Triumph

I have really enjoyed 2013. I feel like after life beating us up for a few years we are finally getting somewhere. For all of 2013 both boys had ports. This means that when things go wrong (bleeds happen) we are able to take care of it at home, for most things. I love this freedom. I hate, absolutely hate, taking the boys to the emergency room and justifying why we're there and just praying that the doctor will understand the situation because the sooner they get factor in their system the better. The only emergency room visits we had this year were just because the boys had fevers and we needed to make sure that they don't have port infections. So much better!! We have some super busy boys. Evan is aiming to be the first child to break a bone, so without prophy and the port we would be regulars at the emergency room. 

We were also able to experience something awesome about having hemophilia. Being part of the bleeding disorders community. It is really cool to know that we aren't alone and that there are so many willing to share their experiences in hopes to help us on our journey with our boys.

We were able to buy a house. We had been living in a 2 bedroom apartment since Ezra was around 4 months old. It was feeling increasingly small. I dreamed and dreamed of getting into a place with just one more bedroom. Sometimes when you think one little thing will make a difference and when you get it you realize that was just a dream. This was not the case. Having 3 bedrooms is so much better. Let me tell you. There is so much more peace in our house this way. We are so thankful for all the people that helped make it possible for us to buy our house. 

Another highlight for us was our first non-hospital vacation since Ezra was diagnosed. It was awesome! It was nice and warm and so much fun hanging out with Ian's parents and siblings up north. I didn't realize how much we needed the break but it was so good. 

This year has been good to us. We have been pretty normal and boring and I am so thankful for that!! Just hoping that we can have a relatively calm 2014.

Christmas

Sometime around Thanksgiving Eve made a Christmas list. She was really dreaming with all of those things that were on her list. I think she ended up getting pretty much everything that was on her list. How does that happen? Lots of amazingly generous family members, that's how!! Thinking of highlights of Christmas for each of the kids. When I asked Eve what her favorite Christmas gift was she said that she loved them all and couldn't choose. Love that girl. The best part about her is every time she plays with a gift she remembers exactly who gave it to her and gives them credit. I don't know how she learned that but I think it is really sweet. I think Ezra loves all the "wegos" that he received. He loves to build and now he has more legos than he knows what to do with. Evan was a typical 2 year-old and couldn't get past the first gift he opened. It will probably take him days to actually discover all of his gifts. They have been opened thanks to some super helpful siblings. I think the best part of the day for me was the popper fight with Grandpa Al... love being with family.

Vampires

Every time we get a factor order I look at the big box labeled with Puget Sound Blood Center... that says refrigerate upon arrival and I laugh. After reading or watching Twilight which person doesn't at least for a second think vampire. We are happy to have them keep on guessing, add a little mystery to the world.

Happy Birthday x 2

Eve and Ian love counting down the days until their shared birthday. I think that it is pretty sweet that they share a birthday. Poor Ian got a cake with pink sprinkles on it... but he's not complaining. We had a fun time with the birthday people! Now we have a 6 year old in the the house and someone else turned 30.