Check-up, 5k, and Christmas Fun

Sam had his 12 month check up this week. I missed it (got locked out of my car...long story) but Chris went. Sam is growing like a weed. He is 32.5inches (100%), 23lbs (60%) and I don't remember his head circumference but it is in the 95%. We went from the bottom of the charts, to the middle, to bursting out the top. Dr. Sims said he looked great, and gave her own OK for our California trip. Everyone marvels at how well he is doing...I don't blame them.

Sam participated in yet another 5K (this makes 3 for him). We ran in the Macon Reindeer Run 5K to benefit Children's Hospital of Macon. I have a love/hate relationship with Children's of Macon. Their main pediatric floor contributed to the down-slide of Sam the night he almost died, and hesitated for hours before calling in our Cardiologist. BUT their PICU halted the down-slide and, by cooperating with our cardiologist and the cardios at Egleston, stabilized him enough to get him to Atlanta. Regardless, I'm sure they do wonderful things there. We ran with some friends and neighbors, who brought their kids too. Poor things...it was pretty cold. They all survived though, and Chris and I did pretty good (finished in 35 minutes).



Under the suggestion of our neighbors, we went to the Bolingbroke Christmas Parade. This little town doesn't even have a stop light, so naturally their parade was 'country'. Anyone with a John Deere tractor, big wheels on their trucks, a 4wheeler, or an antique car was asked to join in the line up. There was a group of civil war reenactors. Every 50 feet or so they would load their muskets with a blank and fire. Naturally all the kids started crying and screaming. Sam had on his snow cap, so he couldn't really hear the gun fire. Relo, however, almost peed himself in fear. The highlight for me, though, was the "Macon 1800 Club". This little group of all ages dressed in 1800 style clothes walked in the parade. One of the ladys, however, paraded in her 1800 style dress on her brand new HoverRound. Classic.



Goals for the rest of the week: finish shopping, finish wrapping gifts, run at least 4 times, and start a packing list for California!

~Kathy

Sam Turns ONE, Savannah Style

Chris and I took off work today to celebrate Sam's birthday. We found a hotel that would accept our dog, and drove to Savannah last night. Sam donned his "First Birthday" clothes, and we hit the town. He had plenty of strangers tell Sam happy birthday, and we had one stranger actually sing him the whole song. We did the 'river walk' shops, Broughton Street, and the City Market. It was really pretty, and if we had more time we would have hit up some of the more historic places.

We did eat a BIG birthday late lunch in honor of Sam. We went to Paula Deen's restaurant, Lady and Sons. Sam ate the following: cheese biscuit, pan fried cornbread, green beans, black eyed peas, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, banana pudding, and butter gooey cake. And let me say, the mac and cheese was disturbingly cheesy, but sooooooooooooo good. We had a hard time walking to the car after that...

We ended the day with a quick trip to Tybee Island to see the Atlantic Ocean. We took some great photos, touched the ocean, played in the sand, and sang Happy Birthday to Sam with the sun starting to set behind us. He won't remember a thing. But we will. And we made some great memories today.

Happy Birthday to my baby boy, who has been through more in one year than most people go through in a lifetime. I am in awe of you, and thank you for everyday you give me in your presence. I love you.

~Kathy

Thanksgiving, Sam's First Birthday, and Blogger Award

We left Macon on Wednesday for Mobile for the long holiday weekend. We stayed at my parent's house but spent most of our days with Chris' family (since we'll be with my fam at Christmas). We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at the Wimberly's house. Sam's 'stranger' anxiety has really amped up in the last month, and he wouldn't let anyone hold him without pitching a fit. He did get some good time in with his cousins, especially Noah (who is only 2 months older). And Chris, Shannon, Mark, and I got some good runs in. We did a 10k distance on Friday and then just over a 10K on Saturday. I still doubt it even made a dent in the calories we took in.

We had Sam's first Birthday Party on Friday at the Wimberly's house. All of Chris's siblings and niece/nephews came, all of my siblings came, and we had a great turn out of our dearest friends. It was a little cold, but we had a cook out in the back yard. Sam had a pretty good time, considering he would only let me, Chris, or my mom hold him. He opened his presents and clapped at the end of just about each unwrapping. When it was time for cake he was starting to crash. He didn't understand what he was supposed to do with the cake, and then got pretty mad when we tried to 'show' him what to do. Needless to say, the cake was followed by a nap. He got some really wonderful gifts, and OUR gift was to be with our friends and family to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Thanks to everyone who helped put the party together and who came to enjoy this time with us. Chris and I are working out a plan for a special family day on Sam's actual birthday (this Thursday) to complete our celebration.

One last note: I was nominated for a little blogger award this past weekend by a 'heart mom' blogger, Sundie. The award is called the Heartfelt Blogger Award. It is super sweet of Sundie to nominate me. Her daughter, Sydnie, is a heart hero, and I love reading about her adventures and seeing her develop into a little lady in their blog called Sydnie's Sweet Heart! Here are the details of the award:

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Display the award logo

2. Nominate up to 9 blogs that make you feel warm and fuzzy inside

3. Link to your nominees and leave a comment on their blog telling them about the award

4. Link to the person whom you received the award

The following blogs are my nominees, and I check up on all of them frequently!

Amelia's Progress - Micro preemie Amelia and her courageous parents' blog. Amelia was born in April of this year, and has yet to come home from the hospital. Her journey has been truly moving, and her parents have come through it all in the most graceful and uplifting of ways.

Our Journey Together - My husband's cousin and his wife's blog. Josh is not much older than Chris and I, and he has already battled colon and lung cancer. His strength to push though, his fight to raise awareness, and his wife's never ending, steadfast love truly amaze me.

The Houston Branch of the Woodard Family - My BFF from LSU's blog. Tamara and her husband Mark are just a super sweet, wonderfully christian family. I love reading up on their adventures in 'newlywedhood'!

Oh boy... - Tamara's little sis's blog. Although I have spent very little time actually hanging out with Ali, her blog is freakin' hilarious. The way she writes about her adventures in hospital radiology and marathon training really crack me up.

... then came Grayson in the baby carriage - Grade school friend's blog. I have known Morgan from WAY back in the day. He blog about her ever sassy but always sweet daughter Grayson always make me smile. I LOVE her "Little Miss Chatterbox" section!

The Moses Family - Chris's cousin's blog. Amy has a cute little blog highlighting the new edition to this growing Catholic family, Benjamin. Her husband has a great Catholic centered blog too: Aggie Catholic

I follow a lot of blogs and could nominate them all. Thanks again to Sundie! Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday!

~Kathy

Sam's "One Year" Photo Shoot

We had really wanted to have some "pro" photos made of Sam, but after I got my Nikon, I just kept putting it off. I finally went and had some photos made at Portrait Inovations. Naturally, Sam cried the WHOLE time. She got maybe 5 shots where he wasn't crying. Oh well...probably a sign I should just keep to my Nikon photos! Here are the best ones though!

~Kathy

Successful Race and Fundraising!

We left for Atlanta early early this morning for the Strong Legs Run (a fundraiser for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta...Sam's hospital). Chris and I ran in the 10K race. We both ran faster than we expected, and both set personal records for our 10K times. My parents and Chris's parents came up to support us, and to do the 2K race. We all walked the 2K...Sam rode in his stroller. Sam met up with his 'heart buddy' Matthew (photo above), who has a similar condition to Sam's, and who has the same Cardiologist. We had a REALLY great day, and can't wait until next year.

The race was also a fundraiser. Between my family, we raised $850! We were part of a larger group of teams who were raising money specifically for the cardiac services research team at CHOA. Together, these teams raised $36000! I'm proud of us, and we plan to do more for the race next year. Thank you to everyone who sent in money for this cause!! Not too long ago (just 24 years, in fact) there was NO SURGERY to help babies like Sam. They just died. Only recently have cardiac research teams developed surgeries (like the one Sam had in March) to extend these heart babies lives. I know it's not millions and millions of dollars, but every penny you donated to this cause will go to further research and development of new techniques to keep Sam's life going. And I can't ever tell you how much that means to me...

~Kathy

Last Call for Runners/Donors!!

Chris, Sam, and I are running in an event this weekend to raise money for the Sibley Heart Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. These people SAVED SAM'S LIFE and will be the ones we call on again when Sam needs his next surgery. We would love to have you come up and run/walk with us (there is a 10k, 5k, 2k, and several just kid races). If you can't come and be with us, you are welcome to donate to this cause. The links are below!!!

~Kathy

My Donation Page
Registration Page
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Race Info Page

LSU/Bama Tailgate

We drove to Birmingham and Tuscaloosa this weekend for a tailgate and to hang out with family. We stayed at Chris's sister's house, and Sam got to hang out with his cousins. They love him a little more than he can handle...as in, he LOVES watching them, but isn't quite ready to snuggle up and sit in their laps yet. He did let me get a few good pictures though! Saturday, we met up with friends from PT school for a tailgate on Alabama's campus for the LSU/Bama game. It was perfect weather, and Sam was an angel for most of the day. PT school was the three hardest years of school I experienced, but I met the MOST amazing group of people there. I value any chance I get to be with them, and this weekend was no exception. As an added bonus, my sister Amanda was with the LSU band at the game, and when the game was over, we rushed across campus and got to see her before they loaded the buses. I wish every weekend could be spent with friends and family (and a victorious LSU team...)!

~Kathy