An answer to our prayers

Anna had her annual cardiologist check-up today to see how her VSD is doing. Very very good news for us! The doctor said that it was difficult to find, but they did see a tiny area that was not quite closed....the gap has closed significantly from one year ago (when the could actually take a pressure reading of the flow). Now it is so small, there is no pressure, just a little bitty leak. We'll go back again next year and most likely the VSD will be completely closed.

In the meantime, still no restrictions on her whatsoever & she will continue to whirl about in her beautiful, energetic spirit.

Also, we actually had a great time at the doctor's office (if you can imagine that!) Anna's pediatric cardiologist blows it all out on Halloween. This year's theme was "Wizard of Oz"! It was truly an amazing sight to see the yellow brick road they had created, as well as the Emerald City and all the other scenes. Each person was decked out in an incredible costume & looked fantastic!! The cowardly lion was Anna's first stop....it was pretty funny when the "lion" realized it was going to be difficult to get the stethescope into her real ears! Next was the doctor....replete in an elf costume.....Anna wasn't too sure what to make of her silly hairdo. And then the wonderful and sweet echocardiogram tech was perfect as Dorothy.....including Toto in a basket!

Anna was SUCH an amazing brave girl.....the first thing she told me this morning when she awoke was "Mommy, I not going to cry at the doctor office....I be brave" She melts my heart. And she was brave and not scared at all. Or at least I didn't think she was until about halfway into the echo, I saw her reach up and wipe a tear from her eye :-( She was bravely holding her emotions in check.....but she was obviously scared when they hooked up the wires to her chest. What a precious gift we have in Anna.

I'll post the pictures from the Oz office as soon as I receive them. Happy Halloween!!

4 days...

....until the whirlwind season of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. The next 10 weeks will come in and out like a blizzard. I wish I could say I'm looking forward to it, but alas, (as usual) I'm not as prepared as I ALWAYS aspire to be. Well, at least I'm consistent!

We do have a few trips planned that I'm SO looking forward to. First one in two weeks will be our way-overdue trip to Hot-lanta to visit old friends and also visit with my bloggy friend Debbie & Dan and perfecto kids Ian and LiLi. You'll remember Ian....he was the too-adorable young man, holding my daughter's hand at the beach :-)

Then we'll be heading to Vero Beach for the Thanksgiving holidays....I'm really looking forward to that too. AND, I'm certain this will be a more pleasant drive than last year, when my DH decided that "Natalie doesn't need a DVD in the car....she can amuse herself by looking out the window like I did when I was her age!".....needless to say, that was the trip from he-double hockey sticks, as Natalie pouted and fumed and was "bored" for 10 straight hours. THIS year, I totally bypassed DH and bought not one, but TWO portable DVD players. One for each kidlet. How smart am I? Now they don't even have to share. So I don't have to hear the squabbles or anything! Ha! I'll teach him :-)

So, in an effort to stay on top of current events, here's my latest photo journal....

We walked to our church "trunk or treat" earlier this week....Anna is enthralled with her candy...she's a sugar freak. :-(



The cutest little black cats in the world! (Or should that be "sassy" black cat?)

I went to Anna's room the other day to see what trouble she was cooking up and was surprised to see she had written these letters all by herself! A smart and sassy cookie.

Natalie particiated in a Stix performance at church recently....she did a great job and this picture does not do her justice. Maybe I'll stick the video on the blog.

This is what Anna came up with the other day as a lovely outfit. I have a similar photo of Natalie wearing this same tutu when she was 2.....over her footie PJs, riding her new tricycle with her helmet on...a favorite of mine, and so is this one.

The end.

Children of the Corn(Maze)

What a difference a year makes...

One year ago today we were introduced to our adorable youngest daughter, Anna, who was known at the time as ChangChang. She came into our family at the perfect time and has been an incredible joy to us.

The picture above shows our Anna after only being with us for an hour. She looks so sad, with her teary eyes and quivering lip.....although she was prepared for her new family, she still was terrified at first.



Fast forward to a couple of hours later and our first dinner.....see that impish smile and sparkle in her eyes? That's the Anna we know. It still amazes us that she was comfortable enough within a few hours to be her naturally goofy self.

I've always loved this picture of Roger giving Anna a smooch a few days later....remember, she would not have anything to do with him for the first several days.....it was so hard for him not to be able to hold her. Now, she adores her daddy & cannot get enough of him.

Before (above)

Same bubbly, sweet smile (and SLIGHTLY more hair has been cultivated :-)

After (below)



HAPPY FIRST GOTCHA DAY, ANNA!!

We love you and we're so happy and fortunate that you are our daughter!