So This Is Christmas 3...

Here is the latest:

2lbs 10oz
14.5 in
Staph infection GONE!!! Woohoo!
19cc feeds x 8 per day
No pda in heart scan (this is good)
Brain scan - stable/no change


Cash has been holding up well. Growing by the day, he is getting stronger and more feisty. He pulled his ventillation tube nearly out the other day! He is "rooting" for more momma milk, but he can't do that since he is intubated. Kimberley is sticking to her daily routine of kangaroo/skin to skin time everyday for at least two hours during a feeding. She amazes me. We now have 4 primary nurses, which is great; hopefully we will get a couple more. Sure makes it easier and less stressful to have nurses familiar with Cash' needs and quirks. Cash has developed some more facial expressions, including the "poop" face and even a small smile. We are so excited to see him hit the 3 lbs mark, then hopefully take another try at going onto the CPAP.

Ive been asked to explain what this Christmas season has been like to us so far, and at the risk of sounding boring, here goes. Its mostly the same; for me anyway. I guess we have always considered this time of year special and definitely a time to reflect on our family, the year passed and our spiritual relationship with God. So in that sense it hasn't changed. We are trying our best to keep Savy's Christmas experience and upcoming 8th birthday as normal as possible. This has been tough, but I think we have balanced it well so far. She helps make it easier, she's such a precious little girl.

Obviously there is a somber fog hanging over us as we hope and pray each day is good for Cash. That has become easier as Cash has grown stronger, and as the "Life Specialist" says, we get used to the "New normal" for our lives. This could be made easier if he was home, but for now we must have patience, and count the days until he is ready to leave TCH. Savy helps us on those days we are down, making us laugh and distracting us with her little girl stuff. Right now, Brownies and her new pet sugarglider are the talk of most evenings.

If I had to pick one thing that makes this Christmas different, it's pace. Even though our schedules are hectic running around to work, school, the hospital and family events; it seems as though the holiday stuff has slowed down. Maybe its because we don't have as much time to think about gifts, parties etc. We got all of our shopping done weeks ago, and that has been a blessing, with much less stress and last minute stuff that usually gets us flustered.

The last thing I must mention is the continued support we receive from everyone. It is truly humbling to realize folks actually care as much as they do. I receive at least three emails or facebook posts/messages a day from different people. Some from old high school friends or co-workers, neighbors, church friends, family and even some we hardly know. We cannot say thank you enough.
Your kind words, gifts and time are priceless to us and we will never forget them.

Enjoy your holidays, hold tight to your family and kiss your kids goodnight. Slow down, pay more attention and less dollars. Christmas is a beautiful time, make sure you enjoy it. I know we will!

Peace and Love!!  Ho Ho Ho!!