A Year in Review

It's been a while since I last posted....work is insanely busy for me and by the time I get home, I spend time with the kids and do normal "mommy" stuff and hit the hay.  Zoe has been sick for the last week with the normal flu symptoms (runny nose, on and off fever, etc.).  We took the kids to the doctor last week to make sure it wasn't anything that needed antibiotics because I've been so worried that we'll be back in the ER.  Remember, until we're told otherwise, we will always have to take Zoe in with a fever of 100.4 or higher, and that is a low grade fever.  I feel as if she's been sick since we've been home from her open heart surgery in early October.   It doesn't help living in Chicago with our weather, having a husband who doesn't sleep because his job prohibits him (Chicago Firefighter), I feel as if our house is destined to get sick.   We bought a new air purifier and humidifier to help Zoe.  I'm also going to get our air ducts professionally cleaned as maybe this will help.  No more hospital stays!!!

It's been a year since we found out Zoe's suspected diagnosis. Last year was filled with such heartache, and I look at my sweet daughter, how far she's come, and can't even imagine what the doctors were thinking of when they were telling us to think otherwise after our 20 week ultrasound.  This time last year I was extremely large due to the excess of amniotic fluid due to Zoe's bowl obstruction, I had walking contractions, 24 hours a day, less than five minutes apart (until I delivered in February), I had two preterm stays, one being 5 days long, countless appointments, telephone conferences with genetic counselors and just prayed and prayed and prayed.

Yes we've been through hell over these last 10 months, but so far, the end result has been amazing.  She's overcome so much!  Small Intestinal repair = big check, Was able to eat after 3 weeks of life = BIG CHECK, Cranial Band is off = big check, Physical Therapy is over = big check, Heart is repaired = BIG BIG check.  Yes, we still have an uphill battle to continue fighting, but what family doesn't have obstacles at some point in their life? This little girl lights up the room with her ear-to-ear smile.  She's has a big personality, she's extremely loud (I mean very loud).  She loves to sing and dance and just talk, talk, talk with a deep voice.  Her bouncy curls just go all over the place and those big blue eyes just melts your heart.  Can you believe she's been walking around furniture for over a month?  She's trying to take her own steps, but is a little hesitant.  She's eating mostly all table food and I have no idea where it goes because she's so skinny (last week's appointment, she was 22 lbs, 12 oz).  Her "war wounds" are amazingly beautiful.  Zander kisses her "red boo boo" a few times a week (I love my sweet boy).  We have a gazillion and one appointments in  January and February 2013.  Just looking at our calendar, I'm exhausted with appointments.  Hoping she passes with flying colors at each one!

Christmas is a time to be with family and friends, and I'm so thankful for God for blessing me with two beautiful babies.   I hope 2013 blesses your family as 2012 blessed ours.  Zoe is our miracle in so many ways.  She's my inspiration.  She makes me want to be a better person.

A year in review (well almost a year).   This little peanut (not such a peanut anymore) was a fighter (still is) from day 1....  from our family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!