Making a difference

Every May, Hubby participates in the CN Tour--a cycling and walking event that raises money for CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) and the local Candlelighters chapter (an organization that provides financial, emotional and medical support for families with children suffering from cancer). He's probably cycled in this yearly event for the past four or five years.

And every year, the same scenario plays out--he forgets he's signed up for it until about two weeks before the event and then he makes a half-hearted effort to raise funds. He often ends up getting a few donations, but the bulk of it is a self-donation he makes as a result of feeling guilty for not canvassing enough. He generally raises a few hundred bucks, but never anything significant.

Not 2011. This year, cycling the 70km for CHEO and Candlelighters means so much more than it has ever before. The tagline for the event is 'Help Kids with Cancer.' Uh...yeah, as you can imagine, we're pretty emotionally tied to that one.

Over the course of this past year, we have been on the receiving end of the support offered by these great organizations. The programs. The compassion. The thoughtfulness. The respect. The amazing staff. Words are simply not enough. Both organizations have been behind us 125% during this whole process. We've seen how the money they raise is actually spent. We've seen how much more is needed. (Trust us, there was a period of time, we wondered how we could afford to purchase one of those expensive, but oh-so-wonderful blanket warming machines. We so desperately wanted to get one for Ward 4North!) And, in the end, we know how much these deserving organizations appreciate our help--in whatever form we can provide it.

Although it is a big fundraising event for CHEO, it's not the only one--but, the CN Tour is the premier fundraising event for Candlelighters. Last year, the event brought in over $570,000 for both organizations, which is fantastic--but the need is great. So, once again, the goal for this year's event is blowing last year's total out of the water!

This year, with Brooke as his inspiration, Hubby decided to set a CN Tour goal for himself. His team's fundraising target was $2,000 and Hubby's personal goal was half of it. $1,000 seemed a far reach, but he was determined to make it--even if he had to donate the remainder himself, he was determined to see it through!

Well, here we are a week from the event and he's at $1,150! We are so proud of him.

Of course, every bit counts, but this year, it feels good to say we've done our best to make a significant contribution (or at least a genuine effort to make others aware of how wonderful CHEO and Candlelighters has been to us and to many other childhood cancer families in our community). We feel really good about being able to give back to these organizations that have helped us so much this last year.

Anyways, all this to say, that we've set a new goal for ourselves! We are trying to make it to $1,500 by the end of the week. So, if you haven't been completely tapped donating to your own personal causes and have a spare $10 to give to a good cause (tax receipt supplied, of course!), please check out Hubby's site: CN Cycle for CHEO. We would be most obliged!

And, if you are interested in participating, it's not too late to register or volunteer! Lots of races (cycling, walking or in-line skating) to partake in and lots of good, old-fashioned, kid-friendly fun (think bbq, Little Ray's Reptiles animal demonstrations, moon bounces, clowns, face-painting, Craz-E-Crew stunt show, magic show, slides, etc.) that will take place at the Canadian War Museum parking lot (at the Lebreton Flats) during the races and afterwards. You can even bring along the family dog. Definitely not an event to be missed!

Hubby will be cycling the 70km on the morning of May 1st with his team from work. B, Avie and I will walk in the Family 5km. Well, the girls will be waving like royalty from the fine comfort of their little red wagon, while I'll be the one hoofing it, but it'll be fun nonetheless. Hope to see you there!

Toddlerhood begins

Craziness has ensued and with it an endless list of reasons for which I have not had the opportunity to blog lately. In spite of a time-crunch and two sick little girls (no worries--just nasty colds that both of them woke up with this morning), I cannot let today pass without a mention of how important it is, even as unremarkable a day as it has been.

Today, at 11:20 a.m. this morning, while the rain was dwindling and she was busy napping off some Tylenol, our sweet little Avie turned one year old. She now joins the ranks of toddlers everywhere--but to us, she is still our sweet little baby girl.

It was a very unexciting birthday, unfortunately. I returned to work this morning (ugh!) after 13 months of maternity leave and the girls started the week with the aforementioned colds. Luckily, my MIL has offered to babysit for the summer, so I didn't have to leave the girls at daycare today--or, take off my first day back, as would have been likely. But, because of a restless night of crying children, I also started the day off exhausted--and, did I mention it was raining? This morning certainly wasn't the way I wanted to embark on this next phase in our lives.

And, because Avie was so exhausted and oozing with snot this evening, it was a eucalyptus bath, some BabyRub and to bed with her shortly after we returned from work. No cake, no party hat, no pressies. I think Brooke would have been thoroughly disappointed with our cancelled party plans tonight had she not been feeling crappy, too. It's alright--we'll still have her little party. We'll celebrate in style on Saturday with family and friends and goodies galore.

Regardless of how her actual birthday day turned out, we are still amazed at how eventful this first year has been. We can't believe she is just turning one--it seems like she has been part of our family since time began and it's hard to imagine our lives before her. Wouldn't be the same without her silly smiles, kooky hand gestures and raspy growling voice.

We've delighted in watching you become the little person you are today, Aviecakes. We've loved watching you discover your place in the world and can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. (Just don't let it be your first step--Mommy's gotta be at the office by 8am!) May you have many, many more birthdays filled with all the love and laughter you bring to our lives every day.

Love you forever and always, Mommy, Daddy and Big Sis Brookie. (And Fergus and Dealer, too!) oxoxoxo

Smilin' and lucky

Top o' the morning to you!

I wouldn't be much of an Irish girl, if I didn't stop by today to wish you all a very green, beer-filled and potatoey day, would I? So, here I am. Tapping out a quick post while I still sit in jammies at 10:30 a.m. Maternity leave lets you do that. (And, yes, my kids are dressed. But me? I'm last on the list.)

We started our day out with green scrambled eggs and green milk with a green straw and green grapes and orange slices. (Okay, I couldn't make the oranges green. So kill me, already.) Brooke was thrilled. Avie was wary, but she ate her toast and grapes and yogurt sans question.

Been a crazy, cabin-fever past two weeks. Hubby has been out West for two weeks now (well, he was home in the wees hours of last Saturday, but flew out again on Monday) and the girls are missing their daddy and I'm missing him, too and we're all just missing getting out of the house! We've been grocery shopping twice this week just to have something to do.

I am sooooo sick of snow. It's always this way with me come March, but it is especially trying this year because I know I only have four weeks leave before I go back to work. I crave days playing on the back deck or afternoons sitting on the sunny lawn. I want to spend my days digging in the dirt or playing kickball with the girls. I want to hold Avie's little fingers as she learns to take her first steps on the green grass or to run alongside Brooke as she peddles madly on her bike on our semi-paved driveway. I want to eat cut-up watermelon slices and drink from juiceboxes on the porch. I want to blow bubbles and make rainbows with sidewalk chalk.

Now, I'm really kinda regretting not taking an extended leave so that I could have another spring and summer with my girls. I can't believe how much I will miss spending every day with them!! Reality is settling in.

Meanwhile, yesterday I received a photo from my mother of my grandmother when she was 18. Couldn't stop staring at it. My Granny is gorgeous--then at 18 and now at 80. I hope I look half as good as she does when I'm her age. She's beautiful and wonderful and I can't wait to celebrate her birthday with her--and I know both her and her sister, Auntie Alice, are so excited for the party.

Anyways, back to the photo--I'm going to scan the photo and make tiny copies, then pop them into frames as placecards for the tea party. I think everyone will love having a photo of Granny as a young lady for a little souvenir of the special day. I know I will!

By the way--gotta an awesome vintage hat from Etsy for the tea party! It's 80 years old (how fitting is that!?) and bright turquoise with bows and fragile little netting and...and...and it's gorgtastic. I can't wait for the package to arrive.

I was also busy last night making decorations for Avie's upcoming birthday. Sweet things as cute as my Aviecakes! Just love the Neopolitan ice creamyness of it all! Here's a few sneak peeks for you! Maybe I should finally send out the invites? Yikes. A month today!!!

Lastly, even though I have a million things to do before returning to work (haircut much? Need work shoes, too. And gotta finish weaning Avie off of nursing....the list goes on) and I don't really relish going back to the office, I still count my blessings for having what I can call the Luck of the Irish.

Brooke is doing wonderfully. She is getting her balance back, her hair is growing (almost long enough for barrettes!) and she is gaining back both weight and height. AND--we got fab news last week--next Thursday she will have her surgery to have her port removed!

Finally--she will be in full remission. Cancer-free status. Once that thing is outta her, this whole cancer ordeal will be done (well, as done as it can be when in remission). No more port flushes. No more blood tests. No more impending surgery. Just her regularly scheduled CTs and MRIs. We can't wait! We will definitely have to celebrate that event in style, too.

We were at the hospital one day when a fellow patient received his last chemo treatment. His mom brought in a huge sheet cake, all decorated with fondant clowns and pennants and balloons and fireworks, and then she and her son, his brother and their dad spent an hour going around the MDU, pushing the cart with the cake, handing pieces and spoons to patients and nurses alike.

Made me tear up. I accepted the cake graciously, wished them well and a gave the boy a hearty 'congratulations!' The whole family looked so happy. What an awesome way to celebrate the triumph over cancer. I told Hubby right then and there that we had to do something similar for B when her port was out. He totally agreed. Was a good cake, too.

Well, I probably have about 10 mins left before Avie wakes up, so I best get dressed. Have a Merry Leprechaun Day, folks!

Pic-sharing Thursday

Time to download some pics from my SD card. Thought I would share some recent ones of the last couple of weeks.

B's game of 'puppy tea party' yesterday. She gathered together all of her stuffed puppy dogs (Gawd! I didn't realize how many she has until she kept pulling out another one from her room or the toy bin. I think she was up to five?!) and a few bunny stragglers ('cause we can never leave a bunny behind) and set up all her teacups.

















She even included Dealer in the party. He looks thrilled to be in attendance. Can you figure out which dog is the real one?

(And, yes, if you look closely enough, you'll see little plastic 'dog bones' on each of the dog's plate!)

















Besides playing with dust motes in morning sunshine and bouncing her bum up and down whenever the Wiggles or Yo Gabba Gabba songs start, Avie has been pulling herself up a lot lately. Maybe walking by her birthday? Hmmm, not likely, but stranger things have happened. Anyways, she was super excited to be standing on her own here (well, cheating anyways--she's holding onto a rolling walker toy, but she's not holding anyone's hand--and she seemed pretty stoked about it!).
























Brooke post-school registration last week--full of face-paint and beans.
























The kids attended a little friend's second birthday party at Starr Gymnastics the other day. (This is the second time we've attended a party there and the girls just love it! Great place to hold a party if you want a no-fuss affair. The entertainers are great, the kids have a fabulous time, plus no having to clean the house beforehand or after!)

The kids all had a blast jumping and running and sliding into piles of foam blocks. Then, after an hour of working off all their energy, they rejoined in a little party room for juice, goldfish crackers and cupcakes. Yum!

Then, as we started singing 'Bonne fête' to birthday boy Olivier, Brooke burst into tears. Why? She wanted to sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, but didn't know the song in French!

I was torn between feeling bad for her and embarrassed that my kid was hijacking the limelight away from Olivier in the middle of his song! Here everyone was trying to wish him a great day and my kid was sobbing in the corner. (Sorry, again, Max!)

Anyways, my doll of a friend Maxine decided we needed to sing the song again, in English this time. Poor Olivier looked confused as to why he had to wait to blow out the candle for another song, but the drama queen was appeased. Ridiculous!



Plus, a little strange because she has heard--and participated in that song a dozen times before--since many of our friends' and family are francophone. Weird! Anyways, I chalked it up to having been a very long and very active day (swim class that morning, then the gymnastics party that afternoon) with zero nap.


Here's some photos of the kids having a wild time!

Smarchy smarch

So, it's March now and we just got slammed with another snowstorm--one on Monday and another good dumping last night. Great for our snowshoeing expedition coming up this Saturday, but not so great for those who are suffering from severe cabin fever (ie: me and the girls!) and were hoping the groundhog was right this year about the early spring. Sure, it's just March, but with that freakishly warm weather we had a couple of weeks ago, things looked promising.

We are all restless these days--B wandering from room to room, jumping on the sofa, clinging to my legs, begging me to come up with new games or craft. I know how she feels. I feel like I am just wasting away the days here in the house, scratching my itchy skin (I hate winter dryness!) and longing for sunshine and greenery. Don't get me wrong--there is plenty laundry and dishes and vacuuming to do, but man--I just want to open up all the windows and let in some fresh air!!

B needs to expend some serious energy this morning, so I am about five minutes away from calling to her to put on her boots and coat, so we can go out for a bit and play in the snow before Avie wakes up from her morning nap.

Just thought I would update anyone who is still tuning in about last week's first off-treatment appointment. All is well. The oncologist is quite happy with Brooke's recovery and progress. Since Brooke had no re-admissions, no blood transfusions and no fevers, she does not anticipate any additional problems and has even put an order in to schedule a day surgery to remove Brooke's port.

Typically, the oncologists leave the port in the body for six months post-treatment (in case of a relapse), but B's doctor thinks we can remove it now. I'm thrilled--as the whole treatment thing doesn't seem officially over until that surgery is completed and the weird central line and port pump are out of my kid. Here's hoping that the surgery takes place before I return to work!!!

Also, Brooke will be switching clinics, so now she will be in the 0-24 months clinic at CHEO, which just means she has a new case manager (the person who handles all of B's appointments). The 'road map' as the oncology nurses like to call it, is pretty much as we expected.

Basically, B will still continue to take the Septra antibiotic until June. At that time, Brooke will also receive some blood tests to determine if she is still immune to the vaccinations she has had to date. (We'll need to revaccinate her for chicken pox and measles and whatnot if the chemo has killed the immunities in her body.) She will also undergo MRIs and CT scans every three months for the next two years to keep on top of things. She will receive both tests every three months for the first year, then alternating MRI and CT for the second year. And, sprinkled througout those appointments will also be echograms and cardiograms. So, lots of visits to the hospital still in our future--even if she doesn't relapse (which, of course, we pray she does not!).

Once she has been off-treatment for two years, she'll still be monitored (although less often) for another three years until she has reached the five-year survivor point. If after five years, she has not relapsed, then she is considered 'cured.' Can we get to five years already?!?

Lastly, Avie was given a date for an ultrasound as well. The chance that Avie has familial Wilms' tumour is pretty minimal (I think the oncologist said it was about 2% of cases), but she offers an ultrasound for any additional children as a way of giving parents' piece of mind. I jumped on the chance to have Avie checked out, too. With our luck, Hubby and I's combined DNA create some sort of genetic mutation that is prone to tumours! Hope not.

Anyways, fresh air beckons, so off I go....

A week full of paperwork

This afternoon will be Brooke's first off-treatment appointment, so I'm kinda anxious to get it over with. I'm hoping for good news. I don't anticipate any bad, as the CT scans all came back clear--but you never know. I've been lulled into optimism before, only to be told something different a week later. This has made me cautious, of course.

I'm also hoping we receive a date for Brooke's surgery to remove her port. Won't seem like the treatment is officially done until that thing is out of her. Physically, it doesn't seem to bother her, but knowing that a surgery (even if it is a day surgery) still looms in the future makes things feel 'incomplete' (for lack of a better word), I suppose. I know B will still be on antibiotics until June, but hopefully, the port won't have to stay in until then, as well. Will find out more, today.

So, lots of paperwork for Canadian Cancer Society and POGO this morning. Boy, do I love paperwork. Blech! Seems like filling out countless pages of forms is all I have been doing for the past week.

Ages ago, our interlink nurse had told us that Brooke would be eligible for a wish when she turned three years old. We thought nothing of it at the time, but a few weeks ago, she suggested that I apply for Starlight's Great Escapes program (a program that offers families of seriously ill children neat experiences and fun activities--like Sens tickets, magic shows, group picnics, etc.). She again mentioned applying to Make-a-Wish Foundation of Canada or Children's Wish Foundation for a wish for Brooke.

I filled out the forms for Starlight's program at the hospital, but hesitated when it came to Make-a-Wish. I'm not certain how comfortable I am with an organization giving my daughter something so...significant. Seems too big. Seems too greedy. Seems like there are others out there who need wish-granting more.

Finally, after visiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Canada website and reading some of the amazing wish stories and shedding too many tears for kids who have so undeservedly suffered and parents' hearts that have been dragged through the mud, I decided my kid deserved a wish. She's been through hell these past eight months and could certainly do with a little magic in her life! So, I applied for a wish for Brooke.

I was under the impression that this great organization only grant wishes for terminal or chronically ill children and since Brooke is neither, I figured nothing would really come of it, but it wouldn't hurt to try. But, a Make-a-Wish rep called me back that day to confirm the referral and tell me the process had begun. The woman also told me that there were lots of children who wanted wishes, so I figured this was a polite way of saying that B would be added to a list, but as she is not terminal or chronic, she's hardly high priority. Seems fair and is fine by me.

Then, last week, I was surprised to find a large package from Make-a-Wish with numerous forms to fill out. Looks like most of them are travel-based forms, assuming that the wish would be a trip. (Of course, Brooke's primary wish is to meet Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and the other Disney princesses--so yeah, they assume correctly--a travel wish.) But, they also ask the wish child to provide two additional (non-travel) wishes, should the travel one not be possible. We'll see what comes of all this. Could just be standard-procedure paperwork.

So, we've been busy filling out all of these forms in order to get the application back into the mail this week. And, then, a day later, I received Brooke's school registration package (open house is this Thursday--ohmigawd--I can't believe I'm registering my baby for school! Wasn't she just 2, like, yesterday?!?). More forms. Yeah.

Then, on the weekend, I decided to renew Brooke's passport (since it expires in a few weeks time) and to get Avie one. No idea if we'll need passports for the girls anytime soon (maybe a weekend getaway to Lake George this summer?), but better safe than sorry. And, frankly, since I was already knee-deep in forms, why not get it over with, right?

Every night this past week has seen me sitting at my desk, printing (in block letters and in black or dark blue ink, of course)--first name, last name, additional legal names, address, birthdate, ''I do solemnly swear''....very tedious work, as you can imagine.

I'm kinda hoping that there will be no new forms to fill out at the hospital this afternoon, but, just in case, I'm bringing my pen.

Party mode in full swing

Valentine's Day has come and gone--and with it, so too has the Reese Peanut Butter cup chocolate hearts Hubby bought us. Yum! B was thrilled to pieces with her Valentines and treats and we were all surprised by Hubby's Valentines dinner on Saturday night. The menu wasn't fancy--but the presentation was adorable. He really is a sweetheart! Love you, Hubby.

Love Day has barely been swept under the rug and already we've moved on. The weather is freakishly warm this week (with an estimated + 12 on Friday--unheard of in February in Ottawa), so it feels like that groundhog might just be right for once. Spring may be appearing sooner rather than later. And, of course, with the spring melt, comes....party planning! Yeah!

I was thrilled to be able to put the invites to my grandmother's 80th birthday tea party into the mail this morning! Finally. For months now, I've been planning a special day for Granny's birthday. As a huge fan of tea and of dressing up, I mentioned the idea of taking afternoon tea to her and she loved it. She's sooooo looking forward to it, so I can't wait! She totally deserves a great day.

I've made reservations at the swanky Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montréal for a tea party in early April. Hopefully, all of Granny's immediate adult female relatives will be there--her one remaining sister, her two daughters, her five granddaughters and one granddaughter-in-law. We've decided to make it really 'Victorian' and are requesting that all the guests wear 'garden tea attire,' complete with hats and white pearls.

Luckily, since the party will be held at the hotel, there isn't much planning for me to do. I just had to make the invitations (very simple cards bought at Michaels--I then printed off the party info, inked up the edges and glued the papers to the cards) and send them out. I have a few small project ideas to help dress up the place settings in mind--tea bag favours and tiny frames of black and white photos of Granny for the guests, maybe tea roses in a tea cup for a centrepiece? Easy peasy stuff. Just requires another trip to Michaels!

The more time-consuming part of the tea party is figuring out what to wear! It has to be English garden party appropriate--and if I can use it for Avie's party and maybe Easter Day, too--all the better. So, I ordered a cute little shirt dress for this morning online (first time I've ever bought a clothing item for myself online without having already tried it on--eek!). All I need now is a huge hat, some shoes and some white gloves. Well, at least, party plans for that event seem to be on track.

As for Avie's first birthday bash--well, plans are starting to percolate! I know the theme (a cupcakery theme as sweet as she is!), have bought part of her birthday outfit and a few little things (like napkins and streamers and candles), but I still have to make the invitations and start work on some cute decoration ideas I have.

A quick glance at the calendar and I realize that I only have two more months left to get this all done. I haven't even contemplated goody bags or the cake though--and time is a ticking!--I can't put it off any longer!

Lastly, we had an outdoor skating party planned for this Friday evening. In my endless research of fun things to do in the city, I stumbled across a website where I discovered that absolutely anyone can enter their name into a lottery for a private skating party reservation at the historic outdoor rink at Rideau Hall. It was the last day of the lottery, so I decided to throw my name in without ever thinking I would actually win my reservation date. Well, I did!

Thrilled, I invited a bunch of friends and family with young kids to join us for the outdoor skating party--and we've been looking forward to the evening since before Christmas. The idea was to have a very simple cookies-and-hot-chocolate shindig on the ice on Friday. But, now that the weather is so damnably warm, it looks like the skating party might be cancelled.

Even if the rain holds off on Friday, the + temps have already done quite a number on the rink. And, it's only supposed to get warmer as the week progresses. If we don't cancel, we might as well tell our guests to bring their suits because the rink may just become a pool!

Anyways, I've been in touch with my Rideau Hall contact and she said she would confirm with me on Friday as to the condition of the ice. Everything hinges on that last-minute phone call. We'll keep our fingers crossed, but I think the party is off.

Speaking of party planning, did I mention I won a contest on Great-Happy-Birthday-Ideas.com? The contest was for best 'winter birthday party idea' and I won with my 'Winter ONEderland' theme for a first birthday party. Sweet! I received an Amazon.com gift certificate as a prize and the site author, Sophie, wrote up a little feature on me. Check it out here. If you're looking for some neat birthday ideas, definitely check out this website--plus, there is always a contest underway to enter!

Last week was definitely a good week for this contest junkie. I also won a Meaghan Smith giveaway on FaceBook! In honour of her recent Juno nomination, she was giving away a package of three CDs (her Juno-nominated 'Cricket's Orchestra,' the 'Cricket's Quartet' sampler and her earlier album 'Lost with Directions' ), as well as a t-shirt she designed herself to one lucky fan. I was that fan!!

If you don't know who Meaghan Smith is, crawl out from under your rock already! She's an amazing Canadian musician and artist, who's star is shining brighter every day! (And, yes, you have heard her music before because her now-famous 'It Snowed' played EVERYWHERE at Christmastime. Love that tune!) And she sent me a personal FB message! Egads!! It's about as close as I have ever gotten to a celebrity--or near-celebrity, so yeah--very friggin' exciting! Hope she wins. Just love her music. )

Anyways, here's to wishing you all a great long Family Day weekend! Let's hope the weather keeps up...I can almost taste spring in the air....