Must...stay...awaZZZZzzzzZZZzzzz

I work the night audit this Friday and Saturday, I have tomorrow off, so I'm trying to stay awake as long as I can tonight so I can sleep late tomorrow morning to adjust my sleep schedule. Yesterday we were told that we will probably get our "surprise" inspection at the hotel in the next week or so. I think Karissa is getting the raw end of that stick. She's worked her ass off the last couple of days! GO EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER!!! Waking up at 5:30am, working an 11 hour day, and trying to stay up until at least 3am is killer. I don't know how Doug and Jason and my mom do it!

Anyway, to keep me awake I rented "The Secret Life of Bees". Cried like a baby, not "Extreme Home Makeover tears, but close. I love Dakota Fanning. I'm a sucker for sentimental, heartwarming and "coming of age" movies.

Its been a while since I've written anything. I know I'm going to get crap from Doug for not posting his birthday pics, but I haven't even been in the computer room on our "archaic" desktop since we got our Mac laptop. The card reader is on the desktop. Ok, Ok, I'm just lazy.

Aiden is doin' fantastic! He talks up a storm now. The other night, we told him it was time to go to bed and he said "no" and I said, "yeah C'Mon, lets go night night" and he said "NO! 5 more minutes, k?" Kevin and I laughed so hard, he got his 5 minutes. Here's a list of some of the adorable things he says. This is more for my family than anyone else. You have to keep in mind that this is a two year old.

"GUYS! Watch dis!"

"Is MY turn now, k? IS MY TURN NOOOW!"

"I don't yike it, nope"

"Time Out, Kitty!"

"Time Out, Mommy"

"Stand up, follow me" (He pulls on your hand and If you don't follow him, he gets really mad)

"Go to Elelellelella's house now?"

"I eat yunch, I eat gog gog (hot dog) and gup gup (katchup)"

He's starting to refer to himself as "me" and "Aiden" and he LOVES looking at pictures of himself "thats Aiden, a me a me, Aiden!"

He does and says things everyday that surprise me. I forget that he's two sometimes.

Enough about my perfect baby. Its almost 2am, I get to go to sleep soon!

And Tuesdays and Wednesdays

I hate them too so far. I'll let ya know how I feel about Thursdays later.

i hate mondays.

I hate Mondays and tomorrow is a Monday. Thats about it.

I really really really don't want to wake up tomorrow. *sigh* If I feel that way today, then tomorrow morning is really gonna suck. *sigh*

ok, I'm done now.

Oh Happy Day!

Aiden is OK!!! He's healthy! No cancer, no infection! OH HAPPY DAY! When the doctor called me at work to tell me the good news, I almost cried because I was so happy! I honestly was getting very worried, and scared, and I was thinking the worst. But OMG! He's ok! He seems to still be doing very well. He doesn't complain about pain, and he insn't running a temp. We celebrated by going out to eat with Amber and Bailey. He got to pig out on chips and french fries and chicken strips. (french fries are a pretty big treat) and when we asked what he wanted to do he said "PUPPIES!" So we went to the pet store in the mall, and he got to see puppies and kitties and "fishes". It was the first time he'd been out of the house (beside day care across the street) in a week. He had a lot of fun.

I just wanted everyone to know the fantastic news!!!

PostSecret tour!!!!!

They just released the 2009 PostSecret tour locations. Winnipeg is one of them! on January 29th. I've never wanted to go to something so badly in my whole entire life! They've never come so close to Grand Forks before. I would probably give my left nut to go, and my right one... and both of Kevin's too!! Gross, I mean where did that come from?

Anyway, so I'm really just posting this bit of information in hopes that Kevin sees it, reads it, soaks it in and realizes that this is the most PERFECT Valentine's Day gift EVER!!!!

This is a test, a test to see if he actually reads my blog. I don't think he does, I think he gets enough of my rambling in person so he doesn't feel the need to read it as well.

Even if he does read it, whose to say that he'll decode the hidden message inside. You know, the one about how bringing me to Winnipeg, MB Canada on January 29th,2009 for the PostSecret tour with Frank (IN PERSON!!!! *SCREEEEAM!*) would be one of the best Valentine's Day gift EVER!!!

Or say, one of my friends that reads my blog can hint to him (throw a brick at him with a message attached, he doesn't do subtle very well) and he can be all like "oh yeah, it was totally all my idea"

The Big Day

Its done. Finally. Aiden had his biopsy this morning. All went well. We were at the hospital at 7am. He went into surgery at around 8:15. They told us he was in recovery at about 9:15 and by 11am we were on our way home. They took out 4 nodes. The doctor said they were still pretty big (he held his fingers about this...___________ far apart to describe them. We have a follow up appointment next week and I assume that is when we'll get the results as well.

Aiden has a cut about 1" long on the left side of his neck. He doesn't seem to be in too much pain, and he is eating fine. He tries to scratch at it, but we put a large bandaid on it so hopefully that will protect it from his little ichy fingers. There are no stitches to take out, they are the disolving kind. He can't get it wet for 5 days... good thing I gave him a good scrubbin' last night before bed :)

So now we wait for just one more week. just ONE more week.

On our way to DL

Kevin on the carousel

What kid in DL didn't get to ride this horse in the Holiday "mall" ?

Shop Kitty

Me wearing Tab's hat because it was adorable on me.

Tab, Me and Jess

minus Tab

Me and Dear

Jess, sideways

Awe.

Yellow Light

Aiden had ANOTHER pre op appointment today and it was decided that he is healthy enough to have the biopsy on Monday morning at 7am. He's pretty much over that horrible cold and he's eating now and back to his happy energetic self. The doctor did notice that he has an ear infection though, go figure. Thats ok though, he can still have surgery. All I gotta say is that he better not get sick again!

I was reading through by blog posts from last year, and I can't believe that next month will mark the year anniversary of Mission Skinny. I also can't believe how I let myself gain some weight back. I have only gained about 7 or 8 lbs. but it looks more like 10 or 15 lbs. I need to kick it up a notch, therefore, Mission Skinny II will be coming again in 2 weeks. Reading all my posts made me more motivated again. Reading all about how happy I was every time I lost weight and how exercising made me feel better made me want to feel that way again. I don't think we'll do phase 1 because Kevin will probably die from it, but Phase 2 sounds good to me. The holiday season, and Aiden being sick through all of it made it difficult to stay on track. Yup thats my excuse, what are you gonna do about it

Well I better go pack, we're going to DL tonight for the weekend. We're going out on the town tomorrow with Tab and Derek.

no new news... I dedicate this post to Amber.

Aiden did not have his biopsy. He's pretty sick. He has a horrible chest cold. We went to the doctor on Friday, and she gave him antibiotics and a oral steroid to help the inflamation in his lungs. He hasn't been eating well for the past couple of days. On Saturday he wouldn't even drink anything, and only ate one yogart the entire day. He was tired and we just kind of lounged around. On that note, I dont think that I can watch Alvin and the Chimpmunks for the rest of my life, I can probably quote the whole movie, every word.

His biopsy is rescheduled for Monday January 12th. The lump on his neck is almost gone completely though. I don't know if they'll even want to do a biopsy after his doc. sees him on Friday for his pre op appointment, which is good news I suppose, however, I kind of want to do it, just to get a clear answer and ease our minds a little.

My mom was in GF for the weekend, and Marie is staying with us now. She arrived Sunday and she is staying home with Aiden during the day so he doesn't have to go to daycare. Its a big help, we get to sleep the whole night through :)

There ya go, AMBER. :) Sorry I didn't have more for ya :) haha.

Red Light!

Aiden is sick again. He has a horrible cough and a fever. So its probably a red light for surgery tomorrow. But I'm gonna bring him in at 6:45am anyway so they can judge for themselves. He doesn't sound good though, He wants lots of hugs and keeps telling me something hurts. First it was his ears, which is probably a ligit complaint, but then it was his knee, then his arm, then his tummy, then his ears again so i'm thinking he learned that when something hurts, he get hugs and cuddles and kisses.

So yeah, we're pretty sure that he will not be having surgery tomorrow, postpone it yet another freakin' week or two. I dont know how long I can wait anymore before I cut it out myself! whoa... that was a little graphic, lets pretend I never said that. wow.

Its a go!

Well, we got the green light for surgery today. Aiden has his biopsy on Friday January 2nd. Its an out patient procedure unless they have to cut deeper than planned, then he'll have to stay over night. We had his pre op. appointment this morning and the doc said that he is well enough to be sedated. His cold his gone, thank God. He does have a rash, but she gave us a prescription for a special oinment to put on his skin.

I'm on vacation for a week. No real point to it I guess, except to take some time off. Aiden had his appointment today, and his surgery on Friday, so I would have missed 2 days anyway.

We won't get results from the biopsy for about a week after, but we'll keep ya all posted.

Its hard work to look THIS good!

Brushin' his "teefs"

Splaaaaaaashing!

Soaking Mommy

Its gotta be done the RIGHT way. (don't worry, the heat wasn't on it was just air blowing :))

"I dry mommy's hair now, k?"

A little bit of this and that.

Fuzzybutt obviously in the Christmas spirit :)

awe... I love his kisses :)

he was giving us a gift he made at daycare (its in the penguin) It was a snowman orniment that he colored on.

Opening his doctor kit. He LOVED it.

He knew what all the things were for since they've all been used on him many times this past month.
checkin' out his mouth in the mirror

but who needs the TOYS when you have the BOXES!!!!

fa la la la la laaaaaaaa

Merry Christmas!! So here I am at work, yeah I know.... I should be working, and I am, but C'Mon, it IS Christmas...

There are these 2 rooms right now that have like 20 people combined (it seems like that many anyway) the parents are upstairs drinking and the kids keep coming down in the lobby to get coffee and in the process make a mess of the coffee station, computer desk (which they shouldn't be at in the first place and have been told this) and move from table to table in the lobby, leaving a trail or cups, straws, creamers, sugar, napkins etc as they go. Some of the family is also in the pool area splashing water EVERYWHERE and for some reason, even though they are the only family using the pool, every single pool towel has made its way on every chair in the room, and on the floor and in the hot tub. The girls filled cups with ice and were running around the hallways throwing it at eachother, now there are puddles of water on the tile, and ice on the carpet. They are being more messy than a weekend FULL of people. They keep calling asking for things and I'm just like "MAKE A LIST AND THEN CALL DOWN!" Instead of calling down every 5 minutes and asking me to bring up yet ANOTHER thing to your room... better yet, drag your butt down here and get it from me.

Christmas rant over.

I shouldn't be complaining, I'm only here for 4 hours today, and it is REALLY slow, so its not like I have anything better to do. Its just that the whole family is messy, and needy, and crabby on top of it. They haven't said thank you once to me.

I just don't get when parents let their kids (5-10) run around hotels by themselves... its just like letting them run around in an unfamiliar neighborhood, would you do that? NO! Its actually worse, because anyone could just grab your kid and force them into a room. Plus, don't let your kids run around with no shoes or socks on. Think about what people drag in on their shoes when they are walking the halls and in the lobby.... gross, bring the flip flops. Don't come down to breakfast in your night gown or bare feet.... a hotel breakfast area is like any other restaurant, with health codes... no shirt no shoes no service! You wouldn't walk into a Perkin's with bare feet!

ok so maybe the rant wasn't over yet. Or maybe I'm just too bored.

Anyway, I really am in the Christmas Spirit, so Merry Christmas! Hope everyone is having a fantabulous day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIDEN!!!

I love you bubby.

Out and About sometime last month

*BING*

oooo la la

Pretty in pink

Tab, Wendy, Heather and Farnum

Sistas

How can he be so big, and she be sooooo tiny?!

haha CHEEEEESE!

Wendy and Ryan

Strike a pose Jess!

Jess gave Doug a Banjo. I'm sure he's learning how to play it pretty fast. This was pretty much the best gift ever for Doug. (besides like every gift that Karissa has ever gotten him :)

Thanksgiving pics

Aiden's first pumpkin pie experience. He liked the apple much better :)

cutie pie. I like his new sweater

Grandpa and his buddy
Kevin and his Mommy.

Aunt Carol and my Mom.

My Grandpa wanted to know what it felt like to have hair :)

Kevin and his turkey. It was amazing!

DELICIOUSNESS!
Gramma and me
We ate at 1pm... which is usually his nap time, you could definately tell.

"Think Positive"

Last Thursday, we brought Aiden to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo for an appointment to see a pediatric oncologist. This appointment was to simply get a second opinion and probably set up a biopsy on the node that is STILL swollen. We are, of course, trying to rule out Lymphoma (yeah, I know scary word, but there's no way around it) All I have to say is what a waste of time, and gas. First, we didn't even see the doctor that we were referred to by his primary doctor (Dr. Z., who I might ad is amazing) Somthing was screwed up and we ended up seeing a different peds. Oncologist who decided that he would like to order a biopsy because the lump felt "harder and bumpier than he would like it to be" ... but before he ordered a biopsy, he wanted us to see an Ears Nose and Throat Doc (ENT) for yet another opinion. We waited an hour after our appointment time to see a doctor that hadn't even recieved Aiden's medical records (you know all the IMPORTANT stuff like his CT scan, x rays, hospital reports, blood work...) that the cancer center peeps were supposed to WALK over to them... so he based his "opinion" on just looking at Aiden for 5 minutes and determaining that we can wait ANOTHER 2 and 1/2 weeks before doing a biopsy. This has been going on since the Saturday before Thanksgiving. He said that he sees kids with swollen lymph nodes like this at least a dozen times every winter, and that sometimes it can take months for them to go down. So he sent us home and told us to come back on December 29th.

Well, you know what we discovered... when you visit with a cancer doctor, then read WebMD, and sit and stew over this whole theory for 2 weeks; waiting is NOT an option.

So We visisted with Dr. Z. yesterday during Aiden's regularily scheduled Well Baby check up. Dr. Z apologized for the mix up, she seemed a little... upset that things did not go as planned, we were supposed to see this other doctor who she had already spoke to, and knew our story, and who was going to probably set up a biopsy and we shouldn't have had to see the ENT at all being that Aiden has seen the ENT specialist here in GF twice now.... so anyway, we all decided that a biopsy needed to be done asap, and that we were done dealing with Fargo. Only catch is that Aiden currently has an icky weeze and cough and cold, so he can not go under an anestetic for a biopsy until he is completely healthy for a whole week. SOOOO.... in hopes that he gets better soon, we have scheduled a biopsy for January 2nd with a pre-op appointment on the 30th to see if he is healthy enough to have the surgery.

They will remove the entire node, which is actually a very easy proceedure. It only takes like 15-30 minutes and its same-day so he'll get to come home. I dont' know how long it will take for them to find the results of the biopsy. I just want this over and done with.

Everyone is telling us to think positive. We are doing that to the best of our abilities. Its scary, thats for sure. I've stopped reading WebMD, as I am blocking the word "Lymphoma" out of my vocabulary for the next couple of weeks.

We are focusing on having an AMAZING birthday party for Aiden. He LOVES SpongeBob and even though I do not, we are having a SpongeBob themed party. When I finally caved in to the idea of a "Bob Bob" party, I decided that if I was going to do this, I was going to REALLY DOOOO this. Balls out, man.... when Aiden walks into that room, he's going to think he is actually IN Bikini Bottom and that he himself IS SpongeBob. I can't wait to see his face!!! He's going to LOVE it.

I work everyday next week, (yeah Christmas too) so Kevin, Aiden and I are having just a small Christmas thing with just the three of us (I mean 4 counting FuzzyButt, who BTW hasn't taken one single orniment off the tree yet) Ham is Aidens favorite, right up there with hot dogs and pizza anyway. So we're having that for Christmas dinner. Santa will come in the morning and I can't wait to see how he reacts to MORE presents under the tree.

So thats how its been around here. I've been meaning to post a bunch of pics from Thanksgiving, but our computer is being a giant bitch and throwing temper tantrums. I'll try again tomorrow when I have more time.

Aiden Update.

Aiden is in the hospital again. The nodes on his neck got more swollen and he had a pretty bad allergic reaction to the antibiotic that he was on so they had to take him off that, and now they are giving him the IV antibiotic again. They gave him a CT scan today, and we are waiting to hear from the doctor what that shows. If it shows an absess (sp?) then he will have surgery to remove the nodes completely. If it is just an infection, he will have to be on IV antibiotics for a while (like a week or more) and can not stop that until the lump is completely gone.

Kevin went to Urgent Care last night because he is having gull stone attacks. He still has stones in the ducts that go into the liver and they need to pass, so he was in A LOT of pain. Kevin went back to Urgent Care again this morning because the attack was SOOOO bad. But they just gave him morphene and sent him on his way, so chances are he'll keep having these attacks until the stones pass.

SO thats our story, I'll keep you updated.