Today is...

  Omphalocele Awareness Day!  

Because Omphaloceles happen so infrequently, January 31st has been set aside to raise awareness and understanding of our sweet O. Babies and their conditions.  We wear black and white in an effort to educate and share with others.   

Have you hugged an O. Baby today?

We recently received a copy of a book called "A Very Special Me", which was written about and for Omphalocle babies.  It's a beautiful book, and all the proceeds go to Omphalocele causes.  To learn more, Click Here.

Little Man

Wishful Thinking

What does this look like to you?

Last night I was reading a book to Claire, and we came to this picture.  I asked her what this was, and to my surpirse, she said, "A chicken nugget."

Now that's what I call wishful thinking.

World Party

Even though Joe is currently student teaching at Kenowa Hills, he has continued to help his school, Ridge Park, put on their annual World Party, which is our favorite school function.  It's really a week of activities that celebrates the rich diversity within the school, but the highlight of the week is always the World Party family night where each classroom transforms itself into the culture of one of its students. There's food, costumes, food, music, and oh, did I mention the food?
 

This year, Claire enjoyed watching the Brazilian drummers. 

Here she is - blonde hair and blue eyes - in her authentic Mexican dress.

Claire followed her Daddy for much of the evening as

he went from room to room evaluating the classrooms.

There's always a few classes that go all out with their decor.

This year it was the 3rd grade class who celebrated Italy.

 

Santa???

Don't rock the boat, Claire!

World Party is great, but you know what's even better...

cuddling with your kids at the end of a long day.

Now that's a party!

Pokagon 2012

This year, the Sternberg family celebrated our 21st year of visiting the Potawatomi Inn at Pokagon State Park together.  After 21 years, you'd think I'd have an easier time spelling Potawatomi, but I still have to look it up! The family continues to grow, with 3 new arrivals expected this spring, and so we always appreciate these weekends as a chance to retreat from our busy schedules and reconnect with one another.  Well, this year it seems I spent more time chasing after Claire than I did relaxing and reconnecting, but that's all part of the fun!  Oh, how we have fun! 

And to think, it all began because these two people fell in love...

We love you Grandpa and Grandma!

As usual, there was a lot of game-playing. 

Joe was in his glory chasing everyone down with his chess board

 and Scrabble dictionary.  And boy, he was in it to win it!

For others, like Henry and Aunt Katie, it felt better to simply sit and visit. 

Actually, I'm amazed we were able to get Henry home with us.  These two were inseparable.  I thought for sure she was going to sneak him in her travel bag.

Here's Claire opening her Christmas gift from Great Grandpa and Grandma.

And here are Henry and Andrew showing off their new tool kits to their dads.

We also spent some time in the pool.

Henry couldn't get his incision too wet, but he enjoyed splashing around a bit.

As did Claire.

This year, Claire had fun with her cousins painting a craft.

She painted a pretty pink snowman.

Well, that wraps up Pokagon 2012.  Another great year.  We didn't have snow, but we still had a lot of fun playing ping pong, doing family devotions (thanks Dad!), eating too much food at the breakfast buffet, going to the Nature Center, and even throwing a double baby shower.  I'm already looking forward to next year!

Gardens and Growing

Henry Samuel, you are 8 months old!

By way of introduction, I should mention that I lost the charger for our camera's battery.  Consequently, I don't have recent pictures, but I did find a few from earlier this month when we visited the Frederik Meijer Gardens.

Henry enjoyed his stroll through the gardens. 

To his right is a model of the Children's Hospital.

Here he is babysitting Claire's baby doll.

Joe and Claire with our friend Rob and his daughter Izzy.

Henry, I just can't say it enough - you are a fabulous kid.  Yesterday we saw the surgeon, and he had great news for us.  He feels relatively confident that your Omphalocele has been completely corrected, and there should be no need for future surgeries.  What a gift!  And while I may be biased, I maintain that your tummy is perfect and that belly buttons really are overrated!  

Well, I'm off to hunt down that charger.  Wish me luck!

Remember When...

Yesterday I spent some time remembering the ultrasound appointment we had exactly a year ago.  It seems like a lifetime ago.  It was the first time we heard the word Omphalocele.  I could barely pronounce it, let alone spell it.  There was a lot we did not know about the condition and future of our baby.   

There's been so much that happened since then.  There was bad news, then devastating news.  But then there was a glimmer of hope, that by the grace of God, shown through the darkness.  Doctors were cautiously optomistic.  So were we.  So it's hard to believe that a year later, here we are, with our loveable, huggable Henry.  He's been through a lot, but he's happy and healthy... 

...and yes, he's wearing a Minnie Mouse headband and

sitting with a princess doll.  Thanks Claire!

The difference one year can make...

My Two Men

One out of every 10,000 babies is born with a severe Omphalocele.  There's no known cause and every case is treated uniquely.  Several doctors have told us how rarely they see O. babies as healthy and happy as Henry.  We are so grateful.  And we are also hopeful as we begin a new year.  We're hopeful that 2012 will be a little bit easier and a lot less dramatic.  We'll see how that goes!