I am sorry I have not had time to update the blog. We have been pretty busy and Dave is home today, so I will try and put together a post tomorrow.
Everything is going good and Aviana seems to be happy to be home and in her own room. Kama and Aviana are getting acquainted again. We love watching the two of them, they are both too cute!
We are so happy to have her home! She is a beautiful little munchkin and we feel blessed to be her parents :o)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We Have A Date
Aviana will be coming home on September 8th. Not only will this be an exciting day because of our baby's return home, but it is also Dave's birthday!! What a wonderful gift!
We have been busy getting the house in order for her arrival. We are thrilled and cannot wait to welcome our little girl home again!
We have been busy getting the house in order for her arrival. We are thrilled and cannot wait to welcome our little girl home again!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
You Know You've Been At The Hospital Too Long When.....
* you can navigate through the UCD maze while typing on your phone.
* you know exactly which turn in the maze always smells like fast food.
* you memorized the weekly soup schedule.
* you can make it to the pediatrics gym in 7.2 minutes flat.
* you know all nurses, doctors and therapists by name.
* you dream about the hospital and all its glory.
* you find great joy in watching other families go home.
* you find great sadness in watching new families arrive.
* you can grab and suction your child's mouth with cat like reflexes.
* you know how to change hospital bedding as though you worked there.
* you know how to work a feeding pump and tube.
* you know how to administer all medications.
* you know how to provide oxygen if needed.
* you dream about dirty pillow cases.
* you are unaware of just “how hot” it is outside.
* the parking booth attendants know you.
* you know there is a parking validation sign, but that they haven't done that sort of thing in years.
* you know that the neurotic use of alcohol based sanitizer results in your hands peeling in a snake like fashion.
* you know you can eat a roll of fresh fruit mentos in about 1 ½ minutes and a roll of stale fruit mentos in about 2 minutes 24 seconds.
* once in a while, you can show the nurse where something is located.
* you become immune to the fact that quarantined rooms which contain children with H1N1 are close by.
* you sometimes smell the hospital at home.
* you win Solitaire at least once a day.
I have many more, but I will spare you the details!
* you know exactly which turn in the maze always smells like fast food.
* you memorized the weekly soup schedule.
* you can make it to the pediatrics gym in 7.2 minutes flat.
* you know all nurses, doctors and therapists by name.
* you dream about the hospital and all its glory.
* you find great joy in watching other families go home.
* you find great sadness in watching new families arrive.
* you can grab and suction your child's mouth with cat like reflexes.
* you know how to change hospital bedding as though you worked there.
* you know how to work a feeding pump and tube.
* you know how to administer all medications.
* you know how to provide oxygen if needed.
* you dream about dirty pillow cases.
* you are unaware of just “how hot” it is outside.
* the parking booth attendants know you.
* you know there is a parking validation sign, but that they haven't done that sort of thing in years.
* you know that the neurotic use of alcohol based sanitizer results in your hands peeling in a snake like fashion.
* you know you can eat a roll of fresh fruit mentos in about 1 ½ minutes and a roll of stale fruit mentos in about 2 minutes 24 seconds.
* once in a while, you can show the nurse where something is located.
* you become immune to the fact that quarantined rooms which contain children with H1N1 are close by.
* you sometimes smell the hospital at home.
* you win Solitaire at least once a day.
I have many more, but I will spare you the details!
Thank you
We wanted to thank each and every person who contributed to Aviana's fund. We truly appreciate all of your help and fully understand that these generous donations may have been given at a time which is difficult for some.
Thank you to all of the people at Chevron for pulling together for our family. We are lucky to be surrounded with such wonderful people!!
Thank you to all of the people at Chevron for pulling together for our family. We are lucky to be surrounded with such wonderful people!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Honored
Aviana has received another medal. This medal was given to her by Sgt. Merenda. He tells of how he received this honor best...
“I used to be in a Airborne unit which meant we jumped out of airplanes to go where ever we went. In March 1997, I was making a jump into Camp Leguene, which was suppose to be a airfield seizure training exercise. That jump I was carrying way more equipment in my rucksack than usual, actually it took two other guys just to help me get up once I had to carry it. Our jump was at 2 am and when I came down my rucksack was so heavy it became a anchor and before I landed I somewhat landed sideways. In the process, my back hit a stump on the ground and I was hurt extremely bad. In the event you get hurt, you are suppose the use a red glow stick so the medics can find you. The injury to my back pinched and compressed my spine which paralyzed me from the neck down. I could not pop open a red glow stick for the medics to find so I laid there yelling and then eventually stopped. Jumping out of airplanes in the army can be very dangerous and especially jumping into darkness. I was found approximately 3 hours later by my own unit. I was medivac to the local hospital and after examination; I was told it would be a miracle if I was able to use my arms and legs again. I called my family and let them know of the accident. I didn’t want to be in that condition for the rest of my life so I would lay there and fight to get up. A week later, I began to get all the feeling back into my arms and legs and very shortly after, I was back and running like it never happened. That is the hope I have for Aviana, no matter what doctors say, sometimes it’s all about her fight.”
“Also, the item your mom has is a St Michaels medallion. It was given to me during my time when I needed help the most, and I felt it was time to let whatever good luck that it has help Aviana. It is actually pretty small but just something I thought would help. I am not catholic but it’s funny to watch people reactions, paratroopers are given the St. Michael to help protect them while jumping.”
Thank you Sgt. Merenda, we love you!!!
“I used to be in a Airborne unit which meant we jumped out of airplanes to go where ever we went. In March 1997, I was making a jump into Camp Leguene, which was suppose to be a airfield seizure training exercise. That jump I was carrying way more equipment in my rucksack than usual, actually it took two other guys just to help me get up once I had to carry it. Our jump was at 2 am and when I came down my rucksack was so heavy it became a anchor and before I landed I somewhat landed sideways. In the process, my back hit a stump on the ground and I was hurt extremely bad. In the event you get hurt, you are suppose the use a red glow stick so the medics can find you. The injury to my back pinched and compressed my spine which paralyzed me from the neck down. I could not pop open a red glow stick for the medics to find so I laid there yelling and then eventually stopped. Jumping out of airplanes in the army can be very dangerous and especially jumping into darkness. I was found approximately 3 hours later by my own unit. I was medivac to the local hospital and after examination; I was told it would be a miracle if I was able to use my arms and legs again. I called my family and let them know of the accident. I didn’t want to be in that condition for the rest of my life so I would lay there and fight to get up. A week later, I began to get all the feeling back into my arms and legs and very shortly after, I was back and running like it never happened. That is the hope I have for Aviana, no matter what doctors say, sometimes it’s all about her fight.”
“Also, the item your mom has is a St Michaels medallion. It was given to me during my time when I needed help the most, and I felt it was time to let whatever good luck that it has help Aviana. It is actually pretty small but just something I thought would help. I am not catholic but it’s funny to watch people reactions, paratroopers are given the St. Michael to help protect them while jumping.”
Thank you Sgt. Merenda, we love you!!!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Stupid Girl
This describes my actions of yesterday to a tee. There are certain things I am NOT strong enough to do. I know very well what they are and have avoided them like the plague. I talk to myself, I tell myself:
- do not go to the gym
- do not go to the scrapbook store
- do not watch any sort of video of Aviana
- do not look at her scrapbooks
- do not go to the accident scene
- do not read the police report
I broke my very own rule, I knew better!
It all started when I decided to video tape Aviana’s therapy the other day. I pushed play to make sure I was able to record on the current tape. There she was. In the flesh. The most beautiful little girl, so incredibly full of life... and love!
I broke down. I lost it. I quickly told myself....there is no crying in the physical therapy room, especially if Aviana is not crying :o)
The very next day, what did I do... I sat and watched, and cried, and watched, and cried, and watched some more. What was I trying to do to myself? I couldn't stop! I was out of control! She was perfect. A perfectly healthy brain. A perfectly healthy body. A perfect smile. A perfect little voice. Perfectly moving limbs. So smart, so cute, so sweet, so everything. Wonderful in every possible way.
I miss and love her so very much!
- do not go to the gym
- do not go to the scrapbook store
- do not watch any sort of video of Aviana
- do not look at her scrapbooks
- do not go to the accident scene
- do not read the police report
I broke my very own rule, I knew better!
It all started when I decided to video tape Aviana’s therapy the other day. I pushed play to make sure I was able to record on the current tape. There she was. In the flesh. The most beautiful little girl, so incredibly full of life... and love!
I broke down. I lost it. I quickly told myself....there is no crying in the physical therapy room, especially if Aviana is not crying :o)
The very next day, what did I do... I sat and watched, and cried, and watched, and cried, and watched some more. What was I trying to do to myself? I couldn't stop! I was out of control! She was perfect. A perfectly healthy brain. A perfectly healthy body. A perfect smile. A perfect little voice. Perfectly moving limbs. So smart, so cute, so sweet, so everything. Wonderful in every possible way.
I miss and love her so very much!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
New Normal
The first thought that entered my mind upon waking up this morning was Aviana.
She was in her bed,
sprawled out,
blankets to her exact preference,
bed head to high heaven,
Lamby close by,
you know, the norm.
The morning haziness cleared and I quickly realized...
that was life as it used to be!
Now~
the bed is empty,
she is in one position only to be moved by someone else,
there is one blanket across her whether she likes it or not,
slight bed head to her newly grown hair,
Lamby hopefully close by,
oh yes, that's right, the new normal.
I must say, she is still a cute, sweetie pie wherever she may be!
The morning haziness cleared and I quickly realized...
that was life as it used to be!
Now~
the bed is empty,
she is in one position only to be moved by someone else,
there is one blanket across her whether she likes it or not,
slight bed head to her newly grown hair,
Lamby hopefully close by,
oh yes, that's right, the new normal.
I must say, she is still a cute, sweetie pie wherever she may be!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tolerant Girl
Aviana did really well with her bolus feeds yesterday!! I am hoping today follows in this same fashion.
Family Meeting
There is a family meeting today and while this is nothing like the one of the past, I can't help but every once in a while get a surge of panic which shoots through my veins!!
I think they should change the name. I don't like it! No, I'm just kidding, but for me it sure has a negative connotation.....even though our last one ended up being not even one iota as bad as we thought it would be :)
I think they should change the name. I don't like it! No, I'm just kidding, but for me it sure has a negative connotation.....even though our last one ended up being not even one iota as bad as we thought it would be :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What's That You Say??
I forgot to include one of the most exciting things that happened last week. Aviana started making actual sounds within the past 5 days. These simple little noises are music to our ears!!
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