Quite a day!

Today we went to a Christmas party at Rainbow's End (Theme park) hosted by the 'KIDS Foundation' (Key Immune Deficiency Support) charity. They have taken Samuel, and our family, under their wing offering all sorts of support over the past 6 months, including weekly visits at hospital, car parking vouchers, holiday homes (we've booked one for mid-Jan) and an array of other help. So to attend their much raved about Christmas parties was a real treat. We had all day passes to the park and at 2.30 there was a sausage sizzle, face-painting and Santa came with a hoard of gifts for all the kids. The girls had a great time with their Daddy and I arrived around 2 once Samuel was free from his 2 pumps as it's just too hard getting him out and mobile in the morning. The girls had decided which rides I was to go on with them and not wanting to be an old fuddy-duddy I obliged. The 'Fear Fall' was horrendous and afterwards Jasmine wouldn't walk with me as she was 'so embarrassed' by my ear-splitting screaming-it was awful. Thankfully Candace chose a rather sedate princess/castle type ride!

It was a great day out and a lots of fun. It was lovely to meet up with other families that we bumped into in hospital and to see their kids progress and to know these people really get what life is like for us. We're constantly amazed by the care and time people put in to encourage families like ourselves - we are so very grateful for this charity and also deeply humbled at the time, resources and care they share with us as a whole family - it is awesome.

We came home, mixed up some baby rice and had Samuel's first momentus 'solids' moment.

We gathered around him, held his hands and prayed, thanking God for Sam's first food, for looking after him and helping him get to this point - Sam just cooed and grinned... then he gobbled! He seriously loved the food and didn't gag or choke and was playing with his tongue for atleast 30 mins later with a look of, 'come on... let me have some more'. But alas, he shall have to wait 'til tomorrow. So that was 5 hours ago and he's been really happy and sleeping, with no pain or vomiting... all good signs!

Tomorrow Sam will be 6 months old! So it's kind of his birthday and we plan on a day at home with some friends coming for a bbq in the afternoon and probably a cake for us and 1 teaspoon of baby rice for Sam - I will try and get a candle in it!

So it's been quite a day and 2 exhausted little smudged butterflies collapsed in bed tonight and one little chubby happy boy is sleeping next door. 2 tired parents about to head to bed thankful for a day where our son ate for the first time - a day we never thought would or could happen. Thank you Lord.

Sleep well. X