grateful

I haven't shared this with the social media world because I was waiting on an actual diagnosis and didn't want anyone to worry about me. Now that I know what's going on, I feel comfortable sharing. On October 7, I was doing my monthly self breast exam and noticed a lump in my left breast that had not been there before. I was on my period, so I thought it could be something with that and waited and watched for a week before making an appointment with my gynecologist. During that time, I did lots of research so that I could be informed of what the pesky lump could be. Since it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our library system actually posted this link that I found very helpful:  http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/

I was about 90% sure that the lump was cyst and knew that my doctor would probably tell me to watch it for a couple months to see if it changed (went away, got bigger, became painful, or had any other noticeable changes). The lump is smooth, round, and "wiggles" which is a pretty good indicator that it's a cyst and nothing to really worry about. There was that small part of me that was still fearful of being told it was cancer...even though most cancer lumps don't move and feel sort of like a golf ball when you rub over them.

I had an appointment at 3:30 yesterday. My doctor feels confident that the lump is just a cyst. I'm supposed to check it every few days and let the office know right away if there are any changes. Otherwise, he'll check it again in 2 months. If he thinks I need to, I'll have an ultrasound done and the radiologist will either try to draw the liquid out (if it's that type) or a surgeon will remove the cyst. Until then, I've been told I have to give up caffeine (coke, tea, chocolate, etc). He also told me to take an anti-inflammatory to try to reduce the size of the cyst.

I feel so much better knowing that the pesky lump isn't serious and that it's easily treatable. Ladies, please be doing your monthly self-checks. The website I linked has an app that sends reminders. It also shows the proper technique for checking if you don't know. Also, if you find something, don't wait a long time before you get checked by your doctor...early detection is key (especially if you're young because the cancers that seem to target the under 50 age group tend to be pretty aggressive and invasive).

maybe the best advice ever

I've been trying for months (nine at least) to potty train Allie Grace. We'd get into a good routine with it, and then something would happen and she would have this huge relapse and we'd have to start over. This happened at least four times. She had almost gotten it in June and then ended up with an awful case of strep throat and she wasn't drinking enough to go on a schedule so we ended up back at square one again. I decided to give her a break on the process (more for me to regroup than for her).

At the end of August, I was starting the process again, but she just wasn't wanting to do it. We had a group of women from the Teen Challenge Women's Center in Brandon come speak/sing at our church on August 26. After lunch, I was speaking to the leader and she mentioned her trick for her daughter. She said the stickers, candy, money, etc. didn't work for her and she had been ready to pull her hair out when her grandmother mentioned the best piece of advice for potty training. The advice was to take your child to the store and let her pick out a doll. Explain that the doll belongs to the child if they use the potty in the potty. If they use the potty in their panties, the doll goes up on a high shelf where the child can see it but not play with it until the next time that they potty.

I wasn't sure if it would work for Allie Grace, but we went that afternoon and she picked out the toddler Dora doll. I explained the whole process to her and she said she didn't want to lose Dora and would use the potty. She even asked to go potty at the store! She has only had a handful of times of losing Dora; even those times, she has been super upset and has tried to get her back quickly (as in usually gets her back in under 30 minutes). It's been about a week since she lost her at all.

I have been amazed at the quick change. Allie Grace went straight to panties after getting Dora and we only put her in a pull up at night or when we're going to be gone for a long time and aren't sure if we'll be able to get her to a bathroom quickly. She may not always tell us if she needs to go, but she has definite signs now that she's out of pull ups. She never says, "I need to go potty." It's always, "I don't want to lose my Dora." She also gets really mad when I make her wear a pull up now and tells me they are for babies.

becoming more social

I've been taking the girls to story time at our library for several months now. Both girls have slowly been coming out of their shells around "strangers" and people they just don't see all that often. They both are actually talking and interacting with others instead of fussing or hiding behind me/wanting me to hold them.

I've also been trying to get them more involved in other activities. They are having a blast in their Sunday School class...I love hearing the stories that they share after church. They both stayed with their SheShe so that Kevin and I could go out for our anniversary. We went to pick them up and they both cried because they wanted to stay the night. That has NEVER happened before!

This week has been a super big week for them. They were invited to go to Princess Camp. It has been a week full of princess fun. Monday was dance day...some teenagers dressed up as the Disney princesses and taught the girls a simple dance. Tuesday was movie day...they had popcorn and drinks and watched Tangled. Wednesday was photo shoot day...all the girls dressed up as princesses and got to take pictures with each of the teenagers. Today was art day...the girls all got to paint princess crown canvasses. Tomorrow, they're having a tea party and learning princess manners. Tomorrow night they're going to a princess ball. Both girls have met new friends and have gotten to do things we don't always get to do very often. Check facebook and instagram for pictures from the week.

ML is asking if she can start school. I guess I'll be calling about a couple K4 programs again...called about one and no one would answer the phone and I'm fairly certain the other may be out of our price range. She's becoming a little social butterfly and wants to be around kids her age more. If any of you have kids in the 2-5 age range and want to have play dates, let me know.

so I'm not very good at keeping up with a blog...

I know it's been a really long time since I've posted anything on here. There have been several times that I've wanted to write something, but it wasn't at a time that I could sit and write (so I'd forgotten by the time I could do it). I miss writing...I'm hoping that I can do better at actually posting.

There's no way that I could update on everything that's happened since my last post. I do want to update anyone who might actually read this on a few things that have happened in the last few weeks.

We're in the throes of potty-training AG. She does great when she wants to...otherwise, I feel like I'm constantly cleaning her up where she's had an accident. Rewards haven't really worked for her and there have been days where I've wanted to pull my hair out trying to think of something that would help her.

ML lost her first tooth on Saturday morning...at 4 1/2 years old. I'm not sure if I should be excited for her or cry because this whole process started way before I was ready for it. She asked if the tooth fairy could bring her a light up toothbrush...kid loves toothbrushes. She also got a "fairy dollar"...a gold dollar painted with glitter paint, and a teensy little letter from the tooth fairy that was also coated in the glitter paint (fairy dust).

I've found myself getting a little emotional at times because my babies aren't babies anymore. I'm missing that stage a lot lately...guess I'll just play with all the babies around me until it's time for us to have #3 (which will most likely still be a while).

I can't think of anything else interesting that has happened recently...we're just all hanging out at home for the most part now that Kevin is on summer break. Maybe I can think of some good posts to write in the next few weeks.