What a whirlwind end to the year. Festivities and emotions were like snow flurries flitting on the wind.
Originally posted January 1, 2013
The completion of that final injection was, emotional, to say the least. We both knew it was coming and what it signified but there was nothing to prepare us for the enormous weight that lifted the moment that needle pulled out of B's flesh after the last delivery of medication. They were tears of thankfulness, of almost a state of disbelief that we had finally made it through the difficult 16 months, and a raw state of pure joy.
Currently, B is still slowly recovering his stamina and appetite but we were forewarned that it could be about two months before he is "back to himself". I still find myself reminding him to take it a day at a time and try not to overload the physical activities in one day, but for the most part he's really doing well. As a little celebratory gift, I gave him a 6 month membership/training to the San Diego Flyball team. It will be a great way to get him out with his dog, Dartanian, a Golden Retreiver. That should start up in just a couple of weeks now and will be a lot of fun.
The weekends and weeks following the completion of B's treatment were rather busy. The first weekend in December, we celebrated our 8th anniversary by enjoying an afternoon together. We did some light shopping and watched a guilty pleasure movie, Twlighlight: Breaking Dawn Part 2, in a 21+ theather. It was an amazing movie watching experience and well worth the extra money. We received seat-side service for appetizers, drinks, you name it (4 star menu!), and watched the movie in our plush leather electric reclining chairs. I think we were in agreement that it is the only way to go on a movie date from now on, especially since we Never go on dates anymore.
Second weekend in December brought a last minute invitation to join my parents' business on their Christmas cruise of San Diego Harbor. We got to visit with some good friends on the boat while enjoying the city skyline fully lit in its Christmas garb. After we finally got off the boat, there were a couple of delays on the water, B and I added time to our parking and strolled down to Seaport Village. We love the village and try to visit its shops when we are in the area. This time, B got an amazing Carlos Santana fedora hat from the hat shop and some sweet smelling pipe tabacco and a cigar from the Pirate's Cove tabbacco shop. It's been a while since we've just strolled hand in hand with no real destination. It was overall a very lovely evening even with the chilly breeze.
The social calendar began to really pick up the following weeks. Thursday night we had B's No More Needles Party at a local brewery to have a casual celebration with friends over a few pints. I made a few treats for the group and we even had a few surpise faces come offer B their congratulations. It was wonderful to see the happiness surrounding B through out the night, I'm so glad that it worked out to have the party. Then, that Saturday I helped with a fundraiser for a dog rescue that I am passionate about, Bowman's Canine Rescue and Training. The event went very smoothly and we even got to see one of our alumni stop by. That evening was B's work Christmas party. As always it was a splendid affair with a wide variety of tasty appetizers, drinks, entertainment and company. Thankfully, I have been taking advantage of my daily allowance of 300 mg of caffeine this pregnancy, otherwise I don't know how all of these events would have been possible! The following evening we watched the San Diego Parade of Lights from the shore of Coronado island. How uniquely San Diego to watch a Christmas parade that is held entirely on the water. :) Jasmine Loved the lights and the different blasts of music.
The rest of the days leading to the end of the year blur with spots of clarity. B took off the entire week of work leading up to Christmas (starting the day after the parade). My brother came into town from Virginia for 10 days (we took him to one of my favorite restaurants, Hacienda de Vega). And we joined my family at a "cabin" in Big Bear the weekend before Christmas. I say "cabin" because it was a huge house but had rustic charm so was classified as a cabin. We were walking distance from the slopes at Snow Summit which meant the boys spent most of the day, Friday, slicing into the side of the mountain on snowboards and skiis. I hiked over to watch them a little from the base of the runs by the lifts and introduced Jasmine to the snow for the first time (huge hit!). The next day was mostly filled with sledding excitement, lots of pictures, puzzles, hot chocolate, books and movies. An ideal day of relaxation... before the utter chaos of Sunday.
Sunday morning, Jasmine suffered a seizure. It was absolutely terrifying to see such a small body convulse. Especially, knowing I was powerless to do anything to help make it stop. Thankfully the Big Bear ER was very close by and they took excellent care of us. After we reached the point that they could do nothing further and needed to transfer, we decided to sign her out again medical advice and drove her down to Rady's Children Hospital in San Diego. There, we received the diagnosis of febrile seizure. A seizure that accompanies a fever of rapid increase, not necessarily an excessively high temperature (as I had previously thought). Needless to say, that was a very long and exhausting day. The following days Jasmine proceeded to get more sick with a nasty chesty cold/cough and on again, off again fever and ear infection.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day came and went. I received some thoughtful gifts, but mentally was not dialled in. Then I spent most of the week sick, spending two days in bed. I think that after all of the exhaustion my defenses weren't just low, they were gone.
Thankfully, we ended up ringing in the New Year with a great group of fun couples at a friend's house. Even though we weren't able to procure a babysitter. It was nice to be able to have a little relaxed fun around adults. It also didn't hurt that there was enjoy delicious food to feed an army ;)
Now, as I wind down on this first day of 2013, I know that this year will bring more change for our family. Baby Rose will be here before we know it. Birthdays will be had. Friendships will be lost, strengthened, and gained. But knowing that we face those changes as a family, together, with the power of the Spirit with us, it will be a good year.
Happy New Year.
Tell you child(ren) that you love them. Tell you partner that you love them.
Be thankful for what The Lord has given you.
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