Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Happy 1st




Bela is ONE!! Everytime I think about it, I can't help but get emotional..
Over the last couple of months, there have been some really difficult things happening among our little heart friends. My heart goes out to the families of the many precious babies that have gone back to heaven recently, and the countless others who have been going through very hard situations. We pray for them constantly. I have to admit that I am sometimes terrified knowing that any given day something can happen that sends you spiriling down a very scary path. The last six months have been very good to us, and we count our blessings everyday. I cannot believe that I have an active, spunky, happy, and squirmy little one year old. I'm in awe...

getting help to blow out the candle..

just a little taste of the cake


It's been a crazy year, but I can honestly say it's been the best year of my life. Friday we got to celebrate with a party, and Saturday we were able to walk in the heart walk with so many others who are standing in our shoes. It was a great way to celebrate her birthday. As we walked the loop around the lake, it was very symbolic to me of the journey she has made and how far she has come.

She was really serious about her present opening..


do I eat it?


wow, there's something in it?


what is it, what is it?


I love it!


getting read her new balerina book by her cousins


Bela with Jersey's big sister Tatum


who me? Drama queen?


hanging out with her buddy Addison





Today is a great day because it is the LAST day Bel will have a tube on her pretty little face. We are going in tomorrow at 9:30 to give her tummy a button. I have come to really look forward to her button. I know that seems wierd, but I like that I don't have to stress and worry about her body getting what it needs. We'll still work on eating like crazy, but on those days when it just dosn't happen, I will always make sure she's healthy. She needs help with eating right now, some days she needs a lot of help. I cannot express how elated it makes me feel to know that I NEVER AGAIN HAVE TO SHOVE A TUBE DOWN HER THROAT!! Just the thought of it makes me want to shout for joy! I really can't even say how hard it has become for me latley. We had our consult yesterday and the surgeon could tell immediatley we were DONE! So she worked some magic and got us in for tomorrow. I love her already. :) She said they usually don't see babies that old with NG's still and that Bela needs it out. I fullheartedly agree!! So out with the old, in with the new. I'm a little bit nervous about anesthesia and the ventilator, but this will be so good for Bela (and for us and our sanity), that I am more relieved than nervous. We should just be there overnight and home the next day.. that's the plan anyway!

32 comments:

Auburn said...

Avery - I'm so excited for you and your little family! That is so great that Bela's tube will be gone! What a blessing.

The Simmons Family said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BELA!!! I am so excited that you're getting your new belly "button" tomorrow. No more tube going down the nose.

We'll be praying for you!

I'm excited to hear how it goes. I've gone back and forth with Owen. I figure since he has O2 stuck to his face, why not an NG?! I feel a bit lost lately... and SCARED. It's all going to be fine. I'll just keep telling myself that! :)

Katie said...

Happy 1st Birthday Bela! I was checking your blog over the weekend, excited to see this post!Cute party and such a cute one year old too :) I'm with you on the emotional part...we're 9 days from Maddie's 1st and I'm quite teary. Good luck with Bela's g-tube surgery tomorrow, I'll say a little prayer for her tonight.
Love,
Katie & Maddie

Brittany & Barry said...

Happy Birthday Bela! She's such a little cutie! What a cute cake.

Sally Jensen Interiors said...

Can't wait to see those sweet little cheeks with nothing on them. Love her to pieces. I love to watch her sit up and explore so many new things. Good luck tomorrow and let us know if you need anything.

caitlin wilson said...

oh bela girl HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! What a great little party she had!

Anonymous said...

She has the same birthday as me:) Sweetest Girl:) Im happy you have made it through your tough first year! Go Bela!

Anonymous said...

sorry i didnt leave my urllast comment!

Molly Wright said...

We will be praying for her tomorrow. You will be in just long enough to say hi to all the friends up there, have some good ice, delicious Cuisine on Call and then go home! Good luck!

ashley said...

happy birthday!

what a year! i am constantly amazed by your family. good luck tomorrow, i will be thinking and praying for the big one year old!

Susie Maxwell said...

Happy Birthday Bela! Thanks for posting the fun pics, the cake looked amazing! We're getting excited for Teagan's big '1st' in a few weeks, these girls have had quite a year! We'll be praying for Bela too, what a relief to know that you'll never have to put that yucky tube back in! Now all you'll be looking at is that beautiful face! So happy for all of you!

Anonymous said...

I am so glad she gets her tube out! Great seeing you guys the other day! Hang in there :)

The B Family said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELA!!! What a special, special day! (& the cake is GORGEOUS!!! It fits her to a T!)

Praying for Bela today and her new button! She is just absolutely adorable with a tube across her face but we are looking forward to seeing her face without tubes and tape!

Love y'all~ Rebecca

Ali said...

that is so great! she really is amazing. She had such a fun time at her party, I loved it!

Matt and Jennae Porter said...

Happy Birthday Bela! What an amazing crazy year you guys have had. She is absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to see those cheeks without tubes and tape on them... she'll be even more beautiful than before, if that's even possible. Hope all goes well with her surgery. This will be a cinch compared to what she's been through and I'm glad for how much easier your life will be because of it. We love you guys. Happy Birthday pretty girl!!

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday Bela! I sent a small present home with Molly. Hope the surgery goes well today. Yay...no more NG tubes! I'll be thinking about you.
With love,
Nicole

Erin said...

Hey Avery so excited to hear that you got in so fast!!! And no more tube...HALLELUJAH!!! She will be so much happier and so will you. I will give you a call on Friday afternoon to see how things went and what we can do for ya. Maybe we can plan a visit for sometime next week. Congrats my friend on a big milestone with Miss B turning 1 and for making it this far. The best is yet to come!!!

Cindy said...

We are thrilled for these monumental days! Birthday and no more tube!

Such great blessings. What a year. You guys are amazing.

La said...

Happy Birthday to Bela. I wish more than anything we could have been there. Stupid Road Show!

We love you guys.

Good luck today.

thegoulds said...

Congratulations on Bela's first birhtday and getting those Tubes out! We're so happy for you!

Stu and Angie Milne said...

hooray! no more NG! i'm excited to see you guys saturday and bela with a free face! i love all the pictures of bels, she's such a beauty! happy 1st birthday bela girl!

Landvatter Family said...

Happy birthday to Bela. I love these pictures and am so glad that you guys can get rid of the tube!

Andrea said...

Happy Birthday Bela!! Loved the pictures. She is adorable.
Hope her procedure when well. You guys continue to amaze me.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Bela! How exciting! It looks like she had fun at her party. Her cake is adorable. Let us know how the tube procedure goes.

lundgrenville said...

Avery-
What beautiful pictures of your precious little Bela. She is so darling.
And Bela, your a big girl now..which means no more problems for mom and dad! Dont forget little one.
Im so glad you were able to enjoy her birthday with her in your own home. She looks so healthy and strong.
Yay! Bela, your getting a new belly 'button' tomorrow. How exciting.
You will all be in our thoughts and prayers...We love you little Bela...

Branton Family said...

Happy Birthday Bela! I am so happy you are doing so well. Keep it up! Love, The Brantons

Evie's Story said...

Oh Avery, she looks SO good! Beautiful birthday pictures of the princess! This is indeed a huge milestone and I totally "get" the emotion and sentiment attached to this day. We are trusting the Lord for many, many more wonderful years to come. What a testimony of His goodness in her life and healing of her sweet heart! Blessings sweet girl!
heart friend Evie~

likeschocolate said...

Happy Birthday Bella! You are a star! Wishing you the best in the up coming year.

Dallas and Krista said...

Bela's birthday was so wonderful. I hope that she is doing well haver getting her button! XOXO

Ani said...

Happy Birthday to Bela! You guys have had quite the year, and your strength and courage is so inspiring to everyone. Thank you so much for sharing your story on your blog!
-Ani (bewsey) Taylor

Mimi said...

Oh Happy birthday sweet girl! The pictures of her opening her gifts brought a little tear to my eye. There is something special about the first birthday.

I am celebrating with you- how I wish our NG was gone!!

Candice said...

Happy Birthday Bella. Your life is such an inspiration to so many. Your so special in so many ways. I hope you have a wonderful birthday.