Mix Tape

From Nov/Dec2011

A few years ago, Dana and I visited Dana's family in Columbus, Ohio, to meet Taisto, our newborn nephew. While there, we went to a downtown art fair and purchased a print entitled "Mix Tape" (above) from the artist.

I really dig "Mix Tape." It looks cool, it's one of the few pieces of original art we own, and it's something that Dana and I were attracted to and purchased together (although I suppose the latter could apply to a lot of things, like our new TV).

Regardless, "Mix Tape" is cool because of the role mix tapes have played in our friendships growing up. When we were in high school and college, giving a mix tape to another person was an act of friendship; you gave your friend (or someone you hoped to be your friend) a tape of your favorite songs. And it meant something. It wasn't just a list of your favorite songs, you had to actually take the time to gather up all of your tapes and then sit down and dub each song to another tape. This took a lot of time; nowadays kids quickly and effortlessly share music online or via CD. Punks.

So anyhow, we bought the print a few years ago, but we only just now got around to framing it after Dana and I unpacked our pictures earlier this month.

Dana and Annikka dropped it off at a frame shop a couple of weeks ago, and Dana picked it up yesterday. As you can see above, it looks great.

It's been sitting in our family room since yesterday, and tonight Dana pointed it out to Annikka.

DANA: Annikka, did you see that I picked up the framed artwork from the store?

ANNIKKA: Oooh. I really like it!

DANA: Me too. Where do you think we should hang it?

ANNIKKA: How about in my room?

DANA: Well that's an idea we can think about.

ANNIKKA: Actually, I think we should hang it out here because we spend a lot of time in this room and then everyone can see it.

DANA: I think your right.

ANNIKKA: It matches that picture, too (pointing to the framed Bright Eyes poster currently hanging in the family room, see below).

From Nov/Dec2011

Dana and Annikka then went into one of those long, detailed conversations that you have with four year-olds. They talked about the similarities of the pictures, including the fact that they're both black and white, they're both matted, and they're both framed. Dana went on to (painstakingly) explain they're both pictures of ways to listen to music, one being the record album and the other being a cassette tape ... kind of like how we listen to music on an iPod, CD, or computer now.

Annikka paused, pointed at the picture and said:

ANNIKKA: I thought it was a washer and dryer.

From Nov/Dec2011

Chemo XI

Today was the last of Eila's weekly chemo appointments - wow, I can't believe we've made it through eleven treatments! Now our appointments will be bi-weekly or tri-weekly, through the end of January.

Eila's doing well, although we think we're starting to see some more effects from chemo now. She has less energy (so there's more snuggle time), she's more irritable, and her appetite has decreased a lot in the last couple of weeks (which causes me more stress then it probably should). But she's still happy overall, and playing, and talking, and otherwise a great little 18 month old.

The blood draw before her infusion.

From Nov/Dec2011

Eila's exam with Dr. Hines.

From Nov/Dec2011

Just two more months to go ...

AND/OR

Dana reviewing Annikka's Christmas list with Annikka:

Dana: "Dress up clothes"

Annikka: "Yes."

Dana: "Princess Stickers or Fairy Stickers."

Annikka: "OR?!?!?!"

Dana: "Um ..."

Annikka: "I said 'AND' -- Princess stickers AND fairy stickers."

Dana: "Okaaaay."

[PAUSE]

Annikka: "Did you change it?"

18 months

Eila has had a busy few days. On Wednesday we went to another basketball game and got to see Benny Beaver.

From Nov/Dec2011

She's following in her big sister's footsteps and becoming a big fan of Benny and basketball.

From Nov/Dec2011

On Thursday she had her 10th chemo treatment. She handled it very well, she's quite the pro by now.

On Friday she had her 18 month check-up. It was the first time she had been into the clinic here in town, so there was a lot to catch her doctor up on. And it meant we got her latest stats.

Height: 30.25 inches (11 percentile)
Weight: 19 lb 4 oz (<3 percentile)
Head: 47.7 cm (86 percentile)

Chemo IX

Eila's chemotherapy continues to go well. She is pretty easy to manage and entertain during her appointments, and has experienced very few side effects. We've made it through 9 treatments now (and she still has hair)! I can't believe it. Although we have more than 2 months to go, there's only 5 more chemo appointments (they are spaced out during December and January, but the dosage is increased). I know there's still more ahead of us after chemo, but it's beginning to feel like we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

From Nov/Dec2011

As a cancer patient, Eila's weight is closely monitor. Various side effects may cause her to eat less and lose weight, so she gets to have dessert any time. One of her favorites these days is "mini mint ice cream mouthfuls" from Trader Joe's - messy but good.

Silly sisters

From Nov/Dec2011

It was all silliness this afternoon from these two little ones.

From Nov/Dec2011

Annikka dressed Eila up so that she was very fancy. Pretty darn cute, huh?

From Nov/Dec2011

Then Annikka decided that they should get married, so here they are getting ready for the wedding. It's so nice that they can already play together.

From Nov/Dec2011

Basketball Benny

From Nov/Dec2011

We went to the Beavers' exhibition home game and got to see Benny. Basketball season is the best with little kids - it's indoors, Benny Beaver's there, the constant action of basketball, the band, cheerleaders & dance line, snacks, and tons of people watching. Although it'll be nice when they get a little older and we get to watch the game again.