Wear Lilac, Friday, July 30 for TS Awareness!

My Little-Big Girl

I am so excited that Avery has FINALLY begun to drink from a sippy cup! I can't tell you how many different kinds I have bought, and she doesn't want anything to do with any of them!! You see, after her last surgery, she began to shun her pacifier. I don't know if it had to do with being in the hospital and us always giving it to her for comfort when we couldn't hold her, etc., or if it had to do with teeth coming in the front of her mouth, etc., but she just cold-turkey gave it up. A lot of people said what a good thing it was for her to do that, but to me, not so much! First of all, her bottle became her new pacifier, so, instead of taking her paci in the night, she only wants a bottle. Also, I just liked being able to give it to her as a soothing item when she cried, etc. Any way, no paci, just bottle, so I am so happy she will now take a sippy cup! The speech therapist we went to gave us two cups- neither one are spill-proof mind you, but they work for Avery. Our speech therapist is actually against giving spill proof, bottle-like cups because she says they hold kids back from developing the way they should with eating, etc. So the one Avery likes is just an old-school, tubber-ware like cup. The only catch is they can be difficult to find these days. When you do find them, however, they are cheap, which is nice. Once she learns how to drink from a straw, which we are working on now, we will be able to use a spill-proof straw cup- so I will like the less mess version! For now, I am just thrilled to see her drinking from this cup!

Cardiology Appointment- A 6 Month Break!

Jake and I took Avery to her cardiology check up this morning. I never know how Avery will react to the EKG, BP check, Echo, and Exam these days. Since her last surgery in NYC at 7 months, She has been very skeptical of anyone in scrubs, or really anyone in a hospital period! I know she changed a lot due to her circumstances and being more aware of what was happening to her, but I am sure stranger anxiety and her age play into it as well. She used to be so "chill" with everything, but these days, you never know! I have realized it makes a huge difference the manner in which the tech, nurse, or doctor attempts to do whatever it is he/she is trying to do with her. Usually, if they take their time, and do things to distract her and be friendly, it works to some extent. Any way, she did pretty well today, despite the fact that she isn't feeling her best (runny nose, teething, etc.). She cried during the EKG and I had to hold her hands so she wouldn't take off the stickers and/or pull on the attachments. That, of course, did not sit well with her. Thankfully, EKGs don't take very long. The only bad thing, is the reading is not very good when she is upset like that! I know Dr. Ebeid takes that into consideration though! Next, came her BP check. For some reason, she seemed to like the lady who did it. She sat in my lap, and was so still, that they got her BP in both legs! They even got it in one arm after a second try. She got a bit irritated with the cuff on her arm. I am just glad they got it at all- lots of times they can't get one on her. After that, her weight and length were checked 17.25 lbs and 27inches long! She just fussed briefly during the length check. Then came time for the echo. She got pretty upset, but my IPhone came to the rescue! I put it on the animal flashcards- one of those free apps, so she played with that and listened to the animal sounds! She got mad on and off, but did wonderful for the most part! Dr. Ebeid just listened to her for a minute with his stethoscope (sp? no idea), and we were off! She cried when he did that, but he didn't have time for her to warm up today- he's on call and very busy! As far as the news, she still looks great. Well, as great as Avery will look. Her pulmonary valve (which is the cadavor Dr. Bacha put in) is leaking still (it always has since surgery), but it is not a concern right now. Her aortic valve (which used to be her pulmonary) is working great, so that is what's most important! The coarctation also looks good for now. She will stay on her meds- Digoxin and Lasix for now, and we shouldn't have to think about surgery for atleast another year, hopefully longer! All in all, a very good appoinment! We don't have to go back for 6 MONTHS!! Such a nice break, even though I love Dr. Ebeid and Nurse Carley! Avery was pooped by the end of it, and fell asleep before we got out of the parking lot! Such a relief to know she is doing well- Thank you Lord and Thank you all that have prayed and prayed for us!!

Cross Healed Hearts!

I am so excited about the new ministry Cross Healed Hearts! I just know in my heart that God is going to do something awesome here. It takes me a while sometimes, probably due to my stubbornness, to really understand what it is God is leading me to do. I have been feeling like I am supposed to be doing something for such a long time now, and then, all of the sudden in bed one night, this popped up! I could connect more dots for you, but I won't bore you with the details of the way my crazy mind works!! Any way, I hope you will all check out the new blog, follow me, share it with your friends, and share any stories, pics and/or comments you may have. I am also looking for any good information on doctors, hospitals, CHD, TS, hygromas, etc.
My initial plans were to have care packages for heart patients and families in the hospital, which include a prayer bracelet for moms and a small pillow with our logo for the kids. As you probably know, hospital red tape is thick! It was suggested by our awesome social worker, that I connect with MS Mended Little Hearts for that end of things. May be we can work together to cut through the red tape issue. I also plan to have business cards made to get the word out. I've got lots of ideas....it's just going to take some time to implement them! With school coming up, I'll be busy to say the least. If anyone wants to help, just let me know!!

God's Timing Is Perfect.

You know as humans, we worry so much about timing. Everything happening when we want it to happen. If I've learned anything over the past few years, it's that God's timing is absolutely flawless. I can't tell you how many moments He has let me know that over this time. For instance, last night, I was a bit worried about a new project I am working on. I feel that God has placed this desire in my heart for something, and it hasn't been exactly going as I planned for it to. My brother, Mitch, is in Kansas City at the moment for a conference. As most people know, if they know me, he is a creative music minister at Bowmar Baptist in Vicksburg. Any way, he text that he was watching Tenth Avenue North (a band that I absolutely love) sing live. A little later, while I was working on my project, the phone rang. When I picked up, all I heard was the band I love, singing "By Your Side" LIVE! I put it on speaker so Avery could hear, and we sat and listened to the entire song via Mitch's phone. You see, that song is very special to me, and I believe that God has used it multiple times to remind me that He is always with me...in everything moment, whether big and important or small and somewhat insignificant. There's no need for worry, His timing is perfect, as is His will and purpose for my life. No walls can stand in my way when I am doing what He wants me to do. I share this to remind myself and others of that very important fact. The lyrics are below if you'd like to read them...


Tenth Avenue North, By Your Side Lyrics:

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)

Summer Vacation 2010

Well, our summer vacation has come and gone, but it was so relaxing and nice while it lasted! Seaside is a beautiful, family-oriented place to visit. It's actually where Vera Bradley's Inn by the Sea is located for those of you who have never been. Rather than a normal hotel or condo by the beach, you stay in quaint cottages. Our cottage, named Behind Time, is located across the street from the beach, tucked back in a shaded area with lots of trees and a white picket fence. While very small, it provided a nice, cozy little get away for us that was much needed and appreciated. In Seaside, everyone either walks or rides bikes everywhere because everything you need is located a short distance away from where you are staying. We walked and strolled Avery when we went out. The beach, is located right across the street from the cottage we stayed in, and it was gorgeous! I think we will make this our yearly vacation destination...hopefully, Jake will continue to make some sort of bonus for a winning baseball team, so we can afford it! Although there was a lot of seaweed in the water, we soaked up the sun and listened to the crashing waves, which is my favorite part of a vacation. I think it will be even more fun as Avery gets older because she will be able to enjoy it more....searching for seashells, building sand castles, etc. They also have a theatre on their outdoor stage, this year, it is Charlotte's Web. Like I said, it is all very family-friendly! My second favorite part of a vacation is EATING!! We mostly ate in our cottage with groceries we brought for breakfast, snacks, and lunch. We splurged on dinner, and I couldn't wait to eat each night!! One of my two favorite meals was the home-made pizza from a local pizza/pasta joint topped with prosciutto and mozzerella with fresh arugula. Our appetizer was also very good...a type of crawfish salad with kalamata olives on toasted bread. The other was so very yummy....an appetizer of crabcakes and fried green tomatoes, then smoked gouda cheese grits topped with blackened shrimp covered in a rich cream sauce with mushrooms and then topped off with sweet potato hay. It was DELICIOUS!! Of course, knowing me, I had several sweets along the way. There is a cupcake place, so I had a keylime cupcake which was very good, and I also had yobe' which is a type of frozen yogurt in a waffle cone topped with fresh fruit- both very tasty!! The only thing I regret now, was that I never ordered a piece of fresh key lime pie from the Southern Restaurant there. It looked sooo good, but I was way too full when we ate there!! We also bought some fresh blueberries from the local Farmer's Market on Saturday, which I enjoyed every morning with the bagels I brought. Overall, it was an awesome get-away, and I am so happy we were able to go this summer!!

Beach Bound!

We're headed to Seaside, Florida, and I'm so excited! It will be Avery's first time on the beach, and our first time at Seaside. A few days of family time, rest, and relaxation before the school year starts! Even better, we are hoping that this oil cap will hold, so this Gulf Crisis can begin to heal. We are driving through Mobile at the moment, so well on our way!! Expecting a great time away to wrap up this wonderful summer that I've been able to spend with my little miracle girl!!

Atlanta Trip 2010

We decided to take a long overdue trip to Atlanta this summer to visit our friends, the Flottas. We had lots of fun with Suzanna, Collin and Cameron at their house in Kennesaw. Avery enjoyed playing with their sweet yellow lab, Shelby, and of course, loved Cameron and all of his fun toys!! The first night of our long weekend, we went out to eat at a local grill and tried bison burgers, which were really yummy!! On Saturday morning, we took the kids to a nearby park (which is really nice), and had a wonderful time playing. That afternoon, we left the kids with a sitter (poor thing, lol) and headed to a Braves game to watch Atlanta play Detroit. The game was lots of fun, I'd actually never been to Turner Field. We sat behind a man who strangely resembled Clark Griswold of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, so many laughs resulted from that! The Braves also won the game (which they really almost lost due to pitching), so that made the game even better! We enjoyed pizza at home with the kids that night, and sadly, left on Sunday morning to return home. Avery did great on the trip, and we only stopped a few times, breaking for lunch and a few restroom/diaper change stops. Hopefully, this means she will do really well on our trip to the beach soon!!
Suzanna has been a great friend to me, especially over this past year. We have known one another since the 6th grade, and remained friends throughout school, even becoming college dormmates at ULM (which was NLU back then). Her mom was Mrs. Linda, was my 6th grade teacher, as well as my co-worker at VIS when I returned home to Vicksburg briefly to teach. We conversed a lot through emails as we both struggled to become pregnant, and sort of lifted each other up. She also has a photographic memory, which has come in handy, she has answered so many questions and given me countless advice, because she remembers everything any doctor or book has ever told her!! She did all she could to lift my spirits during my pregnancy, and I am really grateful to have her as my close friend. Her family has prayed for us, and Mrs. Linda has made countless, adorable things for Avery (Oh how I wish I had her talent and know-how)- they are just great people. Suzanna also sent me this bracelet in the mail, that I wear pretty much every day, the center bead reads "Hope." She said she thought of me when she saw it, and had to get it for me. That bracelet means a lot to me, and so does the hope it signifies. Suz also made it a point to help with my baby shower, and flew in to be there, as well as made a special trip in town for Avery's first birthday. I'm glad I got to go visit her for once, and appreciate all she has done for us. I have several close and wonderful friends, and I am lucky Suzanna is one of them!!

Just Some Pics

Sweet Cousins!



She loves to SWING!



My Little Catalog Shopper!