Update on Lynn's walk

While this doesn't directly pertain to Claire, the idea is that it never will (breast cancer, that is). In case you didn't see Lynn's letter written after the 3 day walk, here it is.

Well, it's over. All those months of training paid off. My shins don't think so, but the rest of me feels fine (a little sore, maybe). The walk was, once again, amazing. The first day was less than ideal (understatement of the century). It poured the whole day; sometimes the rain was coming down sideways!; and temperatures never rose above 48 degrees. We ate in the rain, hopped over puddles, and thanked heavens it wasn't snowing! But, we didn't waiver in our commitment to fight against breast cancer. Luckily, we got to stay inside (in an empty office building- 3600 walkers and 300 crew members sleeping on the floor) that night. The next day was damp and cold, but hey, it wasn't raining! We hobbled along, sore and stiff, but determined. Mid-day, the clouds parted and we had lovely weather. I was so thrilled to see my neighbors - Kelli, Wendell, Zach and Alex - in downtown Duluth. They made the trek all the way from Canton for a 5 minute visit. That is dedication and I am so honored they traveled so far. Saturday was also Vanessa's, my teammate and good friend, birthday. We decided that instead of schlepping through the VERY muddy campsite that we would sleep at her house. It just happened to be 15 minutes from the start of the walk the next morning. We had a lovely dinner with Mark, Claire, Brian, Luke, Zak, and Caroline (V's family). After a hot shower and a wonderful night's rest, we got up and started again. We were still very sore (especially our feet!) but we knew we were near the end. We had a beautiful day on Sunday and walked through Buckhead, Midtown and finished at the World Congress Center. My friend Kimmy and her son Walker came out to meet us at one of the cheering stations as did Brian and Luke.

Two really inspiring things happened on this last leg (other than the REALLY good looking policemen who escorted us across the intersections!). First, there was a young woman who drove by a number of times and j ust said quietly out the window, "thank you." You could see her hair was just coming back after chemo. Tears welled up in our eyes and we looked at each other. Our pain was nothing compared to hers. We were happy to endure it for her. Then, as we were coming around a corner in downtown Atlanta, there were a few girls and their mothers handing out HOMEMADE cookies (can you imagine - baking 3600 cookies!) The girls gave us cookies while the moms handed us stickers. I read the sticker and started to cry. It said, "Today you inspired a child...thank you." As if we weren't emotionally raw already. Honestly, it was so beautiful. When we finally made it to the World Congress Center and entered the exhibit hall, we were overcome with emotion. Awaiting us were hundreds of walkers who were standing along our route just screaming and waving pom-poms congratulating us. As much as I was thrilled to be done, I was more overcome by the moment. I stood there in the midst of the cheering thinki ng about my girls. My beautiful girls. Past and present. My mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-aunt, great-grandmother. My daughter. I did this walk for them. Thank you all so much. To my teammates - for being motivators and a whole lot of fun. To everyone who sent me notes of encouragement - they meant so much, especially when my feet were aching or pain was shooting up my leg! To all my friends and family - for supporting me physically, emotionally, and financially. This is probably the last time I will walk in the 3 day. I could not have asked for a better experience - yes, even the rotten weather. It reminded me that the fight against breast cancer doesn't just happen on beautiful sunny days, but every day.

With love and gratitude, Lynn

Day 1

On Thursday night, Claire and I dropped Lynn off at the hotel, near the start of the 3 day meeting place. Overnight, the temperature dropped and it started to rain, which has not happened here in months.

On Friday, it rained all day and the temperature never got above 48F. Needless to say, Lynn was miserable. I spent the day battling with Claire's runny nose. She a little snot factory, who just loves having her nose wiped - not. Fortunately she slept for 11 hours last night. Her mobility is increasing exponentially. Not quite crawling, not quite worming. Don't turn your back on her. She is developing her own little personality though. She definitely will let you know when she wants something, or is done with something.

Back to mom, last night Lynn called and told me to find her a hotel for tonight (Sat.). I guess camping out in the cold and wet is not fun. She woke up this morning with shin splints. Ouch. Only 42 more miles to walk between today and tomorrow. I hope to have some pictures to post by Sunday. Send her an email if you get a chance.

Until the next posting, stay warm and dry.

Rambling on...

Rosy cheeks, runny nose, scratching at her ears. The signs are all there, but the teeth are not. She's not crawling yet either, but boy can she sure get around by simply worming. No more leaving her on the bed while you shower (just kidding). The bear loves Caesar and stops whatever she is doing when he enters the room. Have I mentioned that she is a happy baby.

And growing too. She is 7.5 months and is in 9-12 month clothes. Her gut is so big, we have trouble getting her pants up. Curiously, I have the same problem. This week we started teaching her sign language, for things like dog, cat, more, finished, mommy, milk, etc., however, her limited hand-eye coordination is a big stumbling block. She just keeps slapping her knee. I interpret this as her thinking it's funny, or her way of saying "whatever".

We got her 6 month photos back from the photographer and I have posted some of them here. Don't worry, we purchased the copyright to the images, so copy away. This weekend (Oct 24-26) it's me and the bear, as Lynn is walking in the 3-day, 60 mile Susan G. Komen, breast cancer walk. Lynn will have access to her email via her blackberry, so if you get a chance, send her an email to encourage her. 60 miles is a long way to walk in 3 days. Special thanks to everyone who donated to the cause.

Until the next posting...

Not much to report

The countdown is still on for crawling and teeth - not that we are anxious or anything. Lynn went to Phoenix this week and left me with the bear for 3 days. We have had a blast. I got her laughing so hard at dinner last night, I thought applesauce was going to come out of her nose. We are so lucky to have a happy baby.

Another feature inherited from Lynn... we discovered recently, while giving her a baby, that Claire has a single freckle on the underside of her left arm near her armpit. Who knew. That makes Claire's hair, eye color, freckle and overall beauty from mom, the rest is me - cranky when hungry, laughs only a REAL funny things, and, fill in the blank with your own wise crack(s).

Lynn is due back tonight around 8pm, so I need to discard the pizza boxes and diet coke cans, plus do some general clean up before then.

Until the next posting, don't laugh with food in your mouth.

Still counting down

There is not much news to report except we are still counting down to when Claire starts crawling and when she gets her first tooth. When the bear tries to crawl, she looks like she is doing the worm.While highly inefficient, she still gets around and you can't leave her unattended for a second. She is beginning to show signs of teething (rosy cheeks, excessive drool, chewing on things). The literature says that some babies teethe without having any signs of crankiness or sleeplessness - our fingers are crossed.

Claire's awareness of others and herself grows each day. Here she is kissing herself in the mirror. When she is not busy admiring herself, she definitely knows when I leave the room. I'll put her in her jumperoo and after a while she realizes she can't see me, she bounces up and down like a mad woman and yells. And when mom comes into the room, the bear is all smiles.

Until the next posting, keep the windex handy.