8 month ramblings...

I can't believe our Fieldie is 8 months old! 

(He is actually 8months, 1week, I am a little late!)

Smiling for his last time to play in his bouncy seat.  

He has officially outgrown the bouncy seat after 

he has somehow managed to flip out of it twice - crazy boy!

So much has happened this month. 

I'm constantly amazed at Field's swift recovery post surgery and his ability to pick right back up developmentally.  What a rock star!

Sitting still for one sec...

The latest cardiology appointment was great and Field continues to surprise everyone with his rosy cheeks and "pink" coloring.  His heart and heart function look great.  His blood pressure is still a tad high, so we are still on medication to help control that, but otherwise our cardiologist is very pleased with Field. 

Still sitting still...

Speaking of medications - we are still on 5 medications.  Ugh.  4 of these meds are administered twice a day, so we give meds 9 times a day.  Field takes Prevacid for reflux, Lasix (a diuretic to keep fluid off his lungs), baby aspirin, atenolol (for blood pressure), and enalapril.  We are SO ready to drop a few of these meds and hoping and praying that we can discuss this at our next cardiology appointment. 

And he's done!  Trying to get out of the chair.

Field is rolling like crazy!  I have to be careful where I place him because he will roll as far as he has room. I laid him on a blanket in our bedroom as I got ready one morning and before I knew it, Field had rolled into the bathroom onto the tile floor.  Rolling seems to be his primary way of travel right now.  If he wants a toy out of reach, rest assured he will roll his way to get that toy.  Precious!

Field continues to grow and he's still our tall and skinny boy. At the pediatrician's office last week, we took a look at Field's growth chart again and he stays very close to that bottom line for weight. What can I say? The kid has more energy than I know what to do with (oddly enough considering his heart isn't totally efficient) and he just doesn't particularly enjoy sitting down to eat. He's one of those that you must take into a dark and quiet room to get him to finish a bottle. If he's out where the action is...forget it.  

Thank you, God, for Field's energy and spunk.  

We consider that a blessing! 

"Get me out of here!"

Now on to the eating.  When Field still had his cold, he starting doing this really weird thing whenever we put him in his highchair  for solids.  When we brought the bowl and spoon over to feed him he would gag and not even take one bite of solids.  Ugh!  So frustrating.  And even more frustrating was what came up when I googled it.  Note to self:  Google is NOT your friend.  Before taking him to the doctor, I had diagnosed Field with oral aversion and called our pediatrician for a check-up.  During our appointment, sweet Dr. McCray eased my concern by confirming that nothing is wrong with Field other than him trying to get over this little cold he had the past few weeks.  We decided that the mucous from the cold was sitting in Field's little tummy making him feel full and keeping him from wanting to eat anything.  His refusal to eat was his way of telling us "I don't want to eat,  I don't feel good!"  I am so thankful and relieved to say that Field is back to eating and he's doing very well with both solids and his bottles again.  That time was such a good lesson in learning to trust in the Lord and His hand over Field.  

Trying to stall him for more pictures by giving him a toy.  :)

On to sleep...ahhh...sleep.  It's getting better and better each week.  I feel like a new woman now that Field is sleeping so well.  

Teething!

I am sad to say that Daddy picked up the bug that was going around and was sick with fever for 3 days  There was no way we were going to allow Field to be around those germs so Brad stayed over at Nonnie and Granddaddy's for a few days.  We missed daddy so much and thank you SO much Nonnie and Granddaddy for taking such good care of our favorite guy (we know he's one of your favorite guys too!).  And let me just say how much I respect single parents.  I was only on my own for 3 days and I was exhausted.  Just goes to show how helpful my husband is and how much I rely on him.  It was hard managing all of the feedings, bath time, medications, night wakings, etc. all on my own.  

Last week, I was going a little stir crazy with Field so my sister and I switched kids and she played with Field and his cousin Ellie at their house for awhile while I took my niece, Caroline, to ballet.  I had the best time watching Caroline "dance" and was so proud of her for being such a great listener.  It was a riot watching these little ones roll around the floor in their pretty little ballet outfits.  Caroline was SO good and just continued to do exactly what she was told.  I'm such a proud aunt!

Ballerina Carolina

Field had fun with Aunt Al and cousin Ellie.  He had his first wagon ride and he loved the baby swing even more.  I discovered what a hovering mother I am as I never would have thought Field was ready for the wagon or the swing, but Aunt Al opened my eyes to some fun new activities for Field!  I am SO thankful for a sister that LOVES me and my child as one of her own. 

Field and Ellie in the wagon

Oh...and Field is talking.  He says, Mama, Dada, and Bababababababa.  Our little cutie pie is growing up!

Playing in mommy's laundry basket 

(The only way I could get him to stop rolling when I folded clothes - ha!)

Mr. Cool in his new swing

That's the latest update on us.  Thanks for checking in and hope everyone enjoyed their weekend 


and...


Happy 8 month birthday, sweet Field!!  

Shining Brightly

You might remember my post about my good friend, Denise's daughter Sarah a few weeks ago.  Denise is a very special friend of mine and her daughter Sarah battled a very aggressive cancer.  Sarah has left this earth to shine brightly from heaven.  I ask that you please lift up all those that love Sarah today - especially her husband, her mom, her dad, and her sister.

Sarah, you left a mark on this earth through your courage and faith.  You are always loved and may you soar through the heavens after being free from the bondage of cancer.

Feel free to read a beautiful post written by Sarah's husband at: http://www.sarahchidgey.blogspot.com/

When one's life is taken by cancer, most usually say they lost their battle.  I feel the opposite.  Sarah won her battle with cancer.  She is free from pain and suffering and is living eternal life with our precious Father.  That sounds like a win to me.

Let Sarah's beautiful life be a reminder to all of us to live, laugh, and love harder every single day.  For we never know what tomorrow might bring.

Ring Bearer Field

Photo from bumblebeelinens.com

Well, friends, it looks like Field will get to be a ring bearer this summer.  Cousin Dana is getting married in Atlanta and has graciously asked Field to be one of her ring bearers.  We are honored!  We can't promise that Field will be walking just yet (he'll only be 11 months!), but daddy will happily carry our wiggle worm down the aisle.

And oh - how cute will Field look all dressed up in his wedding finest?

Blessed By Field

Thank you to Stefanie for sharing our story on her blog today.  

Click here to read our story, "Blessed by Field."

Thank you, Stefanie, for all that you do for the CHD community.

Big Guy

Lately, I just can't believe how BIG my little boy is.  I know he is a skinny-mini, but he is long and just BIG to me.  His "Big Guy" t-shirt seems so appropriate.  Such a big guy with a big, loveable heart.

Looking SO big in his crib after nap time today!

Our big guy seems to have caught a little cold.  He had a slight fever and lots of congestion on Monday, but no fever since.  Now we are just dealing with lots and lots of, well, I'll just say it - snot!  To all of you new moms out there...don't you wish babies knew how to blow their nose on their own?  That suction thingy with the saline makes Field ANGRY!  I wish I could hold a kleenex up to his nose and tell him to blow. :)

On another note, I have been SO encouraged, inspired and proud of all of the heart families I follow this week.  As I said in my last post, it is CHD (Congenital Heart Defect) Awareness week.  These amazing families are all sharing their stories, creating hope, and working towards more awareness.  My belief about heart families has really been validated this week - God chooses amazing people for this heart journey and I am honored to be a part of these heroes.

To all of my sweet heart friends - my love and prayers are always with you.

My big guy, Field, sends his love to all of his heart buddies out there too!  

Awareness

Today marks the first day of Congenital Heart Defect Awareness week.

Are you aware that 1 in 100 babies are born with a heart defect each year?

That's about 40,000 babies a year.

Unbelievable...

I never knew what a CHD was before Field was born.  I had never heard of a heart defect nor had I ever known anyone that had a heart defect (now that I am more educated on CHD's I have come to find out that several people I have known for a long time have been living with a CHD their entire lives - I just never knew).

This is where all of us heart mamas come into play.  To raise awareness about CHD's and rally to raise money for more research so that those we love so much can live long and full lives.

Brad and I have so many amazing opportunities that have come up through the heart community.  I am passionate about CHD's and heart related issues.  I have so many ideas and hopes for starting our very own event to raise money for CHD's, but to be honest, right now, all I can worry about is sleeping and feeding schedules.  :)  One day, I will get our event up and running and I will proudly raise awareness to benefit the amazing and heroic babies/children/adults living with CHD's.  If you are interested in the lives of families like ours who are living with CHD's, I encourage you to read sweet Stef's blog.  Each day this week she will be featuring an interview with a heart mom and heart dad.  I was honored that Stef interviewed me and she will feature our story one day this week.

I found Tanya's blog through my friend, Tiffanie's, and noticed that Tanya has even linked to our blog.  (Thanks, Tanya, for reading our story!)  She makes amazing knit creations and is giving back to the CHD community this week.  I encourage you to check out her darling hats!

Here is her entry:

... that Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defect in America, affecting approximately one in one hundred, or 40,000 newborns each year?

... CHDs are responsible for one third of all birth defect-related deaths and sadly 20 percent of children who make it through birth will not survive past their first birthday.

... that although a child is born every 15 minutes with a CHD, research continues to be grossly under-funded in America.

... of every dollar the government spends on medical funding, only a fraction of a penny is directed toward congenital heart defect research.

What is a Congenital Heart Defect?  A CHD means a child is born with an abnormally structured heart and/or large vessels. Such hearts may have incomplete or missing parts, may be put together the wrong way, may have holes between chamber partitions or may have narrow or leaky valves or narrow vessels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have come to know and follow, in the blogging world, some really great families (especially the mamas) and heart babies.  Some, are no longer here on this earth with us, and some are living very wonderful and fulfilling lives here, even with their bandaged hearts.  I hope to never have to endure what these children and families have and continue to go through, but peacefully realize that if I am ever placed in their shoes, I will have the BEST support group.  These people are courageous, bare-to-the-bone, hopeful, faith-filled, all-loving, raw, emotional, loving, and totally real.  And they make me cry and laugh and hope and dream...sometimes all in the same blog post.

Here are just a few that I follow, and I know there are SO many more out there.
Bowen, Cohen, Ewan, Joshua, Luke, Logan, Annabelle, Laken, David, Ella, Owen,Emma, Preston, Radcliffe, Field, are just to name a few...

I have so much admiration for these children and families and that is what I feel like I'm being called to help.  Why do parents sometimes not find out there child has a CHD until after it's too late?  Why aren't there 'sure' surgeries, since this is the MOST COMMON birth defect in America?  Why isn't this getting the supporting funding it needs to find solutions to such a huge problem?

In honor and memory of all the children living and lost from CHD's, bekima knits' helping hearts will be donating 20% off every sale, now thru everyone's 'Heart Day' - February 14th.

bekima's helping hearts fundraiser will help benefit, The Children's Heart Foundation, whom's goal is to bring health, hope and happiness to children impacted by congenital heart defects, the number one birth defect in the United States. They accomplish this goal by funding the most promising research to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of congenital heart defects.  And also, Bless Her Heart, an organization founded after their daughter, Taryn, unexpectedly passed away from 2 CHDs.  Bless Her Heart is dedicated to promoting congenital heart defect awareness to families at the earliest opportunity possible, and all donations are used to maintain the website and for printing and distribution of CHD awareness pamphlets to various organizations, businesses, and doctors’ offices.

The Children's Heart Foundation is the country’s leading organization solely committed to CHD research funding, and dedicates itself to bringing health, hope and happiness to children and families impacted by a CHD. CHF has funded over $4.1 million of vital, life-saving CHD research since its inception, which includes approximately $400,000 in 2010.

I LOVE the work that both of these foundations have taken on, especially Bless Her Heart for bringing this birth defect into awareness before these children are born.  Before hearing and reading of these families and babies, I would have had no idea that this devasting defect even had a place on this earth.  God has definitely stuck this in front of me for a reason, and this is what is being called to me at the moment, and there may be more in the future.  All in His plan...and I'm sure there will be more and all for a reason.  And what better timing than our unofficial 'Heart Month'!!  If anyone else is interested in more CHD events and fundraisers, check out this site for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, which runs Feb 7-14, 2011.

I pray and hope that we can make a difference, and I know we can!!!  I also have some super special knits that I would love to be able to give both parents that have lost children due to CHD's and also children that are living with their CHD's.  Parents and/or friends and family...please email me and let me know about you and your child, and you will have a special gift from bekima knits at your doorstep soon.  It's just a bit of what I can do to offer some comfort and joy to those most in need.

Feel free to copy and paste to help spread the word!

Shop HERE to help hearts...one hat at a time.

And as always, feel free to donate directly to either/both of these foundations.  I can only imagine the benefits that these donations will bring the future of CHD technologies and awareness.

"For nothing is impossible with God"  ~Luke 1:37

Snow in Texas?!

Field and I ventured out for some pics with the snowman that the neighbors built.  I wasn't planning on going outside at all, but I started to feel guilty when everyone was posting their "Snow Day" pics. :) We made it outside around lunchtime and clearly, most of the snow had melted.  But Frosty stayed put for our quick photo op.  Thanks, neighbors, and great job on your snowman!  

What is this stuff?  

Give me that stick!

Hey mommy!

Get these boots off of me!

That was fun!  

 Back to playing with my pacis!

Field Lately

Field!  

Lately we are enjoying so much of you.  

Especially...

Your precious grin

Your gorgeous eyes

Your constant curiosity

And your friendly demeanor.  

You are a true blessing!  

(And mommy says thank you for sleeping a 7 hour stretch 

overnight and for taking a 2 hour nap today!  

We are making progress, people! :)

P.S. I've been meaning to thank Mama Dub at Life in the Dub Lane for our precious new blog look!