4month and 2yr check ups

We went to the doctor today for well-child check-ups. I remember when Sam was little it felt like we never had well child check-ups it was always a follow up from some illness or something. Praise God it isn't like that any more!!! So my BIG 2 year old boy is 27lbs and 33inches, just under the 50th percentile for both. And my BIG girl is 10lb 12oz and 22 3/4inches long. Just under the 10th percentile for both. Sam was actually 12lbs at his 4month visit. But I guess Miss Sophia is just going to be petitie. She got 3 shots today and took it like a trooper. Sam tried to comfort her afterward. Poor little guy knows exactly what she was going through. And then we had to get his lead level and also blood to check to see if he is anemic. He started whimpering as we walked to the lab, but the lab tech (who knows us well:-( ) told Sam she would be real quick, and he said "Ok" and held out his finger. He didn't even cry when she picked him, and then said thank you when she was done. What a trooper he is. The doctor is going to follow up on the low IgA levels that the immunologist was talking about, she doesn't remember them being low before either, so we shall see how that plays out.

Fun in the sun

I LOVE ICECREAM!!! (like my pink bib, mommy forgot one so Auntie Tracy shared with me.

Daddy, Sammy and Allayna riding in Uncle Tim's trailer

Ava (11months) and Sophia (almost four months)

Auntie Tracy loves me

Allayna showing Sammy where to look:-)




Playdate with my friends



Sophia and Hazel holding hands. So cute!!!
Today my friend Sarah came over with her two children. Sam and her son Hunter are six weeks apart (Hunter is older), and Sophia and Hazel are eleven weeks apart (Sophia is older). It is amazing to see the size difference or lack of size diffence between Sophia and Hazel. Here I was thinking Sophia was getting so big:-( Oh well she is a PETITE little beauty.

Then this afternoon we went to Matt's parents for dinner and so that Matt and his brother Tim could help move 4 tons of wood pellets!!! We had fun. Sam got to play with his cousins. And we had a great dinner.

So very thankful

Today as I look back on the past few years of Sam's life all I am is amazed and thankful at God's goodness and provision. Sam's labor and delivery was so hard, as he had to be resusitated and then spent that time in the NICU. The first year of Sam's life was such a roller-coaster ride for us with all of his illnesses and being in the hospital and stuff. And then we started the transfusions almost exactly a year ago. And this second year of his life he has been so amazingly healthy. We have had a few scared here and there, but I am just so thankful to God that He has placed us here and that we have the medical specialists that Sammy needs to be healthy. He is such a joy to me. He says so many words now, and loves to laugh and run and climb things like a little monkey. I am just so blessed to be able to say that I am his mommy.

Sammy's Second Birthday

After multiple attempts I finally got the pictures for his birthday uploaded. You know last year I was sad that I didn't get a picture of Sam and I at his birthday, or a picture of Matt, Sam and I together at his birthday. This year I said I want to make sure we do that. Guess what I did this year?!?! I didn't get any of any of us with him:-(

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Party

Today we celebrated Sam's birthday as many of you know. It was a wonderful crazy hectic day. Sam had so much fun. We did a fire engine theme and he was so excited. We had the cutest cake made by Auntie Lil, Sam just swiped his fingers down the side and thoroughly enjoyed it. He got all kinds of fun trucks and outdoor toys as well as some great books and clothes. Sophia seemed better fussiness wise today, good thing as I couldn't hold her as much as I have the last few days. She did throw up two or three complete feedings though:( She continues to be fussy after eating and appears to get a stomache. She definitely wasn't screaming today as she has been, so prayerfully it is just a bug. I guess we shall see. We took tons of pictures but I am just too tired to upload tonight, tomorrow Stephanie I promise:)

Prayers please

I am probably being paranoid, but please pray for Sophia. She has been really fussy over the last week or so, I keep on blaming it on the weather, gassiness, overtired, etc. Denise watched her today and said she cried and cried, and Denise felt like maybe she had a stomache. A stomache wouldn't be that big of a deal, however Sam was just a week or two older than she is when he started getting sick and I kept saying he is sick and didn't know what it was. So now I am nervous that she is too. I know in my heart that I can't handle having another sick baby that they can't figure it out. I know God will bring us through as He always has but right now I am just scared and praying that God's will is that she is perfectly healthy and we won't have to go through all of the stuff we went through with Sam.

Pictures

I am a little partial but my kids are just the cutest ever. Matt't parents have been camping this week over at Otter River so we have brought Sam over for some fun and he has had a blast. He loves the water and has no fear. Matt was even able to float him on his back with the lifevest and he enjoyed it. The little bulldozer Sam is playing with in the pictures, is one that Matt played with as a kid. I thought that was kind of neat. Sophia has been quite fussy the last few days, I am not quite sure why. Not sure if it is reflux, or gas, or something entirely different. But she just has the sweetest smile and it just melts me. She has become quite attached to her momma and I am enjoying that as well:-) She even rubs my neck and reaches for my face now when I am holding her (you can see it in one of the pictures)

Samuel Lee

Future MD?!?!?! He says that he wants "Heart beeps" and places the stethoscope on his or someone else's chest or abdomen. I guess he has been sick enough to know how to use it.

Both of MY CHILDREN!!!!

Slept through the night last night!!!! I am excited. We shall see if it happens again. Here are some pics from the last few days (prior to the 4th) Sammy finally wasn't nervous to actually feed the goats. And is now trying to tie his own shoe, my baby is growing up.:-(

Sleeping Beauty

Sophia is such a sweet little girl who will sleep just about any where. I was making supper and Matt wasn't inside so I just plopped her in the Bumbo and put her on the counter and she fell asleep watching me. Little sweetie:)

Proud to be an American

Auntie Tracy loving on Sophia. Uncle Tim holding Sophia and Ava who is almost 11months. My baby is such a peanut.


Sammy playing with his Papa. He had a blast being pushed around.






Happy belated 4th to all of you. We celebrated with the Weber side of the family today. We had a nice time. Matt's aunt and uncle threw a nice party and Sam just loves going there. They got the kids these giant balloons and Sam had a blast with them.
As I have worked the last two days, and then spent time with our families yesterday and today, I have been reminded how blessed I am to live in the U.S. The freedoms we have and the blessings that God has bestowed upon this country are truly phenomenal. Today as I was miserably overtired I thought at least I have a job, at least I am able to support my family. I could live somewhere else and my babies could be starving. So many times people say God bless America, and I am constantly reminded as I look into the beautiful innocent faces (yes I AM partial) of my children, I realize that GOD HAS ALREADY BLESSED AMERICA!!!! Thank you God!!! Thank you for allowing me to be an american. Thank you to the men and women who are defending our freedom on a daily basis. God bless!!!!

Immunology update

Well Sam, Sophia and I went to Waltham today to see his immunologist. All in all the visit went well, he expressed some concern with that weird rash, the low grade temps and loose stools that Sam seems to be getting again. His plan is to check his IgG levels at this next transfusion (a trough level) to determine if his dose just needs to be increased, or if he needs to start getting transfused every 3 weeks. Obviously we are praying for a dose increase not an increase in frequency. So please pray that God gives the immunologist wisdom to make the right decision. WE got caught in torrential downpours and lighting on the way home. Thankfully Sam slept, although Miss Sophia was crying for a good part of the hour plus ride home!!! Makes for a long ride:)

Just Fun

WE went to Mom's today and played in the pool. Sam had a blast and is completely fearless, like his Uncle DJ and DEnnis before him. The little turkey walks right in to the water without stopping to see if he can touch. Doreen and I played volleyball and he kept saying FUNNY FUNNY and laughing. This bathing suit Sam is wearing is 3-6month size!!! He is wearing his twelve month size summer stuff from last year!!! Skinny little guy, but he is definitely growing.
We came home tonight and Matt brought a bumbo for Sophia home from Auntie Tracy (THANK YOU!!) She seems to like it, as she can much more easily get her fingers in her mouth and explore her tiny little hand. Tomorrow we go see Sam's immunologist. I am anxious to go as I have several questions/concerns for him. (Mom took Sam to the last appt as I was on bedres or in the hospital or something) We will find out if the plan is to continue the transfusions as planned through until next summer. DENNIS IS COMING HOME!!! He will be stationed in Leominster for about 3 years! Isn't God wonderful?