COPING with surgery- Our CHD Journey

Throughout our whole CHD experience I had to find ways to make it 'ok.' I had to keep my mind busy. I'm kinda a control freak- I said it- never out loud before but I have now. So, this was a very good life lesson in not always bring able to control your life and about finding ways to be ok with that. I cried.. A lot. Sometimes- in the beginning wondered why us? Did I do something wrong during pregnancy? But quickly realized that thought process need to end. It wasn't healthy for me and if I wasn't healthy I couldn't help others through this. It wasn't happening to just me it was happening to my family, my husband, my parents, and relatives. Most of all my Peanut.

First, how do I tell my friends and family everything? How do I communicate without having to tell the same story 100 time?! FACEBOOK! I created a page, a private place of people who wanted to hear about Olivia. I needed a cool name, though. Olivia is my Peanut and that is when the Peanut Squad was born!

I did many, many things to try to make it better. After talking with the Dr. I knew one of the first things I needed to do- volunteer at the hospital. I needed to see it, be there, be part of their family and above all give back to them. I needed a way, a thoughtful way to thank this place for taking care of my child. This is where her life would change and these people were going to help. How could I not thank them?

Next, worried whether or not we could stay at the hospital, IF we needed the Ronald McDonald House, I had to have a way to thank them, I had to give to them. And that was when the love of pop tabs blossomed. We hope to become, The Peanut Squad, a member of the 1,000,000 pop tab club!

Another thing I did, was create Peanut Squad shirts and invited people to purchase them with proceeds benefiting Advocate Lutheran General and other heart organizations. I created the logo and with help from graphic designer friends, our logo was created. Unexpectedly we sold, I think, in the 170s! Along with the shirt, they also received a handmade candle painted by Olivia, a thank you picture and soy candle donated by The Lazy Ballerina. It was quite an undertaking to get all those packages together. So fun and I got to see all the support I had! I bought some for all the doctors and nurse and Dr. Nueberger wore his on his first check up with us in the hospital. Such am amazing Dr.

Buuuuuuut WAIT there's more! 

Check back to find other (I think) AWESOME ways to help you and your child through times like this!

***ADDED***

Part 2 here

Turbo Jam Digest 1

So today I got my butt outta bed at 5 AM, yes in the morning. Which sucks. I hate mornings- not a morning person. But I do because it feels so good afterward and, honestly, I have a much better more productive day. I never thought I would be the daily exerciser, but I am. It's a love hate thing. But mostly love.

I started my fitness journey with Beachbody. No, I am not a coach. No, I do not want to be one and no, this is not a post to push any of it on you! I love BB and they got me started. But my love is Chalene and Turbo... Jam and Fire! 

Both are a dance, kickboxing style with some kick ass 90s music! Boom I got your boyfriend! And others! Cardio party REMIX is an awesome 31 minute workout- 4 minute warm up, 2 sets of choreography, 2 turbos and 1 more set of choreography, a little finesse then cool down. This video includes a ton of knee lifts, turbo twist, Tai punches, howzit, zig-zag knees, punch high-low, then the finesse and jenga. She doesn't cue quite as much in this video but I love the flow. It doesn't take up a lot of room either which is nice.  It's a great workout when you're short on time.

Honestly guys, getting up SuCks! But it is soooooo worth it, I feel great and ready to take on the day! Hope you can find time to fit it in! The endorphins will rock your world!

Kellyxxoo

Super Hero streak

    Want to do something fun and crazy for your little super hero? Why not give them a Super Hero Streak? I, normally, would NEVER let my child put color in her hair and wear it daily. But this is different- to me. She is such a brave little girl and this is an awareness week. Could you imagine if all CHD warriors wore a red streak during this week? This invisible and very prevalent birth defect would not longer be invisible!

   Olivia always wants colors in her hair. Her nana and aunt are hair dressers and Aunt Jenny is always helping me color my hair, cut it, etc. I've had her put colors in my hair and Olivia is always watching. So for her birthday, Olivia got that Hot Hair stuff. Hair dye for kids that doesn't stick. Well, after surgery she wanted her  hair dyed and she wanted to to stay in. And quite frankly, after what she went through she was showered in love and unfortunately, lots of gifts.

    So, the kid wanted color in her hair. I decided she could have a red streak which was her Super Hero Streak. She earned her hair color for her bravery! So, with it being CHD week, I decided to let her have her Super Hero Streak AGAIN. Only this time I did it, so there was no fancy bleaching involved. But just color added. I need Aunt Jenny come do my hair! :) Here's what I did! And she LOVES it!

I used...

I painted it in her hair with a paint brush. I don't have any fancy hairstylist tools!

We let it sit for about 30 minutes. 

Rinsed it out and there we go! A Super Hero Streak for an adorable Super Hero!

Not super bright, but that is because we did not bleach it first. She loves it, which is all that matters! Here's to all you little and big CHD Super Heroes!

Kellyxxoo

Snow Graffiti

Looking for something fun to do with all this snow? How about a little snow graffiti? The kids Love it and will stay outside as along as you let them!

Snow Graffiti

Easy, EASY, EASY! 

Ingredients:

Bottles that spray

Food coloring

Water

Add water to bottle, then food coloring!

SPRAY AWAY!!!!

They played outside til it was dark! So much fun!

And meet Elsa!

Hope you enjoy with your little ones!

Kellyxxoo

CHD week starts TODAY

So, I began our CHD journey February 1st.
Find it here.


Our story sucks, but it is no where near as bad as other families have it. It was very hard to learn our daughter had a heart defect and live it with it. Luckily for us, it was a defect that could be fixed with one surgery. So, I had to find ways to be OK. Because no matter how many surgeries your child has- even one is bad. So, please, as you read this, know I am not comparing my journey to any others and I am sharing our CHD journey. Know that I am aware others have it worse and I feel for them. But, for us, it sucked too.

To pick up from my last CHD post...

    We lived normally and visits to the cardiologists continued and even went well. When we got to skip a year- that was AWESOME! So, we went back in August 2013. All looked well- her check up and EKG. The doctor decided to do an Echo. We joked on the way to the room, we would miss seeing  him- but not really. We walk in to room, get her settled and they start. We're talking with him, he's watching and suddenly he says "Go back, did you see that?" Talking to the ultrasound tech. My heart sank, lump in my throat. The room tunneled. What was happening? It wasn't sounding good. My husband and I just looked at each other. We had discussed surgeries in the past. I knew there were other options than Open Heart Surgery (OHS). BUt we were good- it had to be something else, surgery was not needed- right?
      So, he continues- our conversations stop- felt like forever. He says she has an ASD that needs to be repaired. "OK. So, how do we do that?" Surgery was his answer and I was like OK. He said we needed to call insurance and set a date that would work. He told us- I am sure- I don't remember exactly- it was going to be an OHS. I remember the nurse taking Livy out of the room so we could ask questions, cry and get 'counselled.' It was awful. Terrible. I mean, we were doing good. We skipped a year. It was great and then, like a gut punch, our world turned upside down. And insurance?! I didn't even think about  it. We have to pay for this. What will it cost? Shit, she needs surgery...OHS. WTF. It was terrible. Ugh, even thinking about it now sucks.

     I don't remember exactly how everything went down- it was so surreal. I know I called the Dr. a lot and took notes and goggled. I will never forget when I realized they were going to cut into her breastbone. I know it sounds stupid- duh... but you aren't always thinking clearly. I remember, I was laying in my room calling the doctor- taking notes. And I was inquiring about the incisions that can be made under the breast hoping this could be possible for her. And I said, "How are you going to fix her heart?" He replies, "They would open her up." And I asked, " How will you get to heart?" "He said, "What do you mean?" And I totally questioned my knowledge of the human anatomy and said "Her heart is behind her ribs, how will you get to it?" And THAT was when I heard those words... they were cutting her sternum. Cutting it open. Her perfect little body was going to be cut open- open. I cried and cried and cried some more. So many things go through your mind. It was crazy.  She a Sinus Venosis as well as as Ostium Secundum.

After awhile, we found out who our surgeon was Dr. Michel Ilbawi. This man is nothing short than Amazing. When we met with him, he was so kind. Of course before hand I had researched and researched him. I logged on to Babycenter to see if anyone had used him before- they had he was amazing for them too. I found he had  lead a team of doctors in this Documentary Hearts of Hope. SO, when we met him he was just perfect. He was going to fix my Livy and he did.

We scheduled surgery with Nurse Natalie. LOVE her too. April, 23, 2013. Months and months to live with and carry this information. So scared of what could happen. I had to find a way to cope. I did, many, many ways...Look for my next CHD posts which will include ways I helped myself, my family and my daughter (who knew nothing of the surgery) continue on, knowing 4/23/13 was coming. Slowly. Too slowly. I was like life stopped on that day. We looked forward to nothing, nothing past THAT DAY.

Spread CHD awareness... share with others 1:100 are born with CHD and leave the hospital.
Share our story if you'd like :)

Kellyxxoo

Beautiful Wine glass charm DIY

Holy Crap! It's finally Saturday! Eventually, I will get this down to posting daily or bi-daily but working and life, make it so difficult. You'd think this was a quick thing- not really. Writing, editing, photos and more editing! But I'm here and I have a really fun project for you to try at home. Perfect for the wine-o in your life. Wine-o  how the heck do you spell that?! I don't know- "Google!"

So what I have for you today is a super easy wine glass decoration. Totally personalize-able (another crazy word- is it a word? I don't know!) and a great gift for someone after a long stressful. Which is how this post came to be!

 MAGNETIC WINE CHARMS

It's so simple, quick and fun. Add a glass and a small (or LARGE) bottle of wine and BAM awesome gift!

So... let do it!

First you need a Neodymium Magnet (super strong) size depends on the size of your charm to be- I used a 7mm disc magnet, a button, charm or stiff sticker, glue gun and something to cut metal if you opted for a button.

Here's the pink sparkly butting I chose,

Next, but off the back part of the button. I recommend sanding the back so that the glue will stick better and your charm will have a flat bottom. 

After you have sanded the back flat use you glue gun to affix the magnet tot the back of the charm. I HIGHLY recommend a high temp glue gun. It get VERY hot, I do not recommend using with any children around

Pull the little glue strings off and attach to the cup. One magnet goes in the glass the charm on the outside. These magnets are very dangerous for children. They are easy to swallow and extremely dangerous in their belly. For adult use only. Please use carefully. Using a good quality magnet will ensure that it sticks together and does not come apart in the glass!

 Thanks for reading! Please like and share :)
Kelly xxoo

Snow...what?!?! ThE bEsT SNOW ICE CREAM EvEr!!

Hello Monday!!!! Annnd for us in the midwest... hello snowstorm Linus....yaaay (can you sense the sarcasm? It's there.) But what else does snowstorm bring besides snow? Snow ice cream. One of my favs! I used to work at a day care and when it snowed we'd rock the snow ice cream. Now that I have my own girls- WE rock the snow ice cream. It is surprisingly good. Just make sure to get clean snow. Yah know, 'Don't you go where the Huskies go and don't you eat that yellow snow!'

SIDE NOTE (to see snow ice cream SCROLL ON)
Despite the inability to travel easily, there are some living things that enjoy the snow! Meet my Husky Mya! She loves the snow, she spends a lot of her time outside this time of year.

And then there's my polydactyl cat- Schwartz. He's confused as to whether is a cat or dog. But he too, enjoys the snow. 

And so, now, for how my girls and I enjoy the snow- from inside!

This recipe is super easy. First collect about 8 C of CLEAN snow. And don't mind the child is summer jammies collecting SNOW! It was a quick collect ;)

Next, gather all ingredients: 1 C milk, 1/3 C sugar, Pinch of salt and 1tsp Vanilla extract.

Add everything to a large bowl and mix to desired consistency.

Scoop into bowls, add sprinkles- A MUST!

and Enjoy!!!

Yummm....

Here's the recipe: