Done for the day!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
San Antonio 2009
Well we took a trip to San Antonio this year for our family vacation. It was a short trip but it was so much fun hanging out. Some things didn't turn out exactly as we had planned but what can you do?
We got a late start on our trip to Sea World and then once we got there...of course it was PACKED because it was Memorial Day Weekend and it started pouring. Alejandro was oh so tired and hungry. There was a reason I wanted to be at the park at 10AM...so I could avoid a cranky child. But once he saw his first dolphins, he woke up. We didn't get to see our first show until 4PM!!! I honestly think I was miserable up until I finally saw Shamu. Nothing like a little Shamu to brighten your day. :)
By the time we got home, Alejandro and I were pooped!! The next day we got up early again and took off to the riverwalk. We had fun. It was sooooo hot but still fun. Paul and I kept on thinking what our family vacations would be like next year when we add Joaquin to the mix!! Whew!! But we wouldn't change it for the world!!
We got a late start on our trip to Sea World and then once we got there...of course it was PACKED because it was Memorial Day Weekend and it started pouring. Alejandro was oh so tired and hungry. There was a reason I wanted to be at the park at 10AM...so I could avoid a cranky child. But once he saw his first dolphins, he woke up. We didn't get to see our first show until 4PM!!! I honestly think I was miserable up until I finally saw Shamu. Nothing like a little Shamu to brighten your day. :)
By the time we got home, Alejandro and I were pooped!! The next day we got up early again and took off to the riverwalk. We had fun. It was sooooo hot but still fun. Paul and I kept on thinking what our family vacations would be like next year when we add Joaquin to the mix!! Whew!! But we wouldn't change it for the world!!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Mended Little Hearts meeting
Well Paul and I left Alejandro at home with abuelo and abuela tonight and attended our first Mended Little Hearts meeting and while it was a small group it was so good to hear all these amazing stories. The group coordinator, Michelle, is such an advocate for this cause. It's a small, new group here in the valley and Michelle has dreams of making it big. I told her her we can do it and that we were there to help!! It's so good to have people out there that really understand what you're going through...it makes all the difference in the world. I just hope that we can really raise awareness to this cause and above all I hope that one day I can help the parents of children CHD just like they've helped us.
Went to see our awesome cardiologist today!!
So today we had our...I think, 5th visit with Dr. Salhadar, our very awesome cardiologist. We got better news. No, little Joaquin's heart is not healed but it's better!! Children with Tricuspid Atresia usually need 3 surgeries with the first one taking place days after he is born. Well, in our case Dr. Salhadar had suggested at one point that the baby may be able to prolong his first surgery - the B. T. Shunt. Today he is even more confident that he will bypass the B.T. Shunt and his first surgery will be the Glenn procedure at 4 months!! yea!!! This will not be determined until he is born of course.
The good thing with this is that a) he will be stronger b) we can bring home right away and c) no trips to Corpus just yet!! We are so excited and hopeful. Dr. Salhadar also determined that I will be induced (don't know when yet) and that the baby can withstand a normal birth - no c-section!!! Our prayers are being heard!!
On to other things!! Alejandro has been having nightmares for the past few nights and I think I have finally figured out why. He's been watching Paul play Halo...which can be pretty scary for a 2 year old. Paul turned it on yesterday and Alejandro turned red and started crying and telling his daddy to, "apago, apago!!" which translates into "turn off" for the most part. Paul did and Alejandro did not wake up at all last night. Of course Paul thinks I'm exagerating but whatever!! :)
I also got Alejandro to drink from a big boy cup yesterday at dinnertime i.e., no lid. He did great!! I had to keep my eye on him of course and I will only let him do it at the dinner table but still!
Paul starts his vacation on Friday and we are off to Sea World!! We can't wait to see if Alejandro likes it and we'll just see just how much walking around I can do.
The good thing with this is that a) he will be stronger b) we can bring home right away and c) no trips to Corpus just yet!! We are so excited and hopeful. Dr. Salhadar also determined that I will be induced (don't know when yet) and that the baby can withstand a normal birth - no c-section!!! Our prayers are being heard!!
On to other things!! Alejandro has been having nightmares for the past few nights and I think I have finally figured out why. He's been watching Paul play Halo...which can be pretty scary for a 2 year old. Paul turned it on yesterday and Alejandro turned red and started crying and telling his daddy to, "apago, apago!!" which translates into "turn off" for the most part. Paul did and Alejandro did not wake up at all last night. Of course Paul thinks I'm exagerating but whatever!! :)
I also got Alejandro to drink from a big boy cup yesterday at dinnertime i.e., no lid. He did great!! I had to keep my eye on him of course and I will only let him do it at the dinner table but still!
Paul starts his vacation on Friday and we are off to Sea World!! We can't wait to see if Alejandro likes it and we'll just see just how much walking around I can do.
Monday, May 18, 2009
What am I doing??
So I've decided to start a blog. I really don't know what the heck I'm doing but I guess you guys will just have to be patient with me as I blog my little heart away.
The main reason I started this blog is so I can keep everybody updated on what our family is up to in Brownsville. Since we've left Taylor and the Austin area we've had some MAJOR adjustments. We miss our home in Taylor but are really excited to FINALLY begin our new life in Brownsville.
At first Paul and I had decided that we would settle in Harlingen but when we found out that our second baby would be born with a Congenital Heart Defect we thought it would be best to stay closer to family...and by close I mean 10 minutes away!! We should be closing on the house on 6/19...God willing. In the meantime we've been staying with my parents and while we are TRULY grateful for the roof that we have over our heads...well...we're just ready for a roof of our own again. And I can guarantee that my parents will miss Alejandro and nothing else - especially our dogs!! Ha ha!!
Besides the house, Paul is in the process of trying to get into a bulk sales route position with Pepsi. If if he does get it, the route is located in Brownsville and South Padre!! A BIG plus!! Big!! We're praying and keeping our fingers crossed.
Alejandro (our pumpkin) is growing so fast before our eyes. He is the joy in our lives. He surprises us with his little antics every single day!! He talks a lot and is talking more each day. He loves both sets of grandparents and adores his cousins!! He doesn't get to see his cousins in the Austin area that much but he loves hanging with his cousins A.J. and Emma in Brownsville. The newest things that he is saying right now are, "I so happy" (along with a hug) and "I'm mad". The "I'm mad" part cracks us up but we can't tell him that!! We're also having problems potty training him. He basically just does not want to. We'll work on that later. He is also somewhat clueless (or just doesn't care) about his new baby brother due in 9 weeks!!
Our newest addition, Joaquin, is due on 7/20. Things have been going soooooo fast and all of a sudden I feel as if they have slowed down. As most of you know, Joaquin will be born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrom with VSD or - Tricuspid Atresia. Finidng this out so early in the pregnancy felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Partly b/c we didn't know exactly what was wrong until I was about 22 weeks or so. At one point we thought this child would either die in utero or not live past a year. It was heartwrenching for Paul and I but we've managed to get stronger each and every day!!
Now that we know what he has and that he has no chromosomal defects we are almost prepared to go on this long journey. It will be difficult. He will require 3 surgeries before the age of 2 - two of which will be open heart. Sometimes I wonder if I can handle all of this - but I have no choice, I absolutely HAVE to handle all of this...and we will.
The main reason I started this blog is so I can keep everybody updated on what our family is up to in Brownsville. Since we've left Taylor and the Austin area we've had some MAJOR adjustments. We miss our home in Taylor but are really excited to FINALLY begin our new life in Brownsville.
At first Paul and I had decided that we would settle in Harlingen but when we found out that our second baby would be born with a Congenital Heart Defect we thought it would be best to stay closer to family...and by close I mean 10 minutes away!! We should be closing on the house on 6/19...God willing. In the meantime we've been staying with my parents and while we are TRULY grateful for the roof that we have over our heads...well...we're just ready for a roof of our own again. And I can guarantee that my parents will miss Alejandro and nothing else - especially our dogs!! Ha ha!!
Besides the house, Paul is in the process of trying to get into a bulk sales route position with Pepsi. If if he does get it, the route is located in Brownsville and South Padre!! A BIG plus!! Big!! We're praying and keeping our fingers crossed.
Alejandro (our pumpkin) is growing so fast before our eyes. He is the joy in our lives. He surprises us with his little antics every single day!! He talks a lot and is talking more each day. He loves both sets of grandparents and adores his cousins!! He doesn't get to see his cousins in the Austin area that much but he loves hanging with his cousins A.J. and Emma in Brownsville. The newest things that he is saying right now are, "I so happy" (along with a hug) and "I'm mad". The "I'm mad" part cracks us up but we can't tell him that!! We're also having problems potty training him. He basically just does not want to. We'll work on that later. He is also somewhat clueless (or just doesn't care) about his new baby brother due in 9 weeks!!
Our newest addition, Joaquin, is due on 7/20. Things have been going soooooo fast and all of a sudden I feel as if they have slowed down. As most of you know, Joaquin will be born with Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrom with VSD or - Tricuspid Atresia. Finidng this out so early in the pregnancy felt like the wind was knocked out of me. Partly b/c we didn't know exactly what was wrong until I was about 22 weeks or so. At one point we thought this child would either die in utero or not live past a year. It was heartwrenching for Paul and I but we've managed to get stronger each and every day!!
Now that we know what he has and that he has no chromosomal defects we are almost prepared to go on this long journey. It will be difficult. He will require 3 surgeries before the age of 2 - two of which will be open heart. Sometimes I wonder if I can handle all of this - but I have no choice, I absolutely HAVE to handle all of this...and we will.
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