Cue the Hallelujah Chorus...

Ha-llelujah, ha-llelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah, hal-le-lu-jah!

Wanna know what I've been waking up to the last few days?

One super happy, smiley, cooing, rested (albeit HUNGRY!) baby boy! So we finally did it. We let Brenner cry it out. He's been fighting a runny nose, but I knew if I waited till every ideal situation was in place, I'd never let him cry it out. Turns out that Berkley got pneumonia (he's doing much better) and on the beginning night of it, I was so busy helping Rusty clean throw-up up/ bedding/carpet/trying not to gag from the spew hitting me and in the midst of it, Brenner woke up, and I had to just let him cry because I couldn't be in two places at once. I felt horrible, but by the time I was finished settling Berk back down, the crying had stopped.
I know. I KNOW! He woke up a number of times the first few nights. By the third night I was feeling guilty and got him out of his bed-- and honestly, I endured one of the single worst nights of sleep in my life. So, determined not to falter again, I stuck to the plan Rusty and I made and now almost two weeks later, he is staying in his own bed all night long! Now notice, I didn't say the magic "sleeping through the night" phrase- because he's not. He still wakes up once or twice and cries but settles right back down.

In the end, Rusty and I had to come up with a game plan we could live with. So, we started his night routine earlier- dinner (rice cereal & veggie) by 5:30 then a bath and massage, then a bottle by 6:30 and he was lights out. If he wakes up before 8 I'll give him more bottle, but after the magic 8 hits, I don't go in to get him till morning. His mood is 180* difference. He takes better & longer naps in the day too. And with him sleeping better guess who else is getting some shut eye??? (If you could see me through me screen you'd see my hand raised, and one tiny happy dance)

It's hilarious. We go in and generally, he is still waking up by 7am when the rest of the house is stumbling out of bed, but he is such a different baby! As long as he has a bottle in his mouth within a minute of waking up he is your best friend. Failure to give said bottle may result in slapping and pinching. Love it.

So, my baby boy just hit 6 months and it's like someone hit a fast forward button on him. He's almost 20 pounds already! He is already scrunchy toed in 6-12 month footed sleepers. And, he went from not sitting at all to sitting in a day. He loves to sit and pick toy after toy up and examine it. He is also quite the little tongue sticker outter. Which pleases his big brothers immensely. He also is quite a gymnast.

He loves his jumperoo- And I do too, I am actually able to put him down and get things done. Now, I know someone you may find that hard to believe (Janae & Jess) because you've never seen him anywhere but my hip- but I swear it is true!

And as this picture below is eluding too- he is trying to crawl. He does this weird plank-push up walk on his toes thing. I think he is trying to crawl without bending his knees because he knows how much holes in knees bugs me.

I just can't tell you how much we love this guy. Not that we didn't love the up all night, screamer- but it's easier to enjoy him this way let's be honest.

And wow, there are more and more days where he reminds me of a baby Braden. My kids have all had totally different hair- Braden's is still a bajillion times thicker and just has more than poor thin and sparse Berk. And Brenner's just has miracle grow in it. Can you see how long his 'bangs' are?! I JUST cut his hair short last month after that hair raising post. If you don't believe me- ask their stylist. Braden called her tonight cause his hair "needed cutting like soo bad cause up front is like so like long" (his words not mine). I think Brenner is gonna be built like Berk and look like Braden. And as long as he keeps letting me feel like a person again, he could look like a giraffe and I'd be content.

Ethan's Run 2010.,.

Yesterday morning, bright and early Rusty, Braden and my sister Rhonda and I headed out to Mesa for Ethan's Run.

We got all registered, said hello to some friendly faces and watched as the 10K got underway.
Rusty and his Dad Russ. Russ has been training for the Ragnar race next weekend, but Rusty had never run any kind of "K" before- he held his own and came across the finish line with his Dad. Way to go! Their shirts said "Grateful Heart Dad" and "Proud Heart Grandpa" and then Russ' shirt said {heart} Pops with Braden's diagnosis below it.
Rhonda and a friend of hers ran in the 10k also. I was so proud of her. She'd also never run one before and she finished and didn't quit. Even though I hear the course was mostly UPHILL! Ack!
After we took a few more race photos, Braden and I went to line up for the fun run. I saw a few more Heart Mom's I wanted to meet and even an old family friend.

Braden and a bunch of other kids rode scooters and made the runners keep up with them. I wasn't even to the half way point when he passed me on the return. He had a good time. I met Andrea G. and walked with her cute family. Funny how you are able to put two and two together and realize I went to school with her sis in law.

Russ and Rusty finished with a dang good time. I was so proud of them! Right about the time they finished it started getting SO windy as the storm rolled in.

Rhonda finished not long after and I was so proud of her. Now she has a personal goal of what time she can do and will beat it next time!
Auntie Rho and her "B-den"- after she finished she said " You know Braden, I did this for you." He thought that was pretty cool.

(Andrea G, Heidi, Andrea S & Me)

And here is the best reason for going. To support another Heart Mom Heidi, as she bravely honors her son' fight with HLHS by helping other heart families. I was pleased to finally meet Andrea Simmons, her son Owen's button has been on our blog for more than a year. We've talked on the phone and emailed/blog/facebooked so I was lovely to meet her in person. They will soon head back to Stanford (where Braden went) to have Owen's progress checked again as they wait to have him listed for a heart transplant. She's sorta a local blog celebrity- as is Mr. Owen, it was so cute to see how many adults wanted to meet him. I heard another Heart Dad say something like "it's so nice to meet the little guy who we've been praying for for two years." Awesome. I also met Heidi (who's husband I went to school with) and Elizabeth (who's little brother I know) who walked in memory of their Heart Angel Jersey & Heart Angel Jake.

As I watched dozen's of Heart Mom's connect and share stories I was a little jealous that I did it without and peer support- other than the families I met at LPCH. Thankfully, our families were MORE than supportive and we never felt alone. I am just amazed at what a cool platform blogs have opened up for people and their common trials.

I just have to say what a great turnout Ethan's Run had. I hope it becomes an annual event. I am so proud of Heidi and all the time and effort that went into everything going so smoothly. You are an inspiration. The weather even held off raining until we were almost back to our car. We got a hot chocolate at Mickey D's and warmed up. What a great day.

-One side note, Braden was stopped often to ask about his shirt. It was pretty cute. Most of the other heart kids there were under 2 years old and still in the throws of it- so he showed them his scar and we answered questions. I was awesome. I hope as he grows older he will realize just how amazing he is. And I also thought it was cool that Heidi had all the CHD kids up front when she was passing out the awards.

Getting my Craft On for a Good Cause...

So we have Ethan's Run coming up this weekend, and I know we'll get a super cute T-shirt that day, I wanted one to wear for the walk/run. So here's what I came up with. (image credits to Summertime/shabby princess) I am so excited to finally meet so many of the other Heart Mom's that I feel like I know through blogs & phone calls & facebook. It will be nice to meet in 'real life'!

{Front of Braden's (above) & the Back (below) }

(Rusty's back)

(My shirt- I haven't decided front or back yet but probably back)

I'm sooo sad that Berk and Brenner are sick and I won't be able to take them to the event. I even had cute 'CHD Bro' shirts. But, alas, Berkley has a nice case of pneumonia, yep pneumonia... and Brenner has a little cold, just upper respiratory, but with a big brother wandering around with pneumonia- we're being awfully careful. Berk is on a super duper antibiotic and round the clock breathing treatments (which he tolerates well, until they make him cough so much he pukes for an hour). And Brenner, despite us finally starting to let him cry it out, is doing great on just a few breathing treatments a day. Our whole house smells like Vicks between the chest rub and the three humidifiers running- or so Rusty says, I have such bad allergies and I'm so run down that I can't smell a thing! I can't wait for my Singulair to kick in and give me some relief. Dang AZ 'winter.'

Now let's just hope I actually manage the whole print-cut out-iron on aspect of this project without totally botching up the shirts...

And don't forget you can still register the day of the Run-- this SATURDAY in Mesa! Please come and support a great cause! And even if you can't make it you can donate online at the website above.

Amore...

We had a memorable Valentine's weekend. It started with a dinner at Ruth's Chris to celebrate Rusty's birthday with his family. Then Saturday after Rusty and the two older B's went on a quad/rhino ride up to four peaks and back. Brenner and Berkley are both sick again, one with the puky bug and Bren has a runny nose. I pray it doesn't turn into anything more. We ended up not going out Saturday because I didn't want to shove my sick kids on anyone but we got Five Guys for dinner and I was a happy girl. Sunday was a mix of sick kids, baths and laundry. Fun huh? At least I got roses out of the deal. And just as we were headed to be last night Braden lost his front tooth! That's number 3 for him, and he looks like a hillbilly, but I love i! Tomorrow is Rusty's Birthday- we're going to go to Kona Grill for dinner and then to see a movie- assuming that my kids are well long enough for anyone to babysit them! Happy Birthday Rusty, I love you- you're the BEST!

CHD Awareness Week 2010...

(feel free to save this image and post it on your blog, I made it myself with elements from Summertime Digi Scraps)

*CHDs are the #1 birth defect and the #1 cause of infant death related to birth defects. 1 in every 100 babies born will have a CHD (1 in every 800-1000 babies born has Down Syndrome).

*1 in 10 of those born with a CHD will have a fatal defect.

*In the US there are nearly twice as many deaths due to CHDs than that of all forms of childhood cancers combined. Yet there is 5 times more research for pediatric cancer than for CHDs.

*The cost of inpatient surgery alone for CHDs exceeds 2.2 billion dollars per year.

*There are approximately 35 know Congenital Heart Defects.

*Causes for CHDs are still being studied. While there is no known definitive cause, it is said that both genetics and environmental factors can play a role. Scientists have actually identified over 100 mutations that are directly linked to the heart.

*There is no known cure for CHDs. However, the mortality rate after surgery has significantly decreased in the past 20-30 years. On average it is about 5% compared to the 30% it was. At the same time, the rate of incidence of CHDs has remained unchanged.

*With advances in medicine, many of those born with a CHD will have their first and sometimes only corrective surgery before age 2.

*Many of those living with a CHD go on to lead normal to near normal lives. Those with complex CHDs will also go on to lead longer and more active lives than before. Most will have some physical limitations, but almost all learn to move pass them.

*Only about 30% of the children who need a heart transplant receive one in time.

*About 40,000 units of blood are used every day yet only about 5% of the adults, the only ones who are eligible to donate blood, do so. Someone needs blood every three seconds in the United States; that someone is often one of our heart children.

I feel like I'm one of those "The More You Know" commercials! Ha. But I feel so passionate about this. I love seeing all the hearts around this time of year, cause when I see them I think of Braden and all the other heart kids and then I think Valentine's Day. More facts and specifics about Braden's defect(s) are here. I am trying hard to come up with a cute slogan to put on Braden's shirt to wear during Ethan's Run. So far I have a few favorites like "I'm 1 in 100" or "The Chicks Dig Scars" but I'm not quite set on one yet. I think I'll go with something simple for B2 and B3 like "CHD Bro" so if anyone has any cute ideas leave a comment and I'll decide soon, I gotta either make or order them soon so we have them by the run!

Also, if you're doing Ethan's Run let me know so I can look for ya!

Lucky Number 7...

This weekend will mark the 7th anniversary of Braden's First Open Heart Surgery. It seems like a dream sometimes to think back on that time in our lives. I feel so blessed that it is over! Braden asked the other day to see pictures of the helicopter he rode in when he was born. It's funny to me as he gets older how much more he wants to know about his heart and everything that happened.

We've been big time into our Home Inventory and purging a lot of paperwork and other things that we don't need anymore. I am pretty pleased to say I have cataloged all our DVD's, Video games, and I am through about 350 books in our 'library.' So anyhow, the other day we were shredding a ton of old things, and we came across this stack of bills and I handed them to Braden to shred. And he noticed they had his name on them. So, I took a closer look and turns out he was holding a stack of EOB's (the explanation of benefits the insurance company mails you after you've been billed) from about the first 10 months of his life. It was a few inches thick! One bill in particular made me laugh and I had to take a photo of it before I joyfully shredded it.

It was this bill for the LifeFlight that Braden took when he was just hours old from Mesa to Phoenix Children's. The total there- over $15,000. The $13,000 dollar charge was just for the helicopter to come! Then the $1400 dollars was for fuel, and finally the $500 ish dollars for the actual medical supplies they used on him during transport. I can still remember what the sky looked like when I walked to the mailbox of our old house and opened up this EOB- because our insurance had decided to take a stand against how much this company charged and used us as an example. They only paid about $400 dollars of the total bill...

I just remembered thinking and this was just the beginning of his bills! Luckily, we ended up being able to fight it and I LOVE Life Flight for writing off what the insurance company didn't pay after I wrote them a letter telling them just what we were in for financially wise.

Anyways. there was something so therapeutic about shredding this reminder about the less bright side of modern medicine.

Now I've just got to go to Hallmark and see if they have a "Thanks for being an amazing surgeon and saving my son's life" card for Dr Hanley. Somehow I think I'll have to go a more generic route with the card!