Christmas

This is the first time the Dallas area has had a white Christmas since the 1920s. I know it is not a lot, but this is the closest we get!

Hey guys! Look! Santa came last night!

Liam trying to figure out the whole presents-unwrapping thing. Cooper waiting in the background, just in case Liam needs assistance eating the wrapping paper.

No fear Cooper. Liam has it all under control.

Taking the new wheels for a spin. The dogs were absolutely terrified at the thought of Liam becoming mobile.

Aunt Debbie B. started making this cross stitch for Liam before he was born. Here is the finished product. She did an amazing job! The sock monkey was also a gift.

Liam playing with his new laptop. He makes lots of..."joyful" noise with it.

Grandma Gladys, Grandpa Marty, Grandma Becky and Grandpa Ron sent Liam lots of new clothes and toys. Papa and Noni Hamby also sent funds for a shopping excursion. First shoes, here we come! We are very lucky to have them all in our lives.

"Hmmm. I wonder if it is too early to start thinking about next Christmas!"

Wordless Wednesday

The Cousins...

On their way to San Antonio this last week, Ryan, Jolyn, Holly and Sam came through town and stayed with us during each leg of their trip. Here are some pictures of their time here.

Thanks to Grandma Becky for the super cute pajamas that she bought the kids.

Liam is not at all sure he wants to be wearing these big kid pjs. They don't even have feet! Fortunately Sam and Holly were so sweet in comforting him. Lots of hugs and kisses for Baby Liam (they don't call him just Liam...always "The Baby Liam." Too adorable!

Wait a minute! These aren't so bad after all!

Sam giving his baby cousin kisses.

Hey I am really getting the hang of this!

Sam showing Liam all of his toys.

Holly posing in front of the tree.

Sweet Sam

Liam with his Aunt Jolyn

While Ryan and Jolyn were here, they also had an early birthday celebration for me. We had dinner from one of my most favorite Greek restaurants, Kostas. Yum yum! We had a great carrot cake (my grandmother always used to make me a carrot cake on my birthday before she passed away several years ago). AND....they got me my first ever spa gift certificate! Mama's going to get pampered! Thanks Ryan and Jo for coming to visit us and for the wonderful birthday celebration.

7 Months...much belated

For very obvious reasons we did not take Liam's 7 month picture while he was in the hospital. But here he was, upon our return home.


Eric and I grew up in Albuquerque. For some reason I often remember there being more snow than there ever really was. But here in North Texas we don't often get snow. Not even the kind that barely dusts the ground. But while we were in the hospital we got a brief spell of snow. It was really funny to hear everybody talk about it. We were told not to worry "Liam would be discharged before the big storm him." This brief snow lasted an hour and melted by 9:30 am. But here was Liam's first official snow!

At seven months Liam is still trying to learn how to crawl. He gets frustrated and mostly moves his arms around. He had a little set back while in the hospital because the location of his PIC line prevented him from being on his stomach. This month he has started foods: peas, green beans, sweet potatoes, squash, applesauce and carrots (he had a meltdown with carrots, tears and everything). He is super aware of everything going on around him. His eight month picture will be forthcoming!

Home Sweet Home

We wanted to update everyone that we were released from the hospital yesterday afternoon and we are now at home trying to become normal again. Thank you to everyone who has had us in their prayers. God has truly provided for us in taking care of our son and keeping us both faithful in knowing that He is going to keep us in His hands.

As a note to all of the parents out there, meningitis is a scary and unpredictable illness. As the doctor told us "it a bunch of dumb luck" when a kid gets it, there is no way to prevent someone from contracting it. Meningitis is something that cannot be vaccinated against. Since Liam had meningitis, this does not make him more or less prone to getting it again. Bacterial meningitis is caused by the very bacteria that is already in the body and viral meningitis can be caused by something as simple as the common cold. The infection (either bacterial or viral) simply goes haywire and jumps or "seeds" itself into the bloodstream and then infects the spinal fluid and cause the layers of skin around the brain to swell (i.e. meningitis). We do not want to scare anyone who is reading this, just for everyone to be aware of this unpredictable illness.

Again, we are thankful to be home and we are so grateful for all of the prayers that have been sent our way.

Thank you all.

A note of thanks

I am sitting here in Liam's hospital room just listening to him breathe while he sleeps. I am thankful that he won't remember any of this. I am thankful that this was not worse than it could have been. I am thankful to our family who have been such a constant source of support and a reminder that they are never more than a few hours away. I am thankful to our friends: The Kuykendalls for taking our dogs in; The Fischers for providing food, and chauffeuring my car around; to Daniel for the coffee, bagels and prayer; to the Hendersons for taking the time to bring us food and company; to so many that I can't even remember them all right now...and for that I apologize.

I am thankful for our health. I am thankful for our home. I am even thankful that Eric is not currently working so that he can be with Liam while he recovers. I am thankful that Eric was laid off before the baby and not after, because I might have left my job beforehand to be a stay-at-home mom. I am thankful for our health insurance. I am thankful to have my job and coworkers that understand the importance of family.

I am especially thankful and grateful for the prayers we have received: from Washington DC to Puerto Rico, from Louisiana to Kansas, from New Mexico to California. I am thankful that God is in control, even when we don't know what his plan is. Thank you.

From our humble hearts, thanks.

Back to Plano

We are back to our hospital from the downtown hospital transfer. After several delays and one very cranky Liam, Liam was finally seen by the doctors and nurses that needed to see him and he was able to get his PICC installed. With a PICC, sometimes a person can have "at home care" and be released from the hospital. Sadly, Liam is not able to do this for his age. So what that means is that he will be in the hospital till about Thursday of next week.
Again thank you to everyone who is keeping our family in your prayers.

Update

We were transported downtown this morning for Liam's PICC line procedure which was supposed to take place at 9. Almost 11 and still no procedure. He has not had a bottle of formula since 10pm so needless to say he is crying and fussy. No liquids until afterwards but how do you explain that to a baby that already feels sick. Sigh. Hopefully he will be next.

Prayers for Liam

Thank you to all of our family and friends who have been praying for Liam. As some of you know, Liam was admitted to the hospital yesterday for meningitis. He will need 10-12 days of intense antibiotics. Tomorrow he will be transported from our hospital in Plano to Dallas to have a PICC line inserted for his extended antibiotic therapy. A PICC line is a catheter that is inserted through the arm and extends to above the heart so that the antibiotic can be released directly into the bloodstream. After the procedure we will be transported back. We are hopeful that there will be no long term effects of this condition.

Needless to say, we have our hands very full so I will post any updates I have on the blog. Thanks again to all our friends and family who have sent us food, taken in our dogs, and most importantly kept us in their prayers.

Liam sometimes likes to sleep with his feet in the air. One leg is wrapped with a diaper since his current IV is through a vein in his foot.

Catching up

The past few weeks have been pretty busy around here. While Eric was doing contract work the days all seemed to blend together. Liam is still getting over his double ear infection, but otherwise he has been getting bigger everyday! Here are some pictures since my last entry.

Our neighbor's twins, Gracie and Tristan.

They are about two months older than Liam.

The twins sharing their cool "wheels" with Liam.

Going on a date at the farm.

Once the dowry is figured out, Gracie and Liam will be promised.

Liam trying out rice cereal. More of it gets on him than in him.

Liam has started sitting up on his own within the past few weeks.

Inevitably, on our family walks, Liam always abandons his stroller for his daddy's arms.

Liam as a duck.

Eric's costume was a "chick magnet."

Eric's parents, Ron and Becky, came for a visit in late October. The leaves have finally started turning colors here. However, it is still in the upper 70s.

Six Months

Within the last month Liam has been:

• Starting to sit up on his own.
• He is becoming interactive with other babies around him at school.
• He can reach for his baby bottle, our glasses, Eric's nose, the dogs tails, etc.
• We can feel that his bottom teeth are about to emerge.
• He has discovered his feet.
• Interacts with his Baby Einstein videos (i.e. laughs at the puppets, etc.) while standing in his Baby Einstein activity center.

Since Liam has started school, he has seemed to be sick the whole time. The first week he came home with a stomach virus and couldn't keep anything down for a day and a half. The second week he developed a horrible cough and a lot of nasal congestion. He was diagnosed with an ear infection, but is now on an antibiotic. However, now he is on the upswing. While we know that Liam being sick will ultimately strengthen his immune system, it is such a helpless feeling to see your child sick.

The caretakers at his school are really sweet and they have a pretty funny schedule set up for the babies like funny face time and puppet time built into the day. Liam even came home with his first piece of artwork. Of course, Eric and I aren't dumb, we know that they let him hold a paint brush, but guide him in doodling on the paper. Still, we have it proudly displayed on our refrigerator!

Congressional Medal of Honor

This past weekend my boss was honored with an award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. As a result, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting several Medal of Honor recipients throughout the course of the weekend.

The Congressional Medal of Honor (MOH) is the highest military decoration awarded by the U.S. government. It is given to a member of the military who distinguishes themselves "conspiciously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his (or her) life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States." It is often awarded posthumously. The MOH is presented to the recipient, or their next-of-kin, by the President of the United States.

David McNerney, John Baker and Hershel Williams

Saturday night at the event, I was practically stalking the 30+ MOH recipients who were in attendance. Eric and I managed to get 16 of them to autograph our Medal of Honor book. Fox News' Bill O'Reilly was also an honoree that evening so it was neat to get to hear him speak. It was really amazing to be in the presence of such American heroes. Their sacrifices to our country remind us that freedom is never free. Words cannot express what a life experience it was.

Former honoree, Ross Perot

The Grandparents Come to Visit

This past weekend my parents came to visit us from Albuquerque. Well...let's face the facts. I get the vague impression that they really came to visit their grandson! We had a wonderful time visiting with them, even though the weather was cold and rainy.

In other news, today Eric is beginning five weeks of contract work, which is a blessing. While he is going to miss being with Liam all day, and while I am going to miss coming home to a clean house with dinner prepared, we are excited for this opportunity.

Liam will be going to a great school (sounds better than daycare), although I am having a little apprehension. Eric and I are both coming to grips that strangers, no matter how wonderful, will be caring for Liam all day. However, we trust that this is all part of God's plan in determining where we will ultimately end up. I am sure that he will do better than Mom and Dad!

Five Months

Within the last month Liam has been:

• Bouncing in his jumperoo - he can finally reach the ground without a box underneath him
• Giggling when he sees mom or dad
• Fake crying to get our attention
• Holding his head up on his own
• He can finally sit in his stroller without the car seat attached
• He knows to push buttons on his toys to make them play music/light up
• He has been chewing on everything he can get his hands on
• He acknowledges the dogs
• My favorite: He has started reaching for me when someone else is holding him. It warms a mother's heart!
  

Liam likes to hold a blanket for comfort/to chew on.

Getting pretty good at tummy time. He used to fuss and spit up.


Staring at the surfboard tummy time mat that Team Johnson gave him.

Reading a good book.

Eating a good book.

The pups keeping watch. They follow Liam wherever he goes. On occasion one of the dogs will accidentally get closed in the nursery and we will hear scratching on the door over the baby monitor. Fortunately they are smart enough not to bark and wake the baby up!

Supper Club

About a year ago, Eric was in the wedding of a friend. Left to my own devices, I sat with our friends Jeff and Diana at the church. Between the wedding and the reception, where Eric was obviously occupied as a member of the wedding party, I tagged along with J & D to their friend's home, Ed and Dianne. Despite the fact that E & D did not know me, they welcomed me into their home, and thus a friendship began. At the reception everyone talked of their travels around the world and the strange and wonderful meals they ate.

It was then that our supper club was born. Since then, the club has grown by several couples, and we attempt to get together once a month in someones home to experience good food, drink, and of course, friendship!

On Saturday night, one of my generous coworkers watched Liam while we went to have some grownup fun at Debi and Doug's home. It was a beautiful evening with amazing food, super yummy pomegranate martinis, and a quite "spirited" game of croquet. Here are some of my favorite shots of the evening.

Eric, Joseph and Jeff

Dianne with Emma the dog. Emma rules the roost in this home!

Cynthia was our charming croquet judge.

Things are getting ugly here! Isn't this supposed to be a civilized game?

Ed and Dianna

Steve, the winner of the night, struck a lovely hero pose.