except it also means that I haven't had a minute to blog.  The few times I have had a bit of time it's only been a bit and I feel like I have SO much to share that I don't even attempt. Nate ALWAYS says I can't tell a good story (because I share EVERY insignificant detail) so I'm going to make an effort at summarizing, we'll see how long this ends up!! 

I'll start with my last entry...I'm not really one who marks anniversaries like that one (the day we were diagnosed)--I know some people who remember every milestone's date (first kiss, engagement, finding out about a pregnancy, etc)---but (and I hope I'm wrong) I don't think I'll soon let Dec 22 go.  That day's news changed me forever. 

Here we are now though and what a different Christmas this was!  Audrey Jane has not had a breathing treatment in 48 hours with saturations never below 94!!!  This is HUGE people, HUGE!  She's been SO fun and healthy and sweet and healthy and cute and healthy...you get my point!  Tomorrow will mark a full week of this and I can't tell you how thrilled we've been.  She's on antibiotics since Saturday but I almost think she would have had these results on her own too.  She had double ear infections again but drops seemed be clearing them, however since she was still congested and still had drainage from both ears after being on the drops for 5 days we decided she may be fighting a recurring sinus infection and to knock it out with a big and hopefully final course of antibiotics (she's been on them pretty much constantly since Sept).  The congestion coupled with constipation had put us in a vicious cycle of reflux, aspiration, wheezing, etc. etc. but she hasn't vommitted since Xmas day and did I say how healthy she's been??!!  Just LOVE it!  Now, if I could get a handle on her eating, we'd be all set!  Her oral intake is minimal.  I'm not going to go there tonight though as we'll just focus on her strengths.  We have had some definate strides in eating, but she's going be a tube-fed kid for a long time. 

She's sitting up REALLY well these days and working on being on her tummy longer without freaking out!  Giggles, babbles, and the most expressive looks ever are gracing us during her every waking moment.  Ethan and Jason have had a ball getting her to laugh as have the guests we've had this week.

We've loved seeing so many dear friends and family.  Our Christmas was kicked off with our annual get together with the Crowes.  Stacy blogged about it and posted pics---good, good times and the girls were SO cute together (choose the Dec 22 photo album) and the boys had a blast.  Please take the time to read what's going on with the Crowes and pray for Stacy to continue to have the courage, strength and tenancity she's shown thus far in their new journey.  2006 has brought them more parenting strife and challenges than most of you will endure your entire life with your kids.  We started out the year with one kiddo to worry about and are ending it with three--I hate it.   Allie's next bronch is coming up a week from Mon--pray for little growth, the Crowes need a break!

The actual holiday was fabulous!  Lots of special moments, great fun, loads of loot and Santa made an actual appearance too (BIG excitement)!  It was our first time to not make the trek to San Antonio though and we definately felt that void.  We miss Penny so much.  Aunt Vicki (Penny's sister)came to visit from Houston this week though and I can't say enough how grateful we are to have her in our lives.  We loved having her here. 

I'm going to close now but will hopefully be back sooner than last time.  Next week we have lots of appts. including an overnight sleep study and a swallow study.  

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you an amazing New Year! 

Love,
Jenn

OOPS!  Almost forgot...more pictures (I hate uploading more than a few here)!  Christmas 2006  Turn up your volume, it's nice. If you choose "view whole screen" the ads are hard to ignore, but the better picture viewing is worth it!

Happy Birthday Dad!! You win Grandparent of the year for your dedication to our family this year, thanks for EVERYTHING and we love you!  When are you coming back??!!

Who knew it would be such a comedy of errors just trying to get Xmas cards, a tree decorated and 2 very tired parents in the holiday spirit!! 

Audrey is doing fine after a rough week and ER visit last night.  All week we were battling congestion and BM issues (not at all to too much!) and then to cap it off, last night we had the mother of all drama--I pulled her button out. Yes, as in balloon fully inflated and ripped out of her by her own mommy.  For those of you who don't know what the button is, look here.  I was putting her down in her crib and the extension tube apparently wasn't where I thought it was, got caught, and ripped the button right out.  My stomach turns as I relive it.  Nathan was a superstar in keeping calm, and reinserting it without incident.  I, however, was a basket case as the horrifying fact that I caused her so much pain was just too overwhelming.  We had to go the ER only because the button is so new that the stomach isn't yet totally fused to the abdominal wall and so it's possible to miss the stomach when reinserting it.  We were sure that didn't happen because we got milk when we checked placement, but the doctor's orders were to go to the ER if it happened, so off we were.  Did I mention that we were going to start tree decorating after I put her down?  The boys had both taken naps in preparation for the big night, everything was ready, and Nate had made the eggnog--the disappointment from Ethan was a dagger in my heart.  He came around quickly though--after we left Nate listened to him lament "Poor Audrey, she was doing so well too, her breathing was sounding better, she ate good tonight and everything but now she's going back to the hospital"  I swear this whole experience has aged him!  Anyway, the ER visit went well, we were back home within 3 hours and all was well.  Have I said yet how proud and humbled I am by Audrey's tolerance for her life?  She was a sweetheart at the hospital, only fussed for the x-ray--spewed stomach junk at the tech in fact--poor guy, he's actually taken several "pics" of AJ through out her course and when he walked in gave us that, "where do I know you from look".  I told him we remember him from our other visits. Once her tube shot juices in his eye I don't think he'll soon forget her again either!  Jen B was there too to help us through once again.  For those of you who don't know...she's our neighbor who works in the ER who when we were diagnosed hooked us up with Karen N from Austin who has a 6-year-old survivor.  Jen, along with my other superstar friend Natalie (thanks man for doing some shopping for me today!!!) are the two people I know who have had two people in their life affected by CDH--apparently this isn't the "rare" birth defect always claimed.  wow, I've digressed---such is life this week, SO much goes on on a daily basis that it really is comical to play it out. 

I'm beyond scattered these days too, so bear with me.  UMM, where to start?  OK, Uncle Keith, still haven't shared this..he called a few weeks ago to ask where to designate blood he donated in Audrey's name to (hospital).  How much do we love this?  Whenever we go in for something I have to give AJ's history and one of the questions is has she ever needed a transfusion.  Most of you can fly by that one, but Miss Audrey has required blood 5 times; that's FIVE transfusions in her 7 months of being here.  For those of you who give blood (my mom and dad give the max allowed each year--so proud!), thank you from the depth of my being.  Keith, you're a super uncle!!  Next, Xmas cards--oh my is all I'm sayin!  I had visions of doing something really special; well cue the reality of our life and you'll see what you get--AJ in an unmatched, un-holiday outfit (she puked on the first and then exploded on the second AT the party), Nate partly cut out and the only one with a genuine smile is me (and that's only because I was SO grateful Santa was here and we were getting the picture without having to go to the mall!  I'm hoping that they'll get out this week, we'll see, we have a different appointment everyday but Friday.  Mitchell's--LOVE you guys (Brian is Nate's best bud from KINDERGARTEN! whose parents and sister now live near by)  Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell came by this week bringing the most wonderful hand-knitted blanket and cute outfit for Audrey.  We were excited to share AJ with them.  The history Nate shares with them is comforting and although we don't see them often, they always feel like family to us. One more...Cathy, thanks for the yummy dinner, it was PERFECT! 

Alright, I just don't have anymore time; the house is still a disaster and I'm dying to just sit on the couch and veg for a bit before getting Audrey's overnight feed ready.  I definitely needed to blog this week as I lost my mind a few times so will try to make myself more this week--it really does de-stress me a bit, thanks for indulging me and moreso for keeping our crazy girl in your thoughts, we appreciate it more than you know!  I will try to get pictures up soon, Audrey is SO pretty without that NG tube! 

Talk soon,

Jenn

She's doing well and looks great!  She is sore, uncomfortable, and tired; but we've also gotten the first smiles out of her that we've seen in days.  I'm too tired to share more, but will later.  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers; we are forever grateful!

Love,

Jenn