Photobucket

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Longing for boring again..
















Well my Tyler has left with his unit. He is still in Texas but he can't come home anymore. I can call him and talk with him so I am not experiencing those far away feeling like when he will be in Iraq. My mother cooked his favorite rice and gravy with all the fixings. We enjoyed being together. We then went to the Astros game and watched our soldier walk out of the field prior to the game for our National Anthem. Wow, was that emotional! I think I maybe a wreck for a while now. Yesterday morning when I brought Annabel to school they played the National Anthem and I was crying again. What is up with that????

Annabel's Aunt Lira (my sister) and her boyfriend Robert took her to see Playhouse Live. I can't download the pictures yet so they will follow. Aunt Lira said she had a great time and paid very good attention to all the bright colors and activity. We are so thankful that they take up this fun activity so mommy doesn't have to.

Last night, Derek, my oldest celebrated his 28th birthday. We had a great time with family and friends. They food was great and especially the desserts. We need to thank meemaw for a wonderful chocolate cake, buttermilk pie and chocolate pie with fresh whipping cream. Yes, I did have a sampler platter of desserts. We are so thankful that Linzy's family came over and shared in his birthday with us.

Annabel did have her ECHOcardiogram and 24 hr. halter monitor this past Thursday and Friday. I have not yet recieved the results from these but do expect them in the next couple days. The reality is that things are changing with Annabel concerning her heart and her lungs. The new words are pulmonary hypertension, fatal disease, cardiac cath, medication (not a candidate), lung transplant (not a candidate of that either). All in all Annabel is doing good. Her troubles come during the night when she forgets to breathe due to a few factors. Hopefully, in the next couple weeks we will have some concrete answers.

The goods news is that she is gaining weight. Back in April (prior to sleep study) she was at her top weight 24 lbs. As of this past Thursday, she weighed 24 lbs. even again. She is eating the same amount of baby food as she was back them. We are so thankful to Michele (her milk mommy) for her continued pumping and their hospitality in letting me stay in their home while in Houston. Also, Rhyder's mom has been giving us some of the newborn milk that since Rhyder is taking such small amounts. Her is that early breastmilk with all that good stuff in it. These are temporary but we are also getting milk from the milkbank. I truly believe this has helped Annabel get back to her highest weight ever and also help with her gut healing.

We were not able to go see the Botts and attend Brianna's memorial. That was such a tough decision but we can no longer pick up and travel with Annabel needing oxygen to sleep. I was able to talk to Brenda again and she is having a tough time. I truly can't imagine how a mother's arms feel after lossing their child. Please continue to visit http://www.briannagiveshope.blogspot.com/
as to they will be adding video of her precious life and maybe add her some uplifting comments.

As far as Rhyder goes, he is at TCH, they are giving him caffine and I believe this has made a great difference in his breathing. Connie, Mallories mom, has been a wonderful source of information to Dave and Michele, Rhyder's parents, and for this I am thankful.

Annabel Leigh is home from the hospital and they are treating her for a respiratory infection. They are helping relieve her stuffy nose. This is their first child. I can say I can't imagine being a first time parent and experiencing all the unknowns of this trisomy 18 journey. Her blog address is http://www.sweet-annabel-leigh.blogspot.com/ .


7 comments:

Kathy said...

Hey Cathy,

When we all signed up for this position of Mom, we sure didn't know all that we were getting into. Just as God is kind to not let us know the future, I think it is a good thing that we don't know all that we are signing up for. A job we never retire from, but then we really wouldn't want to, would we?

Will pray for your sweet, brave son/soldier! As well as precious Annabel as always.

Thanks for all the great pictures and the food descriptions, especially the desserts! :)

Holly McCormickl said...

Hi Cathy,

Sounds like you all have been busy, busy, busy. I will be keeping your son, the soldier, in my thoughts and prayers. He must be a very brave young man.

I am sorry that Annabel is having some new issues. I don't know much about pulmonary hypertension. I know you must be feeling scared and overwhelmed by it all. I will continue to hold Annabel in my thoughts and prayers.

Mrs Redboots (Annabel Smyth) said...

Dreadful, always, when a child leaves home, even if it is for the training and education he'll receive as a soldier. I hope he won't have to see service in Afghanistan or Iraq, but, sadly, our respective governments will NOT see sense and leave them to it....

I am watching baseball on television as I write, but I do not understand it very well. It is not normally played here, although I gather that Great Britain are fielding a team in this World Cup.

ANewKindOfPerfect said...

Cathy, we sure don't experience enough "boring", do we! Every time we start to celebrate boring times, they end. I think we should pretend we don't like boring, then maybe we'll get it more. :)

I am thrilled to read about Annabel's weight. You have some amazing friends, donating their breastmilk. That is an amazing gift.

How is she doing with UTI's and all that? We are going two weeks from yesterday for the Mitrofanoff. I am starting to get really nervous.

Tamara said...

Sweet friend, thanks you for your e-mails! Please know i will be praying for your son! Annabel's news is... oh...... Im so sorry and will be on my knees for her too! I miss and love you even when it seems I am absent from the blogger world!

Wherever HE Leads We'll Go said...

Sounds like you have had a lot going on. I cannot imagine how you must be feeling about your son being so far away from home. Glad you had such a special time with family before he left.

So sorry to hear about Annabel's new health concerns. Boring sure does sound good, doesn't it? Great news on the weight gain!

Anonymous said...

Thank you to your son for his service and to you for your sacrifice of parting with him to protect all of us.

Blessings on your whole family,
Barbara