The Skinny

We have realized this blog has been severely neglected over the past two weeks. Our hopes would be to post some news about Maeve on here with what was found. Unfortunately we still don't know a whole lot. We do know this. It was a tumor that was in her head behind her ear. And the tumor is benign. Phew. That was at least a giant sigh of relief.

However, the results from Pathology took forever and with that, we dont even have the "official" result in hand. Just a call from the surgeon to let us know it was a tumor, that is was benign, and that it was a large hard fiberous lesion. Then he went on to tell dad some things about potential correlation with other things such as gastrointestinal issues, etc. To be honest, when dad hear the word benign he sort of stopped listening and thanked God.

As we get more information we will keep everyone updated. But to be honest, dad has spent enough time playing every potential possiblity of scenarios through his head, like a hundreds of movies playing different endings. None of them good. Its no way to live your life and to be honest, I dont even want to think about it any longer. We all love our kids and can't imagine our lives without them. The reality is bad shit happens to good people. We can attest to that. We have been tested and challenged enough and we really just want to enjoy what we have. So with that being said, no more news just back to being a fun blog with funny whitty commentary by yours truly and adorable pictures of the munchins. We thank all of you for giving us your prayers and well wishes and we hope you continue to read as an extended part of our family.

Home

We got to leave the hospital first thing thursday morning. Everything looked good with the incision, the drain was dry, Maeve was eating and drinking, and returned to normal at 3am. So we are going to do our best to have a "normal" weekend. So glad to have you home with us!

Getting there

Well our dear Maeve you did exceptionally well today. It was a long day. Three hours of surgery, one tumor removed, three hours in recovery, then up to our room. You slept a lot. We only wished you slept as good as you did today every night. You ate some jello and loved it. It was orange. Oh and you had some popsicles. I believe three or four. But don't tell your sister, then she will think it's ok to have that many. We pulled you around the hospital in a red wagon and you were very happy. You smiled an even laughed like your normal self. That made us feel a huge sense of relief. You have a little drain behind your ear and as of 9pm tonight you have not ripped it out. For that we are very thankful. If all goes well tonight and in the morning they will be sending us home. We have to come back next week to meet with the doctor again for a follow up. Until then we have to take it easy. We have to make sure not to get your stitches wet. You really really need a hair washing so that might be tough. We love you and are so glad you are a trooper.

Love mom and dad

The Wait

Maeve,
Mom and dad are patiently waiting for you while you are in surgery here at Children's Hospital in Boston. We know you will not remember any of this which is why we decided to take the time to explain how we are feeling.

It all began in January with what we thought was a swollen lymphnode behind you ear. Nothing to be concerned about, is what we were told by your pediatrician. However, it didn't get smaller and your parents being who we are decided to keep pushing. To make a long story short we decided after 4 months of no change to call Children's Hospital and have you seen by a specialist.

A battery of tests including a CT Scan and MRI produced no conclusive results. You have the doctors, all of them baffled. The only thing for sure is that whatever it is should not be there and needs to be removed. It could be this or it could be that. Regardless it must come out.

We got up early this morning to drive you here. You having no idea what was going on, only that you were with mom and dad and you were happy. We listened to music in the car, you lip synced for us, we laughed. A much needed stress relief, especially for dad who is not only concerned about surgery, but also concerned about the traffic and being able to make the appointment in time.

So for now we sit here. Waiting. You are being operated on and we are trusting the doctors are doing everything they can to ensure you are safe. We love you so much Maeve and we pray that everything goes well. We want you to know we were here for you, dad sighing from the 600 lbs of stress on his chest. Mom, cool as a cucumber, reading magazines. It is now 11am. You went in at 9am and hopefully surgery will be wrapping up soon so we can see you and hold you again.

With love

Mom and Dad

Note from Charlottes teacher

Kalin Krueger Hamilton September 14 at 3:42pm Reply
Today at circle in my class I asked Charlotte if she wanted to move to a spot that had more room. She was like "No, I really like to sit on the dolphin (which she was) or the ring. I really really like both of them, but I have to choose one! I can't sit on both because I only have one butt. I would need two butts to sit on the dolphin and the ring and that would just be crazy!"

It was hysterical. It was like a stream of her thoughts that would normally be kept in her head pouring out.

Only While Mom's Away

This long Labor Day Weekend mom abandoned dad for chocolate morsels on her pillow and an hour of being kneaded like dough. In all honestly, Shelby joined her friend Rachael for a few days away at the Ritz Carlton for some R&R. While mom was away, dad did his best to keep his two loving daughters busy and active if for no other reason hoping they would sleep like rocks. He kept them busy. However they did not sleep like rocks. Case in point, Sunday morning he awoke in bed with Maeve on the left side of him. Charlotte on the right. Dogs at his feet. Everyone snuggled in tight. As much as he hated having them in bed for bad habits sake, he loved every single second of it.

Only while mom's away was his motto. Charlotte wanted 6 lollipops. Dad gave her three (only while mom's away). Maeve wanted a popsicle before lunch. Dave gave her one. Then another (only while mom's away). You get the picture and due to this now being public content I will not further incriminate myself to be used in a future argument.

Keeping busy was actually very easy. Yes, this could be the following:
A) Meave after finishing in the blueberry pie eating contest
B) Playing cowboys and indians (guess which one Maeve was)
C) Dazed and confused after making home made tie dye shirts
D) Maeve enjoying creation of her first masterpiece







The correct answer is D. The girls had a blast painting in the backyard (see future post for actual artwork).





A) Charlotte pretending she is grumpy from the Seven Dwarfs.
B) Headlamp check. Bat bait check. Getting ready to hit the caves.
C) I am a sad Thomas the Train. Choo Choooo.
D) Headlamps and camping go hand and hand.






Correct answer is D. Charlotte camped out with dad. It was not your average camping. We spent the night in Jon's backyard. Complete with extension cord, space heater, Strawberry Shortcake, computer and dvds. Rough. So rough.





A) Our dogs really need a haircut and to get their teeth fixed.
B) Dads Halloween costume for this year.
C) Camel mixed with sheepdog and homeless crackhead.
D) Alpaca at the Charmingfare Farm.






Correct answer is D. This thing was goofy looking. Charlotte didn't want to feed the "animal with the crazy hair". I can't blame her. We hit the farm with the Robinsons and had a blast.



And finally a photo to leave you wondering. Is Charlotte really throwing up gang signs? Did she spill something? Is she some sort of crazed rockstar? Nope. The correct answer is it is sign language for "I tried to paint my fingernails with a marker and made a complete mess".

MV is FUN

Yes that time of year again. The annual trek to Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard for a week of fun, sun, and more fun. This year was no exception. A year later means a year older for Charlotte and Maeve. Last year Maeve was just a 4 month old. Sleeping most of the time. This year she really joined in the fun with her cousins Liam and Chase. How big a difference a year makes!

Trip highlights:
*The kids all performed a little show for us. Singing and dancing on their "stage". Way too funny and we are so glad we have the video to back it up!
*Gramps and Nan (aka Nanny) took Chase, Liam, and Charlotte to breakfast every day so we could get ready for the beach.
*The weather. Hot and sunny for most of the trip. Allowed for the kids to really play in the ocean.
*The kids all got along so well and really enjoyed being around each other.
*Sushi with Charlotte Liam Ian Gramps and Dad.
*Key Lime Pie from the beach store. Always a given.

Trip Lowlights:
*Maeve slept horribly and Charlotte did as well.
*The last day rained hard all day. We were soaked.
*The drive home Maeve did not nap and screamed the whole way (later to find out she had a little present in her diaper, no wonder why she cried the whole way).
So instead of rubbing it in on how great our vacation was, how beautiful Edgartown is, and how great the kids did playing together, we have decided to post some of our favorite pictures. These were the top out of the 700 or so pictures taken during the week. They say after all that a picture speaks a 1,000 words.


Charlotte chasing dad in the park in Oak Bluffs...

Mom and Maeve riding the Carousel in OB.

Charlotte watching in amazement as dad catches the rings.

Dad and Maeve in line for the ride.

Liam, Chase, Charlotte, and Maeve.

The kids. Before they decided to put on a show for us!

Maeve kissing at people in line behind her. It is not ok to kiss strangers Maeve. Lets get that one into your cute little head EARLY!

Maeve and Charlotte playing in the park together.

And the show begins. Who knows what they are singing but its so damn cute.

Maeve getting upstaged but still trying to keep up.
Yes Charlotte, we think it was hysterical too!

Bring it home Charlotte!!

The finale!
The Ronans enjoying the park together.
This is a typical picture for us.



Chase jumping (in his mind surfing).


Maeve, this is not surfing. This is called falling.

Maeve saying "CHEESE!!". Ahh this kid.

Mom looking beautiful.

I love this picture.

Charlotte at the beach.

Dad and Maeve in the waves.

Charlotte and Chase playing with Gramps in the surf!

Having so much fun!

Maeve pointing to some flowers. She loves flowers.

Gramps and Maeve at the airport.
Chase enjoying his first bowl of Cocoa Krispies. Sorry Aunt Tiff and Uncle Ian. He loved them.

Charlotte enjoying the Vineyard sun.

Liam and Ian watching the plane take off!

Maeve trying to figure out what this says.

Sunset in Edgartown.


Another Edgartown shot.

Taking a stroll through town.

Hey look kids, another Black Dog Store.

The kids on the couch. Charlotte with her arm around Chase.

Maeve showing Chase her Horseshoe crab.

The Coast Guard patrolling very closely. President Obama was in town.


This was a baby crab until Maeve crushed it.

Cousin Cadence.

Dad enjoying the warm ocean water.

Ian and Liam.

Maeve enjoying trying to catch fish or crabs or sand.

Woah, look at those kids swim!!

Uncle Ian giving free rides!

Oh boy. Dad is going to be in trouble. 3 1/2 going on 16 already.

Ron showing off his under water crab catching skills.

Michael and niece Tasha (haaa) in the water.