9 months

We have reached the 9 month mark and the girls seem to surprise me with something new every day. Nothing exciting to most of you but very exciting to a first time Mom. Whether it be a funny new laugh, a new "word" (this week it's BaBa - I take it as MaMa), or a new gesture (they are clapping about everything), the girls thoroughly entertain me all day long. They are typically very happy most of the day but don't let that fool you. The tempers have reared their ugly heads. And it's coming from the one we least expected. Little Abs is one firey red-head! And she can hold her own against her "bigger" sister (that out-weighs her by 2 lbs).

They have really started playing together and this has made my life much easier. I am no longer their constant source of entertainment, although they still LOVE to be the center of Mommy and Daddy's attention.

Looking forward to a fun-filled 2010 with my girls!!

Tanya

We are anxiously awaiting our first Christmas with the girls. As you can see we are getting into the spirit with our festive attire, while playing Christmas music in the background. Abby is officially back to her old self, nice as ever and Norah is still her naughty self. :) She always wants what is NOT hers. Maybe Santa will overlook that this year! We feel so blessed this year to have two healthy children and wonderful friends and family. Merry Christmas!

I took Abby for her post op visit yesterday and she got 2 thumbs up! The doctor said she looked great and that he will see her back in 3 months. She's looking great, acting like her old self,....now if we could just get her to sleep well. I can barely keep my eyes open as I type and it's only 4:30 in the afternoon. I think she may have taken a 20 minute nap this afternoon but I don't think I was that lucky (I really think it was only 15 minutes). She usually wakes up every hour around the clock at night and is joined at my hip during the day. I am very optimistic that this soon will pass but as each day comes to an end I feel my pessimistic side rearing its ugly head. Oh well. Not so bad considering what she went through. I'm just thankful that she is home safe and sound. Good night!!

Home Sweet Home

Well it has been a while since I've posted but I'm sure most of you can imagine how busy I have been these past few weeks. We are finally home and things are slowly getting back to normal.....well, for the most part. If you didn't know, my children have not been good sleepers and the unfamilarity of the past two weeks have made their sleeping habits even worse. However, the obsurd sleeping patterns fail in comparison to the long nights at the hopital so I'm not complaining. Abby is slowly starting to become her old self, smiling and talking and attached to my hip. Norah is being her usual crazy self, entertaining us all the while. She doesn't however, seem to grasp the fact that her stay with the Grandparents was just temporary and that she can't always get her way. We are working on that. Anyway, thanks again for all the prayers. I truly believe that is what got us through this hard time.

With love,

Some great news to share. The doctors are confident that Abby does NOT have an infection. Don't know the specifics but that's all I want to know. We are extremely relieved to say the least! Abby has been a little fussier than usual today. I just happened to look in her mouth and noticed two teeth making their appearance. The fussiness, along with the diarrhea and fever and loss of appetite should have given it away but all symptoms this week have been attributed to the surgery. And I will have to say one thing...she has handled this week with style and grace. She is one tough cookie!! Way to go Abby!

Another day...

I am back at the hospital after having a long afternoon and night with my sweet Norah. I didn't realize how much I have missed her until I saw that goofy little smile that mimics her dad's. It was therapy for me to be with her, keeping my mind off of little Abbs and the pain and frustration I'm sure she's facing. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Norah I couldn't help but feel guilty about leaving Abby. Even though Kevin was there with her, I still had an ache in the pit of my stomach. It was screaming at me to jump in my car and head back to the hospital. But I didn't. I just kept my focus on Norah. That is until Kevin called and informed me that Abby had an infection in her blood. Ouch!!! That ache just turned into a stab right through the heart. After he calmed me down, he explained that the doctors said this was very common and that they immediately started her on a strong antibiotic and that we should not worry. "Ok we won't". Yeah right!!! Tell a parent not to worry when her baby is lying in the ICU, unrecognizable, and have been told she has an infection???? But after much prayer, I am turning this little obstacle over to God and am trying not to worry. I can see a slight decrease in the swelling in her face and left eye today. The right eye is still swollen pretty bad. I'm not posing pictures because it pains me to the core just to look at her and believe me am doing you all a favor as well. So the prayer for today is that the infection will leave her body soon. Please pray with me.

With love
Tanya

Longest day of my life

As I sit here listening to the sound of monitors, babies crying, nurses talking and Kevin snoring, I feel very peaceful (and extremely sleepy). All the events of today seem like a blur to me now. My only focus is listening for the sound of the oh so familar coos of my soon-to-be 7 month old. But they don't come. I hear nothing. Nothing but tiny wimpers and delicate moans. Where is this playful, happy, always smiling baby I once had? Underneath the "white helmet". Behind the swollen eyes. Behind the cords and wires and tubes. I find my Abby. I know her sweet, innocent soul is trying to make her presense known. But not today. Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow. As I sit here thinking about the family in tears down the hall praying for their little one to make a turn for the better and countless children I have seen today, so brave and strong, far worse off that our little Abby, I am reminded of how lucky we are that her condition could be corrected. How blessed we are to be at this wonderful hospital. How blessed we are to have so many wonderful people in our lifes. And how, no matter the situation or the obstacles to face, our Savior is there to comfort and provide. Praise be to God!!