I've been awake since 2:30am. Ashley had a headache and joined us in our bed. After an hour and a half of listening to James, Ashley and Ethan sleeping and having no luck joining them myself I decided to get up. Otherwise I'd just lie there and feel stressed. Coming out of the most exhausting first trimester of all my four pregnancies I thought I'd be coasting for the second trimester. Things have definitely improved, but evening nausea and uncomfortable bloating tend to leave we worn after already full days caring for our family.
I've been feeling irritable and frustrated at things l find myself leaving undone or half done. I'm craving more time for myself to engage in my interests or just to be alone and quiet. I made a start tonight and had a pleasant couple of hours at a local Diva Espresso, sipping a chai and sorting through photos for Ethan's baby album. It helped a little.
And then came my little dose of reality, thanks to Ashley's timely headache. If I hadn't gotten up at 4am and opened Facebook to catch up on what my circle of family and friends are up to I wouldn't have learned about Johan. My former sister-in-law's husband is battling renal cancer in Holland and hoping to come to the US for treatment. The cancer is aggressive, with a current prognosis of life expectancy at about 24 months. Insurance probably won't cover the expensive treatment that may save his life because it isn't available in Holland and thus requires traveling out of the country. A fundraising site was recently set up by six of Stephanie's friends and it's amazing. They have already reached their target. However, Johan and Stephanie are waiting for scans on February 24th and March 2nd to see if the cancer is slowing enough for the treatment in the US.
Johan has a weblog on the fundraising site. Stephanie started her own blog (here). Reading both has helped me catch up on all they have been going through since they found out about the cancer three days before New Year's. It certainly puts the discomforts of pregnancy and ups and downs of regular daily life into perspective. While Johan and Stephanie bravely battle cancer and contemplate death, I am at the other end of the spectrum creating life and nurturing growth.
Stephanie and Johan gave me a great gift tonight. They gave me inspiration and a stark reminder to appreciate my life. Here are some photos of good times from January and February.
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
Ethan enjoying his oranges. He LOVES clementines, both to play with and to eat.
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
Ashley and Caitlin enjoying Woodland Park Zoo
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
Ethan and Pauline in Anacortes
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
Caitlin feeding a Scottish Longhorn in Anacortes
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
James, Ashley and Caitlin playing in Anacortes
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
James enjoying the view with Darren in Anacortes (Caitlin having fun in the water, brrr!)
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
Sunrise from our new home
 |
| From 01 January 2010 |
James playing with Ashley and Caitlin
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Enjoying time with Grandma
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Ethan and Grandma having lunch at Picolino's in Ballard
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Ethan and Mum having lunch at Picolino's in Ballard
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Susan and Ethan and the magnificient view of Haystack Rock on Cannon Beach, Oregon
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Susan and Ethan
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Ethan's first encounter with sand
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Ashley looking adorable on Cannon Beach
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Caitlin, Ashley and Isabella having fun on the Beach
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Juliana and Caitlin having fun in the waves
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Caitlin, Rosemary, Isabella, Juliana and Ashley in the hotel's hot tub, Cannon Beach, Oregon
 |
| From 02 February 2010 |
Susan and Ethan playing in the hotel's heated pool, Cannon Beach, Oregon
And on a final note, we really miss not having Granddad here to enjoy the fun. Hopefully his visa will be sorted out soon.
