Update on Ace

It has been a while since I have updated on Ace.  He is doing great now, but had a rough couple of weeks.  On November 21st, he was diagnosed with strep throat and a cold.  He was prescribed antibiotics and seemed to be better within a few days. The week of December 2nd, we noticed that he was getting a rash, was running a low grade fever and was vomiting.  The rash started on the back of his neck spread to his stomach, back, arms and legs.  We were concerned- the rash looked a lot like the LCH rash looked when Ace was first diagnosed in January.  We made an appointment to see Dr. McClain.  Dr. McClain examined him and felt that the rash was not LCH, but was unsure what it was.  He recommended that we follow up with Dr. Anderson.  We saw Dr. Anderson last Monday and he diagnosed him with scarlet fever.  We were thrilled!  I know this sounds strange, but we were so relieved that the rash is not LCH related.  Ace is on another round of antibiotics and Dr. Anderson also prescribed medicine for some issues we are still having with his scalp.  The scarlet fever rash has almost completely cleared up and his scalp is also improving.  When the rash appeared initially and began to spread we were really bummed.  We are still hopeful that there will be no signs of active disease and that Ace will be able to finish his chemo protocol in February.  Ace has handled this little "hiccup" in stride like everything else.  We are so proud of him!

Ace LOVES to swing.  Mom Mom and DD got a swing set at their house for the kids.  They have been enjoying using it every chance they get.

Story time with Tinsley.  Ace and Tinsley both love to be read to.  Tinsley also likes to "read" to us.  Every story starts with "Once upon a time" when she reads to us.  

Tinsley read "The Story of Christmas" to Ace and I. Notice her outfit-Christmas pajamas and a tutu.  She would wear a tutu with everything if we let her.  She goes into her room several times a day and comes out with a different tutu(sometimes two on at a time).  She is so much fun!

Ace at his appointment with Dr. McClain

Thanks for checking up on us.  We wish you a Merry Christmas!  

Santa 2013

Tinsley and Ace did not love Santa this year.  Tinsley has never been much of a fan.  They both did really good last year.  Ace was too little to know what was going on and Tinsley loves Debbie and Laura so she did great taking pictures with Santa when they took them.  This year was a different story.  Unfortunately the Santa that Debbie and Laura know wasn't feeling well.  We hope he is feeling better next year- he and his wife are so sweet.  The Santa that we saw this year was at a different photographer's house.  Ace doesn't do well with strangers at all right now.  He is not used to different places or people because we really don't get to take him anywhere.  Tinsley also takes a while to warm up to new people.  The Santa we saw was so sweet, and the photographer was nice as well.  But, the place and people were different which they just don't do well with. Ace wanted NOTHING to do with Santa and Tinsley just sat with him to pacify us in order to get away from him as quickly as possible.

It didn't start out well from the beginning.  Santa was sitting on the bench when we walked in, so we thought we might be able to get some cute pictures of the two of them together before Santa came back.  They weren't going for it....

"No thanks, I don't want to sit on your lap and talk"

Ace REALLY didn't want to sit on his lap

I love this one- Ace sort of stopped crying for a second and then turned and looked at Santa and the screaming started again.

And then it was Tinsley's turn...

Really trying to be brave

And this is where we told her to give Santa a hug and we could go. 

Santa torture 2013 is over.  :-)

We didn't see Santa in 2010, since Tinsley was only a few days old, but 2011 and 2012 links to Santa are below.
Santa 2011- Part 1
Santa 2011- Part 2
Santa 2012