Decisions, decisions

I've finally had the phone call to say the magazine article on Jasper, Fanconi Anaemia and the cord blood issues we faced here in Australia is being printed in April this year.
It has been a while since the initial interview, but we are finally going to print.

Jasper is excited about being famous AGAIN!

I am feeling reflective. Why?

Well, I need to send in photos... I have been asked for photos from when Jasper was born, all the way through to present day. Including photos of us at Camp Sunshine.
Looking through all these memories is stirring up all these strange feelings.. It is hard to describe.

Not all of the photos are good (a lot of them are quite average), but each one holds a wonderful memory for me, and makes me smile.
I know that I will send about 50 photos in for the magazine to choose, and they will only pick a few, but the trip down memory lane has had some tears flowing.
Tears of joy. Tears of pride.
Tears of a childhood passing by too quickly.
Pre diagnosis photos when life was "normal" and photos post diagnosis, where life is appreciated a bit more than it used to be.

Just thought I'd share some of my moments here. (and cry again!!).

This was our first year at Camp Sunshine (so, 2007). He was so little!!

 Still in 2007, with a great friend of ours, John Hanna. John had FA and recently passed away. He was an awesome man, and we think of him often. Our FAmily will always remember this champion.

 Awww. Jasper was only 3 months old here. He is being held by my dad (poppie), and his dad (my poppa). Poppa passed away not long after this was taken, and it was the only time the 2 met each other.

 Cheeky bum in the bath 2006.. Just love that cute face!!

 In 2008 we had some FA keychains (australian ones) to sell for fundraising.. this is one of the promotional pictures.

 Xmas 2005 - cool dude hanging out on some of the play equiptment Santa provided!

I could go on and on... publish a million photos here, but I wont...
He was such a cute bub, and a very handsome young man!!
I will be posting once the magazine comes out, and show what pictures they chose!

Thanks for reading.

Brooke

Queensland Holiday

Wow, I guess time really does fly when you are having fun.. It has been an age since I last posted...
School and just life in general has been pretty busy!

This last week, the kids and I went with Paul to work... Lately he has been travelling to Queensland (Townsville to be exact), so we don't see too much of him.

We flew over together, and it was a LONG way! From Perth to Brisbane was about 4 hours, then it was a 2 hour wait for the next plane, then a 2 hour flight to Townsville...
It was a LOOOONG day - and not just for the kids!!

This is the view out of our hotel room...

Not too shabby.
They had set up a port-a-cot (pack and play) for Molly, there was a separate bedroom for Paul and I, while Jasper had the sofa bed.
Molly's cot got moved into our room, and that is where Jasper went to sleep too (in the bed, not Molly's cot!) until Paul and I were ready for bed, then we moved him!

It was room service the first night, as we were all wiped out, just wanted to eat and sleep!!

The morning saw a pleasant day. We went with Isya (the partner of Paul's work collegue he travels with) to Reef HQ. It is the big aquarium there, and I must say, it was small but quite impressive!
Here are some of the pics Jasper and I took...

 Molly tickling a turtle...

 Jasper was convinced that these fellas below were the exact ones used in Happy Feet 2!

 Awaiting a lecture on sharks... with the man in the tank! It was really fun!

 Swimming with Nemo

The boys (Paul and his work collegue Mick), came back early, so we went along The Strand for a bit of a play and a look.
More photos...

 AHHH! A fish ate my boy!!!

 Awww, she loves me - sometimes!!

The next day was the highlight for the kids..
we went to Billabong Sanctuary.
Here is what greeted us as we walked in the front..

 Molly kept doing this ALL day - kissing Kangaroos - what a grub!!!

 This is Goliath... He is a real croc- just dead now. Awesomely huge. Kinda scary. Jasper was packing it sitting here!!

 I cannot for the life of me remember this wombats name. He was pretty cool. He weighed as much as Molly! She was very interested in him.

 So interested in fact, she got a (helping) hold too!!!

 She wasn't too keen on the snake!! Jasper was in there quick to have a hold of this one!! It kept looking for Molly, but she kept moving away, so then the snake decided Jasper's groin was more interesting!

 Brave lad. Holding a baby croc.

 Monkey see, Monkey do. Jasper held a croc, so what does madam start saying... "Molly turn, Molly turn"

 I have more pics of the 2 kids with the koala - Jarrah. She is just over 1, and a real sweetie. Molly didn't get a hold, she is too little, and koala's don't like being close to the ground.. Jasper had to stand on a big box to make him feel taller to little Jarrah.

The rain started as we were preparing to leave, and it didnt stop (so, Wednesday to Friday).
We still went out on the Thursday to Magnetic Island. It was a ferry ride, and some busses to get around, but nice.
If the rain stopped it would have been perfect!
She's too cool for the ferry... (when it was still docked...)

 Cool kids.. feeling brave! (still docked)

 Still loving it... only just started out now...

Not so brave once the waves hit!

Molly's first bus trip.. this photo was taken just after Molly's first bus-related injury!

 Fish and chips for lunch, anyone?

Our view at lunch

 Molly the puddle-jumping-split-performing "lady"

So, the weather was wet and warm.
Since Thursday night was our last night, we decided to get pizza and eat in..
it was yum!

Followed of course, by pillow fights on the sofa bed!!

All in all, it was a great time.
The travel really takes it out of you.. especially the kids!!

Anyway, we have no medical news to report. Jasper has his bone marrow biopsy and trephines next month, and we have got a referral to the plastic surgeon team to look at his thumb.. he has been complaining it is feeling tight. They did say this would happen and may need further surgery.

More soon!

Thanks for reading.

Brooke