Bela Girl

Tanner-- is BUSY. Between work and family there really isn't much time for much else. He is loving work, fortunatley staying busy in a field that hasn't been too great for some others in his line of work lately. I would have to say that his most favorite thing to do is rock and sing to his little girl...She has definatley stolen his heart big time. He calls her his Belarina and she is in love with him. Me-- hmmm...where to start? I'm not sure most of the time what exactly it is that completley fills my days and keeps me so busy, but there's a lot of it whatever it is. THere's a lot of changing thrown-up-on clothes, changing diapers, giving meds, checking NG tube placement, filling bags of milk, pump feeds, rocking, puzzles, car crashing (Benson's cars), chasing, cleaning up messes..you get the point. Life is crazy and fun with a 2 and a half year old and a 5 month old with a CHD. I had 12 apointments in the last two weeks... really, 12. I even threw one fo...

has been pretty uneventful...YEAH! We couldn't ask for more at this point. Our little Bela has decided to play by the rules for the first time in her life..(well, sort of). Last Friday we made a little trip to the ER, just because she dosn't like to go too long without some thrills, I think. She had a very wet cough all last week and we were paranoid it was possibly the start of another big problem...that is how her recent heart failure all started. So we went in to have some tests done and they all came back looking great. Phew! First trip to the ER ever that didn't end up in admission. We were prepared for it but hoping and praying for it NOT to happen. She gave everyone she saw big smiles, and we knew soon after that she was okay. THe cough mysteriously decided to dissapear the next day. It was nasty while it lasted though, and has come and gone too much in her little life, so we decided to do some more testing. We went in for a barium swallow study today afte...

We've shared our journey to some extent with the Ridgway family and their beautiful baby girl Eden Grace who was born the same day as Bela. It is with a very heavy heart that I make this post to write of her passing yesterday, but I write it to invite all those who read this to please pray for her family during this time. We can only imagine how difficult this time is for them, and know that they are in need of all the support and prayers that they can get. So please pray for them. Their blog is linked under our heart friends section if anyone feels prompted to leave them a message. Eden was an incredibly strong little girl who fought a valient fight. She went through so much, and I know that now she is free of any pain or suffering, and held in the loving arms of our Savior. She and her parents inspired and taught our family and her legacy will live on in the countless lives that she has touched. We love you Marcus and Keisa.

We started the month of June out like this: That day still haunts me sometimes...the thoughts of losing her and wondering if I was strong enough to get through that. I still think back on the day and am in awe of the blessings that were given to us. The blessing of life. We got to the hospital with no time to spare, in fact, her heart was already in full failure by that time. They were ready to help her and they did just in time. My little angel fought until she was where she needed to be to be saved. I still can't utter a word of prayer without thanking my father in heaven for the happeninings of that day. I would get to the hospital in the mornings, and for the first time be compleltey releived to see her this way...comfortable, not doing any work, just resting. She needed a break. Her body had been working so hard, unknown to all of us. Her left lung was completley collapsed with her right lung close to it. Her heart was trying to do so much work to pump with all that...