The Phamily Blog

Fabulous!

We had our check up with Gabby's cardiologist today and it went really well. I was super nervous because I knew it was going to be a longish appointment and I had to go alone, with both kids. Not to mention, we had to go to the hospital where MAJOR construction is going on and parking is non existent. Thank GOODNESS for valet.

I was so proud when we got there that I was NOT late. It seems like anytime I have to be somewhere at a certain time anymore, I am ALWAYS late. I hate being late...It makes me anxious and crazy.

They hooked my baby up to a bunch of wires to do an EKG but she was totally fine with it. It looked kinda scary but it was quick and painless. After the EKG we headed over to do an ECHO. This was the part I was nervous about because I knew it was going to take an hour or more. I wasn't sure how Cameron was going to hold up during this, not to mention a squirmy, hungry baby. Our tech was SO sweet. She even had an impressive collection of dvd's for cam to pick from so he could watch a movie while she monitored Gabby.

He picked Thomas... surprise surprise :)

We all got comfy in our little room...I even kicked my shoes off, haha. Gabby took a bottle while the tech did the ultrasound. About ten minutes into it, the princess fell asleep which made everything very easy. The tech and I chatted the whole time. She was enthralled with the fact that my best friend lives in England. She apparently loves all things British, so she had a bajillion stories for me! She was very sweet.

Dr. Riverra came in shortly after the ECHO to let me know how everything looked. His first words were "Gabby's heart looks WONDERFUL!" YAY YAY YAY!!! She still has a hole that will require surgery eventually, but the good news is that the hole is not making the right side of her heart big. (Sometimes when there are holes in the heart, one side of the heart has to work overtime. The heart is a muscle so when that muscle gets overwor

ked, it get's bigger) Since her heart wasn't enlarged, everything is going well and there is no need for surgery just yet. Dr. Riverra likes to wait on surgery until at least six months, so we're looking really good as of now. I am so glad everything is going well... huge sigh of relief. PHEW.

That was it...we don't have to see the cardiologist for another THREE months unless there is cause for concern. We love Dr. Riverra, but NOT seeing him for a while is cool with me. :)

So that's the latest update. She is healthy (OH YEAH...she gained weight! She is on track again!) and happy, and just as beautiful as can be!

She got her first tutu today. Every prin

cess should have one. It's actually WAY too big, but I had to get it now because it was just too cute! She loves it! :)

you made WHAT out of playdoh?!!!

9:23 AM 5 Comments »

Last night Cameron decided he wanted to stimulate his creative side of the brain so we brought out the playdoh. After about three minutes of play, my son called me over to check out his masterpiece. I swear to you, I had no part in this whatsoever...this is exactly what I saw on display for my admiration:

I quickly say to Cameron, "WOW! That is so awesome Cameron! What is it?!!" to which he replied "It's Sammy's poop!" :o)

My kid is awesome, and not to mention, A FREAKIN' GENIUS! That poop is an EXACT replica. Man, he has a great attention to detail. I am so proud.

11 weeks!

10:21 AM 4 Comments »

and look what the princess can almost do!

I can tell you for CERTAIN that cameron was no where near rolling over at eleven weeks! She is already blowing my mind! GO GABBY!

And here is a funny one of Cam that he insisted I take this morning. Goober!

I am off to the mall. Wish me luck. This will be the first time I am venturing off alone with just me and the babies :o)

nothing new to report...we're boring!

6:54 PM 4 Comments »

We've been pretty low key lately. I am still averaging about one trip per week at Kaiser! They just love me there. :) Last week Gabby was taking an INCREDIBLY long time to finish a bottle and she had been doing that for a few days. This, along with sweating while eating, and heavy breathing can be a sign of heart failure...something I am supposed to be watching for. SO, off to the doctor's office we went.

Wouldn't you know that BOTH her cardiologist AND pediatrician were on vacation at the same time?! So, we had to see a nurse practitioner but she was very nice. She looked over the princess and said she saw no concern at all...she is just taking her time eating I g

uess! We did get to weigh her again and she had only gained 2.2 ounces from the previous week. Not that great, but still, she is gaining.

She is on 100% formula now. I just couldn't keep up with her anymore, and pumping just plain sucks. So, we're all happer now with the formula and she is getting the calories she needs.

We went to the city on Saturday to do some shopping and so I could meet up with one of my mommy friends I have

been chatting with for a few years. HI KYLA! It was so cool to finally meet her. She is super sweet. Her and I had lunch at Cheesecake Factory while Cam and Nguyen went off shopping. It was a nice day. Of course I sucked in the picture taking department. :( I really need to get better at it but my camera SUCKS and ticks me off 75% of the time so I just don't even go there. A new camera is coming soon...I hope (my anniversary is coming up ya know!)

Yesterday Gabby and I went to the mall (our sunday tradition!) and hit up the Janie and Jack sale. I am pretty much obsessed with that store and don't think I have seen a thing I DON'T like there! My baby is going to be one well dressed little girl. ;)

Today Cameron, Gabby, and I went and met my neighbor and her little girl at the park so the kids could play. They had such a good time and the weather was so nice. Not hot, and not cold. I love days like that.

So yeah...that's what we've been up to! Sorry we're not more exciting, haha!

Can't Sleep...

11:53 PM 2 Comments »

I am feeling down tonight and I can't sleep.

I was browsing through myspace and came across an old classmate from high school. Although we weren't friends really, we were acquaintances and had dance class together. She was a sweet girl. Anyhow, after some investigative work, I found out she is battling an agressive brain tumor at the age of 25. I just can't imagine how scary that must be for her. As I read her story, I couldn't help but get upset at myself for taking the little things in life for granted. Her attitude is INCREDIBLE. I can not imagine being so upbeat about something like this, but she is, and THAT is awesome.

SO, I am making a vow to myself to not sweat the small stuff anymore. That's not important. Living life to the fullest, and being with the people you love most is what really matters. So next time I start to get upset over something dumb, I will remind myself of Amanda. If she can be positive during this trying time in her life, so can I. She is an incredible inspiration!

Damn I'm still not good at blogging

8:10 PM 6 Comments »

Hello everyone its me Nguyen, Gabby's dad. I have a huge announcement to make. Yahoo.com has just purchased our family blog for 2 trillion. Yes, I said trillion with a "t". The only drawback is their "blog aquisition" specialist is currently located in Mexico, so we will be getting paid in pesos. At last check the 2 trillion pesos translates to 63 U.S. dollars.

On a side note, our lives have pretty much gone back to normal. We feel like a perfectly happy, healthy family of four

. Gabby gets more and more beautiful each and every day. Her hair is always sticking up and she looks exactly like one of those troll dolls with the gem stones in their belly buttons. ( I might be showing my age with that last comment).

I know she has a long, hard road ahead of her but I just can not wait until she can walk so I can start really playing with her. When I look at her, I just see the prettiest little daddy's girl ever. I used to wake up every morning and the first thing that came to my mind was the fact that my daughter has Down syndrome. It would dominate my thoughts pretty much throughout the day. Now I hardly even think about Down syndrome. Instead I think about much simpler things like what shirt hides my gut the best. (black shirts if you need to know)

I will leave you all with a random thought that came to my head a few weeks ago. If a family adopts a child with Down

syndrome, everyone almost looks at them as heroes or they become such wonderful loving people automatically. If a family gives birth to a child with Down syndrome, people are quick to offer their condolences and feel sorry for them. Aren't both families in the same situation as far as caring for and loving the child but are instantly perceived by others totally differently? Just a random thought!

Join my family in prayer that pesos will soon be worth as much as the dollar. Im out like snot from a snout!

Miss You Grandpa!

12:00 AM 4 Comments »

My Grandpa has been gone for four years, today. As a little girl and even into my teen years, as I blew out my birthday candles I always had the same wish. My wish was for my Grandpa to be able to see. I often wondered what it must have been like to be blind and live your life without being able to see the people you loved most. My heart hurt for him. I am comforted now knowing that he can see us all. I know he loved me so much but I am not sure he knew how much I loved him back. So until we meet again, Grandpa...I love you and miss you!

xoxo