Some additional photos of Annabel

Our good friends Jacob and Melissa offered to come over and babysit Annabel for a couple of hours so that Carrie and I could go see Terminator Salvation. Though the movie was dreadful, it was a nice to go on a "date" with my wife and get out of the house.

Jacob later emailed me these photos he took of Annabel and I thought I would share them as they are very nice.

 
 
 
 

Happy 1 month birthday, precious!

 

Funky-town visitors

Yesterday Annabel had some more visitors. Allison and Christi came up from Ft. Worth to meet the precious Annabel and spend some time with Carrie. Thanks, you two for coming by!

 

4 weeks old

Today is Annabel's 4 week birthday and she got to meet her 4th doctor, a geneticist in Ft. Worth. Her name is Dr. Kukolich and she's been a doctor for 33 years. We liked her quite a bit and was one of the first doctors to treat Annabel as an individual instead of lumping her in a generic category of Trisomy 18 babies.

The importance of seeing the geneticist is that she's ultimately laying the groundwork for the course of treatment we're going to pursue for Annabel. Basically, she's letting the cardiologist know that indeed Annabel is tracking better than many other babies with T18 and that although surgical intervention would not be recommended now, it may be the right thing to do down the road and that definitely medications should be given if breathing problems pop up. Dr. K said that outwardly, Annabel appears very healthy and that as parents, we're doing a great job of caring for her.

Carrie and I are very realistic about what to expect, but the fact remains that Annabel is still here with us and she deserves the best course of treatment so long as it improves HER level of comfort. As parents, we are still committed to putting her first, and us second.

Tonight we're going to enjoy homemade sno cones in celebration of Annabel's 4 week birthday. We love you, baby.

Mom and Dad

Little Stinker

Annabel, the little stinker..early this morning she decided to remove her feeding tube.  She pulled it out of her nose and then rested quietly while holding it, like it was no big deal.  We called Nurse Kerri and she came over asap to insert a new one. 

More visitors!

Today Annabel had some more visitors who held her all day long.

Her cousin Stephanie

 

Her cousin Leah

 

Hiccups

My mom swears that a piece of paper or thread on the forehead cures the hiccups. I gave it a shot and sure enough, IT WORKED!

 

Thinking

 

Daddy does my hair!

Here is a cute onesie Carrie put on Annabel after her last bath.

 

Photo shoot

Today the photographer showed up and took many many photos! We should have the disc soon to share with Annabel's followers. Stay tuned.

Annabel con su Abuelo

 

Annabel's Pillow

Annabel likes to rest on her momma's pillow when we do her hair.

 

Lisa came by to visit Annabel on her 3 week birthday.

 

Another wonderful gift

I had to take a picture of this awesome bouquet that John and Nicole Middleton sent to us. It's beautiful AND delicious. THANKS!

 

Fun time with Daddy

Daddy's favorite person along with his favorite snack!

 

Peek-a-boo!

 

Annabel received a gift!

Annabel today you received a very pretty flower as a gift from a coworker of mine, Leslie.

Birthday Party Time!!

MeeMaw, mommy, daddy and brother Ricky celebrated Annabel's 3 week birthday by eating tasty cupcakes! Mmm mmm, good!

We love you, vanilla bean!

 

Happy 3 week birthday, Annabel!

Today at 7:20am Annabel turned 3 weeks old!  Tonight we'll celebrate with some cupcakes.

 

We love you, sweetie!

 

 

-Mommy and Daddy

A very special thank you

I thought I would take a moment to post a comment about how blessed Carrie and I feel to have such wonderful parents, family and friends.  We have received so many cards, letters, calls, emails, prayers, food and even family portraits that we are overcome with gratitude.  Friends and family have traveled from various cities, states and even countries to be close to us and I don't think they'll ever understand how meaningful that has been to us. 

 

I also wanted to take a moment to thank my mother, Maria and mother-in-law, Cindy.  Their love for their children and grandchild has no bounds and they have been by our side day in and day out.  Especially Cindy, who has been staying with us since Annabel came home and has provided me and Carrie with so much assistance and support and has kept the mood and spirits in our home uplifted.  Thank you, moms.  We love you very much!   

 

I'm sure we'll get a chance to call and write each of you personally and express our thanks but until then, I needed to put in writing how important you all have been for us during these times.

 

Love,

Jorge and Carrie

Annabel had another visitor today!

Annabel is very popular and gets many calls and visitors daily. Today she got to meet her 2nd cousin, Jeff Ross. 

Annabel and me on the moon!

My sister and Annabel

Prints

There is a wonderful nurse in the NICU named Lynda that did these hand and feet prints for us. 

Picture with grandma who came to visit today

Grandma Villadiego loves her so much and never wants to leave when she visits.

Bath time!

For now, we are supposed to only bathe her every 2-3 days because the umbilical cord is still attached.  She really enjoys bath time and getting her hair done.  Her mother and I really like it, too.