Conductor Miles

Miles got the coolest train set for Christmas from his cousins (and Uncle Ryan and Aunt "Efefie"). We pulled out his hat from Roaring Camp. Notice the "space" jammies. Yes, he is still fascinated by anything "space".

The Elf

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy...

Santa came...

He ate most of our cookies and left bootprints. Apparently, he still had North Pole snow on his boots. He knew just what Sam needed...a new red tube and KY jelly. Thank you Santa!

Christmas Eve

We spent the evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was a little noisy so Sam slept in Grandma and Grandpa's closet. Then it was time to get the house ready for Santa. We made cookies, wrote a letter, and left food on the porch for the reindeer. Can't wait to see what he brings for the boys...

The Outrageous Uproarious Smush

No caption necessary.

Snowy Day

It snowed all day today. The first picture is from the door of my classroom. Unfortunately, I got home late (Parent Conference Week) so I got pictures of our house, but none of Miles and Sam in the snow...Miles' new soccer net (from Grandpa Charley and Grandma Ellen) was covered with snow!

5 months old...

What can I say? We love this little Smush boy more than we could have ever possibly imagined. He is the sweetest and toughest little guy. Sometimes I look at him and wonder why this had to happen to him. I guess it happened because he is tough and can handle it. :)

Santa

Miles sat on his lap and said "May I pleeeeease have a Cars toy?" Then when we asked him to smile, he gave us this face. Several people were laughing at him, including us.

The Failed Christmas Card Shoot

I am determined to get a good one this weekend. I want a "smily" one. These are still very cute though.

He can make any day a good day...

We have had our share of bad days over the past few months. Here is just one example of how Miles keeps us going...

Smush Update...

We have been busy and I have meaning to write about Sam's Botox surgery. The procedure itself went great. Our little trooper was wonderful through it all. Unfortunately it has not helped him just yet. He went to his doctor today and she was not totally discouraged. It is kind of just a waiting game to see what happens. He is growing and developing perfectly. He is not uncomfortable thanks to Bryce and his "expert" care of Sam. The thing about Hirschsprung's Disease is that every baby/child has a different experience. Nothing that has happened to him so far is out of the ordinary. We just have to wait to see what his little body does and take care of him the best we can while we play the waiting game. After the "Tubes" nickname wore off in the hospital he earned the nickname "Smush" because he had this smushy little old man face. Funny story- he and Miles were at the store with Grandma the other day and the clerk asked Miles what his brother's name was. Miles said "Smush". Cute.

The Ride Home

Sam thought I was pretty funny on the way home today...He goes in for his Botox surgery on Tuesday. Be thinking of the sweet thing and I will be back to report good news soon...

Thanksgiving

We went to Big Bear for Thanksgiving and Miles was thrilled to spend the long weekend with his cousins...Sam was equally content getting lots of love and attention from everyone around him!

Lately

For those of you who don't know, sweet Sam is gearing up for another procedure next Tuesday. He is having Botox injections in his little bum. His muscles are not relaxing the way that they should which is making it difficult for him to go to the bathroom. The Botox should help...hopefully on the first round. It is possible that he may need more than one round of it. They do have to put him "out" so we are HOPING this is a one-time deal. On a positive note- he is now enjoying some real food- he started having his first "meals" this past weekend and has definitely taken a liking to the fruit and cereal. He has also taken a liking to his big bro...But, who wouldn't- Miles continues to amaze us daily. Yes- he made the "Q" all by himself. I was impressed. I was equally impressed when Miles told Bryce to "take a chill pill" the other night (Bryce was frustrated when trying to get his PJ's on...which can be quite difficult when he is trying to jump around on his bed). Love the life you live....

Brothers

Good times...

Four Months

Sam celebrated his 4 month birthday yesterday with shots, an enema, and an x-ray. Yes- he has stopped pooping once again. We are not sure why he keeps starting and stopping, but we are hopeful that the next time he starts, he won't stop. Hopefully, the x-ray will tell us more. He got a great check-up from his pediatrician yesterday. According to his doctor, he is "high" for a 4 month old baby...whatever that means. He's doing all that he should and more, I suppose. I put Miles' 4 month picture so that you all could see the similarities our two boys share...

Happy Sounds

Couldn't decide which one was better...

More on Sam

He has started pooping again. You never would have thought that people could get so excited about poop. But, yes, that is what life have become for us. Wondering whether or when Sam pooped is ALWAYS on our minds. It is difficult to not think about it. He is still slowly getting going, but at least he is going. By the way, Miles wants to be a doctor when he grows up...to help Hirshsprung's babies. Really, that is what he says.

More from Arizona

While in Arizona, we also went to Uncle Ryan's golf course...Miles was so excited to ride on the golf cart...Uncle Ryan's wild ride. Sam also listened to bedtime stories with his brother and cousins. Like his brother, he already had developed a love for books.

Halloween

Miles went trick-or-treating for the first time this year. We went to Arizona so he could enjoy the festivities with his favorite kids, his cousins Hayden and "Cece". For those of you who don't know, "Cece" is actually Lindsay, but Miles used to call her "Cece" before he could actually say Lindsay and the name kind of stuck. We also met up with Michelle, Brian, and sweet little Addie. You would have thought Addie had been trick-or-treating for years. She was on a mission for most of the night.