Whenever I get asked how my Christmas was, I think of how I saw entirely toooooo much of this face...
and have to really resist the urge to say "let's see here, Bodie has cut 5 teeth since Thanksgiving, and I'm pretty sure he's working on a 6th. Oh, and he may have had a cold in there, too (jury's still out on whether it was a cold, or just dramatics from teething) - oh, and now impetigo on his face. How do you THINK my Christmas was?" But then I take a deep breath and realize that, setting aside Bodie's theatrics (oh, I cringe to think of our costs for therapy when this kid is older - and lest you think I'm exaggerating, I assure you I am not - tonight, Bodie was in such a bad mood and was so mad at me for leaving him with daddy for 10 minutes while I cleaned the kitchen, that he screamed so hard he literally barfed all over me the second I picked him back up!), Christmas wasn't all bad. In fact, it was pretty darn sweet to celebrate our very own miracles. We always say both of our kids are miracles - Sierra, because somehow, even with a family history of left-ventricle defects, her heart turned out 100% perfect - and Bodie, because he's living a beautiful, full life with only half a heart. There is some sweetness to life becoming so ordinary that we have the luxury of worrying about things like teething and disgusting, highly contagious skin rashes. So, yes, it truly was sweet to celebrate Jesus's birthday and thank him over and over for his gift of life to all of us, and the miracles he's given our family this year...
On Christmas Eve...our sweet little model
The whole family at our church's Christmas Eve service 
Mommy and her sweet little guy 
Little man becoming obsessed with the guitar - and making his daddy oh so proud 
Such a fashionista...
After Christmas...a trip down to Dusk's grandma's house, so she could meet Bodie!
Kisses from Great Grandma Vickery...
Attempt #1 at a picture of Great Grandma with both kids...
Attempt #2, with daddy included, went a little better...
After visiting Great Grandma, we headed to meet a fellow braveheart, Travis. Travis also has HLHS and a pacemaker, just like Bodie! He's 14 months old and his mom Nicole and I have gotten to know one another through online HLHS support groups, but this was the first time we had met in person. It is SO inspiring to meet a fellow heart warrior who is doing so well! Travis has got to be one of the cutest little guys I've met (and he just became a big brother last month to cute little Addison!)
One last pic of Bodie smiling with mama...
and have to really resist the urge to say "let's see here, Bodie has cut 5 teeth since Thanksgiving, and I'm pretty sure he's working on a 6th. Oh, and he may have had a cold in there, too (jury's still out on whether it was a cold, or just dramatics from teething) - oh, and now impetigo on his face. How do you THINK my Christmas was?" But then I take a deep breath and realize that, setting aside Bodie's theatrics (oh, I cringe to think of our costs for therapy when this kid is older - and lest you think I'm exaggerating, I assure you I am not - tonight, Bodie was in such a bad mood and was so mad at me for leaving him with daddy for 10 minutes while I cleaned the kitchen, that he screamed so hard he literally barfed all over me the second I picked him back up!), Christmas wasn't all bad. In fact, it was pretty darn sweet to celebrate our very own miracles. We always say both of our kids are miracles - Sierra, because somehow, even with a family history of left-ventricle defects, her heart turned out 100% perfect - and Bodie, because he's living a beautiful, full life with only half a heart. There is some sweetness to life becoming so ordinary that we have the luxury of worrying about things like teething and disgusting, highly contagious skin rashes. So, yes, it truly was sweet to celebrate Jesus's birthday and thank him over and over for his gift of life to all of us, and the miracles he's given our family this year...On Christmas Eve...our sweet little model
The whole family at our church's Christmas Eve service 
Mommy and her sweet little guy 
Little man becoming obsessed with the guitar - and making his daddy oh so proud 
Christmas morning (sorry - no pics of Mr. Grumpypants - he opened a few presents and then spent the better part of the morning crying because I wouldn't let him eat candy, play with scissors or eat wrapping paper)... Sierra modeling her new glasses and Christmas jammies
Such a fashionista...
After Christmas...a trip down to Dusk's grandma's house, so she could meet Bodie!Kisses from Great Grandma Vickery...
Attempt #1 at a picture of Great Grandma with both kids...
Attempt #2, with daddy included, went a little better...
After visiting Great Grandma, we headed to meet a fellow braveheart, Travis. Travis also has HLHS and a pacemaker, just like Bodie! He's 14 months old and his mom Nicole and I have gotten to know one another through online HLHS support groups, but this was the first time we had met in person. It is SO inspiring to meet a fellow heart warrior who is doing so well! Travis has got to be one of the cutest little guys I've met (and he just became a big brother last month to cute little Addison!)
One last pic of Bodie smiling with mama...
Merry Christmas from our blessed (even if a little tired and cranky at the moment) little family to yours! 
My perfect peanut! I have missed you so, so much.
ReplyDeleteDear Bodie. Even though I don't get to write as often as I used to or visit as much as I'd like, our family prays for you EVERY DAY and think of you daily.
I love you, my sweet boy and you are always in my heart.
BIIIG HUGS and many warm wishes for an amazing 2011.
Nairi, Michael and kids