Saturday, October 31, 2009

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. - - - Shakespeare "Macbeth"








I decided to head back into the archives once again and read my post from this day last year.The day Zoey began chemo.Feel free to click back here and read if you weren't with us at the beginning of the leukemia journey.Kind of long but not too bad.I think it is important for me to re-visit those days every once in awhile.Necessary pause so I never, ever take for granted the place we are in this moment.I do remember how exhausted I was.How I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized the person staring back at me.Huge circle under my eyes.Huge.I remember also,by months end, I had what we came to refer to as the "4th floor diet"look.You know,the one where nothing with any substantial nourishment has touched your lips in ages and you are functioning on coffee and coffee alone.Or in my case ... hot chocolate.I think I lost over five pounds that month.Not to worry.By the end of round 6,as we became veterans on the 4th,I had more then packed on that 6 ... and then some.

So I go from a trip down chemo memory lane to,today.I didn't have all my loves under one roof this year either but at least one was not in the hospital.Caitlin and Danny and Taylor were enjoying each other in San Diego.Do you see my little grandbaby?Is she not just so darling and I especially think it's cute that she HATED her costume!What struck me also,when Caitlin sent these to me, was that Zoey was at least 3 times Charlie's age before she could sit in a Bumbo ... Charlie is just short of 4 months old !!

We went to our good friends Bill and Geralyn's annual Halloween Party from about 2-6.A great time was had by all and we loaded the kids up with some pre-trick or treating sugar.I remember last year,distinctively,that Zoey was really off a bit that day.Nothing I could put my finger on.I just thought she was coming down with something.Yeah,right,"something"

We then headed home and began the Halloween festivities.Lit the pumpkins and lanterns and the rest of the crew,minus Zoey and much to her dismay,went out trick or treating.An hour and 15 later they were back and the boys were digging for yet another dose of sugar.Then showers,books,bed and all are sound asleep on this all Hallows' Eve.Far,Far cry from last year and tonight,as I placed Zoey in her crib I once again, for the hundredth time,at a minimum,told her how absolutely proud of her I am.She gave me a cute little Zoey grin,we signed "I love you" to each other and with that another Halloween comes to a close.

19 comments:

Junior said...

Great costumes, looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Happy Halloween

Cheri said...

It's funny, the first thing I thought when I saw these pictures, was "wow, Charlie is sitting in a bumbo already!!" What a cutie she is!!!!

...and happy one year later!!!! :) I am SO glad this halloween looked worlds different then lasts!

Emma said...

I've got a peedie question - in some pictures you can see some words on the wall, there's "forever" and possibly "family". I'm curious to know what the whole thing says?

Googsmom said...

Charlie is getting so big!! {{{{BIG GIANT HUGS}}}}

Unknown said...

Happy one year later my friend. I have reflected on 'us' a year ago...P was home attached to a PICC line, with heavy antibiotics streaming through her tiny veins every few hours, we had halloween without her too. Its good to be 'one year later'...our girls home, healthy and happy. The boys are adorable...look very similar to mine this Halloween :) I'll post photos later! :) Charlie is beautiful! Love you mydear friend!

Lacey said...

Happy Halloween. Everyone looks great. Tanner is loving the transformers of course!

Stephanie said...

You all look wonderful. And Charlie, oh my goodness, she's perfect.
I'm so happy that this Halloween brought with it new and healthy memories.

blogzilly said...

I think it's interesting to reflect back a year ago today, on whatever day, during all of our journeys. I remember how happy everybody was a year ago, and how much fun we had. Next year, I'll look back at some of this weekend and I hope I'll be able to say...wow, you were really over-reacting to this whole thing. Hope so.

I see some folks are into Transformers. :)

Anna said...

Heather, So tell us or show us whats on the wall.... looks very inspiring. Next I couldnt believe grandbaby..... in a bumbo! She is just getting cuter and cuter. Another question, since Im on a roll. You linked the tu-tu that Zoe is wearing. I went there and couldnt find it on her blog. Our "little G" may need one when she gets home..... {hugs} what a difference a year makes!

Kele said...

Everyone looks so cute~ Loads of fun it looks like. Charlie is adorable, as is everyone... and as always Zoey is precious!

Reagan Leigh said...

Cute pics! I sent you an email...check your junk folder!

Scrappy quilter said...

Looks like everyone had a blast. Boy has Charlie grown...where has the time gone. And cute to boot!!

Tish said...

I love this post, Heather. I started an email to you about 5 minutes ago asking, "How are things going with the Needhams? But then I scrapped the idea of emailing you and I hopped onto your blog. And sure enough, I got just what I wanted here on My Zoey's site. :)

Thank you for sharing this beautiful update.

Becky said...

I came upon your site from Gavin's. What a beautiful daughter you have. :) What an incredible journey you've experienced together. It is SO nice to meet you! :)

heidi marie said...

i love seeing all the smiles in your pics now!!!! so glad everyone is safe and healthy at last. and in regards to your comment on my blog- you are too funny. and i did have miss zoey in mind when i made the leukemia blanket. my son isn't my only inspiration. :) you can find all the stuff i sell at SwaddledinAwareness.etsy.com. there is also sidebar banner you can click on, that are on my blog! glad you had a wonderful halloween. i love the little tutus they have for little girls. you see them everywhere and they are just adorable!

Jennifer Ortiz said...

Oh what sweet pictures!!!! Love them

Anonymous said...

Love the grin on Charlie's face holding the pumpkin...So cute

Great photos

Bluebelle

Anonymous said...

Love the photos and the retrospective. Barbara

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