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Monday, February 28, 2011

Blahhhh…

I know here comes Debby Downer… I am! I am just down… and the only thing worse than me being down is Mike being down… and he is. I mean who could blame him, he is here, right along side me… trying to get through the days…waiting and waiting and some more waiting. Watching subtle changes in his little girl, our little girl reminding us that her heart is getting weaker. For as much as Katy is the light of my life…she clearly hung the moon in Mike’s eyes. I have never before seen such an amazingly, wonderful relationship than the one that Mike and Katy share. From day one they have been smitten with each other and let me tell you how happy that makes my heart! I love that they each have the other wrapped around each others fingers.

So although, I could tell you all the ways our life could be worse… and I know it could. I am reminded of what a dear friend always says when I say that…she kindly tells me that I am right, it could be a lot worse, but it could be a heck of a lot better. I suppose she is right, but when I think that, I’m reminded that maybe some of our days are long and our nights are often sleepless, but most times are days are fun, and we are busy making happy memories, and our faith is restored when friends, family and sometimes perfect strangers do nice things for our family because we are going through a difficult time.

So in an effort to take back our life, and to STOP living ( if you can even call what we have been doing living) and take back control of our days, our lives, both as a family, as a couple and individually.

It is best for all of us, but I know its certainly not going to be easy.

The kids are signed up for story hours twice a week.

A Family membership to the Y was just so kindly and generously donated to our family. I plan on making good use of that member ship.

Mike and I had a date night on Saturday… I can’t tell you the last time we did that and it was ordered by Katy’s doctor.

So expect some more fun pictures and expect to see us getting back to the old ways… I know that in any moment our whole life can drastically change… but right now I am going back to the basics, remembering how to have fun and enjoy my family.

Thanks to all our new readers…welcome!! Glad to have you. I love hearing from you and love that prayers are being said for our family all over the world.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Stream Of Consciousness

Not a lot to say but it’s been awhile since I last blogged, and I find that the Stream of Consciousness blogs tend to be the most helpful to me when I am journaling scrapbook pages.

Speaking of scrapbook pages Katy & Patrick’s 1st set of Shutterfly books arrived today and can I tell you How HAPPY I am. They are my newest prized possessions. I love that Mike was excited as me when he saw the UPS truck pull up. THEY ARE GORGEOUS worth every penny. I am so excited to show them to Katy & Patrick tomorrow. Very happy for my decision to make they yearly books this way! I still love my paper crafting, but this is a great solution.

I have a ton of fun photos to share… sadly they were all taken on with my camera phone so I will share them once I figure out how to get them off my phone.

Katy is awesome! She continues to amaze us with her sense of humor and quick wit! She is shocking us with her ability to sort and count. Oh, and her vocabulary… I think I might have found my match! She can certainly talk me under the table. Mike like’s to remind of how I couldn’t wait to hear what her voice sounded like… well now I know and it’s usually music to my ears.

Katy’s heart… seems to be holding steady. We have noticed some changes in her this past week which are concerning to us but not yet alarming. We have informed the team and at this point we are just observing her and hoping that they turn out to be nothing. It’s official Kate is potty trained!

Patrick is doing well! Reminding us each and everyday how different boys are from girls. He is a mover and climber! Lately he has been especially interested in helping in the kitchen. He has also a new found love with LEGOS.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I’m Working On

( Blog Topic from Ali Edwards)

I’m working on organizing prints and ordering more prints in an effort to get scrapbooking and current on our family albums. Mike is helping with this process, and he so kindly pointed out to me, just how far behind I am. Which further validates my decision to do Katy & Patrick’s yearly albums digitally.

I’m working on making our house more like a home. We moved four mouths ago, and although the space is functional, it needs some reorganization and decorating. First room on the agenda is the kids bedroom, I want it to be a functional, fun & welcoming space.

I’m working on a new knitting project, after my crochet fiasco ( I just can’t get the hang of it) I casted on a cute knit sundress for Kate. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone, but definitely something I can handle.

I’m working on fundraising for the NSTAR walk for Children’s Hospital Boston! I am so very proud of everyone that has joined our team and is raising money for the hospital that has and continues to save my daughter’s life. I can’t wait to walk with all of you on June 12th.

I’m working on typing all of our favorite recipes. I HATE the mix matched recipes, some printed, some handwritten, some stained, assorted sizes. Looking to have them all neat and orderly, and I may even print them and put them in a BINDER!!! Don’t hold me to it.

I’m working on trying not to think about the fact that Kate has been on the transplant list for 7 MONTHS. I am trying to not watch the calendar pass us by, and all the dates that I in my head and said she would have a new healthy heart by, and this part of our story would be behind us. I know in my heart that the perfect heart for Kate will come when it is most needed, and I’m working on making peace with that.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Patrick’s Second Year Album

I just finished Patrick’s 2 year album, don’t even ask me about his 1st year. It’s next up on the agenda. Might even start it tomorrow. So here are a couple sneak peaks from my baby boys second year.

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If you would like to see the entire album click here

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine’s Day

From our little Valentine’s

Katy Valentine copyPatrick Valentine copy

Valentine art not my own…found from some lovely blogger!! Once I figure out who I will let you know!

Monday, February 07, 2011

Children’s NSTAR walk

How can we ever give back to the hospital that continues to save our daughter's life. We try and donate whenever we can, toiletries kits for the parents on 8 EAST, cookies at Christmas for the staff on 8 South, in that capacity we are only able to reach a handful of people.

Alone, we can't make a difference, but together I think we can. Together with 5000 other thankful people we can help raise over a MILLION dollars to give back to the hospital that has given us, and our sweet Katy Girl so much.

It is my hope, that you never need to know what a wonderful place Children's Hospital is. I know that before I learned of Katy's heart, I never knew just how lucky I was to live 15 minutes from one of the best, if not THE best Children's Hospital in the world. So together with our family and friends we hope to ROCK the WALK in honor of our ROCKSTAR Katy. Will you join us?!

To join Katy's Rockstars please go to: NSTAR WALK Sign Up sign up under Katy's Rockstars.

Can't walk but would like to help us give back, there are several ways to donate. You can donate directly at:Donate to NSTARs Katy's Rockstars Team, contact me to send a check, or use credit card/PayPal ChipIn!

If you have already joined our team or donated. THANK YOU!!! from the bottom of our hearts. THANK YOU for continuing to support our family as we embrace our journey. We love you and could not do it with our all of the ROCKSTARS that surround us.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Go RED

What's the #1 killer of women?

Heart Disease. About 8.6 million women world wide die each year due to heart disease. If that doesn't seem striking to you here's another statistic. 267,000 women die each year from heart attacks, just heart attacks, no other kind of heart disease, these 267,000 women are SIX times as many than those who die from Breast Cancer each year.

I meant to post this yesterday, to remind everyone.  Sorry…sometimes life gets in the way. 

Just wanted to thank of you who wore red today! We really appreciate it.  We hear so much about cancer and most often it is hard to mistake those bald heads.....but remember that Heart Defects are the number one killer of children...and heart disease is the number one killer of women. You cannot see their broken hearts underneath their clothing.

DISCLAIMMER: I try not to be all CHD (Congenial Heart Defect Awareness) All the time on here.  But, obviously its very near and dear to our hearts.  I plan to use this month to use this blog and spread some awareness about a very deadly, and very UNDERFUNDED Disease.

 

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Catch All, Catch Up

WOW 10 Days since my last post!  The old saying holds true, NO News is Good News.  Not to say that I don’t have anything to say, because really, when is that the case?!

So this is going to be a catchall of our happenings some of these tidbits may turn into their own posts but for now… here they are!

As I am sure you know we here in New England have been getting SLAMMED with some serious snow! As I type this the white stuff continues to fall.  I don’t mind the snow, I expect the snow, I see no reason in complaining about the snow.  That said I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE WE ARE GOING TO PUT ALL THE SNOW! I can barely see around snow banks while driving, and every time I pull out of my drive way I am risking my life  since I have no idea if there is a  car on the other side of that snow bank.

Snow play with a 2 & 3 year old is really more like snow torture for all involved.  We have gone out and really no one enjoys it, but we do it to say we did it.  We much prefer to make snowmen from the comfort of our warm living room in our jammies.

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Potty training was a complete success!! We couldn’t be more proud of Kate! Pee, Poop she does it all! She can even hold it, if needed and has no problem using a big toilet if her potty is not available! WOOHOO!

I unknowingly made the Dean’s list at school! Which was very exciting!  To be honest, I am shocked I am still dedicating my Saturdays for 10 hours, but I am and could not do it without Mike’s help!

I tackled my scrap room:

We went from this:

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to this:

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I’ll share more once I decide if I like it or not!

Sunday we were celebrating Mason’s 1st Birthday Party…When Katy spiked a fever of 103.7… thankfully turned out to be short lived and with a few cuddles, some Disney Movies in mama’s bed, Tylenol/Motrin cocktail she was fine by Monday morning! 

Most of our days are spent like this:

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You know Embracing our life! Heck usually we LOVE this life.