Playing outside

I took Dahlia to play outside the other day and she discovered leaves!  She was cracking me up with all the silly faces she was making and how excited she was.  When she was in the hospital for almost the first six months of her life, she was confined to a hospital room and never saw the light of day. Now that she has a second chance at life, little things that are normally taken for granted, like going outside to play are never taken for granted.  We will always remember where Dahlia once was and how far she has come, and not a day goes by that we don't think about her donor.

happy birthday ava!

Today Ava turned six years old.  When she came home from school she was so excited to show me the birthday crown and gift bag her teacher gave her.  Ava is such a sweet girl who is always cheerful, always willing to help me with baby Dahlia and Laila.  Her sisters and I really miss her while she is away at school each day.

happy halloween!

happy birthday laila!

Today Laila turned four years old.  At four years old she loves washing her hands over and over, all day long; putting soap on tooth brushes left out on the bathroom counter; stealing her sister's medicine syringes and filling them with water to squirt on people.  She loves cuddling her mama and giving her baby sister way too many kisses; sassing off to her big brothers and daddy and playing barbies with her big sister.  We love our sweet, sassy little Laila and all the sunshine she brings into our home!

a little break

Recently we went on a little get away to South Toledo Bend State Park.  My sister and her family joined us and we had a nice, relaxing time.  We stayed in the cabins there; my kind of camping!  In the past we had always gone in August and it was always so hot, that being outside was miserable, unless you were swimming.  This time we had perfect weather and were able to enjoy being outside.  It was also perfect weather at night for a campfire and s'mores.

glasses

Back when school started Dario told us that he couldn't see the board anymore.  So we took him in to get his vision checked, and sure enough he needed glasses.  Brian and I both started wearing glasses around Dario's age, so it didn't surprise me at all that he needed glasses.  Luckily children's glasses are much more stylish now, than back when I was a child!

this past weekend

We spent this past weekend with my sister's family and celebrated our niece Lorelei's first birthday.  It is always cute seeing Dahlia and Lorelei together.  When Lorelei saw Dahlia she patted her on the head and tried to kiss her cheek.  I can't wait until Dahlia learns to walk and those two can run around and play together!

dahlias

Beautiful dahlia flowers for baby Dahlia's first birthday.  It still amazes me that Brian and I both chose the exact same, uncommon name for our baby without ever mentioning anything to each other.

happy birthday!

Dear Dahlia,

Today we celebrated your first birthday and the miracle that is your life.  Little did we know when you were born, what a year we would be in for!  There were times we felt like our hearts would break, seeing you so sick and being completely helpless to do anything, except hold your tiny hand and pray.  There were moments of pure joy, when we received the news that a heart was available, and because of a compassionate and generous donor family, your life would be spared. We feel honored and blessed to be your parents.  You have been nothing but a blessing in our lives.  Thank you for teaching us what is important in life, that miracles exist, and that God does not abandon his children.

love, mama and daddy

sick again

On Friday Dahlia came home from being admitted to Texas Children's for a couple of days.  She went in on Wednesday because she had been throwing up.  Right now because Dahlia is so young and recently had her transplant, any time she is sick with something other than a common cold, she will have to be admitted to the hospital to be monitored.  Dahlia has been admitted to the hospital about every two months since she was discharged from the hospital.  I'm hoping this time we get a longer break in between hospitalizations.  It has become pretty traumatic for her and she is now afraid of anyone wearing scrubs, as soon as they come near the tears start flowing!  Brian went in with Dahlia because I was sick also with a horrible cold.  Brian is such a good dad and Dahlia is really attached to him.  The kids were very anxious while Dahlia was gone and kept asking if she was going to be okay and when she was coming home.  We were all very happy and relieved when Dahlia and daddy came home.

sweet baby

We have gotten a little break from the summer heat here lately.  It has been so nice to take Dahlia outside to play and not have to worry about her having a heat stroke!  Now that school has started it's just Dahlia and Laila at home with me and it's been so relaxing and peaceful compared to the chaos of the summer!

first day of school

The kids had their first day of school on Monday.  Dario started fourth grade, Aiden started third grade, and Ava started kindergarten.  It was bittersweet to have sweet Ava start school, but her excitement helped ease my anxiety!  She loved getting to pick out which outfit she would wear on the first day.  She has the same teacher the boys had in kindergarten, and had a great first day.  All of the kids rode the bus home from school.  I told the boys to be sure and sit near Ava on the bus and help her when it is time to get off.  Laila was so excited when all the kids got back home.  The day before school started Ava told Laila, "tomorrow I won't be here, I'll be at school." Laila told Ava she would miss her so much.

11 months

 Dahlia turned 11 months old this week.  I can't believe she is almost a year old!  Her heart catheterization and biopsy she had a couple of weeks ago went great.  Her heart is functioning well with no signs of rejection. Dahlia is working with a physical therapist each week and she is slowly becoming more mobile.  I can't wait until she starts crawling around everywhere!

Ava has been wanting to get her ears pierced for awhile now.  We took her to get them pierced on Friday as a special treat for her before school starts. She will be starting kindergarten in two weeks!  She was excited but a little nervous also. We let her pick out which pair she liked the best, and of course she picked the most expensive white gold pair!  Daddy was able to hold her on his lap while she got them pierced.  Afterwards she looked at her ears in the mirror every chance she got!