14 pounds and another tooth

Hope has finally reached 14 pounds.  It seems like it took a really long time to get here, but I am just happy that she made it to 14 pounds.  She looks so much bigger and she is growing so much every day...in every way.  She has her two bottom teeth and just looks so darn cute.  I can't get a picture of it, but I can tell you that she is sweet as can be. 

We are really enjoying summer.  Hope loves to be outside and so do the boys.  They absolutely love spending time with each other and especially outside.  I think all of us would prefer to be outside all the time.  Destiny is here for a little while and loves spending time with everyone outside as well.

I hope everyone that is reading this is enjoying summer as much as we are.  This time last year we were told that Hope would probably not be here with us this summer.   We have experienced so many miracles this year and I know we will have more to experience in the future.  This experience has taught us so much and I hope it has inspired others as well.  I hope everyone is spending more time with their families and friends and enjoying every second they have with everyone in their lives.  Life is short and it is meant to be enjoyed.

Happy 2nd Birthday Paul

My littlest man is turning 2 years old today!  We thought he was going to be our last and then our miracle was conceived...unexpectedly, but a blessing nonetheless.  Paul is a rough and tough little guy.  He is what I consider a boys boy.  He is solid muscle and loves to run and wrestle and climb all over the place.  He is also very much a mommy's boy.  He loves to hug and cuddle with me all the time.  He tells me "I wub you" all the time and doesn't mind all the hugs and kisses I like to give him.  He also happens to be my middle child and we have that special bond in common.  I know there are a lot of theories on how rough middle children are to raise, but I loved being a middle child.  Paul gets some extra attention because I want him to feel and know that he is as special as Jerry and Hope.  I love all my children the same and they are all special in their own ways.

9 Months and Cardiology Visit

Hope turned 9 months old today...what an amazing and miraculous day!  I am amazed every day with how well Hope is doing and how much she is growing.  I can't begin to explain how I feel and how much I have grown right along with Hope.  My heart is fuller than I ever thought possible.  I don't think I have ever felt as close to God as I do today and every day since Hope was born.  My boys see a different mommy and I am happier with the mommy I am now.  I am more relaxed and don't have the need to make sure everything is done every day and I definitely no longer care whether or not my house is clean all the time.  Life seems so different and I believe that is the reason God has given us Hope.  He wanted our family to experience life differently...to slow down and relax and really live life.

Hope's cardiology appointment went pretty well.  She did better than ever with her vitals check and her echo.  I was really proud of how well she did with her echo because usually she needs a little Versed to lay still.  My cell phone worked wonders!  Dr. Prieto and I discussed a few things after she told me her heart looks the same as after her cath.  I wanted to get Hope's ears pierced, but Dr. Prieto talked me out of it.  She told me there is a small risk of infection and why take the chance...so I won't.  We also spent a bit of time talking about Hope's weight gain...or lack thereof.  I don't know what to do...she is taking her bottle the same as before and she is eating more real food.  The dietitian will be in touch to see if we can put together some high calorie foods and get Hope to gain a little better.

We have a nephrology appointment on Wednesday...hoping it goes as well as her cardiology appointment.

 

Hope and her cousin Ava.  Just so you all can get an idea of why her doctor wants her to gain...Ava is 2 months younger than Hope.

Hope and her puppy...Rex got a lot bigger than we thought he would in 2 months.

Summer and another tooth

This is a picture of my beautiful daughters...Destiny may not genetically be mine, but I love her like she is!

Summer is the best season in Ohio...without question!  My family loves to be outside and summer gives us all the opportunities to be outside as much as possible.  Hope fits right in with the boys and loves the outdoors just as much.  I truly believe she would get up and run around with them if only she could.  She is definitely trying and can stand up when I am holding her hands...it is actually kind of funny seeing her like this.  She is so tiny and when she tries to stand she looks like a little doll.  What's really funny is when we go to a restaurant and put her in a highchair with food.  People stare and comment all the time.  She really does still look like she is a couple months old and she will be 9 months next week.

The boys love to hang out with Hope!

Hope's second bottom tooth also broke through this week.  It is driving her crazy, but it is helping her eat more food.  She loves to eat just about everything and she loves to eat whatever we are eating.  She especially loves mashed potatoes and gravy, cheese puffs, and gogurt.  We can't seem to find much baby food that she likes, but we do try.

Hope has also recently started growling.  The boys do this all the time and Hope just started.  It is the cutest thing when the boys growl at her (think of a dinosaur growl) and then Hope will growl back at them.  She is still babbling like crazy and like everyone else...mom is the favorite word around here.