5!

And just like that, she's 5!!! It's hard to imagine life without this bold, brace, beautiful girl in our lives. She has learned so much in Kindergarten I can hardly believe it. We celebrated her Great Grandmother's 80th Birthday and Ava's 5th Birthday in Maui on an unforgettable family trip. Looking back over the years I cannot help, but give thanks for this healthy girl and our family.

Wow! Ava is already a 2yr Old!

What an amazing summer full of sun, fun and health. It felt like for the first time in so long we were all healthy. It's hard to believe that my beautiful strong Ava is over two now and Camden full of love for learning is in Pre-K. It's a great time to take a look at my kids and see how much they have grown and how thankful I am for them.

Ava surgery, went well. It lasted about 3 hours just as expected and everything looks great. Nurses commented on how great the stiches look and so for no bleeding or leaking, yea! She was in pain when she got out of the recovery room, but was able to nurse and get her pain meds. She would prefer to be held at all times and loves snuggling with mama as always. 

We got home yesterday and things are healing well. She did have some breathing issues last night that continued today. Prayers that it doesn't turn into something more. Ava has been flashing her new smile and it is great to see. :) Thank you for all of your prayers, support and messages.

Love,

Thlay

Quick Update

Wow, I can't believe Ava is already 8 months old. This Tuesday the 19th Ava will be having her cleft lip surgery at Children's Hospital. It's hard for me to imagine that tomorrow is the last day that I will see our beautiful daughter's face and amazing smile as it is today. The surgery will take about 3 hours, then she will be moved into the recovery room for about an hour while she comes out of anesthesia, then moved to her room where we will stay over night. Then we go back in to have the stitches removed on Saturday. So thankful she is strong and healthy as we prepare. We appreciate all of your love and prayers and we know that Ava is in wonderful hands for her surgery as we move forward.

Here's a quick update since our last two month post. Ava is over 17lbs now. A far cry from her starting weight of 3lbs1oz. She has had some breathing issues this winter and we landed at Children's twice in December and spent a week with Ava over Christmas in the hospital for RSV and Rhino Virus.

It was so hard watching her struggle since she had seemed so healthy and I had grown to think she was just like any other full term baby, not a preemie. It was scary seeing her back on C-pap, but comforting knowing that we were in the best place possible as the virus worked it's way out of her body.

It was a great Christmas present having her smile back on Christmas morning and having her moved out of the ICU. Children's also had adorable stockings and gifts and Christmas morning and Santa even visited. :) Hopefully all of this will lead to a good strong immune system. :)

Ava is in love with her big brother and I love hearing her laugh as she watches everything that he does. They love taking baths together now and listening to Ava's mobile together in her crib.

Cleft Repair/Ava's 2 Months Old!

Ava had an appointment with Cranial Facial at Children's Hospital in Seattle on September 10th. We had four back to back appointments where we were able to meet the whole team that decides her care plan and will be working with us through the process. After meeting Ava and evaluating her cleft lip, the surgeon said that the best fist would be to have the surgery done around six months from Ava's due date. He said that Ava with stay in the hospital over night for evaluation (we will be able to room with her). Then we will need to apply ointment over the first week and go back in to have the stitches removed a week later. The care team all agreed that usually babies are able to go back to nursing after the surgery without any need for assistance or special feeding. This news was a huge relief to me and made me feel better about the whole process. We also went in for Ava's two month appointment where she weighed 9lbs 10oz!!! I knew she was getting heavy. She is a happy healthy girl, starting to pack away her adorable newborn clothes as she grows out of them. It hard to believe that she is growing so fast. :) I guess they all do, since I can't believe how big Cam is getting either.

Happy Due Date Ava: 9/9/2012

Happy due date sweet baby girl. Wow, so much has happened. It's hard to believe I have gotten to know you over the past 10 weeks and you were not even due until today. :) We are so happy to have Ava home. Working on adjusting to our new life as a family of four. Cam loves his little sister sometimes it"s hard for him to give her a little space. It's tough learning to share mom and dad. I know he will be a great big brother though.

37 Weeks: Ava is Home!

Ava came home Thursday the 16th and is doing great. She weighed in at 3lbs 1oz when she was born and today she is almost 7lbs! We are so thankful to have her home and get to start our life as a family. Thank you all so much for your love, prayers and support through this journey. We love you!