Quick Update

It's been a little while since I've updated here. Life has been hectic but I am trying to enjoy the little moments.

Work is going well. It's hard getting up so early, but I love being out before the day really gets started. Being home with Makayla during the day is so rewarding.

Makayla is doing great. We continue to see improvement in her arm. She has started to hold things and is even starting to be able to put her binky back in her mouth on occasion She smiles constantly and can brighten my day in an instant with that beautiful toothless grin of hers. We have our daily "talks" as she is becoming more animated every day. She coos and mumbles and I think I have even heard a laugh or two! I love to watch her as her personality emerges.

My MIL and I have started a new project with CHERUBS. Gabriel's Gift is a project we have started to provide new and expectant parents of CDH babies with a tote bag filled with things they may need in the NICU. We are working very hard to get donations to put these together and hope to be able to start sending some out by the end of the summer. For more information on Gabriel's Gifts check out Gabe's website at: http://www.gabriel-nava.virtual-memorials.com/main.php?action=view&mem_id=8297&page_no=6

Happy Mothers Day

Well, today was definitely an easier day to go through than it was last year. Makayla being here makes me feel like a mom, finally. The day was still very bittersweet, not having both my children here with me makes me feel empty and reminds me that I have a huge piece missing. But Makayla reminds me of how much I have to be thankful for. I am thankful to have her to give all my love and attention, and I am also so thankful to have had my time with Gabe too. I love being a mother. It gives meaning to my life. I hope both my angels know how much I love them.

Nate made me such a sweet, beautiful card! I couldn't believe how cute and caring he was. It has pictures of *all* my babies in it-animals included It reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a wonderful guy!

I also got my mothers day present in the mail! I ordered a pair of "dog tag" pendants with copies of Makayla and Gabe's feet on one side and their names, bdates, times, and weights engraved on the back. Now they can both stay next to my heart always

Hoping everyone had a wonderful Mothers Day!

Life Marches On

Things are going well. We are starting to settle into a schedule and work is going smoothly so far. Makayla has started sleeping through the night! We put her in her crib last night for the first time, which I think was more difficult on me than it was on her. I am so used to having her sleep in the cradle next to me... I hated not being able to just reach over to check on her. I'm sure I will get used to it, but right now even though she is only in the next room over I feel like she is a world away. I never thought I would be one of those "paranoid, crazy" moms, but life has changed me this last year and a half.

Makayla's physical therapy is also going very well. Her arm is improving drastically and its so nice to see her moving it around and reaching for things with it. She still has a long way to go, but her progress so far is amazing!

This summer is getting booked very quickly. We have so many plans for June and July I can't wait! I am going on 3 CHERUBS events: a camping trip in PA, a zoo trip in Boston, and the CHERUBS conference weekend in NC! I am so excited to meet the people that I have been talking to over this last year! We also plan on getting Makayla baptized in July! So many things to do and plan, this summer is going to be a great one!