Thankful

I have a lot to be thankful this year. Last year at this time I was wishing, hoping, and praying for a baby. Little did I know that a few months later and I would be carrying one! I could extend this post into a long and sappy post. But honestly I don't have it in me. I'm already crying at the word "surgery" so I'm going to keep it short and sweet.  I'm thankful for a lot of things and a lot of people. The bottom line is that I"m thankful for Andy and Harper. Without the two of them this last year would have been completely different. I am THANKful for this:

Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your family and friends!

4 wonderful years

Today is our 4th wedding anniversary. Even though today was not the most romantic day dealing with a sick little Harper, it still makes me think about our special day.

It rained. It snowed.

There were fireworks.

There was cake (delicious and beautiful)

It was magical.

We have been together for 7 years. Married for 4. Parents for 3 months. Of course it hasn't all been easy. But what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. And we are pretty damn strong.

This may be the one and only post that Andy reads so I have to make it good.

Dear Andy:

You are:

kind, loyal, cute, funny (sometimes), not very handy, a good daddy, a good grocery shopper, and the man of the house.

A good friend. 

A good dancer. 

I may be a bit dramatic but...

 I love you. Happy anniversary. You are stuck with me.

All pictures are courtesy of A and A Photography. Loved them. You should use them if you are in Wisconsin. 

Disability Scoop

My mom, the special education aficionado, found the website www.disabilityscoop.com. I've signed up for email updates. This is my little plug for an informational website.

http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/11/15/un-world-down-syndrome-day/14445/

This website is great. It has links to tons of articles. Do you watch Glee? The actress who plays Becky has Ds and has been picked from Obama to be a part of his Disability Committee. There is also an article about Monica and David who are married and have Ds. And about life in college for someone with Ds. So many great heartwarming stories to make you remember that someone with Ds is just like anyone else.

The exciting news is that the UN is trying to officially recognize World Down Syndrome Day starting in 2012. World Down Syndrome Day is March 21 or 3.21. This day is created to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.

If you are interested make sure you sign up to receive their updates!

It wouldn't be fair if I didn't give you a Harper picture!

Bliss

The word bliss has been on the tip of my tongue lately. I've been waiting for the perfect time to use it. Sunday was that day. Bliss is knowing that others love my daughter almost as much as Andy and I.

Auntie/Godmother Dajen

Uncle/Godfather Jeffy and Auntie Dajen

Grandma and Grandpa O'Connell

 Grandpa and Nana Schaefgen

Grandpa and Grandma Bohacek

Uncle Greg and Auntie Colleen

Bliss is good food, good company, and a cute nephew who loves to ham it up for the camera. 

Bliss is adult beverages and baby formula. When did this happen?!

Bliss is finally being able to decorate with pink and say it's for someone else (the pink was secretly for me)

Bliss is the perfect dress for the perfect baby girl. 

To die for right?

Sunday was a blissful serene day. I shed no tears. I expected to. But I know that Harper is well taken care of and that she will come out of her surgery a better Harper. A more blissful Harper. A healthier Harper. But still my Harper Alice. 

Too cute for words.

Thank you to all who came to Harper's baptism. We love and appreciate you. 

The waiting game

Last Friday marked the 2 month mark before Harper's surgery. Her surgery is scheduled for Jan. 4th and it's never too soon to ask for prayers, thoughts, and wishes. 

This weekend is a big weekend. Harper's baptism is Sunday. Some of you will think we are branching out by having a baptism. Andy and I were married in a restaurant by a friend. We are not a religious couple and didn't feel that it was "right" to get married in a Catholic church. We didn't want to pretend to be religious just for one day. But we were both raised Catholic and we have each had a baptism, communion etc. and we have both grown. Even though I may not fully agree with some aspects of Catholicism I still need/want Harper to start off on the right side and she can make her decision about her own religion when she is older. And, I would like the big man (or woman) upstairs to be on our side during Harper's surgery.

this may be my favorite picture ever

Don't fret, Harper also has a super sweet outfit for her baptism that I promise to share! 

This week wasn't a week where I thought about Down syndrome much. And honestly, I've been trying to block out her heart surgery. I know it's imminent and I'll have to think about it sooner or later but I can't dwell on it. I have to work, eat, and sleep. And it's difficult to do any of that when your mind is twisting and turning about surgery. So, I avoid it until 4:00 am comes around and I can't fall back asleep. That's when I think, pray (some of you shocked!?), and talk my way into a positive scenario. A blogger friend told me that Harper is telling me not to worry because everyday she is growing bigger and stronger. And my oh my is this girlfriend growing! She's 8 pounds!

This weekend is about celebrating our little sassy pants. But today is about cleaning and organizing for tomorrow! 

told you she was sassy!

Recap

I have to admit that I loved blogging everyday to raise awareness of Down syndrome. I think my mission was accomplished. Facebook is a wonderful thing and it's also where I get most of my views from. I have many "friends" on Facebook who I haven't seen in years but I have been receiving messages from them letting me know how much they loved the daily posts. I appreciate every single reader because it means that I have reached one more person while raising awareness about Ds. So a big THANK YOU for reading!

Now I haven't blogged since Monday so today's post will just be a quick recap of the week. Nothing deep. But I have lots of pictures!

This week has been jammed pack full of exciting happenings. I'm still adjusting to being back at work as this was my first full week back. I have so much to do but feel like I'm finally able to cross items off of my to do list. I have to admit it is nice to see Andy when he picks up or drops off Harper. It's just a few minutes but it's still nice.

Harper had a check up with the cardiologists NP this week. She added the 3rd and final med that Harper will be on before her surgery. She also was weighed. Wait for it.....7 pounds and 11 ounces! I know that most babies come out around this weight and that Harper is 9 (almost 10) weeks old but I'm so proud of my little muffin!

Friday was my 30th birthday. It was pretty uneventful. Just a normal day at work and dinner with friends (thanks Simon's!) I am excited and waiting (not patiently) for my new iPhone! I'm so excited that every time a commercial for the new iPhone comes on I am smiling ear to ear! Just 3 more days and I'll have my new toy to play with.

Saturday Andy and I had our first outing together without Harper. My parents came to watch her while we went to the Badger game. I enjoyed a few Blood Mary's and the Badger win!

Today was a shopping, relaxing, and Packer day. Have a great week!