Monday, July 27, 2009

This & That!

I was reading on Kaitlyn's blog today about the FDA approving a new transcatheter valve replacement. Basically meaning that transcatheter valve replacements for RVOTO (right ventricular outflow tract obstruction - usually associated with ToF) patients would be approved for the US. I'm so giddy, because this means that Vaeh wouldn't have to anymore open heart surgeries! Can you say... WOO HOO?!?!?!?! Click here to read the article about the device. They even show a picture of the valve & the catheter that they use to place it.

Things around here are going okay. We've had some frustration with Jon's upcoming physical for his employer. Since he has a commercial driver's license (CDL) he has to have a physical every year. Its been quite a headache in the past as he has sleep apnea. They really crack down on drivers who have this. So, Jon has to sleep with a CPAP & has to have the machine "down-loaded" every year so that they will pass him to drive. Well, he went up on Friday last week & found out that they aren't going to accept things this year without a "maintenance of wakefulness" test. Basically he has to go up to the sleep clinic, they wire him up to monitor him while he sits in a dimly lit room for 40 minutes. During that time, he's not allowed to sing, talk, etc., to try to stay awake. Basically he has to stay completely still & not fall asleep! If he falls "asleep" for more that 10 seconds... he would fail. Lets just say this has been a big thorn in our side. The one good thing is that Daddy has been home since last Wednesday night!!

The girls are doing really well:0) Gabby is getting really excited about starting kindergarten. She's got until September to wait, though, so I think its going to be a long month of August! Miss Vaeh is doing great!! She's really enjoying being able to get outside & play this summer. This is really the first year that she hasn't had to stay inside, so she's getting her fill of the great outdoors!

This past weekend we were finally able to go for our photo shoot with the Littlest Heroes Project. It was a wonderful day! The photographer that we were connected with (Amanda McKinley from Mom-A-Razzi photography) was great to work with. She did an great job of getting the girls into different areas to get shots of them! She even included Gabby, taking bunches of shots of the girls together & one or two of just Gabby! We had the session at the Franklin Park Conservatory in Columbus & it was beautiful!! The girls really loved the "butterfly room". We did pictures both inside the conservatory & outside, once the clouds/rain passed. Then it was onto the Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner before coming home - yummy!! As for the photos... Amanda said that she would have a CD of them to me in about 2 weeks. So once I get them, you can bet that I'll be sharing them!!

On a fun side note, one of my blogging friends Amber (Gracie B's Momma) & her family had a very exciting weekend, too! They were able to bring the newest member of their family home from the NICU!! They are in the process of adopting little Mr. Jacob & he's just as cute as could be! Pop on over the their blog to see pictures of their family!

Thanks for stopping in to check up on us (when I finally get around to posting;0) )! We really love you all!

PS - Please keep McMama, Stellan & their family in your prayers. Stellan is not doing well & is on his way to Boston again:0(

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Busy!

Yet another busy week and a half here! Its just normal life here lately, since we don't go back to see the cardiologist until mid August. I'm really anxious to see the cardiologist to see what her pressures have done.

This weekend we had a wedding to go to. A couple of family friends tied the knot! It was an absolute blast to see both my girls running around having such fun! They danced the night away...



Even Daddy got into the mood, dancing with his girls!


Little Miss Vaeh is growing into such a little lady! She's even trying to wear my shoes ;0)

But you put her into the tub, & she's back to the antics of a normal 2 and a half year old! Watch out... she'll get ya! She's been trying to squirt everyone who comes in the bathroom when she's in the tub!



Its been so fun to do such normal things with her this summer, & not to have to plan our time around doctor's visits. Tonight we may head out to the Armstrong Museum to watch the laser light show. This year is the 40th anniversary of the moon landing & man's first walk on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first to step on the moon's surface & he happened to be born & raised here in our little town - Wapakoneta. This just also happens to be my aunt's birthday - she was born around the same time they landed on the surface! Of course there's always a festival around July 20th to celebrate our native son's fame & putting Wapak on the map!

Hope everyone is still enjoying their summer! It really seems to speed up after the 4th of July, huh?! I do have to say that I am enjoying these mild temperatures! Its been in the high 70's/low 80's for the past several days & has been cooling off quite nicely in the evenings - great sleeping weather! Hopefully it will stay like this... maybe for good?! (just kidding;0) )
I'm hoping that next weekend I'll have some great photos to share. We are scheduled for Vaeh's photo shoot for the Littlest Heroes Project. I'm really excited to see how they turn out. We're going to the Franklin conservatory, which is basically like an inside garden. This should work out nice so that we don't have to worry about the weather! I PROMISE I'll post some of the photos as soon as I can! Have a great week!!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Here we go again...

Yep, that's right. Another catch up post. I am really a slacker here lately! I guess that's what happens when you get older! Today is my, ahem... 34th birthday. Sigh. (LoL) Its also my sister-in-law's, & my two cousins' birthday, too! So, if you all are reading this post... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

So, back to the catching up. We've been having fun around here! We're trying to get things ready for our fish tank, so that we can get it set up vs. sitting in the garage. I still need to get some stone for it (about 90lbs. more) & get the filter situation figured out. So, maybe by... Christmas we'll have fish in it (LoL)! Believe it or not, the MUCH smaller tank we have, we actually have 3 of the little glow fish that have lasted nearly 2 months, which is a record around here ;0)

The girls are very normal! Fighting like most sisters do... so nice (in its own way) to have such normalcy around here!

Of course, we had quite the weekend with celebrating the holiday, & the multi-faceted birthday party! On Friday, we went down to our church for the annual 4th of July celebration. They've been having a little festival of sorts for the last 10 years or so. It started as just a church function, but has blossomed into a full blown carnival. They have free hot dogs, hamburgers & chips. They also have funnel cakes, cotton candy... all the typical carnival stuff. Usually there's a show in the sanctuary for the kids, then its on to the fireworks! They are some of the best in our area. Here's some pictures ...



Poor Vaeh... screamed after the first one went off & Jon had to take her inside. It was kind of cloudy, so the noise level was a little higher. All in all, they girls had a wonderful time! Then on the 4th, it was a surprise birthday for one of my birthday-sharing cousins. We had a nice time just chatting with family.

Today I plan on catching up on things around the house. What a way to spend my birthday, huh?! Hope everyone else is enjoying their summer!