Happy New Years

Out with the old (2010) and in with the new (2011). For the Anderson men, we had a wonderful and blessed year, however, we felt the pain of our family and friends. So this year, we send many well wishes, blessings, and happy thoughts to you all. God Bless our family and friends who continue to be there for us. March and April come the month of all the specialist appointments. The boys are doing so great though, BRING THEM ON!

We also want to send extra special blessings and prayers to everyone expecting. I swear, 2011 is going to be a baby boom kind of month. As always, think about having echocardiograms done, around 20 weeks the doctors can see the heart clearly to see if there are 4 chambers and to see if there are any concerns for follow up...PLUS...it's a great time to find out the gender of the baby...so I can go shopping for something cute :) Yellow, green and purple don't work for me :) LOL. Lastly, once you deliver, and I am hearing most hospitals are now implimenting this, please ask for a pulse ox (oximetry test) on your new little bundle of joy, before taking him or her home from the hospital. One more way to help prevent damage to a heart that could (hopefully not) be possibly a little more fragile than some.

With that being said, we are proud to announce that February 7, the city of Sioux City, Iowa and it's Mayor and City Council will be presenting a proclamation to our men for February 7-14 and declaring it Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month. This is the second year our great city has done that.

God Bless you all. We love and care about each of you so much

10/16/2010

Well, all is well in the Anderson household :) Boys are getting huge...everyday! I made the boys' specialist appointments for March. I'm sure as the date nears I'll be more and more nervous, but right now, I have no worries. All 3 boys are doing great.

Thomas has gone from the lowest reading level in 2nd grade to the highest reading level in 3rd grade. His teacher told me he has some of the best manners as well (YUP, I'M PRETTY PROUD OF MY BIG BOY). He will also start basketball in January...he does his basketball evaluation in November :)

Samuel has started potty training and is doing pretty good. He is definately not 100% ready, but he's super close. Our mornings seem to go great, and by nap time and through the afternoon he seems to be bored with it, but is still open to trying :)

Jonathan is being a stinker butt. He wants to wear pullups and try to go potty, but we have a no go. At least he wants to sit on the potty and try :) It's a start :) He is also a sports freak. Anytime there is a baseball game or football game on tv, he goes and grabs his appropriate attire, whether it be a football and helmet or a baseball and glove.

Drew said the other day, when he was home with the babies, Samuel had the bat and Jonathan had the baseball and glove. J would pitch, kind of, and S would stand there waiting to hit...in the mean time they would get angry with each other, cuz J wouldn't through the ball straight and S wouldn't hit the ball...Wished I was there to see it :)

Well, as I'm sure you know, I love to talk about the boys and take their pictures. We kinda like them :)

As for Drew and I, we are doing great. We have finally taken that huge step and hired someone to babysit once a month for us. It is our daycare ladies daughter. The boys adore her! Drew and I had our first outting last week on his birthday and went out to supper to this nice mexican bistro (very Americanized food), beautiful ambiance, and was so nice to have a hot meal and an actual conversation, without getting interrupted, cutting food, telling the boys to sit down, etc. Granted, we did talk about the boys the whole night it seemed. In other words, we will be doing this again. I think it's good to "date" your hubby, even when married :)

Well, that's the life of us :) Living in Sioux City Iowa, ready to buy a house, hopefully in the spring (not in a huge hurry, but yet again, kind of are...lol). We are good though. Nice to feel like we are "normal". This last year has been better for us, with no huge surgeries, no huge trips to the hospital, less sickness, and just being us.

Pity-Party Kind of Day

As this Friday approached, May 21, 2010, I should be rejoicing and celebrating my little man’s 2nd birthday. He’s been through so much and defied so many odds, and all I’ve been doing is sulking. But you know…I’M DONE!!! No more pity-parties for me…until the next one…lol. It’s funny, my kids are doing so well, and doing so great, but yet, it’s so hard to not think about the past or the “what-ifs” or the “thens”, when we need to focus on the NOW. But how do you focus on the NOW? Even with my boys doing really well, my CHD family is still crying and grieving. We are grieving for our friends’ losses; we are grieving for our friends’ fighting to stay alive; we are grieving for our friends’ trying to get home, but laws don’t allow them to; we are grieving for our friends’ moments they don’t get to have or have to wait to have (taking our babies home, having those first hour snuggles, giving those first bottles or breastfeeding,); we are grieving for CAREFREE MOMENTS!



On Sunday, I had one of my worse Pity-Party Kind of Days. I was so consumed with grief; I was so consumed with the guilt of feeling sad, when the NOW is so good, and I couldn’t get over the THEN. I voiced/typed my sadness and frustration, and you know what I got? I GOT THE MOST AMAZING SUPPORT EVER. My pity-party could have lasted all day long, but with all the amazing support from facebook friends, I got over my sulking in less than an hour. And the fact that I didn’t feel “alone” was so wonderful. Some replies I got were (I hope my heart friends don’t mind me posting, I did take names out):



■“oh girl…you are entitled to these “jealous” days….. believe me I have my fair share!!! Thanks for posting this bc sometimes I feel like I am the only one who feels this way, and nice to know its “ok” to have our weak moments. And yes,you are definitely blessed Smile and big heart hugs your way!”

■“I know exactly what you mean! but when i feel this way i am reminded that there are people who look at me and my kids, healthy or not, and feel a pang of longing bc they still waiting for their own. that quickly cures my emotions.” … “Naomi, and you other moms are allowed to feel all those things. never stuff your feelings! my Naomi has a year to in till her next surgery. what i said is just what helps me keep things in perspective when i get into a funk. bless you all!”

■“I feel the same way. I get jealous when I see babies drinking a bottle, Mav only did for three weeks and has a gtube, I get jealous when I see kids crawl, Mav can’t even roll. I get jealous when I hear people talk about going on vacation or just having fun, Mav is hooked to machines and its hard to even leave the house yet we are fighting to keep that house because of all this

But then I think about it and know that our kids are even more special because they fight a battle every day. It takes a specail kind of person to do what they do. And it takes a special mother to deal with it day in and day out. So just remember our children are beautiful and the best picture comes from them even if its in a hospital or with feeding tubes and IVs.”

■“Oh boy do I get this Naomi – my worst feelings happen when i see someone breastfeeding a little baby. Hannah was 6 weeks old when I was told I would kill her if I persisted with feeding orally. I will never forget that moment. I dont think it matters how many years pass or where we are at right now with our kids, those memories of their first year … of life are so powerful and will never leave us. Write them down here as you feel them, I know it helps to know I am not the only one who feels like this xxx”

■“Been there, done that, doing it again, I’m sure. No need to feel guilty, it just comes with the territory. I’m glad other people don’t understand what we do. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.

We have frequent reminders (aka flashbacks), be it a cardiologist appt (tomorrow) or another one of his “fainting” spells a couple of weeks ago. (he’ll get mad, hold his breath, the eyes roll back and he goes “out”.) We’ll NEVER get used to those! All you can do is take it one day at a time. God bless.”

■“I REALLY get this and understand completely. What we are all talking about here isn’t Jealousy – it’s a form of PTSD. Not saying go get medication or anything like that… but what we have each been through is trauma… and yes, we will all have our “flashbacks”. For those of us with 2 CHD or 2 ill children, it’s like some strange combination of both “flashbacks” and “deja vu”. Usually combined with a weird “why me?”and sadness for the pain and trauma our children have to go through “why them?” Follow this quickly with a form of “survivor guilt”, because our children – surgeries and all – are still with us, and we have wonderful children, while some people do not and can not have them…

I struggle each day knowing that I may never have an answer. Hoping that the work I can do here will someday lead to answers for my children, or for their children. If I have 2 CHD children, what will my children and their children have? For my daughter with CHD and a prosthetic valve – what will this mean when she wants to have children?

not having answers for all those questions, but not being able to set those questions aside and make them go away!!

For each of us, the questions are there. And each of us will struggle with guilt and anger for having those feelings and daring to ask those questions, yet they don’t go away.

In my case, Faith in God helps, but it hasn’t taken away the questions. And each time there’s a new crisis, there’s new fear and new questions. And new prayers.

But don’t let those questions get you down, try to focus those questions into something that will affect the future of CHD warriors and families and research and answers. Let all the precious CHD Angels NOT get us down, but lead us forward! Those things keep me going… well that, and my kids screaming for food and toys and rides to games and movies, and oh, yeah… LIFE : P It keeps going, doesn’t it?

Yes, thank God for Facebook, because your daily people in your life may try to understand, but most of them cannot. Therefore, they don’t know what to offer you. We, as FB friends, offer great support and understanding, and sometimes the fact that we don’t have to face each other each day also gives us the chance to say yes, we understand, dump 3 paragraphs of our own feelings, and then tell each other to “buck up” and go cook Sunday Lunch, cause this is our life, such that it is… and remember, every body has their own trials and tribulations, and if all threw ours in one big pile, and inspected them thoroughly, we’d probably pick our own, same problems back up to take home with us… cause “the devil we know”…

I may not KNOW each one of you, but for being here and asking the questions, and answering when we can – and dumping here Because we can – I ♥ each one of you, and your precious CHD BABES…everyone of them and everyone of us, has a purpose, whether we ever understand it or not.”

■“I am so sorry you are having a “down” day. The key is to “not look back” but appreciate the blessings of the present. Although, I know that is very hard. This is so much harder on the families, especially parents, than it is on your children. There was a survey taken of adults with CHD that revealed they would not change a thing about their life, because it has made them appreciate their life on earth, rather than taking it for granted. It has made them to be the person they are. So…heart hugs from all of us that have been in your children’s shoes. And thank you for all you are doing to help you children live as normal a life as possible!! We all appreciate it very much! Heart hugs!”

HOW AMAZING ARE THESE PEOPLE AND OTHERS WHO ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR US, WHEN WE NEED THEM? I know we all have our days and have different feelings, because all of our experiences with CHD are different or have different outcomes, but it’s so nice to see so many people in the CHD community there for one another. I love all of my CHD friends. You all make me a strong and better mother. I pray everyday for our CHD family. I pray for less surgeries for CHDers; I pray for peace in our hearts; I pray for more awareness; I pray for more research; and most of all, I pray for more saved lives.

Again, thank you EVERYONE. Thank you Levi, for giving us as a CHD family somewhere to post our feelings and send out big ol’ Thank You’s. Thank you for everyone’s support. And lastly, Happy Birthday to my little CHD Warrior, Jonathan Anthony. You are turning 2 years old on Friday, and this is a BIG DEAL! You had a long hard road that first year, but you are such a strong little man. Someday you will realize how BIG OF A DEAL you are. Someday, you will realize that Thomas, your big brother, saved your life. Unfortunately, he had to go through open heart surgery to do it, but if it wasn’t for Thomas, we wouldn’t have pressed forward in having you tested. My family means the world to me, my husband, my 3 little munchkin men, and my CHD family. God Bless you all!!!

Doctor's Visits

Well, last week was a busy week for us and it started with multiple DOCTORS!!! Monday morning we drove to Sioux Falls, to go to the Sanford Children's Hospital, and started out with Jonathan having and esophagram done. HE SCREAMED THE WHOLE TIME! Even with him being very uncooperative, they got some great images, and he's doing great :) She even gave him the clear, once he turns 2 years old, to be able to have a hotdog on occastion, as long as they are cut the long ways. We don't eat them too often, but the boys love them at baseball games and such, so will be nice for Jonathan to join in on the fun.

After we were done getting Jonathan's esophagram done, we did have a few moments to be able to go get some lunch and play in the waiting area. It's so nice that they  have it set up as a Castle Theme. The boys love it. Gives them something to do, while waiting for things to get going. They also had some fun video game equipment set up, where the kids could play (or fight over) coloring a picture on a screen with their fingers, and once they were finished, they would press play, and the picture would start dancing around and such. How cute is that?

Once we were finished playing, we went in to see the cardiologist. Again, Jonathan was very uncooperative, but Thomas was such a trooper and so well-behaved (as always). I'm sure it's quite refreshing for them, as I'm assuming, many little ones aren't very cooperative. At one point, Drew, myself, and a nurse had to hold Jonathan down, to get the EKG and Echocardiogram done. Once we finally got all the results in, it was AMAZING!!! The boys are doing great. They do not have to be seen again for a year. PRAISE JESUS! I know, before the appointment, I was nervous for them to say a year for Jonathan, as that artificial piece inside of him scares me quite a bit, but if the doctors think he's well enough...then...YAY!!! And Thomas asked if he could play hockey, which makes me a tad nervous, but Dr. Stamato stated, that as long as Thomas wears a protective chest guard, he's clear fo hockey. The boys are just doing absolutely wonderful. She told us to just watch for signs and anything that seems odd or if the boys get really tired, to contact her immediately. She also stated in a year or two, that Thomas will wear a halter for a 24 hour period to monitor him for any arrythmias. She stated that she didn't believe he's having any of this now, and his heart truly looks great, but kids need to be watched, as things can develop. But NOW, right now, today, MY BOYS ARE DOING GREAT!!! I'm just so happy! What mother wouldn't be.

We've now gone over 6 months without any big surgeries or hospital stays. Last year at this time, we were planning Jonathan's 2nd open heart surgery in one year, had already gone through two heart caths, an esophagus surgery, and had already spent over two months in the hospital; one year ago, tomorrow, he was going to the hospital to have his second open heart surgery, that was cancelled, because of a minor cough; ago, tomorrow, Dr. Cicollo made the best choice not to operate on Jonathan, as we don't know if he could have made it through, because a few days later, Jonathan landed himself in the hospital for over a week with a bad cold/infection. Last year at this time, we were all scared, miserable, and nervous wrecks, but TODAY, all I can say is PRAISE JESUS! We've had many people come into our lives the last few years and just offer wonderful words, hugs, and blessings. All I can think of is all the people who have helped us in our journeys. Everyone has been amazing, all our family and friends, and complete strangers even. THANK YOU!!!

And with that said, we had an amazing family weekend this last weekend. We took the kids to the Ramada in Sioux Falls and met some friends there and the kids did tons of swimming in the Pirate Ship swimming area, and Thomas just absolutely loved the huge slide. Jonathan wasn't the biggest fan of the water, and Samuel started out unsure of the whole thing, until the end of the trip, he realized he loved jumping in the water to daddy from the edge of the pool. Just a nice, very much needed, couple days away.

Well, we hope this finds all of our family, friends, and fellow bloggers healthy and well. God Bless you All!

Strep Throat

Am I the only heart mom, or just person, who never heard how serious strep throat was? I also thought it was something yucky you didn't want and you just took meds for it, just another form of a cold, but maybe a little worse. Man, I was soooo wrong.

Last night I, Naomi, went into Urgent Care, because I had been battling quite the cold and I happen to get sinus infection quite easily. The way my face felt, I was 90% sure it was sinus infection. When the doctor wanted to test me for strep, I didn't care. Seems I have strep throat (my throat was severely red and almost closed, it was so swollen, but I felt nothing) and a severe case of sinus infection. She then proceded to tell me to get the kids checked as it can cause damage to vital organs like the HEART or KIDNEYS...YIKES!!! I told her I had 2 boys with CHD's and whe insisted on me getting them in immediately in the morning. I got a little nervous with her telling me this. She said people without any conditions like the boys can develop conditions because of this. YIKES!!! All I could think was, I was scared for Thomas and Jonathan, but please Lord, don't let my healthy heart boy, Samuel, develop anything.

Well, today, I talked to the nurse on the phone and she said Thomas could go to school, as he had no symptoms and his throat looked great. We went in and the babies saw the doctor. Dr. Brenner said the babies throats were really red and swollen. She said she wasn't going to put them through the test, as she was certain they had strep throat, and since they were exposed to me, that means they gets meds no matter what. She said she was confident from all I told her of Thomas, that he was fine, but she wanted him on meds to be on the safe side. She told me not to take him outta school or anything. She just wants me to watch the boys closely the next couple of days and soon we all will be feeling better. She proceeded to say that Drew needed to go in and if he doesn't have it, which he may have been the one to give it to us, that he still needs to go in and get meds due to exposure and so it doesn't return, so that's where Drew will be this evening, at Urgent Care, right after work.

We are all, now, on a bunch of meds. The alarms are set for first thing in the morning for us all to take our first dose, and right after Thomas gets home from school, our alarms will go off again for us ALL to take our afternoon dose of meds. GEESH!!! We live together, eat together, and I guess are sick together...it's the way things go!

Other than that, everyone seems to be in fairly good spirits. Of course it's no fun being sick, but we are together and that's all that matters. Babies are still full of smiles :) and the boys are still loud as can be, so they are doing pretty good :) Just praying we are all healed very soon.

Hope this finds everyone healthy and safe. If you get sick or have a strep throat, don't take it lightly. A heart mom told me she never had a heart condition until she got strep throat and now has endocartitus...YIKES!!! I know us moms put our kids first (I know I do) but we have to remember to take care of ourselves too....maybe someday I'll do better with that...lol. God Bless You All!!!

Things I've learned being a mommy...

Oh boy, can little kids/BOYS be challenging somedays. Gotta love 'em though! I've learned so much in the past almost 8 years of being a mommy, some of which I would have never guessed would have, could have, or should have happened. Some things I've learned have made me smile, cry, laugh, want to run away, want to jump of with joy...MAN I LOVE BEING A MOMMY!!!!

I've learned that when I was younger, I wanted toilet paper to swing over the top, so I could make that pretty little triangle with it. Now, as a mommy, I like it flipping backwards; it stops my silly little boys from making it go round and round and dropping all of the toilet paper on the floor. SEE, I'M SAVING MONEY!!! Or maybe, I'm just not wasting money!!!

I have always loved music. When I was younger I was obsessed with everything from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony to Tim McGraw (yeah, quite the difference, but I was quite the different child...lol). Now, as a mommy, the only music I can recite from memory is EVERY SINGLE spongebob or Phineus and Pherb song, or opening credits. I'm amazed that even at a young age, my children know the words.

When I was in school I thought I knew it all. Studies came easily to me; I aced most tests without studying; I made the honor role. Now that Thomas is in school, MAN THEY START KIDS OUT EARLY WITH THINGS. He knew his alphabet and colors and shapes before school started (I learned this in kindergarten); he was reading by kindergarten (I was reading what he was reading in second grade); he's doing algebra in second grade (can you say junior high, not elementary school, let alone second grade).

I used to think my parents were so strict growing up. Why wouldn't they ever let me cross a major highway when I was in sixth grade to go buy a taco by MYSELF or go to the park by MYSELF or ride my bike on the street by MYSELF?!? Man, I can't even let my kids play in their own yard by THEMSELVES. I have my eyes and ears constantly on. Yeah, I've surpassed my parents meaning of the word "strict" I believe. 

I remember my parents moving me to Brookings, South Dakota for my first year of college at South Dakota State University (Go Jacks). I remember being so excited to move on and get away from my parents and all my mom did was cry like a blubbering cry baby. I was thinking she was nuts, but I hugged her good-bye and started my rebelling (big time). Now, I drop my little man off at second grade, and I'm a crying big baby because he's walking through the school doors without needing his mommy by his side. WOW!!! My baby boy is growing up!

I always thought love was those school girl crushes on this person or that person. Then I met my husband and I realized he was what true love was. But you know, once you have that little baby, that is a completely different love. A mother's love is so much greater than anyone can ever imagine. My boys are my world and I would do everything and anything for them, no matter what. They say our Lord loves us more than we can ever fathum. If God loves me more than what I love my boys, man, He must feel like He's going to explode with love.

I thought being teased in school, spraining an ankle, or getting into a car crash was some of the worse things that could ever happen to me and make me cry. I never realized my babies could surpass the "worse things" ever. Watching my boys go through open heart surgeries, back surgery, esophagus surgery, cut eyes, scraped knees and elbows, or even a cold would tug at me and make me cry even more. I only wished I could possibly take away all their aches and pains. As a mother, I can't stand seeing my babies hurt in any way shape or form. They are my world.

As a mother, I've learned I have strength I've never known about, love that just explodes out of me towards my children, anger towards anyone who hurts them or any child for that matter, compassion toward other parents and children in every way shape and form. I live for my children; I will die for my children; and I cannot wait to see what kind of young men they turn into. I cannot wait to see what they do with their lives, what their career will be, who they will marry, how many children they will have, etc., etc., etc.

I LOVE YOU THOMAS, SAMUEL, AND JONATHAN WITH ALL OF MOMMY'S HEART (and guess what, Daddy does too, but I know you already know that)

Sioux City, Iowa's Mayor signs a Proclamation

TODAY, ON FEBRUARY 8, THOMAS JAY ANDERSON, MY SON, ACCEPTED A PROCLAMATION FROM MAYOR HOBART, OF SIOUX CITY, IOWA, DECLARING FEBRUARY 7-14 AS CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT AWARENESS WEEK. THOMAS IS A CHD WARRIOR/SURVIVOR, AND HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY FOR TETRALOGY OF FALLOT WHEN HE WAS 8 MONTHS OLD. HE IS NOW A 7 1/2 YEAR OLD IN 2ND GRADE, WHO LOVES TO PLAY BASEBALL AND BASKETBALL AND HIS FAVORITE SUBJECT IS MATH. HAD TO SHARE THIS, AS THIS WAS A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR OUR SIOUX CITY FAMILY, AS OUR 20 MONTH OLD, JONATHAN ANTHONY ANDERSON, IS ALSO A CHD WARRIOR/SURVIVOR, BORN WITH TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES, DOUBLE OUTLET RIGHT VENTRICLE, AND PULMONARY ATRESIA, AND HAS GONE THROUGH 2 HEART CATHS AND 2 OPEN HEART SURGERIES ALREADY; HE'S FULL OF SPUNK AND ATTITUDE AND HAS CAUGHT UP SO MUCH, EVEN AFTER SPENDING 3 MONTHS IN THE HOSPITAL FROM BIRTH UNTIL NOW! I ALSO SPOKE A FEW WORDS THANKING THEM FOR THIS PROCLAMATION, BUT IT WAS SUCH A HEART WARMING EXPERIENCE, I HAD TO MUMBLE THROUGH IT A BIT AND GOT CHOKED UP A FEW MOMENTS:

Thank you Mayor Hobart...I will proudly accept this proclamation from Sioux City, on behalf of all CHD Warriors, in declaring February 7-14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week! ♥ ♥ ♥ God Bless all of our CHD Warriors and Angels and Families ♥ ♥ ♥ I am blessed with 2 CHD Warriors and SURVIVORS, Thomas and Jonathan, and my son Samuel, my husband, and myself will ALWAYS stand by and help our boys push for more AWARENESS and RESEARCH ♥ ♥ ♥ I hope with this continued support from our city and state for awareness, that more expecting mothers won't ONLY have ultrasounds done to see what the sex of their baby is, but also, at the same time take an extra 15 minutes in having an echocardiogram done, to makes sure their babies’ hearts look good and HEALTHY, and with this, will also have mandatory oximetry tests done on ALL newborns, which is cost effective and takes less than 5 minutes, to possibly save a babies' life. Without the oximetry test and our amazing doctor's intuition, Thomas may not be here today, and because of Thomas' pre-existing condition, we were given echocardiograms on both Samuel and Jonathan, while I was pregnant, where most wouldn't have been given this test, and we found out about Jonathan's severe heart condition. Because of the results of the echocardiogram, the doctor’s were ready to perform emergency surgery hours after Jonathan was born and his life was saved. Thank you again, Mayor Mike Hobart, the Council members, and all of Sioux City for your continued support. I truly believe this is a step forward in saving many of our children’s lives. Thank you and God Bless.

MOMENTS LIKE THESE MAKE ME SEE HOPE FOR OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE, AND OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S FUTURES. THIS ONE WAS FOR ALL THE CHDers (ANGELS AND SURVIVORS)!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

Someone sent me this and said if I sent it to many people that good things would happen; I hate when it gives you a given number to send it to and says if you don't send it something bad will happen, so I deleted the words, as I just wanted to share it cuz I think it's a beautiful picture and spreading the Word of the Lord is more powerful than some chain letter mail that someone makes up to scare people into spreading the Word of the Lord. The best way for me to spread the Lord's Word is through pics of my boys, my living, breathing miracles the Lord has blessed me with and has protected in so many ways. Because of Miracles, I have a beautiful family of 5.




"My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me; the task of testifying to the good news of Gods grace."
Acts 20:24

CHD Awareness to me Means...

CHD Awareness to me means telling people I am BLESSED with 3 beautiful children, two of which were born with a congenital heart defect, and have SURVIVED 8 surgeries between the two of them (5 surgeries being on their delicate and beautiful hearts).

CHD Awareness to me means telling people the doctor's said my boys may not see their first birthday, let alone their first hour of life and NOW my "CHD boys" are 7 years old and 20 months old.

CHD Awareness to me means telling people to get their echocardiograms done while they are pregnant for peace of mind, and having game plan set ahead of time with the doctors, if they do catch something, because my 20 month old may not be here today if his condition was not caught when I was 20 weeks pregnant.

CHD Awareness to me means telling people my children are "Warriors," if people ask about their scars at the pool, and seeing the pride in my son's eyes as he shows off his scar with pride and says he has a matching scar like his brothers.

CHD Awareness to me means finding wonderful and supportive "CHDers" and "heart parents" who you can sit down and have a conversation with and feel you could "hold your own in a heart conference" and learn from each other and are their for each other when we have a break down and need to vent, because not everyone understands.

CHD Awareness to me means telling people facts like "About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with some type of Congenital Heart Defect. (approx. 40,000/year) Source: Children’s Heart Foundation" or "This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation" and seeing people react from not being aware.

CHD Awareness to me means telling people my kids are great, wonderful, stupendous, but NOT CURED.

CHD Awareness to me means watching my 7 year old go to school with pictures and a smile on his face and do a show and tell presentation on all he has been through while only 8 months old and tell people, "Now I play baseball, basketball and I am the Math King in 2nd grade."

CHD Awareness to me means doctor's appointments, echocardiograms, EKGs, heart catheters, being a little more overprotective, watching my baby have to have monthly synagis shots during the RSV season, watching for blue spells, taking all bumps, bruises, coughs as a possible sign, and LISTENING to my son if he feels something that just doesn't seem right.

CHD Awareness to me means getting the word out each and everyday, whether it is telling my sister about echocardiograms, or telling my friends about oximetry tests, or writing a letter to Oprah, or doing a "Walk with the Heart of a Child" through the mall of Las Vegas, or watching my son do a show and tell. CHD Awareness is a part of our everyday life. We didn't choose this life, it chose us. We are a family of five who try everyday to live a normal life and allow our children to participate in sports or play video games or do math competitions or just go to the park and run around and just enjoy life. We hug each other tighter, we love each other stronger, and we don't take each day for granted, because the Lord gave my beautiful boys a second chance, in turn giving me as a mother as second chance, and we are taking advantage of these moments and embracing each and every one of them.



Proud Mommy to Warriors

Thomas' 1st Basketball Game

Thomas had his first basketball game today :) His team name is the Banana Bops (How Cute is that...lol) All 6-7 year olds. Thomas had so much fun...just loves running off some steam :) So proud of my once frail baby who has survived so much is now in 2nd grade, played baseball last year, and now basketball. I know I'm being all cheesey, but this little boy fought to live through one surgery (open heart surgery to correct his congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot) and fought to walk to through another surgery (He had congenital scoliosis with a hemi-vertibrate, and without the surgery would most likely be paralyzed right now as we speak)...guess I just have so much to be thankful for when looking how far he has come in his 7 1/2 years (how far we as a family have come). Just feeling very blessed to be able to watch him play basketball and see the joy in his eyes...PRICELESS!!!

   

Babies are Sick :(

Well, I have some pretty sick babies...Samuel has a left ear infection and viral broncalitus (in the same family class as rsv) and jonathan has double ear infection, viral eye infection, and broncalitus and crackly lungs...both on meds and jonathan is back on nebulizor treatments 3 times a day :( BUT HOME...no hospitals...praise Jesus we caught it early...just gotta watch them now...doc said we were doing everything right except not to use the johnson&johnson vaper baby bath soap, as not good on their lungs with this diagnosis...but man, it developed super fast...just got it saturday and hit hard and fast...but at least we jumped on it immediately and got them in and they have meds in them...said it will take a few days, but they will get better.

All I know, is everytime one of the kids get sick, especially Jonathan, I dread taking him in thinking he may get shipped off to the hospital, like last March. I'm always just so worried. But I know his heart has been fixd since then, so he has it a lot easier than he used to, but that fear never leaves. Well, they are all home, so that's all that matter, no use on dwelling on what hasn't even happened this time. Just gotta watch the babies and watch Thomas now. Thomas has a little runny nose, but nothing much. Always been so lucky with him; he rarely gets sick. Hope it stays that way :)