Merry Christmas 2010

Blaze had a cardiology appointment on Monday of this week. Dr. Tong pronounced it “a boring appointment.” Beautiful words, indeed. Internally he continues to thrive. We are so grateful. I was getting nervous because Dr. Tong seemed to take longer coming in to meet with us after the appointment, but everything looked great. Blaze behaved himself very nicely, too. The previous visit he was full of rage and anger when they wanted to put things on him, which is understandable. He had chilled out a lot this time, I was so glad. We explained the day before that we were going and they would be taking pictures of his heart. When they put the wand on his chest to do the echo, the resisting stopped as he looked at the monitor and said, “Well, look at that!” He was so amazed and in awe of the pictures coming out of him. He’s up to 27 pounds! Hooray! We’re getting there. Our next appointment is in April.

Blaze is very excited about Christmas. After his cardiology appointment I took Blaze shopping for Daddy. In his defense, he did slurp down an entire small chocolate shake on the way home, and he had been to the doctor for two hours that day, so he was getting goofy in the store that night. He would lean to one side and hang his head over the edge of the cart. He would try turning in the cart. He didn’t like any ideas for Dad and we both were getting frustrated. Then he saw the outdoor Christmas display aisle. We have a couple of things in front of our house, but our neighbor down the street really has everything out. People drive by to look at his displays. Blaze loves walking over and looking at the train, various displays and the nativity. He and Daddy always sing “Happy Birthday, Jesus” when they see the nativity display. So, at Target, Blaze begged to go down the “CHRISTMAS!” aisle. As we were walking down, he started saying, “Happy Birthday, Jesus!” I was very humbled by my little guy. I told him that yes, that was why we celebrated Christmas, because Jesus was born. There was not a nativity display in Target. A few steps later he saw another display, “Oh…sweet little pig” and yes, it was a rather large pig wearing a Santa hat. The moment was gone that night, but I pray that I always remember to consider Jesus, every day.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers! We are so blessed.

December 13, 2010

Blaze continues to grow, thrive and make his family laught! He is excited about Christmas, or "Kiss-a-mus" as he says it. There was snow on the ground Sunday morning when he got up. I showed it to him through the window. "What IS it?" he asked. I told him it was snow. "What IS it?" he repeated. I explained that when it's cold outside, instead of getting rain, sometimes we get snow. "What IS it?" he said again. Finally explaining that it meant it was cold outside worked for him. Later when the wind was knocking the Christmas lights against the house, we repeated the same process.

Melissa continues to watch Blaze for us, though she has moved out of our home and into an apartment with her sister, Megan. We moved some of Blaze's toys into her old room to give him a play area and allow us room to put up the Christmas stuff. Blaze saw her apartment before she moved and we were careful to explain to him what was going on during the process. He hasn't been upset by the turn of events, which surprised me a bit. She's lived in our home since before he was born. He's adjusted very nicely to the change. In the morning now when he wakes up, he gets to snuggle with Mom and Dad and watch a cartoon before she arrives. We're all loving this morning time. It's been a nice change to our day. I've always hated mornings, now they're nice. It's amazing what one little guy can do!

Tim had a birthday last week. We had extra fun activities. Blaze got to see his grandparents, eat out at two restaurants in one day, play with another friend at Jump Mania to give the parents time to talk and then this friend loaned him a large Transformer to play with at dinner. Blaze was in "awe". He was so engrossed with the toy, he ate more at dinner! He really enjoyed Daddy's birthday! Grandma and Grandpa brought him a "Christmas outfit" to wear for a picture. He posed very nicely. He really likes his red vest and white turtleneck. He loves to see his grandparents.

Blaze has learned a complicated way to safely climb out of his crib. Bedtime was a challenge for the first time since he was a newborn last night. He would pop out of his room and I would put him back in bed. After several meltdowns and explanations he decided Mommy was serious and "stayed put." I told him I would sit in front of his door all night if I had to, but he was going to go to bed. That's when he finally gave up. He decided he couldn't "reason"with a frustrated mommy. Ha! We're going to have to convert the crib to a toddler bed soon. It's a whole new world for us!

Any of you who know Tim's parents or knew my dad wouldn't be surprised to hear we have another singer in the family. I don't know another 2 year old who can sign "If I had a Hammer", "Free Fallin'", "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest Name I know" and Elmo's version of "One, Two, Three, Four" so easily. It's an odd repertoire. Between my mom, Elmo, Lego Rockband, and Christmas songs, he's learning a variety. It's never dull.

This weekend we developed a new game. Blaze slides in betwnn Tim and whatever Tim is leaning against (couch cushions, bed, etc.) and Tim gently leans back. Blaze shrieks, "No, Daddy! It's me, Blazey!" Tim says, "What? I don't know what's behind me, but it sure is soft and lumpy." Blaze yells, "I'm stuck, help! Help!" in a high-voice. He totally throws his voice in order to yell for help. He is, obviously, not stuck and in no danger whatsoever, but it makes me laugh hysterically when he does it. He is a funny kid.

We, as a family, are very aware of those who are hurting and struggling this Christmas season. It's been hard this year for us to get into the "Christmas Spirit". So many of our friends and church family have had loved ones pass away and the hearts left behind are feeling emptier. Through my work I meet hundreds of people on a weekly basis who are struggling without work or financial support. Ourselves, we are facing mechanical difficulties with our vehicles (yes, AGAIN), Blaze's surgery next year and major changes to our health insurance. There is so much hurting, sadness, and uncertainty, it's made it a bit harder this year. However, I rejoice in this time of year and I'm so thankful for Jesus' birth. We've been given so much, it is wrong not to be thankful for it. I do want to say again, as I often do, that we are incredibly blessed. We have been blessed beyond measure and we strive to remember that every day. We are blessed, too, to have you in our lives. Thanks for the continued prayers. I don't know where we'd be without them!

Merry Christmas!

December 3, 2010

We had so much to be thankful for this year! Our healthy heart baby (which sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it?) tops the list. He has exceeded expectation time and time again. We got to celebrate Thanksgiving with both of our families. What a treat! It was a trial run for Christmas. If he managed to stay healthy for Thanksgiving, we would plan on going to our families for Christmas. Guess what! As of now, we are planning to go! This will be the first Christmas celebrated outside of our home since Blaze's birth. What a blessing!

Blaze had a terrific time with all of his cousins. At his Grandma Cathy's house he got to play with my cousin's daughters, Ella (almost 3) and Mara (18 months). At Grandpa Floyd and Grandma Becky's he got to play with his cousins: Annika (3), Audry (3), Ty (18 months) and a four year old family friend. It was so much fun for him. He kept asking for his cousins after we got home. Great-Grandparents, Grandparents, Great-great Aunt, Great Uncles and Aunt, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Friends...it was an exciting time and he was such a sweetie! He had a new hair cut before we left and his eyes were especially sparkling during the week.

God is good! Thanks for your continued prayers. We appreciate them more than we can say. We're thankful for you, too!