So Much Thanks To Give!

Day 27: I am thankful for my 11 month old baby BIG girl! Times are flying and our worlds are changing. She has brought so much joy into John and I's life despite all the obstacles we faced we couldn't be more happy or more in love with her. I can't believe she is going to be ONE next month!

Day 28:

I am very thankful that Sophia's 7th surgery was a success. We even got to go home that night for the first time after a surgery. They were able to open her airway in her nose more and down-size her trach. Down-sizing her trach is the first steps to getting the trach OUT!! 

Day 29:

 

Yeah, I am pretty thankful to see this... Despite laying in a hospital bed for 5 months and all the challenges in her way, Sophia is growing and developing stronger and stronger by the day. It makes my heart smile when I see her so proud of her own accomplishments. She knows she's a BIG amazing little  baby girl! 

Day 30:  It comes an end to the month long of giving thanks, but there really is no end in how thankful I am for my family, my friends, and the life I have been giving to live. I will continue to give thanks daily for all this beautiful bitter sweet life has to offer me. I hope you all do the same. It is easy to get down on one's self and see the bad in the world, but it takes someone special to force a smile and give a smile to those that make it hard to do so. Choose to look at life and all its riches that are out there for you to enjoy in a new light this year. You may be surprised the best year/s of your life are ahead of you. Enjoying life is what makes life worth living. I am excited to see what life has in store for my family of three in this coming year. 

Nostalgic

Day 26: I couldn't help but to feel nostalgic yesterday while my family was putting up the Christmas tree together. I was feeling sentimental for a few reasons really. one is because I just love this time of year, I love everything about Christmas, the trees, the lights, the smells, family gatherings, baking, crafts, gift giving, and even the music. I am so happy to share our first Christmas as a family with Sophia. Having a child makes Christmas even more special. I am looking forward to starting many traditions with her. It was so cute to watch her eyes brighten as we lit up the tree. We placed her right in front of it and watched in amazement at her as she watched the tree take light. We need a little Christmas now. I was also very nostalgic because last year our Christmas tree took on a whole new symbolic meaning to John and I. Sophia was born two days after Christmas. Instead of hurry to get it down before her birth, we wanted to leave it up for her to see when she got home from the hospital. Needless to say our homecoming was delayed. So for us and our lives at home, our world stood frozen in time. Our tree remained up and untouched until we finally had word that Sophia was coming home from the hospital. Finally, at the end of April we took our Christmas tree down to prepare for Sophia's arrival home. It almost didn't seem possible that it was time to put the Christmas tree up again, but up it is and I think the tree is going to take on a whole new symbol this year. Symbolizing a family home together and a little Christmas magic. We have already received some amazing news this holiday season with Sophia coming off the vent and today we received a little more Christmas magic. We visited Sophia's cardiologist today for an ECHO and the results are miraculous. The HOLE in Sophia's heart CLOSED. Thank you Lord. The doctor explained that generally at a year the hole's will not close on their own and would need surgery. I knew this going into the appointment today and I was floored with surprise that it had closed on its own. Wondrous news. She also said the bicuspid valve is still present but mild. We will continue to follow that next year but she said it could be years and years or not at all that Sophia will need a procedure to correct it. I am just so happy with all of the news we have been getting lately. I hope and pray it continues especially into next months appointments, they're some biggies!

Our Tree in April 2012. We finally took it down on April 7, Before Sophia came home from Riley on April 16, 2012

 

Our tree, 11/26/12

 

So Today, I am thankful for Christmas magic and for my daugther's amazingly strong heart!!

Catching up...

Day 21: I am thankful for my love for arts and crafts. I really enjoy a nice, quiet, relaxing day of making things with my hands. Its good for the soul... and it just makes me smile when I see my finished product.

Day 22: THANKSGIVING! I am thankful for good food, good friends, good family and making good memories.

Day 23: I am thankful for love. I still get so excited to go out on dates with my husband. I am also thankful for good friends who have been there to lend us a helping hand when needed!

Day 24: I am thankful for simple days. I am thankful hidden blessings. I am thankful for the power of prayer. I am thankful for this life I live and the people I share it with.

Day 25: I am thankful for medical insurance. Without it our family would be upside down in medical bills.  I am thankful that after a month of waiting, our daughter is finally getting her hearing aids.

Therapy for the Heart

Day 20, Today I am thankful for Sophia's First Steps Therapists. In such a short time, they have helped Soph with so much. It seems like each week she is learning something new or reaching a different milestone. Her therapists are so supportive of Sophia and us. Their encouragement alone does so much for us, especially me. Some days, its hard not to get the breathe taken right out of you when you see a child Sophia's age doing so much more. One cannot help but to compare and think wow are we missing something. Then a few encouraging words and one new trick later from the therapists and I am instantly put back into perspective. I know Sophia is doing amazing given the start of her life was beyond difficult. Think, just days ago she has finally come off the vent!! The doors are wide open for her and her therapists are there to help her soar through them and uplift us all. So, thank you to all the very special woman that come into our home and work with Sophia weekly. You are not only coming into our homes for a job, but you have come into our hearts with great support and admiration. Thank you for your services.

Hmmmm

Day 19: Even on days like today, I can still dig deep and find thanks to give. Some days are more stressful than days before but one think I draw strength from is knowing that somewhere someone is dealing with something far more stressful than me. So today, I give thanks for a humble heart and today I will say a prayer for the someone's somewhere...

A Mother was Born

When a child is comes into the world, many gather and celebrate the birth a something wonderful. However, many over look that on that day, not only was a child born but a mother was too born. It truly is one of life's greatest gifts to become a mother. I have grown and transformed into the role almost instantly and without hesitation. I am thankful everyday for my new life's role and I thank Sophia for making me into the mother I have always wanted to become. Much like a baby, I am still growing and learning and gaining my balance in my new life but I am enjoying the adventures ever so much. So today, I am thankful for the gift of motherhood.

Family Gatherings

Day 17: I am thankful for getting together with my family. Though I may not live as close anymore I still love going home and the feeling I have getting my family together. No matter the time or distance apart it feels as if we never parted. My new favorite thing when we get together is seeing how everyone lights up when they get to see Sophia. I swear I have never heard my papaw giggle so much as I do when he is around Soph. I love you all always!!