Let's be Mermaids

So excited to be at the pool after many, many months of waiting.












Swimming by myself with only the life jacket. It didn't take too long to get comfortable in the water again.



Taking refuge in the gazebo during the short rainfall. Then it was back into the pool.


I went underwater when I decided to be a mermaid, and stepped down to swim I had forgotten that I had taken off my life jacket. Mommy quickly got me, and I dried off, put my life jacket on, and swam like a mermaid.

Children's Miracle Network Spot Featuring Elizabeth

Elizabeth will also be on the Sparrow Telethon Saturday, June 1, 2013 between 12:00 and 1:00 pm (EDT).

"My long, long hair"

Up and about

This morning E was feeling a bit better and wanted to go for a ride in her car. Sporting her new slipper socks we went for a trip down the hall and back. This car even has an electric horn for her to play with and a trunk to store blankies and treasures.

For a Day

Yesterday was a nice day at the hospital filled with cheese sticks, tortilla chips, movies (101 Dalmatians is Elizabeth's favorite right now), playroom time, a play date, and then a special visit and surprises.

Some people from the For a Day Foundation came to make Elizabeth a Princess for the Day.  She received slippers, a book, a little stuffed dog (with black spots like a dalmatian), a blanket, a few stickers from the police officer, bracelets, a ring, a boa, and of course every princess needs a tiara.  Elizabeth loved the surprises.  She wasn't feeling like wearing them except the slippers for a bit, but just enjoyed holding them on her lap for a bit.  I look forward to playing dress up with my princess when she feels up to it.  Last night we enjoyed snuggling with the blanket while reading the book for bedtime.

Princess Day

side effects

overeating | mood swings | twitching shoulders | puffy cheeks | headache | red hands | constipation | irritability | personality changes | difficulty sleeping | weight gain | muscle weakness | joint pain | hair loss | red cheeks | shaky hands | fatigue

Cheese stick

E loves her cheese sticks, after gobbling two down this morning I was able to get a smile and picture by saying "cheeeseeee stick!"





It is amazing how fast her hair has fallen out since Saturday. There are still a few long hairs left, but her head is pretty much like a newborn and her scalp is very soft.





We just traded pillows and hope to get a nap in.

Hospital Again

Tonight is a difficult night for Miss Elizabeth. This her second hospitalization since Thursday. On Saturday her hair started to fall out very fast, she now has only a few long strands left. Her checks are puffy from taking decadron last week and she is in a lot of pain (a side effect of the medicine she's been given). Right now she is screaming owwwwiiiiiiiiieeee and is doing the best she can to be brave. Earlier today when they had to access her port for the second time today she did a great job helping by lifting up her shirt and keeping her chin up. She really wants to go home. Elizabeth could really use your thoughts and prayers as she walks this difficult path during this phase of chemo.





She loves her Sacramento State shirt! This picture was taken a few days ago.

Working it

"Honey, you look tired, were you up last night with Elizabeth?"

"Yes, three times."

"No way, I was up four times with her, see here are the wrappers from the cheese sticks I took off for her last night"


E is super smart and very active at night lately. She knew that she could use a cold cheese stick to wake me up. It is really fun to see her sneak out to raid the fridge at night.

44 Months | 3 Years 8 Months

Height | 37.48 inches

Weight | 33.8 pounds

grandma's jam on toast | swinging | playing chase | delayed intensification phase of treatment | spider swinging with mommy | interview with a news anchor | jump on the bed | walks in the stroller | picking 'yellow flowers' | bappa & grandma come visit | tulip festival | climb a tree | beach | pig's dinner of ice cream | losing hair | tortilla chips | pink | fancy nancy | jack & the beanstalk | stickers | decadron | parks | red tea | hungry | peacock swinging | the 'little ones' | mommy's girl

Interview

Today we got interviewed by Lauren Evans from WILX at Elizabeth's favorite park about our experience with her diagnosis. When asked how the diagnosis has affected our family, I told Lauren that it has been difficult, but it has made our family bigger. We are so grateful for the love and support of our family an friends!
E loves to swing on the swings with her mommy.

Tulip festival in Holland, MI

Ludington

After Graduation we took a road trip to Ludington, where Daddy served 7 and 1/2 months of his mission. Bapa and Grandma were out visiting and enjoyed going to see the Lake and many of the great sights in western Michigan.

Picking up drawing sticks for everyone to use to draw in the sand at Ludington State Park.




Driving with Bapa and Grandma.




Using Mommy's camera on the beach.




Not a Baldus family hike without an alleged ice cream store at the top of the mountain or glacier. In this case we found House of Flavors and enjoyed a great "Pig's Dinner".