Cycle 3

This last Thursday Andy had his third cycle of chemotherapy. It was probably the hardest one so far. Usually on treatment day it takes about 8 hours from start to finish, but this last time he was done in about 5 hours. We aren't sure if this is because of different nurses or if they do it faster as the cycles go on because it works better. Nevertheless, it has made recovery much more difficult. I feel so badly for Andy as he is so sick to his stomach, but of course he is handling it all so well. Today he has felt a little bit better.

This morning the kids and I went to church. Although I am sweating bullets by the time I get there it is always such a relief to sit down before the opening hymn. I have such a sense of accomplishment! It was a tender mercy that my visiting teacher sat with me today. We tagged teamed the kids... when Lucas when walking down the aisle covering his eyes (because then I couldn't see him being naughty!) Liz took Jane. When Jane needed rocking, she played trains and cars with Lucas. The perfect team!

When we got home Lucas went straight down for his nap. He is exhausted from all the fun in Nursery. Today he came home and sang the entire first verse, unprompted, of I am a Child of God. It was such a sweet moment. I love that he loves church so much. So much so, that when I go to change him afterwards he screams "No! Church clothes, go to church!" 

Jane was all smiles for Daddy... she missed him after the 3 hour block!

As I was cooking dinner tonight the kids were laying down with Andy in our room. They were all laughing and singing. I grabbed my phone and started taking pictures to capture the sweet moment. Lucas and Jane love daddy.

 Oops... mom was spotted.

 CHEESE!

This afternoon felt normal... I actually baked, made dinner, and although I was the only one who ate dinner (Andy ate 20 minutes after once the Zofran kicked in)... then we sang songs and had a normal Sunday evening.

Here's to praying the Chemo starts to wear off a little bit so Andy can have some more energy and feel a little relief. :)

Go Blue!

I guess another year has passed and it is once again football season. I have learned that Saturdays are spent cheering on Michigan. This past Saturday was Michigan's first game of the season so we of course got dressed up and had a BBQ. Fortunately, Andy started feeling well this weekend so we really had a good time. Andy even taught Lucas how to say "Go Blue!" and Lucas loved saying it all day long. 

Family of Wolverines 

 I pulled out all of Lucas' baby onesies for Janers.

 Lucas is obsessed with Fire Trucks and especially his Firehouse Firehat. He wears it all day... and even allows Jane to wear it every now and again

 Janers and Mommy

 The spread... the burgers were delicious if I do say so myself. 

 Doodle and Janie Girl

Sadly, Michigan didn't win their first game. They had a few unfair calls against them... but they still put a good fight. I think it will be a great season for the Wolverines!

In other Coons' news... here are a few more pictures. Lucas, once again, in his firehat... I love him.

 On Labor day we went to Kiwanis Park to play over the line with the Bruce kids (sans Ash). Here is Janie hanging out under the trees

 Afterward we had some BBQ at Big Al's.... yum!

 Tonight Jane and I went to Relief Society and learned how to can, jar and blanche food. We learned, laughed, and ate... The perfect evening in my book.

On Thursday we have another cycle of Chemotherapy so we are gearing up for the big day. Its always a hard few days... but we are learning best how to handle it. Tomorrow we will eat a big feast since it is the last day Andy can eat for about a week. I'm already thinking of where we should go... I'm thinking CPK... but I'll let him decide :)

Oldies

I've been sifting through old pictures and found some from our dating days... To be that skinny again, sigh.

 Honeymoon

 Eric and Danielle's wedding

Oh the good ole' days :)

5 Months

Really... another month has passed? I cannot get enough of this girl as of late. She is just the sweetest thing. Knowing that this is our last baby, I am trying to soak up every little moment. My house is mess, I am not going to lie... but I don't even care because we just play all day long. 

 Still not quite sure about her tummy...

 And we had a major breakthrough in sleeping.... no more swaddling! I love pictures of sleeping babies. So sweet. This was after church... wiped out from all the fun :)

At 5 months:

-Jane weighs 16 lbs and 27 inches. (off the charts for height!)

- Is beginning to love solids... she has only had squash and rice cereal

- Rolls all over the place! If I put her down in one spot I have to be careful because she can get anywhere.

- Sleeping through the night almost. She wakes up around 2 and isn't hungry, just wants to play. So I have been letting her cry it out and she will eventually fall back asleep. Last night it was only 20 minutes... so I am hoping this goes away soon.

We love our sweet girl!!

Cousins

For the past two weeks Ashley & Co were in town. We had so much fun together. It is safe to say we ate every meal together... :) I only brought my big camera out on one day so unfortunately, these are the only pictures I have. Ashley's Father in law has an irrigation system instead of sprinklers. This was foreign to us, but we went along with it anyway. We put the kids in their suits and let them go at it!

Waiting for the water..

 Here it comes... it was FREEZING!

 All the kids had a blast. Afterward we went into the "choo choo" room as Lucas calls it. He was in heaven.

 I loved all the boys hanging out in their swim diapers. And this is one of my favorite pictures of Zane... I love it when he screams, it is hilarious. Ashley... doesn't love it so much,

 Jane was there too :)

 The last day Ashley was here, my grandma and grandpa came to visit. This was the first time they've seen Baby Jane. 

 Lucas loves my grandparents... they played for hours while they were here. Grandma Steve is a master at putting together train tracks. 

And just some random pictures... Lucas lining up his cars.

 I asked him to show me his cars and smile... and this is what I got. 

 Here we go... and his new thumbs up.

 It was time for family prayer and we asked Lucas to fold his arms... and he went to his chair, got comfortable and then folded his arms. Too funny.

 Lucas yelling "Go Blue!"