Last year, just after diagnosis, we were told about an event that United Airlines does every year called the Fantasy Flight. It is a Flight to the "North Pole" for children who are battling a life threatening disease. Obviously, we were not doing anything at this time last year, as we were in the hospital for our longest stay. This year, we were excited to learn that The Fantasy Flight was on a weekend that we were home and that there was still space to attend.
The flight was yesterday and wow, what a day it was!!
We didn't know much as we arrived at SFO United ticket counter at about 9:30am. The ticket area was decked out with tons of decorations and lots of amazing staff. We waiting in line and got our boarding passes. Sofia was then ushered to a special check in area where Build A Bear presented her a Santa Hat, a Poppy doll for her (which was a total hit) and a little bear for her brother.
Next it was time to go through security. Just like a regular flight, boarding passes, ID's, shoes off, bags on the belt, security. We made our way to Gate 82 and the party started! The gate was completely decorated with everything you could imagine. In addition to the staff there were cheerleaders, mascots, former Olympians, Pro- Athletes, a School Choir, face painters, and lots of precious service dogs. It was so funny to watch the faces of all the travels in the airport as they were walking by.
We boarded our flight and went to our assigned seats aboard a HUGE plane. One of the two story, going to Europe, planes. The plane was just as decorated as the gate! Every window, every isle, every seat. And just like a regular flight out of SFO, we had to wait forever in line to take off. Once we were in the air for a bit the Captain came on the speaker and told us that he just got word that the weather is too bad to land in. He assured everyone that he had contacted Santa's people and they decided Santa would meet us. He was going to land his sleigh on the plane while we were flying and come in through the roof! Sofia's face was so funny! She couldn't believe he was going to land on our plane!!
Santa landed and made his way down the stairs and it was magical. The kids were so excited! The school choir was walking around singing, the mascots and atheletes were walking around taking pictures and Santa and his wife we visiting everyone in their seats. We joined the party and got up to walk around a bit, letting the kids try out business and first. Than one of the flight attendants took us upstairs so Sofia could go into the cockpit, while we were flying! She sat in the chair and looked at that amazing view!! We ended up flying around the Bay Area for about an hour before we got ready to land.
As we exited the plane we were again greeted by cheers and music. Sofia was given more gifts and we ended by taking a family photo with Santa.
It was easily the most fun Sofia has had since her diagnosis. When you combine the Magic of Christmas with the overwhelming kindness of others you get a truly Magical experience. I can't thank Untied Airlines enough!![...]

Thankful and grateful have taken on a whole new meaning in our lives. Last year we spent Thanksgiving in the hospital, admitted the night before for an infection. We were thankful to be together and that Sofia was doing ok but we were only 16 days into treatment, with a very long and scary road ahead. Today, we are still fighting and the road is a year shorter, but we have a bit more of a handle on our life as a pediatric cancer family. It has been a crazy year, with so many tears but the happiness, laughs and smiles outweigh the sad. I can say that I truly value every single moment I spend with my kids! Today also happens to be my 40th birthday. Two years ago I dreaded the idea of turning 40. Well, I could care less now! Getting older is just a reminder that I need to take of myself so I can be a better mom. I also realize that every year is a gift, whether it's turning 40 or 4. I was lucky enough to be showered with lots of love from my husband, Kids, family and friends. And for that I am so thankful!
Now, an update on Sofia. After 3 and a half weeks of being off chemo for a second time, her counts finally recovered last Friday. We are now back on daily chemo at only 50% dosage. The doctors will now start to play with that number by increasing or decreasing to keep her counts between 750 and 1200.
She has been feeling great and we are SLOWLY getting out a little more. Though I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack when I hear someone coughing while we are in a store.
We will go back to the hospital for a lumbar puncture and IV chemo on December 5th. We will be praying that her counts are holding up because we leave the very next day for our Make-a-wish trip to Hawaii!!![...]

November 10th- a day I will NEVER forget.
This post is turning out to be much harder than I had planned.
Exactly one year ago today we were sitting in an ER with our 3 year old and 6 week old, when 7 doctors walked into our room to tell us Sofia had Leukemia. We had woken up that day just as any other, except for the sick feeling in my stomach. Sofia's coloring just wasn't right and I had been praying all day that I was over reacting. Our lives changed at that moment and we can never go back to life before Cancer.
Over the past year Sofia has been through so much! Those first couple of months were the hardest, especially because of the emotions!
We still have a long way to go but we are so lucky to see our little girl smile every day!
We talked to Sofia about why today was important and that we wanted to celebrate how well she's doing and how brave she has been. So even though I was very emotional coming into today, Sofia was excited for her "celebration day!" She, of course wanted a gift for celebration day, too!
Our day was planned! Playing games in the morning, crafts in the afternoon, dance class and out for dinner. We had a great morning with a quick visit and a gift from grandma, then headed off to the craft store. We even made a quick stop so Noni could get a haircut for celebration day! When we came home this afternoon I was devastated to find that our dog Padrino had passed away while we were out. Luckily he was in the garage on his bed so only I saw him when I went to get him. I was in total shock and devastated. I just can't believe that after almost 9 years he passed today, November 10th. He wasn't sick, and we have since found out there was nothing we could have done as his stomach had flipped.
Like I've done all year, I wiped away my tears and went back in to play with my kids. I quickly called Mike and my neighbor who both were here within minutes. Mike took him to the vet and said goodbye for us all. Sofia knows Padrino went to the doctor but we will not be telling her that he's gone.
As much as we wanted to just be sad, celebration day needed to continue.
Sofia did amazing at dance and loved going out for dinner. While at dinner she told us that she thinks Padrino is sad and that he really wants to take care of puppies. So that is exactly what he is going to do. I told her we will call his doctor tomorrow at make that happen. She asked if we could visit him and the puppies, and I said we will see. She's wise beyond her years!
November 10th is not a good day! But it is a day that will remind me how lucky we were to have 9 great years with Padrino and how amazing, strong, resilient and brave our daughter is!!!!
Thank you to everyone for supporting and praying for us over this last year! We could not have done it all without the love and support. #teamsofia #oneyeardown[...]

Below is the post that I wrote on Halloween, but it did not post for some reason. Tomorrow Sofia goes to Stanford for counts and LP with chemo. Hoping her counts are up and we can get back on track!![...]

To pick up where I left off, Sofia was on a chemo hold due to a low ANC. We had planned a birthday party for both kids on October 1st hoping that everyone would be feeling good. Well, as of the Tuesday prior to the party, Sofia was still neutropenic. The Dr ordered labs for the day before the party in hopes that her counts were up and we could have the party. Well, I just planned on and used the power of positive thinking. Sofia was so excited, I couldn't imagine cancelling the party. At 5pm on Friday we got the OK as her counts we 650! Not high enough to start chemo but not neutropenic!!
The party was a great success and we appreciated having the kids birthdays within a week of each other, one and done! Sofia had the best time and is really sad that she has to wait another year until her next birthday. Luckily we got to celebrate Daddy's birthday the next week. 3 birthdays in 16 days!!
That next Tuesday, Sofia's ANC was finally over 750! Given that this pause on chemo was her first drop, we were started back at 100% strength chemo. If her ANC drops under 500 again than we go off and they will start adjusting strength.
So given that Sofia got that one cold that completely turned everything upside down for 5 weeks, we have decided to keep Sofia out of school for a while. Given that she will have to do 2 years of pre-k, the germs just don't seem worth it for only 2 days of school. So back to school of mommy! Luckily, St. Lawrence has been so supportive and is going to provide us with work packets every week that we can work on with her. It is important that Sofia gets socialization and doesn't just stare and me and her brother all afternoon! We are thrilled that Sofia is now back in dance and will be starting either gymnastics or karate (she can't decide) soon.
Last week was a steroid week and Sofia's food of choice... frozen waffles! It is really funny and strange how it changes every month!! She did great on the steroids but has had a harder time coming off of them this month. She is very attached to me! So tonight Daddy took her out to a special night to Disney on Ice. I hated missing it but this alone time for them is so important. She had SO MUCH fun. She came home and couldn't talk fast enough telling me all about it. We are so appreciative of every moment now and I am so grateful for that. Tonight also gave me a little time to cuddle my baby boy who is now walking and the source of a lot of laughter in this house! He and Sofia play now and it is so cute. She was in tears when he started walking and was hugging him saying "I am so proud of you brother." We are so blessed to have these amazing kids!
Thank you for all of the birthday wishes and the continued prayers. #teamsofia[...]

Sofia's counts were still low on Tuesday 👎🏼 Her red blood and platelets recovered well, but she was still neutropenic. We are checking again today, since we planned to celebrate the kids birthdays tomorrow.
We have stayed home again this week, but had lots to celebrate!
Yesterday, our sweet baby boy turned 1! It's hard to believe that he was only 6 weeks old when Sofia was diagnosed and now he's one. I feel sad about missing a lot of baby moments with him, but he's been very well loved. Having a newborn during the hardest time of our lives was overwhelming, but over the months it was clear that we all needed him. He's always smiling and giving kisses just when we need them. And no one makes Sofia smile, like her brud!
We threw a little luau last night, for what Sofia thought was her brothers birthday dinner. We invited her friend Ava and family. With Hawaiian music playing, decorations up, and all of us dressed the part, the door bell rang! Sofia's wish grantor was at the door to tell the girls that they both received their wish to go to the Aulani Resort in Hawaii!! Even better, our families get to go together! We are all very excited to say Aloha in December! Make-a-Wish is such an amazing organization and we are so grateful!!
Ok, everyone say a count prayer!!!! We want to have a birthday party and get back on our meds![...]

Wow, lots to write!
Two weeks ago Sofia went in for her LP and her labs showed that her platelets had dropped to 40,000, so we were put on a chemo hold. This means no at home chemo until her platelets came up.
Our steroid week was manageable especially since it was her only medicine to take. We stayed home the whole week so Sofia could just take it easy.
We were eager to get labs last Monday because it's nerve wracking being off chemo! We hate chemo but she needs it to keep the cancer away. We were shocked when the hospital called Monday afternoon to let us know Sofia's counts were even lower and she needed to go right to Stanford for a blood and platelet transfusion. She was also neutropenic! It was a long day but Sofia felt great the whole time. At this point the doctors don't know if it was the oral chemo that dropped her counts or the cold she got that first week of school (4 weeks ago). So, still on chemo hold and another week of being home.
We will get labs tomorrow morning! We pray all of her numbers are up and we can get back on track.
So, after 2 weeks of home we were excited to get out this weekend for some amazing events benefiting pediatric cancer!
Saturday, we attended an amazing blood drive at NCFit where over 250 people showed up to donate blood! What's even better is that this blood drive also happened at 70 other locations. This blood literally saves our kids lives.
Sunday morning I woke up bright and early to attend the Sunrise Yoga event for Pediatric Cancer hosted by The Bay Club at Boulder Ridge. It was such a beautiful and meaningful morning.
Today was Mike's turn as he took part in the pediatric cancer golf tournament at Boulder Ridge. After a long and hot day of golfing the families met up for a dinner where we honored the warrior kids and their siblings.
I'm exhausted but my heart is full!!
No rest as we have our baby turning ONE on Thursday and Sofia turning four next week! We are just praying everyone feels good for their birthday![...]

I have been so excited to share the story of our fabulous weekend away!
A little back story. I've talked before about my Warrior Mamas group, the amazing ladies who support me. Well over the course of this year Sofia has become friends with a little girl named Ava, who's mom is in my group. Ava is five and just about the sweetest thing you'll ever meet. She is so patient and kind with Sofia and they get along so well! Luckily the moms and dads get along too! A couple of months ago they told us that they were starting to work with an organization called Jessie Rees Foundation: Never Ever Give Up - NEGU. This amazing organization fills Joy Jars and sends them to kids who are battling cancer. These jars are filled with toys-items that literally bring joy to these kids lives.
All of this is done in honor of Jessie, who started the Joy Jars before she passed away from DIPG, which is a type of Brain tumor. Her parents and family promised her that they would continue filling the jars and spreading joy.
We were so excited when we found out that Ava was going to curate her very own jar as a special addition. We were even more excited when we were invited to help fill the Ava Jars! So we planned our trip to Southern California!! Now, we've been waiting weeks for this and than both kids get colds a 2 weeks out! As the days were ticking by the coughs weren't going away!! So the day before our trip I took both kids to their doctors. Both doctors confirmed it was just a cough that takes a little longer to go away, but they were cleared for the trip.
Knowing Sofia couldn't handle the long car ride, we decided to fly. I of course got pre-boarding so I could Clorox everything in our row!! Sofia was also a trooper and agreed to wear a mask just to be safe. The flight went great and Sofia was buzzing with excitement. The first day/night we stayed in Huntington Beach and had so much fun. But Sofia couldn't wait until Friday when she got to see Ava!
We arrived at NEGU in Irvine and were greeted so warmly. Our two families and the whole NEGU team worked together to fill these jars. And I know the toys inside are joyful but the biggest thing going into those jars is love! You could literally feel the love in the room.
Sofia followed Ava around, wanting to do whatever she did. And Noni flirted with all the ladies! He was quite the hit!! After the jars were filled and the kids had snack time we headed to Laguna for lunch and than to our hotel in Newport. Best thing about our new hotel? Ava (and her little brother) were just a couple doors down. We played at the beach, swam at the pool, went out for dinner and we laughed. It was a really great weekend and we are so honored to have been a part of it.
Now, back to reality! Tomorrow Sofia goes in for her second round of maintenance. Lumbar Puncture and chemo bright and early followed by a week of steroids. We pray that her LP goes smooth and that she has an ok week. Thank you all for your kind words to us and for helping me spread the word this month!!#teamsofia[...]

Last week while Sofia and I were talking about her upcoming birthday party the idea of a lemonade stand came up. I knew we still had a good inventory of Rockin Gold #teamsofia shirts, so we decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money for Pediatric Cancer Research.
On Friday I made a quick trip to Michaels craft store for some supplies and within an hour our stand was built. Sofia picked pink because it makes everything look fancy. Our wonderful neighbor let us pick lemons from her tree and we were ready to go! Saturday morning we started squeezing lemons and Sofia's excitement grew. Because she has been fighting a cold we haven't been out so she was more than ready to see other people.
We had neighbors, old friends, new friends, family and even Sofia's dance teacher, stop by. A great friend of mine, who also happens to be an amazing photographer, stopped by with her family and camera. She got some amazing shots and featured it in her blog. Go check it out to see more pictures and get our yummy lemonade recipe(link at the bottom of this post).
The lemonade was delicious and the day was a total success. I'm happy to report that between shirt sales and general donations we raised $800 for Pediatric Cancer Research!!!
Thank you all for supporting Sofia and all the other kids BATTLING cancer.
September Awareness and Action month continues on...
#teamsofia #gogold
http://www.lifestyleofme.com/single-post/2016/09/05/A-Perfectly-Pinkalicous-Lemonade-Stand[...]

So I had planned to space out my posts, but this has to be shared today!! The Bay Club is hosting two events at Boulder Ridge, with all proceeds going to Pediatric Cancer Research and Hope Totes for families of newly diagnosed children.
There is a Sunrise Yoga Class followed by a mimosa breakfast and a pop up shop with amazing vendors (beyond yoga, Jennifer Tuton Jewelry and Jan Marini Skin Research to name a few). There is also a Charity Golf Tournament followed by a family event. It's only $50 to play at Boulder Ridge!!! Ok, space is very limited and this event is going live to Bay Club members tomorrow, so you need to secure your spot tonight! Go to onelombard.com/teamG to register! Thank you The Bay Club for supporting this very important cause!
📷Cred to Jessie Salas Photography[...]