Halloween in pictures!!!

For Halloween we made yummy food, carved pumpkins, visited a pumpkin patch, decorated and went trick or treating. 

Natalie's Story part 4

 A couple of day's had past since they put in Natalie's chest tube. Dr Williams and Butler began to mull around the idea that she might have to undergo procedure that creates scar tissue in the plural space of the lungs so that no more chyle could build up. Dr. Butler was hoping that the scheduled date (the 8th of August) would be canceled and that she would not have to undergo it. Nervous and scared I tried to put this information in the back of my mind. 

Riley's first day of school was quickly approaching. I did not want to be a kill joy on his exciting first day. His teacher allowed each of the students to bring their favorite comfort animal to accompany them. Riley loves Zebras, and has been attached to the one daddy got him at the zoo. Once we arrived, Riley was full of energy. I could not get a decent picture at the school to save my life. With that said, parting was not sweet sorrow. He marched into the school with no glances back or a "I'll miss you mom."  I surprisingly did not shed a tear. All of these moms were wiping tears out from under their sun glasses and all I could think was "this is a peace of cake compared to what our Natalie has been facing." My perspective was from a total different angle. I'll most likely cry on the last day of school because it ends a mile stone and means more change is on the way.

 During this whole week they did Oxygen tests on Natalie. The tubes would be in, then they would be out. Doctor Leonard believed that the nurses and Ped doctors were being overly cautious. In all actuality we live at a very high altitude and if all babies were monitored after birth they would most likely all be on oxygen too.  I love Leonard and Brescia. They were the most positive and optimistic out of all the doctors we had. They pushed for encouragement and set the goals high. They were our biggest advocates and I held onto their nuggets of wisdom like it was gold.

The picture below was a turning point for us. I remember driving to the hospital with a lump in my stomach. I was preparing for the worst to happen that Friday. All I did that day was hold onto my sweet baby. One of the spunkiest nurses Susan got to take care of her on this day. She took a picture of the two of us and I'm glad she did. I held Natalie and told her to fight hard and that we needed her home. I said little prayers over and over as cuddled her sweet little body.

When it was time for me to head home I stepped out and saw the most vibrant thick colored rainbow. A sense of peace washed over me. I realized in that instant that my Heavenly Father heard my prayers and that things were about to change.

 The next day I was greeted with joyous news that Natalie's x-rays were looking better according to Dr. Leonard. Of course Williams was a pessimist this day and told us that most likely she would still have the procedure. I of course bit off his head and told him "why, what if the procedure does not work. This is not fair to her." Luckily Thursday became even brighter, and the doctors decided to cancel the procedure and give her a chance to prove herself, and she did! Sunday they started the preparations to send her home the next day!

Monday was so exciting for Brandon and I. We finally got to take home our little angle. It was a little sad leaving our nurse friends, but so thankful that we no longer had to make the tiring drives back and forth. No more needles, procedures, restrictions, bored siblings and no privacy. We were finally going HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

 Once we arrived home Natalie was wide awake. She did not sleep more than a wink at a time. She was so interested in her new surroundings and for the first time her siblings actually felt like she was their baby sister!

 I am happy to say that we are still on cloud nine having her home. We are happier than we have ever been, This experience stretched us in so many different ways. Yes, we still have our ups and downs, but the reality of what we have been through keeps us grounded and reminds us that time and life is borrowed.