A New Egg

For Mother's Day - I got a new car! A navy blue VW Bora (aka jetta). We had been looking for a second car for a while - when this one came up just in time for Mother's Day!

I missed my egg (white jetta) and am so excited to have found a new one.

Thanks Dan- great present!

More Mother's Day pictures to follow..

Hunter Valley - Wine Tasting

Over Anzac Day weekend- we headed up to the Hunter Valley to escape the city and do some wine tasting.  We spent two days and one night- ant it was the perfect little get away.  It was great cause there was something for all of us (except you, Ellie- sorry!)  Dyllan made a Kite and some friends at the hotel Kids Club- while Dan and I went to a few wineries.  Dyllan joined us at a few as well.  

Dyllan and Ellie got their own room (and no Ellie didn't sleep in the bed.. she had a pack and play) Dyllan LOVED having her own TV in her room..

Bath Time- but Dyllan was no where to be found..

Dyllan went horse back riding- she was in Heaven!

Pink Hair

I picked up Dyllan from preschool today- where they played "hairdresser" today.. And found THIS...

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day

Today (in the US) is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day- and although I wore my teal and honored Mom yesterday- I thought it couldn't hurt to do it again today (seeing as its yesterday over in the US)..

I was able to dig up the pictures of mom and I in the Guildas Club Fashion Show from 2008!  The theme was "Surviving in Style"- and mom was a perfect example of what it looked like to survive in style- complete with her tossing her wig out to the audience at the end of the catwalk.  I love looking at these photos for so many reasons.  All the preparation that went into this fashion show- weekly meetings- trying on the outfits, practicing our "walk" - getting our hair and make up done on the morning... and even considering buying these crazy dresses (Mom contemplated wearing hers to my wedding, haha- and I wasn't going to stop her.- She actually wore an equally bright dress- but in blue).

I love that ovarian cancer brought out a side of mom we may not have otherwise seen.  Mom was always philanthropic- but as soon as she got her diagnosis- she raised the bar- joined things like Guilda's Club, started a team for the annual Swedish Hospital charity run (Summerun), supported more friends and foundations by attending benefit luncheons, and just being a positive person that others could lean on when they were faced with tough news.  She was (and still is) such an inspiration.

As I reflect back on what Ovarian Cancer has means to our family- I am flooded with emotions.  Ovarian Cancer is a sneaky one- that has affected our family in many ways.  Moms cousin died shortly before mom was diagnosed.. with ovarian cancer.  Her sister tested positive for carrying the gene mutation known to cause ovarian cancer.. did you know they can test for these genes now?  I ended up getting tested as well- and came back negative for carrying the gene mutation.  Did you know ovarian cancer and breast cancer are linked by a genetic mutation? (

 BRCA1 or BRCA2. Women with BRCA1 have a 39% chance of ovarian cancer in their lifetime and those with BRCA2, an 11% chance. These numbers compare to a 1 to 2% chance for the general public.)

Moms mom (Grandma Nancy) died of breast cancer- her mom also died of breast cancer.. This cancer card has brought our family closer together in many ways as well- opening up communication lines between distant cousins and relatives- and spending quality time together as the disease slowly took over mom's life.

Today- on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day- let's educate ourselves and be aware of the (sneaky) symptoms..full article here:

With early detection (before the disease has spread beyond the ovaries), the chances of surviving ovarian cancer are greater than 90%. Unfortunately, early detection is rare -- occurring in only a quarter of all cases. That's because, unlike breast cancer, ovarian cancer has no distinctive early warning signs. Its symptoms are often dismissed or mistaken for those of many other conditions. They can include:

• Abdominal pain or pressure
• Bloating or discomfort that continues and gets worse
• Painful intercourse
• Nausea, indigestion or gas
• Frequent urination, constipation or diarrhea
• Vaginal bleeding other than menstruation
• Weight loss or weight gain
• • Difficulty breathing

Cheers to Mom!  She would be so happy to know that we are paying it forward by spreading awareness and living life to its fullest!

And just on that note- it was so cute.. I have been talking to Dyllan about her Grandma Kerry (on a regular basis)- she knows that Grandma Kerry lives in heaven, in the clouds, she knows that Grandma Kerry can see her, she knows that Grandma Kerry is an angel who has wings and can fly around.. And yesterday when I was telling her that it was a special day to celebrate her Grandma Kerry.. she asked me if she could put her wings on and fly to the clouds and see Grandma Kerry in heaven.  Its hard not to tear up when we talk about these things.. but its important for Dyllan (and Ellie) to know as much as they can about the most special mom in the world and for her to continue to be a big part of our lives.

Best buds?

Ellie's not so sure..

Dyllan has enjoyed so praying Ellie with stickers, making her rock way too fast, and taunting her with her toys and drinks.. Haha

Special Doctor

I am not feeling well- a cold or something.. And when Dyllan came home she asked me "mommy, are you sick?" I said "yeah.." And she hold out her hand and says "that's ok, mommy, come with me- ill take you to a very special doctor!"

Thanks Dyllan!

Happy 5 months Ellie!

Wow another month has flown by! I'm a few days late- but here she is at 5 months!

This month Ellie is

Sitting up in her Bumbo Seat
Eating solids (pures)- lunch and dinner- her fav foods are apple, pear, spinach, carrot, broccoli ( why am I even naming them.. Se eats anything I feed her!)
Putting everything in her mouth
LAUGHING!
Grunting
Playing with toys
Swinging in her swing
Watching tinkerbell with Dyllan (bad mom!)
Pacifiers
Stroller rides sitting up now


Her nicknames:
Ellie Belly
Princess Petunia which we've turned into Tunia, Tune Town, and Tuna Fish ( or just tuna)- don't ask..