9.30.12 - 3 Years

Three years ago at about this time in the morning, your and daddy and I were at home preparing to go to the hospital…I felt like you were going to make your big debut that day.  I was quickly getting myself showered and hair washed {because I wanted to look somewhat presentable for all the pictures that were to follow that day!} while having contractions, after my water started leaking that morning upon waking.  We were very calm, considering what was coming!  Then, I’ll always remember the call I made to your Baba…

“Dad, Happy Birthday!  And guess what?  Looks like you are going to be sharing it with your first grandson!” 

We couldn’t have been any happier in that moment to know that you were soon going to be in our arms and we would see you for the very first time.

Daddy and I weren’t quite sure if it was “real” labor, only because I was so anticipating they were going to tell us to go home – because if you were coming, you were definitely a little early, as I was exactly 3 weeks, 6 days old…just 1 day premature.  Little did we know then, that small detail played a very big role in what was to come…

When we arrived at the hospital, they confirmed this really was “real” and we began our labor journey.  About 8 hours later, there you were…large cone head and all, but you were beautiful.  The team from the NICU was there to be sure you were ok, given that tiny detail I told you about earlier of you being early…later on we realized this was part of God’s perfect plan for you.  We got to hold you briefly, because they told us they needed to take you back to the unit for observation as your breathing wasn’t as strong as they had liked.  Thinking this was routine and that we would surely see you soon, we snapped a quick picture, gave you a kiss and you were swept away….several hours later our world was turned upside down as we learned you had a very special heart…a 1 in 100 type of heart.  5 days later, we watched the doctors and nurses take you away again, for your first open heart surgery. 

It’s been a long, adventurous, faith-building, roller coaster ride ever since…but we wouldn’t ask for it any other way.  Liam, you are perfectly made for us, and we are honored to be chosen by God to be your parents.  Everytime I think of you, I see God’s masterful plan in our lives in flesh and blood.  I see His ways are not our own, but better than we can ever imagine.  I see His faithfulness alive in you and our family.  What started out as an uncertain future, has turned into a wondrous journey, filled with endless love and redemption. 

We are so thankful for you, Liam.  We praise God every day for you.  You have grown into such a smart, funny, caring and loving little boy, we could not be more proud of you.  I love remembering your birth story, there are just so many things about it that have grace, love and mercy written all over it. 

At 3 years old, you are certainly developing a personality all your own.  You are a social bug like your dad, so caring and friendly to others, constantly finding and making new friends everywhere we go.  You love to learn, your favorite games to play right now are the ABC game and your favorite song you sing everywhere is …your ABC’s!  Even though you’ve known them for awhile now, you sing them all the time!  You are doing lots of counting too, even counting things and learning some basic adding and subtracting {with M&M’s mostly!}.    You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse more than anything and you love to hear daddy and I make up silly stories at bedtime, and you are very creative and imaginative yourself!  You are finally eating ice cream {so you don’t make us look like evil parents anymore for chowing down on some ourselves in front of you when you used to not want any!}.  You still play hard, sleep very well and we still have naptime {praise God!}.  Most of the time you are obedient, but we can tell you are starting to become more…independent! 

Liam, happy birthday buddy.  We cannot believe it’s been 3 years already, time is surely flying by.  We are so happy and proud at the little boy you have become and waiting in awe and wonder to see what the future holds for you.  You are a special and perfect gift to us, and everyone who knows you.  We love you more than words can say or hugs can convey.  We hope this day brings special memories for you!  Happy birthday!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

And Happy Birthday to my dad…Baba…we love you!!

9.14.12 - Still here!

At his first "beach" on a beautiful day here in Texas...it was at a nearby lake!

Wow, my posts are getting further and further apart lately...and there are a lot of posts I've been meaning to pull together but just haven't had time - so just going to update what we've been up to lately...finally!

First off, Liam is now in school!  It's only once a week right now, but it's a start and he loves it.  He is actually in the 2 year old class, Mother's Day Out program at my parents church.  Last week was his first week and he did great....These are the first 2 week sheets we got in his folder:

"Talking with friends a lot today" The talking!  He is such a little chatterbox, it's quite funny and cute, but boy does his teacher probably get an earful!  The first day she said he literally talked himself to sleep at nap time!  When I picked him up, he was telling me about nap time, and he said "The teacher told me "Shhh....Go to sleep"" Ha!  At least he naps!

I think this has been really good for him.  There were no tears, on either of us, his first day, as I think we were both ready for this new venture.  And although it's a younger class, about half of the class turns three either this month or within a few months, so it's perfect.  I am enjoying having a day to really get down to my work from home jobs and have uninterrupted time to make phone calls and other work.  Makes the rest of the week a lot less stressful on me. 

Ready to swim!

Liam is also surviving his swimming lessons....I can't say he really loves it, yet.  But, it's quite a lot of work for him!  He has developed some fears about the water, so it's been challenging for him, but I think he enjoys it most of the lesson.  We are only 3 lessons in and have already started going under water...which I think freaked me out more than him!  He hasn't seemed to take on hardly any water with it, which is great because that was a concern with me giving his aspiration issues.  In fact, today he was acting pretty fearful (or totally playing us because he didn't want to do it, is what his teacher thought) of going under, but we kept pushing him to go under and everytime he closed his mouth and did great.  Later the teacher told me she noticed he would do what he needed to do once submerged, so that's why she kept pushing him, she knew he was just trying to get out of it.  I told her he had been doing that a lot lately...in a lot of different areas...maybe because he's almost 3?? Ha!  I'm glad our instructor, Ms. Paige is tough, as this momma is not so much!   

Swim lessons!

And to mention our current struggles - Eating!  Ugh, seems like this has always been a struggle, but it's getting hard.  Liam is definitely expressing his independence and really giving us a hard time with it.  Plus, the digestive issues he's been having (he's been on Miralax for about 5 weeks now because he's developed holding issues) have been better, but not where I thought he'd be at this point.  I am contemplating a follow up with the GI soon to discuss all of this, although part of me is thinking this may be normal...but I don't think I'd know normal if it hit me with a 10 foot pole, so I think I'm gonna go for a follow-up....better safe than anything in my book!  As far as weight gain, I think he is at least maintaining - it was really good to hear from the cardiologist that Liam's growth looked great, so that eased my worries a little. 

We've recently started a reward chart where he earns Mickey Money each day for accomplishing goals (like eating his meals!).  He also has two "chores" a day, feeding the kitties and setting the table.  I think this has helped keep a good schedule "flow" for us and for him to learn more responsibilities and also consequences for not being obedient (i.e. no reward!).  It's working for us right now, so we shall see how long this sticks!  And the Mickey Money he saves up to "buy" things he wants - based on a fee set by mommy and daddy =)

As far as things coming up for us, a little someone turns 3 at the end of the month - Can you believe it?  THREE! 

9.5.12 - 1st Day!

{Wordless Wednesday Edition!}