debutaunt.com

You are such a gifted writer that I think a special poem and story about how much thinking about Zoe has helped you thru this will be something she can treasure forever. Zoe could also write something and you can get it framed together with pictures. I am so glad to hear you are getting better each day.

Wow-The Queen has one impressive WBC. You are in
the upper range at 6.5. You are amazing.

I was left out in the cold when they passed out
the creative gene.

I suggest sending her flowers by way of your sister, a letter, and perhaps a stuffed monkey.

Bowing to the Queen and her HOT WBC.

Night,
Nikki

Not sure if this is the type of thing you're looking for, and it would include help from your family.

A treasure hunt. You can make 'clues' and have some special, silly, funny, gifts in each spot she is taken to; after she figures out the clue of course.

Maybe something in one aunts home, in a park nearby, easily accessable places.

Glad to hear you're doing much better! YEA!

How's your voice? A recording of you telling Zoe your heartfelt feelings for her could be something to treasure. You would have to judge if your voice is strong enough right now to do it justice. (I remember my grandparents sent a tape recorded greeting to us from England when we were very small -- we're talking reel-to-reel here -- and it was something special, because we'd never even met them but here were these people telling us they loved us and were interested in our lives. It was very powerful.)

I am so glad to hear all the good news, by the way. Oh, and aren't croissants pretty dry? No wonder it didn't go down well. Maybe you could find something a little moister for your next foray into solids?

Oh, the treasure hunt sounds like fun. Maybe make each other simple bracelets. My kid and I made bracelets out of pipe cleaners (pardon me, "chenille craft stems") and tiny alphabet blocks. You could make her one, and send her supplies (with a little help from your friends) to make you one and send it back to you. With your names, or nicknames, or a short message spelled out in the blocks.

I love the idea of sending her flowers...I was also thinking you could create a gift coupon of some kind for something fun you can do when you are home and together...it will give her something cool to look forward to!

I know this wouldn't be the most exciting present for a 6? year old, but have you considered writing Zoe a letter? With everything you go through every day, and the fact that she is your strength and inspiration in much of it -- that would really be meaningful for her to have later on. My mom actually wrote me a letter every year on my birthday and gave me the bundle the year I turned 21. Very special. The treasure hunt sounds fun too.

Let's hear it for the WBCs! WWWWHHHHHOOOOOO HHHOOO! That is great news! I'm so happy that you are feeling better and will be able to go home soon.

This is an idea for Zoe. I did this for my son, Chase, when he turned 7 and he loved it. I called our favorite radio station and they let me tell him happy birthday on the air. They recorded my message and told me what time to listen to the radio and he heard it on the way to school. His teachers and friends heard it as well and they really made "going to school on your birthday" really special for him.

My niece loved the "bouquet" of balloons I delivered to her at school. I bought them in the flower section at the grocery store and the florist attached pretty ribbons etc. Kaylee's teacher tied them to her desk until school was over.

Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure it will be special for Zoe. The love/bond that the two of you share is really beautiful and very special.

Cami

I dont know how much of a "crafty" person you are, but these days, even the not-so-crafty can find ways to make beautiful memories :) What about looking at some of hte online sites for scrapbooking, and finding a small album and some stuffies (stickers/decals) to go with it? Encourage her/Sis to save little bits of paper wrapping, a spare party napkin, things like that, then when you two are together again, you can paste, glue and share the memories as you build something she can have for...a long time. :)

I just LOVE Cami's idea. That is very neat. Zoe would remember it forever, and even have a recording!
This is so cool. You can even take bits and pieces of different ideas and come up with something truly unique.

WoooooooooHooooooooooooo I am so thrilled that
your blood count is on the rise. Can you say
"Show me the door soon".

You have several very good creative ideas.
Stalker Dawn summed it up well. I would take
bits and pieces of all of these.

1. The pipe cleaner bracelets (Susie used the
fance name) my 8 year old loves those. The
kit's are reasonble.

2. Flowers or balloons at school would be fun.
That is if the school allows those things.

3. Make a video with you and the monkey and
"talk to her". You are so good with words
I think that is something she would have
forever. I would guess one of the AMAZING
SISTERS has one (video-cam)
4. I liked the scavenger hunt-it would not
have to be to complicated. Heck your sis
could hide things in the house or outside.
5. A YIDDISH BOOK (joking)
6. The coupon book was a great idea-you could
make that out of construction paper, get
stickers, make it FUN.

If I think of anything else I will report back
to you.

BTW-The Queen should try eating things that are
not dry. Ya know like I said APPLESAUCE is
another elixir of the God's.

I can hear that song now-Remember the song
"Hit the Road Jack"-cept they will change the
lyrics to "Hit the Road Queen".

We love you,
Shoshie

you could send her a little bouquet -
and also, could Sis pick up a build-a-bear recorder thing?
you could give Zoe a gift certificate to build-a-bear but Sis could have the recorder thing with you saying 'I love you Z' or whatever you like on it...
(it goes into the bear so when Z squeezes it, she hears you.)

I love the recorder idea too. Deb, you sure have alot of good ideas here, and more keep on coming.

I hope the blood in the pee pee is going away, and YES! try applesauce. Or yogurt. Or something wet.

You are always in my prayers. Hugs and Love to you!!

a WBC of 6.9 is fantastic. Your brother must have some good stems cells. Three cheeers for the wonderful brother. You are more than brother and sister now, you are forever one. What a gift to his sister and his little niece. Your family must be out of their minds with joy.
Hope you can start packing your bags soom
Prayers and Peace
Nancy

Okay, here's my idea: I think you should put together a PowerPoint of the pictures you have, starting way back, maybe even before she was born, and record your thoughts about each of them. What you can remember, what she might have said, what made you laugh, what you both did together, etc. Then you could have Sis #1 burn it to a CD with the recording and give that to her. She could sit and look at it over and over and over....whenever she's missing you.

I loved the idea of the balloons at the school! Wouldn't those teachers at P just pop! I envisioned a clown with big floppy shoes hauling those puppies into her classroom...can't you just see the look on her face? She'd be the Queen of her class that day! Would Sis #1 dress up like a clown? Course Sis #2 would be a good clown, too!

Way to go on the WBC! Can't be having no pink pee! And lets try to think of your body as just coming out of the flu....you wouldn't eat a coissant first thing after the flu...maybe some banana something or other, or some noodles with lots of butter, ...my mom used to give us toast with LOTS of butter soaked into it, and a nice cup of tea. Just the thought of it makes me feel good.

Way to go....keep up the work, you're winning!

BTW: I saw the link on the "for sale" house and they did do a terrific job! WOW, it looked fantastic! I could envision each of those little ones tied to a tree in the backyard so she could get it all done....just kiddin'!

Get out of there soon so we can go have some java together and hang!

Denise :)

Wonderful news, Deb...

i'm totally with having flowers delivered. my stepdaughter gets flowers for special days (she's 1500 miles from us) and it makes her feel SO important and special. and i love the idea of a tape, too, she might not get it now, but in later years it will be hugely important to her that she has it.

and WHOO HOO for the wbc's. i'm SO glad, so glad. xo

Yay for the kick-ass WBC!!!!!! Holy Moly -- your brother's stem cells are... like, on 'roids or something!!! Blood in the PP needs to stop, though, so I'll get some minions on that immediately.

The Princess of Delft should definitely receive a tiara for her birthday. And maybe a picture album project to be completed together with Her Royal Highness the Queen of Delft later. Or, perhaps, in addition to the flowers delivered at school, the Princess could receive a gift certificate for a GlamourShot photo shoot of the Queen and Princess together, upon the Queen's return to the DebuZoe realm. Whatever it is, I'm sure the Princess will forever remember the year her Mom beat the crap outta cancer. Go Deb, Go!!!!!!!!!

Holy Moses you go with you big old high WBC. I am
so happy I am crying.

Queen of the Universe,
I make my kids a book for their birthday. I buy
a folder with the three rings. I take pictures
of them we have on hand from that year. I put
this all on construction paper, and write a story
about them. I also cut stuff out of magazines,
words, pictures, things the BIRTDAY CHILD LIKES.

It's fun and my kids love having the book.

Love,
Lisabeth

I'm getting confused with all the names I use! When I was commenting last night, Phil was like...whats the story again behind 'Stalker Dawn'? I told him. I also told him about 'licker of the cows'; and 'The loyal subject not to be let loose'. He is praying for you too, as well as my two boys. You know what they say about the prayers of a child? They are THE.BEST.
We are all pulling for you. You are on your way, girlfriend!

Some ideas- ask your sis to bring you by some pics of you and zoey and make a pic collage and you could add some funny sayings.
A balloon boquet is cool and I have a place bookmarked that does cool ones or have a florist deliever flowers to her at school or at home.
You could download some music from ipod or whatever and make her a mix tape for 6 year olds...the martina mcbride song is really nice.

I tried to call Sis #2 about this recently, but I'll ponder more ideas for Zoe's birthday and let you know. Meanwhile, are you up for company yet? I could come down Monday or Tuesday. Anytime. Just let me know.