A Million More Tests and This is Halloween!

Tony got to take a bunch of pre-transplant tests today. We were out and about at all the testing locations from 8:30 to 3:00. It was quite the day. First, he had a test done in the nuclear medicine department. They took some of his blood, and then added an isotope to it, and then put it back. Then they did a scan of his heart that took a picture over 5 minutes. The isotope in his blood helped to get a clearer picture. They had to do 3 pictures, each taking 5 minutes. The technician was very nice and let me watch everything and she explained it as she went. Then we went to the respiratory department where they tested Tony's lung capacity. Honestly, I did not envy him while he was taking this test. He had to suck in and blow out really hard into this breathing tube thing, while he had this huge clip on his nose. (That left pretty little spirals on his face). They would make him blow out air long after he had any leftover in his lungs. And they they made him breathe while they sent pressurized air into his lungs to see how much they could hold. It was crazy stuff...didn't look fun though. Then we picked up Jack from the wonderful Emily who so graciously offered to watch him while we were at the hospital. Then it was lunch and back to appointments. Next was the social worker at Life With Cancer. She has to ok him to have the transplant by checking to see if I am sane enough to take care of him......Ha ha! Just kidding, but only slightly....she really does check to make sure he has a good enough support system to go through such a huge procedure. She was really nice and loved watching Jack bang on the table and jabber away. We figured if we brought him along, she wouldn't pay attention to us and then we would pass the test. :) And lastly, we went to our regular doctor's office so they could take 14 vials of blood from Tony to do a bunch of tests. He weighed himself before and after and he lost 0.8 pounds after the blood draw. Now that is a lot of blood. He is such a trooper to go through all of this. Best man I know!

Last night we carved pumpkins with the Hamiltons and the Andersons. It was very fun to get together with everyone, and Jack loved trying to eat the pumpkin innards. He just couldn't understand why he wasn't allowed to shove all the pumpkin seeds in his mouth. (Pictures of the actual pumpkins pending....They are not finished).....It's the experience that really counts, right?

This is our little monkey that we took trick-or-treating with some of the ward tonight. We decided this was warmer than the hulk and it was just hanging in his closet. Jack has gotten into this thing that when we get the camera out, he does his close-lipped fake smile. Not even 8 months old and he's already refusing to show off those awesome pearly whites. 

I had to share this picture. He is like "mom and dad...why are you torturing me?"

Storm Update

The storm did not hit us as hard as we thought it would. It was really windy and rainy last night and we lost power around 6:30. Jack was really good and did not have a meltdown due to the darkness. We were so proud. The lights came back on at 1 o'clock this morning. I know because we forgot to turn off all the switches so the house lit up. We have been very fortunate in this storm. New York and New Jersey did not fare as well. We are praying for them.

This is the view from our front door. Basically, the worst the storm did for us was cover everything in fall leaves. Again, we were very fortunate and grateful for our safety. 

Jack loves crepes....He is definitely a Lewis! :)

Today, I put Jack in his play room and went into the kitchen to make his breakfast solids. When I came back to get him, he was standing up, holding onto the window sill. I was so proud....and then I saw the plant on the floor. JACK! There was dirt everywhere! It is time to babyproof at the next level. His is getting really good at pulling himself up to standing, and he is working on sitting back down. He can get himself back down about 60% of the time. The other times, he just calls for help, and we remind him how to sit down safely. He is growing up too fast. What happened to the little boy that I could actually hold in my lap at church? I've already had to join the ranks of the mothers that chase their children during church. He wants to play on the ground, but then he tries to crawl away. One thing is for sure, this little man sure keeps us busy. We sure do love him!

Super Babies

 Jack was The Incredible Hulk for tonights Trunk-or-Treat. Isn't he so Hulky in this picture!

Here are the Botts and their Super Family! It was their idea to do Super Heroes. We totally copied them. Their trunk was a Captain Ameri-car. It was super cute.

This was our favorite trunk. Sharise did a Despicable Me trunk. She made a bunch of Minion cupcakes. Super cute and super creative. 

Here are our Super Babies. Jack is the Hulk and Walden is Spiderman. Believe it or not, Jack is 2 months older than little Walden, but Walden is already as big as Jack. Go Walden!

Here is our super family. Clark Kent (which he really is because he has blue eyes and black hair), bat..woman (I just stole Tony's shirt) and the Little Incredible Hulk. We had such a good time and were really impressed by our awesome ward.

Oh Shenandoah! I Love to See You!

We went to the beautiful Shenandoah National Park today with the Hamilton girls! Thanks Emily for taking us to such an amazing place. Skyline drive is just plain gorgeous.

This is just a brief example of the number of Ladybugs we saw today. I would say: take all the Ladybugs I have seen in my lifetime. Then multiply it by 10, and there would still be at least twice as many as that. It was crazy. They were everywhere! One even tried to make a home in Emily's ear. 

The scenery is ALMOST as wicked hot as this man!......almost. 

Our little character.

The colors and the sunlight were just perfect. It was actually in the high 70s today. It was the perfect day! And Jack was the perfect baby. He was so good all day!

You have to admit.....this little guy is pretty cute. He is such a character. 

My favorite of all the trees were the bright red ones. This picture doesn't even do it justice. I didn't know leaves could be so bright! I LOVE VIRGINIA!

Apples!!!!

We went apple picking today! (Well, actually, it was too late to actually pick them off the trees, but we sure did a good job picking them out of the crates!)

The farm also had pumpkins. We went with the Hamilton girls. Aren't they so adorable!

Jack claimed this pumpkin. Haha.

Jack was pretty good at picking the apples. The lady selling the apples said that York apples are good for making carmel apples. So we will definitely be making some carmel apples this year!

This was Jack's favorite apple....obviously...

Thank you Hartland Orchard for the delicious apples! (And putting up with our photo brigade!)

Making Faces

Jack just wanted to say hi to everybody!

A Day of Adventures

It was our last day with Shay here in DC, so we went and walked around the tidal basin. This waterfall is at the FDR memorial. Tony was quite proud of himself for capturing the plane in the picture. Good job Tony! We also especially loved this bright tree. It was the only one that had changed color and it is quite colorful!

The Tidal Basin is flooding! We were quite surprised when walking our normal path to discover that it was covered in water. I guess the last rain storm took it over the edge. It was several feet lower the last time we were there a month ago. (That is the Jefferson Memorial in the background).

This was at the Baltimore Aquarium. We drove out after the Tidal Basin to go to the $12 Friday after 5 deal with Colette and her mom. (and little Logan of course). This picture is in front of the Dolphin Tank. (You can see one dolphin in the background). They do a dolphin show that is really good. We learned quite a bit. An interesting thing about the aquarium is they don't allow strollers (so it doesn't get too crowded). So they hold your stroller for you and give you a backpack or a frontback to tote your baby around in. Colette and I were matching as we carried our boys around in the backpacks. 

Colette's mom was so super nice and bought the boys matching fish. They loved them! Now when they play together, they can both have a Nemo fish. These boys are destined to be best of friends. So fun!

White House Grounds and Presidential Sighting!

Jack is pretending to be the President!

So....the White House Grounds are open to the public 4 days out of the year, and thanks to Shay, we found out it was today. You have to go early though and get tickets (free). So we got up bright and early this morning and went with the Hamiltons. 

Here is the White House up close and personal. We have loved visiting with Shay and are excited about her mission call to Lima, Peru!

Yes...This is Barrack Obama! He was on his way to work (in the oval office). We watched him walk from the white house to the west wing. (Not a very long commute). He stopped a couple of times to wave, but this is the best picture we got. It was pretty cool to see him on his own turf. Literally! 

Here is the lot of us. (Minus Shay, she took the picture). We were so grateful to the Hamiltons for driving us in and then sharing this awesome adventure. Such an awesome, beautiful family! Thanks guys!

I have always wanted a picture in front of the White House with out having to look through the big black bars. I always felt like I was looking out of a jail cell. So now...we finally have a barless White House picture! Hooray!

Fun with Friends!

We were able to spend a little time with our Baltimore friends! Little Logan is 3 months older than Jack, and they played pretty well together. 

We couldn't get a picture with both boys looking.  

It looks like Logan is patting him on the head. "Good boy Jack!"

Got milk?

Tony's bone marrow biopsy went well yesterday. This time Dr. Orloff did it and he was very quick. That being said, it was still a very very painful ten minutes. This is the 3rd person that has done a biopsy on Tony and all 3 of them commented on his obvious milk-filled childhood. He has some very solid bones. (Good job Mamma Roring for making him drink milk). The needle was not bent this time, but we are sure that Tony helped to build Dr. Orloff's muscles at the very least! For those that don't know what a bone marrow biopsy is: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003934.htm

We found these pajamas at the thrift store this week. Pretty cute, eh? Jack loves them. He is finally getting over his allergies/cold and has begun sleeping through the night again. (Can I get a Hallelujah!) We also discovered that if we put him to bed by 7, he wakes up at least 3 times every night. If we wait until 8, he sleeps straight through until after 5, and then goes back to sleep until around 8. I am enjoying being able to stay in bed until 8.

Play Time with Jack

I took pictures while Jack was playing in his playroom and I just wanted to share a bunch with you! He is such a cute little guy! I'm glad he puts up with all my picture taking.

My blue eyed boy

Get out of my face mom! I'm on the phone!

23...24...25... Training for the olympics in push-up position! 

Open!

Closed! (He did this for a good five minutes. open and closed. open and closed)

Taking some time out to read. He looks so relaxed. 

I know I take too many pictures....but I'm over it. I love my little family and could never take enough pictures of my boys. I am the luckiest girl in the world.