One year ago today

Things got complicated and un-routine.

It started out normal but you stopped eating and after trying everything, we brought you to urgent care at 3:45pm. Your rectal temperature was 90, not good, even Mommy knew that. From urgent care you went to the ER and from the ER you went into a helicopter. Only seven days old and you got your first ride on a helicopter, something Mommy has never done. It was up in the air and Mommy and Daddy were on the ground driving along Hwy 169 wondering what was wrong with you. Wondering how bad things really were. Mommy was full of milk, so full she hurt. Papa drove swiftly and we all arrived safely at Children's Hospital. You arrived before us and got settled in the ER. It was 8 pm when we saw you.
This is where the whirlwind begins. Your blood pressures were off, your BP above your heart was different then your BP below your heart. Right away the ER staff knew it was probably a heart issue. They called Dr. Rios, a cardiologist to come and examine you. Mommy was out of the room, taking a much needed break to regain her composure and when she stepped back in the room, Daddy was breaking down. He was crying because he was just informed that you most likely had a heart defect and it would require surgery. Of course it was too early to tell, but Dr. Rios would do an echo and x-rays and after, he would have more answers. Mommy and Daddy had support, we were surrounded by Papa, auntie Michelle, auntie Jean and uncle Tom. Grandma stayed home with big sister Hadley but was informed by telephone once we were in the waiting room. We were all kicked out when the technician came to preform the echo and x-rays.
It was confirmed, you did have a congenital heart defect. You had a hole in your heart, called a ventricular septal defect, you also had a narrow aorta, called coarctation of the aorta. You were one sick little girl. Dr. Rios explained this to us, he told Mommy and Daddy that you would need surgery in a couple of days once you got stronger. You were transferred to the CVCC floor. Cardiovascular Care Center, just for children with heart problems, really? Mommy was thinking how could this be, you were fine and now you are on a special floor in Minneapolis for children with heart problems.
Mommy and Daddy were in another world at this moment, it was so surreal, unexpected. We followed you to the room you would be in on floor 4 and said goodbye for an hour. It was a little after 9pm. Mommy finally got to go pump and the rest of the crew waited in the waiting room. The staff needed to get you all settled in. You got a central line, and many other IV's. You were given a special medicine to open your ductus so that the blood would flow throughout your whole body.
Finally a little after 10pm we were able to see you again. You were this little baby in a giant bed full of cords. When Mommy and Daddy would look at you we couldn't help but cry. Everyone said goodbye to you. We stayed in your room on a fold out bed, it was a little bigger than a twin. It was hard to sleep. Thankfully Mommy and Daddy had each other to lean on.

Now today...
You woke up at 7am and ate some eggs and toast for breakfast. And, you made a mess... you love to get into everything right now. So when you walk around you leave a trail behind you. A few minutes ago I laid you down for your morning nap. Usually two hours after you wake up you like to sleep again. You are getting better at falling asleep by yourself. There will be no helicopter rides today!

This afternoon...
You are at Grandma's house right now with big sister. Mommy is on her way to work for a couple of hours. Then we are going to have salmon for dinner with Daddy. Every day is a great day and you inspire us to be better people after what we saw you go through. You are one strong little girl! We love you so much!

Today

What did we do today?
Well... we woke up at 7 am which was a little too early for my liking. Ellie usually gets up around that time. I try to stall her but it doesn't work. We got up, got going and Hadley was right with us. She woke up and she is the first to come in and give big hugs. We are really working on her cheek. She has this sore that just won't go away because she picks at it. She has had it for a year, I swear...
We took it sleezy for an hour, I made scrambled eggs and ham with toast. Ellie ate it, Hadley ate the toast with pb. She requested cereal, I got her cereal and she had two bites. Whatever, I don't force her to eat. I know she knows when she is hungry and I will offer her healthy snacks when she asks for them. She loves yogurt, or yogret as she calls it.
Then we skyped with Auntie Petra, it was a unexpected call but we were able to talk and sing and chat for 30 minutes before Mommy had to cut her off so she could get ready for work. I went to work at the Messenger, the girls went to Grandma's. I didn't get done with work until 6:15p, that sucked! Then I picked up the girls, Ellie was a bit needy. But that is normal. We came home to see Daddy. He made dinner, we had leftover soup and nachos. He also hung our new TV in the upstairs sitting room. We ate, then Ellie took a bath. Hadley just wanted pj's on as soon as we got home. I don't blame her, I did too! Next we played, Robert got to see Ellie dance, she is so cute, she just sways from side to side! I laid Ellie down at 8:15pm and Hadley and Daddy went to bed at 9pm. I stayed up and watched Smash and Leno... decent Leno tonight! Ellie woke up at 10:45pm... I rocked her and nursed her back to sleep.
Night Night!

One year ago tonight

To Ellie:

Your story begins in Brainerd. You was born at 3:55 pm. Your birth was uncomplicated, it was routine, maybe even predictable. Then there was a snow storm, a huge storm, it really complicated things. The morning after your birth people had to scramble just to get to the hospital. The whole town of Isle was quiet, even the clinics shut down. You were discharged a little after 2 pm and we all drove home on clear roads bordered by fresh white sparkling snow. The sun was shining and Mommy remembers thinking how beautiful it was. Here we all were, traveling on Hwy 18 towards home with you, our new 8 lb. 1 oz. little girl named Ellie James.

Right away you were a great eater, you ate all the time. Mommy even remembers how you curled up in a little ball in Grandma's arms when she came to the hospital and held you. You loved to snuggle just like you do now.

Ellie, thank you for giving Mommy the best birth experience ever. It was pleasant. The VBAC was successful and you were pink, you had ten fingers and ten toes. It was like it was scripted!

The next week you you slept just like a newborn was supposed too. You commanded attention just like you do now, people came to visit, you shined. It was a great week.

So here we are, your story... as it unfolds becomes more complicated but it leads us to you. The you that you are now. And that little girl is spirited, strong, temperamental, silly, kind, gentle, stubborn and needy. Very needy. But, craves warmth, kisses, hugs, snuggles, giggles and love.

You see one year ago right now, you were barely five hours old. You were trying to figure it out, just like Mommy was. Just like Mommy does now. Everyday you surprise us, you clap or you dance. You listen and actually know what we are saying. You crawled and now you walk. You see there is a world around you, you know there is more.

Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We love you so much... Happy Birthday Ellie.

To be continued...

Relishing past posts

Right now I am actually thinking I should be in bed, but instead I am reading past blog entries. I read about Hadley's first birthday. I can't believe I am on the edge of celebrating my second first birthday... Ellie's tomorrow... she will be one! What is the phrase? Oh yeah time flies when you are having fun! Well, I have so much more to tell about this fun little soon to be one year old that barely sleeps on her own because it is all my fault for spoiling her to pieces. She still gets to sleep with us... even tonight if she wakes... oh I hear her crying.

Night Night

So here we are on the end of our remodel journey. We, the girls and I are staying at my Mom and Dads house. Tonight was great. Great dinner, great bath time... Ellie went to bed at 7p. We watched the O channel featuring a interview with Lady Gaga and Hadley watched the computer featuring Team Umi Zoomi. Anyway, just about 10pm I was thinking this is the life when Hadley is ready for bed and Ellie is in bed. Knock on wood... Ellie wakes... she becomes fully awake as well as Hadley. This isn't normal to be at Grandmas always... so usually Grandma's equals fun, right. Well, we were inspired by Lady Gaga so Hadley got dressed up and we danced to The Edge of Glory and Just Dance. Then we finally convinced Hadley it was time for bed and she brushed her teeth. Papa said he would read her a book, she agreed, Ellie thought that was cool too. So here they are reading... sorta! It is 10:46pm, Hadley and Papa are telling stories. I am blogging quick. Ellie is watching Grandma go potty and Andrew is just hanging. Robert is home probably sleeping on the living room floor.

Seriously Sentimental

So we are in the midst of our remodel. It includes switching rooms, repainting and getting new carpet. For the past few days we have been moving things downstairs and today I started to paint what used to be Hadley's room. This room will now belong to Robert and I.
It kinda saddens me a little to paint over the walls in this room because I spent so much time figuring out what I was going to paint them 3.5 years ago. And, I can't believe that so much time has passed already since I became a mother. See 3.5 years ago, I was so worried about the nursery, the wall colors, the theme and putting it all together. Now today, Hadley and Ellie get the big room and I get to figure out a new look and theme. Hadley picked the wall color and you can probably guess it... Pink!
Anyway, I hate to admit but going over the colored blocks on what used to be Hadley's walls kinda made be misty eyed!

The last of the painted squares. I spent so much time picking out those four colors.

Primer and Talley enjoying the sunlight!

This should create a warm feel. Quite yellow, maybe a bit more than I wanted.

Art!

Getting the color just right

Finding an open white space to add green too

Ellie trying to be patient while her sister paints

Masterpiece

So it actually takes longer to get out the easel, set-up, and clean-up then it takes to make a masterpiece. But, I needed a new art piece for the house. It looks like spring, wouldn't you say?

Weekend in Fargo

Pool time in Fargo

Ellie didn't like the pool. It was too cold!

Snacks... Ellie's favorite thing right now.

Burr... the pool was cold but thankfully my cousins are warm!

I'm in Fargo. Having lunch at Applebee's.

Afternoon swim. Hadley and Daddy on the slide.

Ellie (aka dudee) cheering.

Hadley was a bit cold from the pool. Also still waking up from nap.

Daddy playing letter with Hadley at dinner.

Sunday morning swim. Hadley was the most brave!