an appointment.

millie had an appointment at childrens...
- labs went well. she is officially past crying, and now chooses to smile at the techs.
- she weighed in at 15pounds 14ounces!
- her length & head are still growing steadily.
- we didnt meet with her dietician again. the plan is just to continue what we are doing, because it seems to be working for her!
- we brought up something that we are been noticing and were slightly concerned about... she has been having small tremors that almost look like a shiver or really excited shakes. dr. mack let us know that these are common side effects of some of her medications, and also because her magnesium level was low- we heard back lab results while we were in the room. the plan is to back off on her steroid again, which may fix the issue, as well as begin giving her a magnesium supplement twice a day. these tremors are not normally connected to neurological issues, which we were happy to hear, and should be short-term. we hope to see a change soon!
- everyone is still amazed at her progress and are saying that she is doing beautifully!

we saw colton, he is doing really well too, and also the other little lady we met last time who is waiting for a new liver. she is still waiting... hopefully it comes soon! luckily her health seems to be in a better place while she waits than millie's was while she was on the list, but i am sure the wait is so difficult!

a few instagrams.

enjoying 2012 so far!

fun finds.

my goals for 2012.

little by little i hope to make these happen this year...

our 2011.

Oh 2011, I loved you lots and I hated you lots. This past year had many ups & downs for us... the birth of Millie followed by a year of unexpected & expected hardships. We would have never thought that we would have a sick kid... but we did. This year made us stronger, and has made us better parents for Millie. And 2011 taught us what it truly looks like to give control over to the Lord... because we were truly in a situation where nothing we, as parents, could do would help Millie. Only prayers, the Lord, and doctors. What a year! I'm hoping for a calmer 2012.

january- we took our last photo being pregnant together, i had a few baby showers, and we finished decorating the nursery.

february: our kgroup grew- steve came home & abby was born... and lots more babies to come, we grew to a family of 3 on the 18th & met our little millie loretta, and we had our first medical experience with millie in the nicu for jaundice.

march: millie met her greatgranny and we adjusted to life with oxygen.

april: millie was diagnosed with biliary atresia and she had her first surgery- the kasai procedure.

may: millie gave us lots of smiles, we officially made the switch to only formula, and my mom came out for a visit.

june: lots of doctors appointments at childrens, millie had a hospital stay to have an ng feeding tube placed, we learned what life with a feeding tube would look like, and we celebrated the last single lady in kgroup!

july: we hosted our annual 4th of july party- redneck style, james & katie got married, and we took a roadtrip with my parents to the grand tetons & yellowstone!

august: we got all 7 babies lined up for a photo, i hosted another dinner party for the girls, and ben did the miles for millie fundraiser for the chicago triathlon & raised over $4000 for our family.

september: g's parents & brother visited, we had a nerd party for g's 27th birthday, millie was evaluated for transplant & put one the list, and we went to indiana to visit my family.

october: millie received her new liver on the 9th, we spent over 3weeks in the hospital with her- including her time in for getting a central line, and we were teenage mutant ninja turtles for halloween!

november: millie was taken off the feeding tube after 5months, i did a craft show with sarah & cathy, and we enjoyed thanksgiving with friends & family.

december: millie met santa, i hosted my annual ornament exchange, and we went home to indiana for christmas.

happy 2012!

from us!

NYE 2011.

a $3 bottle of boones farm, a fancy outfit & painted nails with no where to go, a celebrating baby, and a double feature cuddled on the couch with g waiting for midnight.
not what i originally wanted for our NYE... but it turned out to be perfect.