Kissing Whitney

I feel like I've been neglecting this blog a little this past week or two.  I've started another blog about Whitney's feeding issues.  I'll still talk about it here some but I'm really going in dept on my other blog.  Mostly so I can think it all though in writing while hopefully helping of moms of Tubies.  Whitney's feeding are really our main concern right now and although it is rough, it really the only "side effect" of her early struggles.  I am so grateful that she doesn't have any other trial that could have been due to everything she's been through.  I've read it's common for babies to be blind or deaf or neurological problems from ECMO, and Whitney seems really Smart!  She doesn't have anything majorly wrong with her heart or lungs (just pulmonary hypertension which is under control with meds).  Anyway the site for that is    

http://whywontwhitneyween.blogspot.com/

Beautiful Whitney bathing after NG tube came out.

The hair grow longer everyday!

Doing the Best

Quick Update since this week has been busy, in a good way!  My Brother and Sister in law and their two kiddies came down from Utah on a days notice!  We've been having lots of fun hanging out, swimming, shopping and taking family pictures!  I also had some good friends come over to swim and eat and some cousins!  I post pictures later!  Also I'm trying to prepare for next week's business!  I start school! Just one class at the Community College about Food and Nutrition.  Then Tuesday we are driving to Tucson (2 and a half hours) for the feeding therapy for Whitney.  Then Wednesday it's her G-tube surgery and dealing with that all week.  I truly wish she would just eat! No mother wants to put there baby though surgery and another scar when they already have 3!  I just feel so bad because she doesn't know what's going to happen. All of a sudden she'll be screaming scared, then waking up in pain confined to a hospital bed. Anyway some how I just really want to show her that I love her and am doing the best for her.

Visit to Chandler

 Went to Chandler earlier this month with my mom and Whitney, we visited a friend and talked with her mostly about feeding issues and g-tubes. We swapped our stories and I learned a lot of useful things.   Her daughter's esophagus was not attached to her stomach so she got a G-tube at birth.  After a few surgery's she was able to eat and they weened her on off the tube around 10 months old.  Afterward we went to Option One to switch the flavor of Formula.  I got chocolate and tropical flavors and Whitney only likes the non-flavored. The company wouldn't be in our area any time soon so we drove there (one hour away).   On our way home we stopped at Ikea for fun.  Found these two pictures that I can't live without!  Maybe I'll get them in a few years though...

 Played in the children's area. 

Eating her first french fry, she actuall enjoyed it.

Exhausted.

Whitney's 1st Birthday Luau!

This was one amazing Birthday party. In Hawaii, it's common to have a big luau for a baby turning 1 year old. It's been said that many babies did not always make it to 1 year old, so when they did a big celebration was in store. All of the families and friends were invited to enjoy the festivities.  We feel this is especially appropriate for our daughter Whitney, it's a miracle she's alive and she is part Hawaiian.

 We had so many loving friends and family join us to celebrate Whitney's 1st Birthday (about 65).  There was great Hawaiian food Catered by L & L's Hawaiian BBQ, decorations I picked out from Party City and the Dollar Store, a slideshow of Whitney's first year that Thomas made, Hawaiian music provided by Merry.  We also had some amazing Hawaiian dancers!......by Seini King at  HULA HALAU O MAKALANI - HEAVENLY EYES HULA.  It was so hot outside that everyone jumped in the pool.  An fantastic photographer provided by Kehau..his name is Nick. http://www.thisisnick.com/   By the looks of these pictures he was obviously great! Mine and Whitney's outfits were made special by Trish at http://mysecretgardenboutique.shutterfly.com/    I also had a sweet candy buffet and a beautiful cake made by http://katiecakestheblog.blogspot.com/  I have many talented friends! 

Whitney had a pretty good time too!  She loved the hula dancers and mashing her cake!  I loved everything too!  And of course opening her presents! So there was this forum online ( I think Parents.com) asking about how much you spent on you child's 1st birthday.... $10, $50, $150, or $500 or more.  Some were like, I spent almost nothing...the kid won't remember it anyway. Lot's said they spent a lot of money mostly on food and decor, and others said that they spent over $500 because they wanted a huge celebration and that the party is mostly for the parents anyway!  Yeah, that was us too, way way over $500.  Call us crazy but it was definitely worth it!