A Candler Catch-Up

Had to take a little snack break.

The sun was a little bright for her eyes.

Anna Katherine and Dad

Give up?

All gifts from my patients.  I went back to work this week and have been thinking in the past few weeks about my mixed emotions of going back.  I sure loved being home with AK but I also missed my sweet patients.  There's an ACS commercial that says something to the effect of cancer doesn't discriminate.  It doesn't, our patients go from prisoners and homeless to physicians and political figures.  Each have their own way of wanting to show their appreciation.  Here are some brief explanations about each of the gifts.

Socks, neon socks - This lady wore the cutest little socks every day for her treatments and I usually had on some print and we would compare so on her last day she went and found cute socks for me to wear after she finished treatment :)

Story - This patient writes short stories for pleasure so he wrote a short story about his experience entitled, "Radiation, What's that?".  The story has all of us as characters, lol. 

Scarf - Not just any scarf, it's handmade and warm and beautiful.

Baby washcloths (and onesies and mittens) - A sweet baby gift for Anna Katherine, love this lady. 

Angel painting - Yep, she painted that for me!  It sits right in my guest room.  I got an angel and Marshaun got a guy in a tuxedo leaning against a light pole.

Signed book - This patient was a teacher and had the opportunity to meet John Grisham when he spoke to her class about writing.  She had a book signed for us and gave it to us at the end of her treatment. 

Then of course there are the items I can't take pictures of... Gigi's cupcakes, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, Magic Muffins, Barbeque lunches, cakes, cookies and the list goes on.  I love learning about these patients, their stories and do my best to give them the best treatment possible.  Work isn't always a bed of roses, I don't think anybody has a job like that but for the most part I enjoy what I do and would miss it if I didn't go back. 

With that said, I was pretty exhausted last week.  It was a huge adjustment but I think I'm getting back into the swing of it all and next week will be better. 

Clay (Rachael came, too but for some reason I don't have a pic!!)

The Best Neighbor in the World, Mollie!

Grandma and PawPaw

Gran and Pops

Aunt Jennifer - she's expecting my 2nd nephew in April! :)

Her great grandparents, Granny Girl and Pap

4 Generations

Jenni and Amy in the hospital

Dr Dumas at work one day, I love AK in this pic!

Our first family picture of three on Dec 13, 2011.

Thanks to Aunt Lisa for the cute door hanger, lots of compliments from the nurses :)

Anna Katherine and Mom

Proud new Daddy

All packed and ready to head home from the hospital.

One of our favorites.

About 2 AM Monday night (as I'm writing this it would be 2 weeks ago tonight) Anna Katherine decided to make her appearance about 3 weeks early.  Were we prepared?  Not really.  Surprised?  Very much.  Excited? Yep.  Nervous?  Like you wouldn't believe.  That Sunday and Monday I had apparently been nesting and had no idea.  I even told Mollie that these Braxton Hicks contractions were getting to be ridiculous - ha, not Braxton Hicks... oops!  When my water broke, I thought surely not and it literally took me about 15 minutes to realize we were really going to have a baby by the end of the next day.  Wow, our has life changed and we love it - every single minute of it, even the sleep deprivation.  She is so perfect and we are learning lots and lots about her every day.  Each time I look at her, I think "goodness, you're big and you're supposed to still be inside my belly until Jan 9!!"  She would have been a big baby and I would have been an uncomfortable, exhausted Mommy.  I'm so glad to have my skinny feet back, along with the best Christmas present ever.  Welcome to the world, Anna Katherine! :)

And a close up for good measure.

Barbara, my great aunt, gave AK this beautiful bear that just looks so angelic in there :)

Side note - If you haven't already guessed, I'm not going to be finishing the photo challenge.  Just too much going on around here lately!