From Bad to Worse

We went to the oncologist today in Buffalo. He straightforwardly told us that he thinks it's ovarian cancer, not uterine. Many of you know that our beloved Aunt Annette (who Ellie is named after) died of Ovarian cancer 6 years ago. 18 months after she was diagonsed. She was also stage III but she was at C not A.

This Dr. is very thorough and I'm confident that he is checking all of his options before he comes up with a course of treatment.

His main concern is her age. She is only 36 and he kept stressing how rare this cancer is at her age. He also said there is a chance that she has two different cancers working (ovarian and uterine).

So here is where we are at:

Friday- she see's our OB/GYN here

Wed 12/31- CT/PET scan in Buffalo (full body scan)

Mon 1/5- Appointment with gynecological oncologist to discuss results and treatment

Her pathology slides are being sent to the head of pathology at a hospital in Buffalo for extensive review.

She also has to get more bloodwork.

I can't believe this is real. It's like we have boarded a train that none of us wanted to get on. But instead of having control to get off of it, it's just accelerating to the point where we can't even see the scenery passing us by it's just a blur.

At the Christmas Eve service tonight I had such a flood of emotions. Our family is so complete. Ellie is finally here. I have so much to be thankful for. And then the word "cancer" punches me in the gut.

Merry Chrismukkah!

Quick update on my sister- she has an appointment on Tuesday for the results of her biopsy from the hysterectomy. Thanks for your continued prayers...I will let you know.

In other news........

Tonight we celebrated the first night of Hannukah. I truly love that our daughters are so richly blessed with two different cultures to experience.

Gabism of the Week

As many of you know, Gabi has some, er, sensory issues. She refuses to wear certain things that I would just LOVE to put her in (tights, jeans, adorable shoes...) I'm sloooowly letting go of my need to control things.

This year, I got her knee highs to go with her Christmas outfit. Brilliant! She can still look adorable, and stay warm.

This is what we heard coming from the backseat yesterday on the way to our annual xmas party.

"I NEED to take these socks off! Mommy, I NEED to take them off! These socks are SO NOT ME!"

Here's a pic of her still in pout mode. What you can't see is how she has folded her sweet little knee highs down to her ankles like bobby socks:

Santa as Explained by a Jewish Man

Oy Vey! Howie was just telling me about his conversation with Gabi.

Howie: Want to go Christmas shopping with me this weekend?

Gabi: No

Howie: Why not?

Gabi: I can't be with you when you buy me my Christmas presents.

Howie: We already bought you your presents.

Gabi: No you didn't those are all for Ellie. (She knows where our stash is- not what it is)

Howie: No they are for you. Santa dropped them off. He's coming back this week with the rest.

WHAT?? What the heck!?!?!?! So now Santa is like the UPS man, making frequent pre-Christmas deliveries?? Oy Vey!!!!! How am I going to explain this one??

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"

Last night Howie, Gabi, and I went out on a date. First we went to our favorite restaurant- Carrabba's YUM! Then we went to GEVA to see "A Christmas Story". It was AMAZING! Oh how I remember the days when I thought that the perfect Christmas present would make the world right. For me, it was a Cabbage Patch Kid.

We had front row seats, which was really cool. I LOVED watching Gabi as she took in every bit of it. She was mesmerized. At the end she declared that she "really liked it, especially that bully".

So Much to be THANKFUL for

Thanksgiving. THANKSgiving. ThanksGIVING. I have sooooo much to be thankful for. I am aware of this every day. I am blessed. I wish all of YOU, my readers, lurkers, and stalkers a very BLESSED Thanksgiving as well.

In other news......

Ellie has a new look.....

isn't that hysterical? She does it all the time.

She also has a new trick.........

Halloween 2008

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Ellie's New Trick

Elliana has surely perfected the art of GROWING TEETH! As you may recall, she sprouted her first two at 4 months. Just recently her "eye" teeth emerged, and now we have the top center two teeth peeking through the surface. She gets a bit gumpy, but otherwise has handled it all very well.

In other news, we have been enjoying the many treats that come with the arrival of fall.

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again- Life is Good!

BOOville!

Pink Poodle Cake

It is confirmed. Sue is AMAZING!! Check out this gorgeous cake she made for Gabi's "Pink Poodle in Paris" Party today. It is sooooo PERFECT!!!!!!!

More party pics later.......

Memorial Day 2008

Today was amazing. The weather was perfect! We went to the Zoo with my Mom, Sister, Brother, Niece and Nephew. We all had a great time. Afterward, Howie, Gabi, Ellie, and I drove to the beach for lunch, ice cream, and a walk on the pier. I can't remember a time in my life when I was happier. I love spending time with my family. I love that Ellie is home. Life is good.

Happy Easter!!

Welcome 2008

Happy New Year to One and All! I am so hopeful for the many things to come this year.

If all goes as planned (God willing) this will be a full year for us.

- PRAYING for the arrival of our daughter in March.
-Howie celebrates a milestone bday in March as well.
-Nicki graduates from high school in June.
-Nicki leaves for college in Aug.
-Gabi starts Kindergarten in Sept.

I am so full of hope for our family, as well as for our loved ones.

May this be known as "The Year of the Baby" for all of us waiting!!!

From Our Home to Yours....Merry Christmas!!

Milk & Cookies for Santa. Carrots for Reindeer. Santa Came!!!!

Always an Adventure....

We were supposed to leave for NYC to visit with Howie's family for Thanksgiving on Wed am. Well, Tue night poor Gabi came down with a nasty case of the tummy bug. Not wanting to disrupt everyones lives and after much coaxing- I talked Howie into still going with Nicki. It was so strange being without Howie. I always had this sense that something was missing. Anyway, luckily the bug only lasted about 24 hours, so Gabi and I were able to go to my Mom's for dinner on Thursday. I was so humbled by the fact that we had about 5 sincere Thanksgiving Day dinner invitations from friends once they learned we were staying home.

My friend Julie and her son came over on Wed evening to bake and decorate cookies- it was too much fun! Cousin Haylie put a "little" lipstick on Gabi. Humm, did she even get the lips? LOL!!!!

Guess Who Has COME to Town?

As hard as it is to believe, Santa made his arrival yesterday at our local mall. Gabi and I met my friend Vicky, her daughter Aleigha and son Travis very early (9am) for a free screening of "The Polar Express" which, I must say, ignited my holiday cheer!

After that, we made our way to Santa's castle for a quick visit. The lines were crazy and we ended up waiting an hour! The clowns helped to pass the time.

Gabi was thrilled with Santa this year. She told him that she wanted "a dance mat that you hook up to the tv and dance on."

As an aside, I think I might have accidentally hit on Santa. As Gabi was leaving, and my feelings of desperation started to surface (you know the thoughts of, if I don't do "A" then "B" will never happen). Sooo, I leaned in and whispered to Santa "Gabi's Mommy really wants a baby, Santa. Do you think you could help her with that?" I swear, Santa's twinkle in his eye glowed brighter as he indicated that he would be happy to.
After lunch we headed down to the train- which I must say I just LOVE to look at. It surrounds a giant Christmas tree. I have always wanted a train under the tree, but have never gotten around to actually purchasing one.
All in all, it was a loooong day but amazing day; I just love looking at life through Gabi's eyes!!! Today, we put the Pink Princess Christmas Tree up in her bedroom! So sweet!!!

LET THE SEASON BEGIN!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Gabi had a blast "Trick or Treating" last night with her cousins, Haylie and Isiah.

...at the Easter Parade...

We celebrated Easter one day early so that we could enjoy it with Nicki. Daddy and Gabi put on a wonderful Easter parade for our enjoyment! Like Gabi's pj's? If you look closely you will see that they are completely mis-matched- at her insistence. She definitely marches to the beat of a different drum and I wouldn't want it any other way!! :)

A Common Thread (**Warning- it's a bit "deep" I'm feeling philosophical

Yesterday was amazing. It was FABULOUS! We hosted our second annual Easter Egg Hunt for families touched by adoption. All of the families (about 15 total in attendance!!) have adopted through STAR. The oldest STAR "babies" -the fab 3- Mackenzy, Allie, and Gabi- will all turn four soon. I think the youngest was about 2 months old! Justin was actually the oldest child in attendance- he is a "big brother in waiting"...he was great with the young ones- I think I even saw him smile a few times! At one point, my heart skipped a beat as I looked into our bedroom where we were storing coats and such, and saw three infant car seats in a row. It was beautiful! What a miracle adoption is!!! I loved watching the children play, Innocent to the common thread that weaves them together. One day, they may find comfort in one another- knowing they share the bond of adoption. More likely, if they are like their mommies and daddies, it will be so much more than that. Adoption will be what brought them together, but I hope they will find they have developed friendships that supersede where their "stories" began.

I Love "No-School" Days!

We had such a great day today, enjoying time together.

Gabi started the day by reading yesterday's paper.

After that, she took in a little indoor (aka in the house) soccer

And finally, we took her bowling for the first time. She had a BLAST! Truth be told, so did we!!

Too bad I have to go back to work tomorrow :( At least, Gabi and Daddy get to hang out together!