Apheresis

Today I learned a big word. Apheresis. My Daddy taught it to me. We went to the big hospital in Vancouver and my Daddy got connected to a machine and they did Apheresis to his blood. It took a long time, but I was a very good baby even though I am not that happy because I have a little cold. I held his hand, well actually only a finger since my hands are so tiny.

Lots of people were nice and smiled at me in the hospital. They said they liked seeing babies where my Daddy was. My parents and my Dad's nurse talked about how babies can come into the world after something like cancer. I know what cancer is and I know my Daddy is very special because he used to have it. I felt pretty special too because when one of the nurses asked my Dad if I was a miracle baby he said "Yes, a miracle of modern science." 

 
Ok, I should sleep now. We just got home from the big boat. My parents are trying really hard to get me to sleep but all I want to do is scream for awhile. It just feels so good to let it all out sometimes. I'll smile real big at my Mom in the morning and she'll forgive me for the screaming.

I saw a lot of things in the hospital today and I think I understand something important. My Mom says if you let leukemia put your life on hold, it will. She says it will hold you in one place as the world rushes past you, leaving you lonely, confused and feeling left out. But my parents are trying hard not to let this happen.

I am here because they decided to live life for now - for this moment and this day, planning for the future even though they have no idea what will happen. Moving forward without knowing how everything will turn out. Making the most of things small and dumb that make them laugh, like when I burp real loud or smile real big, or when my dog Leuk rolls in the sand or lays down in a mud puddle just before jumping in the truck. Trying to love life even though it really sucks sometimes.

My Dad explains that this is it. This is life. It's not what happens after you get better, or before you got sick - it's everything in between. 



Hot tubbing

I went for my first real outside hot tub this weekend. This is something I've been wanting to do for some time, but my Mom wasn't sure about it. Anyway, it was great. So warm. Note to my parents - I want one for Christmas - I think I may have to work on this one for awhile.

The hot tub was in Tofino and it was really cold there and windy too. Someone said that we shouldn't go to the beach because I might get blown away because I am so small. My parents took me anyway and it was great. I slept, but I wasn't cold and it wasn't too windy where we were. My Mom and Dad both went surfing. My Daddy took me for coffee and wore me in the Baby Bjorn and my Mom tried out the stoller without that silly baby seat attached. I felt like a real boy. I got scared at first and cried a little but then we walked down the beach and I could watch Leuk chasing his ball instead of staring at the sky. Mom and Dad got real mad at my dog Leuk. They said he was bad and that they had had enough. I don't think Leuk understood. He still just looked happy to run around on the beach. 

Bimbo

Tonight my parents went shopping for a ridiculously expensive piece of colour coated foam called a Bumbo. I was awake in the baby store looking around and in a pretty good mood so I humoured them and let them place me in this Bumbo thing right in the middle of the aisle. Oh boy was I ever a hit. Lots of people went by and said how cute I was and people thought it was funny that the Bumbo had a live display. My parents thought I would be too small to sit in it, but low and behold. They were wrong. There was great debate over colour and home we went with a blue one.

I was real nice and sat in it for them when we got home too. Let Mom even take some pictures with the clicking black thing again.

Now they drag this thing everywhere so I've decided to scream and fuss when they put me in it. Haha funny.

My Grandma, Oohla (yes, Oohla, it's a long story) called it a Bimbo instead of a Bumbo. I tried to correct her but she wasn't listening. She's getting pretty old and so sometimes can't hear important stuff. You should hear how loud her TV is! Anyway, now my Dad calls the Bumbo Bimbo too. I understand I'm stuck with this family. Could someone please confirm?

Coming soon to your house. Leo and the Bimbo. Great, just great.

Halloween

So today is Halloween. Seems pretty much like any other day except I have been forced into a costume resembling some sort of bird animal for the purposes of picture taking. My Mom explained that this is the day of the year that you can be anything you want. I thought I was clear with my decision to be Superman, but apparently something was lost in the translation. So, yeah, that's right. I'm a bird. Mom tells me it's a character in this cool internet game that I am too small to play. The game is called Angry Birds, and I am the tiny blue one that explodes into three. I don't really get it. Anyway, I think I look way too cute - I was going for more of a superhero theme, but what can I do. Squawk squawk. I'm an Angry Bird. I'll humour you this year Mom.

Mins

I've been trying to figure out what this big ball of fluff is and what it's purpose is. I'm still not sure. It usually keeps it's distance, but lately has decided to sit beside me, near me. Yesterday it even tried to sit on me and today I saw it sleeping in my bed. I'm not sure what to think of all this so for now I'm going to keep quiet on the issue.

Too cool cats.

Another photoshoot

  

Mom dressed me up, and put my hat on even though we were inside. I should have suspected something but I didn't. Out came that dreaded black thing she always seems to be pointing at my face. I tried really hard to not smile. I gave her a good blank stare for at least a minute. But then I just couldn't help it anymore. I couldn't resist. She's just so funny looking sometimes.

White lights

Tonight was crazy. We went for a walk at night! And there were all these glowing balls floating in the air. My Dad gave me lots of kisses. I feel like this is a special night, but I got kind of overwhelmed and couldn't figure out why exactly it was special so I decided to sleep through most of the walk. I even slept extra long so my parents could enjoy a nice dinner out. 

The white floating balls are my favorite and my Dad got to carry one of those. He's lucky. And I think I am too. I can't wait for next year.