Valentine's Day = CHD Awareness!

I handed my first, newborn baby over to a surgeon to stop her heart when I'd only held her 3 times and saw her eyes open once. She was under 5 pounds and 1 week old. I took her home to only do it again in a big city, far away from home 7 months later, where she almost died before they even got started. She may have CHD and TS. but they don't have her. Thankfully, we were educated and aware of the circumstances, and she has received all of the critical medical care she has needed, exactly when she has needed it.

She's endured more in her 19 months, than most have in a lifetime, yet she is the happiest child I know. I see the miracle of God's hand every day in her.

CHDs occur more than you think- knowledge can save your child's life. Valentine's Day is CHD Awareness Day!

Happy Heart Day Avery!

One year ago today, Avery had aortic valve replacement surgery in New York City, NY at 7 months old. In honor of Avery, today is Happy Heart Day at our house! ♥

The day before we had our pre-op appointments at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York.

We really had no idea how sick she was.

We stayed in New Jersey prior to surgery, and were worried about a snowstorm that moved into town.

Thankfully, we made it into the city, and Avery was prepped for surgery.

The snow fell nonstop all day and into the night!

After 6 hours of waiting, with no word from anyone, Dr. Bacha came in to tell us everything was fine. We walked in to see Avery's chest open due to swelling.

The next day, the snow was piled up high!

She went from really, really sick...


to eating...



to being awake...(on Valentine's Day)

to smiling...(she must have known her cousin Cooper was born that day)


to dancing with the clowns...

to heading out the door!

Just 1 week after surgery, she looked like this.

This is the picture we sent out on thank you cards! We bought her those Converse in NYC.


Now....this is Avery! She is amazing!


Avery is here because of God and His hand, but also because of the phenomenal cardiologist, Dr. Ebeid, and surgeon, Dr. Bacha who were used by Him to save her life. I can ever thank them enough! I can also never stop thanking all of those who prayed us through!


Here's to Avery and her cross healed heart- may it always work as beautifully as it is today! Happy Heart Day my little miracle girl!

Heart Month at Pearl Upper!

February is Heart Month!




I asked my principal if we could do some things for American Heart Month at school. She quickly said, "Yes," and also said I could do a few things to raise money for the Batson Heart Pillow/Blanket project! Our teachers donated $5 to wear blue jeans on National Wear Red Day (although we had to re-schedule due to being out on 2.2.11 for inclement weather), and many even bought red t-shirts from AHA along with bracelets and paper hearts for the wall. Our students, had a competition between homerooms with a "Heart Sticker for Heart Patients" sale. They purchased heart shaped stickers to put on their classroom heart poster as a donation. The 4th and 5th grade class with the most stickers, receives a nacho party. I was amazed by how giving our students were- they really wanted to help our heart patients and were very competitive in doing so! Many of them asked me if it was going to help kids like Avery, and when I told them yes, they were thrilled! Mrs. Lewis's class bought almost 600 stickers for the top 5th grade class, and Mrs. Smith's 4th grade class bought almost 500!!!!!! I asked our Quest teachers (who've already volunteered their services for making blankets as their community project) to make some posters with heart health facts to put in the halls. As you see below, they did such a great job, and even made me tear up when I saw my sweet little Avery on a poster! I also sent emails for awareness of Turner Syndrome, heart disease, and CHD to our staff, and created a slideshow for students to view in homeroom. I was worried that with all we have going on- it's been a busy year- that I may be asking too much, but everyone was enthusiastic and happy to help!

During my difficult pregnancy and throughout Avery's circumstances, all of my friends at Pearl Upper have been there for me. We were put on countless prayer lists, and some of our staff even formed a prayer group to pray for us after school. They cried with me as if it were happening to them, and gave to help us when we needed it the most. When I didn't want to talk about things at school, they went about the day as if everything was normal. They donated sick days and money to ensure we'd be taken care of, and followed us throughout our journey with support. Words cannot express how grateful I am for them, and how much I appreciate their continuous support whether things are bad or good. I hope that others feel love like that when they are facing tough times, and that I can pay that forward with the Cross Healed Hearts Ministry. I know it may seem that "good of me" to have started this whole thing, however, it helps me just as much as it helps others. It is somewhat therapeutic, and I continue to feel closer to God in doing what He has been encouraging me to do.

CHD Awareness Week!

Wear RED Day! ♥