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.
Hoping that you get some good news about the melanoma. It is really scary to hear about but at least you are having things checked regularly and getting the appropriate medical treatment which will hopefully hold you in good stead. Wishing you some good news on that front! I have only had basal cell skin cancer so far. But I go once a year to be checked and wear all appropriate clothing/sunscreen as much as possible.
Turning children into life-long readers is a powerful step. Good luck to you and sounds like you are doing a great job with your son!
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After being diagnosed with stage two Malignant Melanoma at the age of 30 (four years ago) I certainly know how you are feeling right now. Big hugs to you and take care! Keep seeing your doc. often and check yourself regularly. Sounds like you are doing everything right.
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hoping for only good news....hugs and prayers
peace
Kim
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My son is also starting to read books to us at night, instead of the other way around. It's so cool to see the light bulb go off when they learn to read. Also, my thoughts to you on the melanoma. My DH gets checked every 6 months. He has many moles on his stomach & back. He had 1 removed completely that was dyplastic (sp?) from his back. I also had myself checked in May: I'm fair skinned w/ freckles. So far, so good. Best wishes in your last weeks of pregnancy!
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Ali,
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Thank you for promoting early detection.
It is never too early to start. I am only 23, but have been having my skin checked for the past 5 years and have had tiny freckles removed that I didn't even notice before my doctor spotted them. I caught them incredibly early, which I am so thankful for.
I'll reiterate what Ali said and emphasize the importance of scheduling a yearly appointment with a dermatologist for a check up.
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i can only imagine the stress and anxiety you are feeling. and i'm sure with lots of questions. uncertainty always brings anxiety, but knowledge is power. in the meantime, i'll say some prayers for your health situation, Ali. (((HUGS)))
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Wishing you all the very best of luck Ali. And well done Simon on his reading and a great choice of book! It was the very first thing my son read to himself too.
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How cool that Simon is so intent on reading! An HOUR? Awesome. My oldest is a voracious reader, just like my husband and I. He usually finishes large novels within two days. My daughter, on the other hand, has a horribly difficult time reading. It is hard work for her, and so it's not enjoyable and she doesn't like to do it. =(
Ali, I'm wishing the very best for you with the melanoma. I hope they are able to remove all of it. You know we all think of you as a friend, so thank you for sharing this and please let us know how it goes.
Best,
Noell
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I have a link in my most recent post to your one word resolutions. I love it. I'm using simplify. And......I'm calling my dermatologist in a minute to make an appointment!!
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You are in my thoughts and prayers. I cannot imagine the fear and anxiety this brings about during what should be such a purely joyous time for you and your family with baby A's pending arrival.
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I will be praying. I hope everything is all ok very soon.
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from one blonde-haired, fair-skinned gal to another... good luck navigating the waters that lie ahead. you and your family (of almost FOUR!) will be added to our daily prayers.
sooo great to see simon hitting another milestone... we just got through the worst of potty training around here with our oldest son and it's so great to see that look of "I did it!!" in your child's eyes!
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How great will it be if Simon is a reader! Reading tops my list of favourite things to do (even beats scrapbooking!)
I'm sorry to hear about your melanoma.
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You're in my thoughts, Ali.
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Ali--I will be praying for you and have you in my thoughts. Keep us posted! :) Hugs to you and your family!
I also loved reading about Simon's love of reading. Isn't it neat how when they start to read that they just go by leaps and bounds?
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Will pray for you.
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I will be praying for you and your family.
Love to hear that Simon is reading the Dr. Seuss classics. I love those books.
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I am so happy my kids share my passion for reading, (although I don't read as often as I like to). My kids favorite Dr. Suess was In a People House and One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Later on my mom found HoneyBunny Funny Bunny with my dd loved.
I hope you get some alone time soon to prepare for baby e's arrival.
Our prayers are with you!
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I am praying for you and sending good thoughts your way. May you be able to "keep calm and carry on" as you wait to hear what the next steps will be.
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Hugs Ali
I'll be shooting some prayers up for you and your family.
I have a son who's almost a year younger than Simon, and I have fun anticipating some of the same experiences - like being there when he unlocks the reading puzzle.
Life is so amazing - the highs and lows and in betweens sometimes all come at the same time. Thanks for Celebrating Life, and sharing yours with us.
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I am praying for you.
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Sending lots of good thoughts out to you. It's been over 4 years since I first had that scary melanoma diagnosis. I hope the next steps go quickly. Your word for the year is a great one, don't forget to nurture yourself.
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Prayers and positive thoughts going out to you.
And YAY! for Simon!
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sending prayers Ali
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Love, Love, Love to hear about children "getting the reading bug", I have three children but only one of them is showing real signs of becoming a book worm like me. I have just finished my second book since the new year :) With my son who struggles with literature we take turns in reading pages or if he needs help I read along with him. Another thing our head mistress said is that it shouldn't just be books that you have your children read, shake it up a bit and instead of always sitting down with a book read the back of a cereal package, a leaflet from a magazine or even a recipe card. It helps teach them that words are all around us and that we can celebrate and enjoy them even without picking up a book. Best of luck with the Mole issue, I am covered in moles and I did have them checked a few years ago but the doctors here in the UK are not so easy to pin down to have a thorough check. My friend had a a concern and went three times to the doctor who kept telling her that it was nothing, she finally deminded to see a dermatologist and the mole turned out cancerous, scary. It has been something on my mind for a while perhaps that nagging voice has just been pushed into action by you, thank you!
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