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Monday, August 20, 2012

My New Journal


I love my new journal, Raul bought it for me today. Yay! It's a five year journal... you know what that means... I don't need to buy a new one until 2017. 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

First Haircut Since Chemo

I did it! After months of hesitation, I finally walked in a salon, sat on the chair and got my first trim since Chemotherapy. Prior to losing my hair, my last cut was at City of Hope. My hair started to fall out the day after I received my last round of chemo, so I called the hairdresser to my room and she chopped my hair off. I had a boy cut. Haha! I still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was crying so hard. I didn't want to cry. I wanted the lady to leave my room before I could start crying, but I couldn't hold my tears  back. They just started rolling down my cheeks. She said I still look beautiful, of course, that was a lie. She gave me a mirror and I cried even more when I saw myself. I'm sure you all are tired of me talking about my hair... blah...blah...blah. I went from having long hair to having none! So it is a big deal to me. But what is more important is that I am alive. God has given me a chance to become a better person. I'm grateful for everything He has done for me, for changing my heart and my priorities in life. He has given me more time. More time to be with my loving husband and my sweet daughter. I love them so much.


 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.  Exodus 15:2 


Before chemo:


8 months post chemo:


1 year, 3 months post chemo (got my hair trimmed today):


  


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Confession

Hi, my name is Leica, I'm 30 years old, and I love watching Yo Gabba Gabba. Haha! Honestly, I enjoy watching that show with my daughter. They have catchy songs and awesome dance moves. Do you watch tv with your child? If so, what show/s? I also like Fresh Beat Band. My daughter only watches Nick Jr. I tried to introduce her to Mickey Mouse, but she didn't really like it.

Here is Danica with her favorite Gabba Gabba character, Foofa:


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Malibu

For the first time this Summer, I went to the beach! Yay! The reason why I don't like going to the beach is because of the sun. Yes, the sun. The sun is my frenemy. If you don't know what that word means, it means friend/enemy. I'm prone to skin cancer and my doctor advised me to avoid the sun as much as possible. And when I do go out, to make sure I have sunblock and wear a floppy hat to cover my face. Sometimes, I use an umbrella. I look kinda silly with an umbrella, but who cares. As long as I have protection. I did notice a couple of brown spots, one on my finger and the other on my leg. Next week, I have an appointment with my Dermatologist, so I'll ask about those. My body will never be like how it used to. Before I got diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia and PNH, I was very healthy. I never had to miss work because I was sick. I was never sick. Never say never, I guess. Now, I get sick easily and really have to take care of myself.

So anyway, we went to Malibu beach yesterday. We went around 7:30 pm (there was so much traffic on the 101 fwy)... but it ended up being perfect because the sun started to set and I didn't have to wear a hat or use an umbrella. This was Danica's second trip to the beach. She was so scared of the water and just wanted to be carried around. We did dip her feet so she can have a feel of the cold water. She enjoyed it for a while, then asked to be picked up again. Here are some photos from our little beach trip:








Thursday, August 2, 2012

Home Sweet Home

I got bored yesterday, so I decided to play with my camera. Just for fun, I turned the dial to the Manual mode of my DSLR and started taking pictures. My little model, aka my daughter, was too tired and didn't want to smile for the camera... so I took pictures of some home decor instead. When I reviewed what I've taken photos of, I suddenly had the urge to go to HomeGoods or even Michaels for more items for the home. Too bad, we have such a small space and I also have to be careful with what I buy, because I have a baby at home who is super curious and just wants to touch everything.

I love this birdcage that I used as a card holder at my wedding. Inside is a Ralph Lauren porcelain container that I got at HomeGoods for $3. It was on clearance because it was missing the lid. I'm not sure what it's for, but I'm using it as a vase. The flowers are from Ikea. I just love how soft the colors are and it's so Shabby Chic. 






Here's a collage that I put together. 


The flowers are made from paper and I got them at HomeGoods. I love that store! The painting above is of my dog, Mr. Miyagi. It is made with acrylic paint by my good friend, Bey. She is awesome, I love her work. 


Family Picture

Here is our most recent family picture, taken by my sister, Viv, at a baby shower. My younger sister's baby shower, that is. She is having a boy and we are so excited to meet the little booger (what his mom calls him). His name is Nicholas and will be out of his mom's belly in a couple of weeks. Hooray, we finally have a boy in the family (other than the husbands and the dog... lol).


I am one year and three months post chemo.  I wear  my short hair on a side pony. Not too shabby.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

I'm Back!

Sorry, I have been missing in action for a while. My google account got hacked twice, so I decided to take my blog down. Anyway, the family and I are doing well. My hair is slowly growing, Raul got promoted at work, and Danica is now 18 months old. Time flies when you're having too much fun. Speaking of fun, I am definitely enjoying my life as a stay-at-home wife/mommy. It's a lot of work, but it's so worth it. Last week, the nurse at the Bone Marrow Transplant Department asked me, "So what do you do at home? Nothing?" Boy, was I so upset. Seriously, I do everything at home. I clean the house at least twice a day. I prepare three meals a day (Raul comes home for lunch), except on Saturdays (that's my day off from the kitchen). I read to Danica twice a day. I disinfect her toys. I do laundry twice a week. And more...I mean, seriously, I work just as hard as a full-time employee. And my day does not end at 5 pm. What really ticked me off is the fact that the nurse knows what I just went through. I just had a bone marrow transplant. That's kind of like a big deal. Let me correct that, it is a big deal! Especially since I was pregnant when I was diagnosed with this horrible blood disorder. Some people really know how to get on my nerve.

Enough ranting. Haha. Have you been watching the Olympics? I love it! Man, they are all so good at what they do. Makes me wish I was an athlete. Maybe if I start Danica at an early age, she can be one. We'll see about that. She is currently obsessing over balloons.