tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58397313319979742692024-03-13T04:31:26.646-07:00Ava's JourneyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-31201379474240874462012-01-27T11:53:00.000-08:002012-01-27T11:53:42.658-08:00Make A Wish Celebration<br />
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Not actually sure if I updated that Ava's wish had been granted, but it was! Part of the process once the wish has been granted is Make A Wish provides a celebration party for 20 of our closest friends and family. Initially I didn't realize there was a limit on the amount of people who could attend so me and my big mouth went and told everyone, sorry. Make a Wish takes care of and provides everything! They ask Ava what kind of food she would like at her party, her response of course was pizza and salad and sprite! There were little toys and activities for the kiddos, cute decorations, etc. It was wonderful. Some lovely Make A Wish workers also gave Ava a (Make a Wish logo)backpack full of awesome gifts. There was a Make A Wish tee and cap for Ava, lots of coloring books, card games, crayons, etc for the plane ride. They are so thoughtful! Ava's Gamma Trish found the sweetest most perfect little Minnie Mouse pillow pet that Ava snuggled up with on the plane and has been using since. :) Later on, Greg and I were taken aside to go over the trip itinerary(exciting!), review the budget, discuss any questions we may have, etc. Seeing the itinerary made everything so real. How much work this organization had put into Ava's wish, how all these people come together and make magic happen for SO MANY deserving kiddos and their families, I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude. It was such a rewarding day. To be a part of Ava's biggest wish in the entire world coming true, to see her full of happy and excited smiles, running around with her friends and having fun without a care in the world, and to be surrounded by family and friends. Good stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy kiddos :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party Girl</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava with our awesome Wish Coordinators :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's sooo excited!</td></tr>
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So, we had also contacted Icing Smiles and my original intention was for there to be a cake for each of the kiddos, a Harry Potter one for G, and a Cinderella themed one for Ava. That way they both had their own little special bit. But because of the time restraints we were only able to get Ava's cake request in. Which is okay, saves that special cake for G's birthday next month. :) Anyhow, a very special woman, Tessa, from The Frosted Cake Shop in Midtown Sacramento, offered to make this cake for Ava and she did such an incredible job!! I was blown away by how much detail she put into it and just how sweet she was through all correspondence. She is so genuinely kind and really cared about what Ava wanted. Plus, aside from being the most gorgeous cake I have ever seen, it was just plain yummy! I would absolutely recommend her business to all local friends and family.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress inspired by Cinderella's Dress --love!</td></tr>
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Ava had a blast being the center of attention surrounded by her friends and family. I am very thankful to those who attended and appreciated what a very special and once in a lifetime moment this was and will always be for Ava. Thank you for celebrating Ava's special wish with us, she will always have the treasured memories of those who shared those moments with her. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost everyone in attendance that day :)</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-41325804449659400442012-01-26T13:57:00.000-08:002012-01-26T13:57:59.938-08:002011 Winter Recital!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ava had her second dance recital in December. The girls start practicing before Halloween, so this has been a much anticipated date. Last year was Ava's first year in dance, and her first recital, which was ballet. This year, the girls were to perform a tap routine. The costumes were absolutely adorable and reminded me of a colorful Shirley Temple style. Which matched the ordered hairstyle, ringlets! Yes, I get slightly excited myself this time of year. I adore watching the girls from their first run through of the routine and seeing how much they improve from week to week to the day of the recital! Plus, ordering the new dress, working on the hairstyle, ordering flowers, etc etc etc. It's just so fun! And something I am so thankful that Ava is able to do and truly enjoy!<br />
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Anyhow, she killed it. All three girls did. You could see their pure joy on stage, which is the best part! Part of what I adore about Fliptastic is how they keep it simple and about the kids. There isn't these huge larger than life productions and props that our kids are fighting to not get lost in. They do not require makeup(which many dance studios DO), no fake hair or any of that garbage, just some super talented kiddos out on stage having the time of their lives! I am so proud of them! Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to cheer Ava on, we filled a LOT of seats and Ava so enjoyed seeing her cheering team there to root her on. :) Can't wait until the next one!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sissy and Brother </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava and her boyfriend, Logan :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ava acting coy after her performance. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro Pic -- The girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro Pic -- Ava</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-68820828179247504602012-01-26T10:57:00.000-08:002012-01-26T10:57:19.045-08:00Cardiologist Updates -- Sept-November 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you can probably tell by the photo, Ava has grown to LOVE visiting her cardiologist. She frequently asks to go see him, and is always SO excited when it's time. Such a wonderful, but very vast change from when she was terrified and inconsolable any time we had to go to any doctor's office. I LOVE it! So, starting in September, we were noticing Ava's hands turning blue or purple and along with that she was complaining of pain. We set up an appointment with her cardiologist of course, who couldn't find anything wrong and honestly didn't have an explanation for the pain. He ordered a few labs for some non heart related issues it could be, and ordered up an EKG and ECHO. We were also sent an event monitor to hook Ava up to at home the next time it happened, it wasn't the one you were 24 hours because it wasn't happening daily. Anyhow, of course(and luckily!) by the time we were sent the monitor in the mail, the events had already stopped. Ava was already scheduled for her six month echo and ekg so those were still done.<br />
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We went back in October for the ECHO. Ava did great! She layed down with me and watched Dora Saves the Mermaids, as she always does, while our favorite echo tech did her thing. The echos are about a 20-30 minute process. We unfortunately do not get results of the echo same day, we have to wait for a followup appointment.<br />
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So back to the Cardiologist's it was in November to hear the results of the echo. Results were, everything looks good, the conduit is still leaky(duh) but the stenting did help out. It is the general consensus amongst Ava's team of doctors and surgeons that she will need her next open heart within a year. I have known about this looming third OHS for what feels like EVER now. But hearing a YEAR, kind of knocked the wind right out of me. With all that being said, Greg and I are hoping to inquire about doing the surgery this summer, while she is out of school so that there will PLENTY of time for her to heal and for her little chest to completely heal before being back at school and away from my watchful(overprotective) eye. I don't wish to rush this surgery, but at the same time I do not want Ava to have to miss months of school or put off the surgery so long that it becomes a dire need and I have to watch her health deteriorate. We go back for Ava's six month Cardiology check up in a few months, we will be asking lots of questions, getting new echos and a new picture of how things look, then.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Ava Face :)</td></tr>
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So not ready to have to explain to Ava why she has to go through this all again, for her to be in pain and have little I can do to ease it, to call a hospital our home again, so not ready to hand my baby over to trusted hands of her surgeon and nurses, but I am absolutely ready to not have this surgery looming over our heads like it has the past two+ years and to not have to deal with another OHS for YEARS to come after that, god willing. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-86579824174940974372012-01-26T09:29:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:29:00.676-08:00Catching up -- Halloween Class Party 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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All year(literally) Ava goes back and forth on what she will be for Halloween. It starts the day after Halloween and continues to change just a week or two before Halloween. If she sees a commercial for a new toy, she wants to be that for Halloween, falls in love with a new song, she wants to be the singer for Halloween, finds a new animal to learn and obsess over, yeah, Halloween. It's hilarious and has been going on for the last three years now. It's even more fun considering Ava's pretty extensive dress up collection and how often she utilizes it. Which is to say, VERY OFTEN. You would think Halloween, a day of dressing up, basically, would just not be a big deal to her. It's like any other day in her life, with the added bonus of candy, but she honestly doesn't make all that big of a deal about the candy. She just cracks me up!<br />
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So, this year Ava was able to dress up at school for Halloween. I am SO glad her school is one of the lasts who still allow Kindergartners to dress up and celebrate such a fun holiday for children. Almost every child in her class was dressed up, and if a child didn't have a costume, the teachers dug into the class dress up bins and provided one so no one would feel left out. LOVE that! I volunteered in her class that day so I could witness all the cuteness. :) All of the Kindergarten classes went on a parade to each classroom, where they were introduced and walked through the classes, SO CUTE. And it just so happened to be Ava's brother's first day at this school(we made the decision to move him back to elementary school, he was at a middle school but is in 6th grade) so she was really excited to get to his class, one of the last ones visited, and as she told us, give him a big hug! Well, we got to his class, and in typical Ava and brother form, she passed on the hug and instead opted for a (playful) punch, right in front of all his new classmates. Hah! Way to make a first impression for the poor kiddo, Ava! :)After the parade, there was a cute, interactive puppet show and story time for all the Kindergartners. Ava really enjoyed it. Then after the show, her class went back to their room and had a fun party. The teachers had activities for them, and of course cookies, cupcakes and juice. What Kindergarten class party is complete without these essentials?! ;) Ava had a wonderful time and I enjoyed being able to attend and help out and of course capture a few moments.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a fun class activity. This would be jello disguised as brains!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-32115187190495887722012-01-26T09:02:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:02:33.678-08:00Catching up -- Ava's first school field trip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last fall just before Halloween, Ava joined her class on a field trip to Fog Willow Pumpkin Farm. This was Ava's first field trip and first time riding on a school bus(HUGE deal for her! Funny story, she chose to sit with me on the ride down, but on the way back INSISTED that she sit on her own, banishing both Dad and I to seats alone) so she was very excited! Greg and I tagged along as parent volunteers, I was definitely not going to miss Ava's first field trip experience! :)<br />
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We had never visited this place before, but it was really cute and fun. There was a petting zoo, huge playground, hay rides, plenty of opportunities to pet and learn more about various farm animals, and of course, pumpkins!<br />
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Ava had a wonderful time, got to ride a school bus, learned how to make a haystack, had a picnic lunch with classmates, picked out her own pumpkin, went on a hayride, and she got up close and personal and learned so much about her favorite subject in the world, cute and fuzzy animals!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-74517379167409675292011-09-21T12:50:00.000-07:002011-09-21T12:50:22.693-07:002011 Heart Walk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yay!! We were able to make the heart walk this year. Something we have made an effort to do every year since I found out about the American Heart Association's Start Heart Walk here in Sacramento. Last year, we were so sad we had to miss out. Ava had her tummy surgery just a few days before the walk, and though no pain was expected, because of various reasons, there was a significant amount of pain and I made the decision as Ava's mommy to keep my girl home. It was such a bummer and I know a lot of people were disappointed, but Ava's health and comfort came first. This year though, Team Ava was back out there! The first year we did this walk, there was literally NO mention of the little kiddos affected by heart disease and stroke. But thanks to all the wonderful parents who have been raising awareness for their babies born with Heart Disease and suffering stroke(just like my Ava), CHD has such a presence at the Heart Walks. Not only that, but all monies my team, and many of the other teams, raise goes directly to funding for research on congenital heart disease. It's fantastic and makes me SO happy to see how far we have come in raising awareness for our tiny little heart heroes. Without this awareness and funding and the advances being made, not that many years ago the combination of complex CHD Ava was born with would not have been operable. YEAH for brighter futures for our babies!
This walk has always been a very special day for me. The first year we did it, my goal was to gather family and friends to show our support for Ava but also to help make a voice for our heart kiddos. Just a few years later, Ava gets SO jazzed about the walk and you can just SEE how special it is to her. She may not fully grasp why we are all there but she KNOWS it is for her and her incredible little heart. Ava went to bed the night before the walk talking about it and woke up picking up right where she left off. Her eyes were so wide and she was so happy and had a blast running around from tent to tent, getting face paint, balloons, and participating in hula contests after the walk. Ava saw her best friend Miss Maddie, who is the same age as Ava, was also born with the exact same genetic disorder as Ava and though different, was also born with congenital heart disease. Their little lives have mirrored each others so many times, I feel so blessed to have Maddies mommy Michelle there exactly when I need her because she knows EXACTLY what I am going through. She can relate. She gets it. She just knows. And she has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion. Ava and Maddie hardly get to see each other thanks to ridiculous schedules on both sides, but they have some kind of amazing bond, and each time they do see each other their eyes light up and smiles come out along with great big hugs. It's adorable and I know this family was put in our lives for a reason, this little friend of Ava's is going to be there for her as she grows and much like her mama has done for me, will be an unparalleled source of strength and understanding.
I need to again thank ALL those who have come out year after year(with even a few of you amazing people showing up last year in our spot). For understanding why this is so important to me and special for Ava to be a part of and look back on. For making time in your very busy schedules for a few hours once a year to walk for a little girl who has gone though so much in her life and has so much love and joy and happiness in everything she does, and for everyone she knows. Thank you for helping me raise Ava to be proud of her journey, that beautiful scar, and realize how incredibly strong and admirable she is. I couldn't do it without you all! xox, see you next year!! :)
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-54455265041735760762011-09-06T10:26:00.000-07:002011-09-06T10:26:45.182-07:00Back to School, 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year Miss Ava starts Kindergarten and her brother G started JUNIOR HIGH. I cannot believe how fast they are growing up! In previous years, I have gotten up extremely early, gotten the kids up way earlier than they needed to, all in order to get those "perfect" first day of school shots. This year, I decided I would get them AFTER school. Less hectic first day of school mornings are SO the way to go. Now I still got up ridiculously early, got myself ready and made a traditional huge breakfast for my lovies. I still followed Ava to class and got a few classic first day classroom photos, but she thinks it's super cool to be followed by momarazzi, her brother sadly no longer share that belief. Then later that evening I took the kiddos up to the neighborhood park and got some obligatory shots. My son is so over photos that it is nearly impossible to get many of him, but he allowed for a couple, bless his generous soul. I started the tradition with Ava last year of writing her school grade/year on a mini chalkboard as a cute way to document each new school year, so wish I would have thought of this when Greg was younger and more willing. :)
Anyhow, both kids had wonderful first day experiences at their new schools, and I am full of hope for a happy and successful year full of new experiences and knowledge. I remember when Ava was so small and sick, and truly wondering if we would ever be fortunate enough to experience these milestones with her. Now here she is thriving and happy as can be! If there is one thing I am most thankful for after going through such an experience as Ava's first few months of life were, it has honestly opened my eyes to all the little blessings many of us(me included) take for granted. I now know JUST how lucky I am and I cherish every last moment, because they are moments I had only hoped for and dreamed of a few short years ago. :)
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-56909655942363520182011-09-06T09:58:00.000-07:002011-09-06T10:26:45.194-07:00Summer Vacation, Fort Bragg Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We took a few day mini trip up to Fort Bragg this summer. We stayed right on the beach as to maximize our time enjoying the coast. It was so pretty! I had never been to Fort Bragg before nor had Ava, G had been there a few years ago with his Grandparents so it was our first trip together as a family. I had no idea what to expect, luckily I LOVED it up there. The kiddos especially loved having the beach right outside our room. Aside from some heavy fog in the morning hours, which is totally to be expected, the sun came out and the weather was perfect! I don't think it got higher than low 70's while we were there. A welcome break from the near 100 temps in Sacramento. We took lots of walks, found quite a few beaches, but our favorite was the one located right at our hotel, and definitely where we spent the most time.
A few photos...
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-82381154645409835692011-06-24T13:37:00.000-07:002011-09-06T09:32:22.277-07:00A special wish...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7Cg0huOfjw/TmZJcecJG6I/AAAAAAAABPg/IEn2mz7IouA/s1600/240206_10150274854088385_616558384_8861741_7120795_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C7Cg0huOfjw/TmZJcecJG6I/AAAAAAAABPg/IEn2mz7IouA/s320/240206_10150274854088385_616558384_8861741_7120795_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649283536139131810" /></a><br /><br />When we were still under the impression that Ava was going to need a third open heart surgery this year, I decided to contact Make A Wish. The prior two years had been full of hospitalizations and procedures and surgery, so with this next big one coming up I felt that it was the PERFECT time for Ava to have something fun and magical to look forward to. Of course, we soon found out that surgery could be postponed a few years with some more stenting and ballooning. I considered contacting Make A Wish and seeing if I could put a hold on the process(I truly thought Ava might be a bit too young still to be able to come up with ONE true wish), but Ava had already caught wind of it all and judging by her total excitement there really was no turning back!<br /><br />Ava seemed to instantly know exactly what she wanted, and her wish would come as no surprise to anyone who has spent even 5 seconds with this girl. She wanted to meet Cinderella and visit Cinderella's castle. Her wish from day to day would slightly vary, she talked of eating ice cream with Cinderella and Prince Charming, she talked of dancing with them, going bowling in the castle with Cinderella, etc, but one thing never changed, this girl wanted to meet her favorite princess, Cinderella. Once all the paperwork was completed we had to wait for Ava's pediatrician to give the official okay and then Ava was invited to the Wishing Place where she would make her wish known. The wishing place is seriously magical all on it's own. Unfortunately I did not take photos. I just wanted to for once be in the moment with my kiddos instead of living the moment behind the lens. I am kind of bummed I don't have photos of this magical moment for Ava, BUT I also don't regret my decision at all.<br /><br />Everyone at Make A Wish is wonderful and so thoughtful. They called us prior to the meet to find out both kids favorite activities, foods, etc. So once we got there they had a gift for Ava(Cinderella doll) and some of the favorite foods for the kids(which happened to be ice cream and water, hah). <br /><br />Once the kids were loaded up on unlimited ice cream, we all sat and watched a video on the wish making process. After the video and any questions, one of the volunteers took Greg and I to a semi-separate room where we filled out more paperwork, answered any questions, while another volunteer walked Ava through the wish process with visual guides at different stations, and at each station Ava would write down a different wish(though hers all came back to Cinderella). Ava's brother stayed with her and sort of acted as a translator when needed. Though we did overhear him try to coax his sissy into asking for a cat or dog at least once. Hah!<br /><br />Once we were all done, we gathered together again and they showed me what Ava had written down as her wishes, and if there was anything we as her parents did not approve of. Since Ava's wishes were all so similar we had to sort of use them as inspiration to come up with at least one "back up" wish. Ava's official wish was to meet Cinderella and stay the night in her castle. The back up wish was a shopping spree at the disneystore, limo, dinner, etc.<br /><br />At the Wishing Place, they have this locked room that the wish child is given a key to. So once their wish is known and written down, they go to the door, use their key and open the door. As soon as they do, the whole room lights up(in their favorite color, to boot!) and in the middle of the room is the wishing well. They place their wish in the well and once they do music starts playing and everyone dances. Mega cuteness. The wish kiddo gets to hold on to their key for later use. ;)<br /><br />So after all that, we were given a tour of the rest of the place, asked any questions we had and then were on our ways!<br /><br />A couple of weeks later, we received the call, Ava's wish had officially been granted!!! Unfortunately, the spending the night in Cinderella's castle is impossible, as Disney only makes the suite available for promotions, but Ava will be given a tour, as well as a private meet and greet with Cinderella! I did manage to snap a photo of Ava being told the news...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp2gj8wDHw/TmZIKZkTysI/AAAAAAAABPY/dSfhrNmj580/s1600/273088_10150313505323385_616558384_9165166_5610010_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qp2gj8wDHw/TmZIKZkTysI/AAAAAAAABPY/dSfhrNmj580/s320/273088_10150313505323385_616558384_9165166_5610010_o.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649282126081936066" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yeah, I definitely made the right decision in moving on with the wishing process. Since the call, not a single day has gone by that Ava hasn't mentioned her wish, in detail. Not a single image of a castle has been seen without mention of Ava's wish again, being told in full detail. From the plane ride to what dress she is going to wear on what day, to what she is going to say to Cinderella and how many hugs she is going to give her, this girl couldn't be more thrilled. It is so special. Though seeing the huge ear to ear smiles and twinkly eyes now at the mention of Disney world is pretty breathtaking, I can only imagine what it is going to be like once we arrive. And honestly, I couldn't think of a more deserving little princess. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-40753874037845524292011-06-10T13:20:00.001-07:002011-06-10T14:18:29.660-07:00Preschool Promotion!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vbgIbmRNjo/TfKCkO9XOaI/AAAAAAAABOQ/ZNMVwX3Roks/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vbgIbmRNjo/TfKCkO9XOaI/AAAAAAAABOQ/ZNMVwX3Roks/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616695244286802338" /></a><br />Can I take it down sappy mama lane for a second and just start off saying how unbelievably lucky I feel to have been blessed with both my children?! They are seriously the two best mini humans I have ever known. Ava has now officially completed her Preschool Chapter, and is SO ready to move on to Kindergarten! Thursday was the final day of school at that little corner classroom at Schweitzer Elementary with three of the BEST Preschool Teachers in existence. So, to celebrate the kids moving up to Kindergarten, Ava's teachers put together a little promotion celebration. The kids were given caps, promotion certificates and showed us what they had been learning in Education Through Music(Ava's favorite part, she comes home and sings the songs she learns for hours on end! It really is the cutest thing ever, except for the times she has tried to replace my alarm clock at 4am with said songs). After the kids received their certificates, there were cupcakes which had each of the little grad's name on them, beverages and socializing.<br /><br />A few months ago, I would of been pretty nervous FOR Ava, because this was the sort of thing that set her into anxious fear mode. She would of started crying the minute parents started arriving, and would of been inconsolable and hiding her face in my shoulder the entire time. So when we arrived Thursday and saw Ava's face light up as she smiled and waved but remained seated and calm, it was simply the best feeling. Seeing her be able to enjoy activites she loves, without anxiety or fear, is priceless. I am truly thankful to the fellow heart mama who lead us down the all natural remedy path for Ava's anxiety. It has done INCREDIBLE things and freed Ava of that at times crippling anxiety beast.<br /><br />So here we are, five years on this unbelievable journey, and another chapter in the books. Another milestone. Another memory. Another blessing. Congratulations, baby girl, this is only the beginning of what is sure to be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding time in your education. Thanks to the three remarkable group of ladies we called Ava's preschool teachers for the last two years, I am confident my daughter got the best start possible. We are going to miss Ms. Pat, Ms. Sigrid and Ms. June tremendously!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddFtsFZf7XI/TfKEm1KRVPI/AAAAAAAABOY/ETHlCkHLLS8/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B10.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ddFtsFZf7XI/TfKEm1KRVPI/AAAAAAAABOY/ETHlCkHLLS8/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616697487924483314" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvZFTEkkUPI/TfKEnsTFFjI/AAAAAAAABOo/CUiwBlQSuGs/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B9.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvZFTEkkUPI/TfKEnsTFFjI/AAAAAAAABOo/CUiwBlQSuGs/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616697502725379634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLq9Tma99Jk/TfKEnVNNFkI/AAAAAAAABOg/x0Vs4FAP2mc/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLq9Tma99Jk/TfKEnVNNFkI/AAAAAAAABOg/x0Vs4FAP2mc/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616697496526722626" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SavrXLkiPtM/TfKIKsQ8zoI/AAAAAAAABOw/_EfHD6JuIAQ/s1600/DSC_0180.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SavrXLkiPtM/TfKIKsQ8zoI/AAAAAAAABOw/_EfHD6JuIAQ/s320/DSC_0180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616701402546753154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdberrADXWE/TfKJSuYmS5I/AAAAAAAABPA/CNUppfLMaIU/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BdberrADXWE/TfKJSuYmS5I/AAAAAAAABPA/CNUppfLMaIU/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616702640066284434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9nfhlFIGLI/TfKJSRK7EjI/AAAAAAAABO4/-2JixDwB0x4/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9nfhlFIGLI/TfKJSRK7EjI/AAAAAAAABO4/-2JixDwB0x4/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616702632224297522" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUhFxEkBQ7E/TfKJTKiwtfI/AAAAAAAABPI/A0IJW-KsL9s/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eUhFxEkBQ7E/TfKJTKiwtfI/AAAAAAAABPI/A0IJW-KsL9s/s320/DSC_0173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616702647625102834" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrcWIIeLwok/TfKJ81odlRI/AAAAAAAABPQ/_6Dlb2NZZVM/s1600/Ava%2Bpromotion.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrcWIIeLwok/TfKJ81odlRI/AAAAAAAABPQ/_6Dlb2NZZVM/s320/Ava%2Bpromotion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616703363566376210" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-59568081776074330012011-05-30T09:08:00.000-07:002011-05-30T09:26:47.959-07:00My Miracle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHs9_MGnnK8/TePBdL9ualI/AAAAAAAABOE/mk5keNwVUa8/s1600/ava%2Bmiracle.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WHs9_MGnnK8/TePBdL9ualI/AAAAAAAABOE/mk5keNwVUa8/s320/ava%2Bmiracle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612542267805821522" /></a><br /><br /><br />Today is Ava's 5 year heartaversary. Meaning, five years ago today, an amazing surgeon "fixed" Ava's itty bitty, tiny sick little heart. He gave her a chance at life that otherwise wouldn't of been possible. Five years plus one week ago, we were told our daughter wouldn't survive past a few days without this surgery.Five years plus one week ago, we were told that even with this surgery, a happy ending was not promised. Ava was born with several severe congenital heart defects, the combination of these specific defects, we were told, was quite rare and very complicated. Five years ago today, I only prayed that I would be celebrating this day.<br /><br />Ava has overcome so much. Two open heart surgeries, such bumpy and scary recoveries, multiple other surgeries and procedures, a stroke in the OR during her first repair, illness, failure to thrive, paralyzed vocal chords, feeding tubes, collapsing lungs, etc. She still faces more open heart surgery, more cardiac catheterizations, more unforeseen "bumps" no doubt, but she is here, she is happy, she is thriving, she is so full of <span style="font-style:italic;">life</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">love</span> that it takes my breath away and makes it <span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">impossible</span></span> to focus on the bad. We will never know what tomorrow holds. But we have today, and today is a miracle worth celebrating.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-71382108721704402812011-03-23T09:40:00.000-07:002011-03-23T10:40:35.590-07:00Cardiac Cath Update.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9r5Ng2WHAE/TYokvtUljqI/AAAAAAAABNM/EZCHKre1dqo/s1600/SDC12658.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J9r5Ng2WHAE/TYokvtUljqI/AAAAAAAABNM/EZCHKre1dqo/s320/SDC12658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587318689744916130" /></a><br />So perky for 5 in the morning, isn't she! Ava's cardiac cath went down on March 14th without a hitch! We arrived at UCD bright(actually it was dark...hmph) and early, coffee-free because if Miss Ava is fasting for a procedure, we ALL fast for a procedure, forgot our paperwork(first time EVER) and waited around in the recovery area for a good two hours before being taken back to the cath lab. While we waited and since we forgot our paperwork, Ava gave Dr. Van Gundy the painting she made him, he showed it off to all the nurses. It was mega adorable, wish I would of gotten a photo! Thanks to Ava's amazing art skills, Dr. forgot to be mad at forgetful mom and dad. Score!<br /><br />Ava was big huge smiles the entire time, talking up nurses and anyone else who would listen, watched movies and when the time came, drank every last drop of her "happy juice" (I STILL really believe parents should be able to partake in the happy juice happy hour experience as well...). After that, Ava got a bit loopy and sleepy. Once the time finally came to make the HUGE trek to the cath lab, which has recently moved and is clear across the hospital from where they had us, Ava became apprehensive and nervous. We got to the hallway outside of the cath room and once Ava saw the doors to the room open, she freaked out a little bit. :( One of the anesthesiologists mentioned that they need to up her dose of happy juice because the WHOLE point of it is to calm and relax them. That hasn't ever really worked with Ava. She knew what that room meant and told me she didn't want to go "ni-ni." Just slightly heartbreaking. I asked Greg to step in and take Ava into the room this time, it's really my least favorite part of these caths and I didn't feel strong enough for it this time. Once Ava was asleep and situated we returned to the waiting area. Dr Van Gundy met us there a little after 12pm and let us know that everything went VERY well, Ava was her usual rockstar self and there were no surprises. He was able to open her LPA stent from 5 to 8(making her artery that of a young adults) and that eventually he wants to go back in and balloon her right side, but NOT now. He was very optimistic that this will alleviate the leaking conduit situation and put off the need to replace the conduit to a larger one via open heart surgery. Happy dance! Happy tears! Happy mama!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxuTLBLg2jg/TYorT7WwnoI/AAAAAAAABNk/i2ry7XNTp0M/s1600/SDC12661.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xxuTLBLg2jg/TYorT7WwnoI/AAAAAAAABNk/i2ry7XNTp0M/s320/SDC12661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587325909057183362" /></a> Ava is TERRIFIED of gas masks, but gladly used it on her pillow pet, "Lub"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqOt1Afyyx4/TYorTP4TmfI/AAAAAAAABNU/AZP1ml9pLmY/s1600/SDC12659.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YqOt1Afyyx4/TYorTP4TmfI/AAAAAAAABNU/AZP1ml9pLmY/s320/SDC12659.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587325897386727922" /></a> Watching a movie before the procedure. All smiles. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yokyFyRpzRw/TYorUNCdtyI/AAAAAAAABNs/WD7QLZfA0OQ/s1600/SDC12663.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yokyFyRpzRw/TYorUNCdtyI/AAAAAAAABNs/WD7QLZfA0OQ/s320/SDC12663.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587325913803896610" /></a> Daddy and Ava before going into the cath room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyzsxzmVwTo/TYorUWV96aI/AAAAAAAABN0/ed0zFnnA-4w/s1600/SDC12664.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FyzsxzmVwTo/TYorUWV96aI/AAAAAAAABN0/ed0zFnnA-4w/s320/SDC12664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587325916301617570" /></a> My girl after the procedure. Very mad, distrusting(wouldn't make eye contact with anyone or eat/drink anything), and in discomfort. So brave, though!<br /><br />From January 11, 2011 when we heard that Ava was in need of her third OHS because her conduit was leaking and heart enlargement, along with other unsavory side affects were an issue if not fixed pronto, to a few weeks later when we learned that stenting via cath may be an option, to a rescheduled cath because of a staff shortage, to March 14, 2011 and a very successful catheterization thanks in huge part to our INCREDIBLE pediatric cardiologist, I have been a huge blob of stress and optimism and emotion and worry and fret and unease and downright anger. Ava had been home for over a month, missing school, ballet, playdates with friends, birthday parties, the park. It has been trying, but everything worked out for the best and I couldn't be more thankful that we are now back to our chaotic norm. :)<br /><br />Tomorrow is Ava's followup at the pediatric cardiologist. It should be a pretty short and uneventful appointment, if there is anything significant to report on, I will update everyone then. Thanks time a bagillion to all of our amazing family and friends who send prayers, hugs, vibes, chants, thoughts, love our way the last few months. Ava has so many people who care about her, it's humbling. We appreciate all of you. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01EoKdeFVDE/TYouBJWZ_PI/AAAAAAAABN8/uJL59_d3Gjo/s1600/DSC_0140%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-01EoKdeFVDE/TYouBJWZ_PI/AAAAAAAABN8/uJL59_d3Gjo/s320/DSC_0140%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587328884931165426" /></a> Ava one week later, after her first day back to school, happy girl! Something I have learned and continue to struggle to learn on this journey is, it never really gets easier. I think every parent can claim the same. Though my children's smiles sure make each individually trying journey they lead me on SO rewarding. :)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-17810368747019201392011-02-06T15:53:00.001-08:002011-02-06T16:17:49.232-08:00Surgery?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU81aebELOI/AAAAAAAABM0/ie7tq_VKZic/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU81aebELOI/AAAAAAAABM0/ie7tq_VKZic/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570729993040047330" /></a><br />So. As many of us already know, Ava had her 6month echo cardiogram and followup in early January. Her cardiologist's immediate thought on viewing the echo results was that Ava was in need of another open heart surgery to replace her conduit with a larger one. He said there was some significant regurgitation going on, which was concerning. <br /><br />The way things work with our doctors is, her cardiologist "presents" her "case" at a conference they have weekly. Together the team of doctors and surgeons come up with the best plan for the child and their condition. What the doctors all decided was that they want to try to further stent Ava's stenotic pulmonary arteries first. The hope is this will help compensate and hopefully put off surgery for a couple more years. Sounds good to me!!<br /><br />So Ava's precath appointment is this Wednesday, with the actual cath a week later. We will be visiting the Cath Lab at the UC Davis Med Center, yet again. Ava will be first case, and as usual they tell you to expect to stay overnight, though the only time we had to actually stay overnight was when the stent became dislodged had to be "relocated." That isn't going to happen again, though. Positive thoughts ahoy, this needs to work the first time! This will be Ava's 5th Heart Catheterization in the last two years(double that total) and little miss deserves a BREAK! So bring on the happy thoughts, prayers, etc for a successful cath and perfectly placed stents. Yay! :)<br /><br />I will update after the 16th, once we are home and rested.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-70378200473738786812011-02-06T12:20:00.000-08:002011-02-06T13:37:44.814-08:00Playing catch up - Ava's First Recital<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8HhoI1FII/AAAAAAAABL8/7SDXpInpN-I/s1600/avaballerina%2Brecital.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8HhoI1FII/AAAAAAAABL8/7SDXpInpN-I/s320/avaballerina%2Brecital.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570679538372121730" /></a><br />You know those instant images that flood your brain when you get the news you are having a little girl?! One of those, for me at least, was attending my daughter's first recital. Ava first started showing a desire for dance, and specifically ballet, after she watched an episode of Max and Ruby. Ruby, the older sister, receives a ballet bar for her birthday and practices some moves with her friends. Ava. Fell. In. LOVE. Next came Angelina Ballerina. The girl officially became obsessed. So much that I started looking into classes. We were originally going to enroll Ava at a place in Folsom, but LUCKILY right before enrolling I found out about an awesome and new place much closer to home, right down the street, really. They let us attend a few classes free, to see if the instructor and time was a good fit for Ava. It was. ;)<br /><br />The first few classes, Ava was very apprehensive and anxious. We had to sit in class with her, but by the end of the class she was joining in with the other girls and learning all sorts of new moves and terminology. It was love at first position. ;)<br /><br /><br />So fast forward a few months and Miss Ava is getting ready for her first recital! The costume is fitted and purchased. Tickets are sold, flowers are purchased, family and friends are ready to attend, my camcorder and camera are charged and ready to go and Miss Ava has been practicing her routine like crazy, anytime, anywhere!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I_cWuRZI/AAAAAAAABMU/GNqR1eAeF6M/s1600/DSC_0473%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I_cWuRZI/AAAAAAAABMU/GNqR1eAeF6M/s320/DSC_0473%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681150116873618" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I-xJOWHI/AAAAAAAABMM/KSEfn1dEN9w/s1600/DSC_0453%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I-xJOWHI/AAAAAAAABMM/KSEfn1dEN9w/s320/DSC_0453%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681138517530738" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I-rVv26I/AAAAAAAABME/Uhk-h3x7f6E/s1600/DSC_0431%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8I-rVv26I/AAAAAAAABME/Uhk-h3x7f6E/s320/DSC_0431%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681136959445922" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JjIoMlFI/AAAAAAAABMs/u28qm2pFwmM/s1600/DSC_0514%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JjIoMlFI/AAAAAAAABMs/u28qm2pFwmM/s320/DSC_0514%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681763296744530" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JimT8qjI/AAAAAAAABMk/czJp8D0-vVc/s1600/DSC_0423%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JimT8qjI/AAAAAAAABMk/czJp8D0-vVc/s320/DSC_0423%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681754085009970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JiJaP7WI/AAAAAAAABMc/dnpZn8KRKic/s1600/DSC_0530%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU8JiJaP7WI/AAAAAAAABMc/dnpZn8KRKic/s320/DSC_0530%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570681746326809954" /></a><br /><br />My little CHD miracle girl ROCKED it!! She totally overcame her fears of new situations/too much attention, went out on that stage, danced her little heart out and totally enjoyed every single second of it.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-32826645076398909632011-02-06T11:18:00.000-08:002011-02-06T11:50:08.622-08:00Playing catch up - Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU75p7KcK7I/AAAAAAAABLc/JTkculztn1c/s1600/turkeydayava%2B%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU75p7KcK7I/AAAAAAAABLc/JTkculztn1c/s320/turkeydayava%2B%25282%2529.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570664287755316146" /></a><br />I love Thanksgiving. I mean, I have SO much to be thankful for, it is a holiday all about family and yummy food. Score! This year, we spent Thanksgiving in Lincoln with Greg's family. The weather was brisk but still beautiful. We played football outside(tradition)and Ava had fun making a mess of the neighbor's clean stack of leaves. :) <br /><br />See the cute turkey hat? Ava helped me make this. We kind of free handed it using felt and LOTS of glue, and in the end when that wasn't quite holding, staples. Don't judge. It worked in the end and Miss Ava rocked this hat ALL day, even tried to wear it to bed. I would call that first attempt at a free handed turkey hat SUCCESS!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77GRETsCI/AAAAAAAABL0/rT_ujFcaMGo/s1600/turkeydayfambam.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77GRETsCI/AAAAAAAABL0/rT_ujFcaMGo/s320/turkeydayfambam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570665874183139362" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77GDwLTQI/AAAAAAAABLs/qidTWWv0Gc0/s1600/turkeydaystellanava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77GDwLTQI/AAAAAAAABLs/qidTWWv0Gc0/s320/turkeydaystellanava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570665870609042690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77Fs57UVI/AAAAAAAABLk/ooWB97WIR-A/s1600/turkeydayava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU77Fs57UVI/AAAAAAAABLk/ooWB97WIR-A/s320/turkeydayava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570665864475922770" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-9528347944272395142011-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:002011-02-06T11:01:25.568-08:00Playing catch up - Apple Hill & Bishop's Pumpkin Patch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7sNO9wz1I/AAAAAAAABKM/rmca0VoxN-U/s1600/applehill%2Bava%2Btrain.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7sNO9wz1I/AAAAAAAABKM/rmca0VoxN-U/s320/applehill%2Bava%2Btrain.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570649501203484498" /></a><br />We actually took our annual trip to Apple Hill the week before Halloween, but who's counting. The trip was fun, the kiddos went on a train ride, we ate apple donuts and drank apple cider. Ava got her face painted. G only mildly complained of how boring this place was. ;) The weather was awesome and I got some cute shots of the kiddos. Day trip to Apple Hill success!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tmHjJn8I/AAAAAAAABKs/jKah1aM4Qac/s1600/Strawberries%2Band%2BCream.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tmHjJn8I/AAAAAAAABKs/jKah1aM4Qac/s320/Strawberries%2Band%2BCream.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570651028221173698" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tlngRJQI/AAAAAAAABKk/Bs-8YgcEGsA/s1600/applehill%2Bg.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tlngRJQI/AAAAAAAABKk/Bs-8YgcEGsA/s320/applehill%2Bg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570651019619149058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tkxZzDLI/AAAAAAAABKc/Bs8Mq2uyxSA/s1600/applehill%2Bava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tkxZzDLI/AAAAAAAABKc/Bs8Mq2uyxSA/s320/applehill%2Bava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570651005096496306" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tkTCm5iI/AAAAAAAABKU/Rgy55MqR37U/s1600/apple%2Bhill%2Bg%2Band%2Bava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7tkTCm5iI/AAAAAAAABKU/Rgy55MqR37U/s320/apple%2Bhill%2Bg%2Band%2Bava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570650996946167330" /></a><br /><br />We also made our annual trip out to Bishop's Pumpkin Farm out in Woodland. It's a good 45minute drive, but there is SO much for the kids to do and lots of pumpkins to pick from. :) Each kiddo picked out their perfect pumpkin and had fun running through the pumpkin fields like the lil maniacs they are. It was also ridiculously windy out though...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vD7S9J2I/AAAAAAAABLE/7zzDgSMKSd4/s1600/avapumpkin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vD7S9J2I/AAAAAAAABLE/7zzDgSMKSd4/s320/avapumpkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570652639839725410" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vDZph7pI/AAAAAAAABK8/dYsx8ohfzGc/s1600/avapunkin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vDZph7pI/AAAAAAAABK8/dYsx8ohfzGc/s320/avapunkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570652630807604882" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vmZ3EUrI/AAAAAAAABLU/vwu7876hkh0/s1600/avatruck.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vmZ3EUrI/AAAAAAAABLU/vwu7876hkh0/s320/avatruck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570653232159806130" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vlhMV23I/AAAAAAAABLM/jBsVoC5IvT0/s1600/punkin%2Bpatch%2Blovies.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vlhMV23I/AAAAAAAABLM/jBsVoC5IvT0/s320/punkin%2Bpatch%2Blovies.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570653216948214642" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vCSQYTUI/AAAAAAAABK0/PPXajlAnGcs/s1600/avangpumpkinpatch.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7vCSQYTUI/AAAAAAAABK0/PPXajlAnGcs/s320/avangpumpkinpatch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570652611643198786" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-48108762084050222602011-02-06T09:56:00.000-08:002011-02-06T10:39:42.159-08:00Playing catch up- Halloween 2010!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7mBtFUV6I/AAAAAAAABI8/LkvVA687M9E/s1600/avadiva.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7mBtFUV6I/AAAAAAAABI8/LkvVA687M9E/s320/avadiva.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570642706060040098" /></a><br />It's pretty difficult to go months back and remember cute little details of every event. Luckily I have photos, always LOTS of photos, but I really need to commit to making time weekly to keep this blog updated. I started this blog as a way for Ava to have something tangible and accurate of what a truly incredible journey she has lead us on, how we have grown together as a family, and how her story has affected those who meet her. Also, this blog is a great means of communication for family and friends, a way for me to get all the facts and updates out there without numerous phone calls and repeated conversations. So the following few posts will be simple updates as to what has been going on in the world of Ava since the last time I was regularly posting, which was September of 2010. Eek! But once I am all caught up I promise to bring back the weekly updates. :) I hope....<br /><br />For Halloween Miss Ava was a bit indecisive, she went from wanting to be Jessie from Toy Story, to Buzz Lightyear, to a Princess, to Minnie Mouse. She finally settled on Minnie, and was SO adorable! Ava even got to wear her Minnie costume to her ballet class, major cuteness overload...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7jR0Mp5AI/AAAAAAAABI0/KNKbw8Fodw0/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7jR0Mp5AI/AAAAAAAABI0/KNKbw8Fodw0/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570639684312884226" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7jRjYYk6I/AAAAAAAABIs/5R-Q4t40XGg/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7jRjYYk6I/AAAAAAAABIs/5R-Q4t40XGg/s320/DSC_0075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570639679798678434" border="0"></a><br /><br />See, if that isn't the most perfect lil Minnie I have ever seen, and I am not at all biased. ;) I even have video of the cuteness. This was the girl's first run through of their Winter Program recital, those who attended will see how much progress Miss Ava made from the end of October to the date of the recital. Proud of her!<br /><br /><object id="BLOG_video-FAILED" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="FAILED" width="320" height="266"></object><br /><br /><br />The day before Halloween, we carved pumpkins. Ava chose.......Minnie Mouse. G chose Jack Skellington(woo!). The jack o lanterns turned out great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7ms36qsTI/AAAAAAAABJU/cV5uLrR7-DE/s1600/DSC_0103.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7ms36qsTI/AAAAAAAABJU/cV5uLrR7-DE/s320/DSC_0103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570643447702532402" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7msTX9Q4I/AAAAAAAABJM/1gSOzDtRl3I/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7msTX9Q4I/AAAAAAAABJM/1gSOzDtRl3I/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570643437893272450" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7mr6_B5oI/AAAAAAAABJE/7Iw2mRmjvBc/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7mr6_B5oI/AAAAAAAABJE/7Iw2mRmjvBc/s320/DSC_0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570643431346267778" /></a><br /><br /><br />On to Halloween though, the kids had so much fun. Starting with breakfast, which consisted of (very yummy!) pumpkin flavored jack o lantern pancakes, we used chocolate chips for the eyes, nose and mouths. I think I found the recipe on the Martha Stewart website, just add a lil pumpkin puree to the pancake batter. Delicious. For dinner, we made mummies(hot dogs dressed in strips of crescent roll dough), monster mouths(apple wedges with slivered almonds for teeth), and mini mummy pizzas(english muffins, pizza sauce, pepperoni, string cheese and olives). After they helped me make our festive dinner, we took the kiddos out trick or treating. Ava's brother Greg was dressed as Brian Wilson. He ROCKED that beard, and the big perk of that costume was getting game updates at almost every door. :)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pLzvNgoI/AAAAAAAABJc/yUchsBEX3fs/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pLzvNgoI/AAAAAAAABJc/yUchsBEX3fs/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570646178179940994" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pMcLFDvI/AAAAAAAABJk/dH32WQMUQa8/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pMcLFDvI/AAAAAAAABJk/dH32WQMUQa8/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570646189034245874" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pM-FoFFI/AAAAAAAABJs/mSvZpxCNseI/s1600/DSC_0124.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7pM-FoFFI/AAAAAAAABJs/mSvZpxCNseI/s320/DSC_0124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570646198138180690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qR4lk5XI/AAAAAAAABKE/d8vC1nY-2ic/s1600/DSC_0133.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qR4lk5XI/AAAAAAAABKE/d8vC1nY-2ic/s320/DSC_0133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570647382072550770" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qQ8JlIVI/AAAAAAAABJ8/u_-QuKra1Jo/s1600/halloween%2Bgnava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qQ8JlIVI/AAAAAAAABJ8/u_-QuKra1Jo/s320/halloween%2Bgnava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570647365848998226" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qQf6e2WI/AAAAAAAABJ0/Q5NbF2dDHOo/s1600/halloween%2Blovies%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TU7qQf6e2WI/AAAAAAAABJ0/Q5NbF2dDHOo/s320/halloween%2Blovies%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570647358269479266" /></a><br /><br />Hope everyone else had a spooktacular Halloween!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-78889298954161548092011-01-13T11:11:00.000-08:002011-01-13T11:33:06.541-08:001/11/11 was a seriously overrated day.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TS9Sf8XM98I/AAAAAAAABIY/PH3FIR0awP0/s1600/DSC_0887%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TS9Sf8XM98I/AAAAAAAABIY/PH3FIR0awP0/s320/DSC_0887%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561754773558720450" /></a><br />Because it was the day we received the results of Miss Ava's echo from the week prior. Ava's doctor let us know that what he saw was very concerning. There was "a lot" of regurgitation happening, and it was time to replace Ava's conduit. The risk of not treating this soon enough is an enlarged heart. We do not have a specific date yet, the doctors and surgeons from UC Davis Medical Center, UCSF Children's, and LPCH are going to conference on Ava's case first and come to an agreement on when would be best to proceed with the surgery. Open heart surgery. Ava's third one. The CHD world is so cruel and unfair. My daughter's biggest worry should be if she's going to dress as Cinderella or Snow White today after school, and what theme does she want for her upcoming 5th birthday party. We have not yet told Ava what is going on, she was there at the appointment of course, but she was too engrossed in her coloring book and stickers to pay much attention to the boring people discussing her precious little heart. I don't see any point in telling Ava now, not until we have a date set for surgery and even then probably not until a week or two prior. But we will gently let her know what is going to happen, and why. She already knows about her heart and thanks the doctors who "Fixed Aya's heart" all the time. I just want to make sure she has time to get comfortable with the idea, plus she will want to know why we are keeping her home from school.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TS9TF9vGpBI/AAAAAAAABIg/kB0liBbZLEc/s1600/DSC_0903%2Bcopy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TS9TF9vGpBI/AAAAAAAABIg/kB0liBbZLEc/s320/DSC_0903%2Bcopy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561755426762433554" /></a><br /><br /><br />I am sort of rambling on right now, my mind is still a jumbled mess. Plus, I haven't updated this blog in forever! But I wanted everyone to know what was going on. I also included a few photos, taken yesterday. :)<br />As soon as we have a date, I will update again, maybe even with some coherent thoughts! ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-32711061274114541782010-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:002010-09-21T22:28:06.752-07:00Tummy Surgery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQWbhariI/AAAAAAAABGc/mxtv_gE1sHI/s1600/62766_486970808384_616558384_6690509_3786369_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQWbhariI/AAAAAAAABGc/mxtv_gE1sHI/s320/62766_486970808384_616558384_6690509_3786369_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519601533338693154" /></a><br />So little miss had her surgery last Thursday, the 16th. We were up bright and early and made our way to UCD, now usually it is an absolute MUST to make the stop for this Mama's morning necessity, Starbucks. BUT, one since little miss was npo since 10pm the night prior and two, she actually eats and drinks regularly now and would totally know mama was being a meanie and indulging(I just consider it surviving, but whatever...) right in front of her, I put off my coffee fix until after my girlie was taken back. The plus side to this terrible way to start your day at 4am is that there is a La Bou(<3) directly across the street from the hospital, yay!<br /><br />Okay, I guess I digressed a bit. So we arrive to the hospital, only to find that they FINALLY finished the new part of the building making this maze of a hospital even more confusing, but pretty! We eventually find where we need to "check in" which is a little room full of very groggy, very grumpy people who instantly started yelling at us how we were BEHIND them, there aren't even numbers so you need to know who is behind and in front of you in the nonexistent line, etc. Suffices to say, none of these grumps had a Starbucks in their hands either, or it may of been an entirely different scene. One full of rainbows and sunshine. Eventually we make it to the front of the "line" and get checked in and directed on where to go, as if we didn't already know. ;)<br /><br />So we waited in the little waiting room, Ava was very aware of what was going on at this point. And on previous "trips" Ava would by now be crying and hysterical, but we had been lightly discussing with her how we would be going to the hospital and the doctors would be fixing her belly, which has been hurting for weeks so she was really OKAY with that. Ava was still scared and didn't want anyone she didn't know getting anywhere near her, but I am so glad she seemed a little more at ease this time. Seeing your child terrified at an age where they are too young to understand you are trying to help them is just a sucky feeling. Once we were taken to Ava's bed in the recovery area(where they bring the kiddos back to after their surgery/procedures), the nurses, one of which Ava had during her 2 month stay up on the 7th floor in the PICU when she was a newborn, tried to make missy as happy and comfortable as possible. They got her a portable DVD player and some movies, when it was time to take stats they would do what they needed to do to Ava on Ava's snow white doll she brought with her first, so Ava could see none of it hurt, Snow White even got a pulse ox ET finger just like Ava! ;) Everyone was calling Ava "Princess Ava" which made little miss ridiculously happy. Then it was finally time for the "happy juice" which is usually versed and sometimes another medication. I don't really understand why they do not give this once the bring the kiddos to the bed area, since that is when they all seem to freak out. Anyways, Ava took her happy juice and instantly exclaimed, "I'm Happy!!!" it was hilarious and really cute. If only it worked that quickly. ;) So then it was time to walk Ava to the drop off point and hand her over to the team. :( My least favorite part, I actually prefer how the cath team does it, they let you walk her all the way to the bed, lay her down and hold her and talk to her as they administer the sleepy mask. Though that is sometimes a little too traumatizing for mama, too. How come the parents don't get happy juice?! <br /><br />The surgery took a total of an hour and a half, the awesome surgeon came out and let us know little miss did really well and everything went as expected. Ava took a bit of time to wake, but not as bad as last time where we were sitting there for HOURS and hours. Weird to me, considering how she used to wake from her anesthesia almost too quickly and the nurses were always scrambling to keep her properly sedated. <br /><br />Then, apparently there were absolutely NO beds on the floor and we were stuck in recovery ALL day, until about 4:30pm I believe. It wasn't the greatest time ever. And there was even talk of having to hole it up in the new PICU for the night, no thank you. Luckily a bed opened though and we made our way up to the 7th floor. Ava even had the window side of the room. ;) The rest of the night and the next morning were completely uneventful. Except that Ava was in a LOT of pain, the morphine she was being given caused her to drop her temp a little and become a bit clammy, not to mention sleepy. Almost every 4 hours on the mark the pain would break through the medication, but missy wasn't admitting to any pain. We had to take cues from her body such as the elevated heart rate, beads of sweat forming all over her, plus the fact that she didn't want to sit up, walk or even MOVE. I felt so bad for her, we had NO idea this surgery was so involved. When we were told she would need it the doctors explained it like it is usually an outpatient procedure and no big thing. No mention of NPO for 24hrs post op, no mention of no food for 48 hours post op, definitely no mention of the pain involved, which I honestly should of guessed anyways. But my little trooper pulled through and we were discharged Friday evening. After we got our missy home and settled in I instantly went about trying to notify everyone of Ava's condition and how it would be impossible to expect her to participate the next morning in our FAVORITE event of the year, the American Heart Association's Start Heart Walk. Making sure Ava healed and took to food okay the next day was much more important, though. Thanks to all who understood and send us their well wishes, prayers and thoughts! They helped so much.<br /><br />So now for Ava's belly, I still have not seen the incision, it is covered with a bandage and under that is a few steristrips, which should fall off in a couple of weeks. Ava isn't too limited on activities, but she shouldn't be hanging off bars, or jumping(which she HAS been doing! But we had a good talk today about that and I explained that she could hurt her belly again and we would have to go back to the hospital for the doctors to fix that, she didn't want any of that so she promised no more jumping for now). And by now her appetite has pretty much come back to where it normally is. She is sleeping better, but still waking up lots and is a little more clingy than usual. She is also going through her normal routine of not listening and being a bit bossy, something she does every time she is hospitalized, but by now at least we know how to tame the diva and bring her back down a few levels. ;)<br /><br />Here are a few photos taken with my phone, just didn't feel like lugging out my camera...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQmXDXPeI/AAAAAAAABG8/c7LXG6GKEp0/s1600/59862_486908993384_616558384_6689774_1367501_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQmXDXPeI/AAAAAAAABG8/c7LXG6GKEp0/s320/59862_486908993384_616558384_6689774_1367501_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519601807016803810" /></a> Still in recovery, just waking and not happy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQmFvUvrI/AAAAAAAABG0/r8FbFhIiOqw/s1600/63306_487003228384_616558384_6690947_8219351_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQmFvUvrI/AAAAAAAABG0/r8FbFhIiOqw/s320/63306_487003228384_616558384_6690947_8219351_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519601802369351346" /></a> Ava's brave girl gift, a Pillow Pet! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQldiQhSI/AAAAAAAABGs/fvunQOIVtmE/s1600/58483_487382293384_616558384_6696839_1286230_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQldiQhSI/AAAAAAAABGs/fvunQOIVtmE/s320/58483_487382293384_616558384_6696839_1286230_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519601791577130274" /></a> Wagon ride with her new BFF.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQkxblbcI/AAAAAAAABGk/gs2RrDGJ2Kg/s1600/61778_487737263384_616558384_6703815_1004564_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJmQkxblbcI/AAAAAAAABGk/gs2RrDGJ2Kg/s320/61778_487737263384_616558384_6703815_1004564_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519601779737980354" /></a> Sunday afternoon, so much happier. Color was back, appetite was back and pain was subsiding. Miss Ava is such a tough cookie!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-12660510132933915452010-09-13T20:33:00.001-07:002010-09-22T10:56:57.629-07:00Children's Miracle Network/UC Davis Children's Hospital Kid's Day at the Capital Air Show!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo9_5ih6GI/AAAAAAAABHM/e0cktp6aFT4/s1600/sistanbrotha.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo9_5ih6GI/AAAAAAAABHM/e0cktp6aFT4/s320/sistanbrotha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519792461282666594" /></a><br />This year, we were invited to watch the practice day for the California Capital Airshow. It was actually both kid's first time to see the show, so we were all pretty excited. They had a check in desk just outside the entrance where Ava and Greg were given goodie bags full of stuff like a poster of the Airshow, a sharpie(?) sunscreen, and a few other things that I can't recall. :P We also had a family photo taken and a free print given to us, super neat since I rarely get a photo with us all since I am the one taking the photos! So we found a table up close to the gates for a great view once the show began. Instantly people were bringing us food(a catered lunch by Chipotle, yum) and some really yummy strawberry lemonade curtesy of Red Robin.<br /><br />The airshow began, both kids were glued to the sky. But once the louder planes came out, Ava was over it. Luckily a woman at a nearby table gave us an extra set of earplugs that had been passed out and we had somehow missed out on. Thank you lady at neighboring table. :) There was also face painting which Ava was excited about, she of course got a heart and some flowers on her cheek, really cute but didn't last very long. After the show, we stayed probably over an hour longer and toured as many planes as possible. The kids went in and got an upclose view on many of the aircrafts, Ava of course called the ones she liked most, "Ayas airpane" and wasn't too pleased when we nixed her thought of flying them herself. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo9PzZdJhI/AAAAAAAABHE/4a0uBhRsKwk/s1600/ava+airshow.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo9PzZdJhI/AAAAAAAABHE/4a0uBhRsKwk/s320/ava+airshow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519791635000272402" /></a> The face paint, hard to see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_83qwMgI/AAAAAAAABHk/8EZaNs-3Tcs/s1600/DSC_0852.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_83qwMgI/AAAAAAAABHk/8EZaNs-3Tcs/s320/DSC_0852.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519794608263934466" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_8KIq24I/AAAAAAAABHc/mKwhOHvWrLc/s1600/DSC_0828.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_8KIq24I/AAAAAAAABHc/mKwhOHvWrLc/s320/DSC_0828.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519794596041382786" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_7XJcwKI/AAAAAAAABHU/nm5n58oG3GA/s1600/DSC_0758.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJo_7XJcwKI/AAAAAAAABHU/nm5n58oG3GA/s320/DSC_0758.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519794582354444450" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBaNG5xNI/AAAAAAAABH8/R56D6tKMJKg/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBaNG5xNI/AAAAAAAABH8/R56D6tKMJKg/s320/DSC_0748.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519796211746981074" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBZoPg8-I/AAAAAAAABH0/aFm6MHwZsg0/s1600/DSC_0894.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBZoPg8-I/AAAAAAAABH0/aFm6MHwZsg0/s320/DSC_0894.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519796201850991586" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpCxWEOQgI/AAAAAAAABIM/m44Rtx6IgMk/s1600/DSC_0922.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpCxWEOQgI/AAAAAAAABIM/m44Rtx6IgMk/s320/DSC_0922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519797708800279042" /></a> Why not dance?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpCw05a6CI/AAAAAAAABIE/2tiDDOD-RHc/s1600/DSC_0919.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpCw05a6CI/AAAAAAAABIE/2tiDDOD-RHc/s320/DSC_0919.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519797699896600610" /></a> Hugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBZRPbH0I/AAAAAAAABHs/DCAntMW9g4I/s1600/DSC_0874.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TJpBZRPbH0I/AAAAAAAABHs/DCAntMW9g4I/s320/DSC_0874.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519796195676593986" /></a><br /><br />All in all, it was a super great day and we are very thankful to UCD and the Children's Miracle Network for putting it all together!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-53514042639412610002010-09-09T21:51:00.000-07:002010-09-09T22:26:24.436-07:00Little Worries<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TIm_hRvoPiI/AAAAAAAABGM/1rvIRI7NOhE/s1600/DSC_0479.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/TIm_hRvoPiI/AAAAAAAABGM/1rvIRI7NOhE/s320/DSC_0479.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515149797111643682" /></a><br /><br /><br />A week from today we have to take our little miss in for surgery. I realize the surgery itself is such a minor thing, especially in the "World of CHD's" but the bottom line is, it's still surgery on my precious daughter. It is still anesthesia on a heart child. It is still yet another hospital visit full of fears and owies and strangers for a four year old who is more than old enough to be aware, but still not quite old enough to fully understand <span style="font-style:italic;">why</span>. <br /><br />The most frustrating part, for me, is that Ava is JUST starting to come back out of her shell, her anxiety in new situations and near panic attacks since the year of the 4 catheterizations has lessened dramatically. I am so worried that my happy loving trusting daughter is about to get jaded again. Four year olds just shouldn't have to deal with so much fear and anxiety. I think this is one of those drawbacks that isn't hugely talked about when you have a sick child. Because who wants to focus on something so "trivial" when your child is sick? <br /><br />But it has to be done. And Miss Ava will feel so much better once it is done. So now that the fears are off my chest, it's time to focus on the positive. Ava is a strong, smart, brave little girl and is going to do amazing. This is such a milestone for her, as well. One we often times thought she may not ever reach. Not requiring a feeding tube, thriving, all on her own. It's time to celebrate Ava's accomplishments! ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-52954160975674136272010-08-26T19:13:00.000-07:002010-08-26T19:31:52.569-07:00The Yucky "S" word...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THcgxeNx0VI/AAAAAAAABGA/ij8dWuc-Jj0/s1600/DSC_0522.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THcgxeNx0VI/AAAAAAAABGA/ij8dWuc-Jj0/s320/DSC_0522.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509908703407624530" /></a><br />Miss Ava has another surgery scheduled. September 16th. It is to remove the skin around her old mic-key site, close up the "hole" inside and stitch her skin back up. They told us at the appt we had to address the fact that for over a month after her mic-key was removed all was well and it seemed closed and healed but then one day started oozing and is not getting better on it's own, in fact seems to be irritating the surrounding skin no matter how often we try to keep the area clean, that this is usually an outpatient go home on the same day kind of deal. But when the scheduling lady called today she told us they almost NEVER send the patient home same day. We figured as much anyways, but still, BUMMER!!<br /><br />Prayers, vibes, chants, wishes, etc, send them on over! For this to go according to plan, but also for Miss Ava to be granted a little piece of mind and comfort over the anxiety she gets anytime she is hospitalized. Typically Ava gets over her fears after a couple of hours, but in the meantime it is heartbreaking to watch your little one crying and looking at your with looks of "Why?" Plus, in all honestly, this girl is going to miss what she lovingly refers to as her "second belly button". ;)<br /><br /><br />What an accomplishment though. To be eating and growing and doing so well all on her own. So proud of our Ava!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-33717558945633575112010-08-25T10:57:00.000-07:002010-08-25T12:31:49.629-07:00Every Heart Has A Story...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVua8S7M7I/AAAAAAAABFg/OiNtNA0w8YM/s1600/l_94f9368094b3449ae1fc85403cc6e060.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVua8S7M7I/AAAAAAAABFg/OiNtNA0w8YM/s320/l_94f9368094b3449ae1fc85403cc6e060.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509431128298828722" /></a><br />Ava was born on May 23, 2006. Six weeks early, but still considered full term. I was in labor for quite a bit of time, but only had to push 3 times. Besides my dr commenting on how much fluids there was, there was nothing at all uncommon or alerting about my pregnancy and delivery. Ava was born alert, pink, and gorgeous! It was love at first sight, all over again. That feeling you get when you first lock eyes with your child is indescribable, and when you hear women say they forget all the pain prior or how it was all worth it, they are not exaggerating, more like the understatement of the century! There is no higher high or greater joy.<br /><br />We never would of guessed the secret Miss Ava was holding onto. How her arrival with a broken heart would make ours forever and completely whole, but not before taking us on the most terrifying 3 month long roller coaster of a ride we call life in the ICU.<br /><br />Ava scored well on her APGARS, she came out crying, but was easily soothed in her mommy's arms. She was slow to feed, and we noticed milk would occasionally come out of her nose. Nurses assured us that some babies take longer to "get the hang" of things, especially since miss Ava made her debut a bit early. The doctor who examined Ava noted a murmur, but assured us, again, that it was probably harmless.<br /><br />The next day we were told they were taking Ava to run a few harmless tests to be able to 100% count that murmur as harmless. Hours went by. Then Ava's pediatrician comes in and says we are discharged and free to go as soon as I sign the paperwork. I point blank asked about the murmur, he said it was just that, a murmur and nothing else. Something she will outgrow. SO much relief washed over me. It was all too good to be true, though. Later a new man walked through our hospital room door. He would not make eye contact with me and did not at all resemble a man delivering good news.<br /><br />"Your daughter has a very serious condition. Her heart did not form properly. She has what is known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, which is not compatible with life. You have two options, take her home and provide comfort care until she passes, which will be within weeks, or permit her to be transported to UCSF or LPCH, where she will undergo part one of a series of three corrective open heart surgeries. The surgery itself is risky and nothing is guaranteed. You need to make a decision quickly.<br /><br />It was on that day that I found out what a CHD was, because my daughter was born with at least 4 out of over 30 possible ones. Once transported to UCSF, more tests were run and it was determined that Miss Ava actually had a more complex anatomy than previously thought. She had an interrupted aortic arch, VSD, ASD, and left ventricular outflow obstruction. Her surgeon told us he had never seen a case like Ava's. Not exactly the words that bring comfort and confidence to parents already in a state of shock and panic.<br /><br />Ava remained "stable" and the plan was to allow her to spend a week hopefully gaining and becoming bigger and stronger for her surgery. The risks were pretty high, in this mama's opinion. 20% under "normal" circumstances, 25% in Ava's case. On Tuesday, May 30th 2006, I left my precious baby girl in the hands of strangers I would later come to know as angels, miracle workers. Ava was in surgery all day, and once back to her room, there were many complications. I still recall being told we could go back and see our daughter, but having to work out way through DOZENS of doctors, and her surgeon at her bedside yelling for us to come to her side, touch her, talk to her, let her know you are here, give her all the love you can. She was so tiny, the amount of machines she was hooked up to and wires coming out of her was worse than any gory scene in a scary movie. Each one of them was working to keep my very unstable daughter alive. She was losing blood faster than they could give her more. And he stats were all over the place. Nothing prepares you for this, what could.<br /><br />Later we learned that Miss Ava suffered a stroke while down in the OR. The damage was significant. We were shown the scans. The specialist let us know that at this age, and with this kind of damage(location, etc), that the long term affects are impossible to guess. Her brain could not necessarily recover, but sort of compensate. The only thing to do was to never give up hope and focus on her, rather than the what ifs.<br /><br />About a week later Ava's FISH test came back positive for the genetic disorder, 22q11.2. The absence of a thymus was detected by her surgeon, which meant Ava was at a greater risk for a compromised immune system. This genetic disorder also was more than likely the cause for Ava's heart defects. It was the reason she was having severe calcium issues, also.<br /><br />My daughter finally became stable and on the road to a "full" recovery, and we were able to fulfill our dream of bringing her home to her own bed and having both our children under one roof, just one week shy of her 3 month mark. She was still only just over 7lbs, had a mic-key for feeding now due to paralyzed vocal chords(happened during repair), silent aspirations, poor swallow function, and failure to thrive. We were sent home with many machines, our room actually resembled our previous room at the hospital! The hospital send us home with a nurse who hooked up all the machines and made sure we knew how to use them(silly, I had been doing all this for weeks now). There was Ava's oxymetry probe, the kangaroo pump for feeds, oxygen, a suction machine, that machine that just blew air into Ava's lungs, forget the name of that one, and the very large, very loud,very evil, cpap machine. To this day I HATE cpap.<br /><br />Hard to look back and realize there was so much going on for such a tiny little girl. Anyhow, once home our girl thrived and gained and became a very happy little miss. The machines one by one vanished, the continuous feeds became bolus, we all got back to a brand new state of "normal". Many of the hospital staff expected to see is within a month or two for Ava's second stage of surgery, but little miss surprised them all and continued to just do better and better. Her second state OHS didn't happen until a week after her first birthday, almost exactly a year from the first.<br /><br />Everything was so different this time around. Even though her surgeon was able to do a DOUBLE VENTRICLE repair, Ava's second surgery time was still significantly shorter than the first one. And once were taken to see her, the only person in her room was her nurse! ONE person attending to my one year old who had just had her second open heart surgery. No machines buzzing, no frantic faces, just one calm nurse changing Ava's sheets and making sure her wires were all in place and not tangled up, because there was NOTHING else to do!! YAY!! What a wonderful blessing, what a strong little girl I have!<br /><br />The recovery time was also dramatically less. We were discharged 2.5 weeks post op. Would of been a week sooner, but Miss Ava ended up requiring a pacer.<br /><br />Since then, Ava has made so many milestones and become an inquisitive, precocious, adventurous, dramatic, cautious, brilliant, artistic, mischievous, naughty, loving, joyful 4 year old bundle of love! She is currently enrolled in preschool, has speech twice a week, sees her cardiologist every 6 months and tests mama's patience multiple times a day! :) Ava has played soccer, is now into ballet and tap and hopes to play tee ball next spring. Ava is obsessed with all things princess and sparkly, and bugs! We are promised nothing as parents with heart children, experience pain and sadness, joy and fear on levels impossible to explain. But I consider us the lucky ones, we have this life where we have no choice BUT to marvel in each step they take, each word they utter, each breath they take. Everything is a gift, and I couldn't think of a better one than my beautiful children and their fascinating hearts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVuphG_YUI/AAAAAAAABFo/Mc1BvWzfocc/s1600/gnava.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVuphG_YUI/AAAAAAAABFo/Mc1BvWzfocc/s320/gnava.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509431378699051330" /></a><br /><br />To read the stories of our many heart friends please click...<br /><br /><a href="http://whenlifehandsyouabrokenheart.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Every Heart Has a Story" src="http://i37.tinypic.com/124dkm0.jpg"/></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-46463575701823249822010-08-25T10:00:00.001-07:002010-08-25T10:27:46.940-07:00First Day of School!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQyJPnhlI/AAAAAAAABFI/B8s5wGGL3Xw/s1600/avacloseup.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQyJPnhlI/AAAAAAAABFI/B8s5wGGL3Xw/s320/avacloseup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509398541562775122" /></a><br />Miss Ava went back to school on Monday, the 23rd. She was sooo excited to see her friends and teachers. This will be Ava's last year of preschool, next year she will be entering Kindergarten. WOW, seriously where does the time go? For those who may not know, Ava attends a speech enrichment preschool. The focus is on speech, which is where missy is (temporarily) delayed. The class is only 2 times a week, 3 hours each time. There are three wonderful teachers in Ava's class, as well as a APE(adapted physical education) teacher and a speech therapist. Ava LOVES going to school, she gets so excited and comes home from class all excited and anxious to share what she did that day. It has helped her in so many ways. I am very satisfied we chose to enroll her early, my prayers are she will be mentally ready for a full day of Kindergarten next year, thanks to this class and having 2 years of preschool and three summer programs under her belt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQRs05NPI/AAAAAAAABFA/gcaUr5e8svg/s1600/avafirstday3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQRs05NPI/AAAAAAAABFA/gcaUr5e8svg/s320/avafirstday3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509397984178681074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQRJBQs5I/AAAAAAAABE4/LJIU5p_AQc0/s1600/avafirstday2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVQRJBQs5I/AAAAAAAABE4/LJIU5p_AQc0/s320/avafirstday2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509397974566876050" /></a><br /><br />I saw a few photos of people who bought those mini chalkboards and would write down their child's entering grade and have the kiddo hold it for a photo on the first day of school each year. It was the cutest back to school photo idea I have ever seen! So I began my last minute search for a mini chalkboard, lucking out at Michael's finding the perfect size for only 3 bucks(thanks to Mom and Paulette for accompanying me)! I gave my son Greg, who is entering 5th grade(why couldn't I of found/thought of this idea sooner!) the option of posing with the board or with an apple, he chose the apple. Heh. Which still made for a great photo! But I LOVE the way Miss Ava's first day of school photo came out. LOVE.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVRHouyjYI/AAAAAAAABFY/COwdNn2Auag/s1600/gfirstday2010.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVRHouyjYI/AAAAAAAABFY/COwdNn2Auag/s320/gfirstday2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509398910792273282" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVRG2oxXbI/AAAAAAAABFQ/tRROwDaGwlI/s1600/avafirstday2010.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THVRG2oxXbI/AAAAAAAABFQ/tRROwDaGwlI/s320/avafirstday2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509398897345256882" /></a><br /><br />Ok, enough patting myself on the back...On a different note, I still cannot believe I bought my daughter twinkle toes. I remember when I first saw an ad for these shoes I was just shaking my head saying, "NEVER buying my daughter those ugly, gaudy things!!" But Ava LOVES all things sparkly, and I am a sucker for that cute face that lights up and the big sigh and shriek when Ava finds something she loves(which is why Ava is also the proud owner of the ridiculousness that is Lelli Kelly shoes). And I do have to admit, I am starting to warm up to sparkly shoes, at least for her. You won't catch me in mama sized twinkle toes, promise I haven't gone that far over the deep end just yet. ;)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839731331997974269.post-81963429636279505272010-08-24T10:46:00.000-07:002010-08-24T10:58:33.053-07:00Sacramento American Heart Association START Heart Walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THQIO6twnsI/AAAAAAAABEo/omIIMpccapU/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 156px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2BzaNKJ8cZQ/THQIO6twnsI/AAAAAAAABEo/omIIMpccapU/s200/Untitled-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509037296553336514" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hi friends!<br /><br />This will be our third year participating in the local heart walk, and we are asking you to please please please consider walking with us, and donating. Usually I am not too pushy about the donation part, walking and showing Miss Ava support is more than enough! But this year ALL donations made to Ava's Team will go directly to funding for pediatric cardiovascular research. As many of you know, Ava was born with several complex congenital heart defects. She required open heart surgery at just 7days of age, or she would not survive. She required a second open heart surgery at one year of age, and will continue having surgeries through her life. Funding for research gives our babies a better chance at life.<br /><br />So please do consider registering to walk with us, as well as donating. And once you're signed up, send out emails to your friends, family and colleagues. I couldn't think of a more fabulous cause, personally. :)<br /><br />our team link to register: http://heartwalk.kintera.org/sacramentoca/teamava<br /><br />my personal page for donations: http://heartwalk.kintera.org/sacramentoca/teamavajen<br /><br />All info on the date of the walk, time, distance, etc can be found there. Thank you!!! <3Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12697216937642178451noreply@blogger.com0