The Abraham Family’s Journey to Russia to Bring Home Their Daughter

March 4, 2009

Brought to you by the number FIVE!

Wow, Liam is five years old! How could that be? That means that five whole years have passed since my water broke at work nearly 3 weeks early!
  • Five years since I snuck out to the restrooms (just to be sure) with a quick whisper to the receptionist that I might not be returning to the office the next day.
Five years since the receptionist must have announced my impending labor over the intercom because by the time I returned to my desk, countless people were asking me what they could do to help. God bless 'em!

Five years since my doctor, my mom, and my best friends all told me to go straight to the hospital. But I didn't listen to them and drove home 30 miles in rush hour traffic to pack a suitcase and pick up my husband. Yes, I made it back in time!

Five years since the moment that we knew for sure the baby boy we were told may have a rare genetic disorder and wouldn't live for more than an hour was actually perfect in every way.

Five years since he was whisked off to the NICU because of reflux that was causing him to stop breathing. That was the beginning of the longest week of my life. Two days after my c-section, I discharged from the hospital but refused to leave without him. The hospital let me room-in (i.e. stay in my room like a hotel, with no meals or nurses) while Liam was being treated in the NICU.

Liam is such a blessing us. He is the most sensitive and loving child. Martin and I call him our lap child because even to this day he has to have his time snuggle time in our laps. Despite his rough start, he has been the healthiest of all my boys. Liam and I share a special connection. He is our 4th son just as I was the 4th girl in my family.

Turning five is like a right of passage in our family. Baby days are gone. Five year olds must eat the crust on their sandwiches. They drink from regular cups without tops. They don't need mom's help to wipe their rear ends. They pick out their own clothes and wash their own hair. They are officially ready for school. But, despite all that, Liam will always be our snuggle bunny. He will always be my baby boy, even when he's taller than me.

We had little birthday celebration at our home on Sunday.



This is all that is left of the dinosaur PiƱata!



On the second round of Pin the Tail on the Donkey - it looks like someone might have been peeking!



Make a wish!



The kids had a blast playing musical chairs.
Martin put the "tail" stickers on the chairs. They were in such a hurry to sit down, no one noticed they were sporting tails!

We also played Hot Potato and did the Limbo. Yesterday was Liam's actual birthday. We drove to Murfreesboro and met our awesome social worker for Lexi's first Post Placement Report. Then, as a special treat for Liam, we headed over to the Discovery Center. It was much larger than I expected and had tons of activities even for my older boys. It was great to see them all playing so well together and using their imaginations.

Liam in the treehouse

Digging for artifacts

I just love this photo. Lexi was getting tired by this point so she plopped down for a little rest.



Exploring tunnels is her new favorite thing!



A few more of my favorites:























































14 comments:

Joy said...

Really he is 5 years old? That is one of my favorite ages.
Happy Birthday!
Joy

Barb said...

Happy Birthday Liam! Kim, we were also told that our youngest boy may have a terminal genetic disorder (before he was born) and he, too, is completely healthy. So, I know what you went through.

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday Liam! It looks like you had a great birthday. 5 year olds are so much fun. Off to Kindergarten!
Melissa

Carrie said...

Happy happy birthday Liam!

Kellie said...

Wow, 5 years old?! 5 is big! Happy Birthday Liam.
Looks like you guys had a great day.

Kami said...

Aww.. Happy Birthday to Liam! They looked like they had a blast!

Mama Fish said...

Awww! Happy Birthday Liam! The Discovery Center looks like it was a blast! I wish ours had as much for the bigger kids to do....

Nancy said...

What fun pictures! Happy Birthday Liam!!!

Troy and Rachel said...

Happy Birthday Liam!! 5 years old is really a big boy now!! Looks like you had a lot of fun!

Anonymous said...

I promise we didn't forget! We're hoping to come up next weekend, and we'll bring bday presents then. Give my love to my littlest nephew.
-Cori

Janine said...

Happy Birthday Liam!! It looks like you've had an awesome birthday celebration! Love the dinosaurs stuff.

Carey and Norman said...

Happy 5th Birthday, Liam! What a big boy...I'm not ready to lose the cute toddler behavior and cuddling either. Where does the time go?

Chris said...

Your love for Liam is making me well up inside. Very awesome!

Happy B-day Liam!

LaLa said...

He is so handsome!! Glad he had a good celebration. Annslee is a cuddle bug too and I love it! Five...sounds so grown up : (