February means so much more than Valentine's Day to us. It's a month to raise awareness of two causes, Turner Syndrome and Congenital Heart Defects, that are close to our hearts. We also celebrate Avery and all that she has overcome this month because it is the anniversary of her second life-saving heart surgery which occurred 3 years ago in New York. I am reminded of all the times God (and those whose care He's placed Avery in) has saved my little girl...from the resolution of the hygroma, the sudden appearance of her 4 chamber heart and right kidney, her becoming stable after coding several times in NICU, her coarctation repair surgery, the perfect timing of her arrival in NYC when she was weaker than we ever expected, her making it through surgery even though she coded at the onset of anesthesia, and her beautiful recovery since that point...and the list goes on. Every year, I contact her surgeon, and this is the reply he sent this year...
Dear Mrs. Bell:
Thank you so much for sending the beautiful pictures and staying in touch. Congratulations on Bryce. That’s wonderful.
I am very happy Avery is doing so well. This is the kind of stuff that makes my job so great. I am a very lucky person.
I trust Dr Ebeid completely on his decisions. Please send my regards to him when you see him next.
Best wishes, and I know Avery has a bright future ahead!
Emile Bacha, MD
Avery definitely does have a bright future ahead, and I am so excited about watching her and her brother grow together! It's easy sometimes to get comfortable in the normalcy. I don't dwell in the trials that we've been through, but I try to keep those memories current that I may give glory to God for what He has done and continue to be extremely thankful for how we got to where we are now. God tells us blatantly in the Bible that we will have troubles and trials in this world. I know that while my family has been through many, they are not over for us. There are hidden fears of Avery's next heart surgery, situations that may occur with her TS, and of course, the unknown that everyone faces with life and children. That is why I choose to trust and remember, so I will keep a positive hope for our future no matter what comes our way. I feel assured that the great will continue to outweigh the scary and painful. The best part of the verses about troubles and trials?...that God has and will continue to overcome!
Jake and I don't do much for Valentine's Day normally. Jake is always very busy with baseball this time of year, and to be honest, I've always had some negative ideas about the holiday and the way it is commercialized. We do small things for one another usually, and this is what he did for me this year. As I walked into the dining room, I let out a loud laugh and had a huge smile on my face! I pick on Jake for getting on Pinterest because I caught him looking on their one day. It seems he got this nifty idea from the site as well! He said that Avery was being loud when she saw it this morning, and he was scared she'd ruin the surprise. She kept saying, "Look Daddy, a heart, Dr. E," which is referring to her cardiologist, Dr. Ebeid (which I thought was cute). It made me feel good and thought of- isn't that what anyone really wants on the day of love? If anyone really knows me, they know I'm pretty low maintenance in relationships. Stuff like this is what makes me happy, so I am very thankful for my husband! He's the kind of man that I will be thrilled for my son to turn out like. He is a man's man; however, we are partners in our marriage, our home, and as parents. He is always there for me, he takes part in making our home run properly, and he is the most hands-on and loving father and husband that I know. I smile sometimes because not many people know the Jake I know, and based on appearances alone, may think he is just a normal guy- a baseball coach. I can tell you, He is far from it!
It's my sweet son's first Valentine's Day! His big sister gave him a little monkey.
Valentine "happies" for Avery and Bryce
My sweet girl on Heart Day...
drinking her Sweetheart Float.
Avery gave her class Skittle valentines this year- her request. I know she had a great time at her Valentine party at school where she had pizza and CANDY! She also helped me make her Daddy this Valentine...
We also painted some hearts to decorate at home...
Other happenings this month...
When I became pregnant for the first time, I always said that I hoped my children would have great personalities. Boy, did I ever get my wish granted! My redhead is an absolute mess! She likes to put on Mommy's and Daddy's shoes and get into our closet. The funniest part is that she is so tiny and Jake and I both have large feet! Here she is sporting a pair of old pointy-toed boots from the closet, and yes, she made it all the way down the hall without falling- how? I have no idea. She does have great balance!
It's not as easy at it may look to get pictures of my children!
Avery says she will take a picture and then she begins to act out and try to test me. I love these- they are funny to me!
Bryce turned one month old this month, and he is still the sweetest baby ever! He is definitely marked by his father, but he does have a few glimpses of me (mostly his dimples) that I'm the only one to notice, lol. His eyes are big and should stay blue- I can tell his long lashes are beginning to come in. Avery and Jake both have beautiful blue eyes with long lashes, so I am thinking Bryce will have the same. My favorites are his luscious little lip and chin dimple! Both of my children have been very strong as infants. Bryce (like Avery) has great head control and moves a lot. He is beginning to notice things around him more and more, and he lets out occasional smiles during interactions too. He is enjoying his bath time, as long as I cover him with warm washcloths as I bathe him. He is still making crazy animal noises through the night which are hysterical, and he only cries when I change him or his tummy hurts! He eats pretty much every two hours (sometimes 3 at night) which can be exhausting to me with breastfeeding. However, I am so glad his feedings are going well, and he is getting all that he needs so far. We get through the night without waking Jake or Avery, so I think that is another positive.
Daddy and the kids
Brother and Sister
We can get one picture with Mommy in it!
Happy One Month Birthday to Bryce Allen Bell! You are the perfect addition to our little family, and we couldn't love you any more!
