Well hello there 2025! It's been quite a ride to get here, but we've made it. Part of my goal set for this year is to be more consistent with keeping up with these blogs, so let's dive right in and recap the last month.
December was (no shock) quite busy. Besides the end of the school year and Christmas, we also had a quick trip to Florida which you can read about in the previous entry. But mostly last month was about keeping the holiday magic strong for Little Buddy and Little Sweetie.
Thankfully Little Buddy still acquiesces to some holiday pjs!
Thankfully, Little Buddy has been doing well in terms of eating, sleeping, and staying healthy, so we have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season. And, because he's such a good boy, we lucked out into having a special visitor when we arrived home from Florida on Christmas Eve! That's right, Santa was able to find our new house and stopped in for a quick hello!
Very interested in seeing Santa!
After Santa's visit, it was time to get these two to bed! We got our milk and cookies and carrots set out for Santa, the reindeer, and Pat and then got ready for bed.
We are ready for you Santa!
Even Buster got in on the action!
Then it was time for the sweetest story time as Little Sweetie read Little Buddy 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Oh my heart.
I snuck in the living room later just to confirm that Santa had returned to bring presents and he had! Merry Christmas!
Lots of fun with these two on Christmas morning!
Sibling love!
Little Sweetie had authored and illustrated a book as her present to Little Buddy!
Ho ho ho!
Present time!
After presents, we rested a bit and then made and enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch before heading to the only Christmas Mass that was going to fit into our schedule after traveling, an afternoon Mass at Sts. Simon and Jude. Which turned out to be completely in Spanish. What an adventure!
Celebrating food and family and promise of everlasting life!
The rest of the day was spent resting and playing and movie watching. All in all, a wonderful first Christmas in our new home.
Happy boy on Christmas!
We were then ready to enjoy the rest of winter break with no traveling (so different than last year when Little Sweetie and I were in Rome for Choir!). We were able to go to the zoo with our new family pass from Uncle C, Aunt D, and J, check out the new park near the zoo, and also met some friends for roller skating!'
Enjoying the zoo!
We were excited to walk over to the Commons, the newly remodeled park area near the zoo. While there wasn't as many accessible activities for Little Buddy as I had hoped, I will admit it was a pretty cool space-themed set up as well as water/free play activities!
Fun times at the park!
Lots of fun at the roller skating rink!
Height and Weight
Managing to stay strong at 124 lbs. this month and about 5'6'' inches. We are so grateful for this weight maintenance as keeping him a few pounds above 120 gives us a bit of a safety net if he has trouble eating again.
Personality
Overall, still very engaged and happy. We are still dealing with some tiredness, but for a 14 1/2 year old boy with Sanfilippo Type B, I can only imagine the amount of energy he's expending each day. If cat naps are the price we need to pay right now, I am fine with it. It's just such a different dynamic from the little boy who rarely napped!
My favorite guy!
Just adorable when he's sleeping.
What, are you talking about me? I'm awake now!
Developmental Changes
We are so fortunate that, overall, Little Buddy is staying stable. With his slowed eating, we spend a lot of the hours of our days getting in the calories that he needs. But this means we don't get to do as many skill-building or fun activities as we used to. We do still do PT, OT, and horse therapy, but try to fit in the other activities when we can. He still seems to enjoy them!
Enjoying his Christmas-themed riding lesson at Inspiration Ranch!
Daddy helping him paint his Christmas sun catcher!
This foam and sticker gingerbread house was the perfect holiday craft for him.
Fun Tidbits
And then it was time to set food into the new year! Staying up until midnight isn't in our best interest, so we did our noon New Year tradition with sparking grape juice and "Happy New Year, Charlie Brown!"
Ready for another year of adventures with this amazing boy! Each day is a gift!
Hopefully these updates will come more regularly in 2025; that's my goal at least!
Good night,
