Life is Unexpected

Congratulations to Bill's sister and her family on their new son, Santino, delivered today. A whopping 8lbs 5oz. Phew!

I forgot to mention in the last post that Sam is now officially off the Prevacid he was taking. It was for his acid reflux, related to the defib smooshing his stomach and intestines. It is the first time that he's been off it since his surgery almost six months ago.

He's saying so many new things every day. This evening, Bill and I were trying to have a conversation at dinner and Sam, who was finished with his meal but still in his high chair, kept roaring like a lion. Not just any lion, but the loudest lion that ever existed. He definitely has his father's projection!

Something he inherited from me is his temper. On Sunday morning, we went to church and kept him with us in the sanctuary. He got really frustrated halfway through the sermon and threw his crayons down. Then he arched his back, as he does when he's mad, and hit his head on the pew behind him. Well, that made him burning mad, so he arched his back again at a faster rate and banged his head extremely hard, causing him to scream out in pain.

I ran him out to the hallway where he finally calmed down and happily blew kisses at people walking by. After the sermon was over, I brought Sam back in and someone in the front of the sanctuary asked me if he had fallen. Apparently everyone heard the loud bang and the screams and knew it was our little angel. I used to throw very similar temper tantrums when I was young.

Going back to his new sounds, he can do almost any animal sound now. He learned most of them in a two-hour period last Thursday, but adds new ones every day. Today he started saying hello (but it sounds like, "meemow"). I put him on the phone with my mother and he kept saying it over and over. Then he roared. I think he blew her ear drum out.

Great Visit

We had a fantastic doctor's visit today. Sam is still running a low-grade fever, but he's not sick for once. Teething is causing this one. He was so well, in fact, that he even got another vaccination today (Polio).

We have about three more weeks in the Raleigh-area and we are hoping to see the doctor only once more. After that, some other doctor will take over Sam's care. We've really been blessed with great doctors who work well together here. God is good and is the Great Physician. We know He will provide us with great doctors in our next season of life as well.

By the way, Sam is now saying all kinds of new animal sounds. He learned them all in a two-hour period last Thursday. My favorite is the sound a horse makes. He's actually heard a real horse neigh, so it sounds very close. Bill took some video, we'll have to post it later.

OH NO!

Just about half an hour ago, Sam was begging me to use his markers. I strapped him in his high chair and put his coloring book in front of him, along with a few non-toxic markers.

I turned my back for a second. I mean, literally ONE SECOND. It all happened so fast.

If you can enlarge this next photo, check out his fingertips. The pictures don't really give the magnitude of just how much marker ink there was everywhere.

I edited this to add a new video of Sam dancing. We took this video a couple days ago. He's stil ldancing with that Leapfrog console!

Visiting Friends

We haven't really gone anywhere this week, but we sure have had a lot of visitors. Just this morning, Miss Jane Bailey came over to play with us. Sam had fun blowing her lots of kisses and we got to share some pecans with her.

Unfortunately, Sam has another low-grade fever. We saw the doc a couple days ago and she said he's getting another cold. Ugh!

Come on Spring!!!

A couple days ago, Sam, Bill and I met my college roommate and great friend, Jenny, at Umstead Park for a hike. Sam, Jenny and I went on one trail and Bill took another. We got some pizza and came back to our place for dinner. Here is Sam with Jenny. You can actually see his defib and a small part of his "zipper" scar on his belly. Sam sure does love her.

Also, I wanted to post some photos of a Contra Dance Bill went to. Apparently, they have these dances once a month there and it's very family-friendly. Bill's already been to two, but I've never been. They look like fun.

Here's a photo of Matt dancing. I love it!

Twirlin' Sam

This is an older video - about three weeks old. Sam learned how to turn around (a full 360) the same day this was taken. It was also the day after we had been released from the PICU at Wake Med. He constantly amazes me at how much he learns despite his hospitalizations. Technically, I think he is supposed to be developmentally delayed from all the hospitalizations, but, as you can see from this video, his learning curve is high!

Even since this video was taken, his dancing-style has changed. He turns around in a circle, but leaves his hands to his side. We tried to get video of him tonight doing the new dance, but he wanted to play with his blocks instead.

Sam at 5 months old

Remember way back when...







We will write more details about what's going on with us in a couple days. PLUS, you guys will get to see new video very very soon.

the Potter's Hands

Jeremiah 18:1-6
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Come, go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the LORD. Just like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

Our lives are about to start anew here in the States. The Lord has clearly told us to start working with Samaritan's Purse, a wonderful organization that helps children around the world.

We will still need to finalize the details with SP and nothing is set in stone right now. We only have a few more formalities to hammer out.


[God] who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

A Little Embarassing...

I'm super-pumped that everyone's enjoying the cookie-discussion! I made some myself last night. Mmmm. I sure am going to miss this Pampered Chef kitchen when we leave, as Shannon has pointed out!

So, I have a little embarassing story to tell. We went to the bank yesterday to sign some papers to get a loan for a car. Bill had already been to the bank and properly applied and I just needed to come back to finish signing. We brought Sam, since, well, he just goes everywhere with us these days. We were sitting opposite the loan officer when Sam started to become discontented with just reading the book I brought. I quickly got out this cute little crayon carry-case that our neighbor and friend, Tara, made as a party favor.

Sam pulled all of the crayons out and instead of drawing on the paper Bill provided, began BEAMING the crayons over at the loan officer's face! He finished throwing three of them and was so proud of himself, before we quickly gathered them up and apologized profusely!

Can you imagine? We're supposed to be straight-laced and professional-looking while we are in process for a loan - how hysterical!!!

She was extremely kind about it.

Ahhh, the things kids do. I love it!

Still waiting

I know a lot of folks are curious about our next move. I will definitely post about it when I know. But, for now, we are waiting to speak with Sam's cardiologist in the morning about the possibility of moving..

If Sam still has a low-grade fever tonight, we will need to see his pediatrician tomorrow afternoon .

Enough about the heavy things - I was thinking about cooking lately. I haven't shared my chocolate chip cookie recipe in my blog before, but a lot of you know I spent about seven years perfecting it. Since cooking is a great passion of mine, I am going to share my passion and lighten up some of your lives. Be careful though, they are addictive.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Mix in small bowl:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 t each salt, baking powder, baking soda (I add a pinch more salt)

In another bowl, use hand mixer to mix:
1 stick butter
1 egg
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 t vanilla

Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture using a hand mixer. Then add 1 cup SEMI SWEET chocolate chips.

Place on a cookie sheet (use an ice cream scoop for consistency) about one and a half inches apart.

Bake at 375F for 12 minutes.

Cool on a cooling rack. Eat with a tall glass of cold milk. Yummy!

Alas, Another Ear Infection

Bill got back late last night from his interview with Samaritan's Purse. It went really well. I'll give you details on it later, as we are still praying through a decision.

Our doctor told us today about a special program with Medicaid that may help pay some of our medical bills once we leave our current employer (whose benefits are incredible). We're currently trying to print up the application and will await a call from them to make sure that we qualify. It sounds like it would be perfect to fill in the holes for what other benefits might leave out. There are many options, thank goodness, since Sam will likely be hospitalized a lot in his little life.

We weren't too surprised to learn today that Sam has another ear infection. His left ear has fluid in it and we're treating it with more antibiotics. Apparently it's a holdover from last week's cold.

He's doing great. He has taken to singing with Bill lately and REALLY missed him while he was away. He's still got a low-grade fever, but we're hoping that will clear up by Thursday. Sam sees his cardiologist on Friday morning - we're hoping for a great visit and to talk about possibly moving to *** and the health care there. It's a bit more rural than here, so we're not so sure...

Note to Shannon: Is JoJo thinking of applying still? I know of a great position available.

Practice Cake

I should have posted this two days ago, on Lauren's ACTUAL birthday, but I didn't get the pictures uploaded until now. Our friend Paul came over and made a practice birthday cake for her, so he could get it just right. It turned out to be delicious! Hope you enjoyed the REAL one, Lauren!

Sam has 100.6 temp this morning. He's acting great and doesn't seem to be feeling bad. I have no idea why he keeps going up and down with these temps. Very frustrating.

Bill is leaving this morning to interview with a company. Please pray with us that he will hear God's voice regarding this position. The health care there isn't as good as here in the Raleigh-area, but our cardiologist doesn't see a problem with us moving there anyway. I'll keep you posted. His interview is on Monday.

Two Days of Being Healthy!!

Sam has gone two days with no fever during the daylight hours. We're thrilled!!

Thanks for your prayers.

He's started making noises like a horse does (saying "neigh") and has learned how to SKIP when walking. He thinks it's the funniest thing ever. He also dances in a new way - by stomping his feet, turning in a circle and rotating his wrists. Maybe we can get video of it and show you. It's adorable!

You're Not Going to Believe This...

I can't believe I am about to write this, but Sam is sick again. He just can't seem to catch a break this winter. I took him to the doctor yesterday, because he spent all of Sunday night coughing and having difficulty breathing, plus he had 100.3F temp. The doc said he has a NEW bug, and this one has settled around his vocal cords, making them very swollen.

Sam has been holding his breath a lot, and the doc thinks this is a functional issue - that Sam is trying to increase the size of his airway because of the swollen parts preventing good airflow. The good news is that if I had waited to go to the doctor, he said Sam would probably have been hospitalized for pneumonia by Thursday this week.

Sam is now on steroids to try and decrease the swelling, increasing breathing functions and generally allow him to sleep better.

He had 100.3 temp just before his nap about an hour ago. Let's pray that he won't be sick for long! He's in good spirits still and hasn't lost too much energy.

Phew, we CANNOT wait for Spring to come!

I forgot to add that I think my toe is broken. I dropped something on it and it's purple and hurts a lot. I'm going to wait to see a doctor, since it could be that it will heal on its own. What a week!

Overdue Photos

Talk about a tuckered-out little guy. He fell asleep pushing the drawings on his Leappad.

It's been a while since we added some photos of Sam. I didn't mention that we had several visits from friends during the month of January. The first of those friends was a guy we used to work with in East Asia, Josh. We took Josh hiking at Umstead Park one day.

I also got to visit with my college roommate, Jenny. She made Sam and I lunch one day and Sam LOVED torturing her cats. She lives in nearby Durham.

Then some old friends came for a visit. It happened to be the same week Sam was admitted to the PICU. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures of their visit. It's too bad, because they have three adorable children who happily played with Sam. Sam was gracious enough to give them his virus, and they are finally healing from it.

Sam sure does love being outdoors. This was taken at Umstead during an unseasonably warm day.

I hadn't mentioned it before, but we bought a new-used car. It's a Chrysler Pacifica. It's probably the nicest thing we own. I guess it's the only thing we own of value. I'm sure we'll be grateful for is when we're sleeping in it come April. :)

Obviously I'm just kidding. We know God is going to provide for us and we appreciate everyone who is helping us to locate a new job. Keep praying!

On another note, Sam is still carrying a low-grade fever around. He had 100.3 today. We're relatively sure that it's from the molars that are coming through, but he was certainly acting sickly today.

He started to fall asleep tonight and his whole body jolted. I was pretty sure he hadn't been shocked, but he was silent for a moment and then started screaming at the top of his lungs. I was so worried that he had been shocked by his defibrillator that I had to check it. Turns out he just had one of those moments where you feeling like you're falling just before sleep. I guess it scared him too, as it took a while to get him back to sleep. It's funny that I am always wanting "normal" moments with him, but when one finally came, we both were too upset to enjoy it!