Michael's First Christmas Eve!

Today was a busy day!

It was Michael's First Christmas Eve!

We started the celebrations this morning with a few puffs as a pre-breakfast snack.

Yum!  These are tasty!

What?  Is there something on my face?

I don't know if Michael knew there was some fun ahead, but he did NOT want to take a nap this morning!  We had to settle for  a short 30 minute nap on the way to Auntie Dean's house where my mom's side of the family celebrated Christmas today.  Unfortunately, Mom and Dad couldn't be there since Dad was still in the hospital, but more on that later.

Michael had his first "all table food" meal today.  He loved the chicken, ham and mashed potates, but went head-over-heels (almost literally) with the dinner rolls. 

He got to open some presents for the first time and got some play-time with some of his aunts and uncles.



Michael and Godfather Andy

Michael with Great Aunt Dawn and Great Uncle Tom

After the big party, my sisters and I decided to swing by the hospital and see Mom and Dad.  Today was a good day.  I've tried writing his story and what has happened over the past 9 days more times than I can count.  The problem?  My Dad is a very private person and the last thing I want to do is upset him by giving out too much info where every Tom, Dick and Harry and see/read it.

Anyway...most recently, the pain medication situation has been figured out, his headaches are better controlled with those pain meds (even though they still happen and when they do, they are severe) and the IV antibiotics continue, but now with a brand new PICC instead of his original jugular central line.  Yay!  All good things!

Well, since today was a good day, we thought that a short visit wouldn't be a bad idea.

A little grandchildren therapy is sometimes just what the doctor ordered!

Dad now happens to be on the unit that my sister, Jodene, works on.  Thankfully, she had a co-worker/friend who was willing to come in and take a quick picture of the whole family minus Tony (we missed ya, Ton!).

Jen, Rob and Michael, Deanne, Wyatt and James, Ava, Jodene and Andy
Dad, Jayde, Mom, Brooklyn, Katherine

Dad and Mom
Wyatt, Michael, Jayde, Ava and Brooklyn

Michael checking out Papa's ID band.



I hadn't seen my Dad since this past Tuesday.  It's amazing how good he looks and how far he's come in just 9 days since he first got admitted to the hospital when he was the most sick I had ever seen him.  I think he's even starting to feel better too!  After he was extubated last Saturday, he was quick to say that he was in no hurry to leave the hospital.  He wanted to stay as long as it took to kill every single, last bacteria that had invaded his body. But, he said tonight that the clock seems to be moving slower than it used to.  Either he's awake more than he used to be, or maybe he's getting sick of being in the hospital which means that he's feeling MUCH better than he was!  Regardless, he's doing what he, my mom, and his doctors feel is best and continues to hang out in the hospital as long as it takes for him to be fully healed of this horrible bacteria.

Someone told me on a facebook post that Christmas prayers always work.  Our family has said multiple prayers multiple times per day since my Dad got so ill.  It looks like God is answering those questions with a resounding "YES!  Mike will be healed."  We are so grateful.

I recently started a pinterest account and found this saying...

 

How true it is!

On this Christmas Eve, may we all take time to Thank God!  If we woke up tomorrow for only the things that we thanked God for today, what would you wake up with?

I thank God for my family and friends and I thank you for spending a little of your time with us on this Christmas Eve!

Stay tuned for Christmas Blog Entry #2 tomorrow night!

Love, The Polingo's