Everything's OK

"Our pathologist has found that the lesion removed from your arm is benign.  There is no Cancer."

I got the call during a meeting at work and had to let it go to voicemail.  For the next hour all I could think about was listening to the message. 

Checking my messages after work was when I finally started to panic a bit.  "What if something IS wrong?"  I hadn't allowed myself to go there.  I just focused on the step-by-steps (doctor's appointment, surgery, waiting for the call) and never really thought about the "what ifs".  

I was SO thankful when I heard the message.  I sent Jacob a text, I called my mom... everything is ok.  I didn't screw something up by waiting so long to get the "thing" on my arm checked out.  I wasn't going to need to worry about more "next steps" (except getting the stitches out next week).

When the doctor told me a couple of weeks ago that this "thing" on my arm (that I've had for years) looked like it could be the beginning of cancer (though, not the "bad kind"... what, exactly is the "good" kind of cancer?) I put all of my fear aside and set things in motion.  I scheduled surgery and tried not to think about it for a week.  I laid on a table while they dug into me and cut out a chunk of my arm (and I didn't pass out!  That, in itself is another win!).  And then, for two days, I did my best not to think about the what ifs.

I never, ever want to have to do that again.

So What?

Linking up with Shannon for So What Wednesday!

This week I'm saying SO What if:

- I didn't post anything last week, which would have only been my second week in, I drove to work and, therefore, didn't get my "bus/me time".

- I'm ready for fall... only because I'm getting tired of my summer clothes and want to change things up a bit.

- On that note, I have been feeling an online shopping spree coming on. I "need" some new boots, work pants, and solid tees.  I may or may not wait for birthday money next month... ;)

- Last week we bought Emily a training potty. Not planning to start training yet, but I had a coupon and wanted to her one so she could start seeing it/getting comfortable with it.

- I insisted on getting a "new" training potty rather than picking one up at my fave consignment store. The thought of a used toilet just grosses me out.

16 Months!

Weight/Length- 24.5 lbs.... not sure how tall, but you can reach door knobs now, and that makes me a little nervous! =)

Eating- You're starting to turn your nose up at some foods that you used to love before... melons for instance.  And today it was hamburger.  So weird.

Teeth-Still 14... those lower canines are still holding out.

Sleep- Hasn't changed since last month.  Bed by about 8:00, up around 7:15 on weekdays and a bit later on the weekends.

 Clothes-We've been transitioning out all of your 12 month clothes for the 18 month ones.  A little big (wide), but you fill them out in length just fine.  You're gonna be a tall one, I fear.  =)

Personality- After the last few days I fear that the "Terrible Twos" is rearing it's ugly head.... but I hope that you've just been cranky and everything is going to be a-ok next week.  =)  Generally you are a happy, happy little girl.  And so loving.  I absolutely adore getting "hugs" and "kisses" from you.  =)

Likes/Dislikes-

• You love dancing... especially to "Royals" and "Pompeii".. lol... even caught you swaggering to The Shins the other day.  =)
• You like strawberries... especially right off the vine!  And you get a little cranky when there aren't any ripe ones for you!
• You love birds.  You have been chasing them around a lot more, and get really excited when you see one (like a chicken) up close!
• As before, you love the park, being outside, and playing with other kids.  You are a social butterfly!

•  You don't like laying down in the tub to get your hair washed.
• You don't like melons or hamburgers.... two things that you used to love before!

Milestones-

• We just transitioned you from your high chair to a booster chair at the dinner table.  Still sitting in high chairs when we go out, but you seem to like being at the table with us, and we get less of a mess on the floor at the end of the meal. lol
• You went camping for the 2nd time this month... and the first time for more than a night.  You loved it, and you were an awesome little camper (and slept wonderfully!)
• 75% of the time you can correctly identify your eye, ear, nose and mouth.
• Tonight you blew bubbles in the bath for the first time!
• You WALKED in your first Relay for Life.
• This morning at Grandma's house you walked up once step after another... one after the other... no bringing your feet together on a step before moving on.
• You've started hitting.  Not too excited about this milestone.  =P
• You spent THREE nights away from mom and dad... first time that it's been more than a single night.  Grandma and Grandpa loved having you hang out with them for a few days!
• You have started to "talk" into "phones"... and by phones, I mean anything black and square... include tv remote controls.  =)
• You can put your shoes on all by yourself!  (most of the time)
• You are able to follow basic directions now, and enjoy putting your toys (and other things) away.

 Words you can say:

• "Dad" (Sometimes "Da", sometimes "Dad", sometimes "Dada"... but I'm pretty sure that you're talking to him now, so I'm counting it).
• "Kitty" (sounds more like "key")
• "Bye" (you've said it a couple of times, but not regularly).
• "Shoe" (Sounds like a high pitched "shoooo")
• "Mama" (others have report that she says this... I've yet to hear it.  Go figure).
• "Two" (we say one, you say "two!")
• "Hi"  (gotten this one a couple of times)
• "Ball" (at least, we think that's what you're saying! lol) 
• While you aren't saying "yes" or "no" yet, you are making your opinion known with affirmative sounds and/or head nods.
• "Thank You"  (sometimes)
• Grandma says that you can say "bird" and "book"  =) 
• "Yeah"
• You're starting to get the "p" sound down and we're working on "help" and "up"
• I have FINALLY heard "Mama"!  =)
• You make the "L" sound when you try to say "Llama" (we read the Llama Llama books at bedtime a LOT. lol)

Who Wore It Best?

Striking similarities discovered while reading Em her bedtime story. ;)

So What?

I really want to blog more, but often don't have the time/energy to think of things to write about. I need prompts and schedules. So, I've decided to join a couple of link ups during the week and see how that goes (granted, i tried a 30 day blog challenge last year and didn't make it, so we'll see how this goes! Lol)

Today, for the first time, I'm linking up with Shannon for So What Wednesday!

This week I'm saying SO What if:

- Today is my three year wedding anniversary and the biggest plans I have for the day is a chiropractor appointment this evening.

- I'm writing this post on my phone because my commute to work is one of my few moments during the day that i get to myself.

- I've gotten kind of addicted to my smart phone, even though i didn't really want it in the first place.

- I get annoyed when my phone is not being as "smart" as I feel that it should.

- I'm wearing my wedding ring today for the first time in months. The stones keep falling out and i finally got tired of getting it fixed so i bought a replacement.

Relay for Life!

Didn't occur to me until just now that I never shared our adorable photos from the Eugene Relay for Life a few weeks back.  This was Emily's second Relay, but she was so young last year she slept through most of it.

This year, she couldn't wait to don her tie dye and put some laps on those little legs... and then chill out and cuddle with a teddy bear for awhile. lol

Camping at the Beach!

The beach is my happy place.  The calm, serenity of the Oregon coast has the power to make all of my stresses just float away.  When I was in high school I used to drive to the high school, sit on the bleachers at the soccer field, close my eyes and listen to the cars go by on the nearby road, pretending that I was listening to the ocean waves.  I used to take day trips with friends to Florence... even when it was raining and so windy that our umbrellas blew inside out... didn't matter.  I just wanted to touch the sand and hear the ocean.  =)

It's no surprise, really, that the beach, specifically the Oregon coast, has become such a part of my life and memories.  I was more than a little excited when I found out that the guy I was dating had parents with a beach house--may or may not have been a factor in my ultimate "yes".  ;)  (Love you J. lol)  Jacob proposed to me while on a beach trip, and, a year later we were married with our feet in the sand. 

P.S. Tomorrow is our 3-year anniversary!

I try to make it to the beach for a true "vacation" at least once a summer.  Back in 2010 we discovered Beachside State Park campground.  There are tons of campgrounds along the coast highway.  But, what I LOVE about this one is that it is on the WEST side of the highway... ie no walk and no road to cross.  The beach is, quite literally, steps from each campsite.  We camped there in 2010 and again in 2011.  In 2012 we had an infant, so decided to skip a year, but this last weekend we went back... with our daughter. 

It has been amazing to introduce my daughter to the things/places/people that I love and watch her explore and fall in love with them, too.  Plus, she's an awesome little camper.  Slept great in the pack and play in our tent even with all of the nose around her.  She also wasn't too interested in the campfire (which made me feel better!).  It was a great weekend.  And I can't wait to go back next year.  I even took an inventory of the campsites so I can make sure to get the "best one" next year.  =)

Good Morning!

Yummy breakfast to start the day.

Reading Daddy a "wake up" story

Got her her very own camp chair.  ;)

My family!  (I'm not a giant... just sitting closer to the camera. lol)

Have bucket, will play!

On our way home we stopped at the Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center.  A great (cheap) alternative to the aquarium!  Emily got to touch and explore all kinds of stuff!