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!