What have you done for me lately?

Looking back at the blog a few weeks ago, I had to laugh at myself because there was a week when Andrew was a newborn that I tried to make the title to each day's post a song title or line with the day of the week in it. That was one of the good weeks, we loved when Andrew was stable enough that we actually go bored hanging around his hospital room.
After Andrew's cardiology appointment earlier this month (which went great) we headed over to visit the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) at Arnold Palmer - which Steve refers to as Andrew's first home. Above is a picture I took because I wanted to point out what Children's Miracle Network (CMN) has done for us lately: a $1.2 million makeover of Andrew's first home! It was an exciting visit because many of the nurses & doctor that took care of Andrew were actually working that day. There is such a special place in our hearts for these people who fought right along side Andrew with everything they had, what more could a parent ask for? I almost teared up when Andrew leaned right over for the intensivist doctor to hold him. Sure he needed to be saved from all the women, but I still think they are bonded for life : )
So here's the lead in: I've mentioned before that we are participating in the CMN Torch Relay coming up November 13th. We're excited to support this organization because it is plain how this support directly benefits Miracle kids like our Andrew. At the event Andrew & I will be sharing his story right before the 5K kickoff. If you're local, we'd love to have you join our Miracle Heart team!!! (Follow the Torch Relay link to the left.) Sure the financial support is great, but I think the moral support means even more.

Heart Walk Pictures

Isaiah & Andrew getting ready for the Heart Walk.

Mommy & Andrew

Tribute wall...

Our beautiful boy in his survivor hat. Heart walk went very well; Orlando raised over 1 million this year. We could tell it was bigger & a AHA friend of ours said there was 1,000 more participants. I blame them for our tardiness : ) The Torch Relay is coming up in a couple weeks & now that we have a decently working computer maybe I'll get caught up with pictures before then. I PROMISE I'll try to update the blog more often. This boy keeps me busy!

Thankful for RSV?

Weird, right? Yesterday evening Andrew had a fever & was a little grumpy, but no other symptoms. Of course, when you're Andrew this means a trip to Arnold Palmer's ER to find the cause. This is because it is uncertain whether or not Andrew's spleen is functional. People without a functioning spleen are at risk for rapidly progressing infections that might start with no other symptom than fever. It was not a fun visit, though we are grateful for the great care our boy gets at APH. Took 4 tries to get a blood sample / IV line (just in case). Steve & I agree that was horrible & I'm pretty sure Andrew's subsiding anxiety about going to the doctor's will now be back full force. So we find ourselves in the interesting situation of being thankful the fever is explained by RSV, a virus that Andrew received monthly shots to prevent through the end of flu season after he turned 2. Something that posed such a risk for our baby has been literally taken in stride by our big boy. If you saw him now, your wouldn't even know he was sick. I remember praying so frequently over our baby that God would make a way for him to live & I smile now to think when our God goes for something, He goes all out : )

Asking for Prayer

I have added a few new blogs to my friends list (to the left) for the purpose of asking all of you to help me pray for some precious children & the hearts that love them so much.

Please take a few minutes to get to know 'Little Joshie' through his mom's blog:

http://fierceandfiesty.blogspot.com

Joshua is just precious & needs a lot of prayer right now. He has a single ventricle heart, like Andrew. He is just over a month old & has had the first surgery, but is still in the hospital facing struggles & setbacks - all too familiar. But also familiar is the amazing support of the Body lifting this fragile little man up to the Lord. So I'm asking all of you to join in, since we are familiar with praying for miracles & aware of the awesome power of God to bring about miracles.

I've also added my sweet friend, Heather's blog. Heather was my 'little sister' in our high school dance program & I couldn't help but just love her from the start (you'll see why : ) Heather is currently a missionary to special needs children in Haiti. Please also take some time to 'meet' her & some of the children she serves. It's not hard to find yourself praying for these precious little ones or the precious heart Heather loves them with.

http://heathermmeyer.blogspot.com

Thank you all so much! When I think back to all we've been through & the way you have been with us every step of the way, I can't help feeling grateful for the way God has provided for us through all of you.

Walking with good cause

Andrew & I have two walks coming up this fall (the best time to have a walk in FL : ) The first is the American Heart Association's Heat Walk on October 2nd (above is the picture of Andrew after the Heart Walk last year). And this year we are adding the Children's Miracle Network Torch Relay, which is on November 13th. Andrew has his very own team for the Torch Relay & would love any locals to join us. You can follow the links to the left if you would like more info about joining our Torch Relay team or supporting us in either walk. Two is a lot, so I think if you would like to donate it's reasonable to just pick one. Thanks!!!

Andrew's First Road Trip (to GA)

Favorite book with Daddy.

Favorite book with Aunt Teresa.

Favorite book with Aunt Crystal.

F-A-M-I-L-Y

Riding in the limo bus (which Kalee LOVED) on the way to go kayaking.

Dizzy riding in the kayak between Mommy & Daddy.

Before all the aweful low rocky areas.

Charley's quick nap in the kayak.

The RC races.

The adoring crowd at the RC races.

Charley celebrating that she made Uncle Stevie's car go with the push of a button.

Charley & Andrew entertaining themselves in the infield.
(A 2 year old can only watch RC races so long)

Andrew & Kalee being cute.

More cuteness

Andrew's first time flying solo. I don't think Ava was very comfortable...

Helping TJ with Ava. Andrew loves his friend Baby Ava & is learning that real babies don't do tricks when you press their bellies, unlike some of his cousin's dolls.

I just think he's so cute in his underoos.

Sweet sleeper

Andrew loves swimming & does a great job on his own with water wings now.

Chillin with his monkey bean bag chair.

Boy in a basket. There's room when you take all the toys out.

Having fun with blocks.

Steve's been working long hours for the past couple months (too long) & Andrew tries his best to wake up early to see him before he leaves as well as stay up to see him before bed. This was too cute for words, he literally fell asleep while Steve practiced with friends for the next church service.

Our Beautiful Boy

a boy & his dog

Sleepy boys.

Aunt Stacie reading Andrew a book from overseas.

Big Boy Bed

Andrew started sleeping in his own big boy bed last Friday & I am now convinced more than ever that we have the most awesome, most fun kid ever! Our biggest issue has been that Andrew loves his bed so much & just has too much fun to go to sleep. The worse case was Sunday night when he woke up at 1am & kept us up until 5am laughing, jibber jabbering & happily flopping around. He has not actually gotten a full night's sleep yet, which is a big deal (to me : ) b/c he doesn't take naps anymore - just sleeps 12 hours at night. He stays on his bed for the most part with the exception of Friday night when I heard him at 3:30am & found him playing in the living room - we keep his door closed now : ) Mommy & Daddy have both (on separate occasions) laid with Andrew in his bed - a bit cramped. The only traumatic event was when Andrew went to sleep on his bed by chance before we bought the white side. I found him asleep & put pillows next to the bed in case he fell, which worked great b/c he didn't wake up when he fell, but then he rolled under his bed & was trapped by the pillows behind him. Poor thing, we couldn't hear him crying over the monitor, so when I found him he was pretty scarred. Didn't deter him though, as you can see. So there you have it, the adventures of moving from sleeping with Mommy & Daddy to his own big boy bed : )

MRI Echo Cardiogram Results

Bess received a call from the Docs; it looks like the MRI is 'normal' (for Dizzy) and the Echo looks really good. The Dr even sounded happy about it! He says that we just need to see him in another 6mo. for a check-up, but he doesn't feel we need to take any measures medically at this point - which is great. Thank You Lord for the great report.