Christmas 2010

It seems like I was just posting how excited I was about Mikey and Luke getting here (well I guess that is pretty much what I posted about last) but, it feels like it was just yesterday instead of a week ago tomorrow!  Wow did this week ever fly.  It was an amazing week filled with game playing, movie watching, talking, hugging, laughing, crying, excitement, disappointment, surprise and several other emotions and activities.  I have to say this Christmas was one of the best.  Seems weird to say but it is true.  I say that because even though we missed being with family and taking part in certain traditions, we totally focused on just the four of us.  I mean we weren't distracted by having to be any place at a certain time, having to cook, having people over, having to clean, having last minute shopping to do, having to pack to go anywhere and all of the millions of other crazy things that help make the holidays special.  We played board games, Wii games and watched a couple of movies laughing and picking on each other (in a fun way) most of the day.  Mikaela felt better then she had in awhile-her packed RBC's from the day before boosted her hemoglobin up to 9.2 (it had been staying in the low to mid 7's) and her ammonia was in the 90's which was better then where it had been at 111, 211, 130,160, 225...(it is being quite stubborn this go 'round and doesn't seem to want to go below 100 too often!)  At one point, Mikaela fell asleep for a bit and Luke went over the the RMH to play some of his new video games.  I went over to hang out with him for a bit while Mikey sat with Mikaela.  At 5:30 yet another generous family came in to serve a wonderful meal that included all of the holiday goodies-ham, turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with mini marshmellows, mashed potatoes & gravy, rolls, stuffing and every flavor of the pie you could imagine.  After we ate, we fixed up a couple of "to go" plates and brought them over to the hospital for Mikey and Mikaela then we were back at it and played another game. About 10:30/11, the guys headed over to the RM room for the night. 

We all tried to make it a special Christmas, which I trust we did.  I know it will be memorable for sure.  I can't thank everyone enough for helping put smiles on all of our faces.  Whether it was a thoughtful note on fb, a card, a gift, an anonymous donation or a box full of exciting surprises, knowing so many wonderful people cared enough to remember us was very touching and humbling. I truely believe the human spirit is good and there are many angels on earth.


Mikaela waiting for Luke and Mikey to arrive - Christmas Eve Day.

Tree transported safely from RMH, M tucked in all cozy receiving RBC's

Together again!  First time since M flew out on 11-7.  Christmas Eve

Mom hanging out a bit to say hi to the boys before heading to Nichole's.  Luke shaking every gift to guess what is inside-just like he has since he was old enough to pick up a package and shake it.

The traditional Christmas Eve present-NO SURPRISE, it's jammies!

Mikaela with her Christmas Eve surprise!  Not really, she knows it's jammies.
We tried to get our nuse to let us have one extra person stay in our room-it was Christmas Eve after all.  No such luck.  So, they boys had to head to the RMH.  We decided that if they woke up before us (HA!- a hospital is about the worst place to get any sleep), they would just come over and if we woke up first, we would give them a call and really try to wait before opening the presents.  Well, as soon as Mikaela woke up, she noticed along with tiny battery powered light up tree there was a surpise on her bedside tray table.  That's all it took for the excitement to over take her and Christmas morning was on!  So, we called the boys and started to evaluate and form a strategy.  First, she had throughly investigated all of the surprises on the tray table-which include a brown with white polka dot Pottery Barn Kids rolling backpack (totally handy for going back and forth to the hospital or through the airport) stuffed with an adorable Build-A-Bear wearing a red Christmas outfit, fleece jammie/lounge pants, make-up, make-up bag, slippers to decorate, picture frame, word search and a few other items along with a stocking containing some surprises too.  Next, we decided since the boys hadn't arrived yet it would be ok for her to open the packages from friends. 

Surprises!  She thought I did this but, I had NO idea & nothing to do with it-REALLY.  It came from volunteers who collect donated items.  Not sure how it works exactly but, there was a card included that had Mikaela's name, age and room number so my guess is another wonderful human put it together along with others so all of the patients received something.  :) 

Christmas Build-A-Bear So cute!

WHAT! all of that AND Santa came too!  :)

Mikaela was totally shocked to see her Wii.  She would NEVER ask for anything that costs more then about $30 (except for maybe a couple of American Girl Dolls in Christmas' past).  Thanks to all of Santa's wonderful elves for making this happen.  Many hours have already been logged and one very LARGE glass of tea has been spilled (they really do mean it when they say make sure the area around you is clear.)  And now, as Mikaela stated, she can participate in contact sports.  :)
You Go Girl!

Oh what fun-Thanks :)

Ahhhh!  Luke & Mikaela, I Love You!

Opening gifts-love those smiles!

Pictionary for Wii-a fav for sure.  :)

What is making Luke smile...

It's the Burton snowpants he wanted-the LLBean box was just a decoy!

New clothes are always good especially flannel & T's representing CHOCOLATE.

Not way different then at home-wrapping paper everywhere! 

A little wrestling

A little Wii-U Draw

A little movie watching

A little Christmas Dinner

And finish up with a little game playing (once we figured out the rules)

Well, there ya have it in a nutshell ~ our Christmas 2010!  We hope all of you were surrounded by loved ones and that you found a moment or two during the day to stop and soak it all in cuz...that's all folks, there will never again be a Christmas 2010.  
We love and miss you all!

 I know the week consisted of more then Christmas day but, I just realized that it is after 2am and since Mikey and Luke are leaving tomorrow to head back to VT (BooHoo), I need to get some sleep-no tag teaming.  I will post again before next year-(ha, has to be tomorrow or later today actually) to let you know how the rest of the week went...I'll just say I'm glad Mikaela felt so well for Christmas, that was a gift in itself.
 Sweet Dreams.