Capture, savor, and celebrate right now.
After a few weeks of having all three of us here together Chris is back to meetings (the new legislative session begins next week) and Simon has one more day off school today (it's a "professional development/planning day"). I am ready for a bit of "alone" time around here to get some more work done before the baby actually arrives.
I finished cleaning up, clearing out, and reorganizing Simon's room yesterday. One of the things that was most fun was having him rediscover toys he has not played with for awhile that still bring him entertainment and joy. I am glad to have that entire project completed and can move on to my list for the baby room (thanks for all those kind words on the sneak peek).
One of my favorite things over the past couple of weeks is that Simon has really gotten into reading. REAL reading on his own.
Our normal routine is to read a book to him each evening before going to sleep of his choice (we intervene or make suggestions depending on how late or early it is). One night last week he picked Green Eggs & Ham, climbed up on his bed, sat criss-cross, and told Chris he wanted to read it that night.
It took over an hour for Simon to read Green Eggs & Ham the first evening.
After the excitement (and a bit of fatigue all around) Chris had the brilliant idea to come up with a simple way to track the books he reads all by himself: each time he finishes a book he can add it to a list we are keeping on a bulletin board in his bedroom. That in and of itself was enough of a motivator for him to get down to business and it has been working like a charm for the last week.
The next night he read Robert the Rose Horse.
Tonight he fell asleep while Chris was reading to him. He had spent part of his afternoon reading Green Eggs & Ham (on his own on the couch) and starting on Horton Hears A Who.
I so hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime love of reading.
In addition, I would like to ask for your prayers and positive thoughts. Many of you know that I have had a bunch of moles removed over the last year and a half (actually more than 20 since August 2007). This past week I received some results indicating that the most recent one I had removed from my upper chest area is stage one melanoma (this is more serious on the spectrum than the melanoma I had removed in the past which was only on the surface of the skin). I should be getting more information this week as to what the next steps are in this situation.
Consider this your friendly reminder to have your own skin checked by a dermatologist if you have any suspicions or conerns.
Ali, you will be in my prayers, of course. My 81 year old Dad had 2 stage 1 melanomas removed from his neck last spring. He is fine. Other than removing them, he didn't even have to have any other treatment. Let's hope you have nothing to worry about either.
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Loved the story about the beginnings of a lifelong reader. How sweet his dedication. He will love reading after he learns all the magic of Dr. Seuss. When he's ready, please consider for him: Dr. S' Scrambled Eggs Super (ala Peter T. Hooper).
Prayers and sending healing vibes your way, plus extra doses of peace and love and patience as you go through the waiting. My dad had S1 melanoma and he is now doing well after treatment (Thank You, God). Please make it a friendly reminder that EVERYBODY (please busy women!) should go to a dermo for an extensive check (even before they see something) -- his was behind an ear where he could NOT see it--a doctor knows all the areas to check (even between toes). Once they have a baseline, too, they will educate you on checking the right places, etc. Now, go take care of yourselves! --From a Chiding Friend
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Positive thoughts and prayers go out to you... I hope this is nothing serious. :S
Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS to Simon on his independent reading! What a wonderful accomplishment this is!
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Ali, A suggestion from a first grade teacher:) Have Simon read one page and you or Chris read the facing page. It makes the story go a bit quicker and nodels fluency at the same time. Happy Reading and Prayers sent your way.
Tammy in Eustis
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You are in my thoughts...
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It's so exciting to hear about Simon reading. What a great moment for you.
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Positive healthy thoughts coming your way! Anat
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Hi Ali,
I'm sorry to hear about your melanoma diagnosis. I too can understand and totally relate to your concern. I was diagnosed at the end of August with stage II melanoma. It was still caught early as it measured 1.2 mm. Because it was over one mm. I had to have a wide local excision on the back of my thigh and one lymph node removed from my groin area. The prognosis was good as it had not spread and the tissue and node that was removed tested negative. I have to follow up with my dermatalogist every six months for a head to toe skin check. The waiting and not knowing was the worst part. It was really scary. My best advice is to be sure that your dermatalogist sends you to a clinic that specializes in melanoma. My doctor did not send me to our local hospital which is a very good hospital; she sent me to the University of Michigan Melanoma Clinic. It sounds like you caught it fairly early if it is still stage one, so that is a good sign. My prayers go out to you because I've been where you are at very recently.
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Praying for you Ali. Kim
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Sending hugs and prayers your way, Ali. Please keep us posted. We care!
Great news on Simon's reading! My favorite is "The Sleep Book". I still look at it every now and then, and my kids are 9 and almost 13!
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You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us updated.
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My family will keep you in our prayers Ali. Prayer is a powerful resource and you have quite alot coming your way! Hang in there!
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Prayers said. Wishing you well Ali.
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Positive thoughts coming your way.
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Thinking of you!
Love the pic of Simon!
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My prayers are with you. God IS able.
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You will definitely be in my thoughts Ali -- I had five moles removed last year as well. Everything was OK, but it is a stressful thing and having parts (even small ones) of your body removed is scary. I'm glad you have so many positive things to focus on right now, and I hope you enjoy your alone time when you get it!
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I wish the best outcome for you Ali....
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you....
I'm a six year survivor of stage 3 malignant melanoma....
Since my initial major surgery I have had more moles removed then I can count....
Big Hugs to you and your family....
Dedra
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Prayer for you! I'm sorry you are having to go through this but try to focus on the positives right now.
Sounds like Simon and his reading is a huge positive. Way to go Simon!
Happy 'Alone' time tomorrow Ali!
Sue
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simon. reading. is super fun.
and i will pray for you. for healing. and for your family. and the doctors, too.
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Sending healing vibes your way. My girlfriend has been in the same situation, with a mole right in the center of her chest at the collar bone. She had it "dug out" (sorry, her words, not mine) two years ago and she's just fine!! keep up those regular visits!
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i'll be remembering you in my prayers....
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Hugs and healing prayers Ali! I hope everything turns out ok.
Congrats to Simon on all the reading. Sometimes my son (who is the same age) take turns reading a page. Or if it is a book like "Frog & Toad are Friends" one of us reads all the things Frog says and the other reads everything Toad says. Lots of fun! Reading is a lifelong love, so I'm glad to hear that Simon is getting into it! XX's
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Hugs n prayers with you!!!!
XOXO
sara
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Sending you huge hugs and wishes. My prayers go out to you and yours...
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I'll be thinking of you Ali and hoping all is well. Great to see Simon developing a love of reading :)
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