Good things are coming this way!

Well, let's see. It's been quite awhile since the last time I updated on here and figured that maybe it is time that I do that.

Brooklyn has been doing very well. It seems that we were finally able to kick that viral thing in the butt and so far we have had no other issues or hospital stays (*KNOCK ON WOOD*). I can't believe she is 8 months old already! I seriously have no idea where the time has gone! She is scheduled for her next cardiology appointment on the 28th of this month, and I have to be honest....I am scared as shit about it! When they did the repair to her heart they were unable to fix it with just her tissue alone and they needed to use a patch. The repair was great, BUT the patch will not grow with her like her own tissue would have. She had to have a balloon catheter done before we left the hospital in August because the area with the patch was starting to narrow. I guess I worry because I know that she has grown quite a bit since the last time, and I know that with her growing the chance of it narrowing again increases. I also worry because before they did the catheter last time, a few of the Dr's were skeptical whether or not she needed it because as they said "Most babies show other signs of needing this, and she is just looking and doing too well." But she did need it. So of course that is another concern for me. I am worried that IF she does need it, will the typical symptoms show this time around?

We also had an appointment with the Child Development people. I think I needed it for myself, as reassurance I guess. They said that given her adjusted age, and everything she has been through with surgery and hospital stays she is doing great. Of course she is behind what a typical 8 month old is doing, but she is at least learning on a curve and that is the main thing they look at. I know that as a parent you aren't suppose to compare your kids to other kids, but to be really honest, it's hard not to. Especially when I see all the mommies from the baby board that have babies with teeth, sitting up on their own, and even CRAWLING! Brooklyn has just mastered rolling over! But I know that she will catch up in due time, and that I just need to enjoy the fact that I get to have this time a little bit longer than most. We have another appointment with the Child Development team on Friday, so it will be interesting to see how they think things are progressing.

On to other news.....My husband entered me in a contest in a tattoo magazine to win a "Dream Tattoo". I was lucky enough to be one of the four finalists. Voting started in December and goes through today, so I'm super anxious to see if I won! The tattoo of course is for Makinsey. A beautiful baby angel wrapped in wings with the words "Now I lay you down to sleep" I'll try to remember to update once we find out the results!

I have also decided to make it my new found mission to raise awareness of Congenital Heart Defects. I wrote to the Mayor of our City and the Governor of our State asking them to declare a proclamation recognizing February 7-14 as CHD Awareness week. My efforts seem to be paying off, and the Mayor agreed to present and sign the Proclamation at the City Council meeting on February 7th! I also received an email from someone at the Governors office telling me that they would be touching base with me soon. I'm hoping that this means they will be putting it through.

I'm also working on a Charity Fundraiser for 2012. I wish I could have done something this year for CHD Awareness, but I didn't get the idea until too late and I know that I wouldn't be able to create the vision I have in such a short amount of time. So I'm working to make it happen in time for CHD Awareness Week next year. My goal is to not only raise awareness of congenital heart defects but to also raise money to give to The Children's Heart Foundation. They do amazing work with funding towards CHD's. Right now they don't have a Michigan Chapter, but I have already been in contact with the Executive Director to find out what I need to do. While on their website they had a link to their National Spokesperson. As soon as I clicked the link, I knew that this was what I was suppose to be doing. Their Spokesperson is a young girl named MacKinzie. She was born with a complex CHD, and her parents were told that the most strenuous sport she would ever be allowed to do was Golf. So at 6 years old she had her first golf lesson. At 10 years old she became The Children's Heart Foundation Spokesperson. She came in with a goal to raise $1 million for congenital heart defect research, and has managed to do it. Her campaign is called "Back Mack". Again, maybe this is me looking for signs but I do feel like this is what I need to.

Well I suppose I should end for now. I'll try my hardest to remember to come back and update!