Samantha = listener

So, we knew all along that Sam's name meant listener. We even joked that maybe this child would actually listen to us. However, I have discovered that instead of her being the listener she has taught me to listen. To family, doctors, friends. People that I always had respect for but never really had to take much advice from. Now, these people are my life lines. She was definitely sent to me for a reason...

~*~How Preemie Moms Are Chosen~*~
(Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his
instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he
observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to
profanity."
Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles.
"Give her a preemie." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?
She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God.
"Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That
would be cruel."
"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.
"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea
of self-pity and despair.
Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it.
I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so
rare and so necessary in a mother.
You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own.
She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."
"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."
God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has
just the right amount of selfishness."
The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally,
she will never survive.
Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect.
She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.
She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time,
she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--
ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--
and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life
because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."
"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in
the air.
God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Double her size!

Miss Samantha Jean has doubled her birthweight! She officially hit 7 pounds 12 ounces on Feb 19th, and she's still hanging out right around there. She is truly an amazing little girl. What an accomplishment - double her size in just over two months. I just can't get over all the great things that this tiny little girl is capable of. She's starting to fill out, too. I'd even venture to say she might be a little chubby! She's wearing newborn size clothes and a few preemie's still. As long as it doesn't have feet - she's pretty long, I think and she just can't stretch out in the feety things. And, we are on our last box of newborn size diapers. I think they are getting a little snug around the belly. So, on to size 1's I think. Which, is actually really funny. Before she was born Pete and I started stocking up on diapers. We bought 3-4 of the big size 1 packages and then started buying size 2's. We figured she wouldn't be in the size 1's very long. Taylor actually started off in the size 1-2's! Boy, were we wrong!

The first photo is of Sami in her carseat the day we brought her home from the hospital. The second is a few days ago. I can't believe how much bigger she looks! I've had to move the straps up one level and also the head pillow. Of course, while she looks gigantic to all of her family we still get lots of comments and questions when we are out. "Oh my goodness she's soooo tiny!" I just smile and say "Well, she's big for her!"

The boys have taken to calling her Dolly - they think she's their real live baby doll. I think it's cute!

H Info...1 month of treatment progress

As of the 21st Sam has been on the propranolol for 1 month. And, the 22nd marks 1 month since the steroid injection I'm not sure I see much difference in the last two photos. The sores are definitely larger. And, I think that the underlying purple near the top is less in the second photo. The second photo appears more red, but I think it's just the tone of the photo, not actual.

We are hopeful that she will continue to improve and that the sores will heal soon.

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns

The kids started the seeds for our garden last week. We read the packages and were determined to wait a week or two for our plants to begin growing. However, 3 days later Jesse was very excited to wake up to lots of little green sprouts peeking up at him through the dirt. His sunflowers have grown so tall that we have had to move them out of the little seed starter box already. The peas have followed them and the lettuce is quickly catching up. The herbs seem to be the slowest growing, but the kids don't really care about them, so it doesn't matter anyway.

H Info...3 weeks of treatment progress

My little friend...

Good thing I have this sweet little girl to keep me company. After school today all of the big kids left to go and play with friends. So, Sam and I decided we'd play a little and then take some new pics. After our photo shoot she decided it was a good time for a nap. So, I decided to edit her pretty pictures and I just couldn't resist sharing this one. She really is just the sweetest little thing. I'm so lucky to have her!

Wrapped around her finger...

Pete spends all weekend holding this sweet little thing. I have no idea why...

H Info...2 weeks of treatment progress

Today marks 2 weeks that Sam has been on the Propranolol. On Thursday it will be 2 weeks from the steroid injection. Something is definitely working! About 3/4 of her H is almost flat, and the part under her nose is almost faded away. The dark purple/black marks are bruising, I am guessing, because the purple has been fading everyday. The dark spots just seem more noticeable now I think, because the rest of the purple has faded so much. I'm hopeful that in the next month those spots will also fade. She just really looks great! We are so happy with her progress. Of course, when I look back at the pictures as I make her collage I realize that I never knew how large it had gotten. I guess it's true what they say - Love Is Blind.

Two Months Old...

So, our sweet Sami Jean is 2 months old today. I really can't believe it. She is truly just a little miracle. She has shown us all that anything is possible. She is so strong, and so happy. We are so blessed to be her family - we must have done something right to deserve this sweet little girl. She just makes us all so happy. But, I'd have to say that her biggest admirer (besides her Mommy, of course) is her big brother, Jesse. He just can't seem to get enough of her. Everyday he wakes up happy to see her. He spends his time at home caring for her and talking to her. He picks out her clothes each day, brushes her hair and even picks her matching hair accessory. He is just so in love with her. And I know she can feel his love for her - in this picture I can't get her to look at me because she is too busy gazing at him! We are so proud of our little girl - she has come so far and she has done it all with such sweetness. What an amazing little girl!

Superbowl Sunday Shots

Pa and Sam watching the game, or in her case, the ceiling fan...

The kids were all decked out for the big game - even Sam. If you look closely she has pink Cardinals on her outfit!