Happy Endings

I think I avoided writing for awhile because I knew when I wrote it would be my last entry. I hate ending this blog because I see how many people log in and read it everyday. I appreciate it so much! However,  my son is older now and I feel writing about the medical things that go on with him is starting to become an invasion of his privacy. I can't believe my little miracle baby is now 3 years old. Who knows maybe when he is older he will start this blog back up and share his story.

I remember when I started this blog I was in such extreme pain. I just found out my baby was sick. I was told by the doctor that termination might be the better option.  I walked into the sonogram thinking about the cute baby clothes I was going to buy later that night and walked out thinking about whether my baby would live or be paralyzed. I literally became a different person within an hour. Things that were so important before became so meaningless. And oh boy was I just getting my first lesson in pain. The NICU would bring me pain over and over. I was told twice my son  probably would not make it. I watched other moms hold their babies while they died in their arms. I thought once we left the NICU the pain wouldn't be as bad. Then came the surgeries. Holding my son in my arms and placing him on the operating table where he was about to undergo a 12 hr surgery was heartbreaking. Watching the moms hold the hands of their cancer stricken children in the hospital cafeteria was gut wrenching. Then I thought after the surgeries things would be so much better. However, there is also the pain that nothing will ever come easy for my son. For every milestone we have reached there have been many therapy sessions behind them.

For every moment of pain I have ever felt after having my son I have had a hundred happy moments. My son, my husband, and now my daughter are the best things that have ever happened to me. My son has changed me. I have become a better, stronger, more giving, and deeper version of myself. Andrew faces every challenge with such braveness. He never ever gives up on anything. He is walking and running without any sort of assisted device when we were told he wouldn't feel anything below his knees. He is the happiest person I have ever met. He is always smiling. Even when he falls down he brushes himself off and keeps on going without a moments hesitation.  I have no doubt he will face every challenge with fierce determination. I'm so lucky to be his mom. I truly feel like God honored me with this beautiful soul.

I started writing this blog feeling scared and hopeless. I leave it feeling happy and at peace.
I thank you for reading about the journey we have gone on so far...your love and support will never be forgotten.

My beautiful boy celebrating his 3rd birthday! 

My amazing guy running as fast as his feet can take him. 

 

Andrew and his sister Madeline 

I'm sorry I haven't posted in so long. It has been so busy! I'm happy to report our
sweet girl was born on April 18th. We named her Madeline. Andrew loves being a
big brother. I will write more after Andrew's bday in June.

I'm  writing this on my iPhone and it won't let me post pics but I will soon!

Just wanted to check in. We have been so busy with appointments for Andrew and I lately. Everything on my end is good so far (knock on wood). It is weird thinking our baby girl would be born this week if it was my pregnancy with Andrew. We saw the 3d and 4d images of her and she is so cute!

Good news on Andrew..he is officially a walker. He walks completely on his own..no walker or braces. It is truly a miracle. He even tries to race his Dad around the house. It is so amazing! He is such a hard worker and never gives up no matter how tired. I need to figure out how to put a video on here so I can show everyone. 

Here is a pic we just took of the pregnancy so far. As you can see Andrew is very excited to become a big brother! 

Happy Holidays!

Hi,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know we did. Last year we were in the hospital with Andrew for two months so being home and with family was the best thing in the world. My husband and I just kept hugging Andrew and so thankful he was healthy this year.

I wanted to wait until this post to give our wonderful news! I am happy to announce we are going to have a baby girl in April. So far everything is healthy. I was so nervous getting the sonogram telling us if she had spina bifida because the fetal surgery isn't available the 2nd time around. I would hate not being able to do for her as I have done for Andrew. Luckily she doesn't have it so I don't have to worry about it. The doctors have been so great about making sure everything is going well. I have ultrasounds almost every three weeks. As it gets closer I will have one every week. They definitely don't want to take any chances. We are so excited to meet her. Of course this time around I'm hoping we get to wait to meet her on her due date versus too early!

Here are some pictures from Christmas!  I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Yikes it has been months since I updated this blog. I am so sorry! Life has been so busy...still no excuse. I will make sure to update after Christmas to put up pictures. We have so many cute ones already but I will put them all up at once.

I do want to put some from Halloween even though it seems so long ago now.

As far as what Andrew has been up to..he is a little crazy man. He is still the sweetest little guy even while going through the terrible two's. We are so blessed to have him. I know I am biased because I am his mom but he just brings so much joy wherever he goes. He is just such a happy kid. Okay enough gushing about his personality. I will now gush on his accomplishments..haha. He has been walking over 20 steps on his own. He does have a walker he uses to walk long distances but the therapist thinks we will only need it for a little while longer. Overall he has been doing really well after his surgery he had last year at this time.

We took him to Disneyland over Thanksgiving and he had such a great time. He did so well. We were there from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm and he was awake and excited the whole time. I was very impressed.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday so far! This is my favorite time of the year so I am enjoying every second. Like I mentioned I will post some Christmas pictures after the holidays.

Below are some from what we have been up to over the last few months (Halloween, our trip to California and our trip to Telluride).

Halloween! 

 (our little Benjamin Button) 

 Yes we get really excited about the holidays. 

At the pumpkin patch 

Telluride, CO

Disneyland 

Hi,

Nothing new to update on the Botox yet but Andrew did take two steps on his own! His legs are still a little bent so hopefully the Botox will kick in soon and help him get even stronger. We are so proud of him!!

Below are some pics from last night. My husband was receiving an award for his job. I am very proud of him too!

Hi,

I hope everyone is having a great summer! I can't believe it is only a couple of more weeks until Labor Day. Summer went by way too fast!

Yesterday Andrew got botox in his legs. The doctor is hoping it will help him walk. I was so nervous. I know botox is poison and I hated the thought of it going into my son's legs. After lots of prayer and research we decided to try it. The doctor said we will hopefully see results in a week. I will keep you updated.

Below are some recent pictures.

I had to post some other funny stats. I can see what part of the world is reading this blog. Below are the daily stats of who is viewing. It is crazy to think people in Latvia, Russia, China and more are reading this. Whoever you are thank you for being interested in my son. I appreciate it. We truly and literally feel the love from around the world. Thank you!