A Blessed Christmas.

This Christmas was truly amazing.  Even though it didn't really "feel" like Christmas because we stayed home and didn't get to travel to family's houses, we had some really amazing people who made Christmas extra special for us.  Our families came to us this year, which made it so much easier on us.. (we will make up for it one day, I promise.)  Having family here made it feel a little more like Christmas.  Thank you to our extra special, wonderful, amazing families.  Like I said in an earlier blog, the North Oaks Maternal Units sent us a really special basket for Christmas, and the North Oaks Medical Center Pharmacy personally delivered us Christmas dinner to our house.  Pretty awesome, right?  Thank you again!  

THEN, my Dad's side of the family (the Hotard's) decided not to play the "exchange game" this Christmas, but instead buy gifts for Tripp and I.  I just wanted to break down in tears.  What a wonderful, wonderful thing to do.  They sent blankets and toys for Tripp and they sent pajamas (which is pretty much the only thing I wear these days), pedicure sets, shampoo, razors, bath products, crest white-strips, sunless tanner, camera cards.... pretty much anything I could want and everything I use, they bought for me.  It was truly touching and soooo very thoughtful.  What they did made my Christmas a little  LOT brighter.  Thank you Hotard family- last night, I took a shower, used my new shampoo, my new face scrub, my new razors, my new foot scrubber, and slipped into my new PJs.  I felt like a new woman.  Thanks to you guys.  That was really really special to me.  It made me realize what family is all about and how important family really is.  

There were so many people who sent us cards for Christmas and who did really really nice things for us. It really makes you feel like the world isn't such a bad place after all.  There are some really great and really special people out there.  Thank you to all the people who helped make Tripp's first Christmas and Randy and I's Christmas a great one.  We love you.  

Tripp really enjoyed his first Christmas.  I know he doesn't understand, but Randy and I had fun getting ready for Santa.  I know one day I will look back and be glad I have all these cheesy pictures.  

Randy and I decided to exchange our gifts Christmas Eve night so that we could focus on Tripp Christmas morning.  And we decided to let Tripp open ONE present on Christmas Eve.  It took him a little while to warm up to his first present... it was my favortie.... a Handy Manny Tool Set!!!

Tripp wrote to Santa, saying: "Dear Santa, please save some cookies for Mommy and Daddy.  Aren't I "Nice"?  I told him he was already on the nice list, but I guess he just wanted to make sure.  

Santa left 2 cookies for Mommy and 2 for Daddy, and a whole bunch of presents for Tripp...

Daddy helped Tripp open his presents and he sat up like a big boy the WHOLE time!!  It took him a little while to give out the smiles, though.

But his favorite present of all.... his swing!!  He was totally at peace in his swing.  I think we will be spending a lot more time outside now.  Thank you God.

He was awake ALLLLL day today.  I don't know if it was the excitement of Christmas (ha) or the visitors we had, or what?  But this was the ONLY 10 minutes he slept all day... (and today was bath day, so he was NOT a happy camper for bath!) Whew, Christmas will wear you out!

The past 3-4 days have been REALLY great.  Thank you, thank you GOD.  I know it's the steroids, but hey... we will take whatever we can get.  The steroids are making his mouth look AWESOME.  You can actually SEE all his teeth now that the sores have shrunk a little. Boy I am going to miss seeing those precious little teeth!  He is still in pain because he has some molars that are still coming in, but the Motrin helps him with that.  I thank God for everyday that I get to see him happy and feeling better.  Does this make your heart melt??? Does mine!

Can you believe that is actually his mouth looking GOOD?  Anyway, I haven't posted in a while, so I have some more random pictures... Hope you enjoy and I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!  Please pray that everything goes well with Tripp's surgery on the 31st!  Thank you!  God Bless!!

Such a big boy!

Yes, this is a smile!!  I could pee on myself laughing at this picture.

 It totally brightens my day!!

Just eatin' crab.... you know he's from Louisiana.

Nilli Vanilli.... Yes Sir.

My cute little toes...

A Very Merry Christmas Card Blog

Wishing all of you a very 

Merry Christmas 

and a

 Happy New Year.

Love and Thanks,

The Roth Family

Randy, Courtney, and Tripp 

A HUGE Thank You to North Oaks Maternal Units.

So, we had my immediate family over yesterday for our Christmas party because it was the only time we could all get together... (I'll post pics from that later.)  But in the morning, my sister walks in and she's bringing in all her presents and finally she brings in this HUGE basket of goodies.  I said "Who in the world is THAT for?"  It was for Tripp, Randy, and I from the Labor and Delivery Unit and the Well Baby Nursery at North Oaks (where Tripp was born).  And can I tell you I was in complete AWE. This was a huge surprise.  In this basket there was:

A beautiful framed picture of Tripp signed by all of the staff
27 Fuzzi Bunz diapers!!!!
A note giving us a day of free Spring Cleaning in our house (by 2 of the NURSES!)
The "perfect" T-shirts for Tripp
Blankets (the really soft ones :) )
Changing table covers for his new table
Towels
Gift cards
A LOT of cash
The cutest stuffed animals
And the nicest card that read:

Courtney,

This year at work we decided that we didn't want to do our annual Secret Santa gift exchange.  Instead, we wanted to help someone in need.  We brainstormed for just a minute, because it didn't take us long, and decided we wanted to help you and your family this year at Christmas.  Most of us follow your blog and have fallen in love with Tripp.  You are such an inspiration to us all.  You are the best example of unconditional motherly love.  We hope this helps make your days a little easier.  

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely, 

Diane Rabalias 

and 

North Oaks Maternal Child Units

WOW.  Words cannot express how thankful we are for what you all have done.  It was the most thoughtful gift you could have given!!  You guys did not exchange gifts with each other, but wanted to help another family... and you chose US!  I don't know how to explain to you how good that feels.  And the things in the basket???? Everything was so perfect... and will help us out tremendously.  I hope you ALL feel like angels, because that is what you are!  Thank you, thank you, thank you.... from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget what you've done for our family, and your KINDNESS will certainly never be forgotten! We love you all, and I really don't know how to thank everyone enough.
OH, and Diane was one of the nurses who was in the room with me when Tripp was born.  She was the one who had to push on my ribs to help get him out!!  Ha.  So thanks, Diane... for helping to get my little man out, then helping us out with such a wonderful gift for our family.  You're awesome.

God Bless You All,
Courtney, Randy, and Tripp Roth

Happy 7 Months Tripp

Dear Tripp,

Today you are 7 months old my little man.  And honestly, it feels like you should be about 4 years old by now!!  These past 7 months have been a real fight for you, but my man you sure have fought like a little soldier.  You have been an example for so many people out there.... even all over the country!!  There are so many people who admire you and your strength... and you are just a little boy!!  Imagine the things that God has planned for you.  If you have tackled all of these obstacles so far, just think of all that God will have to give to you in exchange.  I know you don't know it yet, but God has GREAT plans for you.  He is a loving and healing God and He would not let you go through all of this pain without a HUGE reward, I just know it.

I cannot even begin to tell you how proud I am of you.  Every time I look into your eyes, I just want to cry.  I wish more than anything that I could take all of this away from you, but I know that I would not be strong enough to handle it all... that is why God picked you.  You are the strongest person I know and you are only 7 months old.  You can make it through anything.  You have taken this disease and have fought 110% the whole way through.  From having blisters, to cutting 10 teeth, to having a G-tube, to not being able to breathe, to having a trach and still having a hard time breathing with all the secretions, and now having to have all your teeth pulled out!..... I could go on forever.  I love you, Tripp.  And I know I tell you that 100 billion times a day, but that's still not enough.  Please know that I love you and that I would give anything in the world... ANYTHING.... so that you could have a normal life, pain-free life.  You are everything to me and I totally forgot what my life was like without you in it... and I don't want to remember, because YOU are the reason that I wake up every morning.  YOU are my reason for everything now.  YOU are my life.  Please don't ever forget how much I LOVE YOU.  Keep fighting, my man.

Love, Mommy

Post for Mom.

I want to take the time to say thank you to my wonderful, beautiful Mother.   I honestly could not have asked for a better Mom or a better "Grammy" for Tripp. My mom has been there for me 110% of the time... anything I need, whether its groceries, a helping hand, someone to vacuum my house, or rock Tripp, or help with his bath, cook for Randy and I, pick up prescriptions.... you name it, she does it. What a wonderful woman she is. I honestly do not know if I would have the strength to make it through the day if it weren't for my Mom. She keeps me sane, even if she's just over at my house and we aren't saying anything... I just know she's there. And if she isn't here, we are texting back and forth and she's making sure everything is going okay. She can even tell over a text message if I'm having a bad day. My Mom has always put her kids first and herself last. And since Tripp has been born, that has certainly not changed a bit. She worries about what's best for us and what we need. Sometimes I have to make her think about herself. You know, maybe that's what Moms are supposed to do... but not all Moms would drop everything to help their child.  I'm so lucky.

Mom, I am so lucky to have you and I thank God for you and Daddy everyday. I am a better person because of you. And sometimes, I can get through the day because of you. You inspire me to be a better person. You amaze me each and everyday with your strength. I am a good Mommy to Tripp because of you. Thank you. Thank you for loving me, for helping me, and for being there for me whenever I need you. You and Dad have shaped me into the person I am today and I will forever be grateful to you for that. You, Dad, Britt, and Jason are the best family I could ever ask for.  I love you all so much!

And Britt, I haven't neglected you... my sis has been here to help at the drop of a hat.  My sister and my very best friend, thank you for being such a great Nanny to Tripp and such a great support to me.  How anyone could make it through what we are going through without such wonderful people in our lives... I do not know.  I have the best family in the world.

 I love you, I love you, I love you!!!

Correction...

The blog today was not my Christmas card blog!! I guess I shouldn't have named it Christmas card!! Haha! I'm gonna try and get some more cutesy pictures of my little man! I just didn't want you guys to think that that was it!! Sorry!!!

Christmas cards...

SO... I had a few great ideas for Christmas cards. You know, dressing my little man up and taking all kinds of cute pictures. Well, I've been trying to take the pictures now for about 3-4 weeks and it has yet to work out. I wanted to take a family picture outside. We even got him a cute little polo and some jeans (which he NEVER usually would wear.) But every time we plan to take pictures, it never works out. Either it's raining, it's Randy's late night and it's already dark, or Tripp just finished his 2 hour bath and dressing change and he is completely pooped out and I would get child services called on me if I tried to put him in long sleeves and jeans. SO, I think I decided that I am just going to do an "online" blog Christmas card, if that's okay with everyone. I'll just put a few pictures that I took of him and maybe if we get a chance to do our "family portrait" I can post that one, too. I just think it's too late for me to try and print a million cards. We have so much family and so many friends that I want to send them to, that I really don't know if I have time to get them out now... and I would be scared I would forget someone and then I would feel horrible. I am really sad about it though because it's Tripp's first Christmas and I really wanted to send out cards... if you know ME, i've wanted a little family and to be able to send out family Christmas cards for about 10 years now!! haha... BUT like everything else, I think it's best I do it this way. That way everyone who reads the blog will get a Christmas card!! I don't even have time to eat lunch during the day, so I doubt I'll get a chance to address all those cards!!

Anyway, Tripp had a REALLY good night last night. I only had to get up 2 times before 5 AM... that is AWESOME. I can totally live with that. After 5, he started with all his "morning yuckiness." But I really feel rested this morning. Hopefully my energy will last through the day and I can get something done today. Maybe I'll even cook dinner, haha. But lately, I've just been feeling so stiff. Everything on my body hurts, from my head to my feet. I just need to start SOME kind of exercise. It's really hard to find the time to do that when there is NO kind of schedule going on in this house!! I told my mom yesterday that I wanted to try and get out of the house and maybe drive to Ponchatoula (my hometown, where my parents live) but then I came to my senses. I really just don't think we're ready. As much as I want to, there is really no safe place for me to pull over if I would have to suction him. It's pretty much all interstate... and it's a BRIDGE interstate, so it's not safe for me to be pulling over and getting out. AND, not to mention the fact that things are kind of starting to get better and I don't THINK he has a cold right now (his nose has been a little more runny, so I hope he's not catching another one) so I don't want to take him out in the cold and around people and risk him getting anything. That would be kind of silly on my part. SO we will just stay home, no biggie. I was thinking last night in the shower... you know, some people don't even have hot water to take a shower. Thank God that I have hot water to be able to enjoy my shower. And thank God we even have a house to have to sit in all day! Not everyone has that you know. I'm just really starting to realize that I have a WHOLE lot to be thankful for. And I know if Tripp could talk he would probably be like, yeah mom, what do I have to be thankful for with all these sores??? But it's true. I'm thankful I HAVE him. Blisters and ALL!! I wouldn't trade him for anything else in the world. I think you guys know that by now!! Ha.

Tripp's dental surgery is still scheduled for December 31st. We will probably be going to see the dentist next week.. and the ENT (gotta fit them all in one day!) So we will find out if everything is still a go, which I'm sure it is because his mouth has only changed for the worse. The only thing that makes me nervous is if the teeth come out and he is still getting sores. But we will just have to see. I know the sores right now are definitely 100% from his teeth. So hopefully it will help something. If not, we will just deal with it like always!!

Nana came over to help on Wednesday. It's always nice to have the extra help and the adult company most of all!! Maybe I should give you a family tree for all of you who don't really know, it may be confusing!! We have a big ole' family!!

Grammy- my mom

Papa- my dad

Nanny- my sister (Tripp's godmother)

Uncle Jason- my brother

MeMe- Randy's mom

Paw Paw Carey- Randy's step-dad

Uncle Ryan- Randy's brother

Paw Paw Moose- Randy's dad

Nana- Randy's step-mom

Aunt Becca- Randy's sister

Aunt Nay Nay- Randy's sister

Okay, so that's just so you can have an idea of who I'm talking about when I use the names Tripp uses!! I know, we've got a LOT of LOVE!! Isn't it great?? And that's just immediate family. You should see the rest!!! We are SOME lucky!! Family and friends... WOW, we are really blessed. There is not a day that goes by that I don't wonder why God sent Tripp to Randy and I. And I always tell myself that it's because we have the physical and moral support that to get through this and to take care of this baby. Thank all of YOU for the moral support!!

Smiles!!!

Sitting up like a big boy!

Okay, don't call child services,... he really did like it, though it may not look like it.

Every child needs to play in a box, don't you think?

This is the box all of his supplies come in.... I get two boxes this size a month!!

My Tiny Elf...

"Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led - but it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of FAITH, not of understanding and reason- a life of knowing Him who calls us to go."

-Oswald Chambers