One year down, an eternity to go

I have been so busy updating the baby blog, that I have not included just Chris and Katie news in quite some time. Obviously our lives have surrounded the growing life in my belly, so there has left little time for much else. Here's to update you on the past 3 months (prepare yourself on some reading!):

1. Although Bill's liver surgery progress was long and trying, he is doing very well with his last rounds of chemo and is continuing the healing process. This May begins the difficult start of his stem cell harvest and transplant with almost all of June keeping him in quarantine while his immune system regains its strength (although that not quite the best medical description).

2. Two weeks ago was my 28th birthday. Wow, that has came fast. 28. Crazy to think that I'm a married 28 year old expecting mother. Seems very reasonable, but is it crazy to not feel 28? Anyways,  we didn't do much as I have not had the easiest pregnancy around and a simple night was just what I wanted. Chris made me a steak dinner and brought home a movie for us to watch. And best yet, he let me eat as much Waffle Cone Explosion Breyer's ice cream as I wanted and drink as much Strawberry Crush as I could get into my already stuffed tummy - and not a single word of guilt trip coming from his direction. It was lovely!

3. Track season has begun and is in full swing. Great for Chris who loves track, not great for a lonely pregnant wife. Although I welcome this time of year with open arms, mainly because of warmer weather and sunnier skies, I do dread the long days alone when Chris is away at track practices, meets, and meetings. Thankfully it will last only a few months and by that time our sweet little one will be here before we know it!

4. One week ago was our one year anniversary! I'll try to keep this story short and sweet, but I can't promise anything. The day before our anniversary (a Sunday) we spent at the Omaha Zoo. We were only there a couple of hours, but the weather could not have been more perfect. We were also able to catch an IMAX movie about sharks in 3D! Chris wouldn't wear his glasses for the picture though. Party pooper.

It was also my first glance at pregnancy swelling, as by the time we were done and in the car, my fingers were so swollen they couldn't even bend! So much to look forward to these last few months of my pregnancy in the Omaha humidity and heat. *Sigh.

Moving on. The next night (our actual anniversary) was to be spent at a track dinner and meeting for his team and family members. Although it was great eating, it left little time for Chris and I to spend time with one another. Chris' brother Drew surprised me (he had already told Chris his plan) with a giant anniversary card signed from the track team and a little white cake at the team dinner. What a thoughtful brother! At this time I was hoping Chris had taken notes because until this point I had received not a note or even a text from my husband acknowledging our very special day. I, on the other hand, had planned and created little greeting cards with notes and poems on each in envelopes, wedged into his lunch box for him to open every hour until the end of the day. Nothing expensive or flashy, but that's not how we roll, or so I thought. I waited until the end of the day to tell him how disappointed I was when I received nothing and left it at that. The rest of the week passed on, until Thursday when Chris made plans for us with friends of ours for a double date. I have been plagued by back pain all week and was looking for every excuse to get out of it so I could just go home and lay down, but I pushed on and met up with Chris at Buffalo Wild Wings directly after work. To my dismay, our friends weren't able to show but wanted us to stop by their church to say hello to them where they were still working. By this moment my back hurt so bad and I was so tired I was on the verge of tears and begging Chris to reschedule. Chris' face went pale and blank, as if trying to come up with some reason to go, without really telling me the direct reason. I quickly figured it out....he was up to something bigger than I realized. Come to find out, he had bought concert tickets for our anniversary to my all time favorite Christian artist months ago who's concert was that night! He did not blow off our anniversary after all! Well, there was no way I was going to miss this concert or spoil Chris' night planned for me, so again, I was going to push through! But, I was so excited I hardly noticed the throbbing pain well until we got home at midnight after the concert. It was such a wonderful surprise (anyone who knows Chris knows he's horrible at surprises) and such an amazing night to spend with Chris.

Chris' good friend got us in a little early for a small gathering with Jeremy and his opening artists. No, I am not on zoom, I was sitting that close to him (well, I thought it was pretty cool anyways)! It is even possible that I suddenly turned into a 14 year adoring fan and cried a couple of times throughout the night. Possible.

What I love most about my husband? He loves Jesus just as much as I do!!!

*So much for short and sweet, eh?!

Bill's recovery

Last Friday marked the start of a long recovery process for Chris' father, Bill. As mentioned before, Chris' father is struggling through two different cancers, one called multiple myeloma and a neuroendocrine tumor. This tumor has affected his liver and as a result, had to have half of his liver removed, along with his gall bladder and appendix. Friday was a long day for Chris' family, as they waited many hours in the waiting room throughout the day before they were able to see him. I unfortunately had to work, so I was unable to be with my family during this trying time. As pain was high and his ability to sleep was low, Bill had a troubling first night. Although the doctor's were not able to remove all of the tumor from his liver, there are high hopes for his recovery from this cancer. Throughout the weekend, Bill continued to battle long nights of xrays and body scans, while continuing to find the strength to get up and walk the dreaded halls. Every day Bill looks better and better, with more color in his face and a livelier tone in his voice. Last night, for the first time Bill was able to do a full walk down the halls of his recovery floor. Days left in the hospital are unknown, as it all depends on day by day healing. We are hoping that Bill will be able to spend Christmas at home, instead of sitting in a hospital bed, but we are all letting God lead the way.

Please continue to pray for Bill and his family, as this is just a small step in overcoming his battle with cancer.

Stockings

Here is a picture of Chris and I's Christmas stockings.

Confused? Only one stocking? Well, this isn't actually either of our stockings. Our stockings are unfortunately at our parents' homes and we were unable to receive both in time for Christmas. So, this is a just a picture of our baby's stocking. Wait, what?! Yes, you read right - our baby's, well our future baby's. Chris and I are expecting our first child! Follow our journey from newlyweds to parenthood at littlebabygbean.blogspot.com. You'll have a lot of catching up to do! ;)

Oh Christmas Tree...

This will Chris' and I first Christmas together as a married couple. As some, or many of you may know, Chris and I did not live together before we were married. We tried to stay as traditional as possible, including no over night stays. So, being able to have this first official holiday together in our own home is sooo exciting for me! Unfortunately, as a single girl I did not have any Christmas decorations on hand to set our home up for the holidays. Thankfully, Chris' mother and godparents came to our rescue! They both donated a Christmas tree (thank you so much Ed and Mary!), lights, other Christmas decorations, and two boxes of all of Chris' holiday ornaments dating back from his first Christmas. So, as all these boxes lay in our living room for the past two weeks since Thanksgiving, I finally had the energy to do something about it. While Chris was out training, I rearranged our living room and set up our Christmas tree in front of our window. I hurried to put the lights up and open the curtains so when Chris came home he would see it from the driveway. Thankfully he was able to see it when he came home and said he was so happy! We spent the rest of the night going through his ornaments and his telling me stories of his childhood, as we drank hot cocoa by the fireplace with Christmas carols playing in the background. Okay, the cocoa and songs didn't happen, nor the fireplace scene - although, the story telling was fun. Here's a couple of my favorite Chris ornaments, along with our tree (which is tiny, but perfect for us), and Chris' Nativity scene (which I still need material for underneath). What a wonderful way to end a wonderful year!

Chris in first grade :)

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

If you have ten minutes to spare, please take a moment to watch this video of Louie Giglio speaking on the amazing works of God within the human body. Let it load before you start it.

*Some of you may not be fans of 'preachings' or speakers in general, but please keep an open mind and a faithful heart.

Happy Halloween

As we get older, we may not celebrate Halloween the way we use to, although it is still my very favorite time of the year. And with the holiday, it brings a warm tingling feeling in my soul. Many may recall this feeling during the Christmas month, and although that is a very special time of year as well, for myself it is the season of fall. There's just something about the turning leaves, crisp air, and grey skies that creates something magical. Add this magical experience with candy and scary movies - and I'm in heaven!!! :) Chris and I did not do much for Halloween this year, but you can imagine my surprise when he volunteered to dress up as a couple with me! We spent many long hours contemplating our costume, from Bonnie and Clyde to Batman and Catwomen. Finally it came down to the fact that we actually didn't have any plans nor a reason to dress up. So, we decided for something simple and classy and dinner with close friends. Halloween may no longer be about the crazy costumes and trick or treating at this time in our lives, but we can only hope it comes back around in a couple of years ;)

Please enjoy a little tune from my dear friend Billy Holiday and see Chris and I in our vintage 40's era attire.



Hebrews 11:1

As some of our closest friends and family may know, the Gannon family have been faced with struggle these last few weeks. Papa Gannon, Bill, has been diagnosed with 2 seperate cancers. One is a blood cancer called multiple myeloma while another has affected his liver called neuroendocrine tumor. While the road ahead may be difficult and trying, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this time. We are so thankful for a loving and caring support system as we move forward in our hopes for Bill's health and strength of one another. We can only be faithful to a ever lasting God who has promised us a life of mercy and grace and it is because of Him "we are troubled in every way, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31