Cookie Cutter

What has our little girl been up to this past week? On top of playing with new friends, doctors appointments and pool time, she has been busy cooking in her new kitchen (pics at bottom) and learning how to use scissors. We were playing with play dough yesterday evening and for the first time she began using the playdough scissors to correctly cut the play dough. Every time she learns something new, I get this overwhelming sense of sheer excitement and pride in her. I had practiced with her before, but it never clicked on how to put her fingers in the holes. She just "got" it last night and then woke up this morning wanting to show me again :) This afternoon we are going to go get her a pair of "real, child safe" scissors.

We ordered Grace a play kitchen for her birthday. We had planned on having it put together in time for her actual birthday. Unfortunately, some of the pieces were broken during shipping. The company shipped new parts out and Ryan spent 2 hours last weekend putting it together. One of the reviewers on the website said it took him 3 hours to put it together. Ryan was determined to beat his time and that he did :) I think it is safe to say that Grace loves it. However, mommy has to make sure she checks all of the cabinets and appliances at the end of the day for any special treats that were left over. We have found a half eaten apple in the microwave, a cup of rotten milk in the fridge and Cheez-It crackers in the stove. If you leave a special request here in the comments, I am sure she will cook it for you :)

Post Heart Cath/Cardiologist Update

Grace had her 1 month checkup yesterday for her last heart catherization in June. Can you believe her oxygen saturation level was 96 today :)The highest we ever saw before this procedure was low 80's. An x-ray or echo wasn't done today, because they want to wait a few more months, until the device that they placed in her is fully covered over with tissue. We have another appointment in October. We did find out some interesting information on why her mouth still tends to be blue. Evidently, her hemoglobin levels are high, but over the next few months, they should begin to level out. The way her body compensated for the lower oxygen levels was to create more red blood cells. Hemoglobin is the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. Her body has not had time to adjust to the new oxygen levels and overtime we should notice a decrease in the blueness around her mouth. She was cleared to do all normal activity except for trampolines or football. I don't think our little girl will be playing football anytime soon anyway :) We plan on enrolling her in a 3 morning a week preschool at a church here, beginning in August. She was given written permission to sit down/rest if she wants or needs to and to watch out for dehydration. The cardiologist told us that post Fontan patients are much more likely to get dehydrated quickly when they play or are in the heat, as their little bodies are working sooooo much harder than ours. In addition, we have noticed that her energy level has increased significantly since the procedure was done. The girl danced and danced the entire time the cardiologist was talking with me and didn't slow down once. We have been enjoying the cooler weather break and spending time out on the playground. She begs to go everyday now :) I always forget to take my camera, but will try to get some pictures soon and post them for you guys! Thanks for checking in on us and come back soon, I have several posts I need to catch up on.

Baby To Toddler Overnight

I think Grace just officially passed through the last stage of being a baby :( as she spent her first night in her toddler bed last night. In many ways, she has stayed a baby (stages) longer than most, but I am not sure that I am ready for her to be a big girl yet :) Grace, we are so proud of you! You stayed in your bed all night and didn't get up once. Now to let you in on a little secret, we purposely skipped naps yesterday and she played and played at the playground in hopes that she would be utterly exhausted and not fight staying in bed. At first, she thought her bed was broken and got upset, but once Mommy and Daddy assured her that it was just a big girl bed now, she quickly calmed down and gave in to the exhaustion. Grace rolled out of bed once onto the pillows we put down on the floor, but shockingly, she just stood right up, crawled back into bed and went back to sleep with not so much as a fuss. We have a camera in her room to listen/watch her. We love the fact that we can check in and see if it is necessary to intervene, or if she will calm down on her own. This morning, she cried out for us, but waited on us to come get her and didn't get down. NOW, truth be told, we are not expecting every night to be this easy and certainly not nap time, but oh how we hope that maybe we will be wrong. Stay tuned for updates on how the transition is going :)


Last shot of Grace's bed as a crib


Daddy taking the front off and putting on the side board to make a daybed


Daddy having the talk about staying in her big girl bed


You tell me what that looks says to you?

3 for 3

What 3 year old do you know that gets 3 birthday cakes and gets to celebrate her birthday 3 different times? We happen to know one lucky little girl who fits this description :) We celebrated Grace's birthday with Ryan's parents first, then we celebrated on her actual birthday just the 3 of us, and last but not least, we celebrated again this past weekend with my side of the family.


You each made Grace's birthday incredibly special and we thank you so much for all of the birthday songs, presents and cards. I look at birthday's so much differently now since I had Grace. They are definitely something to be celebrated, but as is everyday. "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."- Psalm 118:24

Grace, you are truly a blessing to mommy and daddy. I have learned more from you in 3 years, than probably my whole life. We love you so much and look forward to many many more birthday celebrations with you.

Grace and I made a teapot cake on her birthday. She wanted all blue :)


Grace loves "flying the pane" outside of the BX on base. Since it was her birthday, she got to ride it a few extra times :)


The morning of her birthday I decided to take her to Chick-fil-A for breakfast and to play in their indoor playground. Unfortunately, it was a bit to big for her, but she had fun just climbing up and down one or two steps. The manager was so generous and gave Grace a cow PEZ dispenser and 2 free ice cream cone coupons.


Opening presents from the Voss's-thank you so much :)


Opening presents from the Cox's



Thank you Grams/Pops for my necklace, fun glasses, stickers and dress


My Little Pony Cake made by Grandma and Grace




Thank you Grandma/Paw for my Birthday bubbles, magnetic numbers, books, homemade pizza and homemade pancakes.