Baptism

We are baptizing Caleb this Sunday. A beautiful thing. Tim's family will be making the trek up for it this Saturday and staying overnight. Fun times will be had!

Caleb with Arend

How funny are these two?! Caleb is so laid back!

Congratulations

My friend Cari and her husband Steve just gave birth to their first son Simon Mark. What a beautiful baby he is! If there ever was a time when we wished we had lots of money laying around, now is it. I would LOVE to be in Jersey right now... They have little video clips posted on their blog, i keep replaying them. Babies are so precious. (My precious one is sleeping right now...) All of my precious ones are sleeping right now... what a nice thing!

Two and a half months in...

What a life! We are in the midst of diapers and spit-up, laundry and mopping, playing and doing homework. People are right... three children make life busy. But good. Just to recap the last month or so, Jeremiah has been increasingly helpful. Heloves to help with Caleb, 'babysitting' he calls it sometimes. Logan is also in love with Caleb, smothering him with kisses, and yes, a few pinches. Caleb has mastered the art of 'cooing' and is attempting to laugh - which makes the rest of us laugh even harder. And of course, brings about more kisses from Logan. Can I say it again? We are richly blessed. I love it - everything except the mess that I can't keep on top of. My mom mentioned a lifetime ago that once three came around, she never was able to get back to a clean house...it's clean now that kids are gone... I hope I don't have the same sentence. But, the mess is, right now, a small price to pay. Speaking of mess, we have a house to clean before Logan's birthday party tonight.
Logan's birthday party?! Can he already be three years old? What a beautiful kid. He was excited that this, the week of his birthday would include a Happy Birthday Hat (like Jeremiah gets at school) and a Happy Birthday Cake. He even brought Happy Birthday Treats to his bible school class (again, like Jeremiah does at school). It was just a joy to revel in his excitement.

My three boys...

Well, life is busy these days. Caleb is now close to three weeks old. We are getting used to him, as he is getting used to us. The big boys have been great with their little brother. Suddenly Jeremiah, almost five, seems to me to be a man. Helpful, reveling in the little jobs given him to care for his baby brother. It is amazing to see the way God is fashioning him into a young man. Our third child born, our first growing up. Wow. Logan also-seemed to gain ten pounds after holding Caleb's tiny body! And oh how he loves his baby 'Cay-web' -- hugging, kissing, weeping when Caleb can't be held... Beautiful children. We are blessed. Truly blessed.

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then I am beholding true beauty...
Caleb Allen Swiney
August 1, 2008
4:39 pm
7lb, 11oz
19.5" long
What a blessing

Potty Training

"Hey, that one looks like a camel!" Jeremiah, commenting on the appearance of Logan's 'poopies' in the big boy toilet. For the record, I could not pick out a camel in what I saw. I guess it takes a child's imagination.

First day with big boy undies for Logan. The day's end tally stands at: 3 wet undies, 3 sweat pants changes, 2 hilarious expressions on Logan's face as he realizes that peeing without a diaper makes him WET! 2 pairs of socks, 6 successful peepee attempts, innumerable reminders, and finally, one camel. A good start. What might tomorrow bring--lions?

Home again

After 6 days in the hospital, Mom returned home, feeling much better. She was diagnosed with pneumonia, but is on antibiotics & various breathing exercises to keep it under control. We are thankful that she is feeling so much better. We were in Chicago for two days last week, and though we did not see her, we were glad to know that she was feeling better.

Speaking of Chicago, we had a great time. Tim was there for business, so we met up with him at the hotel & played in the pool. Much fun! The boys are just a blast in the water. Jeremiah is a regular fish the way he swims (with his swimmy things). Logan is not quite as comfortable with the pool yet, but he likes splashing from the sidelines. We had a great winter get-a-way.

Mom

A few ups and a few downs the past couple days:
Mom's counts went up enough that she was able to return home on Friday. We were ecstatic, she was tired. By Friday night, she was not just tired, but was running a fever and experiencing an elevated heart rate. Late that evening, she went back into the hospital where she is now. We trust that she is exactly where she needs to be, that she is in good hands with the doctors. Apparently, these types of 'downturns' will be common until 100 days after her transplant (she is at 16 now). The road continues... But we remain hopeful, trusting that our God is in control.

Friends

Here (if I figure this website out) are some pictures of Jeremiah and Logan along with friends Owen and Eva Jeltema --Matt and Ellen's cute kids for those who are wondering. They are best of friends.


The third picture includes a massive pile of toys. Owen and Jeremiah took it upon themselves to build a fence to keep the younger kids out of one area of the nursery. Ellen & I thought it looked as complex as the Great Wall of China--we are glad no one was buried alive during the build. Note the circle hole at the bottom of the green play 'thing'... It is a rabbit hole: which the younger kids used to get through the fence. Great fun!

Ultrasound

We had our ultrasound last week. Jeremiah, as proud big brother, sat in on the whole 'procedure'. He said he could see the baby. We made it through the ultrasound without asking the taboo question: Is it a boy or a girl? Let me tell you, I had to bite my tongue! Baby number three's gender remains a secret--despite Uncle Jason's confidence in our 'ability' to produce a child with male anatomy. ;-)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Mom's counts went up to 5.9! In the transplant process, you are eligible to go home once the white blood cell count has gone up to 5. Her counts were as low as .9 for a while. So, the doctors have told her she can go home tomorrow! We of course have to wait and see if anything changes this, but this is great news regardless! This past weekend was really difficult on her physically, having gotten two different infections and feeling quite sick. So we are so thankful! And grateful to you all for your prayers!

A wonderful Visit...

Well, here we are in Chicago, at the University of Chicago Hospital. We are having a wonderful visit with Mom. She looks great, and as an answer to our prayers, the Dr.'s have been surprised / impressed that her side-effects are low. She has one sore on her mouth from the chemo, and has been tired. But hey, we will take that! Things could be SO much more difficult on her. We are thankful. It is such a blessing for Tim and I to be here with Mom & Dad. Her counts are still very low, but they hope this will change soon. And, hopefully then she will return home sooner than planned.
Well, as always, continue to pray: for her counts to go up, that her spirit remains up-beat.

Psalm 5

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.

2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.

4 You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence;
you hate all who do wrong.

6 You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men
the LORD abhors.

7 But I, by your great mercy,
will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down
toward your holy temple.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
because of my enemies—
make straight your way before me.

9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with destruction.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongue they speak deceit.

10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Lord God, how good it is to rest in your protection.

Big Day for Mom

Today the Dr.'s returned Mom's stem cells into her body. This is a huge step, one we have been waiting for a long time. We met this day with some trepidation, and yet a good deal of excitement, for this is what the whole process is about. Now we wait to see how her body responds. The upcoming week is critical - CRITICAL. Pray that her body stays free of infection, and that it receives the cells well. This week is also supposed to be one that leaves her feeling the worst yet. So pray that side effects to the chemo and transplant will be minimal & that she remains hopeful. Once again, feel free to visit her Caring Bridge website to see daily updates and such.

Chemo today

Tim is talking to his mom as I write this post. She was admitted yesterday, as planned, and received the big room that she had requested (it is a long month if you have a small room!) but is bummed at the boring/bland walls. So, we are sending her some artwork Jeremiah & Logan style. I am sure that soon she won't even be able to see those walls for all the cards and well wishes she will get.

She weathered her first chemo treatment well, with only a slight headache. Praise God for that. Dad is staying with her tonight (thanks to the big room this is possible). Her treatment will change tomorrow and then will remain the same for four days. Some of the family in Chicago are going crazy because they are sick, and so can not visit. Pray, Pray, Pray that Tim and I will be healthy for our scheduled trips to see her: March 12-13 & March 26-27.

Mom's Treatment

Mom goes into the hospital in two days. We are thankful for the time that she has had at home, feeling well. She has been able to do many of her favorite things: attending grandkid's ball games, going out for breakfast with Dad, grocery shopping (yeah, who ever thought that would be a favorite once your activities were limited?). We are so grateful that God is blessing her with these opportunities, in the 'eye of the storm' so to say.

Keep praying for her, and the rest of the family. As she embarks on this last leg of her fight, we just pray that we all have the emotional stamina and the endurance to run this race...that we continue to put all of our fears and doubts into the Lord's capable hands.

If you want to check out her progress journal, check out the Caring Bridge website just to the left of this post.

On a lighter note...

We are nearly 18 weeks along. I can feel the baby wriggling inside me. I get excited and just a little freaked out--can we handle three kids?? Too late to worry too much... We go in to the OB on March 11 for an ultrasound. Jeremiah wants to go along so that he can see his little brother or sister. And guess what? We are NOT going to find out the gender of this little one. Saving up the surprise for the big day.

Stem-cell update

So far, Tim's mom has been handling the stem cell transplant process well. She went through nearly a week of chemo with little side effects. Seemed upbeat the whole time. We have so much to be thankful for, that the process has been for the most part smooth. This past week she drove in to UIC four days in a row so that the DR.s could harvest her cells. We originally thought this would be extremely painful (remember the needle in the hip bone process people used to do). But, in fact, the cells were collected through a port already placed in her chest (just below the shoulder bone). So, although she had to lay in bed for hours at a time, she experienced little pain. She is recovering at home now, feeling tired. But, we are thankful that this stage wasn't more painful.

So, up next is a week "off", and then (on Feb 28) she will return to UIC, undergo chemo for 5 days and then have the stem-cells reintroduced to her body. This will be the most critical and most dangerous stage of the whole process. We are trying to prepare for the difficult weeks ahead. Tim plans to visit Mom three times during this last phase, driving down for the day twice, once staying over night. I will go with him on the overnight. It is hard for Tim to feel so far away during this time.

Continue to pray for her strength, both physical and emotional. Pray that her spirit is uplifted. Pray that the family will know when to surround her and when to give her space. Pray that we continue to find peace, and gratitude for the success thus far.

Update already

Her chemo will be administered to her 24 hours a day. Yuck! Keep her in your prayers.

Is It In The Water??

More babies. My sister, Jessie, and her hubbie Brad are pregnant! They are due around Jeremiah's 5th birthday. What a great present! My nephew Elijah is going to have TWO baby cousins to play with! Praise God for creating and sustaining life!

Mom's treatment

Well, Tim's mom made it into the hospital today for the first round of her bone marrow/stem cell transplant. Off to a bit of a rough start. She and Dad, with Tim's sisters, left the house at 7:00am. They would have gotten to the hospital roughly an hour after that. She did not get a room until well after 3:00 in the afternoon! Hopefully the rest of the stay will be better. For the next five days, she will be undergoing chemo for nearly 11 hours each day. Intense. Pray for her and the family that this difficult phase will be over quickly, that her body responds well to the chemo, and that her spirit and mind will be filled with peace.

baby baby baby

Two things:
One: Jason and Shannon had their baby! Elijah Jason was born Tuesday, January 15! We are so excited, it has been a LONG time in coming; and has been such a proof of God's unfailing faithfulness. Besides, he is SO cute!

Two: For those of you who didn't know yet, we are pregnant also! We are due on July 27. Perhaps a girl this time? We are already excited to see baby. I am not sure that Jeremiah and Logan will make it to July~they are bursting with excitement and plans already. Quote: "Mom, when the baby is born and needs a room, and needs the crib, Logan can sleep with me. I will move my pillow over so he can share this bed..." Jeremiah, bedtime, describing his willingness to sacrifice for baby.

Tim's Mom

After many months of questions and concerns, of fear and faith, Tim's mom is in remission! She received a phone call around Christmas day from her nurse to let her know that the cancer is gone. So, since her body has been without chemo for almost a month now, she is feeling great. I am posting a picture of her and dad at Christmas.
We visited her and the rest of the family in Chicago this weekend. It was wonderful to see her healthy and full of energy again. She will begin the next phase of her treatment, the bone-marrow transplant, next week. Pray for her as she takes on the next stage of the fight. It will be long and hard. But God is faithful. He has brought her this far, He will continue to carry her on.