Four Wheelin with Papa!!!

After I let go of my "fear" of Raygen on the 4-wheeler I thought this was a pretty special moment. 

Raygen really enjoyed it.  She just looked around and took everything in. 

The cutest part was she fell asleep riding around with my dad and she was holding his hand.  I'm so sad that I didn't get that picture, but I'm sure we will be doing lots of 4 wheeler rides now. 

Raygen practicing sitting up with her Bumbo.  This doesn't work for too long because she likes to lay down on it, lol! 

Zoie at Papa's trying to catch the bunny in the background.  I think she wants a friend for Alvin, but I say "No Way!" at least for now, lol! 

Raygen at taste time.

Raygen is really starting to "taste" and I have an awesome little video to post to show you how well she is doing, but I forgot to bring my connector to the computer for my phone so hopefully tomorrow.  It just makes me so happy to see how she is starting to eat little by little.  I know this is a very long road and we will probably have days where Raygen doesn't want to eat, but wait till you see the video you will know how far she has come in just the last week. 

So exciting!!!

Zoie has a orthodontist appointment today.  I hope she doesn't need braces.  She thinks she wants them of course, but I have a feeling that would be a long journey also, lol!

Ranch, Anyone?

Playing after work.  It's been hot finally so this is our outfit at home.

Taste Time!

She likes Ranch Dressing!!! 

And eating it while watching our go to show Toy Story, lol

"More, Please!"

"I'll just suck on my thumb now."

Hope everyone is having a good week.  Not much to report here, but that Raygen likes Ranch.  Or at least she did last night.  We will try again tonight and see what she thinks.  It's been pretty warm around our area so we have been hanging out at work and indoors.  Raygen doesn't do too well when she is hot.  She is so much like her father and sister that way.  The hotter it is the crankier they get, lol!  So our house is sooo much fun, lol :)

If anyone has any tips or ideas on how they got their CHD baby to eat I would love to hear them.  I keep myself up at night wondering if I'm doing the right things? trying the right foods? should I be trying the bottle? should I push her?  My heart is worrying.  I want my baby to eat and like to eat.  I just hope I'm doing things right.  I also worry about that in the physical sense.  I know Raygen is doing so much more then she was a month ago, but am I doing enough to help her?  I am a little stressed thinking she should be sitting up way more on her own then she does.  That she should be crawling a little (her poor right arm I think is her hold up.)  I just worry.  Worry, Worry.  I know being a CHD mommy is hard work and I'm up for the challenge but I just hope I'm doing all I can to help Raygen catch up and have a happy life.  She is a total, complete blessing from God.  I just hope I can be a good enough mom to her that she deserves. 

MLH Picnic 2012

Saturday was the Mended Little Hearts Picnic and it was so much fun. 

It was at a beautiful park and even though it rained on our way to Tacoma it turned out to be an awesome sunny day! 

Raygen decided it was nap time as we walked around.  The park had a wonderful loop trail that went all around the park.  It was almost a mile long and Raygen and I walked it 5 times, lol!  She just loves being in her stroller and it was so nice to walk around and look at the lake. 

Zoie had a good time as well. 

She loved playing on the toys more so than walking the trail, but it was hot so who could blame her?

The cute bridge we walked over.

Our heart family.  I was so excited to see Elsa and Aiden.  Aiden is doing so well.  Walking, talking, eating.  It is so weird to see all that he does and know that Raygen should be there.  I know it will just take time for her to catch up but he just seems way older than Raygen.  Raygen seems like a baby still to me and not a walking, talking, toddler that kids are usually when they are 16 months.  

Raygen amazes me everyday though.  She is rolling over like crazy getting up on her knees and trying so hard to crawl.  She is sitting up on her own now for longer periods of time each day.  She can sit up for at least 5 minutes straight.  This is so exciting for me.  Raygen is sleeping through the night and going to bed pretty easy.  She is "tasting" more and everyday surprises me with something new. 

OT and Lake Fair

Now Raygen is really working hard at therapy, lol!!

Being a good listener.

"I like this bowel with nothing in it."

"I will chew on the bowel.  Is this okay?"

Big sister at therapy.

Were at Lake Fair.

SOOOOO Hot!

"Can we find some shade?"

OT therapy was quick and painless.  Raygen doesn't usually like to participate but she was actually in a really good mood and played all during therapy.  This was a good thing.  The therapist finally got see her mouth motor skills and she her sit up and just be her normal silly self.  Usually Raygen cries during therapy.

Lake Fair was fun, but sooooo hot.  I think almost too hot to really enjoy ourselves.  I'm glad we went although my camera died and so did my phone so I didn't get any pictures of Zoie on rides or Raygen people watching :(. 

Tomorrow is the Mended Little Hearts picnic.  So excited to see all our heart friends and make some new ones.  I also think this will be a really good experience for Zoie to meet some other kids that are in her position and who will understand how all of this makes her feel.  I really hope we have some sun because today is all rain and thunderstorms.

Dream Lites

Raygen playing with her new dream lite.

I think it was worth the money.  It works really well and Raygen loves it.

Most the time it shines on the wall but last night she wanted to give it the stare down, lol!

It's the cutest giraffe and supper soft.  We also got Zoie the rainbow unicorn and she loves her as well.

Raygen after having some "taste time." 

Last night I tried squash and ranch dressing.  I don't think she minded either one too much but it's really hard to get it in her mouth.

Still playing with my ears :(

Zoie and Buster getting ready to swin.

 So Raygen has an OT appointment this Thursday in Tacoma and I'm really looking forward to it.  I think she is improving so fast with the whole "taste time."  I know we still have a very long road ahead of us but right now I feel like the train is moving in the right direction.  We are also going to take Zoie with us and stop at Lake Fair in Olympia on our way home.  Make a family day of it.  I love family days and any day that I get to take off of work is a good day to me :)  This weekend is also the Mended Little Hearts picnic and I'm so excited.  It's our first year to attend, but we already know a couple families going and it's so nice to be around a group of people that know what you have been through.  It's also nice to see other children with HLHS, they always give me so much hope.