Merry Christmas!

Christmas kind of sucked last year.  At the time we thought it was okay, at least we weren't in the hospital.  But looking back it won't be remembered as my favorite holiday ever.

Sam was on lockdown because he had just finished up his first transplant and was on a small break before the second.  Everything was just on edge, you know?  I don't think I was really there.  When Sam was immunocompromised we were always just waiting on the other foot to drop.  A hospital bag packed and one foot out the door for when he spiked another fever.  We agreed that a few people could come to our home for quick visits as long as they were well.  And I remember being angry that someone had posted on facebook about being sick, then showed up sneezing and coughing anyway even though we were explicitly clear that a cold could very well be life threatening at that point.  We were lucky, but it was just so stressful.  Even if I tried not to show it on the outside.

But this year was so different.  We just had the normal stresses that the holidays bring and compared to the cancer stress those are a piece of cake. 

We spent Christmas morning as just our little family unit.  I ended up wrapping every little thing in Sam's stocking just so he'd have some paper to rip.  I'm glad that I did because it drew the process out a bit.  Plus I think it was more fun for him.

  When he walked into the living room he immediately parked himself at his new table and camped out there for the rest of the morning.  

The presents under the tree are the ones that wouldn't fit back in his stocking once I wrapped them.  He got two gifts from us and Santa filled his stocking with trains and little things.  We had planned on giving him three gifts but he was totally satisfied with what he got.  He probably would've been satisfied with anything. 

 ...Except floss.  If he had only gotten floss he probably would've been disappointed.  

We spent the morning playing with the new toys, forced the kid to nap, then headed to Alex's grandparents' house to celebrate with his side of the family.  Just like on Christmas eve I completely forgot to take my real camera to any festivities and I didn't really take any pictures with my phone.  But at least we were there and present and making memories.  From Alex's grandparents' we headed to my parents' to catch the tail end of the gathering with my extended family.  

I'm so thankful that we got to see everyone and actually enjoy our time together this year.  I hope that you and your family have had a wonderful holiday season filled with peace, love, and happiness.