Game On

Hide your women and children!

After a blissful 2 week break from chemo, Fionn is back on his chemo regimen as of today. This is basically good news because it means that his ANC is on the rise, albeit very slowly.  Today it clocked in at 550 (up from 400 last week).  We had originally heard from his doctors that we would wait until his ANC was 750 before resuming chemo.  However, Dr. Shalabi felt comfortable starting the chemo again today since his ANC was definitely moving in the right direction.  So back to nightly pill-crushing for us.  Oh the joy!  Fionn's docs also need to see him back in 2 weeks to check his stats to ensure that the ANC is continuing to climb nicely.  Man, it will be nice when we can actually get to the point where we are only visiting the clinic once a month.  We are close, I'm sure, but just not quite there yet. 

Fionn and Bot, in repose (Photo credit: Liam Crimmins)

As it was, Fionny loved being at clinic today.  He had a lot of questions for the nurses.  Today Fionny was especially interested in the needles and how exactly his port gets accessed.  He wanted to look at the different needles and how they work.  One of our favorite nurses, Melissa, gave Fionn an empty blood vial so that he could do some medical play.  By the way, our Fionn now wants to be a nurse when he grows up because "they are the ones who get to do the pokes with the needles."  (Note: This is a change from the garbage man that he wanted to be last week.)  We spent the next hour accessing the "port" on my arm.  The art room therapist, Jane, even provided Fionn with some red paint which he put into the vial for a more realistic effect.  Add a pipe cleaner for a tube, model magic for a port, and some masking tape for a bandage...and viola!  Operation Nurse Crimmins was open for business.  Service with a smile, y'all.

In case you were wondering, my hemoglobin was a tad low.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before the red paint spilled out of the vial and made a complete mess in the art room.  I kid you not, it looked like a double homicide had taken place.  "Blood" spatters everywhere.  Oops!  Medical play OVER.

But enough about that.  I would be negligent if I didn't report back on our amazing time in Minnesota last weekend with the Crimmins Clan.  Oh, it was so wonderful to see everyone.  Of course, the highlight was seeing Fionn and Dex with their cousins.  Watching Fionny run around after his pack of Big Boy cousins, causing a complete ruckus...gosh, it just felt like everything was right with the world.  I have not seen Fionn so excited and happy...well, ever, I don't think.  Family.  There is just an unspoken connection.  An uncommon love.

Scaling the wall at Cosetta's with Liam

Getting tossed through the air with Ellena

Snuggling with Callum

But don't think Fionn was the only one getting some cousin love.  Hardly.  Deaglan was also in hog heaven, especially with his twinsie cousin, Cavan, who is only a month or so younger.  They were so adorable.  Just these two impossibly small and cute people, running around the room haphazardly like little drunks...Oh, wait, those were my sister-in-laws!  (Kidding, only kidding).

And then this happened.

I know, I know.  The cuteness is completely overwhelming.  Here's how it went down.  We asked the boys to give each other a smooch.  Cautiously, Cavan edged closer and closer to Dex.  And then our boy went in for the kill.  Bam!  Right on the smacker!

Of course, outside of cousin love, there were two main reasons for celebrating during this visit to Minnesota.  The first was Conor's father.  Although he passed away nearly 22 years ago, his presence is so very keenly felt anytime the family is all together.  But never more than this past Saturday.  As we all gathered outside of St. Odelia's Catholic Church, everyone took turns placing bright flowers into a vase outside of the prayer garden where George's ashes will now be interned.  Each of the 10 cousins said his/her full name as he/she wedged his/her flower into the vase.  Seamus Fionn Crimmins.  Liam Barnaby Crimmins.  Cavan George Crimmins.  All of these beautiful, strong, Irish names.  Grandpa George would have been so proud.

Our little Irish laddy with our family's share of yellow roses.

We followed the ceremony with a nice brunch at Jean's house.  All in all, it was a day filled with love and family.  My heart was full, so I can only imagine that Jean's was as well.  All of her 8 children and 10 grands under one roof.  Her sisters and Uncle Bill as well.  There was only 1 notable absence and, if I can be so bold to say it...he was there too.  In spades. 

And then, later that night, there was a certain 40th birthday to celebrate.  Our wonderful Uncle Carey.

It was a complete surprise, thanks to some super-stealthy behavior on the part of the siblings and Brenda, Carey's longtime love.  Carey thought he was coming to the hotel for a little swim time with the cousins.  And walked right smack into his own birthday party.  There was a slide show of pictures from his life, delicious food, and lots of loving faces.  We were so thrilled to celebrate such a special guy.  Happy birthday to a wonderful person and an absolutely fabulous uncle.  We love you, Carey!

Is anything quite as mesmerizing as candles on a bunch of delicious cupcakes?

I will close with a picture of our second born with a face full of chocolate ice cream.  Yep, we killed some time one afternoon at the old neighborhood Dairy Queen.  Little Man was quite the happy camper.

Until next time, folks.