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.

Annie goes vegan!

Yes, she's sick again. No surprise but we are so thankful that we had a week and a half of healthy Annie. Today Elly talked with her pulmonologist and her pediatrician and we are going to try putting her on a new formula that has no milk (not even soy). It appears as though Elly the vegetarian is having an influence! It's a bit of a shot in the dark but it's not another scary drug so we try. We see the pediatrician tomorrow and the pulmonologist next week --more to come.