A Future In Modeling?

With all the talk about the little boy model with Down Syndrome used in a recent Target ad, I can't help thinking that some modeling agencies need to see this picture of Lily:

We did not pose her for this picture, she posed herself! Seriously, that could sell some kids jeans don't you think?! :)

Changes To Come

Hello Bloggy-world! This is just a quicky post to tell you about some of my plans for this blog.

But first, I know you all want an update on Lily :)

She is doing great! A few days ago (on 1-5-12) she started taking a few steps unassisted! The best part is that she thinks it's hilarious and is SOO proud of herself! You can just see it on her face, how proud she is :)

Also on 1-5-12 she started going to daycare a few mornings per week. In fact, she is there this morning and that's really the only reason ya'll are getting this update :).

So, the changes. Well, I'm planning to redesign the blog myself now that I have some Lily-free mornings. I am also going to try to post more (I know, I say that a lot). But really, with Lily in daycare some of the time, I think I might actually be able to follow through on that one. I work best in the mornings, especially when it comes to writing. And now I will have a few mornings to myself!

So here is a virtual toast to the new year and positive changes to come!

Lily's First Christmas!

As promised, here are the First Christmas photos. This first set was actually on the 22nd, opening a present from Rob's coworkers:

"What's this thing?"

"A bag? Oh, perfect!"

"Oh, a kitty! I get it now"

Meow!

The next set is from Christmas Eve: she got a trampoline and a few other things...

First time on the trampoline

Trying to teach her how to open presents...

A new walking toy!

It works like this...

And plays music!

And finally on Christmas Day, more presents!

Her favorite "present" was the coffee table.

Blocks!

"Lily's First Christmas"

Mommy had to open most of the presents for her....

"Look at this mess! I didn't make it"

Happy New Year, everyone!

Picture Catch-Up

Here are a few pictures from before Christmas...I'll save the Christmas pictures for the next post :)

Om Nom Nom...carrots are yummy!

Playing with her music table

Up next...Christmas pictures!

The Missing Blog Posts

I know, I know. No posts in forever. "Where are the pictures from Lily's first Christmas?", "What's going on over there?" you say.

I'm getting there. The pictures will come, promise :)

Honestly, I have been trying to figure out why I'm not blogging as much. It puzzles me. But I think the reason that posts have become fewer and far-between is because Lily is getting bigger, stronger, more active, and more demanding of my attention. Especially the last one.

I do have a plan, have been working on it for a while, but it has yet to be implemented. I will explain all when it does get implemented, which should be SOON, and trust me I am ready for it to get started :)

PS-The only reason I managed to type this is because Lily has been occupied with a laundry basket for the last 15 minutes. A miracle.

Heart Update

This morning I took Lily for a follow-up visit with her cardiologist. We got some good news and some bad news.

First the good news: she can stop taking the Lasix! All four chambers of her heart are the correct size and shape. Her tricuspid valve no longer leaks. Her mitral valve still leaks, but that's not a big deal.

The bad news: since her tricuspid valve no longer leaks, they can't use the pressure of the leak to estimate the pressure in her pulmonary artery. This means that there's no way to know if her pulmonary hypertension is gone without....

Another surgery.

Yup, this summer Lily will need to have another heart cath surgery to measure the pressure in her pulmonary artery. From what the doctor could see today, it *looks* like her PH is much better, maybe even gone. But there's no way to know for sure. So they are waiting until one year post-repair to do the heart cath to check. Until then she will stay on the Sildenafil (boo), but hopefully the heart cath will show no more PH and she can stop taking it by the end of the summer.

Five Month Home-iversary!

Today Lily has been home for five months! In the last month we have seen some amazing changes in her. She has learned to:

• Climb onto chairs, turn around, and sit down in them
• Clap her hands!
• Put toys onto shelves or chairs to play with them
• Climb out of her exersaucer
• Walk a couple steps holding on to just one of our hands
• Feed herself cereal, chew it, and sometimes swallow it!
• Enjoy munching on crackers and carrots
• Not mind having her teeth brushed
• Wear her glasses for several hours at a time
• Bear crawl
• Stand with us holding on to her hips

She is also scratching her ears less as she learns to do more things with her hands. It is just beautiful to see. We couldn't be prouder of our beautiful daughter :)