Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories from 2008:

The three of us...

I may not be able to open this gift, but I like the wrapping!

All this gift wrapping sure is exhausting!

Happy, Happy New Year!!

All I want for Christmas

Photos of the Christmas tree and our little man underneath!

I bought the ornament below at the Junior League's Holly Day Market--it has characters for Tim and I at the top, Dustin on one side and our lab, Gervaise on the other. Too cute!

This year, all I want for Christmas is the health and well-being of my family!

Tim and I have started to review the abstracts that the Hospital's medical library provided regarding CCAM. We have rescheduled the pediatric surgeon appointment (originally for December) once and are getting ready to reschedule a second time. Dustin has done so remarkably well that we have not focused on the medical condition and the next steps. I also can't think of little guy going through such a major operation!

One of the abstracts discusses research that indicated that ultrasound alone may not be conclusive in the diagnosis of CCAM. Given this information, we feel that additional imaging is warranted in order to obtain a conclusive diagnosis before we can make a decision about whether Dustin will undergo surgery to remove the mass. We are also looking into obtaining a second opinion from a pediatric surgeon at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

For now, our little man is exhibiting no signs of the diagnosis that caused us such concern during the pregnancy!

Avoid the Frenzy

Tim and I have been attending the Saturday evening services at Southland for a few months now. It has actually been easier for us than getting out of the house early on Sunday morning, when we are both absolutely wiped out. We missed the service last weekend, since we attended a Progressive Dinner for our Sunday school class. And so, this morning I was able to watch last week's message via the Southland hour.

In celebration and preparation of the Birthday of Jesus, Southland has had a series called "A crazy thing called Love". This morning's message was a reminder to me that in the frenzied rush I experience during this season, the Reason truly comes down to one thing--the Love that the Creator had for His children to provide a son who would die for all sin. For my sin!

This year, Tim and I are trying to buy less and focus more on the Reason. It does seem a little crazy to rack our brains to figure out the perfect gift for those who do not necessarily have a need. Contras that with children in third world countries who live in poverty and injustice. And, children in our own backyards who do not have shoes to cover their feet. So, I am trying not to become caught up in the commercialized notion of a Christmas, and focus on the Reason.

Did you know that $75 will buy a goat to provide dairy for children in countries like Haiti or Kenya? Or, that for as little as $32, a child in Nicaragua could be educated? We recently received a catalogue from an organization called Worldvision. This was like no other catalogue. Instead of enticing photographs of the latest gadgets or designer styles, this catalogue included everyday staples, goats, sheep, cows, education and other materials and supplies for children inpoverished in third world countries. Worldvision is the organization that makes this all happen with the support of its donors. Pretty cool!

I think the following video sums up my thoughts:

A Hole in the Wall

There was some excitement in the Anderson household this past week. In the moment, it felt a little more like turmoil. We experienced a new milestone about a week to a week and a half ago--Dustin rolling to his belly in the crib! Momma was mildly concerned at first, typical I think for most new mothers. However, that concern quickly grew and Daddy too joined the club when on Monday morning I went to wake up Dustin and his head was face first into the mattress. Perhaps this is something that a lot of newborns do, however; I could find nothing good in any of my books or on the internet about babies doing faceplants into the mattress. And so, at least for Momma, concern closer resembled panic.

In any event, we went to bed as usual Monday night. Around 2:00 in the morning, I heard the Angelcare monitor alarm sound. Tim bolted out of bed and ran to Dustin's room. Dustin was ok, he'd just rolled off the sensor. I was in our bedroom getting ready to go back to sleep while tim finished calming Dustin down,when I heard a loud crash. I ran into the hallway to see Tim laying on the floor and the hole in the wall! I think this was the scariest moment of my life! Tim was unresponsive, so I attempted to call 911, but the phone was dead! Tim started to snore and I was eventually able to get him to talk to me.

We think that Tim's blood pressure dropped, a rush of adrenaline and quick run from rest state may have caused him to pass out. So, we have all been sleeping in Dustin's room since Tuesday. We are greatly hoping to move back to our room soon, as neither of us are getting enough sleep!

I am very thankful that my two guys are doing well!