Keeping Hope Alive

It's 2017 and a lot has changed.

Kayla is now 8 and in 3rd grade. Livie is 5!and just started Kindergarten last month!

I came across an old post via TimeHop which was a link to this blog so I followed it. The passage was from back in 2013 and how Linkin Park had made a special NICU video using Castle of Glass for a charity. I clicked on the link it it no longer work. Thankfully I found a new link today. On July 20th the lead singer, Chester Bennington, took his life. Although I never met him, my husband did. He worked on a small project for Cardon's Children's Hospital out here in AZ.

It's amazing how one day can change so much in ones life. I'll always be a Linkin Park fan. I loved that the guys helped spread the word about preemies, doctors, and the NICU. This video takes me back to 2012 and the 6 weeks Livie spend in the NICU after arriving 10 weeks early.

RIP Chester. You made a huge impact in this world.

_-J2BOVcLinkin Park - Castle of Glass - Keep Hope Alive

Just When I Thought I Was Over It........

Just when I thought I was getting over the whole traumatic NICU experience and preemie thing an amazing yet hard to watch video brings it all back.  Check out this amazing video by Linkin Park below.  I'm so glad they made this video but that didn't make it any easier to watch.  I felt like I was re-living our NICU experience with Livie all over again.  If you know someone who has a baby in the NICU please say an extra little prayer for them.  It's a very terrifying experience.

Go to this link to watch the amazing Video

Linkin Park-Castle of Glass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXOV0jRkf4

It's hard to believe that 18 months ago Livie came into the world at 29 weeks 5 days.   I'm so thankful to our amazing NICU team.  They were truly amazing.

October 15th- a Day of Celebration and a Day to Remember

Tomorrow is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness day.  It's a catch 22 for me because it is also my husband I's Wedding Anniversary.  I hate that I have to share and celebrate these two occasions on the same day every single year.  Tomorrow will mark 8 years of marriage to my wonderful husband and although it is a day for happiness I am also reminded of our 8 angels in heaven and the struggles we went through after our wedding to start a family.  I am so thankful that I can look back at those years and know that my biggest fears were conquered since we have 2 amazing little girls and are a family of 4 now.  Still, to share the day with something sad kind of sucks.  So, this year I will light our 8 candles, hug our two miracles, and celebrate the joy of marriage with my husband. We have sure come a long way in the past 8 years!

Kayla and me 7/8/09

Livie and me 4/29/12

Family Vacation, Kayla's "Gotcha Day" Anniversary and Livie's 1st Birthday (adjusted age)

It's been a busy week of celebrations!  The 4th Anniversary of the day we met and brought Kayla home was this week as well as Livie's 1st birthday (adjusted age) had she arrived on her due date.  Both girls are doing great.  It's hard to believe that when I started this blog I was childless wondering if I would ever be a mom.  Now we have been blessed through the miracle of adoption and a successful pregnancy and are a family of 4!

We also took a family trip to Pinetop with 3 other families and had a blast.  The house was amazing.  It was located off the golf course on the 15th hole and had a play room for the kids complete with the old fashion Pac Man arcade machine.  I think we all wish we could have stayed a little longer or maybe even the entire summer to escape the Phoenix heat of 118 degrees.

me and the girls

Daddy taking a golfing break with his girls

The Pinetop gang

Pinetop 2013

Our sweet little Livie turned 1 year old last Monday!  Today she is 10 months (adjusted age).  It's hard to believe a year ago, around this time, we were visiting her in the NICU not knowing when she would be coming home.  Her weight at her 12 month check up was 13.4 pounds.  Not the greatest but we are hopeful her new GI meds are working and she will show some nice weight gain soon.  Her next GI appointment is next Wed the 15th.  I think she is over the formula now.  She LOVES Pedisure now so hopefully she will continue to to drink that up so we can had some pounds on her.  She had tubes put in her ears last Tuesday. We are already seeing a huge difference in her.  She's happier, more talkative, and last night she said the word "up!"  

We also have new ankle braces to help with her walking and have less than a week left with her Doc Band!  I will not miss that thing!  Earlier this week she had a sweat test to rule out CF (cystic fibrosis) and thankfully it was negative! Hoping age 1 is filled with fun, reaching new milestones, and fewer doctor's appointments and NO HOSPITAL STAYS.

                Livie's Sweat test for CF

 A sweat test is used to diagnose cystic fibrosis. During the test, medicine that causes sweating is applied with a gauze pad to either the arm or the thigh. A mild electrical current pushes the medicine into the skin to cause the child to sweat. The sweat is collected, and then the salt content of the sweat (sodium and/or chloride) is measured.
 http://www.webmd.com/lung/sweat-test

Birthday Girl!!

9 Month Old Check Up and Seeing Old Familiar Faces

Livie's check up went really well!  The doctor was pleased with her weight gain over the weekend.  On Thursday (Jan 31st 2013) she was 12 pounds 11 oz and yesterday Monday (Feb 5th 2013) she was 13 pounds 2oz!  So despite the throwing up episodes the extra calories are working!  Tomorrow we have our Doc Band appointment to discuss the second helmet and do her DSI evaluation.  Our spirits are up since we finally got to 13 pounds!

Yesterday I went to see my SIL at the hospital  since she just gave birth to my new nephew a few days ago. I dropped Livie off at PT with my dad so I could head back to work but on my way out I ran into our social worker from when I was on hospital bed rest.  We had a quick chat.  I told her about how I ended up losing my job after Livie came home anyways but that things worked out and I found a new one.  It felt good to hear her tell me I looked great.  The last time she saw me I was frail, stressed, and pale.  It made me realize that I have come a long way in the past 9 months.

To top off my morning at the hospital I ran into my favorite nurse Kathy while I was on the maternity floor.  She was my life saver in the OR.  I remember crying hysterically saying, "I can't do this!" as I stood there staring at the incubator, trying to get onto the operating table.  She held me up both physically and emotionally.  Held my hand when they gave me my spinal block, and was there the entire time when Livie came into the world.  I gave her a big hug yesterday and was so happy to see her.  Of course I showed her pictures of Livie and she was thrilled to see them.  It's nurses like her that truly love their job and make a difference in people's lives.

9 Months Old Today!

9 months ago today Livie decided she to make her appearance 10 weeks early!

My how time is flying by.  I can't believe she is getting close to turning 1!  It helps to remind myself that she is actually only about 6 1/2 months old for her adjusted age. This morning she has her usual physical therapy and Thursday will be her weekly Doc band appointment.  We hope to hear if Feb 7th will be her graduation date from the helmet but we will have to just wait and see. 

Kayla joined in on the photo fun before school this morning!

Christmas 2012 with the Watsons!

I know I know I'm a total slacker.  I haven't posted in forever.  There has been so much going on.  I guess I should start with holiday pictures. 

Christmas 2012 with the Watson's!

Kayla showing off her new boots!

Livie in her Doc Band Helmet showing some Christmas Spirit!

wearing their matching PJs!

We had a wonderful Christmas despite the stomach flu that made it's way to our house as an early Christmas present.  I was so sick and nauseous I even took a pregnancy test to make sure we weren't going to be needing another baby carrier in 2013!  lol.  Thankfully it was negative.  I'm not ready for another pregnancy now and I'm not sure if I ever will be again.  After our long journey I don't think I want to push my luck. I am happy with our two beautiful girls.

Livie's Shadow Box

Livie's Shadow Box

 I made a shadow box for Livie today. In it is her micro preemie pacifer, her umbillical cord clip, her preemie hate, and her micro preemie diaper. I can't believe they make diapers that small!  She was 2 pounds 4 oz when she arrived on the 29th of April 2012.

 Livie Marie on 9/12/12

Me and my girls: Livie and Kayla