Our first sleepover

I am so thankful for my best friend Chantal and Andy. They allowed the kids and I to stay with them on wednesday night before the appt so that I wouldn't have to drive into Boston for an 8am appt in rush hour traffic by myself. They went above and beyond to take care of us and have food in their house that Sam could eat. Thanks guys! The kids did well. They actually both woke up a few times, Sam kept saying that he wanted to go home, and was happy to leave in the morning, although the whole way to Children's he kept saying that he wanted to go home, and when we pulled up to Children's he cried. He kept asking for Matt and wanted to "see daddy." He had fun and I am glad we stayed over, but I wonder if he doesn't feel secure at other peoples homes with all he has been through. Even when we have been at my mom's if it is getting dark or later in the evening he asks to go home. I can't say that I mind him wanting to be at home with us all the time:-) I know one day he will grow up and that will all change.
I couldn't fit the crazy pack n play in my trunk with the stroller so we made Sophia a little nest, although ultimately they both ended up snugglng with their mommma:-)

Sammy update

Well we went to Children's today for the new specialist. We didn't see the one we were supposed to see, the one that came highly recommended. So at first I was annoyed, but then met the new doctor who seems to know his stuff. He was EXTREMELY thorough, so I believe that God had this planned for us. He knew we had to see this guy instead of the origional one. So after spending quite a while asking me questions from my pregnancy through the present, he explained so much to me and answered all my questions. So he is wondering if Sam has meckel's diverticulum. Which if that is the case, it means a surgery but it is a laparascopic surgery and essentially an easy fix. So we go back monday for a nuclear scan, which aparently they put in some dye with a special marker that will highlight the messed up part. So they would know exactly where it is. All in all a good visit. I will update more later, but for now I am off to work. Thanks for your continued prayers for my little guy.

Wordless Wednesday

Crazy

Wow I can't believe it is almost november. Tonight I was driving home and it was SNOWING!!!! Not quite ready for winter but it is coming anyways. We have had a busy few days. Sam spiked a temp yesterday to 102.9, with no other symptoms except complaining that he was sick, and being very irritable. Of course I would be to. I just pray that they can find out what is going on with him, and that he doesn't have to live his life like this. Poor kid. We see the new specialist on thursday so I am praying that God gives him wisdom and guides him in caring for Sam.
We are doing well. Sophia actually took like four bites of green beans the other day before she started crying about it. So I think we are slowly starting to make progress.
I worked in the ER last night and am reminded of how fragile life is. Reminded that we are not promised a tomorrow. Not promised LATER. So in an effort to take something from the young life lost last night I urge you to tell your family you love them, to make the most of each moment. To live life to its fullest. To pray without ceasing, to love unconditionally. To give like you have the world in your hands. Love, love love and take a moment to enjoy this life. God has blessed us so completely and totally, and in the craziness of the world we live in, we forget to look at the beauty around us, to love those around us, and to be thankful for the situations we are in. I am thanking God for my friends and family. For his unbelievable generosity and forgiveness, and for all the tomorrows I do have

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for "MR CLEAN MAGIC ERASERS" If you have a child you should invest in these amazingly cheap and wonderful creations. So far in my house they have cleaned the normal typical things, but then they have cleaned the toddler things: pen on the wall and tub, crayons on the fridge, and now today A SHARPIE PERMANENT MARKER all over my hardwood floors. I tried other things to get it off first and then MAtt suggested the mister clean, and it came up. FANTASTIC! He would have been livid if I didn't get it clean. Anyways if you haven't tried them you should. They clean mold, mildew, cars, walls, floors, tiles, etc etc etc. And did I mention they are cheap? Yup, I'm sold and you should be too:-)

Clean up

WE went to Auntie Terri's yesterday. She gave Sam a bowl of cereal (dry) he proceeded to go into the livingroom and quickly flung it all over the floor, and said "Big mess, clean it up." He then went over to the central vac, turned it on and cleaned up the mess he made. Crazy kid!!!

Sam I am

Hard to believe but my Sammy is really two! Each day I am amazed by his creativity, stubbornness, curiosity and strength. He teaches me so much about life, and about loving unconditionally. He teaches me to keep on going when the going gets tough. We have had so many health issues with this beautiful little boy, and he just continues to smile and grow and learn. He is just amazing. I thank God for him and for all he is teaching me.
Yesterday was a terrible day for him, he spent hours crying and telling me that his belly was poking him. His belly was not hard or swollen, but was obviously very uncomfortable. I called his GI who had said to call them if anything had changed, you know what they said to me!?!?!? Maybe he has a stomach bug!!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? This little guy has been pooping blood since june, and last week had significantly more blood than he had had previously, and then spent hours crying in pain and he has a stomach bug!!?!?!? What the heck? I thought Boston Children's was supposed to be the best. Sorry I am going on a tirade here. I am just so tired of him hurting and no one fixing it. I know God can and I am praying for that.
This is his first family portrait. As he drew each person/animal he told me who it was and I labeled it. How cute is that? He even thought of the cats.
And because I am so silly sometimes, matching jammies. I LOVE IT!!!

Pumpkins

Oh my goodness, I know I am totally biased but I have the cutest kids in the world. We are just having so much fun with them. We put Sam in a pumpkin too when he was little, Sophia is much older than he was so she had a lot more interest in other things. So cute!!! She was so funny, I tried to take her out when she started chewing on the pumpkin ans she started SCREAMING her head off, she was thoroughly ticked off. I put her back in and instantly she was quiet. Hmmm, whose temper do we have?!?!?

Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful this week for Sam GAINING weight!!! I have been so anxious since we have cut out the dairy but he is 28lbs!!!! BIG! He had been 28lb12oz back in may when he had been doing so well for that long stretch. He had gotten down to 26lb 11oz since all of this bloody stools started. But thankfully, feeding him what feeds like CONSTANTLY is paying off. He did have a completely watery stool this morning, which to me would say that the dairy isn't what is causing the problem. I have to bring up a sample to the doctor to see if there is blood in it today.
I am so thankful for my friends, my friend Sarah who had the pumpkin party went out and got all this soy stuff for the party so Sammy would not be "different" from everyone else. How thoughtful is that? She got soy yogurt, cheese, butter, etc and then did her cooking all dairy free, got non-dairy candies etc. It was so nice.
I am thankful for my beautiful little girl who is so smiley and sweet. It is such a blessing to watch her thrive and grow and experience the world.

Pumpkin Party

The newest members of the group




The whole crew







Cupcakes (my friend even made them dairy free for Sam)










Pumpkin painting







Hazel and Sophia

So we had the greatest day yesterday. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many great mom's who have kids the same age as mine. When I had Sam there were six of us pregnant at the same time from work that I was close to. Then with Sophia there were five of us pregnant at the same time. So we have all gotten together at different times but never all together well that all changed yesterday.
I had the idea to have a pumpkin party for the kids. So we went and got pumpkins and we painted them. We also decorated cupcakes and just let the kids eat and play together. With 12 kids two and under (5babies six months and under), and 8 months we were slightly outnumbered:-) It went fantastic though, the kids had a blast and there was no fighting or any boo-boos. It was so funny. Trying to get the group picture was hysterical but we got some.

Boston Children's

Well today was the day of Sam's transfusion. Traffic was terrible on the way in but we got there safe and sound. We went to the private room (they are so good to us there, as they know I breastfeed) and were just chit chatting with Kadeisha and playing with the toys. The nurse was in the doorway and as soon as Sam saw her he started crying and asking me to hold him. Poor guy. So against my better judgement I let this nurse TRY to get an IV in, and of course she didn't and while she was trying she was just digging around in there and it was really hurting him. I know how much that hurts. This is the same nurse that attempted twice last month and didn't get him. So one of our favorites came and got it in on her first try. But the poor kid... The clowns came today: Dr MalAdjusted and Nurse Esther. THey had us cracking up. Sam got to do a little craft project with Kadeisha the child life specialist. Have I said how much we love her?!?!? WE love you Kadeisha:-)