Auriana is walking!!!

Auriana is walking now... on her very own.... WITHOUT the assistance of a walker!! She is really
trying to be the big girl since her little sister was born :) I am very proud!!

looking back at 2011

As I sit and think about my 2011, I realize how much God was truly watching out for my family. Although it may not have seamed like it at the time, He was with us all along.
Major events that God got us through...
In January, God continuously provided me, Kylee, and Auriana with food, warmth, and shelter.
In February, God kept Kylee safe during the weekend she was taken from me, and He returned her home safely to me, and continues to do so every other weekend while she is away from me.
In March, God showed me to trust him as I was given custody of Kylee and Auriana. I have always been the one to take care of them, but the mental abuse I had been through by their father had me so worried about what the outcome would be.
In April, God allowed me to witness Auriana's first real independent steps.
In May, God gave me the instinct that maybe Auriana's heart was not right and I listened and took her to the cardiologist against the recommendation of other doctors, only to find that the area between her aorta was closing off very quickly and surgery was needed very soon.
In June, God gave me peace as I learned that the baby I was pregnant with was to be another girl and that she did not have any visible heart defects on the ultrasound as I had feared.
In July, God blessed me with the ability to take my girls on many special outings including the zoo and aquarium.
In August, God protected Auriana through her heart cath procedure. And God allowed Kylee to go back to school with the friends and teacher that she loves.
In September, God protected Auriana through her second open heart surgery and has given her strength and healing. Auriana turned 3 years old this month as well.
In October, God allowed me to throw Kylee an amazing 6th birthday party complete with a hayride. Kylee absolutely loved it.
In November, God allowed us to find a church that we have truly been able to connect with and has something for all of us.
In December, God allowed us to welcome Lillian Hope into the world on the 1st. God provided my children with a wonderful Christmas. God has allowed us to be surrounded with amazing friends.

These are just a few of the times I can think of that I truly saw God at work, although He has been with us every day, every hour, every minute, every second....
I can not wait to see what 2012 has to bring and what way God will reveal Himself to us!

This time, 6 years ago!

6 years ago right now at this very moment I was checking into Southern Regional hospital in labor with Kylee!! She was born 15 hours later at 1:30 PM on October 30.

Happy birthday my beautiful little Kylee Mikay!!! I love you so very much!! You made me a Mommy!

We celebrated Kylee's birthday last weekend with a Scooby-Doo birthday party and Hay Ride!! She said it was the "best birthday ever" lol :)

Happy 6th Birthday baby girl!!!

oh the joy... feeding charts...

So, since Auriana has been having such a hard time eating lately, I have begun keeping a feeding chart again. I charted everything she ate and drank for almost a year before and she had been doing so well that I stopped. Now, thanks to her having surgery and being sick, she is having food aversions yet again and so the charting begins. This time she is not really wanting to eat anything with texture. Only apple sauce and drink. I have started adding meal replacement powder to everything she eats or drinks to keep her calories up! Please pray that her appetite improves... I would hate to have to put her back on a feeding tube.

Sunday, Grandaddy got her to eat a couple of chicken nuggets and she drank some goat milk.
Yesterday I made her a 70 calorie/ounce smoothie and she drank about 8 oz of it.
Today, no such luck thus far.

Auriana... EAT BABY....EAT!!!!!!

Happy 3rd birthday Auriana!!

Today Auriana is 3 years old! This is almost the exact time of day that I first got to hold her 3 years ago. She was born at 4:37 in the morning, but immediately taken to the NICU... it wasn't until around noon that I was able to hold her for the first time. Since Auriana came into my life, a lot has changed, mostly for the better. She has brought so much joy into my family and so much happiness to her big sister. She has proved so many doctors wrong. I remember being told that she would probably never walk or talk, and yet she is talking and taking a few steps on her own.
Auriana's 3 years on this earth so far have not been without pain. She has gone through more than most of us will in a lifetime and all with a smile on her face most of the time. 11 days ago Auriana had her second major open heart surgery. She amazingly only stayed in the hospital for 4 days this time. She was in the hospital for 12 days with her first open heart surgery.
She amazes me every day with her determination to do what every one else is doing. She has to work so much harder to learn things, but when she is determined she will make sure she gets it in her own time her own way.
Happy 3rd birthday Auriana!!
God has given me such beautiful gifts and He continues to bless me daily!! For that, I am so very thankful!!

Auriana has open heart surgery September 2!!

Auriana will be having open heart surgery September 2!! Dr. Kirshbaum does have some concern about the weakness in her aortic valve, even though the cath doctor said it looked alright. He will be opening up her aorta so that blood can flow freely as it should. The severe narrowing has weakened her valve some though, so he will be keeping a close eye on that during surgery. Please go ahead and start praying for the team that will be working on her during this surgery and for the nurses who will be helping her recover afterwards.
I have spoken with them about my concerns that she is proned to becoming dependent on a feeding tube and they have agreed that there will not be a feeding tube placed once she is awake and aware, but it is MY responsibility to make sure she eats and drinks what she needs or they will have no choice but to place a feeding tube. I will have about 48 hours after she's awake from surgery to get her to eat and drink!! Pray that this is not a problem!!
Also, pray for Kylee. She has been through so much in the past few years and she is very worried about her sister who she loves so much having another surgery. Pray God will comfort her and give her strength and peace!

Thank you all for your continued prayers!!


Here is an example of what aortic stenosis looks like

school started!

Kylee started Kindergarten last Monday and she is loving her class! She does very well at school! It gives her stability and somewhere she can be proud of her accomplishments, which she needs. She is still going to the same Christian school that she has gone to for the past few years, which she loves. It is good for her to hear every day that what she believes (The Bible) IS REAL and that all the Bible stories ARE TRUE! She is constantly asking "this story is true, right?" when we finish reading a Bible story. It is very important to her that we keep telling her that Yes the Bible is all true and Yes God is bigger than everything, and Yes God knows everything, and Yes God is always with you!

Kylee's first day of Kindergarten

Auriana was able to go to her first day of preschool last Tuesday! She LOVED it! She kept up with all the other kids and did very well while she was there! But, once she got home, she was overly tired and slept for hours and then complained that her chest and head hurt and her oxygen was really low. So I called her cardiologist and he said no more school until she's cleared to return after surgery (probably November or so when she'll get to go back, depending on how she heals. Although with that being flu season I may just keep her out until after the holiday breaks). She is sad she can't go back and says "me too" when I drop Kylee off, but it is what is best for her so she is strong for surgery.

Here is Auriana on her orientation day

Auriana's first day of preschool and Kylee's second day of Kindergarten