Pomianowski Pandemania

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T20:44:00.000-08:00

What an amazing day - it was 73 degrees on the coast on January 1st! So what else did we do but go to the beach. We played pirates, chase, explored tide pools and built a dam across the little stream. We followed all this by an early dinner at Alice's where Eoin charmed everyone. A perfect New Years Day!

Misjudged Christmas Present

2011-12-29T20:23:00.000-08:00

Eoin had made a big request for an electric race track for Christmas and so we thought we'd give it a go. He loved playing with it and the fact that two people could race was even better. But alas when it came to understanding how to take it apart he didn't quite get it and so a few parts got broken. We have decided to put it away for now and instead Eoin is now obsessed with his Tonka XT truck.

More present opening

2011-12-26T00:57:00.000-08:00

Red Bike for Christmas

2011-12-25T16:55:00.000-08:00

My Little Angel

2011-12-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Angel Decoration made at school. Eoin is so proud of it!

Longest rendition of Jingle Bells EVER!

2011-12-15T15:04:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Amy!

2011-12-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

TAKE ONE

TAKE TWO

Visit with Santa

2011-12-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

Eoin was so excited to go see Santa. He made him a picture that morning and had his small list of presents he wanted to ask for. Eoin insisted he could only ask for four things as he is four. Top of the list is a new red bike with gears and brakes! When we were in the line to see Santa Eoin remained excited but as soon as it was our turn he became very shy and even tried to run away. He did NOT want to sit next to Santa. So in the end we got a family photo of us with Santa but with Eoin ignoring him. Oh well.

Big bike riding

2011-12-01T10:27:00.000-08:00

Now if only we could hook the bike up to the electricity meter!

Dress Uptime

2011-11-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

Britney Sing Along

2011-11-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

What else do you do when you are home sick from school with a cold and croup?

Bike riding

2011-11-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

Halloween at School

2011-10-31T13:13:00.000-07:00

Eoin started off as a firefighter but soon got distracted and came and sat on my knee and watched the rest of the school parade and sing songs. He came home from school with so many goodies, pumpkins and decorations.

An October day at the beach

2011-10-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Musical Card

2011-10-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

How does this thing work?

Eoin's 4th Birthday

2011-10-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

Eoin's fourth birthday was a terrific day of celebrations. He woke early shouting that he was four now. After breakfast Eoin dug into his presents. He decided to open the heaviest present first thinking that would be the best. I was surprised that he actually was into the books that he unwrapped but he didn't pause long and then got into his hot wheels track which he was super excited about.

The afternoon saw a relaxed but fun party. We got a bouncy house which all the kids loved and had a pinata and face painting. Have way through the party Eoin decided he needed to put his Halloween costume on and so we had the appearance of Super Why. Eoin had picked his racing car cake out a couple of weeks before and the cake did not disappoint. It was stunning and yummy.

Thanks to everyone who made Eoin's day so memorable and special!

It's been quite the year

2011-10-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

As Eoin's fourth birthday quickly approaches I find myself thinking back over the year and how much our lives have changed in that year.

In the last year we have moved to a new town, I had an emergency hysterectomy and a few weeks later received a diagnosis of thyroid cancer, Eoin started preschool and Andy turned 40 and has, well Andy has been the rock of the family that has kept us all together and going forward!

I have to be careful not to dwell on the feelings of guilt that I associate with this last year and it's impact on my family but there is no doubt that my illness has had an impact on us as a family. Along with the negative there is positive too. Eoin has demonstrated far more empathy then ever before. He helps me count out my meds and holds my hand at blood test time. He tells me it's ok to cry and then insists that Daddy and he hug my pain away!

Eoin and I have spent time together in ways that we once may not have. Eoin has always been a very active and physical kid but we have both learnt to enjoy 'bed activities'. Lots of reading and movie watching for sure but there have also been fun flashlight under the covers time, time just spent talking and of course lots of snuggling and cuddles. But my favorite is that Eoin and I have the same bedtime now and he falls asleep next to me stroking my little spiky hair that is slowly growing back.

This cancer has also meant a lot of time away from Eoin, whether it be while I'm in isolation after the radioactive I131 treatment or for the weeks that I have been in hospital. It has been so hard to not be there everyday for him, to be a part of his growing up (which he has done so much of this year). We have been blessed with the best nanny ever - our own Mary Poppins. Miss Ashley who initially joined our family for six weeks is still with us nine months later. Eoin loves her and she loves Eoin.

My journey through cancer is still ongoing. I have to have another round of radioactive I131 probably in December. This part of the treatment is so much easier that the external radiation which left me very ill and with a feeding tube. The tube is gone now though and I am working on eating. My taste buds are shot to bits so much food tastes awful so I am stinking to bland foods and lots of fruit and veg.

I don't think I would have managed this last year without the support of Andy. Andy has truly been my rock and strength this whole time. There just to hold me when I needed a hug, to provide unending hot water bottles when I was freezing, getting up twice a night to get me my meds (and sometimes getting up to Eoin too!), generally keeping the house going and holding down a full time job! This last August saw us together for ten years (8 years married). It doesn't feel like 10 years and we often say that we have been through more as a couple in those 10 years than some couples will in a lifetime. We wonder why we are sent more trials then some and we hope that the man upstairs has decided that we've had our fair share and that we get some 'normality' for a while.

Eoin started preschool a few months ago and it was very tough for him at the beginning because it coincided with my radiation treatment. However he has now settled into school and loves it. He is showing a huge interest in letters and numbers and spends quite a bit of time at his desk drawing, tracing and cutting. I'm still not sure how he will be four on Saturday. It feels like yesterday that we brought him home but it has been the most exciting four years. Being a family is he best gift and honor in the world. My family is my purpose and inspiration. Happy Birthday Eoin!

An update at last

2011-09-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

Wow so much time has passed since my last post mainly because I've just been too ill but now I am beginning to get some strength back. I am starting to do everyday things again. The external radiation and peg tube really hit me hard. To date I have lost about 40lbs and now have no hair but I kind of like the lack of hair and not having to worry about cutting and styling!

For the last three weeks of treatment I was so sick I was admitted to hospital. This was incredibly tough on Andy and Eoin as the hospital was an hour away from home. I am forever grateful to our Nanny Miss Ashley for helping us through those weeks and to our friends who drove and visited througout the whole treatment.

I'm happy to say life continued on while I was ill. Eoin really enjoyed our block party and his time with Daddy. He also started preschool and is loving it. He surprised us last night by reciting all the months of the year in order! Eoin is super into numbers right now and has tons of fun asking Daddy to add up big numbers in his head. While still very active Eoin is also beginning to sit and do tasks that take time and concentration. In fact the other day when I asked him if he was ok because he was very quiet he told me ssh I'm concentrating.

So what now in life. We are going to try and get a normal routine going. I'm not sure right now when my next scan and/or treatment will be but we hoping for a break until the New Year.

PEG tube

2011-07-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm heading into hospital again tomorrow for a couple of days so that my care team can place a PEG tube in my stomach. It is basically a tube used to feed me but a little different from the usual NG tubes. We can't place one down my throat as that is getting radiation and is red, swollen, blistered, and bleeding. So I have to have a PEG tube. I'm a little nervous as this is done under local anesthetic but as Eoin keeps telling me I must be a brave girl. I'll be at UCSF for a couple of days and have the tube for about six weeks but I only have two weeks of radiation left - yippee! Soon I'll be in single digits and counting down.

Thanks for all your prayers and good wishes - they mean the world to us and really do keep us going even when we think we have no strength left. My main visualization that has kept me going through all of this is the thought of you all holding hands in a circle with me in the center (and sometimes the three of us as a family) just being sheltered and prayed for by you all. It has at times brought me to tears to know that we are loved so much and we are humbled that you all care so much for us all. Thank you.

UPDATE (Aug 7) Two weeks later and I'm still in hospital. I have finished my radiation treatment which is amazing but I got a bad infection while here. Also my calcium and potassium levels are very low along with my white cell count. My health care team are going to keep me here a while longer so that I can heal and rest as much as I need. Tomorrow I get a central line (PICC) put in as my veins have disappeared. The PEG feeding tube is working ok - it took me a while to adjust to it but I'm almost at the required level.

Cancer sucks!

2011-07-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

So my external radiation treatment continues. I have done four weeks and I have three to go. I'm really beginning to feel the effects now. I'm tired all the time (hence the lack of blog updates) and I have lost the hair from the back of my head but still have hair on top! Quite a sight I can tell you.

Eating and drinking remain a challenge as I have blisters all down the inside of my throat and I have thrush in my mouth. I was carted off to the ER last week because I was dehydrated so I am working very hard on drinking.

We as a family are doing ok. I have started to read chapter books to Eoin as a way to spend more time with him as running around is not going to be happening for a while. I think this might be the first week where I don't make date night out but I'm hoping Andy and I can snuggle and watch a movie - maybe the new Torchwood. Our friends and family continue to support us amazingly.

Tuesday is my day of the week to see the doctors so I'm hoping tomorrow I will be able to ask for some pain meds so that I can try and eat. The radiation gives you an awful taste in your mouth almost like you have been sucking on a penny so that along with my taste buds being radiated makes food taste downright weird!

With all your support and prayers though I continue to smile and keep going through this journey. Please do keep praying for me and us as a family too please. It means so much to us to know that you are sending us your strength and prayers.

Let's go fly a kite....

2011-07-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

Still train crazy!

2011-07-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Whenever you ask Eoin what he would like to do the answer inevitably has something to do with trains. Either he wants to play trains in his playroom (he now has a double train table), go to Vasona Park or Niles Canyon Railway. He really misses living near the train tracks but we still ride Caltrain from time to time. The pictures are of Eoin climbing ALL over a train at the Denis the Menace playground in Monteray.

Beacons of Light

2011-07-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Pigeon Point Lighthouse on Route 1 California

Well I haven't been too good at keeping this blog updated in the last few weeks so huge apologies. I am currently in week three of radiation therapy and have an end date of 5 August to work towards. I am travelling up to UCSF each day which is a round trip of 100 miles but we like the doctors and the team up there so it is worth it.

I have met some wonderful ladies up there. The one thing that shines out every time is the wonderful spirit everyone has who is on the journey that cancer takes you on. It is good to meet others who understand what it is like and we always have a word of encouragement or hugs for each other. In terms of my progress the radiation has given me a very sore throat and swallowing is a major pain but an ice cream diet isn't that bad!

As a family we are doing ok. Eoin has been going through big transitions - he started preschool three weeks ago which has been good for him. We continue to spend as much time as possible as a family at the weekends mainly at the beach. Andy continues to be my rock and beacon through out all of this. He rubs my back when I feel nauseous, has unending hugs and words of encouragement for me.

I must also say a huge thank you to all our friends here in the Bay Area who have volunteered to drive up to San Francisco so that Andy can continue to work. And to those of you who have cooked for us, cleaned and bought me beautiful scarfs a huge thank - we love you all and are truly blessed to have you in our lives!

Future engineer

2011-06-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

For our Forever Family Day we went to a local classic car festival, Eoin was in heaven with all the amazing cars. He loved being able to see the engines and honk horns.

A Grey but Fun Family Day

2011-06-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

Daddy is super cool

2011-06-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

Mommy hugs are the best

2011-06-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

Pet Rock

2011-06-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

On a recent trip to the beach Eoin found a rock that had to go everywhere on the beach with him. He told us it was his pet rock. At the end of the day we told Eoin the rock had to stay on the beach or he could carry it up the 50 plus steps to get to the car. He chose to take it home and carried it all the way up to the car. When we got home he placed the rock in his little garden by the raspberries.

First strawberries of the season

2011-05-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

Bugs - A Boys Best Friend

2011-05-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

A little health update

2011-05-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

So the journey through cancer continues.I have healed well following my neck surgery but there is some residual cancer in ly neck and now in my lungs too. And so in the next few days I will begin a 33 day external radiation program. I have moved my care to UCSF - they are an amazing team and I feel blessed to be in their care.

I'm keeping my spirits up and will face this journey (hopefully) with some courage and bravery. it has been a long six months but we hope that by the end of this journey we will be relaxing in Hawaii and planning on adding another little one to our family through the amazing gift of open adoption.

Just like Mommy

2011-05-27T00:14:00.000-07:00

Eoin still loves Mommy's red shoes.

Flashlight mania

2011-05-26T00:10:00.000-07:00

Stripey

2011-05-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Eoin told us he was lying in the sun because he wanted the sun to take away his stripes! Brings a whole new meaning to evening out your tan!

Skate Board Park

2011-05-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Ready for pre-school

2011-05-17T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here Eoin is at the Children's Museum showing us how ready he is to start pre-school. We have found a program for Eoin that is year round and he starts mid June. We are all very excited for him to start but I think I will shed a tear or two seeing our little man in school! Eoin will start with three full days a week and then he will have swimming and music on the days he is not in school.

Eggtastic!

2011-05-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dino Dig

2011-05-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

Rollercoaster Madness

2011-05-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

Jumpy Jump Jump Jump Jump

2011-05-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

PS Those 'Yo Gabba Gabba' fans will get the title of this post ;-)

Spring time garden

2011-05-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

I have truly loved working in our garden this spring. It has been the perfect project to get me out and moving. I have to say that during this journey with thyroid cancer I have gardening so theraputic.

Eoin and Andy got me a stunning ceramic fountain for Mother's Day and what's best is that it is solar powered perfect for California.

Farm visit

2011-05-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Eoin on a recent visit to Ardenwood Farms and a bike ride along the bay.

Mousecapades

2011-05-01T19:38:00.000-07:00

Eoin found this mouse down the side of the house last week. He was obviously hurt and so Eoin insisted on making a bed for the mouse out of leaves. Every few monutes he would come out and check that it was ok. Luckily he seemed to accept the fact that it would not be there in the morning having told him it woul dbe better and have run away (I obviously didn't tell him that it would probably get eaten by a cat or something in the night!).

Drumming & Piano Music

2011-04-25T01:11:00.000-07:00

Apologies

2011-04-24T13:00:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of posts recently. Life overtook us but I'm hoping to get the blog up to date soon. I'm doing ok recovering well from thyroid cancer surgery however the cancer has now spread to both my lungs so we are waiting to see what the next step is. I have had one dose of radioactive iodine on board. The next step is either external radiation or more radioactive iodine. Please do keep us all in your prayers.

Three and a half

2011-04-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

Eoin is three and a half today and continues to be super athletic. He is now learning to swim freestyle and dive. He loves his gymnastics class but most of all just loves to be on the move in any way possible!

Waterplay with Miss Ashley

2011-04-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

Spring at the Beach

2011-04-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

Boys weekend away

2011-04-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend while I was in isolation after having radioactive iodine treatment, Eoin and Andy when to Sacramento. They had so much fun hanging out together at the train museum. Eoin rode his bike all over Old Sacramento. Eoin did so well staying in underwear all weekend. We used Skype lots to help Mommy not feel so isolated and Eoin loved telling Mommy what he got up to each day.

Forward Rolls

2011-03-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

Goggles

2011-03-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Since Eoin has started Level 3 swimming he has to wear goggles. He looks so goofy with them on - between those cute teeth and big hair! He also now swims without the aid of flippers and is learning freestyle stroke.

Duct tape, rain and speed bumps

2011-03-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

It is a very very wet Friday here and Miss Ashley is off ill with a tummy bug that we gave her so it was back to being a full time Mom again. I've had a blast with Eoin today - mainly using duct table and the center of wrapping paper rolls. I hope this lasts as it is going to rain for the next 10 days!

Pathology is back .......

2011-03-09T18:17:00.000-08:00

.... and it is better news than we had been led to believe.

So I have extensive stage four papillary cancer that is a rare type called a 'variant of solid papillary cancer'.. It has many similar characteristics to poorly differentiated cancer hence the mix up (but which also makes us really really hope that they have it right this time!!!)

The treatment for this type of thyroid cancer is still controversial and seems to differ depending on doctor but the good news is in most cases it is radioactive iodine receptive. We will know tomorrow if we need to go to Texas MD Anderson. I start the low iodine diet on Monday which means coming off my thyroid meds so I will feel pretty yucky but this is in preparation for scans and treatment and so it must be done.

We have the most amazing team of doctors looking after us. We are thankful that they are treating us as a family - considering how things will effect Andy and Eoin not just me. It is so refreshing to have doctors who see you as a person and not just an illness!

Thank you all for all your thoughts, prayers, friendship, love and food :-) We will keep you updated as we progress on this crazy journey.

Feet Painting

2011-03-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Hollow

2011-03-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Tiring himself out at our local kids theme park Happy Hollow.

Spray Painting

2011-03-08T00:10:00.000-08:00

Miss Ashley came up with this brilliant idea for Eoin to have fun with paint and water.

Firefighter

2011-03-07T20:09:00.001-08:00

Eoin and Miss Ashley playing on the firetruck at the San Jose Kids Museum. Don't you just love how his imagination is developing.

Video shorts

2011-03-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

Here are a ton of short phone videos of Eoin having fun over the last couple of weeks with Miss Ashley.

Family Day at the beach

2011-02-27T16:30:00.000-08:00

Today was such a fun family day. We started with an early showing of 'Gnomeo and Juliet' followed by the beach and then a late lunch out. I was going to play it safe and not go to the beach and rest but I am so glad that I went with Eoin and Andy.

Eoin had so much fun - we didn't take one toy and so it was great to see Eoin explore and enjoy the beach so much. He followed little streams all the way into the sanddunes, crawled under drift wood, splashed through tide pools and just generally had so much fun.

A 3 yr olds world of play

2011-02-26T18:36:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the whirlpool vortex at the kids museum.

Bowling on a wet Sunday - and yes he does have huge feet!

Enjoying the waffle blocks that Miss Ashley and Stephen lent us.

A little water play before the cold weather this weekend hit.

Eye spy with my little eye.

Valentine's Day cupcakes.

Gymnastics

2011-02-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

Miss Ashley has been taking Eoin to gymnastics every week. Eoin use to go to gymnastics every week but not for about a year. Now he has gone up a class and loves the activity so much! It also helps him practice his listening skills.

Baking bread

2011-02-19T21:22:00.000-08:00

While Granddad and Sassy have been visiting from Ireland Eoin has had a blast doing many new things with them. One of his favorite was baking bread. Kneading the dough was great fun - pounding with fists, pulling it and pounding again. This activity may become a firm favorite in our household as a wonderful sensory playtime that actually produces some yummy bread at the end.

More health adventures.....

2011-02-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

I'm not sure where to start with this post so I guess I will rewind a couple of weeks. In the middle of recovering from my hysterectomy I visited an endocronologist doctor at the advice of my family doctora s I had a large mass in my neck. Three days after this visit I was told I had thyroid cancer.

My parents soon flew out from Ireland to support us. Ashley continues to bless us with being such an amazing nanny and looks after Eoin so well. She truly has been a blessing as having her with us has enabled Andy to be with me through all the doctor visits and treatment so far.

Fast forward to today and I'm one week post-op a 10 hour complicated neck surgery. I have had the best doctors ever and they worked so hard not to damage any nerves. They took a 7cm by 5cm tumor out along with lymph-nodes, some muscle and shavings of my trachea oh and of course my thyroid. The doctors have told us that the cancer is aggressive but with proper treatment I will still be here to see Eoin graduate.

So in the next couple of weeks I will embark on a low iodine diet, thyroid meds and another stint in hospital but in isolation for radioactive iodine treatment. This last part I think will be the toughest as I won't be able to have contact with Eoin at all for at least 8 days (Andy for 3 days and then limited contact).

I am so thankful for family and friends who have again in such a short length of time rallied and supported us through this latest adventure. I will try and keep you all up to date with how things are going and also I will hopefully be able to snap some pictures of Eoin (though I suspect most of what appears here will be from Ashley - thanks hun!).

Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts over the next few weeks - it is going to be quite the ride!

Kitchen Sink Fun

2011-02-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

Tramploine Time

2011-02-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

Giant Bubbles

2011-02-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

Racing cars

2011-02-04T18:06:00.001-08:00

Fun with Miss Ashley

2011-01-30T16:56:00.000-08:00

Eoin has so much fun with Miss Ashley - we have been truly blessed to welcome her into our family for the next few months.

Eoin loves spending time with Miss Ashley and everyday they go on a little adventure together. Enjoy some of the great phone video and photos Miss Ashley takes and sends to me everyday to keep smiling and cheerful. Thank you Miss Ashley.

Thoughts on the start of 2011

2011-01-30T16:43:00.000-08:00

A feather I saw on one of the first walks I've had since the beginning of December.

The start of 2011 has so far been rough. I have had to face surgical menopause at the age of 33 and a long recovery from a complete hysterectomy. Sometimes I find myself asking why - why does God see fit on asking so much of me. Well he continues to ask much of me and my family.

This week I was diagnosed with Stage 3 thyroid cancer (there is a possibility that it may be lymphoma but right now everything is pointing towards thyroid cancer). I have a large 7cm tumor and it has spread to some lymph nodes in my neck. The week has been full of CT's, blood tests and needle biopsies. This week I will have a PET scan to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else then on 11 Feb I will head in for the six hour surgery to get it all out of my neck. A few weeks after that I will have a course of radioactive iodine then hopefully I will be healthy.

I have been joking that I will have lost my favorite excuse to blame things on - the hormones - no ovaries and no thyroid - I am going to have to be creative with excuses from now on ;-)

Andy has been my rock through all this. He has been by my side the whole way and I couldn't ask for a stronger more understanding husband. Eoin is still a little unsettled by Mommy being ill but he is trying his best. We are truly blessed with Miss Ashley who is taking such great care of Eoin.

Please keep me, my family and our doctors in your prayers and thoughts over the coming weeks as we all go through this journey together. I hope to keep blogging throughout the next few weeks so keep visiting for updates and to see the fun things we all get up to.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Blastoff

2011-01-26T16:35:00.000-08:00

King of the Castle

2011-01-26T16:34:00.000-08:00

Eoin continues to have so much fun with Ashley. We have been blessed to have great weather and so Eoin has been outdoors playing with Ashley and his friends. It is so great to see him return to his normal happy self; full of laughter, good manners and love.

Colorful blog redesign

2011-01-25T16:59:00.000-08:00

Thank you Chelsea so much for such a great re-design on our blog! We are loving the awesome colors on our blog and the birds are so cute. If any of you bloggers or etsy site users out there want to treat yourself to a new look check out Chelsea's work. We love it so much we have used her twice to design our blog.

Roller skating

2011-01-21T11:56:00.000-08:00

Eoin has been asking for roller skates for ages and we finally caved in today. Ashley was great and spent time trying to teach him how to skate. Eoin had amazing balance while on the grass but he found it much tougher on the sidewalk but knowing Eoin he will be zooming up and down the street on the skates in now time at all.

So lucky......

2011-01-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

We are so thankful that we have found a wonderful person to help us look after Eoin for the next six weeks while I recover from surgery. Ashley has been amazing with Eoin! She takes Eoin somewhere fun nearly everyday. Today was swimming, yesterday was trampolining and tomorrow ice skating. Eoin runs to the door every morning and welcomes Miss Ashley. We are so thankful that we have her and we are all going to miss her when March comes!

A little update

2011-01-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to everyone for their kind wishes and get well messages. I continue to improve but have to remind myself not to push myself too hard. Most days are spent knitting, crafting, reading and catching up on TV shows I missed.

While I know so many of you (and me a couple of months back) would love this it does get hard to stay in bed! I would love to go for a hike or play tag with Eoin. Eoin has been enjoying spending time with Daddy and his Uncle Peter. We had one melt down where Eoin was able to express that he was mad with me for going away. When he gets mad with me now he stills tells me to 'go back to hospital' but things have improved dramatically and he will now let me hug and kiss him and he will snuggle up with me for a movie or story book time.

Thank You

2011-01-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to you all for all the wonderful prayers, good thoughts and get well wishes that you have sent me the last few weeks. It has been a tough time with two emergency surgeries in one month ending in a total hysterectomy but we are hopeful that this is the end to it all. We are all looking forward to 2011 being healthy and full of energy. The blog might be a little quiet for a while as I'm not going to be up for running round after a three year old for a few weeks but please do check back soon just to see how we are all doing.

Giggles all the way

2011-01-04T20:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas Fun

2011-01-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

quiet time

2010-12-31T04:10:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys that the blog is quiet. I'm back in hospital. I've had to have a total hysterectomy so it will be a while before I'm back blogging. But you just waity because when I am back I have some great stuff from Christmas.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T16:35:00.000-08:00

Eoin making reindeer food of glitter and oats (the glitter helps the reindeer to see Eoin' house). After the reindeer food we made Santa's chocolate cookies to go with his glass of chocolate milk.

Gingerbread Train

2010-12-22T15:49:00.000-08:00

Today we made our gingerbread train. Eoin was really into it though he looked like a green elf by the end of it as he had smeared icing everywhere!

Tomorrow we are going to make cookies for Santa and glitter reindeer food.

Bubble Craziness

2010-12-20T15:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays Everyone

2010-12-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

Picture Album Noir Christmas Card

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So I might be just a little late getting cards out to everyone after my adventure last week but just in case you don't get your card on time here is a sneak preview.
Happy Holidays Everyone!

News blackout

2010-12-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

Eoin on a recent rainy day.

So apologies for the lack of photos and news this last week but we have had quite a week. Last Wednesday morning Eoin decided I was the coolest Mommy on the block as we had a fire truck at our house. This was down to Andy calling 911 as I was very ill. Fast forward 48 hours, a contrast CT and ultrasound and I was headed into the OR for exploratory surgery because the doctors couldn't work out what the heck was going on (apart from maybe deep endometrial pain).

Eoin enjoying a hike in the local bay lands.

So it turned out that I had appendicitis but here was the kicker my appendix was stuck to my left ovary. The surgeon also discovered I was about a month away from a full bowel obstruction from some of the worst endometriosis she had ever seen. Fast another 24 hours and I'm healing nicely till I start coughing and having a fever. I had bi-lateral pneumonia!

But after five days in hospital I am now home and doing really well. Today I actually managed a few chores and a walk round the block. Andy has been amazing a real rock. He has looked after Eoin and done a great job. Our friends rallied and delivered food to our door every night I was in hospital and offered tons of babysitting so Andy could see me in hospital.

Overall Eoin did well. We had a few behavioural issues after day two of me being away but now he is back to normal. On my first night home he cuddled up to me in bed - every part of his body had to be touching mine and he looked at me and said 'Mommy I love you. Will you be here in the morning?'
He broke my heart but I am very very thankful to say yes I will be home for a long time to come.

Holiday Train

2010-12-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we headed over to Niles Canyon for the holiday train. We were very glad to find seats inside as it was freezing. Eoin had a blast on the train.He didn't seem that interested in the lights just what type of engine was pulling us. Santa visited all the kids on the train. Eoin told Santa that he wanted a ride on train for Christmas.

Doddy the Horse

2010-12-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Back in October Eoin received this great tire horse from his grandparents in Ireland. He has been a little reluctant to us it but that changed when we decided to bring Doddy (as Eoin calls it) inside. The weather has turned cold and so we have hung Doddy off the rafters in the garage. Now Eoin loves to climb on. He is still a little tentative and won't swing fast yet but I'm sure give it a few weeks and we"ll be begging him to slow down!

Message to Santa

2010-12-01T16:31:00.000-08:00

Yummy Crabs!

2010-11-27T15:38:00.000-08:00

Eoin trying crab for the first time on a recent trip to Monteray.

A band aid makes everything better.

2010-11-26T15:46:00.000-08:00

Here's Eoin 'fixing' Uncle Joe's head with a pink Dora the Explorer band aid. Eoin thinks a band aid fixes everything luckily 'Frank' (Joe's tumor) has gone but I'm sure the Dora band aid helps a little.

Thanksgiving Football Game

2010-11-25T15:54:00.000-08:00

Uncle Joe and Auntie Martina trying to tire Eoin out before Thanksgiving dinner.

Taking things literally

2010-11-20T18:16:00.000-08:00

Last night we celebrated National Adoption Day with pizza. Eoin and I love to have ranch sauce with our pizza however Eoin ended up with quite a lot of ranch sauce. Uncle Matt was rather surprised and when I said 'oh don't worry Eoin would drink ranch with a straw if he could' Eoin insisted on a straw to drink his extra ranch sauce. Man we have to be so careful what we say now a days!

A day of climbing

2010-11-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

Eoin certainly got up to much mischief today - mainly climbing to try and get at stuff. Every now and again I would here him shouting through the house 'Mommy I need a little bit of rescuing'. Cue the camera and trying to keep a straight face and tell him that climbing on the counters was not allowed.

A visit to Santa Cruz

2010-11-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

As today was looking like the only dry day Uncle Matt would see while he was visiting from the UK we decided to go to Santa Cruz. We weren't expecting everything to be closed up (but it makes sense really) so we only got to play crazy golf and do a couple of other fun games. Eoin played air hockey for the first time and tried to play foos-ice-hockey. Once we hit Eoin's nap time we drove up route 1 which was sunny and stunning and then we grabbed a late lunch at Alice's.

Advent Calendar

2010-11-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

Today I finished painting Eoin's advent calendar. It is the first painting project I have done - normally I am a paper crafter. I enjoyed this one but have learnt many things I would do differently next time. Still I hope Eoin enjoys using his calendar for the month of December.

Double Success

2010-11-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

Today has been a double success day! First off Eoin got another swim ribbon this morning. He now has Level 1 and Level 2 under his belt. Then after a very short nap Eoin decided he wanted to not wear diapers and wear underwear. Now he has done this before so I was so proud of him when he went the whole afternoon without any accidents and even used the bathroom at a neighbors house. Maybe just maybe it has something to do with his new Jelly Belly dispenser - he only gets jelly belly beans if he uses the bathroom. So far he has made it to the bathroom 4 times without any help from Mommy!

Getting ready for Thanksgiving

2010-11-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

Here is Eoin showing off his leaf garlands that he made with Mommy. We are busy decorating our new place for Thanksgiving and can't wait to have friends and family visit us.

What happens when.....

2010-11-11T17:31:00.000-08:00

a three year old picks out his own clothes!

3 year check up

2010-11-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Eoin had his three year check - up with our family doctor. Eoin loves going to see Dr Walton normally but this time round he was a little apprehensive. This check up was very different to his past check ups - we were told it was a big boy check up now. Eoin had to get into a gown and have his blood pressure checked!

Anyhow the stats - at three years old Eoin weighs 42 lbs and is 42 inches tall (19 kilos and 106.6 cm). That put him firmly on the 100 percentile for his age group. In fact it puts him in the 80 percentile if he was 4 and 30 percentile if he was 5. So I guess right now we have a 3 year old who looks like a small 5 year old! That in itself brings its own issues but another blog entry I'm sure will turn up about that soon.

Eoin had his eyes and hearing tested and he passed all the developmental milestones with flying colors. Now we just have to work on getting him to dress and undress himself and not getting so easily frustrated.

Finally at the age of three Eoin is sleeping through the night which is HUGE. He is a happier kid and we are happier parents :-).

Imaginary Friend

2010-11-08T11:58:00.000-08:00

Eoin has an imaginary friend called Dino. Dino arrived about six weeks ago right about the same time as his play structure and our move to our new home.
Dino is a red creature maybe a cross between a dragon and a dinosaur from what we can tell. Dino comes with Eoin most places and if we forget him we have to open the car window to let him fly in.
Dino seems to have a family too and often the neighborhood is deafened by the noise of Eoin shouting Dino to come play.
So far Dino hasn't been blamed for any bad behavior but I'm sure that is the next step.

The best sound ever!

2010-11-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Eoin was in fits of laughter when he realized that using the arrow keys he could make videos of himself and his swim teacher move faster or slower.