Hi, 

I wanted to post some updated pics. We have had such a great summer! It seems like it is flying by way too fast. I hope everyone is having a fantastic summer too! Not much to update just busy with traveling and lots of fun outdoors. 

Fun at the pool! 

                            

Andrew is the best baby to take out to eat. He sits quietly 

and entertains himself. Hopefully it lasts! 

We are getting Andrew baptized in Hawaii. 

He is getting his travel outfits ready! 

Hi!

I really am trying to get better at updating this thing although things in Colorado have been a little crazy. Andrew went on his first vacation to California and we just got back. We were going to go soon but ended up going earlier because of the fires in Colorado Springs. Our house was fine but it started to get really smokey. I was worried about Andrew's lungs so we went to the beach for awhile. He loved it! We had a great time. Unfortunately some of my friends did lose their homes. The fires were insane and it felt like we were living in a horror movie. Just watching the beautiful land and properties burn was very sad. Then this mass shooting that just happened near by reminds you to be so grateful for every day and to hold on tight to your  family and friends.

Andrew has been doing really well. He can sit up, roll and is sooooo close to crawling. He gets up on all fours and bounces back and fourth. He just needs to figure out how to move everything. I'm so proud of my amazing little boy. I thank God everyday for choosing us to be his parents.

Below are some recent pictures.

I hope everyone is doing well! Thank you again for continuing to read about us.

Also I would like to wish a special happy birthday to our Aunt Carol. She has been so supportive and wonderful to us. When we were in Philadelphia last year she stored all of our furniture in her home (and we have a lot of stuff), saving us thousands of dollars in storage fees. She is always so positive and  we are so grateful to have her in our lives. We love you!

Andrew's first dip into the Pacific 

Andrew sitting up playing with his toys 

Tired after a long day

After only 5 swim lessons, floating like a pro 

One of the things we got Andrew for his birthday was swimming lessons. 

Below he is learning with his teacher. She is fantastic with him. He can already float on his back. 

Hello!

It has been ages since I last posted on here. The last time I even logged on was in January. I'm so sorry. I didn't even think anyone read this anymore. In fact I was going to post today and have it be my last post but when I logged on the page that shows my stats it said I had over 700 page views over the last three weeks. I am so humbled and honored that anyone is still interested in what is going on with us. Thank you to whoever is logging in and checking this blog out. Also sorry for being so terrible at keeping it updated. My only excuse is life got in the way. Beautiful happy life! The reason I was logging on today was because yesterday was Andrew's birthday so I thought it would be a good time to update.

Wow I can't believe it has been a year. It has gone by so fast but slow at the same time (if that makes any sense). It feels like yesterday I was in the NICU praying for my little guy to hold on and here we are a year later. I'm happy to say Andrew is doing really well. We still have ups and downs but for the most part up. He has taught my husband and I so much about strength, bravery and being courageous. We had a little scare and he was hospitalized a few months ago. When the doctor told me he had to be admitted back into the NICU I felt like I was going to turn to stone. Go back to the NICU.....no!!! I didn't think I could go through it again. Andrew looked at me like he sensed I was going to fall apart and gave me a big smile even though he was so sick.  At that moment I realized if he was that brave I better get my butt in gear!  Luckily he only ended up back in the hospital for a week and it wasn't anything serious.

I know it is so cliche for parents to say this but he has made us happier than we ever thought possible. To any moms out there reading this that might be just finding out their baby was diagnosed with spina bifida or maybe just had the prenatal surgery, the journey you are about to go on is so worth it! In the end you will have the most beautiful gift God could ever give you. Just hold on through the rough stuff and try to think about the big picture. I wish I would have done that more. Easier said than done!

My little miracle is one! 

Well since people are still checking in on us I will keep this blog going. I will try to get better at posting!

Hi!

Hi!

It has been so long since I updated. I feel terrible. We have been so busy with appointments (pediatrician, spina bifida clinic, physical therapy ect....) still no excuses. Everything here is good. Andrew weighs 14 lbs! He is such a chunky monkey. He is still on the oxygen but only at night. We go back to the spina bifida clinic Feb 7th so I will be able to update more after the appointment. I'm praying his head looks good and no shunt. The physical therapist thinks he is a little behind with his milestones but that is to be expected.

Being a mother is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Even with Andrew's medical problems I wouldn't change a thing. He is the sweetest little guy, always happy and smiling. Here is a recent pic!

Happy Holidays!

I'm so sorry! I haven't updated this in so long! Moving and taking care of new baby has been a little bit busier then I anticipated. I hope everyone is having a great holiday so far. I know I'm so so so grateful for everything this year. Being home with my family is the best thing in the world. I never ever take it for granted.

Andrew weighs 11lbs and 7 ounces. He has come so far! He is still on oxygen but it is easy to manage. We have been dealing with so many preemie issues for so many months we almost forgot about the spina bifida but it came rearing its ugly head. We went to urology and they said Andrew's bladder isn't functioning well. He has way too much bladder pressure. A normal person has 40% pressure before they realize they have to go to the bathroom. Andrew's goes above 110% before he realizes he needs to go. So I have started cathing him. It is also very easy to manage. A little time consuming but he has been such a good sport about it. My heart broke for him though. Knowing he will do this the rest of his life is tough. However, I know he will know nothing else so it probably won't bother him. Being at Children's in Philly and looking at what some other families are dealing with I have to keep counting my blessings. Plus he is doing so well in other areas.

I hope everything has a great holiday!!!

We are in Colorado!

Hi everyone,

I'm so sorry it has taken me so long to update this. We had so much going on with the move. We finally made it to Colorado. Andrew and I ended up flying. It was so much easier than driving.

Andrew is doing so well! He weighs almost 10 lbs. He did need to be put back on Oxygen once we got here because of the altitude. He is on 1/4th of a liter and he desats if we take it off. The docs said that was normal and he may need to be on it for a year. Other then that everything is good. We had our appt at the spina bifida clinic at the Children's Hospital in Denver and they couldn't believe how good he looks. They were so impressed with Children's Hospital of Philly. Denver wants to start doing the surgery next year and thought Andrew was a good example of all the great things that can come from the surgery. Even though he was born so early probably because of the surgery the good far outweighs the bad.

Being home has been better than anything I could have imagined. Having my family whole again has been amazing. The NICU seems like a lifetime ago now.  Looking back at the experience has made me appreciate everything in life so much more.

At first being home was a little overwhelming. I was used to a world with just Andrew and I.  I had no responsibilities other then Andrew. When you get home you have dinner to make,  a house to clean, other people to take care of ect.... but I have adjusted and things are even better. What a long long scary yet wonderful journey this whole thing has been and we are just getting started.

I can never thank everyone enough for helping me get through what I hope is the toughest experience of my life. I don't know how I would have managed without the love and prayers. Like I have said I fully believe Andrew could feel the love,  prayers and support  which helped us get through to the other side of this. The nurses even said they think Andrew was cured by love. From the bottom of my heart thank you.

I'm going to post pictures on this blog at the end of every month. So please check in when you have time!