Merry Christmas

It was pointed out to me today that we have not updated Sam's journal in over a month.  I am not sure where the last month went, but I do vaguely recall this blur of business occurring recently.

Sam is doing well.  He is still developing on track and is happy most of the time.  We are working on talking, and aren't making much progress, but it will come eventually.

If you have seen the pictures we posted in November, Sam has been enjoying joining us at the dinner table each night.  He still will not swallow food, but he is showing interest in tasting new things and drinking.  Big steps for him.  He also enjoys chewing on his father, mother, and brother.

It is amazing to watch Sam and Ryan play together. Anything that Ryan has, Sam wants, and you can tell by the way Sam watches him that he is trying to mimic everything Ryan does.

Sam has also developed a talent for temper tantrums.  He is very stubborn and likes to get his own way.  This, of course, has nothing to do with the fact that we spoil him rotten most days.

 It is amazing to think back to just 19 months ago when we were preparing to take Sam home for the first time.  We were told he would most likely not make it to age two, and we honestly thought he was  not going to be around for his first Christmas let alone his second.  The holiday season has kind of flown right past this year.  We are very fortunate to have Sam at home this year, healthy, doing normal little boy things, beating up his brother.  Sam showed very little interest in presents this year, but I think he had a good time today all in all.  We spent a little time chatting with Santa the other day, Sam wasn't into that much either, but no screaming or crying.  He just didn't care.

About eight hours from now we will be attempting a first for Sam.  We are traveling, by car, many miles.  It will be the first time that we have EVER been more than a few hours from one of the three hospitals that treat Sam.  It will be the first time that we will be more that a phone call away for medical supplies.  I am terrified.  After carefully going over everything we need to manage Sam's care for eight days away from home, rechecking the boxes of supplies three times, and trying to fit all of this stuff into the van, we are as ready as we can be.  This isn't like going to Boston or Chicago.   We will be in Georgia, where I am willing to bet not one doctor we would encounter (if needed) will have ever heard of Microvillus Inclusion Disease or Omegaven.  Our plan includes a smooth car trip, smooth visit to Oma and Opa, a smooth trip to Michigan to see Bo, Jose, and Kinn and then a smooth trip home.

Once home we will be busily planning for our next big event.  Save the date for Saturday, March 6th 2010.  Sam is turing TWO and we will be celebrating with another big party this year.

Amazing how your vision life and living can change so much in just two short years.

Long Overdue Update

We have managed to stay infection free for two months. Hopefully our bad spell from the summer is really over and we won't have to worry about replacing his line for years to come.

Sam continues to be healthy and happy. He is growing up way too fast. He has been quite the bundle of energy lately and is in a new phase where he can't sit still. Ever. Not even for one minute. He is continuing to hit developmental milestones and has been steadily gaining weight.

Sam and Deb traveled to Boston last week for a check up and everything looks good. His anemia has improved and all of his lab work looked great.  The first uneventful trip to Boston in six months.

Sam's wavy/curly hair finally got to me enough this week that we finally cut all of the crazy baby hair off. He has had a few trims over the last year, but this time we went a little shorter. You can check out Sam's new haircut on our new photo page. I have been busy uploading about 3300 pictures from the last 6 years and have expanded the photo page on Sam's site to include almost all of our family pictures since Deb and I were married. Enjoy!