Annie gets a personal trainer

Annie went to Lenox Hill yesterday for her assessment. She continues to do well but her tone is weak (Annie is still not sitting up). So...Annie should be starting physical therapy soon. I'm hoping that if she and I get on a good abdominal routine now we should look fabulous in our bikinis this summer!!

The Storm Abates..

It is with so much joy that we share with all of you that Annie has been well for over three weeks. We waited to share this with you until our impression was 'made official' by Annie's doctors. This week we have been to her pulmonologist and pediatrician. My favorite quote was her pulmonologist who said after listening to her breathe, "I don't believe it. This is just not the same baby." It's at times like these, when we can take a moment to breathe a sight of relief, that we realize just how scary it has been.

Too many days these past several months, our time with Annie has been spent counting down the minutes until she can have her medicine again. Praying that the coughing and gagging will stop. Scared because nothing seemed to be working. These past few weeks, we have tickled her belly and heard a hearty laugh. Played school (Annie and Luke are the teachers and Steve and I are the 'children') or watched her happily rolling and cooing on the floor.

It's not over and we know that. Annie could get sick again tomorrow but we will face that when it comes. For now, we celebrate the blessing of this happy, healthy girl.

We are so thankful to you, our friends and family, who have been unfailing in your support and love. Most of all, I think of (and thank!) our precious boy, Luke, who has done nothing but love his little sister with all of his might.

Next week we are back at the hospital when Annie was born for an assessment for developmental delay. We will be sure to post an update afterwards.

Love to all!

Happy New Year!

Well, we were running around with the baby caravan (why is it baby's have so much stuff?) for much of the holiday. Annie is still in need of frequent breathing treatments so she had her own bag of meds and equipment. We survived an ear infection for her on Christmas Eve (thankfully the doctor's office is always open!) and, unfortunately, Annie's breathing took a turn for the worse. We all most had to put her on some heavy duty steroids (she continues to be on one steroid) but she improved just in time. I would like to point out that our pediatrician, who went to great lengths to make herself available to us throughout the holiday, told me to put on my 'dunce cap' because I did not reach out to her soon enough when Annie wasn't doing too well. I was forced to wear the dunce cap for several days. It was bad. It has now been removed and I am back in her good graces (a place where I hope to stay forever -I don't want to get in trouble again!).

Good news is we are all doing quite well and even went back to toning down Annie's steroids a bit on Monday (we had to up them when she got sick). Let's see how long this will last!!! Holiday photos to come. Luke is a BIG fan of Santa.

Happy Christmas Eve

Yeah, Annie rolled over!

Jesus is born!

Life is good.

Year End Report

Couple of updates, Annie is not so little. She is 16lbs, 7 ounces. Humongo. With adorable chubby cheeks to prove it. We went back to her (ahem, AWESOME) pediatrician last week and, for the SECOND time, in three months, her lungs and breathing were clear (so..imagine how many times they have not been clear). What a blessing to face the holidays knowing that she is getting stronger every day. Yes, this year was and next year will certainly be hard. But Annie continually proves to us just how tough, loving, and joyful she is. I also need to stress the joyful part. This girl loves to laugh. Despite having a mask over her face (she breathes in her medicine), Annie always takes a moment to look up and smile at us. There is so much to learn from this little soul. Let's be honest, she has spent more days sick or struggling to breathe then she has healthy in these months that she has been with us. Yet, Annie does not count the days. If anyone lives in the light and love of those around her, it's Annie. God bless her and God bless all of you for the strength and love that you continually send us.

So, on to the family footage! Annie loves to pull Luke's hair. And Luke, who is one of the most compasstionate, caring people I know, happily offers up his hair to her!

BTW, the photo on top is a familiar sight around our house. When Annie is having trouble sleeping bc she is coughing so badly, she is somehow always able to sleep on Daddy's chest. I can't begin to count how many nights I have caught the two of them on the couch!

ROR

We hit the pumlonologist last week and Annie definitely did much better than last time! She even aced to O2 check and got her highest reading ever --100%! No one is overly concerned about the wheezing (she can grow out of that) the problem is the coughing/gagging/schtick that she likes to put us though. We are starting to very slowly decrease her steroid level and see how she responds. Otherwise, we will stay on top of her with the other medication that keeps her airway relaxed/open/happy (whatever the appropriate term is for it).

In other news, we had our first family photos taken around our xmas tree this weekend. I am so excited to see them. It's the first time Annie has been healthy that we have gotten some pictures all together! I also have a hysterical video of Luke and Annie that I will have to share with everyone.

More to come!

Babytism!

Sorry to take so long to post but, while Annie is doing better, Steve and I are sick!! [insert collective sigh of sympathy here]

This weekend, Annie had her Baptism at Church of the Ascenscion (our neighborhood parish). For those of you who know us Catholics, waiting 6 months is like waiting an eternity but Annie's health didn't really allow us another opportunity. Annie was sick with an ear infection and it was looking a little shaky for a while but we decided to move forward. What a blessing that we did. I can't tell you what a magical day that was for all of us. Our dear friend Father Valenti came in for the ceremony. I allmost burst out crying when I realized that Annie was finally big and strong and, perhaps most importantly, I was releasing her to God's care. There was an incredibly pervasive feeling of calm, strength and love from everyone there. We are so thankful for the friends and family that came that day and for the countless others who we know were thinking of us. Love to everyone.

Annie hits the pulmonologist tomorrow so...more to come... but, for now, I thought you would enjoy hearing about this wonderful day.