Happy 19 Months!

Annabel sitting pretty in her new special stroller. We are so excited about the stroller, it will provide great support and positioning for Annabel. How nice that it arrived on her birthday, too!

Can You Hear Me Now?

Stinker's first phone: Call 555-too-cute!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sleepless Days and Sleepless Nights..

But not for Stinker! When Ava wakes up crying, Stinker continues to sleep soundly. Sometimes she will open her eyes just for a minute and look at Ava for a bit...but soon after she is back to sleep again. We are so happy that (so far) Stinker isn't losing any sleep over her little sister!

Big sister, meet little sister...

It was this last Wednesday that Carrie and I came home from the hospital. After two full days, we both missed Annabel so much. She was in capable hands as Meemaw was gracious enough to come stay with us and look after her.

We had some very surprising news for her.

Carrie and I had of course spoken to Annabel to explain she had a little sister coming. She obviously could tell that something was different about mommy's appearance and the way she walked so slowly the last couple of weeks :)

When we arrived home we woke Annabel up from her mid day nap and introduced her to her new little sister, Ava Joy. I don't think I've ever witnessed a more beautiful sight.





A little more about Ava:
Ava arrived 11-01-10 weighing 6lbs 15oz and measuring 19 3/4" in length. She is lovely.

Mom is still tired, but she is recovering nicely. I have to get back to the office tomorrow, which will be interesting since we have been operating on about 3 hours of sleep per night.

Regardless, we are so grateful and feel very blessed.

More photo sessions to follow soon, no doubt.

Good night!

JV

Happy Halloween!

Stinker as the cutest ladybug ever!



Then she passed out...

Two More Days til Halloween!

Five More Days til Halloween!

Seven More Days til Halloween!

Go Rangers!

Fourteen More Days til Halloween!

Twenty More Days til Halloween!

Our Stinker is feeling much better now, thank God! And we thank you all for the continued prayers.

We're taking all the necessary precautions with the change of season and Annabel is scheduled to be getting her flu shots and RSV shots soon. We need her to be well for Halloween and for the arrival of her little sister.

Appointment

Annabel had her check up today.  Dr Z. said that her lungs sound better today than they did on Friday and since her fever has gone away, she doesn’t see any need to put her on antibiotics.  She said it appears that we’re on the downward slope of the illness :)  

Carrie and I are staying vigilant with our care and Annabel has even cracked a few smiles at us showing us that she feels a little better.

Please continue to pray that Annabel stays strong and gets well soon.

JXV  

Annabel update

Annabel just turned 1 year and five months old and over that span she’s come across a few bacteria and viruses that all babies encounter. We’ve been fortunate that she’s fought those off spectacularly thus far. Friday, her doctor diagnosed her latest bug as acute bronchiolitis. A fever, fatigue, thick mucus, vomiting and dehydration have accompanied this latest illness. Again, all babies experience this but unlike other non-T18 babies, effects from the flu, RSV, or bronchiolitis can be much more serious. Children with congenital heart defects, AIDS, or transplant recipients especially are at an increased risk for more severe complications. At times, hospitalizations are required for oxygen administration or to provide fluids intravenously.

We have not taken Annabel to the hospital, but that’s primarily because we are equipped with oxygen, a suction machine, a nebulizer and a pulseoxemeter at our home. Right now we are just giving her plenty of rest, electrolytes and love. She has a follow up appointment with her pediatrician tomorrow morning.

They say that this usually runs its course in 7-10 days, so we’ll be monitoring her and suctioning her little nose raw for the next week or so. I sure hope it doesn’t linger beyond that. It crushes me to see my little baby so tired and weak.

-JXV

Happy 17 Months, Annabel!

BCF=Best Cousins Forever!

Stinker's cousins Gabriel and Marissa came by to visit last night. We all had a great time. Ricky just had to jump in and get into the picture at the last minute. We tried to correct his scary red eye, but no such luck!

Stinker After Her Bath..pause the music first!

Happy Grandparents Day!

Today Annabel is sending much love and thanks to: Great Grandma Ita, Grandma Mami, Abuelo, and Meemaw and Pawpaw. Thank God for Grandparents!

Wow Stinker, Is That a Double Chin?

Happy Labor Day!

Pretty in Pink!

Happy 16 Months, Annabel!

Sweet Sixteen Celebration...just taking it easy, hanging out in her special purple chair. She's getting so big. Sixteen months! How did that happen so fast? We love you, Stinky!

Stinker Is Ready to Go Shopping with Mommy!

Oh! Darling!

Little Stinker just loves Abbey Road!