17 days until surgery!

Today, we had Zoe's 6 month (well she's 7 months now) and Zander's 2 year photos done.  I did a grow with me plan with Kelly Vanderploeg Photography with Zander.  My sister and sister-in-law got me that as a baby shower gift.  She also did Zoe's NICU pictures when she was two weeks old.  Kelly was gracious enough to gift us those photos (She's an amazing photographer).  My point is, we wanted to make sure we did photos with Zoe at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year.  Today, we had my neighbor, Erica (Cute As A Button Photography), take the kids photos.  I live in a great neighborhood with lots of neighbors who own their own business.  My neighbor Nancy, owns her own little girls boutique, Farahs Babetique (which Zoe is in a little photo shoot tomorrow for her).  She gifted Zoe a few cute outfits, which I can't wait to see the photos!  Erica took us to one of the beaches on Lake Michigan for some great photos.  It was beautiful out today.  Zander was chasing the seagulls and ran into the waves with his clothes on.  How could you not  laugh at the innocence of him?  I wanted family shots, but that was a bit impossible with a 2 year old and a 7 month old who was entirely too curious about the water and sand.  Can't wait to share our photos with you all.

17 days until surgery.  Its been a little over a month since we were told she was in heart failure and surgery was in the future.  Last month at this time, I felt that 6 weeks seemed so far off.  Time goes by way too fast these days.  Since her ER visit 2 weeks ago, my mind was/has been preoccupied on getting everyone healthy, doing housework and catching up on my work.  Well, so far, all of that is complete.  Today is the first day in about 2.5 weeks that my heart is racing due to my mind thinking about surgery.  I know she needs this in order to live, but its so scary to think that they will stop her little heart.  

In one month, it will be a year since we found out about Zoe.  My 20 week ultrasound was October 5, 2011.  We've had a rough roller coaster ride for the last year, but looking at her sweet smile makes every tear worth it.

She's been crawling full force for over a week.  She can now sit up unsupported (not the greatest at it yet, but she's doing it)!  She prefers to play with trains, cars and trucks versus all her baby toys (she idolizes her brother).  Her hair is getting curlier as it gets longer and her eyes are still bright blue.  Looks like she'll have her daddy's skin and her mother's hair and light eyes!  She's such a beautiful baby inside and out!

I can't thank you enough for all of the support.  We've had so many people wanting to donate to the silent auction for her benefit on November 3rd.  Thank you!  If you would like to donate to the auction please contact Josh Daisy, jdaisy2013@yahoo.com.  He's one of the hosts of the benefit.   

Thank you for the continued prayers.  These last 17 days before surgery are going to be hard for me and my family.  I'm staying positive and trying not to think about it too much.  On my birthday, the 23rd, we're getting her anointed.  She has pre-op on the 24th and then surgery on the morning of the 25th.