Washington trip Part 1

The Lighthouse in Westport, WA- Morgan, Johnathen and I hiked the 135 steps to the top! Johnathen was pretty freaked out about the height. My dream come true!!! All my family pedaling a bike around Ocean Shores. Ok after the first 5 mins we were done. Pedaling a Flintstone car with 6 people in it is hard work! The kids loved it!

I tried to get Severin to walk for the first time, but it was a no go. He did hold my hand and walk a few steps on the beach. Next visit I'm sure he will be running!

The kids were sooooo very excited to see the ocean! Neleh kept asking on the way"where are we?" (We would tell her)" where are we going?" (to Washington)" oh yeah sos Eyes can put my feetsies in the Oooshun"

Severin LOVED every moment on the beach. I even got him a shirt that says"future beach Bum". The water was cold but he wanted to join the kids, so out to the water he went. The first wave... SPLAT in the face, he gasped for breath and then took off after it. No fear, NO stopping this one.

Is this a form of child abuse???

These are pics of Severin.
First is on our Family vacation this past week to the ocean in Washington. Pink cheekies, his nail beds were even pink! Even when he got really cold in the freezing water, he maintained his color. AND no O2 the whole week.

The second pic is tonight eating dinner at home. Sure he is smiley and enjoying watermelon and canalope all over his face. But his color changed. He is more blue/grey. His little finger nails and toe nails look bruised- I keep thinking they are. By Idaho, Thom and I could see the difference in his coloring.
This breaks my heart! This is his life, and I will accept it because it is the only life we will know. Oh my precious boy, what life will this be for you!? Restrictions? Limitations? Surgeries? Too many Dr appointments to count? Please have a love of life, have a love for YOUR life! I pray always that I am making the same choices for you that you would make yourself.

Here we go again!!!

Croup... Yuck! I think it has something to do with when he was intubated before and after his 1st surgery, scar tissue or something. Lucky me I still had a steroid tablet from last time. Severin took it, shivered, gaged, and promptly barfed everything out. I called the Ped. to see how long I should wait before I have to get him a shot. Hopefully we will not be making our 3rd trip to the Ped within the week.

One year well baby visit July 19, 2011

Severin had his ONE year old visit with Dr. Paxton today. He weighs 20 pounds!!! This is what I was hoping for. Cristina the MA and I both cheered for Severin, he clapped for himself while sitting on the scale. That puts him in the 10% for weight. His height is 29 inches,( 27%). Both of which are VERY awesome numbers for our little guy. Our goal for this appointment is to SLEEP through the night. I am trying to stop nursing (one time at night) and packing his food/calories all into the day. Hopefully this will satisfy him for the night.
I love these great news appointments BUT I have that nasty nagging thought in my head- 10 more pounds before the next surgery. Just like with his Glen, I wanted him at 14 pounds, he did it right before surgery. I can't say this enough, "We are REALLY going to enjoy this next year"

Friends brought together by two special little hearts

Our Heart buddy Logan came to celebrate with us. It was so good to see Logan happy and doing so well. We were privileged to have not only one miracle Superman amongst us, but we had TWO!

Pictures from Severin's First Birthday Party

It didn't even dawn on me until Tuesday that it might rain on Thursday. So all day Thursday I watched the sky. Things looked good at 4:00 I was on time and on schedule! I was so excited. My friend Megan is down from WA, and boy am I glad she was! By 5:00 we loaded the truck and both our vans. The clouds were rolling in. We got to the park and started unloading, the rain was a fine mist. As the rain increased, I had Thom go and open the church. Thankfully the clerk gig has its benefits and our church was right across the street from the park. Load/unload #3 everything back in the vans, to go across the street. The kids are LOVING this, no carseats, no buckles, no shoes. We unload #4 into the church in a down pour. The gutters are overflowing in a matter of minutes. We start setting up in the church. I am now an hour BEHIND my schedule. And what should appear? The sun! So back into the vans all the junk (and children) go. Thom didn't want to waste his 50 bucks he spent on the pavillion. By now I really do not care, I look like a drown rat, and I'm about in tears. Thank you Megan for reminding me to breathe. Good news is by unload #6 we had plenty of party goers to help. So the party got started an hour late (Quist standard time) It was beautiful weather. We were so blessed to have so many come and love our little Superman.
Daddy, Mommy and Severin
The whole Fam! Dad, Mom, Severin, Neleh, Morgan and Johnathen
Severin clapped for himself after we had sung "Happy Birthday"
CAKE EATER!!
His hair is getting so curly, he had a great time!
As part of this very special day I also wanted to honor the Angel Heart babies. Every year over 4000 babies do not live to their first birthday, because of their heart defect. I had 40 heart shaped balloons to represent these Angels. I also had 30 Angel names and their type of defect- if known. With a little work we were able to send them off to heaven.

Severin was spoiled by all who came. When we came home we put the older kids to bed and let Severin play with his toys until midnight. What an amazing day for an amazing little boy. Thank you to all who came and shared this day. Thanks to all who prayed for this day to come. Severin's life is truly our greatest gift!

Severin's First Birthday Party!

Yes it is true my baby is almost one! It has been one hell of a year and he deserves a big shabang! Please join us at the park on Main and Maple. He is truly our Superman!