Preschool?!?!

I can't believe it. We are enrolling Arianna into preschool 3 days a week starting in August. Well she will actually miss her first day because her MRI is scheduled on that day. :( I have so many emotions running through me right now. Excitement - that my daughter is alive to actually attend preschool! Fear - that she may get sick too often, or that kids will tease her because she is different, and worried that she won't be able to keep up with the other kids. Anxiety - I won't be with her to help her if she needs something. Will she be able to eat during lunch? (She is a horrible eater) But there is no turning back now..my baby girl is growing up and ready to take on the world!!!

Devin's 1st Birthday

So I am a month overdue posting this but here are the pics from Devin's 1st birthday. I have no idea but for some reason the cake pictures got deleted from the camera. BOO!

Wigs for Kids

The other day Arianna and myself donated our hair to Wigs for Kids. This was something I have been wanting to do with her for a long time. She was so happy to be helping kids with cancer and she was finally old enough to understand and appreciate what we did! I am so proud of her!

Before

After
Arianna donated 12 inches
I donated 16 inches

Proud girl!

Eye Appointment

As you can see Arianna had to wear those gorgeous glasses after her eye appointment today. lol! She was so cute and kept them on too.

Well guess I should tell you all why we were at the eye doctor today. During one of her speech sessions, which by the way we ran out of sessions, they mentioned her left eye was off and we should have it checked.

Diagnosis is strabismus in her left eye. Shouldn't cause any problems but we will keep an eye on it, no pun intended. They had to dilate her eyes, which is why she was sporting those gorgeous glasses. He did not that her optic nerve and vessels around that are larger than most and he feels thats due to her heart defect and different blood pressure. Her vessells are also winding and not straight like they should be. He says it shouldn't cause a problem but something he doesn't see. She has asygmatism in both eyes. This may mean she will need glasses as she gets older but it also does not mean she will..so its just a wait and see thing..again no pun intended. :) So we dont have to do anything but come back in 6 months for a recheck!

Summer Update

We got the CT approved and will have her MRI and CT done at the same time. I have recently requested a second opinion with a new orthopedic doctor regarding Arianna's scoliosis. We have been told the past 2 years that she could get a brace if her curve goes above 30 degrees and at our last appointment he said she was not a candidate for that because its a congenital scoliosis which is not new news to him so that irritated me. Plus there have been many other issues with this doctor so its time to get a new one. We will also be having her immunology follow-up soon (which reminds me I need to call and schedule that) We did get her the pneumovax and prevnar 13 vaccinations last week since they are recommended for patients with chronic illnesses such as Arianna.

Other than that we are doing well. She has not been sick and enjoying summer with her older brother Cyrus. I'm in summer school which is requiring majority of my time so I'm looking forward to my 4 week break coming up at the end of this month.


Oh almost forgot..We got a new car!

AND

Devin has started walking last week. This was from my phone so sorry for the bad video. I'll try to get another video since he is really good at it now.

Cardiac MRI & Lung CT Scheduled

I just got the call from UMC to schedule Arianna's cardiac MRI. Man, was that a hit in the gut. I knew it was coming up but I hate when I get those calls. She was suppose to have this done at the end of July but they are booked so she is scheduled for August 15th at 10am. I am working on getting insurance to approve the CT for her lungs as well. If all goes through then she will be wheeled to the CT machine right after her MRI so we don't have to put her under twice. She does have to be put under general anesthesia so this is why I get nervous. Anytime your child has to be placed under its not a good experience. Praying that since she is older and I can explain things to her a little more that it won't be as scary and she will wake up from it okay. Last time she was delirious waking up and I pray it doesn't happen again. I guess what scares me the most is the fact that this test will indicate whether surgery is needed right now or not. It seems alot of our heart friends are having surgery so that just means our heart kiddos are growing up and with that comes heart tune-ups as I like to call it. Whatever the outcome may be I know that I have to put it in God's hands!

Arianna's First Ballet Recital

I am extremely proud of Arianna and completing her first year of ballet. She was in the white class and will advance to pink next year. She absolutely LOVES ballet and is even taking summer classes to advance her skills till next year. This was her first recital and I cannot tell you how emotional it was for me. We had just got back from California and she started getting sick on the drive home. Had a slight fever but I knew I couldn't let her miss this. She practiced so hard. This was the first time she was away from us for 5 HOURS!!! She did amazing and remember her dance when others were just standing there she was leading the group. Proud Mama moment!

Waiting for Ari to take the stage

Arianna with Rapunzel

Bepa knows how to entertain the little ones

Grams brought the ballerina pretty flowers!

Ari with the boys

Arianna with Miss Linda (Director)

I won these in the raffle

Arianna, Devin, Bepa & Grams

Arianna, Poppy & Nanny

Proud parents

Arianna with her BFF!

The most amazing man I know..My Papa!

Where's my dinner?!?!?!