Camila: 13 months & Daddy's Diagnosis

To my sweet Camila,

You are 13 months old! How did I let your one year birthday pass me by without writing a letter to you? Well, life is crazy with a 3 year old and a 1 year old...that's how. It's crazy and it's everything I've ever wanted. I wouldn't change a thing. You are officially walking! You have been cruising for so long and took your first steps before your 1st birthday but I can officially call you a walker at 13 months. There is no stopping you now! We are so proud of you sweetheart! You love to destroy a perfectly organized room and keep your daddy and I on our toes. You love to antagonize your sister so much but you two can't live without each other. So much has changed and happened since I last wrote you. In addition to the walking and the madness in our house, some not so great things have happened to our family too. I think it's important that I document these things in order to remember where we were in our lives at this point because I know in my heart that we will look back at this time as a distant memory.

On December 1st, your daddy had surgery on what was supposed to be removal of two nodules on his neck. It was recommended by his doctor to do it even though he was confident it would all be fine. Well, as it turns out, they discovered cancer so they removed daddy's entire thyroid. Let me remind you that the same surgery was performed on Auntie Jane earlier this year for thyroid cancer as well. So yes, daddy has papillary thyroid cancer. The fact that I'm typing that word here still astounds me but I am relieved to say that if you absolutely have to  have cancer, this is apparently the one you want. Daddy is still recovering at home and will need to go through radioactive iodine treatment soon. He's been amazing through it all so far. He looks good and he feels good. The doctor says he is "very curable" so I know that our family of 4 will be around and together for a very long time. We just need to get through this time. It goes without saying that I'm still scared. It goes without saying that I'm scared to my core of losing your daddy. It goes without saying that it's made me go back and bring up the memories I have of your Tio Henry and his battle with cancer. It goes without saying that my heart hurts even more these days that Mita lost her husband and Bianca and Andrew lost their daddy. My heart knows we will have a different outcome but my mind sometimes likes to play games with me that I don't like and I have hard time with it. I am trying to keep strong for your daddy. If anything, this has only brought us closer together. I appreciate him so much more now.

You and Abbie are his number one inspiration. You are his girls. You are his world. Thank you to both of you for giving him his strength.

What else can I tell you my love? You are crazy and rambunctious and hilarious all at the same time. Your personality is amazing and your smile lights up our hearts. You love to eat anything and everything and you're a wonderful sleeper. Our transition to whole milk, unlike your sister who still till this day, LOVES her milk, has been a bit of a challenge. We are mixing it with the doctor's blessing which goes to show you how special you really are. Heehee :) We adore you and can't live without you my sweet little girl. Happy 1st birthday and 13 months mi nena preciosa. Mommy, daddy and Abbie love you so, so much.