Madelyn Jill: Last Two Weeks... In Images

I have been photographing a lot. More personal photography than I have done in years. That has felt good. Here are just a few...

WEEK OF APRIL 25

On Thursday of this week we surprised Madelyn with a quick trip home. It was unsanctioned by our Oncologist so we called it our "sneak home" visit. About every couple of days now she asks "Mommy, when can we sneak home again?"

Madelyn's school, San Juan Montessori, goes to Causland Park every day. We pulled into town in the middle of this outing. We stopped by for a hello. Here MJ is taking with her teacher, Miss Tina, and a couple friends.

Next thing on Madelyn's self detailed agenda, Gere-A-Deli for her Chicken Mango Penne. We had a lot of tulips blooming in our yard. I let the girls just pick, pick, pick to their hearts content as we weren't going to be there to enjoy them anyway. She brought a boutique of flowers for the Gere-A-Deli gang.

Soooo happy...

A trip home would not be complete without a visit with Madelyn's best buds. We visited the Rutz' clan and the Triple A's (Amber, Alaina and Avi Fowler) met us there. We also were able to get together with the Harrington's. Here Madelyn is playing with Amalie Rutz.

The kids all checking out the chicken coop / swing set in the Rutz' backyard.

Luke and Mathew Rutz know a lot about chickens. I was impressed.

On the way back to Seattle, we stopped at Tulip Town to say hi to Grandma Terry (who was working there) and see the tulip fields. Sophia drove to Seattle in her underwear. She was totally muddy from the knees down.

Madelyn and Grandma Terry, my Mom.

Sophia had to be convinced to get in the picture. She allowed this positioning... only.

Sisters having a serious chat back at the apartment.

We have been seeing a lot of my sister Jen and her two handsome devils, Soren and Wyatt. It is nice having them so close. Here we took the kids to the beach... but, ya, not such a fun idea after all. FREEZING... we ended up having our picnic in the middle of Jen's living room on a big blanket.

Wyatt.

Soren.

These boys are a serious riot; but so is their mother so they come by it naturally. Wyatt loves to talk about 2 inches from your face. He wants to make sure you are listening. It's hilarious.

Beautiful day playing outside the apartment.

Sophia absolutely insisted that we fix the sidewalk-chalk bunny. She went into the apartment got the tape and handed them to me. I told her that it wasn't going to work, but she was persistent. As all Mom's know, some things, even if illogical, are not worth the battle. Once I had taped it she said "see! fixed!" She was a happy little bunny. I realized I was the one that needed to redefine what "fixed" meant.

Madelyn is still drawing a lot. Often the same scene or object over and over again. The pictures sometimes incude an M (for Madelyn) and sometimes a MSPL (for Madelyn, Sophia, Peter, Lisa) and sometimes a MA (for Madelyn and Alaina).

Sophia post MAJOR fall, head first, down the cement stairs outside. I wonder if the shoes on the wrong feet had anything to do with it...

WEEK OF MAY 2nd

This was our first week of daily hospital visits for chemo. Prior to this, we had never been every single day. This is one of the reasons it is hard on MJ. So far her side effects have been tolerable, but going to the hospital every day is no fun. Staying accessed all week is no fun. She has been scared and worried, on and off, all week. I feel the same way.

So Madelyn and I had a henna party Sunday (the night before the big week started). After Sophia went to bed, the two of us sat down with the henna tatoos and decorated ourselves as warrior princesses for the big, long, hard week. We talked about her appointments, the sleepy room visit, about leaving her "pokey in" and how she felt. The tatoos caused quite a stir wherever she went in the hospital. She loved the attention. I got a lot of strange looks.

I tried to make the week fun with special little gifts, activities and food. Sophia and I brought MJ these Happy Birthday balloons. Well, let me be sure and clarify here.... The Dora balloon is Sophia's and the Princess balloon is Madelyn's. Don't get it mixed up or Sophia will set you straight. Ya, I know, it's not their birthday's but who cares.

Sitting together "reading." This day Madelyn had six hours of fluids and a chemo infusion.

Ashley came and spent this long hospital day with us. She was with Peter and Madelyn at the hospital in the morning and took Sophia for some fun in the afternoon while I did the grocery shopping.

Eating some fun cupcakes I brought.

She has been in amazing spirits all last week and this week. It is remarkable. Here she is giggling at Daddy and sister while playing outside at University Village... while I, yet again, went to the grocery store. The one down side to having an ultra veggie eater is you constantly need more vegetables. I am NOT complaining.

Another one of those beautiful days. Outside having a picnic. The balloons were an important accoutrement ala MJ and Phia.

Physical Therapy on Wednesday. She did great being accessed and still doing her exercises. Here she is on a stair stepper while at the same time shooting hoops with yarn balls.