Annabel Leigh Villadiego: February 2011

Friday, February 25, 2011

Stinky's New Shades

Annabel is very sensitive to sunlight. We finally ordered some special sunglasses for her and they are just her size! Now we can't wait to go outside and play!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Poor Stinky...she has just cut tooth number eight! They have been coming in one right after the other and Stinky has told us all about it! We've had some sleepless nights and crazy days and on top of that...she caught a nasty stomach virus, too. But the pics below show Stinky having a good time despite it all...

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Little Girls-Big Chair

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Sunny Days

This post is for Stinky's fans that do NOT live in Texas. Our fellow Texans know that it is not unusual to have ice and snow one week and then have warm and sunny days the next. Today is the first beautiful day of several more to come: temps in the high 60s and low 70s!

We had to turn off the heat and we are dressed accordingly..even Stinky agreed it's just too warm for pants today!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Stinky's Therapy Toy

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Snow Days Part Two

Another snowy pajama day! Stinky looks bored, but really she was all smiles before we got the camera out. Ava was a good sport, though.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Stinker's Super Bowl Soiree

Stinker getting pumped up for the game!

Homemade football cake by Mom and Dad...team effort and our first time!

Mom and Stinky watching the game.

Dad and Ava watching the game.

Stinker enjoying her party!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Snow Days

It's bitter cold outside and the roads are covered in ice! So we haven't left the house since Monday morning. Mom and Dad are getting cabin fever but the girls have enjoyed playing all day in their pajamas!

About Annabel

Our beautiful daughter Annabel was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) 4 days after her birth. By no means has this been easy. We've had to say "goodbye" to the life we imagined with our first child while accepting the reality that the time with our daughter will be far too short. Despite it all, we love our little angel more than words can describe and our goal is to provide her with comfort and love and appreciate every moment we can spend with her.

Thank you for visiting her site and please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

Background on Trisomy 18

Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a chromosomal defect. It occurs in about 1 out of every 3000 live births. The numbers increase significantly when early pregnancy losses are factored in that occur in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.

Unlike Down syndrome, which also is caused by a chromosomal defect, the developmental issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with medical complications that are more potentially life-threatening in the early months and years of life. 50% of babies who are carried to term will be stillborn, with baby boys having higher stillbirth rate than baby girls.

At birth, intensive care admissions in Neonatal units are most common for infants with Trisomy 18. Again, baby boys will experience higher mortality rates in this neonatal period than baby girls, although those with higher birth weights do better across all categories.

Some children will be able to be discharged from the hospital with home nursing support for their families. And although less than 10 percent survive to their first birthdays, some children with Trisomy 18 can enjoy many years of life with their families, reaching milestones and being involved with their community. A small number of adults (usually girls) with Trisomy 18 have and are living into their twenties and thirties, although with significant developmental delays that do not allow them to live independantly without assisted caregiving.

-www.trisomy18.org

Annabel Leigh Villadiego