CHERUBS 2012 Masquerading Angels Ball

I wanted to post some information on a great upcoming CHERUBS event. Unfortunately we won't be able to make it but maybe someone reading this blog will be interested.

Formal Charity Halloween Masquerade Ball

"Come join us or a magical night for a good cause. Celebrity guests, enchanting decor, amazing music, a casino, silent auction and beautiful attire will make this a night to remember."

"Money raised from this event will go to CHERUBS to fund services to further help families of babies born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CHERUBS is a 501(c)III international children's charity."

Here is a link to the event site: http://www.cherubs-cdh.org/angelball/

6th Month CHOP Follow Up

WOW! Has it really been over two months since my last post?! I guess time really does fly when you having fun. Luna will be 6 months old next week and today was our 6 month follow up with the team at CHOP. My mom came along with us for the very long day since Daddy couldn't make it. It was a veeeeeeeery long day full of back-to-back appointments but the general consensus is that Luna is doing great. Here are some highlights from our day:

- Although Luna was not on ECMO she will be followed by the audiologist for a couple of years. The audiologist found that Luna responds very nicely to the sound of voices but then again I could have told her that since Luna's favorite past time is listening in on others' conversations...to a fault...lol.

- The (amazing)surgery team was very happy to see Luna again and were pleasantly surprised to see that she is growing so well. Luna is weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces and is 27 inches tall. She is at the 85th percentile for overall growth. Since Luna has been doing so well since being home (Thank the Lord) we decided to stop her Lasix and Potassium (she was on very small doses anyways). We will then stop her Zantac in a week since she hasn't had any trouble with reflux. Hopefully she will respond well to these changes and she will be totally med-free!!!!

- The neonatologist was also very happy with Luna's health, growth, and attentiveness. She expressed some concerns over some "mildly immature motor skills" and so we discussed ways we can improve them such as increased tummy time. She also made sure to remind me to get everyone at home a flu shot and to always keep Luna away from sick people. She also reminded me to request the synagis shots from my pediatrician to protect Luna during RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) season.

- After labs, an ECHO, and an EKG, the cardiologist determined that Luna's heart has not shifted and is still on the right side of her chest instead of the left side where it should be. He reassured me that that is not a problem and she will be able to lead a normal life with a right-sided heart. Also, if she continues to do well heartwise at her 1 year follow-up he will discharge her.

I thank the Lord above that our visit to CHOP went so well today (despite the horrible weather to and fro). My miracle baby continues to flourish. We are so very blessed.

Luna and Abuela at the end of our marathon day at CHOP

Philly Baby meets NYC

Since Daddy took the early part of this week off for the 4th of July we decided to spend the day in NYC. This was Luna's first trip to the city. It was a beautiful day, thankfully not as miserably hot as this past weekend was. We enjoyed a nice leisurely walk on the High Line, had lunch at Pop Burger, and bought dessert to-go at Chelsea Market. Overall, a beautiful day!

Strolling the High Line

Smelling the flowers



Family

Bottle break

Daddy and his girl

My beautiful baby



Our Lil' Blessing

I wanted to share this beautiful video that my husband created to share with family and friends at Luna's baptism. It shows the crazy ride we were on before, during, and after Luna's birth. The whole journey feels surreal at this point, but watching the video reminds me of how blessed we are to have Luna with us. I feel it every singe time I look at her. She truly is a miracle from God.

Here is the link to the video: Our Lil' Blessing

Hope you enjoy it!

Luna, meet Beach

Yesterday was a fun day (aside from the horrible parking mission). We took a trip down the shore to Belmar for the annual Seafood Festival. It was exciting because Luna got her first glimpse at the ocean. I think she liked it.

2 Months Old!

I can't believe my little miracle baby is two months old already. Although it feels like time has flown since the day she was born, I try very hard to take it appreciate each day as a gift from God. I just love waking up and seeing her beautiful face next to me every day. She is the best thing that has happened to me.

Here are some beautiful pictures of my Luna...

6 Weeks Old!!

Luna is 6 weeks old. Its amazing how quickly time flies. We have been home for a week now. It feels so good to be home. We have been trying to settle into a routine full of feedings, meds, diaper changings, naps etc. I feel like I'm finally starting to get the hang of all the little details that go into taking care of another human beings. I feel like we really took the NICU nurses for granted. They did soooooo much to take very good care of my little one. I know I still have a long way to go and I'm excited to learn something new everyday.

Here is Luna getting ready to go to church.

Hanging out with Abuela.