Growing Up

Andi has been swinging in a big swing for a while, but she hasn't been picking out her own shoes for the playground until recently. How about those ruby reds?

Christian is six weeks old now. His face is starting to fill out and he's even giving us some sweet grins. For those of you that know my dad, tell me that second picture doesn't look a bit like Papa Joe. So cute!

And here's the big one we've been waiting for. Joshua left a tooth under the bed for the Tooth Fairy. He was so excited to find his very own dollar the next morning.

Fun Faces

With multiple snow days and a newborn around, we haven't gotten out of the house much. These are the sweet little faces I've been spending my days with.

That's a loose tooth everyone. Exciting times in the Kelley house.

Quick Recovery

Joshua went through his port removal like a champ. It was an early morning, but by 10 am, he was asking for pancakes and Doritos. He slept for several hours that afternoon and went to bed early, but he never complained of any pain. We are once again so proud of his bravery.

This major milestone now means that there will be no more ER visits if a fever comes and that there will be no more questions at swimming pool about the bump on his chest. Clearly, the first is a much bigger deal, but the second will be nice as well.

Here are a few photos from the day.

Michael and Joshua discussing why everyone is up at 5 am.

The last time for numbing cream on his chest. I teared up a bit here.

All done and enjoying a cherry coke Icee. Vandy knows how to do it right.

Here is Joshua giving Andi the stuffed animal the nurses had given him. According to Joshua he "too big" for it. Another tear, but for a much different reason.

Joshua's Surgery Tomorrow Morning

We've been chemo-free since late December. Tomorrow morning is sort of the final stage in Joshua's completion of his treatment as he's having a surgical procedure to remove the port from his chest.

When Joshua was first diagnosed with leukemia, one of the first things that happened was the insertion of the port. At least 3 times a month for the last 36 months, blood has been drawn and medicine given through it. It's attached to a ventricle in Joshua's heart and makes the taking of blood and receiving of medicine much, much easier.

Tomorrow it's getting taken out. And Joshua, for his part, is more nervous about this than any of the poison that's been put into his system over the last 3 years:

"They're going to do what to my chest?"

"With a knife?!?!?!"

Funny. But God willing, he doesn't need it any more.