3.5

Blake is officially three and a half today, the perfect opportunity to put down on paper all the great things about him! Blake went from being a toddler to a kid over night (I think it was the night of his third birthday...). Three has been full of questions, a little "push back" and lots of negotiations. Blake likes to negotiate everything. "Hey Blake, ten minutes until bedtime"..."no mom, how about five minutes". The challenges have been balanced by learning more about Blake's perspective on the world. I love hearing his interpretation of what is going on around him and what his likes and dislikes are and why. Blake has really taken an interest in getting himself dressed. I thought it would drive me nuts that he isn't always "put together" but I love the fact he can do something with out my help. Sure, some days he looks like he is being raised by the Olsen twins, but I might get to sit down and have a cup of coffee! He has also decided that when he has a girl playdate coming over he needs to put on a dress shirt. It's not always pressed or buttoned correctly, but he likes to dress up none the less. So far Blake aspires to attend "Washington" and be a husky (no coaching here Daddy) and he wants to be "a real basketball player or real football player". I'm just happy he loves preschool and gets along well with others :) Blake is still my sweet snuggler and I love him more than he will ever know.

GO Georgia!

The Pittman family is in purple today! (We've learned that purple is the cancer survival color.) So in honor of transplant day, which will actually be sometime very early on the 19th we are all in purple. Thank you to my new hero, Mr. Germany. His bone marrow is currently in route to Seattle. We don't know exactly who you are (yet) but THANK YOU! There are no words to describe how grateful we all are.

Everything is a wrestling match these days....

My Kids

There is no doubt it's been a long week and even longer weekend. We've been praying and visualizing good things for Georgia all week and this morning we listened to "Eye of the Tiger" and the "Rocky" theme song to send Georgia some good vibes for her last day of chemo (I had to wipe away a few tears during our dance party). I know she is going to be okay, but it's hard not to worry anyway....when it comes to worrying, I am an expert. My kids keep me distracted and even make me laugh now and again.

It's hard not to smile when you watch Lauren feeding herself. Sometimes it's just too much work to use your hands.

"so I got a little food on my face, what's the big deal?"

Then there is Blake. It's hard not to laugh when you are around Blake these days, I never know what is going to come out of his mouth. My favorite this week was after seeing a picture of Aaron Spelling's $150 million mansion Blake turned to me and asked "Mom is that Heaven?". After completely cracking up I thought I don't know, that might be Heaven!

Happy Travels

Today we had our last playdate (last U.S. playdate anyway :) with Ella. Blake and Ella met at Little Gym when we first moved to Bellevue. Since they met, she has been a friend that Blake constantly talks about and always has lots of affection for. It has been so fun to watch these two grow up over the last 2+ years. They would always hold hands and dance together at music class, they've been spotted running around Talus in their underwear together and there was even some naked slip n' sliding this past summer. Ella and her family are moving back to Canada, but we think it will be the perfect excuse for an international adventure. Happy travels Miles family, we will miss you!

Eight Months Old Today

Happy eight months baby girl! We have learned so much about Lauren this past month. She is right handed. Sometimes I don't even have to wipe off the left side of her highchair tray when she is done eating. Lauren is still our sweet and independent girl. She doesn't seem to be afraid of much and also has quite a bit of ambition....I am wondering how safe this combination is. So far she has a few bruises on her forehead. Lauren pulls up on everything and occasionally she'll try standing on her own. Physically she isn't ready to stand on her own, but evidently mentally she is. She immediately topples over and then tries again. Don't worry Lauren, I'm sure you'll get the hang of it in no time. Lauren also started "finger food". She was clearly bored with baby food so I tried giving her tiny pieces of banana, she was thrilled, clapping and all. She still prefers fruits to veggies, maybe this is why I craved sugar throughout my pregnancy?

PS - Chad keeps telling me Lauren does not have enough hair for a bow yet and it looks funny. I think he might be right...but I can't help myself :)

Clapping.....and wrestling

Lauren has mastered clapping recently. She claps when she likes her food or when her brother appears. It's pretty fun to see how excited she is with her new accomplishment.

In addition to mother, wife, cook, and chauffeur, you can add referee to my resume.

The Starting Line

Lauren and I met Alison and Georgia for a walk today while Blake was at school. We've been able to get together for a few walks, which is the best way to see Georgia while keeping her safe and healthy. We are careful not to touch her, but the girls get to see each other. We won't get to see Georgia in person again for a few months, but the next time we see her she will be well on her way to being healthy again.

I will never forget October 4th 2010, the day Alison called me to say "they said it's an infection or a tumor". My stomach hit the floor. Alison called me earlier that day on her way from her pediatrician to the ER at Children's thinking they were going in for an xray on a minor knee sprain. It seems like a lifetime ago. Georgia has undergone multiple surgeries, biopsies, chemotherapy, a zillion blood draws and countless other tests. And it is just now they approach the starting line. The Handsakers check back into Children's Hospital on the 9th. Part of me wants this process to get underway so G can be healthy again. Part of me is still wishing for a magic wand to appear and make all of this just go away.

Point Defiance

Chad and I had talked about taking the kids to Pt. Defiance Park all summer, but we didn't get around to it until January. So despite the freezing cold temperatures, we packed up and headed to Tacoma. We hiked a little, took Lauren for her first trip in the backpack (she's all ready for Montana Grammy & Grandpa :) and we had a fun lunch right on the water.

Happy New Year

2011 is going to be a good year. We were so excited to get things started, we decided to ring in the new year at noon rather than midnight :)