Fortified

Well there is a lot to report, so I'll just get right to it!

Today my mama had an appt with her oncologist. She chose to have a lumpectomy with radiation. Surgery will be scheduled within the next 2 days, but will probably happen somewhere between a week and a half to two weeks. Last week Barbie had an MRI which showed more suspicious masses, but we found out today that the other 2 small masses are benign--which is a HUGE relief!!! Also, her lymph nodes appeared to be normal, meaning that no cancer was visible. This is a good sign, but it's by no means an "all clear." Testing will be done during surgery to check if her lymph nodes have any cancer present and that is the only way to be sure. So we won't know until after the surgery whether she will need chemo or not. Argh, just a series of waits. But, all in all, it was pretty good news.

Also, little miss Maizey had an appt with her pediatrician today. The little stinker could single handedly keep a dermatologist in business!! First the hemangioma and diaper rash, and now she is covered in in little patches of eczema. They started on her arm and are now all over her belly, neck, and other arm. It's no biggie, I just need to put some hydro cortisone on it and keep it moisturized and it should go away. In much worse news, she hasn't gained an ounce since the beginning of August. CRASH! I was devastated to hear this--devastated. She went from being in the 41st percentile to now being in the 10th. I have noticed that she's been a bit of a fussy eater lately, but I didn't think much about it. It's been so hard for me to make sure she is getting her breast milk--I work my ass off and spend a good portion of my day pumping since she doesn't really nurse (except in the middle of the night or early morning). And now I feel like what was I working so hard for? Against my better judgement, I feel as though I've failed her somehow. Anyway, I'm gonna keep pumping my life away, but I have to start fortifying her milk with formula to help her gain weight. I'm also going to try to squeeze in an extra feeding by waking her up just before I go to bed around 11pm. Time will tell...

What else? Well, I had my HS reunion. It was crazy, and on the way down I thought I was going to barf from the sudden, intense anxiety I was feeling. Once I got there all anxiety diminished and I had a really great time seeing old friends. It felt like no time had passed--in a really weird, surprising way. Ryan was a trooper, he easily accepted his primary duties: picture taking and drink getting. There are definitely some peeps I'd like to stay in better contact with now and others that I am glad I don't have to see again for at least 10 years.

Also, Nick and Jill got married. Everything was beautiful and the reception at Willows Lodge was a blast. It was so great to spend quality time with our group of friends--who really feel more like family. We were really glad that Shane and Jill were there to celebrate with us.

I may be forgetting something. If so, I'll post it later. Here are a LOT of photos...

First home game of the season!

Trying to roll over on her changing table (isn't that the cutest little tush you've ever seen????)

Adorable!
Baby Prison.
Daddy trying to eat the Maizers.
Mid coo.
Lovin' the exer-saucer! I live for the moments when Maizey falls asleep on my chest.These are the predicaments that Maizey gets herself into in her pack and play.She was strangely quiet and I came out to find her making out with her pig wristlet.
Wedding ladies.
All the boys.
Us.

All the couples at our table...