Wee 4 Peters: It's been a while.....

So sorry we haven't updated in a while. Things have been so hectic lately. With Christmas and BGP coming, we've had little to no time.

I have an OB appointment tomorrow. BGP definitely "dropped" so I am going to be inquiring about that. Jax dropped at 37 weeks and I thought that with subsequent pregnancies, babies don't drop until right before labor or a few days before labor. So, I am definitely going to talk to the doctor about that. I continue to have lots of pressure and contractions. I also have this horrible cramp/radiating pain that runs from my uterus down into the middle of my right thigh. I am not sure what is causing this though that's on my list of questions too. Thus far, I've gained 16 pounds and I really tried hard the past 2 weeks gain more. At my last appointment, the doctor told me that BGP was a "peanut" but she wasn't surprised since Jackson was only 6lbs at birth. She also said, "You may just not grow them very big, which is much easier for you during delivery!" Hoping for a bit more weight gain, not that it will matter. I gained the average 34-35 pounds with Jackson and he still was 6lbs; a VERY healthy 6lbs, I might add. I might also add he's now a grand ol' 26pound toddler.

Mr. Jackson & all his glory:

My father & mother went to get a 2nd opinion at Duke University today. They also used this as a consultation for his surgery. Duke University is known as one of the top pulmonary (lung) speciality hospitals in the nation so we know we are in good hands. They usually are at the fore-front of all oncology (cancer) medications and treatments. So, they met with Dr. Harpole, who is a thoracic oncologist (chest/lung cancer specialist). He viewed the slides of my Dad's cells and basically said he couldn't tell whether his cancer was mesothieloma or renal cell carcinoma. He requested my dad's cells from Obici so that Duke's own pathologist could do his own testing and staining on the slides. Apparently their pathologist is one of the best in the nation as well. Dr. Harpole is definitely leaning towards mesothieloma but they absolutely have to rule out the renal cell carcinoma before they do any surgery. He was very perplexed by Dad's case; therefore, he requested permission from my father to present his case at a conference being held on January 2nd at Duke. He said that it's a conference with all the "experts" and "big-wigs." Dad, of course, gave his "okay" and we will be eager to hear what the determination is. It will take about 7-10 days for the pathologist at Duke to formulate his opinion on Dad's cells (determine what type of cancer) and we have to figure in time off for the holidays as well. Otherwise, Dr. Harpole said that they could have done the surgery this week. So, we will wait for the determination from the pathologist, then we wait to see what all the experts say from the meeting on January 2nd and Dad goes back to Duke on January 8th for an ultrasound on his kidney (to rule out any tumors on it). The surgery date is January 10th. He will definitely have some sort of surgery but we are unsure what it will entail -- the surgery will depend on the type of cancer. Please keep my father in your prayers!!

Dan's squadron-mates returned from their 6 month deployment today. He was responsible for setting up some of the activities. Their aircraft carrier returns tomorrow. Dan got to meet almost all of his new squadron-mates. Apparently they indicated to Dan that there would be a "meet and greet" after the holidays. They also alluded that there would be some practical jokes being played on him. I think the direct quote was, "We had a lot of time to think while we were on an aircraft carrier in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.....nothing better to do with our time." Oh boy, this ought to be interesting!

We got our Christmas portraits taken last week. I mailed them out last week as well. Most of you all should have received one. I need to scan them and place them up on here, but again, no time to do so yet. I will try to do that tomorrow since I have the day off.

Jackson is growing like a weed. He's been incredibly fussy the past week and I think it's because his canines are erupting in his mouth. I know these teeth can be quite painful for them to cut, possibly even more so than molars. He's not eating well, not sleeping, very tired and cranky, etc. Hopefully he'll be over this in a few days.

It's been really chilly around here the past few days. Dan and my dad created a little fire in Dad's new firepit on Sunday and I snapped some pictures of Dad & Jackson. I couldn't believe Jackson actually left the stocking cap and the hood on his head.

Crawling all over and laying on Grandaddy's chest is one of Jackson's favorite things to do. Even though Grandaddy's chest is still sore, Jackson gets far too much fun out of it to stop. Actually, I'm not sure who loves it more: Grandaddy or Jackson. Better do it now and get his "fill" before Dad's surgery in January.