Happy 3rd Birthday Sydnie!

Three years ago today we were blessed with our sweet Sydnie. It sure was an emotion paked 24 hours... ranging from extreme happiness to extreme worry! She has come a long way in her three years. Three heart surgeries, three caths, and four bronchoscopes (one of course to remove her college savings she decided to swallow $0.10). She has done an amazing job with each procedure and surgery... and our family is forever GRATEFUL for so much... for everyones support, for our doctors and nurses, for our supportive family and friends, for the blessings we've received, for Sydnie's strength and for her heart. Daily, I wish she were born with a health heart, but wouldn't changer her for the world! She is so amazing and strong! Her entire being is so bright and vibrant! When she enters a room her smile and warmth touches everyone! It's painful to ever think of our life with out her. Thank you God... for our Sydnie

Sydnie at her Birthday celebration with big sister helping with the gifts!

Sydnie is such a big girl now! I can't believe how quickly she's grown up! She has an amazing sense of humor and loves to make others laugh... this sometimes gets her into trouble! Sometimes she gets too crazy!

She loves to sing and dance and jump!

She loves to learn new things, especially if it's her big sister teaching her!

If asked how to spell her name she'll say:

HIRB

If you ask her what her favorite color is she'll say:

green

Her favorite food is (for today):

fruit snackies

What's her favorite thing to do?:

play Hippo game (hungry, hungry hippos)

If you asked her if she's a good girl she'll say:

NO... then smiles!

If you ask her what she'd like to do today she'll say:

bubbles outside

If asked why she's such a big girl she'll say:

cause I poopy on the potty so I can do gymnastics

Her favorite movie is:

Baby Einstein

She loves to color and draw:

... and pick out her own shoes

... and if given a chance she'll lighten up your life for ever!

With all of our love in our hearts, We Love you Baby... forever and ever and ever in the whole wide world!

CHD awareness, Jump Rope for Heart, and Dentist app.

Hi there Heart family! It's that time of year where Heart Families have CHD awareness pumping through our veins... We spend many hours and days thinking about ways to spread awareness!!! Everyone is doing a great job!

This is a video shared with me from Melissa, Ava's mom! www.caringbridge.org/visit/avab It's a great video! Please take a look and pass it on!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

This past Saturday Charlie participated in our school districts Jump Rope for Heart for the American Heart Association. It was a blast! There were two sessions... and when we were leaving they had reached 26,000... and were still counting! I only wish more of that would go towards CHDs.

Charlie & Sydnie with Sharkey!!!

A little "Sisterly Love" during announcements!

Both girls jumped like crazy!

Towards the end of our session we were invited to speak to the families and children about CHD's and Sydnie. It was a great opportunity to get the word out there and to show the kids a real live reason to be participating in Jump Rope for Heart. The kids were amazed to see Sydnie and how active she is. It was a great honor!

Sydnie and Daddy taking a rest!

Jump, Jump, Jump Rope! Go baby, go!


Charlie jumping with all her might! Way to go big girl!


We all had a fantastic time and are so thankful the Huron Valley Schools participated in Jump Rope for Heart!


First Dentist Appointment:

I recently took Sydnie to her first Dentist appointment... I know... She should have already visited the Dentist earlier in her life! I really wanted to spare her the additional stress and trauma! However, with all of that spared... I suppose her teeth are suffering. At her first appointment we learned that during development, her teeth didn't develop correctly! She lacks enamel in many parts of her teeth! Yikes! The dentist didn't know for sure why this happened, but she said she thought it was likely a result of her heart condition! ***Are there any other CHD kiddos who have the same thing out there???*** So now Sydnie had to have two cavities filled and is brushing with a prescription tooth paste that has a higher concentration of flouride. Along with a mouth spray that contains Xylitol! This is a natural sweetener that reduces the bacteria that helps cause cavities! Xylitol is also found in some gum and candy!
A shocking truth was shared with us... If you or a family member have had a cavity in the past our currently does, you have a very contagious bacterial infection in your mouth! This infection is easily passed to others by sharing drinks, blowing on hot food, sharing utensils... Unknowingly, Bob or myself passed this bacterial infection on to our girls!!! Now they are carriers! There isn't an antibiotic out there that has proven to be effective against this bacteria... I guess there will always be a reason to go to the dentist until an antibiotic is found to cure this infection!!!

Sydnie with Dr. Gail! She was great! Considering how resistant Sydnie was, she did a great job on her fillings! Certainly was an awful experience for Sydnie!



You know you have a great and caring doc when they take the time out of there day to fix their patients hair! :) So cute!


I hope all is going well! Take care and please continue to spread the word about CHDs!

Hugs,

The Sydnie Team

Happy Fontanniversary!!!

It's amazing what can be accomplished in a year...

A year ago today, Jan. 21st, Dr. Walters performed Sydnie's Fontan. As with any surgery, we were all scared. Scared to hand her over to others... trusting that they would take care of her and love her as we all do, scared of knowing what she would have to endure during surgery and recovery, scared of all the unknowns and knowns, scared of the helpless feeling we knew we'd feel as soon as she woke and gazed her pleading eyes at us... Luckily, Sydnie sailed through her surgery and recovery. Slowly our moments of being scared faded and were replaced with moments of confidence and peace. Each day Sydnie improved by leaps and bounds. Even with painful tubes, Sydnie made the best of it...

Once she made it through draining her endless drainage and clearing up her Chylus Effusion we were cleared to go home! This was very exciting and scary all at the same time. We didn't want to leave the comfort and knowledge of the hospital and their staff, but we were so anxious to get home and establish our normal lives again. We figured if something were going to happen the best place to be is the hospital!!! Eventually we felt confident enough to take that leap. Once cleared, we were on our way home with our PINK baby girl.


Since then so much has happened. Sydnie has come a long way. One thing quickly changed after her surgery. Since she had a Fontan with out a fenestration, she developed loads and loads of energy! Her surgery left her with oxygen saturations in the high 90's! Compared to low to mid 80's she had before surgery! Even though she had lower sats before her Fontan, she still was very energetic! It's amazing to see such an energetic little girl and know what she's been through. People always say to us, "Wow! I never would have know anything was wrong with her just by looking at her". This is so true, we too forget briefly that her heart is different from ours. Even with these brief moments, we still know!!

We are so blessed to have her here! She is so strong and amazing! She amazes us every day She's a happy little girl who loves to make people laugh...

Sydnie with her CRAZY eyes!

She's a little girl who LOVES to try new things, especially if it involves going fast or jumping...

or...

and even...

Can you believe it! She only has the left side of her heart sustaining her life! Her right side works, just doesn't do much to for her!
She is amazing!

Sydnie is a little girl who loves to draw...

and sing...

and create snowy friends...

She's a little girl who wanted something and worked hard to get it...

(she earned a "pamastics" (gymnastics) class for learning to use the potty)

Sydnie is a little girl who has come a long way in a short amount of time! We are so grateful and aware of the blessings we've received! She is an amazing little girl who loves to love everyone. ...and if you're lucky enough to receive her love, she'll often tell you... " I love you so much in the whole wide world, ever, ever, ever!"

We love you too baby.... so much in the whole wide world... ever, ever, ever!

This is the thank you video we created a year ago for you all from Sydnie and us, her team! If you have time, take a look!

We love you all so much in the whole wide world, ever, ever, ever and are thankful for all the prayers for our special little girl! She is where she is today because of you all and we will forever be grateful!!!

Our Thank You:

Love,

Sydnie