Miami, Nana and the "Greats"

We have been in Florida for a few weeks already. We have seen Nana, The Great Grandparents, Granny & Grand Dad, Thomas & Amy, and Uncle Trevor & Auntie Lynda. All were very surprised at how verbal and active Liam has become. Since we have been here, Liam says 'thank you' for everything - even things he doesn't really like or want.

When we arrived, it was muggy and warm, but the weather changed by the next morning, and for our four days in Miami (and Liam's four days in Sun City) the weather was rainy and cold. Luckily the weather changed on our fourth day, and until yesterday, we have had nearly 80 degrees every day.

While visiting the Great Grandparents, Liam wore Nana out. They played and had adventures all day long. They visited a fire station, where Liam met the firefighters and saw the fire trucks. It was sad to see Nana go home. We hope to visit again soon.

Here at the beach, we go to the ocean every day. At first, Liam was scared of the waves, and wouldn't walk on the sand. He kept saying 'no' and 'home' and he insisted on being carried. But once he saw his cousins having a great time, he joined them, jumping and crashing in the surf. He asks to go to the ocean every day and yells 'fun' over and over while we are there.

What may have helped with Liam's interest in the beach was a trip to Aquatica, which is SeaWorld's water park. Liam wore a tiny life jacket, and he spent the day floating, swimming and playing in the largest spray playground any of us have seen. There we also played at the beach, but this beach had warm water, and waves much gentler (and less frequent) than the ones in the ocean.





More soon!

Ready or Not... Here We Come!

Liam-

You are asleep. Daddy and I have everything packed for our flight tomorrow morning. We are going to Florida! You are so excited about going on the airplane. More details soon.

Love,
Mommy

Christmas Present

Liam and I watched the UPS driver walk around the park, looking for the right house. We discussed whether she drove a brown van or a brown bus. In the end, we agreed to disagree.

The UPS driver finally came to OUR house with this big box that was making race car noises. She and I both laughed, and she saw Liam and said "this must be for you!"

So, of course, we had to open the box.

It was a race car spiral ramp! Liam loves it. Thank you Auntie Katie (which he says himself at the end of the video).

Liam's Present

In other news, we're off to Florida in a few days. That means Liam's due for some kind of messy illness. It came a few days early; today in fact. He barfed all over the car on the way to the doc. He was supposed to get his hearing retested today. They took one look at him and rescheduled for January. He has been ok since then, so maybe he just had an upset tummy!

Playtime

Yesterday we left Liam in the kitchen, alone, for a few minutes, while we checked on something upstairs together. Some parents would shudder at the thought of this. Liam's predictable, so we can get away with this on rare and necessary occasions.

So Lester and I hear him rummaging through the kitchen drawers (only two are unlocked and accessible to him: the leftover container drawer, and the one with Liam's plastic dishes in it). We heard containers and dishes flying everywhere for a few minutes, then silence. After five minutes, I run back downstairs to assess the mess. However, there wasn't any. Liam set the table with four plastic plates, each adorned with a graham cracker, and he was waiting in his seat for us at the table. I burst out laughing, as did Lester, while little boy sat quietly repeating 'num num' which is his word for food.

Lester found this funny mom's restaurant review of her daughter's restaurant: "The service and food are terrible, but I love it anyway."

restaurant review

October Photos

Photos Include:

Pumpkin Farm
Choo Choo Ride
Liam the Lion
Devin the Dog
Trick or Treat

Halloween 2008

Strong Medicine

For nearly the last week, I was away from Liam. On Thursday, I went to have the stent removed from my pancreas. Everyone told me not to worry, but I had a feeling.

After I awoke from the procedure, I was in pain. So much pain that they kept me overnight. I don't really remember Friday, but I know there were visitors, including Liam.

The diagnosis was pancreatitis. It was really painful and no fun, but I did what the doctors said; I didn't eat or drink anything for days. Today I was let go, though I still feel pookie.

Lester, being the thoughtful husband, posted photos of Liam in my room. When it got rough, I could focus on him. Plus everyone asked me about him, which kept me thinking of him. Today, when they said I could stay another day (fully medicated) or go home, I didn't think about it for a second. So now I'm home, with my family, recovering faster than I could in any hospital. I'm surrounded by the strongest medicine in the world: Love.

Liam took my absence well, though Lester said he asked for me often, and looked all over the house to find me. Today he didn't want to leave school; obviously he had no idea that I was waiting for him at home.

It's good to be home. :-D

Postcard to Bean

Hi Bean,

It has been a while since I've seen you. Mommy is still at the hospital where the doctors work non-stop to help her get healthy again. Mommy went to a doctor to have a little green tube removed from her pancreas. The nurse was nice enough to clean it up so we could show it to you someday. It looks like a tiny garden hose with slices cut along the sides to hold it in.

Daddy put a bunch of photos of you in my hospital room, and I look at them all day. It's not like being home with you, but looking at your smile makes me feel better.

I miss you so much!

Love,
Mommy