Merry Christmas to All

We hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas. We had a fantastic time!! Miss Emma thoroughly enjoyed all of the presents that she received!! More pictures to come soon!

Cookies with a 2 year old???

I'm not sure WHAT I was thinking when I decided to make cookies last night WITH Emma!! Actually, she had a great time....and she was SO proud to be helping Mommy, but talk about extra work! I put all of the ingredients on the table. Emma was standing on the chair. I turned to get something out of the fridge, turned around and Miss Em is "fingerpainting" with the contents of the egg that she has just broken all over the table. I quickly cleaned her up (after laughing at her giggling with delight at her accomplishment). Next I turned to put the rag back in the sink. When I turned around Emma had climbed up on the table, had her hands in the bowl with the dry ingredients, and she was about to make a second successful attempt at throwing the dry ingredients into the air only to gently be caught by.....her HAIR!! Those of you that have met my child (or you can somewhat tell from the pictures), she has some AMAZING hair!! However, when you throw a bunch of flour and sugar into it, it suddenly becomes a MESS!! I so wish that I had taken pictures. She was so happy with herself! However, I had left my camera at school..GRRR! So, you will just have to make your own image in your head. People always say that the two's are "terrible". I am finding that they are absolutely delightful! True, I am never quite sure what she will do next, but I can almost guarantee that it is going to make me laugh!

Our "poopy" weekend

Our weekend was actually wonderful...I will get to the title in a few minutes. Emma and I went to Billings to do Christmas shopping for Daddy:) We had a great time...minus the madness at the mall experience where I suddenly wished that I had a button I could push on Em's stroller that would put a gigantic bubble over her. I could just see the nasty little germ monsters making their way to my precious girl's lips...UGH! Also, in any store that she was in a cart. I wanted to make a sign that said, "I know I'm cute...but keep your hands OFF!". Why is it that complete strangers feel like they have to touch her. So, Purell once again gets a boost in the economy from the obsessive mother who bathes her child in hand sanitizer anytime anyone gets near her! I swear that I should buy stock in the stuff. Dear Santa, In case you are reading this....just fill my stocking with hand sanitizer please!

Anyway, we met Becky in Billings. We had a great lunch and then we did some shopping and had some great laughs. It was a much needed break from everyday life. Emma was so sad to see Becky say good-bye. The alligator tears must have fallen for at least 15 minutes!

Yesterday, we gave the Grizzwolds (National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie) a run for their money. Much to my husbands chagrin we put up lights on the outside of the house! We bought a new snowman this year...and he just HAD to be put together. So, I was happy when the weather warmed up! (Tim said, "No lights outside if it stays this cold!!!" Last week it was below zero, but it was a balmy 30 degrees yesterday!). We were able to get all of the lights up during naptime, so we did not have our "little helper". However, after she woke up she did "help" me to make an enormous wreath for the front of our house. We made it out of a hoola-hoop and the left over branches from the tree. Every Christmas ball that I put on....Emma took off. It was a fun little game. She would laugh and laugh and run away from me with the ball.

Now, for the reason for the title. Emma successfully went poopy on the potty 2 times this weekend!!! WOOHOO! It is just a start, but I am SO excited about this new adventure. I'm sure when Emma is 16 and reads this BLOG she will be SO excited that her Mom shared this information too:)

Life Typically Evolves

There is a family that we know. They have three daughters who are now 25, 21 and 18 years old. In January the oldest daughter will be having a baby, and in May the youngest will be graduating and going to college. The mother of the three girls will suddenly have an "empty nest"....however, she will begin to watch her grandchild each day as her oldest daughter goes to work. Life has evolved for this family...it has come full circle...that is the way that life is "supposed" to happen.

Why doesn't it happen that way for everyone?

It is during the holiday season that I find our donor family weighing heavily on my mind. Their oldest child of two tragically lost her life in a skiing accident at the tender age of 17. I have a deep connection with this family...even though I have never met them. My heart hurts for them as they go through another holiday season without their child. It brings the question to my mind...does life evolve for all of us? Their daughter missed out on going to college, being independent, having a career, experiencing the joys of getting married and having children. Her parents missed seeing their daughter live to experience her life journey. Did her life evolve? Did it just evolve in a different way? Why do some get the joys in life while others have the sorrows, or are the sorrows evenly distributed? I truly think that some people experience much deeper heartache and pain than others will ever feel....but WHY??

Every Day...A Miracle

It is so easy, in the every day hustle and bustle to forget what is truly important to us. I have found myself thinking about my husband a lot this week. It is amazing how much our relationship has transformed since the birth of Emma. I think any couple that has a child experiences this transformation, but to have a child with medical needs...it changes the shape of you as an individual, it changes the way you think, and I think that you have to go through the initial shock at your own pace...then find your soul mate again after the shock wears off. True, Tim and I have been together every step of the way. We have made every decision regarding Emma together, however at first we were both angry at what had happened to our family, this was not what we had "planned". Looking back it feels as if it was someone else's life. Life is so much better now, and we are finally getting back to what is truly important to us...our family.



When Tim and I were dating I received flowers A LOT. Our first Valentines day he made Lobster fondue and a fabulous dessert. When he went away on trips he would leave little notes and gifts around my house. He would write love letters to me that would melt my heart. Luckily, I hung onto those letters. I come across them occassionally and I read them again. It brings me back to those "simple times". Then, I find myself wondering "where did that romantic guy go". Well, he IS still in there!! It's just in a different way. You see, every time that I go to bed I open a beautiful little box next to my bed. On the lid there is a mother holding a child and it is carved in wood. There are roses carved on the sides. When I open the box I look on the bottom where it says "Every Day...A Miracle". This box was a gift from my loving and romantic husband when he returned from a trip. On the inside of the lid there is a picture of our precious girl sitting on my shoulders. Looking in that box takes the weight of the world off of me. Each night I blow a kiss in the box and I close it. I am reminded again and again that every day is a miracle. It is a miracle with Emma, it is a miracle with Tim, it is a miracle with each person that I connect with every day. Life is a miracle, and how amazing it is to see the miracles that surround us when we stop to think about what is truly important to us.

Chocolate Lover

Emma has a sweet tooth at a young age! There was a chocolate fountain at our Thanksgiving feast, and she was not happy unless she was up next to the sweet fountain and someone was scooping some wonderful chocolate into her mouth!! Who can blame her....after all chocolate is a girl's best friend, right??

Hmmmm?????

It has been one month since Emma was sick and in the hospital last....and, guess what! Yes, you guessed it....she is sick again! I should be thankful because this is truly the longest we have gone in 6 months without being on antibiotics (it is usually every 2 wks), and I am thankful that we are not in the hospital....yet! However, I find myself feeling so sad for Emma. How fun is it to be sick SO much? I look at her today and she just looks miserable. She has a 103 degree fever (on Motrin), she's coughing, runny nose, and she just wants to sleep, sleep, sleep...but not drink or eat. I realize that children get sick...but, wow! This is a lot! I got spoiled last winter. She stayed healthy all winter...until March. It seems as if she has been sick ever since March.

Then, I stop and I AM thankful because Mr. Liver is HAPPY!! So, that is good. We take the good, we take the bad, we take them both, and there you have the facts of life:) (can you tell that I am sleep deprived also???)) UGH! Anyway, if Mr. Liver is happy then Denver is happy, so they will NOT want to see us in person....THAT is a great thing!!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was GREAT! Emma did not really start to get sick until yesterday. So, yesterday I took her to our Urgent Care, and they put her on Zithromax. She has had 2 doses today...and she is WORSE!!! Does that make any sense?? NO!!

Well, enough of my gripe session for one day! Thanks for "listening" I feel so much better! Now, I'll just pray that Em feels better soon too!!

Oh, by the way, I changed my options on my Blog so that EVERYONE can post comments now...so, post away...I would LOVE To hear from you!!

I'm Thankful For

The list of things to be thankful for is vast. I cannot begin to tell you ALL that there is to be thankful for in my life. However, I would like to make an attempt at a few of the very important things that there are to be thankful for. So, here are my top 5. I would love to have you tell me in the comments section about the things that you are most thankful for.



1) I am thankful for Emma's donor and the donor family. To make the decision to donate your child's organs in your most intense moment of grief would be very difficult. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them. They are the reason that our girl is here to spend this Thanksgiving day with us.



2) My family. My husband, who has been my rock through all of the chaos in our lives. My sister who helps to soften my moods when I get angry. Of course I am very thankful for Miss Emma...but I will get to that. I am also very thankful for the rest of our families...and our extended family (our very close friends)....you have been there for us through everything!!



3) My job. The children in my class and most of their parents are SO wonderful! They are just amazing!



4) For Caringbridge and the ability to "connect" with other families going through times that are not "typical" in parenthood.



5) Last but not least....my beautiful and amazing Emma. I would not be who I am today without you Baby Girl. You are the light that brightens my every day. Your laugh makes my heart melt, and your love for everyone and everything is contagious. Don't ever change a thing about you Baby Girl. You will go so far in life because you are who you are. I love you SO much!!

A "few" Pictures

Well, this weekend I was feeling as if my camera needed a little workout. It was feeling a bit neglected, so I took a "few" pictures of Miss Emma. We did have a "very Foley" weekend...as my friend Becky would put it. You see, in our household we have very few relaxing weekends...especially lately. We are in the process of completely re-doing our basement. And, it is looking mighty fine I might add. However, attempting to do this with a 2 year old proves to be a challenging, yet humerous experience (I wish I would have had my camera as she was bringing every tool to her dad and saying "Dad!!!" like, "listen here buddy, I know you need this"!



Anyway, on to pictures of Miss Em. She loves having anything on her head these days as you will see...hats, Shrek ears, princess crowns. She is also a big fan of "helping" to do the laundry and the dishes. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. OH, and PLEASE sign in and let me know that you were here. I know that many check this site....but where are the messages??? Thanks!

Kindergarten perspective on Thanksgiving

I asked my kindergarteners a few questions about Thanksgiving today, and found it to be so interesting to see the perspective of a 5 year old. They are so innocent and wonderful. It is amazing that they have only experienced Thanksgiving 4 times! Now, we had talked about the pilgrims and indians in class, so they did have some background knowledge. I am going to just post a few of my favorites.

Who were the pilgrims??

*They were people who made a feast and they called it a first Thanksgiving.
*The people who died...and their horses died too.
*They are the people who always make fruit.
*They came over on a boat called the "Flower May".
*They growed lots and lots of food.


Who were the indians??

*They were the people who lived in America, but they live where it's very very hot.
*They taught the pilgrims to plant stuff.
*They were the bad guys.
*They wear make-up and they live in tents.


Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving today?? (this was my favorite!!)
*It is SO close to Christmas
*Because it is a special day...we eat a lot.
*It's almost Easter...it comes right after Christmas.
*The pilgrims are very hungry.
*It is a really special day. We eat turkey and corn because Christmas is almost coming.


OK, so the tie between Christmas and Thanksgiving....not sure where that came from?? Isn't it interesting though to peak into the thought process of a 5 year old?? However, do any of us really THINK about WHY we celebrate Thanksgiving?? It IS a difficult thing to put into words...especially for little ones. They give me a new perspective every single day, and today I thought I would share with all of you!

What a difference

While watching my sweet little girl this evening, I found myself reflecting on the events of her life. She is such a miracle! I am reminded every day of the beauty within her, and how fortunate we are that she is here to spend one more day! Her laugh, smile, the way she runs away from me when I'm trying to get her...I wouldn't change it for a minute. Now, there is the occassional moment like dinner tonight when I want to scream (she thought it was funny to chew a few bites, take it out of her mouth, and throw it at Mom) UGH!! but, I would not change a thing about her. I just had to share 2 pictures today. The first one was 5 days after she was listed for a new liver in 2003! She was SO sick, and had no energy! The second picture was taken recently! What a difference! Life is the most precious gift we can be given, and she was given SO much life with her new liver! Thank you donor family for making that choice in your most difficult time!

Happy Halloween

Pictures of my " cute little pup! " Isn't she sweet?

Welcome to "The Swamp"

I teach at a rural school. We have 4 teachers and 2 aides...that is our entire staff! So, every year we (OK, I am in "charge" of Halloween) get together and come up with a theme for our staff costumes! This year we are the characters from Shrek 2!! I am Princess Fiona! I love the staff that I work with, and I actually love Halloween...it is SO fun to dress up and act silly. It is the day after Halloween when the kids are dead tired from all of the sugar and activity from the day before that is not so fun! But, today we will enjoy:)

A few fun pictures

Here are a few pictures of the every changing Miss Em. This was from 2 weekends ago.....this past weekend was spent at the hospital...UGH!! However, she is feeling MUCH better today, and should even enjoy a little trick or treating this evening. I will post pictures of her tomorrow! I just had to post the picture of her hair because it is the most amazing hair that I have ever seen...especially on a 2 year old! I also had to post the ballerina because she loves to dance while she has it on...and it is almost too small!

Going to the Funny Farm???

Just when life seems to be "normal" again in our little household (our new kind of normal anyway), the subconscience takes hold. The little part somewhere in our brain that has to remind us again and again about what DID happen, and how we are NOT invinceable. Life as we knew it before (the carefree, whatever will be will be days) no longer exist. We know that life has many obstacles, and we need to be there to help our little girl climb over the bumps that life throws her way.

I am reminded of this nightly, as I drift away to that wonderous state that we all love. The world of sleep. Oh, what used to be so peaceful is now my mystery land. I wake up questioning WHY I dreamt that? Is it really going to happen? I should go check on Emma! My dreams tell me that something is still going to happen to my sweet little angel, and I know that I can not deal with that! I dream at least once a week that Emma dies or that I lose her in a forrest, shopping mall, etc.

The irony of all of this is that Emma is doing very well post transplant. Her liver is very happy in its new home.

I have been told that it could be post traumatic stress that I am dealing with now. I had to be so strong during her time when she was so sick that I didn't deal with my own feelings. I wonder if it could also be that 2 of my very close friends have lost their children (both Emma's age and had heart transplants) within the last 10 months. I feel like I dealt well with both of those at the time also, and I knew that Emma's situation was so different that I didn't worry about that happening to her. However, the reality is her situation really is not that different at all. We never know what is around the corner! Before I had Emma I would look at people who had sick kids or kids with special needs and I would think, "Oh those poor people!" and at times I heard people say, "I wonder what she did when she was pregnant to make her child like that". At the time that I heard that, in the back of my mind I would think the same thing. I know that does not make me a "good" person. I NEVER dreamt that my child would be born sick! I know now that no one ever thinks that their child will be born with anything "wrong"....it just happens! So, the question nagging on my mind is...how do I KNOW that something else will not "just happen" to Emma? How do any of us know? I know that we don't. I know that I need to live for today and be so happy that she is here for me to love and hug and watch her grow. I know how lucky I am to have my child still here on this Earth with me....but, my subconscious is still nagging me that I need to hang onto every precious second with her because it could be her last.

Am I headed to the funny farm?? Am I just finally trying to sort it all out? Am I just grasping at too many straws??? Let me know what you think. Thanks for listening to me ramble!

A little Trivia

Five Questions


Quiz taken at the request of Laurie...

5 things I plan to do before I die:
1) Get my masters degree
2) Go to Australia
3) live life well
4) Enjoy my child to the fullest
5) Travel to Europe

5 things I can do:
1) Teach an entire class while tying one child's shoe, helping another blow their nose, and cleaning up vomit ALL at the same time:)
2) Buy shoes for Emma....LOTS of shoes for Emma:)
3) Cry until all of my tear ducts are officially clean
4) Do a backflip (OK, so I haven't tried it since I had Emma)
5) Be a GREAT friend

5 things I can’t do:
1) Rock climb
2) "fix" my child
3) Run a marathon
4) Parallel park
5) Pee standing up (Tim helped me think of that one)

5 things that attract me to the opposite sex:
1) Has to have goals
2) Outgoing
3) Love for the outdoors
4) eyes
5) Ability to laugh...and make me laugh

5 things that I say most often:
1) NO ---- mostly to Miss Em
2) Are you serious?
3) I love you
4) Nice
5) whatever

5 celebrity crushes:
1) George Clooney
2) Ashton Kucher (Lucky Demi)
3) Rick Shroeder (OK...back to Silver Spoons days:)
4) Adam Sandler....HE'S FUNNY!
5) Matthew McConaghey (spelling??)

5 people I want to do this:
1) Becky
2) Nancy
3) Susan
4) Terri
5) Leslie

Enjoying Fall

Emma loves the sound of the leaves crunching when she walks on them!! It is so fun to enjoy the "little things" that kids find amazing!! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all find joy every day in the simple things in life?? I am so glad that I have my child to teach me that and so much more!!



Have a wonderful weekend!

I cannot express the pride that I felt to see my baby girl walk down the aisle at my Brother-in-laws wedding. Emotions flooded through me, and I found myself on the verge of tears! I was just so happy that she was there to share that special day with us....I was just so happy that so many people know what a miracle and a blessing she is! I had to share a few photos with all of you! My baby is growing up!

Emma's party pics

Emma had such a great time at her birthday party!! I thought that I would share some pictures! She got to swing with her cousins, then they all went swimming, we had a great Elmo cake (made by Mommy:), then we sent a balloon up to her donor, but most of all she just enjoyed walking around from person to person and entertaining:) What a difference a year makes:) Enjoy the pictures!!!

and....SHE'S OFF!!!

Here's a picture of our "Mobile Little Miss"!! Does she look proud of herself or what?? Ignore the clothing:) It was laundry day!

Prayers and a little "pity party" was all it took:)

Well, first I need to apologize for my last post. I was just having a down day, and I needed to vent. So, I did. Then, last night I prayed to God to let me see my child's first steps tomorrow...on her second birthday...that is all that I wanted!

Well, GUESS WHAT!!! God does answer prayers and then some! My little girl took off across the room straight into her Mommy's arms! I have to say that I am on cloud 9 today...I am the happiest Mommy in the world! What an amazing experience to SEE the first time that they have that independence! I will have to post pictures soon!

Parental "Norms"

Is it wrong for me to just want to fit in with the parental "norms" in one category? To be able to talk to other first time parents who still have that innocense of first time parenting? I would love to have the conversation and be able to say, Yes, Emma did that (insert walking, talking, eating, etc.) around that same time also?

Today is just a gloomy day for me. I have not had one of those in quite some time, so I guess that I am entitled, however I do not like them. I am really having a difficult time because Emma will be 2 on Friday and she is still not walking on her own! She walks EVERYWHERE in our house...while holding onto the walls! Don't get me wrong, Emma has come so far in the last year! It's just until now I would always tell myself, "well, other kids that we know with Biliary Atresia aren't walking yet either", well, now they ALL are. I am SO happy for them, but I feel so alone also! When will it happen for Emma. I have honestly thought since Christmas that it would be "anyday now"...as we still wait.

I have people tell me that "once she walks you will say to yourself why did I ever want her to do that?". Well, I will not fit into that "parental norm" either. I have waited too long to see her with that independence...I will be so excited!!

Thanks for listening to me vent! Sometimes that is just what I need!

Floating Through Life

There is nothing that can relieve my stress better than a great day of floating down a freezing cold river on a 100 degree day! Miss Emma went to the babysitter, and Tim and I set out on a great adventure with some of our wonderful friends. It could not have been more perfect! This summer has been so much more carefree than the last 2 summers, and we are enjoying every minute of it!!!





"Getting ready for the big adventure"





"Time for a mid-trip float down the river....boy, is it COLD!!!"





"The beautiful rainbow at the end of the day"

Treasured moments

It is true that we really never know when we will see someone for the last time. It is easy for us to say that we need to cherish every moment, and appreciate all of the people in our lives (although at times it is so difficult to see the good in someone...it is always there). Yes, it is easy for us to "say" this, but to actually live the way that we "should" live is another story.

Over the last week I have found myself reminessing about our first medical experiences with Emma. I remember the first time that we came back from Denver...after being in the hospital for a month. People were trying to comfort us, and I remember many people saying that famous saying that "God doesn't give you more than you can handle". It made me so angry. I was not this strong. The other favorite that people would say is, "Everything happens for a reason". Well, please tell me the reason that God chose our daughter to have medical difficulties!!

However, as I look back on the last two years, I am finally seeing all of the GOOD things that have come from our medical experiences. There are so many treasured moments. Here is the one that is at the forefront of my mind right now. I have found one of my best friends through my "medical mom" experience. Her name is Becky, and I met her at an Organ Donor Awareness walk last September. Her little boy Louie has become one of Emma's best buddies. Louie had a heart transplant, and he was later found to have a mitochondrial disorder. I have to say that Becky is the most amazing mother that I have ever known. No matter what she has encountered with Louie, she has continued to hold him, love him, and be the very best advocate that she ever could be. She has helped me to be a better mother.

Three weeks ago today we met for doctors apointments in another town, and we stayed in a hotel with our kids. We took the kids swimming, ate pizza, drank wine, and talked until late at night. It was just what we ALL needed. The moment that I will always treasure is watching Louie swim. He had lost so much of his strength with his battle with his mitochondrial disorder, but in the water he HAD the freedom to move, and he loved it. I will always remember the pride that shone on Becky's face! There was a very special bond between those two!

One week later I received the call. I knew when I heard Becky's voice that Louie had gone to join Jesus, and my heart ached for her. I feel so fortunate to have known Louie, and to have shared his life. Emma was blessed to have such a wonderful friend. As I look back, our medical times have been heart wrenching, but without them I would not be who I am today, and I would not have found this friendship that will remain with me for the rest of my life!!

Godspeed Little Louie!



Louie and his Mommy

One Word Please??

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me. It can only be one word. No more. Then copy & paste this in your blog so that I may leave a word about you.

Tommorow is a new day....Deep breath!!!

Today is the day that I figure I have officially earned the title "Master Mama...in the area of puke clean up". Yes, Emma did her usual routine during lunch...finished it once, threw it up, ate again, got in the car, and threw up all over her car seat. That's great! I'm good at this...not the first time. DEEP breath, thank my lucky stars that my child is with me today, and I am able to do things for her (I know what my fate could have been, and I feel so fortunate to have her here with me today).

Well, after dinner Wal-Mart was calling our name. We had pictures that needed to be picked up...that is ALL that we needed. So, I decided that we didn't need the diaper bag...we would only be gone a few minutes (I JUST told Tim, my husband, to never go anywhere without the diaper bag because that is when you would need it the most). We picked up the pictures and I remembered that I needed to get milk. We turned the corner by the infant dept. on the way to get the milk. Emma starts to cough...OH NO, she is going to throw up (remember...no diaper bag). I grabbed her dress, and caught ALL of it. Then, I went into the infant dept. picked up the first outfit that I saw, managed to get to the bathroom without anyone seeing us, changed Emma, put her back in the cart, and we were on our way (yes, we did pay for the outfit:). I have to say that I am inmpressed with myself (pat on the back).

Now, is this a "typical" response that a mother would have for their child coughing?...NO! My life is not "typical", but I am learning to appreciate every aspect of my child. She is ours, we chose to give her life, we chose to give her a second chance at life, we are SO thankful to the family that made the decision to donate their daughter's organs so Emma could have that chance, and we will do everything in our power to give our baby girl the best of everything in this world. I get stressed and upset when she gets sick, but as my husband says..."we just have to remember that we are on borrowed time". So, tomorrow I will wake up, take a deep breath, and go pick up my beautiful Angel here on Earth, and I will love her with all that I have!

Happy 4th of July

We hope that you all have a wonderful 4th of July! We will be praying for our troops that are fighting for our freedom, and for their safe return home!!!

Look at me!!!

Oh, how we all wish that we could be "almost 2" again!! The age where everyone looks at you and says, "Oh, aren't you just so cute", and you smile even bigger and bat your beautiful eyes at them! Yes, my little princess has mastered the "Look at me" way! She has figured out that anytime someone says the word "cute" she is to flutter her eyelashes at them to make them oooh and aaahhh even more. She constantly amazes me at the way she can draw in any crowd....who can resist???

The love of toast!

Yes, it is true! We are finally moving toward some more solid foods!! Granted, we only take 2 to 3 bites and we are done with that....but it is a step forward, and we'll take what we get!! Oh, and cinnamon toast is also a wonderful thing to put in your ear!! Just ask Emma....she will tell you!!!

The "Universal" Language

I believe that I have found the universal language. Yes, we have all heard that "love" is it....however, this weekend I found myself watching others through the eyes of my child. It was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen. She loves EVERYONE. At what point in our lives do we discover that there is evil in this world? I found myself hoping that she would never discover that.

We went to Yellowstone National Park over the weekend. It was an absolutely gorgious day. Every time that I turned around Emma was waving at someone and giving them a smile that would melt even the meanest person's soul. People would stop, wave back at her, and go on speaking to their friends...in another language! Would they stop and "talk" that way to me???? So, I had to experiment. I walked up to a group of Asian people who obviously were not speaking English. I smiled at them and waved. They just kept on walking. Then, I went and got Emma from Tim. We walked past the SAME group of people and it was like they turned to silly putty! All of the ooohs and aaahhs! They waved at her. They were "speaking" a language that we all have within us...but, babies/toddlers are the only ones who can "speak" the language to everyone. Babies/toddlers truly are the best definition of LOVE!!!!

Princess Power!!!!

Ready, Aim, FIRE!!!!

The Sippy cup...what a wonderful invention...however, my child does not agree!! One look at a sippy cup and she fervently shakes her head no and pushes it away. No, the sippy cup does not help her to accomplish her "ultimate goal"....squirting anyone who comes near. Yes, Emma has figured out exactly how to aim the bottle at the closest person and spray it right in their face. Not something that you are extremely proud of as a mother....but, hey...it does show talent, right?? I guarantee that I am not the only one that is ready for her to make the great switch to the sippy cup.

A Year in the Life

One year ago today our little family was making our wonderful journey home from our adventure with transplant. Our home was spotless when we got there (wonderful friends and family), our freezers were both full (wonderful friends and family), and we had signs in our entry from our students at school! What an amazing homecoming.

Yes, our Little Emma was finally home. One week short of two months after we left on the plane to get our "new life". You see, when you are waiting for a transplant your life is minute by minute....you are left to wonder exactly how long your child will be with you? Will the organ come in time? What will happen to her in the meantime?? I have to say that our "new life" is one of hope and joy. We have had our share of frustrations also...and tears....but, if we had it to do all over again we would not change a thing. Our little girl is here with us to cuddle, love, and smell when she gets out of the bathtub. She is here to yell at us when we do not do EXACTLY what she thinks that we should, here to get into trouble and wrinkle her nose at us when we tell her NO.....we would not change a thing.

Our life is now "NORMAL". I do believe that every single person has a different idea of what "normal" means to them. Our normal includes therapy three times a week, three medications twice a day, a possible hospitilization with every fever, and the realization that this will ALWAYS be our "normal". Luckily, Emma is our first born, so technically we do not know any different. All that we do know is that we have the most beautiful little girl in the world (not that we are partial) and she is FULL of "mooches" for her mommy and daddy (and we cannot get enough of those).

Thinking back over the last year is amazing!! March 19 we received "the call" saying there was a liver. We had a company who offered their private jet, and we met them at the airport (along with many family and friends to see us off). I remember going down the runway, looking through the window, waving at our friends, and thinking "when am I going to wake up????" Is this real??? It literally took us longer to get to the hospital than it did to fly from Cody to Denver. Emma arrived at the hospital, underwent a six hour transplant surgery, came through with flying colors, did great for ten days, and then KABOOM contracted ecoli and 2 bile leaks. She went back in for the scariest surgery...she was so weak! But, she made it...and she was a trooper. She was on 15 meds after transplant...two times a day!! Most of the time she would vomit after her meds, so we would give them again. "Is this reality"???? was my most common thought.

Today, life is great!! Our little Emma is GREAT!!! Thanks for looking back over the last year with me. It is definitely worth sharing!!!

Isn't she sweet???