"We heard you have a baby in there..."

"...now let us in!"

This seems to be the general consensus from our neighbors these days. They keep stopping by to hold the baby and offer me help in raising him. Our downstairs neighbor came by with her 2 year-old grandson, who was super pumped to see Sam. He also had never seen a Christmas tree and so he really wanted to pull it down. His grandmother kept telling him not to hit it over and over.

Another neighbor, a mother of twin girls, came by the next night. She said she heard from one of her 7 year-olds that we had a new little girl. She brought her daughter over too, but before Bill could open the door, the little girl ran back home with a look of shock on her face. Those girls never have gotten used to us Whiteys. The mother recalled a funny story from two years ago when we had just moved in and my mother was still here. One of the twins was screaming and crying in the hallway outside their front door and I went out to investigate. They were too scared and shy to talk to me, but finally the less-shy one said that they didn't have a key to their house and didn't know what to do (no one was home). So, I brought my cell phone out to them and we called their mother. The mother is still grateful for our help.

This is a great time of year to share about the reason for Christmas. We hope that, despite not being able to go out due to the cold weather, that we will be able to share with our neighbors who come here. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Time is Here

Merry Christmas!!!

From Teesa, Sam and Bill

Shots!

Sam got his two-month old shots yesterday. It was quite a scary event, since he turned blue around his mouth just after the first shot (he got two shots). The doctor took his vitals with some machine he hooked up to Sam's big toe and said everything was okay. He called it a "vegal" (sp) response, meaning a response to pain. The doctor said some babies pass out, some have seizures and some just turn blue. Since then Sam has been running a fever off and on - but nothing Tylenol won't take care of.

We got a surprise visit from our downstairs neighbor and her grandson (2 years-old) today. She said she ran into Bill on his way out and asked if she could come see us. She was thrilled to be able to hold Sammy. Sam behaved great for the first ten minutes, but then he just wanted to go to sleep, so as soon as I held him he was out. I put him down in his crib and she was stunned! She couldn't believe I don't hold him for his naps (or all the time for that matter). She was even more stunned that she hadn't heard him cry in the 6 weeks that we've been back. She didn't even know we were back. She raises her grandson and he has had colic ever since he was born (we know, we live above his room). It was really great being able to spend time with our neighbor. She's coming back again tomorrow to play with Sam while he's awake.

Bill's Aunt Beth gave us some books for Sam. After a long day yesterday, I thought we'd have some story time. I read a Thomas the Tank Engine story to Sam, who listened intently at all the noises I had to make. I had no idea Thomas was so cheeky.

The really big news is that Sam is now laughing! Bill pretended to laugh this morning and Sam repeated it exactly as he heard it and then laughed for real. He's also clucking his tongue a lot in response to me clucking mine. What a smarty!

Bill thought this would be a funny picture. He thinks it makes Sam look like a British Judge. One of my Chinese friends, Xiao Tan, made this scarf for me last year. I think it looks great on Sam.

Sam and friends

Sam seems to have so many friends. Even before he was born he had lots. One of his biggest fans is Doreen. She came to visit me with her girls while I was in the hospital here in KM. I was so grateful for the food she brought and the get-well card her daughter made for me, not to mention the companionship and compassion. Doreen is one of the folks who PRed for us to have children and when I told her I was pregnant, she screamed louder than anyone else! So, watching her hold Sam is a real joy, because he really is a tangible blessing from Father.

Here is Sam with his Uncle Rob. He is becoming familiar with Rob, since Rob is able to come to KM about every two weeks or so. We can only hope that Rob will rub off on Sam...What a blessing to us to have so many folks visit who love Sam.

Hong Kong and Santa's Town

Here is a picture of Hong Kong's tallest Christmas tree. It stands over 35 meters high.
We went to Hong Kong last week, part of the incredibly long process of getting my work visa here. While we were there, we got to spend time with friends and go to Santa's Town. Santa's Town was on Hong Kong Island and, although we didn't get to see Santa, we did get to see his living room and a post office and hear an incredible violinist play The Flight of the Bumblebee. Not sure what that had to do with Christmas, but that guy was seriously talented.

It was a sweet time that we got to spend with our friends the Webels and their two daughters. Sam was quite aware of them and they were certainly aware of him. I didn't think to take any pictures though...sorry. We got to eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp and visit the Peak and just hang out with them. Things were a bit frantic with three children - but we managed.

Sam was finally able to fit into a sweater his Aunt Kendall made for him, but unfortunately his head is now too big now. He only wore it for a week and a half. I can't believe how quickly he's growing.

Sam is now enjoying tummy-time much much more. He can hold his head at a 45 degree angle. When we hold him upright against our bodies, he can lift his head up and turn it from side to side indefinitely. We're so proud! Bill took this picture yesterday (9 weeks and 6 days old).

You can tell that Bill takes most of the photos, since there aren't many of him. But, rest assured, Bill does do his part in raising this boy. He loves Sam a great deal and it is obvious in the gentle way Bill deals with Sam.

Sam & Judah

Here is Sam with his friend Judah, who is 6 months old (Sam is 6 weeks in this photo). He looked so small next to Judah. Sam has gained a little weight since this photo was taken. He was 9lbs at the time - the birth weight of Judah.

These pictures are of Sam this last week (8 weeks old). He loves sleeping in Daddy's arms.

Here is another photo of him in his sweater vest. Thanks again Julie!