My baby girls story!

     This story is about our sweet little Natalie Anne. The Journey started back on the 13th of February. We walked into the OB/GYN excited to see our little baby and find out her gender. In my previous post, I mentioned that the ultrasound technician thought that I might be placenta previa. I was then referred to Dr. Stettler, a specialized Obstetrician. The next Thursday, February 20th, I walked into his office with my mom. I was told that I was no where near placenta previa. Hoping the appointment would end up with a clean bill of health, it began to drag on. Natalie was a live wire and gave the doctor a hard time seeing the right side of her heart. Eventually, Dr. Stettler noticed some orange feedback in the heart. Not the normal blue (blood going to the heart) and red (blood going away from the heart). This gave him concern. He expressed the hope that he was wrong and set up a quick appointment with another doctor. The next thing I know, we are running to Dr. Bresa (Pediatric cardiologist). There I had another echocardiogram ultrasound. Though it was fun to see my sweet little girl twice in one day, the following news was very surreal. Dr. Bresa walked in and began to tell me that my daughter's condition is called "Transposition of the Great Arteries." Found here: ( http://www.mayoclinic.org/condition/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/multimedia/transposition-of-the-great-arteries/IMG-20008845 ).  He explained that as long as she is inside me, she will be fine. Our goal is to bring her to full term. No need for a C section. The doctor also explained to me that all babies' hearts have a hole called the Foramen Ovale and a small tube called the Ductus Arteriosus. In the first week of life, these two openings close up naturally. When Natalie is born, she will be injected with a medicine that will keep the Ductus Arteriosus open longer. On her first day of life, they will do an echocardiogram ultrasound on her heart. Dr. Stettler will determine if the Foramen Ovale is large enough. If not, they will go in with a small balloon to enlarge the hole. If everything goes as planned, she will be in open heart surgery on day three.

     Was this news scary? Yes! Did I cry? Yes! However the odds look great. The doctor told me that 1 in 1,000 babies are diagnosed with this condition. He also told me that the surgery procedure has 1% fatality rate leaving me hopeful with the 99% success rate. Will the road after birth be easy? No. She may need to relearn how to eat, there might be speech delay, etc. The thing that brought me most comfort was she will likely never need a heart surgery again. She will be followed the rest of her life. Every year she will have to have an echocardiogram. Overall, we are very hopeful and excited to meet this special person.

Best Valentines gift!

I will let the following pictures speak for themselves!

We are so excited! I found out today that I am placenta previa, Luckily, the placenta only covers part of the cervix. There is a good chance that as baby and I grow larger it will move away. I have another ultrasound next week at an obstetrics. Hopefully, we will get a clearer picture of the babies heart and positioning in the Uterus. She was definitely a live wire today. Brandon and I enjoyed watching her roll around as the lady tried to get all of the information she needed. This is by far, my favorite part of pregnancy!  

"Let it go"

Sometimes, we just have to let things go. Thank you "Frozen" for the reminder. On that note, enjoy Riley and Lorelei singing with Idina Menzel! 

Usually, he sings it with his friend Ava. The two of them are huge Frozen fans. I can't tell you how many times it has been viewed on Youtube. Luckily, Aunt Mindy has a huge surprise for his birthday. I'm sure she will be the favorite aunt once his soundtrack is here.

His preschool teacher told me that he sings just as much, if not more, than all of the girls in his class. I truly believe her.  Riley's constantly humming at home, in church, creating his own songs, and recites primary songs like nobody's business. Maybe voice lessons might be in his future. Only time can tell.

Do you want to build a snowman?

This blog is introducing our new friend Ted! We got Fresh snow on Friday morning that was slightly wet. We still could not roll snowballs, but we were able to pack and shape it. The kids get so excited when they see him each day. When we left for church on Sunday the kids said "by Ted" and when we returned home Riley said "Ted is still alive!" It will be a sad day when Ted melts. 

Afternoon's with Dad!

Usually, when Brandon has a day off and there is nothing to do, we pick on dad. It involves back rides, kisses, hugs and tickles. Oh, the abuse a parent takes.

Recently I asked both Loli and Ri what they thought the baby is. Ri said "baby brother" and Loli said "baby sister." Next I asked Ri what he would name the baby. He responded with a joker look and said "Water!" Then I turned to Loli and she responed quickly with "Lemonade!" Brandon thinks they've been watching too much strawberry shortcake and my Little Ponies. I'm sure neither name will make the list, but kuddos to originality. I'm sure Gwyneth Paltrow would approve.

Random news and exciting updates!

Riley and Lorelei are going to be a big brother (again) and a big sister! I kept quite through the first three months, but now I am letting the cat out of the bag. I have to admit I was excited an scared. My last pregnancy I had a low progesterone level. This time around the same thing happened leading me to think the worst. They put me on the hormone again and this time so far we have success! This little bundle has a strong heartbeat and we get to know what it will be in a month. 

Until then, I have more pictures to share of Lolie and Ri! This was the day after Christmas. We just had to get our wiggles out even in the 30 degree weather.

During this week we also went to the Children's Museum. Word to the wise never go during a Holiday break. The place was packed and Lorelei cried every time she could not see me. Luckily, we have a membership, so leaving was not a problem. Instead we ended up at one of our favorite parks. It was unusually warm that day and the kids still had a blast! Luckily no tears were shed in the change of plans. :) 

Christmas 2013

This Christmas was fun but getting to the fun was hard. This year I made two life size advent calendars, 3 pieces of artwork and 8 ornaments for various people. I squished all of this into two months while going through my first trimester of Pregnancy. (No Bueno, when your nauseous and puking.) I felt like I had overdone myself and had no energy left for my family. Everything I had planned for them fell apart. (Brandon, could attest to the many melt downs.) I eventually got past the bah humbug stage, shut off the world and focused on what really mattered. Once I did that, things were more enjoyable around here. 

(Sorry, for the lack of Christmas pictures.)

 Riley, was able to get a photo with Santa, but Lorelei would not get anywhere close to him.

 I am definitely not a food photographer, or a professional chef, but this Linsensuppe is so good. When I was little my parents would go the Rheinlander restaurant in Portland. I have fond memories of going there and recently started craving the smell of this soup. I finally found a recipe close to what it tasted like. It's been a perfect addition to our winter menu. 

 Riley with his Christmas loot.

 Lorelei with her Christmas loot.

 Christmas, day was wonderful! Brandon and I got to be kids with our kids again. The stress and worries went away. The kids enjoyed celebrating Christs birth. It was little hard for them to understand that we were having a party for him. Lorelei kept asking me who's birthday we were celebrating. It was  definitely a season of learning, not just for them, but for me too!  

November 2013

It's already a new year, and I am just now getting to catch up! These pictures were back in November before Thanksgiving. Our first official blanket of snow. 

As you can see, Colorado makes great powder to ski in, but lacks in snow ball and snow man material. Two weeks Later, we got to take a road trip to Nyssa, Oregon. We spent Thanksgiving at Aunt Nicole and Uncle Matthew's house. We got to see all of Brandon's family. Some of them we haven't seen in two years.

We packed a lot of fun into 3 days. We spent time outdoors bouncing on a trampoline and playing at the park.

 The kids made edible necklaces with Grammy and we got to eat at one of the best Pizza buffets I have had in years. (Thank you grandparents)

 Lorelei and Will decided that picking on each other was more fun than playing together. We also got to take a little side adventure to feed Horses.

 We even got kisses from cousins. (this makes me laugh because I have a picture of a cousin and I, at the same age, doing the same thing.)

Obviously, the fun was short lived, but well spent. Thank you everyone who made it enjoyable!

Trunk Or Treat!

Our wards Trunk Or Treat was this past Saturday. We got to drive out to the Polson's barn to enjoy a chili cook off, exploration, and a night of Trunk Or Treating. The kids had a blast and I loved the wide open spaces.  

 Lorelei was our little China doll from the "Great and powerful Ozz."

 Riley, if you haven't figured him out, is Wreck it Ralph.

 Brandon is my T-Bird