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.