Signs it is time to child proof the house...

8 Months

• Liam now says "DaDa." That being said, everything is "DaDa," not just Daddy. This comes in especially handy when Liam wakes up at 5 in the morning on a Saturday. I simply lean over to Eric and say, "You have been summoned." I then resume sleep.
  
• He now eats a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
  
• He turns in circles on his stomach.
• He can hold his bottle.
• He LOVES bath time and all the toys associated with it.
  
• He attempts to feed himself...and the dogs.
  

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.