Prayers

I have a lot to explain so I think I'll just put it as a blog.
An update to our never ending miscarriage saga (going on since September)... my levels have remained the same after a week of chemo, so my doctor is now moving on to a different drug and it's an IV one. So tomorrow I'll go in for a PICC line (basically a more permanent IV line). I'll go in every day this week for about an hour and do at least two rounds, every other week. He's still thinking it's a PSTT-placental site trophoblastic tumor or placental cancer. Different form a molar but still in the gestational trophoblastic tumor category. If this doesn't work, they will go to a more serious chemo drug (8 drug therapy). If that doesn't, hysterectomy.
A lot to deal with but I have to look at Dalton and realize he is a miracle. He came into my life at the perfect time. Jack has been amazing. I can't ask for a better family. I'm just trying to focus on the first treatment and go from there. Thank you for the prayers and encouragement.
Here is an article that explains the whole GTD thing well... http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003104-pdf.pdf
I'm trying to think up a funny acronym for PICC line but I can't right now. I'll let you know when I do. I'm welcome to any that you think up.

"Are you serious, Clark?"

"A (guy) in his bathrobe, emptying his chemical toilet in my sewer"
"S$***** was full"

"Are you serious, Clark?"

"Every time Catherine revved up the microwave, I'd piss my pants and forget who I was for about half an hour or so"

"Better take a rain check on that, Art - he's got a lip fungus they ain't identified yet..."

Tacky Christmas sweater time. I love how he seems to be contemplating something.

Can't breathe

If you haven't guessed yet, Dalton is cousin Eddie from Christmas Vacation. The robe and hat was a little itchy. Not the best thing for the ol' eczema. Special thanks to Anna for snapping the photos!

Update

I just thought I would update my friends on the latest with my miscarriage from September. My hcg levels have remained elevated and so my Ob/gyn referred me back to my Oncologist, Dr Wheelock. I've since received 2 doses of methotrexate from Dr Finke. Before they had thought possibly an ectopic pregnancy but my oncologist thinks it is another trophoblastic tumor. He's not sure when it developed because their are numerous scenarios that could have occurred. It could have been there my whole pregnancy with Dalton, started from left over placenta after delivering, or started with my last pregnancy event. He's just not quite sure. They did an ultrasound, MRI, and chest xray on Friday and I'm happy to report it was all normal. My most recent level was 440, slightly down from 480 (much different from 200,000 last time!). I start back on methotrexate on Monday and repeat everyday through Friday.

Thanks for all of your prayers. I have to say it's been a hard time recently and I'm torn because I'm ecstatic with this little boy I have but then this other stuff is trying to haunt me. It's a weird mix of waiting and thankfulness. I kind of feel like I'm floating and every once in a while I hit the side of the wall with a random emotion. I was looking back over my old posts from this previous experience and it is amazing to see the difference of having sweet Dalton this time. When he looks up at me, it makes everything disappear for a moment.
I think I'm going to try and not ask why, but how.

Thanksgiving

Jack, Dalton, and I went to McMinnville for Thanksgiving to stay at the Barrett Cabin*. Jack's brother, Brandon, and his family came in from Columbia, SC and Julie, Jack's sister, live here now so we were all together! We got to meet William (middle name Dalton) the fifth child of Brandon's who is 4 months older than Dalton and they are the same size. They had not met Dalton either so it was a very special time. The kids loved him and were great with him considering they are around a baby about his size all the time. It was a great Thanksgiving even though Dalton had a terrible cold and Jack was still suffering from mono. There were 8 adults, 7 kids, and 5 dogs. A full house. We have so much to be thankful for... a top one being family.
*it's a house, not a cabin

Dalton's resting spot all day on Friday

Caroline holding Dalton. He adored her.

Jack and his dad playing wii. It was a popular activity for the weekend.

We roasted hot dogs and made s'mores

Uncle Brandon and Dalton

Kiddos take a dip in the hot tub

William and Dalton-they have the same Barrett chin

The crew

Vampire you-know-what

Feathers. 

All the girls had a turn with my veil. Great way to pass the time.

Birthdays, moving, mono, baby showers... then we get to the good stuff, Vampires.
Lots of stuff back to back but there is always room for Breaking Dawn. I found a reason to wear my wedding dress again. My friend, Kate, was so kind to host our party before we saw the movie at midnight. There were feathers, vampire blood punch, goodies, and posters of Edward and Jacob. This year's crowd was much tamer because I was the only one dressed up (I wore my veil and let everyone get their picture in it) and I got lots of stink eyes. The people sitting behind us were cray cray, but we were still able to enjoy it. Loved the movie and I don't think we will be able to wait until November of 2012! Yay for friends who act as juvenile as I do.

Gotta watch the previous movie before going.

Honorable mention to Kate for dressing up! What, what!

This was as much fun as it looks

I think we are laughing because we said "Vampire Sex!"

Edward and Bella forever. 

You sit on a throne of lies

Dalton met Santa today. He kept staring up at him... stare... stare... big lip out... whimper. That was about it. I didn't have quite as good of a story as Traci and Caroline, maybe next year. I kind of wanted him to fall apart but the picture lady wanted me to get him before he lost it.

Betty, you're the worst*

How to Throw a Madmen Birthday Party!

First, send out a fabulous invitation. You know, the ones on actual paper.

Jack downloaded this from Etsy at invitationsandprints.  Just give her details
and colors. She emails you the finished product.

Next, decorate. I borrowed several vintage 50-60's items and used some things I already had around. I tried to set it up like it was a family home of the Drapers. A list of different ideas:

-place black and white photos of your grandparents around

-retro lamps or shades (see crazy skirt lamp in picture. This was my grandmothers and you better believe she had matching ones in her house.)

-old books or adds. I found some at Pre-to-post modern for $1 and downloaded/printed some off Internet

-cigarettes... fake-got mine at Performance Studios, candy, or real. Just make sure you don't want to see the real ones again because they will be taken.

-This brings me to ashtrays-believe it or not, you can find them at Publix

-cocktail glassware. Highballs, martini glasses, whisky, and of course, a shaker! I bought a couple of old highball glasses at Goodwill for 25 cents.

-Vintage plates. Goodwill

-Old fan, games, record players, etc. I wrapped my TV in paper to look like an old tv. If anything, it gets a good laugh.

-party lights. You can use some tiki items since that was the rage. I had a couple of coconut shells and lei flowers from my luau decor stash. 

-I also had a game of guess the logo or slogan of popular items/companies. Anna creamed everyone!

-Photo booth. I got black bulletin board paper at Micheals and cut out a New York skyline. Used left over paper from my gold wrapping paper from Dad's party for windows and gold stars across the top. Just set up a camera on a tripod and let your guests go wild.

-Pinata. This is not mad men, but I have one every year, so there ya go.

One of the ads I downloaded.

Richard and Katie at the photo booth. Don't they look exceptionally dapper? 

Old matchbooks for 10 cents at Pre-to-post modern

My 1960's t.v. Alabama lost, so that pretty much was the best present I could have gotten. Well, that and pajama jeans.

Grandmother's lampshade (it looks like a hoop skirt!) and my lovely yellow chair. That side table is part of our bedroom suite passed down from family. I'd say we need to update.

Costumes.

-I was going to wear my grandmother's dress. But my upper half was not fitting. Somehow where the boobs should go was almost at my collarbones. My grandmother is 4'10' so maybe that has something to do with it. I ended up going to performance studios and renting a dress for $30. Not bad considering it is only once a year and they threw in a fedora for jack at no cost.

-Girls. Housewife dress or party dress. Stewardess outfit. Pumps. Hosiery. Broaches. minks. aprons. Cat eye make up with red lipstick. Costume jewelry. Puffy hair. My friend, Anna, did several of my friend's hair, including mine. She is amazing! It was so much fun having this hairdo. 

-Boys. suit and tie. Fedora. You could also go the artsy type, as my friend Stephen did, with a sweater and pipe. Or black turtle neck and beret. I tried to get Jack to do this, but he was not gonna do it. He was sick, so I didn't push it. 

I'm starting to think Anna is a dame from 1960 who doesn't age and is stuck in 2011.  She's so sophisticated. 

Props to Katherine for finding this maternity dress!

I actually loved having huge hair for two more days.  I didn't like getting the bird's nest out.

Booze

-Consider having everyone bring their favorite mixer and ingredients. It helps to have lots of options and everyone has fun making new drinks.

-Set out cocktail making guides, glasses, shakers, ice, bitters, garnishes, grenadine, cream, and lemons and limes. 

-You could assign someone to be the bartender, but I think it is fun for everyone to make their own. 

-I would suggest having vodka, whiskey, rum, and gin to start. These can make you a variety of Mad Men favorites

Food

-Fondue is easy and helps with your decor. I had cheese and chocolate. The cheese I bought ready made at publix in the fancy cheese section. Here is my chocolate recipe from foodnetwork. Being Jack was in the ER an hour before the party, I'm glad I kept it simple. I just set out apples, bread, carrots, and pretzels for cheese. Strawberries, pretzels, and marsh mellows for chocolate.

-Chips and sour cream and onion dip in a chip and dip holder. Inspired my the episode where Pete gets a chip and dip dish.

-Lil' Smokies. Crock pot, chili sauce, grape jelly, sausages. Heat. BAM.

-Deviled eggs. A must have.

-I had my birthday cake for dessert, but you could do an ambrosia salad or upside down pineapple cake. Jack got me a sweet and sassy cake (my favorite). He Mad Men-ed me on the mad men site and they put on the cake. Way to go Jack! I was so impressed.

Now, have fun! Have your ipod on the twist Pandora station or make a playlist or have the SEC "game of the century" on. Go wild!

Here is a couple of my link inspirations:

http://bluebirdbaby.typepad.com/bluebirdbaby/2011/03/how-to-have-a-mad-men-party.html

http://weheartthis.com/2009/08/11/how-to-have-a-mad-men-theme-party/

*Isn't Betty Draper the Worst? I really hope they redeem her in some small way. Maybe give Sally a hug or something.

Here's a link to the pictures if you want to download any of them.