Friday, April 20, 2012

Of Giggles and Cancer

(Note: I wrote this a long time ago but I feel like it needs to be shared for any future posts to make sense.)


"Breathing comes in pairs, except for twice. One begins and one's goodbye"-The Fray

The past month has been one of extreme joy, fear, and faith. Penelope has brought more joy to my life and love to my heart then I knew a human being was capable of. I was scared to see her leave the newborn stage but have finally settled into the wonder of watching a individual grow. It is amazing! Justin and I have been sent a person, a real life person, to raise and take care of. She will grow up and get married and have children and grandchildren and the world will be different because she was here. We asked for her and she was given to us. It is so bizarre and wonderful, like rain when the sun is shining. You are happier than you have ever been but everyday have moments that draw your mind to the immense responsibly you have. My actions could help this little girl become a Mother Teresa or a Ke$sha. Let us hope for the former. 

Penelope gets more wonderful everyday. She is one of the most delightful children I have ever experienced. I babysat and worked as a nanny growing up so, I know babies. She smiles and babbles all day. She has such a sweet and gentle personality. She cries only when she has not gotten what she needs for a very long time. (Like when she got hungry and tired and we were stuck in traffic). Her favorite thing is to sit in my lap facing me and babble and babble and babble some more. We spend many a hour doing this. She has also gained a love of playing on her play mat. This is a wonderful development and coincided with both my hair and make-up being done for church. Yay!  She loves to stand on your lap and climb up your body. Today, I was greeted at the door by Justin holding Penelope's hands while she walked across the floor smiling her big huge smile.She loves to be sung to and will sing with you. To bad Justin and I are both terrible singers. Oh well, she had piano playing fingers and maybe someone else can teach her to sing. She loves to read books and will sit there while you read them over and over.

Here are the stats from her last check up, ya know, like a month ago. Hair, make-up and blogging. I am figuring out how to get stuff done. 

Weight 12.4 lbs 
Height 24 inches
Head 15 3/4 inches 

She is a growing girl. She is tall and skinny still. She just started fitting into her 0-3 month pants. Thank goodness is so warm since all her newborn pants still fit but are just capris.

Justin amazes me with how much he has grown and is totally not afraid of anything. He knows what to do and tells me what Penelope wants before I catch it. It's been a blast. Although, last night she slept the whole night, 10:30pm-7:30am and she normally wakes up to eat before I go to work. I hoped she would stay alseep but she didnt and she would not take the bottle. She cried for 30 mins till Justin was able to finally get here calmed down and a little food in her. I came home to her smiling and Justin saying "I'm about wore out as a lady can get". If you don't know the reference watch this video. 



The other half of my life is so strange to me. My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer on Feb. 21st 2012. It still does not feel real to type it. He was in a car accident at the begining of February. He had a serious car accident 3 years before so eveny though he was fine they suggested he go to the ER and get checked out. They basically X-rayed his entire body. They sent him home with a clean bill of health. He went to the chiropractor to help with soreness and when he brought her his X-rays she noticed a dark spot on his lung and recommended he have it examined further. Two hospitals, many doctors appointments, and an exploratory surgery he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of lung cancer that had spread to his lymph nodes and ,we later found out, his trachea placing him at stage 3a. It has been a whirlwind of emotion, prayers, and fear. This is scary stuff. I appreciate everyone's prayers and concern for my family. You have no idea how much  your thoughts, kind words, and prayers mean to us. We are determined to beat this no matter what.
This has made me so grateful for my Dad and all that he has done for and taught me. 

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