1 year post Norwood!!!

1 year ago today this was our beautiful Raygen. My heart aches to look back at these pictures but at the same time I'm one proud mama to see how wonderful, amazing, strong willed, and tough little girl I have.

Here she is now. I love watching her grow and change and see her funny little personality everyday. She is such a joy. Thank you to everyone who has continued to pray for Raygen and our family. Without all of you God only knows where we would be.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Small prayer request: Zoie has come down with a horrible cough. Randy is taking her to the doctor this morning but I feel like were all fighting off a little bug of some sort this week and it terrifies me. So far Raygen has been fine but I'm so scared were going to give her something and end up back at Children's. Please pray for Zoie. That she feels better soon and please pray that Raygen, Randy, and myself don't come down with anything. Thank you so much.

ERIN

OT and Cardio Check up

To say we didn't get much done in OT today would be an understatement, lol
Raygen lasted about 20 minutes before deciding she was ready for her nap.

I know she was supper tired because she managed to fall asleep sitting up. I had to laugh it was the cutest thing.

Not even smells could wake her up.

Maybe Raygen has learned if she just falls asleep therapy will be over, lol!

After OT we had our cardio check up. I was so needing this appointment. I know Raygen is doing awesome but I needed to know that Dr.Park felt the same way. Raygen is doing wonderful!! Her echo and ekg were wonderful and unchanged since her last ones. They stopped her blood pressure medicine which is so great because now we are down to meds twice a day instead of three times. Its going to take awhile getting used to but it's one less thing to pack and worry about. We don't have to go back to see Dr Park till JUNE!!! So happy! We also discussed doing another lung perfusion test sometime in the next year and sooner if her sats start to dip or she shows other signs of concern. We also discussed hopefully waiting till 2014 for the fontan!!! Raygen is amazing and I'm so grateful to get such a good report back from cardio. Other than that things are going good. We are officially going on our first family trip with Raygen on Easter. Were going to the beach for two nights and I'm nervous and excited all at the same time!

Raygen's 1st Birthday Party!!!

Me and my girls!

Grayden and Tru checking each other out.

Haze and Graygen having some cupcakes.

I think Raygen loaded up.

Elsa and Aiden. Aiden has HLHS too and is a week younger then Raygen. It was so special having him there. We are going to his next weekend!!

Natalie and Me.

My mom, dad, neice Bailee, and our birthday girl!

Everyone signed the picture mat. Such a cool keepsake.

Me and the birthday girl! I thought she would be so tired but the girl stayed awake the whole party and then some.

The Pappa's. Aiden is so cute and so special to us. Aiden and Raygen have never been in the hospital without each other.

I love this pic. We couldn't get one with everyone looking at the camera!

Big Bird, which Raygen is loves on tv but is scared of this balloon and the same with

Elmo.

Raygen's Cake!!

Ready to PARTY!!!

Thank you to EVERYONE who came. We love you all and are so blessed that you helped us make Raygen's 1st birthday special and one to remember!

Happy 1st Birthday Raygen!!!

March 23rd 2011. Raygen you looked so happy, lol!

Our big 1 year old girl! How much we love you and are so amazed by you each and every day.

Raygen's 1st birthday is such an emotional time for me. How I wondered through her journey if we would get here and how would my baby be if we did. But by the grace of God we made it, Raygen made it. There have been so many rough spots and scary long nights but there have been so many amazing days, wonderful smiles and beautiful laughter. Raygen is our miracle. Raygen is beyond words amazing to me. Raygen is my hero. Words can not describe how much I love her and how she makes me thankful for each and every second I have with her. I found this poem, I am not sure who the author is and I hope they don't mind if I borrow it but I wanted to share it with you on Raygen's birthday. If your like me it will make you cry.

1/2 of an Angel's heart

It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live one earth and be born. One of the sweetest angels said to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you." He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that the angel is just going for a visit. The little angel is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about you leave half your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says "I guess that will work." But the little angel is still a little scared she asks, "Will I be okay with only half my heart?" Jesus replies, "Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help you out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the little angel more details about his plan. He says, "When you are born your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember I have the other half of your heart." "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when it's time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves."

I love this poem. Raygen is not broken and I love to think of Jesus having the other half of her heart. I thank Jesus everyday that I am blessed to be Raygen's mother and that I am special enough to care for the other half of her heart. She is so special to so many people. I can not imagine how many lives she has touched and she is only 1. I look forward too many more birthdays with Raygen and many many more memories we will make and cherish.

My family and I would like to take a moment and send a HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS PRAYED FOR RAYGEN AND OUR FAMILY, WHO HAVE LOVED AND SUPPORTED US AND WHO HAVE BEEN SO WONDERFUL!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!!

Raygen you are so close to sitting up on your own.
The red bell is still your favorite toy and the only thing you really like to chew on.

Raygen you are so cute. Your expressions tell us everything.

Your starting to play more and talk more and we love to hear you laugh.

And you have lots of spunk!! You tell us how it is.

I Rolled Over!!!

I'm gonna do it....
I'm not gonna stop.....

I'm rolling over today.....

I made it!!!

Raygen wasn't as impressed as we were that she finally rolled over all on her own. She laid on her tummy for a few minutes before she got upset and needed help rolling back to her back but it was so exciting to see. We were all so proud of her. What a great birthday present to me. Raygen you are wonderful. I'm so happy everyone was home and we all got to see you roll over and cheer and clap for you. I wish I got it on video but maybe she will start to do it more now and I can catch it next time.

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Goodbye 20's hello 30's

So I decided to go big with my "30th" birthday present to myself..
A tattoo to honor Raygen.

It says Faith, Love, Hope around my ankle and Raygen's name on top of my foot. I have Zoie's name on my other foot so I'm not playing favorites, lol!

I love it. Adrian at Black Pearl is awesome! I will post pics after it is healed.

Raygen is starting to sit up so good now.

She still needs a little support but everyday she is getting stronger.

She even loved her saucer. She didn't cry at all this time.

She is sooo Cute!

Here is a preview of the girls pictures. Thank you Debra from Picture This! They are great!

They are sooo cute together. They look so much alike and just like their dad.

So today is my 30th birthday. Kinda depressed about it but I have so much to be thankful for in my life that it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. I have had an awesome birthday and knowing next week is Raygen's is just crazy to me. How this year has flown by. Last year on my birthday I was an emotional wreck not knowing if I would ever get to know my unborn daughter and wondering what was in our future. Yes it was so hard and some days I wondered if we would get through them but reflecting back I wouldn't change a thing because looking around at my family today makes everything so worth it.