Aspen had her 6 month cardiology check-up today. This was a big one as she'd be getting an EKG and an ECHO which would tell us if any leakage after the surgery had improved or worsened. I was nervous about the results, as she's been really tired the last few days. My worry probably stemmed from a Dateline episode Matt and I had watched a few days earlier about a family whose 5 children all have cardiomyopathy. Two of their children have already received heart transplants, and another, at the age of three, already has a pacemaker. It's an amazing story about their trials and tribulations, and ultimately, God's grace. Here's a link to their story, if you'd like to watch it (I warn you, you will need lots of tissues!):
http://www.nbcnews.com/video/dateline/52114628#52114628
So, needless to say, there was a twinge of fear in my heart as to the outcome of the tests. But PRAISE GOD the results were more than we could have asked for. The patch, which was placed to separate the chambers of her heart, and that had mild leaking after her surgery was completely leak-free! And the valves that allow blood to move through the chambers of the heart now showed mild leaking, as opposed to the moderate leaking they showed after her surgery. All I can say is God is so good, and His grace is endless! Amazing! :)
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Fun in the sun!
It's finally warm enough to break out my summer clothes!
Hanging out in the backyard with Mommy!
My first "swim" of the season in my new blow up pool!
I'm driving!
I love riding my Dora the Explorer scooter, especially when I am rewarded with a puff for making it across the room!
Long overdue update
It's been far too long since we've last posted. Little A is doing really well. She's now18 months old, which is just crazy to think about. I remember her first birthday like it was yesterday! Where does time go? Lots of things have happened since our last post, so I'll touch on the big moments.
Aspen turned ONE! Here are some pictures of her birthday dinner. Grammy, Grampy, Mimmer, Uncle Zach and Aunt Amy came over to celebrate. She was so tired after her party the day before, that when it was time for cake she wanted nothing to do with it. And mommy had spent all day making her a gluten free cake with coconut milk whipped cream.
Shortly after turning one, she fractured her left tibia :( She was smiling and giggling in the ER as they examined her...what a trooper!
We had Christmas in Lake Tahoe with the family, and she got to meet Santa!! He even gave her a special present, just for her!
She had her first experience sledding and absolutely loved it!
We found out Aspen is going to be a BIG SISTER!! Her little sister is due in late August. She loves sitting on Mommy's lap and giving her sister hugs and kisses!
Our little Easter Bunny was spoiled this year with several Easter baskets and her very own set of bunny ears!
Last, but not least, here are some photos Daddy snapped while were hanging out downtown and at the park!
Aspen turned ONE! Here are some pictures of her birthday dinner. Grammy, Grampy, Mimmer, Uncle Zach and Aunt Amy came over to celebrate. She was so tired after her party the day before, that when it was time for cake she wanted nothing to do with it. And mommy had spent all day making her a gluten free cake with coconut milk whipped cream.
Shortly after turning one, she fractured her left tibia :( She was smiling and giggling in the ER as they examined her...what a trooper!
We had Christmas in Lake Tahoe with the family, and she got to meet Santa!! He even gave her a special present, just for her!
She had her first experience sledding and absolutely loved it!
Our little Easter Bunny was spoiled this year with several Easter baskets and her very own set of bunny ears!
Last, but not least, here are some photos Daddy snapped while were hanging out downtown and at the park!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Dedication of Our Miracle Babies
I was blessed last year to share in the bond of pregnancy with my two sisters - Keri, my big sister and Christina, my sister-in-law. We were all only a few months apart, with Keri being first, me second and Christina third. Keri and I were both having girls, and Christina was having a boy...her third!
Each baby in our family is a special miracle, but there was something amazing about the three born this year. A little background...
Christina is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent chemo, radiation and a double mastectomy after the birth of her first baby, at the age of 29. Her cancer was hormone-induced, so she was warned that getting pregnant again was pretty much out of the question. Her second son, Matteo was a divine "accident", and God blessed her with a healthy pregnancy. So when they wanted a third to complete their family they prayerfully considered it before stepping out in faith. Levi, her third is another amazing testimony of God's grace. Christina is healthy and thriving and completely cancer-free!
Keri started bleeding only a few months into her pregnancy, and found out that she had a large melon-sized hematoma in her uterus along with placenta accreta. She was told that if there were any complications with Hannah's birth, that she could bleed out on the table. As you can imagine, this was devastating news to our family. However, as I've witnessed countless times in my life, prayer and the grace of God can move even the biggest mountains. And move they did! A few months before Hannah came into this world Keri's hematoma had re-absorbed into her uterus and her placenta had moved enough to be considered within "normal range". Hannah was born several weeks early, and after a short stint in the NICU was cleared to go home.
While we were out in California in July we planned on dedicating all three miracle babies. What an awesome gift to be able to stand in front of the congregation as examples of God's amazing grace.
Each baby in our family is a special miracle, but there was something amazing about the three born this year. A little background...
Christina is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent chemo, radiation and a double mastectomy after the birth of her first baby, at the age of 29. Her cancer was hormone-induced, so she was warned that getting pregnant again was pretty much out of the question. Her second son, Matteo was a divine "accident", and God blessed her with a healthy pregnancy. So when they wanted a third to complete their family they prayerfully considered it before stepping out in faith. Levi, her third is another amazing testimony of God's grace. Christina is healthy and thriving and completely cancer-free!
Keri started bleeding only a few months into her pregnancy, and found out that she had a large melon-sized hematoma in her uterus along with placenta accreta. She was told that if there were any complications with Hannah's birth, that she could bleed out on the table. As you can imagine, this was devastating news to our family. However, as I've witnessed countless times in my life, prayer and the grace of God can move even the biggest mountains. And move they did! A few months before Hannah came into this world Keri's hematoma had re-absorbed into her uterus and her placenta had moved enough to be considered within "normal range". Hannah was born several weeks early, and after a short stint in the NICU was cleared to go home.
While we were out in California in July we planned on dedicating all three miracle babies. What an awesome gift to be able to stand in front of the congregation as examples of God's amazing grace.
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| The three babies being dedicated |
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| Our amazing pastor from Sierra Bible Church and the grandbabies (minus Levi who was asleep in his car seat) |
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| Our sweet girl! |
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
OUR Aspen IN Aspen
We took a family trip to Aspen, Colorado at the end of September to see the beautiful fall colors, and to introduce our Aspen to the inspiration behind her name :) Here are a few of the photos we got of our sweet girl with her trees!
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| Have to give credit to our friend Melissa for making this adorable headband! |
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| Mommy's sweetie! |
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| So cute! |
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| Daddy's girl! |
View more photos on Photobucket under "Colorado Trip".
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Long overdue update!
Aspen has been doing so well! We went to the cardiologist the day before we left on our big trip to California and everything looks good. They still hear a slight murmur (small leakage) in her lower chamber, which is supposedly pretty common post-op. They are hoping it will close on its own over time, but they'll keep an eye on it - nothing she'll need another surgery for though, praise God! We have another appointment in several months to continue to monitor her progress. I am continually amazed at her strength and healing, and most of all the grace of God!
We took our first trip with Aspen out to California to spend time with my family and to introduce Aspen to her cousins and aunts/uncles she wasn't able to meet. Apparently we booked the trip at the right time, avoiding some of the horribly hot 100 plus degree days we've had here in KC. Yuck!
We've included pictures below that capture some highlights of our trip.
We took our first trip with Aspen out to California to spend time with my family and to introduce Aspen to her cousins and aunts/uncles she wasn't able to meet. Apparently we booked the trip at the right time, avoiding some of the horribly hot 100 plus degree days we've had here in KC. Yuck!
We've included pictures below that capture some highlights of our trip.
My sister-in-law organized a family photo shoot for all of us and our respective families.
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| Our family |
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| Our sweet girl |
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| Aspen & Daddy |
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| Aspen with her Aunt Jo |
| Some cute photos Nini captured |
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| Happy girl! |
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| Oh, the life! |
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Surgery Progress - Day 7 and NOW AT HOME!
Approximately seven days after open heart surgery, Aspen is now back home! Talk about a speedy recovery! From fighting off potential germs and infections to healing the heart muscle after a complex surgery, the human body is remarkably resilient...
What a special week it has been for our family... we have made many new friends and cannot express enough gratitude to our CMH medical community. While the week started with tears and the fear of the unknown, we ended with lots of smiles and laughter. These are the times you simply cherish, and will remember forever.
We cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your continued support. We will have more updates very soon!
May God bless you all!
P.S. Aspen sends her love to all of the staff at CMH. She was all smiles leaving the Sutherland Tower early this afternoon.
What a special week it has been for our family... we have made many new friends and cannot express enough gratitude to our CMH medical community. While the week started with tears and the fear of the unknown, we ended with lots of smiles and laughter. These are the times you simply cherish, and will remember forever.
We cannot thank each and every one of you enough for your continued support. We will have more updates very soon!
May God bless you all!
P.S. Aspen sends her love to all of the staff at CMH. She was all smiles leaving the Sutherland Tower early this afternoon.
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