Bella's First Laugh

Abby and Maddy in the Bobcat.
Look at the big girl standing up!!

This is Bella's first out loud laugh.

Baby News:
I went to the Dr. today. I am on every two week visits now. Everything looks fine. My hemoglobin was a little low so they put me on iron. I am starting to have some pretty painful Braxton Hicks. I can't believe how close I am. I am getting so excited. We have two tentative names picked out now. I think I will wait to share them when she (or I guess it could still be a he) makes her/his grand arrival.

Yesterday Matt and I took Isabella to KC for her clinic visits. We started the day off by getting up at 4:30 in the morning YUCK!! Bella had cardiology at 10:00. Her echo looked great. They released her for 4 months!! She has NEVER been released for that long. I think the doctor saw the shock on my face because he was like, really Megan she is okay and does not need to be seen. I am so excited about this news. Next we went over to surgery clinic to get her bard button (g-tube) replaced. The bulb of the g-tube ended up breaking off when they were trying to remove it so now it is floating around in her stomach. Hopefully she will poop it out soon. Next we saw the vent Dr. While there, ENT stuck a little camera down her trach to make sure everything looked good. She said her vocal cords are moving nicely and that everything looked great. They suggested starting her on the Passy Muir valve. This goes on the end of her trach and it lets her breath in through her trach but makes her breath out through her nose and mouth. It allows her to be able to make noise out of her mouth. Matt and I got to finally hear her laugh out of her mouth last night. Talk about super precious moment. I will video it and get it on here really soon. Her vent Dr. was also very excited about Isabella's progress.
We also saw a physical therapist yesterday that evaluates patients for equipment. She is helping us get set up with a stander. I don't really know how to explain what that is, but it will let her put weight through her legs and there is a tray so she can play.
Okay, so that is about it for our KC trip. Very good news all around!!!
Isabella is doing great. She was off the vent for 4 1/2 hours this morning already.
Sorry for not posting much lately. I just haven't really been in the mood. I will try to do better from now on. :)
Pictures and Videos coming soon!!!!!!!!

Big Girl Bed

Bella with Aunt Erin
Going outside to play

The new furniture

Bella in her new big girl bed

So Matt and I went bed shopping the other day for the girls. We bought Isabella a new twin bed. She loves it. While at the furniture store, I spotted some furniture that I fell in love with. Matt and I have NEVER in our almost 8 years of marriage bought new furniture. I thought it was about time!!

On another note, Isabella ate Chocolate pudding at therapy this week. She loved it. She was playing in it and rubbing it all over her face. It was so funny!!! Too bad I did not have my camera with me. :(

Everyone here is doing great. Not too much to report. I only have 12 1/2 weeks left!!

Finally Some Pictures

Silly Maddy
Bella cracking up because she sees I have the camera and for some reason that is really funny to her at the moment.

At Physical Therapy playing with a switch toy.

Abby with her Valentine box at her class party

Bella playing with one of her favorite toys

Lots of Nothing

Mostly over the last week, we have been dealing with sick kids. Abby and Maddy have both been sick. Abby was sick all weekend and is still sick today. We are getting ready to go to the Dr. She has a massive ear infection. Knock on wood, Bella has not been sick. In fact she is doing fabulous. She is happy, active and impressing me everyday.
Matt's still on layoff but the new addition is coming along.
Sorry for no pics lately, but I have just not been that camera happy. I just feel blah all of the time. I still have 13 1/2 weeks left and I am already miserable. It feels like my pelvic bones are being stretched apart and I can hardly lift my legs to get my pants on. I really don't know why I am so sore. You can now see the baby kicking and punching from the outside. I think it is so fun to try and figure out which part is sticking out!!
Okay, so I am going to go get my camera right now and snap some photos!!

Layoff

So we just found out that Matt will be laid off after this week. We are completely clueless as to how long this layoff will last. It all depends on Obama's plan and the economy. All I can say is that I am thankful he was able to hang on as long as he has. Some of the guys that work there have been out of a job since Oct or Nov. Also for every week he has been able to hang on, the more he will get with unemployment. Another good point, he will have lots more time to finish the new addition in time for the baby to get here. Oh, and we get to keep our insurance. So I am not going to freak out yet. I am just going to take this time with my husband and kids as a time to grow and love!!

No Abnormalities

I was suppose to go to the OBGYN last week, but they closed their office due to the icy weather. So I called to get a new appointment and while on the phone I asked if they had my sono results. She said the sono results read no birth abnormalities noted!! She also said don't always trust the techs on the sex of the baby. I did however already buy material to make the baby's quilt and it is not very boyish. Matt may be making a mad dash to the store for boys clothes when the baby gets here.
Isabella is doing fabulous. She is off the vent a good portion of the day. She stands with assistance for short periods and does really well this that. We are still working on sitting. She needs very little support to sit. I keep thinking that any day now she will be able to sit on her own. She does a pretty good job of mimicking sounds.
I will have pictures soon, PROMISE!!

National Heart Month

What is a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD)?
CHD is an anomaly of the heart that is present at birth.
CHD’s cause one or more portions of the heart to develop abnormally.
At least 35 distinct forms recognized.(There is no known cause for CHD, although genetics is the number one suspect)
CHD is the # 1 birth defect and is the leading cause of birth-defect related deaths…(While it is the most common birth defect, it is the least publicized.)
CHD strikes children without regard to economic level, ethnic origin, sex, geographic location or religious beliefs.
40,000 infants are born with CHD each year in the U.S.(Still, newborns are not screened for CHD’s.)
Some babies may be diagnosed before birth or at birth, some not until days, weeks, months or even years later. Sadly, too many are not diagnosed until after death.
Undiagnosed CHD’s and Childhood Onset Heart Disease cause many cases of Sudden Cardiac Death in young athletes.(Despite these statistics, teen-aged athletes are not routinely screened for CHD’s.)
There are 1.2 million children and adults with CHD alive today(CHD affects not only patients, but also entire families.) www.chdawareness.org

February is National Heart Month. The primary focus is always on Heart Disease in Adults. Congenital Heart Defects are the least researched and focused on. I pray that will change!!

Happy Birthday Angel Ava

Ava Rae Boeckman 1/31/08-5/7/08

So, it doesn't seem like there is enough time for me to get on here and post. Sorry for being such a slacker!! Bella is doing great. She is continuing off the vent 4-6 hours a day. Sometimes it is more, depending on how much snot we have to deal with. She is able to bear weight on her legs as long as you support her trunk. She spends lots of time playing with her toys. She scoots all over the place. The other day she scooted herself until she was completely up under the ottoman. Everything and everyone is just hilarious to her. She is always smiling and laughing. She can sure turn a bad mood into a good mood really quick with her presence. She is such a special little girl.
The house is coming along. I am hoping and praying it is done before the baby gets here. We are going Friday to pick out carpet and paint.
Matt has so far been able to hold onto his job, but it looks like it won't be for much longer. He as a meeting Wed. They just don't have the work right now. They build stuff like bridge overhangs and other road things??? ( I'm Not really sure what they do!!) Anyways they have pending orders but no real orders. All the pending orders are if Obama gives businesses the stimulus package. So we will see. It is in God's hands and we will deal with whatever comes our way.
I am so excited about the baby!!! I feel her kicking and swimming around in there all the time. She is quite active. My sister and Matt's sister Steph have both also got to feel her kick. I think she is going to be a big baby. I am already about the size I was at 9mo with Bella. We still do not have a name picked out. In fact we probably won't name her until she gets here. Maddy wants to name her coleslaw. Abby wants to name her Sella (is that really a name?)
The batteries on my camera are dead so I need to recharge and then I will post some pics on here.