Good news

Since I returned from the states, we have been waiting for Sebastian to get the ok to be "normal" again. Meaning that we could go to stores, playgrounds, out for dinner, on public transport, and meet with people without asking if they have been around sick people or not! Finally last Monday, Sebastian was transferred to another department in the children's hospital, and the doctors there said he could do all these things for the next weeks!

So since last Tuesday, Sebastian has been going to pre-school and we have been out to eat twice. I would like to meet up with as many friends (ours and his) as possible during this "free time", because he is having so much fun, and after November 5th, we will be restricted again.

On Nov. 5th, Sebastian will start his next, and final, intensive phase of chemo, which will last for 28 days. Therefore, without delays, we will have the hard stuff behind us by Christmas time!

I haven't really posted that much because I have also been exhausted. I have been slowly integrating him back into pre-school because he is in a different group now - with the "big kids" (aged 3-5), and he was a bit disappointed that he didn't get to go back to the younger group. So Stella and I have been hanging out with him there off and on the last week.

Sebastian's blood values are almost all in the normal range. His immune system has really improved and can fight off common illnesses, so I am not so worried about colds and sniffles. If he gets a fever, we don't have to rush to the hospital now to be admitted. We are supposed to treat him like any other child, and give him OTC meds and/or take him to the pediatrician. Wow! I haven't felt this relaxed in so long!

Stella news: she is sitting now, but needs pillows and protection around her because she still falls over pretty easily. She is eating solids everyday, and I have been making a lot of baby food. She was really into it, and now for some reason she is off the vegetables. Last week she couldn't get enough of them! Now everything has to be mixed with apples. I have about 5 containers of frozen squash I made - I hope she starts to like it again soon! She is 7.5 kilos now and 70 cm long. And she loves to laugh at herself and say "ba ba ba".

Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Sebastian thought it was fun to put Band-Aids on his forehead that day.Stella's 10-second sitting position.Sebastian with his explorer backpack (direct from Montana) before a Sunday walk.
Sebastian and Kaya checking out the vineyards on our walk around the Bisamberg (Vienna).
Where are all the grapes?
Michi and the kids trying to fly a kite.
Kim, Stella and me, of course (that's my shadow), taking a rest and eating egg salad sandwiches.