The only connection I have to the Gentry family is through my message board. Susan has a little girl Lauren who was also born in November 2005 and two older children, Nathan (7) and Julia (5). Nathan was diagnosed with cancer in April 2003, when he was only 3 years old. He has endured almost every type of treatment available and came out disease free twice. Unfortunately, his cancer came back about a year ago and progressed much more rapidly this time. Nathan passed away on Sunday, July 29th just a few weeks after he turned 7.
I'm not sure why this story has hit me so hard. I haven't met these people, but their story bears so much strength. Even on the most difficult days, Susan seemed to be able to find something positive to say. And maybe it's really Nathan who deserves the credit. Even while enduring the pain that he has day in and day out, he managed to smile and say "please" and "thank you" to his family. Looking at his pictures from May and June, you'd really never know this young boy was dying of cancer.
Sometimes I get caught up in taking care of Ava and the challenges a toddler brings to our home. And then after reading what this family has gone through for the past 4 years, it makes my complaints seem so trivial. This little guy has taught me to cherish every moment I have with my family. I know I won't always follow this lesson, but if I do it more than yesterday then I have Nathan to thank. Hug someone you love extra tightly today. And be thankful for your health and happiness.
Here is Nathan's website, if you'd like to check it out:
http://www.caringbridge.org/co/nathanmichael/
Monday, July 30, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Old School
Ava has really taken to 2 books lately. They are books I had when I was little. The first is a strange 3D version of Little Red Riding Hood where the wolf is dressed up kind of like a Beatle. Not only does the wolf have bad fashion sense, but he eats Little Red Riding Hood and the Grandmother. The gruesome tale ends with a woodcutter coming along, slicing the wolf open to release the victims. The final picture shows the slaughtered wolf with his tongue hanging out, a dog barking at the carcass, and Grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood in an embrace. At least it has a happy ending...I checked Amazon and it doesn't look like they market this version anymore.
The other book she likes is The Little Red Caboose. It's a classic tale about teamwork and self esteem. I'm surprised she sits through the whole story--it's the first book with lengthy text that she really pays attention to. She wants to sleep with it and requests a reading at least once daily.
The other book she likes is The Little Red Caboose. It's a classic tale about teamwork and self esteem. I'm surprised she sits through the whole story--it's the first book with lengthy text that she really pays attention to. She wants to sleep with it and requests a reading at least once daily.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Ava feeds giant baby
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Our friends who live in Phoenix, John and Suzy, were visiting MN and stopped by on Sunday. Their baby girl Nara is 9 months old and weighs 23 pounds. Ava is 20 months and weighs about the same.
Friday, July 06, 2007
The funny things she does...
19 months is a pretty fun age...Ava is certainly developing more and more of a personality as time goes on. She does quite a bit of stuff that gets Scot and I laughing out loud.
She loves to spontaneously point to and name her body parts. Her current fave is "knee". Sometimes she will stop right in the middle of a crying fit to point out her knee.
She will give us "the look" (see The Look post) when she feels the need to exert her independence.
She will offer you her sippy cup and make the sound "Gulp, gulp, gulp" so that you can pretend drink.
She is organized! She will always put her toys away if they're the kind that belong in a box (like her giant legos) or her musical instruments that go in a bag. (She definitely didn't get this "pick up" gene from me).
Whenever you talk about something smelling (like her feet) she will do an exaggerated "sniff", but she exhales instead of inhales.
She'll do a little dance anytime she hears music, dips her knees and sways back and forth.
She always wants to help me water outside, so I will fill her little watering can. She loves it, but usually only waters herself and if we're lucky she'll get part of the sidewalk.
We seem to always be scolding her for throwing food on the floor (which she continues to do all the time no matter how many times we tell her no). Yesterday Scot was eating with her and brushed some crumbs off his shirt, so she said "No!" and pointed to the floor where the crumbs fell. Daddy got a taste of his own medicine!
She loves to spontaneously point to and name her body parts. Her current fave is "knee". Sometimes she will stop right in the middle of a crying fit to point out her knee.
She will give us "the look" (see The Look post) when she feels the need to exert her independence.
She will offer you her sippy cup and make the sound "Gulp, gulp, gulp" so that you can pretend drink.
She is organized! She will always put her toys away if they're the kind that belong in a box (like her giant legos) or her musical instruments that go in a bag. (She definitely didn't get this "pick up" gene from me).
Whenever you talk about something smelling (like her feet) she will do an exaggerated "sniff", but she exhales instead of inhales.
She'll do a little dance anytime she hears music, dips her knees and sways back and forth.
She always wants to help me water outside, so I will fill her little watering can. She loves it, but usually only waters herself and if we're lucky she'll get part of the sidewalk.
We seem to always be scolding her for throwing food on the floor (which she continues to do all the time no matter how many times we tell her no). Yesterday Scot was eating with her and brushed some crumbs off his shirt, so she said "No!" and pointed to the floor where the crumbs fell. Daddy got a taste of his own medicine!
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