed nice and short until it gets a little thickness to it. I am sure that some day he will not look bald anymore. Maybe by the time he turns 2. Here are some before and after pictures, like I said there is not much of a difference.

If you look close and squint, you will see the long hair on the right side of his precious head!

Whew! Look at all that long fuzz!!

My big brave boy sat there so good and still for his mommy!

I told you he had a lot of extra hair.

So much better! Isn't he handsome?

Pumpkin Patch

SERIOUSLY PEOPLE. Don't ridicule me because I thought the pumpkin patch was expensive. I AM CHEAP!!! We loved it and had a great time, but we don't have a lot of extra money and I like things we can do for free. So please no more anonymous comments about how it was great for the price and how it wasn't that expensive. WE ARE POOR!!!

We went to a pumpkin patch last Saturday and the kids had a great time. I was a little disappointed at first with the price to get in, and I'm still not sure it was worth it, but it is good to get out of the house sometimes no matter the price.

Enjoy some cute pictures of the boys. I LOVE the beautiful fall weather we have been having. I love the falling leaves, cooler weather, fun family time and good fall comfort food (soups and chili).

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Carter is talking!
I can't get over how many words Carter says. This could be a whole other post, but I mean really we know I won't post again anytime soon.

Bye=Bye Bye
Ah Bah=Evan (he usually is yelling his name, its pretty cute)
baw=ball
eat=eat (pretty plainly said, the boy loves to eat)
tank ewe=thank you
peas=please
lmo=Elmo (see picture above in Elmo jacket)
uh oh=Uh Oh
NOO=No (usually when we are trying to get him to do something or at his brother, very loud and clear)
puppee=puppy (he loves to give love to his stuffed animals and they are all called puppee no matter what they really are)
uck=duck
hunk hunk =honk honk/nose
toes=toes

up a=up
eye=eye

As you can tell our boy is a genius!

Sounds for a dog, pig, cow, duck, and just about any other animal sounds like a quack. That is his only animal sound.

It doesn't seem possible that he is big enough to talk to us. He is also getting big enough to throw fits! Fun fun times ahead.

Not Me Monday!

I did not stand at the time clock at work for one minute so I could get another quarter of an hour pay, that would be so ridiculous and I don't have time to do things like that.



I did not work out longer than usual just so I could go to Dairy Queen.



I did not eat a DQ blizzard while watching The Biggest Loser.



I did not check McMama's blog during church yesterday because I had not checked on her since Friday. Seriously, who would do something like that.



I did not laugh at Carter while he pouted because I was holding Evan and not him. Carter is SO jealous.



I did not eat a hamburger and cheesy french fries at Steak N Shake at 10 p.m. That would be so bad for me and I am a healthy girl!



I did not go running yesterday. My ankle has only been better for 2 weeks and running would be stupid and way to soon.



To see more Not Me Monday's visit Mckmama.

Not Me Monday!

Time to share things I have not done this week. To see more Not Me Mondays! go to MckMama's blog.

I did not pull out a LONG gray hair out of my chin. I am way to young to have chin hair.

I did not fall asleep while Carter played in his crib and Evan played in the living room way to late in the afternoon because then I would not have slept well last night. And while I did not sleep Evan did not ask me if he needed to be more quiet.

I did not make chocolate chip cookies at 10 p.m.

I did not feed my 4 year old dinner at 8:45 p.m. then immediately put him to bed, that is way too late for a child to eat and that is irresponsible. No, not me.

I did not almost cry when a friend told me she bought a St. Jude pumpkin at our local store in honor of Carter.

I did not cry and call the allergist that Carter saw bad names the whole rest of the day after meeting that jerk. I am a nice Christian girl and I wouldn't do something like that.

Visit MckMama to read other not so truthful posts or try one of your own.

All Clear!!

Carter has been too busy to update his blog so please forgive him! Yesterday went fairly well all things considered. Our wonderful nurse (the one we always get, she is our favorite) was able to get Carter's IV on the first try. It took a while to get the blood for the allergy test and make sure it was good, but still only one poke. Once he started crying because of the IV he was pretty whiny the rest of the day. My grandma and I didn't have trouble spoiling and babying him. The CT came back clear!!! It is such a relief to hear those words come out of the doctor's mouth. I was nervous yesterday but I never realize how much until I can breath a sigh of relief. The doctor also mentioned that after a year we might go to chest x-rays only so he isn't getting all the radiation from the CT scan, and because (her words) his chance of recurrence is so low. I have heard her say that before but to hear it again was wonderful. I love his doctor because she is so encouraging.
We had a fun day at the zoo today, Carter enjoyed being outside and looking at everything. I had some sort of miraculous healing in my ankle. Its a little tender but I can walk on it just fine with out a brace or anything. After a long day at the zoo it doesn't hurt at all! I am really excited about this. I hate being a gimp.
We will be going home tomorrow. I know Mike misses us, he hates when his family is gone.
Thanks for the prayers.

Allergist

It would be an understatement to say the allergist was a jerk. By the end of the appointment I came to the conclusion that he really is a good allergist but has very little people skills. It would also be an understatement to say I cry easily, and with that being said the allergist made me cry because he was so rude. I m very sensitive when it comes to my children and them having exczema. I have always done everything that doctors tell me and Mike and I try hard to make sure neither of them are itchy. Last week when I took Evan to the dermatologist he said I was doing everything I could and Evan's skin looked good and breakouts are normal for kids with eczema. Well according to our allergist today (apparently he is the best person in the world, his feelings not mine) that guy was wrong. So who do I believe. I have had so many opinions by so many professionals and I'm just frustrated. I have dealt with exczema for more than 4 years and heard a lot of new information today. Not to say the doctor was wrong or crazy and I know everything because I know I don't, but why after 4 years do I hear information contradicting everything I have heard for the last 4 years. Apparently the only thing I am doing right is using All free and clear laundry detergent. I quit using Dove soap about a month ago because I felt like it was drying out the boys' skin. Well Dr. Smarty pants thought that was stupid since its a moisturizer. I have been told by our current pediatrician ( and I really hope she reads this only because I know he would have gotten her all fired up) that I need to use Eucerin cream on them twice a day. I think this lotion has really helped however, Dr. Know-it-all says it can make excezma worse and I should quit using it. He says I need to use plain Vaseline, which I am fine with because it is MUCH cheaper than the other.
This Dr. was just making me feel like everything I have been told is wrong, and that is very frustrating to a parent that wants nothing more than to do what is right for her kiddos.
Dr. Perfect was very disgusted with the blood allergy test results from our Dr. because he says the Lab they use does a different kind of test and its (of course) much better than the lab my Dr. uses. So they are just going to run another blood allergy test and after he explained all of this to me it really did make sense, and I was glad Carter did not have to have the pokey skin test. He was saved from any poking today, and when we go tomorrow to the oncologist they will draw his blood for this test when they put in an IV. That was the best thing that Dr. said all day.
Oh yeah and I almost forgot to tell you about the milk issue. Apparently if a child is truly allergic to cow's milk (OK so is the Dr. trying to call me a liar) he would also be allergic to goat's milk because it is virtually the same. I'm sorry the last time I checked cow's and goat's were two totally different animals. So Dr. Crazy thinks we should switch from our free goat's milk to not free soy milk. Which honestly if it is better for my baby than I don't really care how much it cost but if this is just his educated guess then yes I have a problem with it.
Sorry for the long boring post, but as you can tell this guy frustratd me.
I wasn't too nervous about tomorrow until today so please be praying that everything will go smooth and we won't be surprised by any bad news. Thank you all for your support.

In all things God works for the good.

(2nd post of the day)

Romans 8: 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Last Tuesday I posted about all of Carter's allergies and that we had to go see an allergist. I got a call that said his appointment was Thursday, October 2, in St. Louis. Great, they got us in so quick. Oh wait, bad, his oncologist appointment is October 10, that means 2 separate trips to St. Louis 2 weeks in a row. Not so good! I would have done it and it would have been OK but not really looking forward to the expense that comes with 2 trips to St. Louis. So I called the allergist to reschedule and we were looking at March, umm no thank you. So then I called the oncologist hoping they could move his appointment up, but I was very doubtful. Well they called the next day and lo and behold they moved his appointment to Friday October 3!! Yeah! I love it when things work out like that. So we will be going to St. Louis on Wednesday and Carter will see the allergist on Thursday and have a CT on Friday.

I am dreading the allergist appointment because at this time I am still going alone. My grandma told me she is going to win. So I will need lots of prayers that Carter won't hate me when this is all said and done.

If you read my Not Me! Monday post, you would know I am on crutches. I had been exercising with one of my friends and one day (don't ask me why) we decided to start running. So we had done it about 10 times and one day my ankles were hurting while we ran. When we stopped I could barely walk. I just thought my muscles were not used to the running so I took it easy for a few days. Well a few days turned into a week and a half. I was not getting any better and in fact I was getting worse. So I finally went to the doctor to find out I have a stress fracture and need to stay off of it. Umm hello!! I have 2 kids, I can't stay off of it. I have been doing the best i can, OK well not really, but fairly well. However, there is no way to use crutches in St. Louis this weekend. I am hoping for a quick miraculous healing.


I haven't posted a picture in a while so thought I would. This is from when my grandma came to visit on Labor day weekend. Not a good one of Evan but cute of Carter. Of course he has something in his mouth, always does!

Not Me! Monday

Another not me post. Last week I felt so free after posting all the things I had not done. Well here are more things I did not do this week.

I did not make another sweet and very fattening dessert this week and again eat to much of it after all I am still trying to eat healthy.

I did not eat above mentioned dessert (Hershey bar pie) while watching Biggest Loser, that would just be wrong.

I did not wait 10 days to go to the doctor for a hurt ankle to find out its a stress fracture. Why would I wait so long in that much pain.

I did not throw the crutches to the side as soon as I got home with them.

I did not pinch my husband so hard on the arm that he cried and gave him a huge bruise. That would be so mean and I would never do anything like that. (I am still very sorry honey!)

I did not take Carter to daycare without crutches and then get to work and use the crutches.

I did not walk around on my sore ankle without the crutches ALL day Saturday at a fall festival and then in Springfield.

I did not overeat at a pizza buffet on Saturday. I did not eat dessert twice!

I did not buy Carter a pair of shoes a size too small because I am not an idiot and I know what size shoes he wears.

I did not give Carter a decongestant yesterday because he can't have it all this week due to allergy testing on Thursday. I did not tell Mike not to give it to him and then give it to him myself. (I felt sorry for the poor stuffy boy who was gaging on the junk in his throat)

I did not find out one of my friends who has been trying for a long time is pregnant. (Shh.. its still a secret) I also did not call her back several hours later just to tell her I was so excited and I couldn't quit thinking about her, that would be weird.

I did not eat a whole pint of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream by myself. Actually I didn't really eat it all and I did not pick out all the cookie dough chunks.

Be sure to check out MckMama's site for more Not Me! Monday.

Leave me a comment and tell me things you did not do this week. If you participate in Not Me! Monday on your own blog let me know as well as MckMama.

You have got to be kidding!!

A few weeks ago I took Carter to the doctor for his 15 month check up and they did blood allergy testing. Well, they called today to give me the results and my first thought was "Are you kidding me?" We already knew he was allergic to Cow's milk, but the rest I had no clue. So are you ready. The boy is allergic to milk, egg, peanut, cat, 4 types of grass and 3 types of trees. So do I need to just put him in a bubble?? Needless to say they are going to send us to a pediatric allergist probably in the same hospital we already go to every 3 months for his cancer. I was totally blown away by all these allergies, no wonder he is always snotty and broke out.

More uplifting note: On Sunday Carter got a hold of something he knew he wasn't supposed to have and kindly brought it to me and said "Uh Oh I did it." Poor kid totally told on himself. It was hilarious and of course I cracked up.
The other day Evan told me he knew what hotel started with so of course I was thinking he was going to say H but when I asked him what he pointed to the number 8 and said eight. A little confused I remembered when we went on vacation ( yes, I know I still haven't posted about it) we stayed at a Super 8 on the way there and on the way back, and we pass by a Super 8 every time we take him to school. Smart little stinker he is, how do you correct something that cute?
That's all I have for today. I'll let you all know when the allergy testing is because I know it will be torture for all involved and I will need prayer. My grandma already told me she wasn't going with me to that appointment and I quickly told her she would DEFINITELY be going, we will see who wins.

Not Me! Monday

MckMama started a new blog carnival that is sure to be entertaining. These are things I certainly have NOT done this week. You can see more Not Me! Monday's here.


I did not tell my 4 year old I would get him some milk in just a minute and then fall back asleep yesterday while he did whatever he wanted. That would be irresponsible and I would never do that.

I did not take same 4 year old to church last night with a 101 fever and let him spread his germs to everyone. No way! ( I really didn't know he had a fever until we got home)

I never let Evan go into Carter's crib just so I can have a few more minutes doing whatever it is I am doing before I get Carter out of bed.

I did not freak out and think Evan had a tumor in his leg because he suddenly said it hurt and started limping. That would be completely stupid and I would never be that irrational. And I am not taking him to the doctor partially for above said reason today.

I did not make No Bake cookies over the weekend and eat a TON of them because I am trying to eat healthy and I would not do that.

Try Not Me Monday it is so freeing!! Check back on following Mondays to see what I have not done the previous week.

First day of Preschool

Evan started preschool Friday, Aug. 22. (Yes, I know that was 3 weeks ago.) I can't believe he is old enough to go to school but apparently he is. He goes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the local Christian school. He had a great first day and I only cried once. Actually I didn't even cry when I dropped him off but in the middle of the day. The school called me twice because he was "itchy". He has eczema and he happened to be very broke out Friday morning. Well I forgot to tell school that he had eczema so they weren't sure if it was an allergic reaction or a rash. The first time I explained to them what it was and the second time they told me he was so miserable and asked if there was anything I could bring him. So I left work to take him the medicine that helps and some lotion. On the way there I had a mini-emotional break down because I felt so sorry for my little 4 year old boy that can't even enjoy the first day of preschool due to being itchy when the doctors tell me I am doing all that I can to help him. Well no, if he is still miserable than I am not doing all I can! There must be more. So we are going to the dermatologist on Sept. 24 and I pray they can give us some kind of new light.
So you may be wondering where the pictures of him on the first day are and well the truth is I forgot! I know, I am a horrible mom. On the second day of school he would not let me take his picture. I wish I would have been smart enough to take a picture of him pouting, that would have been memorable and hilarious.
More later, I promise a vacation post is coming soon.

Long time no post (AGAIN)

WOW! Where does time go?? I really planned on writing more often and now it been a week and a half.
Can you believe it has been 4 months since Carter was diagnosed with NB?!? Looking back it seems like it was forever ago. I still can't believe how fast everything happened. I still often look back and think "I really thought he was teething". I guess it just seems so surreal. Almost like 4 months ago I had a really bad dream and something like that surely didn't shake US, it must have been someone else and I just tell the story. I will admit I am still a little anxious about the whole "C" word. I just can't help to think about it. My family thinks I am silly and Mike is good at ignoring the fact the Carter has cancer, but I just can't shake it. I will be worried until he sees the oncologist in October then she will ease all my fear and stress how well he is doing and I will feel better at least for a while.
FYI I have 2 posts that I am working on. One about Evan starting pre-school and one about vacation, so I really will get those out soon. Hopefully this week. I have just been so busy and our Internet connection at home isn't the best so its hard to find a place and a time to write. I really appreciate your comments and prayers for our family.
Please pray for the Mikulak family. I found Max's story sometime in May and although I try to avoid blog's about kids with NB I couldn't help myself to continue to follow his story. I knew Max was very ill and his parents knew he was dying, but it came as a shock to find out Max died on Sunday. I hope I never find myself in that situation. Please pray for them as I know they need it.

New Twist

Want to know a secret about me? I love blogging. I love to write, and I love to read others blogs. I know the loving to write part doesn't show but I really do. The problem I have with writing is that since this blog was created because of Carter's cancer I feel that the posts should always have to do with Carter. However, I decided to try a new twist. Even though this blog is called Carter Jay Ryan I want to start posting about life and the true randomness that occurs in it. This will more be like a Ryan family bog but keep the same name, and of course as things with Carter happen they will be posted here. I pray Carter's cancer does not come back but in case it does we will already have a blog set up to keep family and friends posted. I had another blog that was started before Carter was diagnosed, but I don't want to switch to it because I think I will lose readers. So if you object to me making this a more family oriented blog than you can comment, but I think you will just be glad to hear from me more often. Blogging is a whole new world so look forward to some fun things. Happy Monday!

FEAR!

Fear. It sneaks up on me when I am least expecting it. I don’t think about it but all of a sudden I am filled with fear. I don’t even know where it come from, but out of the blue it is there staring me right in the face. Haunting me like a nightmare. Stalking me like a serial killer. Ok you get the point.
I have been so filled with fear lately. Weird scary thoughts about Carter’s cancer coming back just pop into my mind. I don’t think about these things nor do I look for them they just come…pop. My experience is that this is something I will never forget or “get over”. My son was diagnosed with cancer and rather or not that is affecting him now is irrelevant. I have shared some of these scary thoughts with my closest friends but feel I need to share them with all in hopes that releasing the fears will make them go away.
When Carter wasn’t walking all though I knew it was normal, that small voice told me it was because of the tumor. When talking to the oncologist about this she said that he would have problem with balance or putting any pressure on his legs if it was the tumor, and this was not the case.
When he started walking any time he would fall (lose his balance) or struggle with standing up that voice again would tell me it was the tumor. I swear I don’t look for these things when they happen, that stupid voice just pops in my head.
When he out eats his brother who is 3 years older, that again small but very loud voice tells me the cancer is growing and needing all the extra food.
When he gets the smallest cough or cold I immediately think the tumor is pressing on his lung, yet again.
So many of my friends tell me it is understandable to have this kind of fear, but is it? How can I say I trust God with Carter’s life but be so fearful at the same time? Is it ok to be so irrational? To try to live a “normal” life but have the “c” word lurking over my head. When will this go away? Will the fear ever go away? Will I always be paranoid about my precious sweet boy? Will the cancer come back? Oh how I wish I could know that answer. Or do I want to know? Will he live to be a grown man? Or will his life end way to short because of this nasty disease? Why do I sit here and cry over things I will not know now? Why do I cry over a very healthy boy (minus a bad cold and pink eye)? Why do I let the fear come in and over take my mind? Why? Why did this have to happen to Carter, to me, to MY family?
This all seems so stupid. Carter is happy, peaceful, and as far as we know the cancer is not growing, yet his over paranoid mother is freaking out constantly. Even his pediatrician says it ok for me to have these thought and that it is normal for what we have been through, but is it? Will Carter have a normal life if I am always wondering if or when the cancer will come back? Does all of my questioning mean I don’t trust the Mighty God that saved Carter’s life? The God who allowed us to find the cancer before it spread all over his tiny body even though he was most likely born with it. The God who gave us so much peace because all of you were praying for us those dreaded days in May. The God who CAN keep the cancer from coming back, but allowed it to be there in the first place.
I obviously don’t expect any of you to answer these questions, but to let you know what is going on in my very tired and overwhelmed mind. These are the things that keep me awake at night.
But why?

Wonderful Gift

Carter received a wonderful gift yesterday and I must say it is the best gift ever. I saw a box sitting on the counter when I got home from work yesterday that had Carter's name on it. I was curious and immediately opened it. What I saw was so shocking and exciting. Carter received a St. Louis Cardinals 2006 World Series Champions hat. On the hat is written: "To Carter God Bless You, A. Pujols"

It is the neatest thing ever. I can't even grasp that someone famous would take time to not only sign a hat for my son but also put effort into writing Carter's name. Albert Pujols is definitely up there in my book. (as if that matters)

Okay so I am sure you are wondering how in the world did a 1 year old get something so cool and valuable. Well when Carter was diagnosed we were told about a program called Caps for Kids. They give caps to children with cancer and you can pick your top 3 picks of who you want to autograph a hat. Well, our top pick was Albert Pujols but we thought it would just be his autograph on a plain Jane hat not a cool World Series hat. So of course we were stoked (that means really excited) about the hat and just in case anyone is wondering we are going to put it up in a display case. Here are a few pictures and I will try to get some better ones soon. Hopefully a post about vacation and some pictures will soon follow but until then, we had a wonderful time and did not want to come home.

Time flies

Wow! I can't believe it has been almost two weeks since I posted. We are leaving for Florida tomorrow and to say I am REALLY excited would be an understatement. I just wanted to post to say we are all doing great life has just been really busy. Evan has become a professional swimmer in his 2 weeks of swim lessons. OK so not really but it was very impressive. I'm anxious to see how he does after spending a week in the water. I look forward to posting pictures of our vacation. We are going with some friends and I know it will be amazing. Please pray we are still half way sane after spending 15 hours in the car with 2 children. Oh yeah, Carter is REALLY walking now. I mean this baby walks everywhere. It still catches me off guard, and cracks me up. Have a great week while we are relaxing on the beach!

It's Official

Carter is officially walking! It has been a very gradual process, and he still prefers to crawl, but he CAN walk. I took this video of him this morning showing off his new skill. His walk is so funny, we crack up every time he walks. He has taken a few steps for a while if we let go of him and pass him back and forth, but last weekend he started to let go of things and venture off on his own. Yesterday was when he really took off, he walked across the room several times at church and then walked pretty much all over our house. I know we are in trouble now, but its still cute to watch.

Public Pool

Thank you to those that are concerned about Evan and his strange rash. Just to let you all know it is finally gone! Carter got 8 "spots" they kind of look like huge burn scabs now but I can tell they are getting better.
I wanted to post to clear up a few things. I am sorry if you had your kids at the pool with mine. I had no idea.
1. Evan's rash developed before we went swimming in the public pool. On Sunday, when it first started I thought it was just his eczema. So we went swimming. On Monday, I knew it was more than eczema so we went to the Dr.
2. The first Dr. said it was chiggers. It seemed true at that point until the next day. So on Monday, we again went swimming, I was putting anti-bacterial cream on the "spots" and I gave him a shower and medicine immediately after swimming. Remember, I thought it was only chiggers at this point. It didn't get worse until Tuesday afternoon.
3. I did not take Evan swimming anymore after Monday night.
4. I took Evan back to the Dr. on Wednesday, this Dr. said it was definitely not chiggers. I did tell her we went to the public pool, and she did not seem concerned with that. She knew I kept putting anti-bacterial cream on them and could tell it wasn't infected. She also knew they go to daycare and that we were going out of town over the weekend and would again be swimming. The Dr. was not worried about any of this. She really wasn't sure what it is, but it is now gone without any treatments. It ran its course, and is now gone!!

Thank you for praying with us over the weekend. We had a great time, and I had fun at my high school reunion. It was so weird to be in a room with people you recognize but don't know.
Happy hump-day!

WhoHoo!!

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. My grandmas Internet wasn't working and we just got it back.

Good News!! Carter's CT scan was clear! The oncologist didn't think there was any new growth but they have to wait for radiology to write the report. The whole day went very smooth. They got an IV in the first try, they didn't heavily sedate him and the whole test only took 5 minutes, then he was back in my arms, and semi awake, (still a little drowsy). Carter was so good the whole day. He did very well not eating until after the scan, and never got very grumpy. All in all it was a very good and smooth day. Thank you for all your prayers. Now we are to every 3 month appointments!! We don't go back until October. I do have one thing we need to keep praying for. The oncologist said last month his urine levels that they check were a little elevated, so she wants to see how they are this month. If they are higher or not any lower, they may do more test.

We are having a great time in St. Louis with family. Carter is really warming up to everyone, which is nice that I don't have to hold him constantly. Tonight is my high school reunion! It will be interesting to see people I haven't seen in 10 years.

Again, thank you for all your prayers. I hope you have a great weekend.

Chicken pox or Chiggers? NEITHER

Its a medical mystery!! I don't understand why my children have to have all the weird things. On Monday Doctor A said it was chiggers, I was fine with that until Tuesday. Today Doctor B said it was definitely not chiggers nor chicken pox. Evan has eczema so rashes sometimes look different than they would with normal children, so its hard to say. She thinks its Eczema Herpeticum, which is really yucky. She isn't sure since he isn't running a fever. Basically she can't say for sure but that is her best educated guess.
Then around noon, daycare called to tell me they fed Carter mac & cheese and he broke out in hives. We know he is allergic to milk, but we thought maybe that allergy had gone, apparently not. Hives is not a big deal in the big scheme of things, but for crying out loud, how much more do I need. Why can't I just have normal children with normal problems. Does normal even exist?? Its so frustrating that we are always dealing with something. My plate is full, and I am done. Stick a fork in me.
Please pray for Evan and that the funky spots are gone soon and not spread to Carter. Pray that the medical mystery can be solved and we figure out everything Carter is allergic to and get no more hives.

You be the judge

Chicken Pox or Chiggers? Give me your opinion of what is wrong with Evan.

And yes my poor boy is crying in the picture, they really burn and itch him.

My brave Evan

I wanted to take a minute to brag on my big boy Evan. Today we went to the city pool and ....(drum roll please) Evan jumped off the diving board all by himself!!! I was so proud. He loved it, in fact he did it 8 times in a row. It was so fun to watch him get up the courage and be so brave to walk to the edge of the board and take the plunge.

One of my blog readers asked me if my purses I bought while on my girls day out were cute, well of course they are cute!! Why do you think I bought 2?? So, Traci, this is for you.

Well actually they are kind of plain. The plaid one is my favorite and the brown one is pretty boring, but I am a pretty boring girl.

To be very honest with the 5 of you that read this blog, I am very scared about Carter's appointment on Friday. Please pray for us during the week that I will have peace and assurance from the Lord that everything is going to be okay. I know I will feel better as soon as it is over, I just want it over. I pray the week passes by very quickly. Also pray that the nurses will not have any problems getting an IV. Last time it took them 6 tries and I really don't want him to go through that again, and that was the nurse who everyone calls when they have trouble with an IV. I hope you all have a blessed week!

Girls day out!!

Today Jenelle, Rachel and I went out for a girls day. It was so much fun!! It was so exciting to just hang out with my friends. First we all got pedicures, which was way fun. Then we shopped, shopped, and shopped some more. Well actually we ate lunch, then we went shopping. We had a supper yummy lunch at Cheddars. We then went to Famous Footwear, Kohl's, Target and the mall. Of course I spent way too much money, but it was fun. My favorite purchase was a new purse. I have been looking for a purse for at least 3 years, and I am not exaggerating. I actually found 2 that I liked so I bought them both!!

Sorry it has been so long since I posted, and sorry this post isn't about Carter. There really isn't anything new going on with him, so I don't have much to write about. Life has been pretty busy lately. Carter still isn't walking, but he is getting pretty brave. He thinks he is big stuff if he lets go of something for 3 seconds. Its so fun to watch him. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, Carter has some new words. One day last week he said Evan which is the only time he has said it. His favorite words are Bye Bye, thank you, cracker, uh oh, and poop. Yes, the kid says poop.

I hope you all have a Happy 4th of July. We will just be doing things around here and hanging out as a family. Next Thursday we will be going to St. Louis. Carter's CT scan is on Friday and my 10th year high school reunion is on Saturday. While I am excited for my reunion, it makes me feel old to be out of school for that long. I can't wait to see some old friends.
To be honest I am getting nervous about Carters scan next Friday. My heart tells me he is okay but my mind tells me other things. I know it is normal for him to not be walking, but my mind tells me that the tumor has grown and that's why he can't walk. I know all of my thoughts are silly, but its so hard to not let those thoughts in. So, please pray for us this week and that the CT goes smoothly. I hate when he has to be sedated. I HATE CANCER!!!

Relay for Life!

Relay for Life on Friday was amazing! It was such a wonderful celebration, and I didn't cry! I know for some of you that is hard to believe, but its true. We truly celebrated Carter's life, even if that means his life with cancer, and it was a good time. He "walked" almost half of the Survivor's lap and then I carried him the rest of the way. Mike really wanted to carry him, but he wanted his mom! Carter fell asleep in his daddy's arms during the luminaria lighting. Carter had 28 Luminaria bags! I felt so blessed that so many had honored him in that way. Obviously Carter had no idea how special the night was however, it was very meaningful to Mike and me.

This first picture is my favorite. What a big brave boy!

Carter is a Survivor!! He is going to beat this and live a long healthy life. Our next big obstacle is his CT scan on July 11. They will make sure the tumor hasn't grown any. Thank you for the continual blessings each one of you is to our family. Also a special thanks to our very own personal professional photographer. The pictures are great.