Happy 2nd Birthday, Sam

Two years ago today I ended my 23.5 hour struggle of contractions (really three months, if you count all the bed rest contractions) and 4 hours of pushing. Sam William Klear was born to us in Hong Kong.

He didn't cry after he was born - not even for the first three days. All the nurses kept betting that he would cry before he left the hospital, and he finally did on day four.

Sam, Day 2

God really has His hand on this child. We never thought he'd make it when I was put into a Chinese hospital for a week for pre-term labor at 26 weeks pregnancy. I flew to Thailand for another week immediately following and then back to China. After two more weeks of pre-term labor and one very intense night of contractions 5-7 minutes apart, I flew to Hong Kong where I was transferred from the plane to an ambulance on a gurney. I stayed in the hospital for another week and a half and then went to an apartment where I stayed on my left side for three months.

I still can't believe he is with us. That doesn't even include all of the other issues we've had since returning to America, but you all know those stories.

What a blessing to have my little boy. I don't think it's a coincidence that I dreamt about his sister last night for the first time. By next year, we will have four in our family, celebrating his birthday together.

Happy Birthday, Sam!!