A picture update

Ahem, well. So it's been four months now. And for those of you that know that it's been four months, not really much I can say, but please forgive me and I am sorry.

We will post again soon with more details about how he's doing and what is going on, but in the meantime, may I atone for my sin of negligence with a lot of pictures?

Here are a few from around Christmas ...




We've had some snow in South Carolina ...

"No, really mom, I've having fun!"

But more importantly, on February 27th, Samuel had his 1st Birthday. We weren't always sure if we'd make it, but the Lord sustained us through a very trying year and we are extremely grateful for it.

Sweet boy with his sweet mama

Samuel slept through most of his party

He was able to be awake for the presents

He is able to see some, and he loves light toys.
So ... we had a light toy birthday party ...

While he didn't have any cake (still G-tube feeding only), we did try to put a little ice cream cake on his tongue. He wasn't a big fan, though he was a little curious. Sure tasted different than his fingers or his favorite stuffed animal!

Ever the proud big sister

We are in the process of ordering prints from pictures we've taken over the years in an attempt to actually have some photo albums (not sure if anyone knows what those are anymore, but we like them). Just ordered almost 600 prints, just from 2008. So here are just a few representative pics of the last few months.

just hanging out on the floor

being loved

He's not crawling, but definitely able to skootch away from where you put him down!

Not exactly sure what she was going for here. Maybe an impression.

He isn't sitting up by himself yet as his muscle tone is still pretty poor. He is however, making progress, though, as this picture shows, he tires out. "Can I be done yet?"

Thought I'd sign off for now with a smile from our sweet boy ...

Home again home again

We were discharged on Thursday afternoon and made it back to Greenville in just under 2 and a half hours. We we are all very glad to be out of the hospital. Samuel's disposition changed pretty quickly and he is much happier at home (well, at least less frustrated, if not altogether happy yet).

He does continue to have some inconsolable episodes but they are less intense and less frequent. We are hoping that infection and yeast stay away as both could literally undo the palate surgery.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are so thankful to have this one behind us and are hoping to not be in hospital again for some time.

hopefully heading home

While Samuel's agitation isn't altogether gone it is a little less intense and less frequent. He is able to be awake and relatively happy at times, but every now and again he gets quite fired up and angry. They've taken out his IV and we're making progress toward home. He isn't requiring O2 but does have some on with a little water in it so try to keep things in his nose and throat from getting too dry. The surgeon was just in and said unless Samuel has another bad episode we'd be good to head home today around lunch time.

Samuel slept okay last night, though he's been pretty much up since 5 and off and on fussy. I think he might just be getting a little stir crazy and ready to get out of the hospital - might be picking up on that same energy coming from his parents :-)

Looking forward to being in our own space soon. This has been in many ways the hardest hospitalization yet - Samuel having a hard time dealing with the pain. We've needed the strength and endurance of the Spirit. We're so grateful for your prayers.