New Beginnings

August has been quite a month for the Zapatas.  It started off still “stuck” in hospital mode.  I went through a really hard emotional time afterward, but have thankfully moved out of that… with God’s help. 

The last couple of weeks have been a joyous time of normal life for us.  I have heard that the number “8” symbolizes new beginnings and that’s what the end of this month has felt like. 

It started with the realization that Luca is starting Kindergarten!  I can’t believe how it has snuck up on us.  We prayed through the options and have decided to teach Luca at home this year, starting tomorrow.  Wow!  It’s a big deal to have your oldest child start Kindergarten.  We are so excited about entering this new phase with him.  He has already started teaching himself to read and is eagerly looking through all of his school books.  Hopefully, the enthusiasm will continue for both Luca and myself.

Two weeks ago, I decided to attempt potty training Josiah again.  We started on a Tuesday with his little potty and a chart that he could put fish stickers on whenever he tried to go.  He started filling up that chart really quickly.  We had to go to Target after 48 hours to let him pick out a Dollar Spot toy because he had filled up half of his chart.  It was amazing to have him wake up dry after his naps… and after bedtime!  Within a week, he was completely trained through the day AND night, with less than 6 accidents.  Tony and I are so proud of him and so thankful that it went quickly and smoothly.  Josiah has moved into a new stage of confidence and playfulness.  What a sweet, wonderful thing to watch.

In the midst of his potty training, my mom got to come out for a visit over Anastasia’s first birthday.  It had been almost 6 months since we had gotten to see her, so it was wonderful to have her come out to help us celebrate our little girl.  Yes, Anastasia is now one and almost completely weaned!  That’s so hard to believe in a way.  I think back on her year of life and am amazed at all that our family has gone through.  Thankfully, I have been able to treasure her infancy within the depths of my heart (and through photos).  It is a tremendous blessing to not feel like I’ve lost the year with her.  She is such a precious little doll that is developing her own personality, vibrancy and sense of humor.  

We had a wonderful garden party in her honor at our friends’ house.  Anastasia enjoyed her cake and then really enjoyed opening her presents.  Most of them were in gift bags.  She would take the paper out and peer inside.  Once she saw the gift, she would look up at us with big eyes, a big smile and then almost dive into the bag trying to pull out the gift.  It was so fun to see her point, touch, kiss, hug and “try on” the gifts that people brought for her.

The following day, we had the honor of dedicating her back to God in church.  We were humbled to be a part of the actual sermon, which was on 1 Corinthians 13.  That was the same passage that was used during our wedding.  It was amazing how God orchestrated it all to encourage Tony & me… and hopefully the others that were in attendance that morning.  Love truly does endure.

We’re going on three weeks without visiting the hospital.  Josiah has an appointment with the oncologist this coming Thursday.  It will be the first time Josiah has seen him since the hospital stay at the beginning of the month.  They have scheduled a CT scan for October 23^rd.  So, there is obviously no extreme concern for Josiah’s health at this point since we’ve moved into monitoring mode.  I told a friend yesterday that we haven’t heard the “he’s in remission” speech, but we are saying and believing that he has been healed.  That’s way better than remission.

Here’s to August 2009: the “end” of Josiah’s battle with cancer, the beginning of Luca’s school adventure, one less child in diapers, one more child weaned and walking… the beginning of a new season filled with hope, joy, thankfulness, peace and lots and lots of love.

The ball has started rolling again.

I look forward to the day when I can write on here about the funny thing Luca said or the sweet face that Anastasia made or the fun that Josiah is having… and nothing about cancer or tumors or tests.  Of course, today is not the day.

I got a call this morning from the oncologist with the next step in their plan for Josiah.  He commented on how yesterday was a busy day for them with all of the conference calls and meetings they were having to determine what course of action to take.  At this point, they have determined that they don’t want to give him more chemo if it isn’t necessary (which I TOTALLY agree with).  So, they have scheduled to do a PET Scan of Josiah’s lungs on the morning of August 7th.  From what I have heard, a PET Scan will show what tissues are active/breathing/processing sugars.  In essence, it will tell them if any of the tissue mass is still viable and alive.  If anything shows up, they can then do a biopsy of those tumors and get an official pathology report which would help them treat it more specifically.

Needless to say, I like the idea of this plan.  We are so thankful that the doctors seem to be taking their time and are really being careful with what steps they take.  It also shows that they aren’t overly concerned with Josiah’s state of being.  (The surgeon yesterday kept commenting on how good Josiah looked.)  In the meantime, we are also looking into some natural/holistic therapies to help Josiah’s body work the way God intended.  Please pray for continued clarity, wisdom and understanding for us and the doctors.  

Thankfully, in the midst of the hospital things, Luca still comes up with some humdingers, Anastasia snuggles & growls like a little kitten and Josiah has moments of pure silliness and laughter.  Those are the moments that I relish in… even if it means that they aren’t sleeping at nap time.  ;-)

Votes in…

Well, we decided on the photo with Anastasia & her bunny.  That one & the one with her in the green chair were top, but Tony liked the bunny one best.  Since he’s the Papi & since it was all his idea, I figured we’d go with his choice.

Then, I about wanted to scream trying to get the photo resized so that I could enter online.  I finally gave up last night, especially after I corrupted the file in my iPhoto.  Aaarrrrggghhhhh!  So, today I went in to an email I sent & downloaded it back for myself.  Insane the things I’ll go through to get it done… and how it totally sidetracks me from doing anything else.

I got Anastasia entered into the contest and then it led me to this link – http://www.parenting.com/article/Baby/Activities/BabytalkGMA-Cover-Contest-Photo-Galleries-2009 – just a “few” competitors.  HA!  Of course, most people think they have the Cutest Baby.  So, it’ll be interesting to see if anything happens.  Really not counting on it, but we’ll know for sure by June 16th.

Thanks to those who voted.

Cutest kid?

Tony has suggested that we enter Anastasia into BabyTalk magazine’s Cutest Kid contest.  I agree, of course, but now I’m having trouble deciding which picture to send in.  If you are so inclined, I’d love to hear your opinion.  Thanks!