Stitches Anyone?

Okay...I am so SORRY if the above pic grosses any one out. It actually grosses me out & it is my forehead!! Layne didn't think I should post a pic of my stitches, but Andy said I should so.....here goes....maybe it will influence some one for good.

My dermatologist's office called me back a couple days ago. They biopsied the bump on my forehead and it was a basal cell carcinoma. They wanted me to come back in so the Dr. could make sure he got all of the cancer out. I thought okay no big deal...and I scheduled another appointment.

Luckily, my mom insisted that she come with me to the appointment. I think I am still in shock with what he had to do, I had no IDEA it was going to be like a major surgery. The Dr. explained everything to us, and it all made perfect sense. He had to make sure and cut all the cancer out. He could only stitch it a certain way because if he pulled the skin together the wrong way one of my eyebrows would be higher than the other. He was also very careful and made the incisions in the folds of my forehead wrinkles. I even asked him if I should be seeing a plastic surgeon and he assured me no. But, I still have my doubts...I guess we will see how it heals.

I got like 30 STITCHES, but that wasn't the worst part, BOY did the anesthesia shots HURT!! Just picture a HUGE pregnant girl, leaned back in a chair, feeling like I can't breath because the baby is up in my lungs, trying to keep from going in to labor because I am so tense, all while I am sweating like a HOG!

The thing I have learned from ALL this is to 1. GET CHECKED BY A DERMATOLOGIST EVERY YEAR & 2. WEAR SUNSCREEN!! I remember my SIL was telling me her & her kids get checked by the Dr because they have a lot of moles. I remembering thinking I am not very moley so I thought I was in the clear, boy was I WRONG...if you have any red looking bump, that doesn't go away, GO TO THE DR! Also, lather on that sunscreen. My Dr. said if you wear sunscreen from 2-18 yrs of age your risk of developing skin cancer goes down 80%!

I go back in 10 days to get the stitches removed...I can't wait...every time I raise my eyebrows or brush my hair it HURTS. Although I must say I am grateful it was not a melanoma, it could have been ALOT worse. I will take a scar on my face any day over full blown cancer!!

Our Preschool Graduate

Caleb's last day of preschool was today. He went to Sonoma Ranch Elementary M-F from 1:30-4:00 pm. They had a water party today to celebrate the school year being over. The weather wasn't too bad...it was hot, but windy.
Here is Caleb with the TA Miss Kari.
Caleb & his teacher Mrs. Laswell.

Caleb & I
Caleb & some of his buddies (Zachary, Caleb, Carson, and Isaac) eating Krispy Kremes, yum. Speaking of Krispy Kremes when did they raise their prices to $7.00 a dozen?? Ouch!!!
This is what Caleb pulled out of his back pack today, his diploma & hat. Every day it was always a surprise to see what he brought home. We would walk inside the house & Caleb would tell me to "Close my eyes & keep, keep, keep, keep them closed" then he would place his newest craft in my lap. He always seemed to find the crafts that 'accidentally' got in to the trash can....I need to start a scrap book of all of his fun crafts & projects because our fridge is full of them!
Carter had to get in some of the action, too. Carter is now excited to have his favorite play mate at home with him 24.7 this summer....now what are we going to do to stay busy???

Scary

I went to the Dermatologist yesterday. I had a red growth on my forehead, right under my hair line. And of course since I am preggers everything is GETTING BIGGER...and this 'bump' was no exception. So to make a long story short....it turns out it was a Basal Cell Carcinoma aka a form of skin cancer....the Dr. took off/burned the spot off(I am so glad I didn't faint). But, I can't believe I have/had SKIN CANCER! Of all the skin cancers to 'have', this is the one to get...because it is not too serious....but I just realized that I am not as invincible as I think I am & that my body is getting old! Darn all those tanning days at Mega Tan....what was I thinking????? Sunscreen here I come!

My Baby is 1!

Brody George turns 1 today....how time flies. Look at this sweet, little boy & ALL that DARK hair! I am so glad Heavenly Father has blessed us with Brody. Here are a few of my favorite pics of him & some fun facts, so I can always remember the way he was at this precious age. He is such a happy, energetic, little boy. I think the only time he sits still is while he is drinking his bottle full of cows milk (can I get a woohooo, no more formula) or while he is asleep.
He just started to walk last week & loves to try to keep up with his brothers. He loves when his brothers pretend to chase him, as long as they don't knock him over. He also loves to play in his room. His favorite toy is his little farm set...you know the one, the good 'ol farm every house has. He loves to push the buttons & listen to the farm animal sounds and the songs.
I just had to post his picture, look at how skinny I used to be....can I ever look that way again...I can't even remember what it feels like to be skinny!!!?? Okay enough, pity-party for me....back to Brody!
Here is a picture of Brody & JD who were born one day apart. We celebrated both their birthdays at our house this week, with a rubber-ducky party. We had a blast! Happy Birthday also to Ryan(my brother), Jennifer(future SIL), Brett(BIL), JD(nephew), & Sam(nephew)! I hope I have not forgotten anyone...May is a BUSY month in our family!

Gelato Freeze for a Good Cause

I got this in my e-mail tonight(thanks Amy!) and I LOVE this Gelato Shop (the owner, Tim is Tanna Brown's brother-in-law), so I thought I would pass along the information. This is what the e-mail said:

Hello Friends,
My good friend Justin Bluth passed away last week. At his untimely death, I feel helpless and desperate not knowing what I can do to celebrate and pay tribute to his life. What I do know is that Justin had a wonderful family, he was the most generous person I know, and he loved to eat gelato at my gelato shop.
In an attempt to celebrate Justin's life and pay tribute to his generosity, I invite you all to come to the Gelato Freeze in the San Tan Village Shopping Center (www.gelatofreeze.com, for directions and contact info) on Wednesday, May 7, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm to enjoy a night dedicated to Justin. I will have pictures of him and his family on display, a table set up for anyone to write a note to Nicole and his boys, and I will donate 100% of the proceeds of the sales over our average Wednesday sales to the foundation Nicole is planning on setting up in Justin's name.
The memory of Justin is so pleasant that his life will be easy to keep alive.
Will you please forward this along to everyone and anyone that knew Justin?
Sincerely,
Tim Raymond

Whether or not you knew Justin, go to GELATO FREEZE tonight & support a wonderful cause. He left behind a wife & 4 small boys all under 6 years old.

My Baby Shower

This past Saturday, my mom, my sisters & Kathryn threw me a baby shower. I was so grateful they did because we have NO girly stuff. I was a little hesitant to have another baby shower since I already had one when I was preggers with Caleb. I didn't want to come across as a 'mooch'. But it was so FUN to see everyone & open up some really cute PINK stuff! I just wanted to cry after I opened the first present...am I really going to have a girl?

Oh, and don't worry....I was a major ball of sweat the whole time! Can anyone say Certain Dry??? I meant to buy some BEFORE the shower, but ran out of time. Something about being in the "HOT SEAT", having everyones eyes on you & being pregnant made me really sweaty.....so just ignore the sweaty pits! lol Donnie, Julie & Me
The Stoker girls & prego Cassie (congrats Cass!)
The Chocolate Fountain (don't look at the high chair in the background, I was going to move it out in to the garage....but forgot...I said don't look!)
The Ranch Fountain
Me & my sisters (my shirt wasn't completely dry before I took it out of the dryer...oops...but hey at least it was clean!)
Me, Amber(who is due any day), Tanna & Alisa
Now look at the BEAUTIFUL flowers I get to enjoy & smell all week....deliSh!! Thanks again Mom, Andy, Steph, & Kathryn!!!