Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Happy Birthday Faris!

This time last year I had been in the hospital for nine days.
I had been poked, measured and not able to wear pants.
I hadn't seen Hamza but a few times.
My mom was doing Ali's laundry and unpacking my new house.
I had just been moved into my own room and would be in complete shock that as fast I was moved and settled into that room, I would be leaving it behind.


I only have bits and pieces of memories from the first 48 hours in the hospital but the last few days are still vivid.
There was a lot of comotion trying to prepare for Faris coming into the world as he made sure to do it right at shift change! The nurse tried 4 times before finding a vein able to get my IV into. The contractions were starting and getting stronger. They wheeled me through hallways and rooms to do an ultrasound (all without pants!) only to find out we would have to do a C-section as Faris had decided to flip around and go feet first!
Paperwork to sign, disclaimers to be told by the doctor, tears to wipe but all with a smile.
The one memory that sticks out was that while all of this is going on, I was frantically calling Ali but wasn't able to get ahold of him for almost an hour. (Note to all husbands out there: If your wife is in the hospital KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES!) Boy, that man is lucky I am understanding and just plain cool... and that he made it in time.


I didn't get to see Faris after he came out but my mom said he had put up such a fight when they were trying to get all of his IVs and wires hooked up, that it took more than one nurse just to hold him down. I don't think he has changed one bit. We used to struggle to get the Oxygen tubes hooked up to his face. One person would hold his head while the other hooked him up. Even now when we are trying to get him dressed it's a battle. There are just too many other important things to do than lay down and get a clean diaper or clothes on or stay in the womb for the full nine months!


I can't believe he is going to be one tomorrow. I want to say that I don't know where the time went but I do. It went to doctor's visits, driving, blood draws, waiting rooms and pharmacies but it was all to have the healthy baby we have, sleeping across the hall from us today.


Faris loves his brother and thinks he is super cool. The jury is still out with Hamza but he is starting to come around.
He loves chasing Bruno around from one side of the room to the other. Poor Bruno's only defense is to lick him.

That baby is just so happy to see anyone who wants to look his way. He loves crawling into Hamza's room to play with the big boy toys.His laugh is wonderful and his smile is contagious. He can pull himself up to standing and I wouldn't be surprised if he started walking much earlier than we expected him to. He even crawled up the first two stairs the other day! I can't wait to see what else he has to show us this next year.


Happy birthday to my sweet little boy.
We love you so much.




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Little Boys World

We have all been sick the past week. As in the flu sick. Luckily, the little ones did not catch it but they still got a little something. And although I hate when Hamza or Faris have anything wrong with them, the nice thing about it is that Hamza goes Old School with his napping and sleeps for good amount of time.

Today while laying with him as he fell asleep (as that is the ONLY way to get him to nap), I was watching his eyes stare up at the ceiling. His room was pretty dark, the toys were all put away and the sound of a babbling brook was in the distance. I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that little tiny head of his. He had the same look that I imagine I do as I am going over everything that needs to be done the next day while trying to fall asleep at night.

Is he counting his dinosaurs? Remembering where each one was. Thinking that it was about time to dump the bag of Mega Blocks out of their bag? It hadn't been done in a few days, so it was definitely time to do so. Was he thinking about cookies and chocolate milk? Airplanes, sticks and all the leaves in the back yard?

Such a wonderful little imagination that lives in that boys head. Not a care in the world except dinosaurs and airplanes. He drives me crazy but one smile from that sweet little man makes it all go away. He's at such a fun age right now, so close to turning 3, starting to talk a little more each day. He loves his dad, he gets the biggest smile on his face when Daddy comes home.

He is going to start pre-school when we get home from Utah this year. He will take the bus and I will probably drive behind the first time to make sure he is OK. I can't believe he is going to be doing something, be somewhere without me during the day. It's only for three hours but I am a little sad just thinking about it. I know he will love it and will be so proud of himself.
That little boy has been through so much with all of us last year and I am so excited to see what this year and all of his new beginnings have in store for him.

Friday, January 6, 2012

A little too long since my last post....

I am pretty sure that the last 6 months of the year have been the biggest roller coaster of emotions and events that I believe could be crammed into such a short period of time but I am forever grateful for each and every moment.

Our house finally looks like a home!
We finished off most of the decorating and were actually able to have family over for New Years Eve! I guess nothing can get you off your butt and hanging pictures, paintings and everything else like having guests and family over for the first time!
It feels so good to walk in and see the TV above the fireplace and actually working, the chairs out of their boxes, mirrors hung and a coat rack at the front door.
We still have a little bit to do (like putting doors and shelves in Faris' closet) but nothing major and nothing that can't wait.

Faris was taken off of Oxygen and his Apnea Monitor completely at the beginning of December. I had a very hard time not shedding tears of joy in the office when the doctor said we wouldn't be needing either machine any longer. He is also off of the diuretic and has started eating solid foods! He absolutely loves bananas! I am pretty sure he was tired of just drinking Enfamil because he smiled and smiled when he first tasted the bananas.
I think that the best news of all with him is that he doesn't look like a little preemie any longer. He is 16 pounds as of this week! (Which is one pound less than Hamza at the same age.) Someone actually called him a big guy at the eye doctor. He has been cleared of any retina issues and we will only need to go back to the eye doctor when he turns 1 this year to check for glasses.
The pediatrician is very pleased with his progress as well. Every month we go in for his Synagis shot, she tells me that we have done a great job with him and to keep it up. Having that kind of compliment makes all the worry, late nights and doctor appointments worth it.
He smiles so much and he looks at Hamza as the greatest thing ever to walk the face of the Earth. I am pretty sure that I will have my hands full when he starts walking around and wants to copy EVERYTHING his big brother is doing.
It has been so amazing to watch him progress from the tiny 2 lb, 7 oz; 28 week preemie into the precious, smiley little man that has made our house a home more than the decorations ever could have.

As crazy or silly as it may sound, I am thankful for all of what we went through last year.
I learned that my husband is stronger than I ever knew. That my mom is an amazing super woman that I hope I can turn out to be just like. Family is and will always be there for you.
Most importantly, no matter what God or the world has in store for you, there is always a reason and you will come out stronger and a better person in the end.