Butterflies in the garden...

Today was a great Michigan weather day. Peter and I have wanted to go and watch the butterflies at the Meijer Garden for a while now and since my sister Tina is leaving in 2 days for Albania we thought to take her there for a last excursion. It was awesome. Olivia had a bless going around the garden and looking at all the pretty things, including riding the miniature “Italian Stallion horse”…hilarious…

It is such a blessing to be able to take Livi out & about and do the things that all parents want to do with their children:)))). She is doing great, continues to drink from the bottle and growing smarter and smarter everyday… Her Cardiologist Dr. Lee is very happy with her heart and didn’t change her medicine for now; he actually is giving us a six months break before the next appointment.(great news).
The Nephrology office continues to watch her closely (every 2-3 weeks which is very helpful) and so far no transplant schedule …thank GOD… and thanks for all your continues prayers.

A cute thief.

It is amazing how smart kids are… every day Olivia shows me how I shouldn’t underestimate her “smartness”.
-Every time she does anything that she knows she shouldn’t and she gets caught she:
* looks at me all cute and blows me kisses as of nothing should go wrong ‘cuz kisses cover any bad action…
*she gets her point finger up and waives it towards me calling ME a “bad biiirl(girl)” before I even say anything to her ( she knows it)
*or she’ll turn to Paco and yell at him “paem-paem Aco” (spank-spank Paco in Albanian) like he did it and not her …amazing…
- It takes us just one time showing Olivia things and she’ll do it.
*I was teaching her how to feed her baby doll with the fake-baby bottle. After that 1-st time she grabbed the bottle right of my hand and started doing it like she had done it before…so I encouraged her by clapping, than I turned around to find a different toy for her …before I even turned fully I see her taking the bottle out of the baby’s mouth and put it in her own while she was looking at me with the corner of her eyes so she didn’t get caught…lol …now that’s a CUTE THIEF :0) .

The imitator.

Yesterday as i was changing Olivia's diaper, she kept pulling her G-tube (belly feeding tube) like she always does as a way to get more attention on her. At times it gets frustrating 'cuz I'm scared that she'll pull it out so i stopped, looked at her and put my hands on my head:
(I)- Oh, my Gosh Olivia why do you want to do that to yourself???
(O)- Got up using her abdominal muscles, put both of her little hands in each side of my head and start mumbling...oooo mighaaa....ooomighaa

It was the cutest thing ever so I started kissing her all over, laughing as hard as I could….funny.

The donation....

Sunday the 14-Th went great. We took all 72 presents over at the DeVos Children's Hospital and it was wonderful to see all the reaction from the staff. It made us feel so good to know that we could possibly put a smile in those parents faces even for a minute during those heart aching days. We would again like to thank ALL of you that were right by our side helping us with this donation and always being there to put a smile in our face :))) ...we could've never done it without YOUR support.

Olivia also enjoyed seeing a couple of the staff. Being there with her reminded us again how far we have come with the power of prayers.

She is doing better than we ever thought: drinks out of the sippy cup (throughout the whole day), has seven teeth, can almost stand-up on her own even though she gets around by scooting everywhere, loves to repeat and imitate everybody and she is almost 21LB (kind of growing like an egg cuz she is still at 20% for height: P ).

Olivia thanks for making us parents. We LOVE YOU sweetheart more than words can ever describe.

All comes from love!!!

It was amazing to see all the people that contributed and helped with Olivia's mission. We can't wait to take those presents to the DeVos children's hospital and give that "love" feeling back to which one of those families that spend all their days at the hospital wondering if there will be a "tomorrow"...

Once all was done we gathered: 50 onesis(much needed in NICU), 10 outfits, 20 baby-night gowns(boy/girl), hats, socks, mittens a bag full of toys and $300 towards children's hospital :)))) .... AMAZING...

Thank you ALL for being there for us and ALWAYS showing GOD's LOVE through your actions. WE LOVE YOU!!!

My Montage 2/1/10 at OneTrueMedia.com

Livi's 1-st year journey!!!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy 1-st Birthday precious Livi!!!

One year old...our precious baby girl is 1-yr old already.
As I was holding her this morning after she woke-up I kissed her little chubby chicks, sqizzed her tight and told her softly: " Olivia did you know that your mommy gave birth to you today last year???" she squinted her face and gave me a huge smile like she new what i said :))))))))
A smile is all I need from her to make my day and make me feel so wonderfull.

January 31-st 2009, 2:47 Olivia Grace was given to us by emergency c-section. I was in labor for 12 hrs and was under a lot of anesthetic since the epidural didn't do much .All i can hear is the doctor's voice telling me that they had to put me under since i was feeling a lot of the procedures. I remember looking up at Peter as i squizzed tight his hand and whispered...please don't let them put me under, I want to see my baby( it was a chance that Olivia couldn't make it) please, please...
2:47 PM two tiny hands reach out and grab both doctors point fingers like she needed a lift. It was than that I heard the most beautiful voice and I saw the most beautiful face ever. Soon after Livi was rushed out of the room and taken to Neo ICU which became her first nusery.

Olivia has taught us a lot during this past year. She has made us realize what a gift from GOD life & she is and how important is to honor our LORD in what we do. There is hundreds of people that pray for Olivia and us everyday and neither one of us couldn't have done it without all those prayers. Our baby girl has gone through a lot of hospitalized procedures during her first year of life but she is stronger than ever. Looking at her and what she has gone through it makes us stronger for her and for each other. She has the sweetest personality, never cries or complaint no matter her pain or discomfort. Livi's eyes always have that sparkle of life that "all is good" and GOD is always by my side...

As of this past week Livi weight's 20.1 lb , 27inch, and has 5 teeth. She is really working on standing up by her crib, eating by mouth (sippy cup and spoon) and trying to say something different beside "dadda" and "paco".

Happy New Year!!!

Tomorrow is the 1-st day of the New Year and we can't wait for this eventfull "09year to be GONE. Also... someboby is going to be ONE...soon.

Speaking about birthdays "HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNT VERA"... we love you.

Livi's first Christmas!!!!

Can't wait for Christmas this year. I think this will be the best Christmas EVER!!! Getting ready for this day, putting up the Christmas tree, buying presents for others and above all Celebrating JESUS Birthday...you can't ask for more.
Our GOD is so gracious that send us HIS only Son to save us and wash our sins away.


Since this was Olivia's first Christmas I didn't want her to get too many toys because she doesn't really understand the benefits of them, BUT that didn't stop her daddy. Every time Peter goes out comes home with a couple of toys for her :P . In the same time it is very cute & wonderful how involved he is in her life (she is a dada's girl after all). I have to admit, Christmas is my favorite holiday and getting together with family makes it even more special....
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL & GOD BLESS!!!

Time...

Time goes by so fast...Olivia is already 10 months old and 15 lb & 1/2. I can't even believe how in such short period of time you can learn and go through so much...I FEEL BLESSED. Olivia is the most wonderful gift GOD has given us. She is growing so fast it's unbelievable. Yesterday we tough her how to do/say "good-bye" and she loves waiving at everything now. It's amazing how fast of a learner she is, it takes just a couple of times to show it to her and she grasps it :)). Livi also learned how to drink out of a sippy cup which we try to introduce to her about 3-4 times a day...LOVE IT.

Thanksgiving was very special also this year since it was Livi's first one but turkey(the jar one) we found out wasn't her favorite food...you should've seen her face, couldn't even swallow it, she kept gaging herself...LOL...

This thanksgiving I'm thankful for all of you that think, pray, and love us unconditionally and above all thankful for GOD and the "miracle" that he has given us this year...MAY GOD BLESS EVERYBODY!!!

My Auntie Tina!!!

Okay, you all know for how long my mommy and daddy have been trying to get auntie Tina's visa extended...and it finally happened. Auntie Tina can stay until march 29-th and than she has to go back to Albania. We all are so happy that she'll be here for my first birthday and baby-sit me a bit longer...LOVE our "together time" .

The swallow test...

Yesterday we took Olivia for her 2-nd swallow-test and it went great. She did amazing drinking out of the bottle with the "honey & nectar thick consistancy" (thickening gel for people with respiratory problems). The therapist was so shocked to see how well she cordinated her breathing that she gave us the OK to start giving her some foods by mouth (as tolerated) and thin it out as we go so she can get use to her eating skills, hopefully once and for all :)))... so ready to get rid of the pump and 24/7 tube feeding.
Olivia's weight today was 14lb & 14oz ... growing and getting stronger everyday.

Just discovered my voice :-)

Like every week today was my day off which is usually filled with doc's appts. Around 9 AM we had the developmental therapist ladies come to do Livi's evaluation. They played with her for about 1 & half hour and did everything beside getting Livi to say any word. A couple of hours after they left I was holding her in my lap, admiring and feeling the great joy that every mom does when they cuddle with their little ones. She looked around, took a deep breath and started yelling out loud "DADDA-DADDA-GADDA-GAGGA"... I couldn't believe it... my little baby said her first word... what a precious moment.
There is nothing more beautiful that listening to your child's joyful voice, even though what they're saying doesn't make any sense :P .
It is AMAZING how GOD works in all of our lives to make us realize how precious HIS creation is.

Livi's first Halloween.

Since this was Olivia's first Halloween we wanted to get a costume that fitted her personality the best. We thought hard about it and we decided to make her a "WHOOPY CUSHION"...i know you guys think that's not cute for a girl, but Olivia s.m.times wakes us up from a dead sleep, that's how loud she is...LOL.
Anyway after looking around for 2 straight weeks with no luck in finding her size we ended up making her a "flower". She looked so cute in that outfit even though home was the only "trick or treating" that she did due to the flu season. We both had fun taking Livi's picture and eating the candy that we bought to give out ;))) .

My little trooper ;-)

Livi is such a trooper. After a long day spend at the hospital the surgery went great and now she has one less tube out of her precious body. It was funny though yesterday when I was trying to wake Livi up to take her @ the hospital for the surgery, she was having such a hard time awaking. My sister Tina that was standing right behind me slowly whispered at her: "Liiivi, time to go to schoool..." (she said smiling...mine as well say school cuz hospital and school are the same for Olivia since she goes in and out several times a week with no problem). We both looked at each other and started laughing because it is sooo true and we both needed a good laugh to take the edge off on a stressful day like that.
I love my sister Tina. For all of you that don't know her she is one of the greatest,more lovely and tenderhearted people I know. She came to the states just to baby-sit Livi and she has been a second mom to her (sometimes she does her care better than I do it). Tina's visa is expired though and she might have to go back to Albania which it will be very sad for all of us since we have spend such a close and wonderful year with her. Please pray for my sister so she can get a visa extension and be able to spend some more time with us and Livi which she spoils constantly.
God has been very wonderful to all of us and I know that no matter what He will be there in our every step of the way.

Next in line for the tooth-"Fairy"

Our Livi Lu just got her first tooth on Thursday...such a joy. Peter and I feel so blessed looking at her grow everyday and seeing how much better she already feels. I call her our little "Energizer Bunny" because since we got home she hardly naps and even at night time she gets up and wants to sit-up with her eyes still half way closed...sooo funny. Her recovery has been great. Her labs are still very manageable so her Dr. Steinke (the nephrologyst) decided to take the P.D ( peritoneal dialysis) catheter OUT. When they first told us we were sooooo shocked...our eyes teared, our hearts felt such a relief and OUR HOPES got even bigger. This all means that we can POSTPONED the TRANSPLANT until they see it necessary :-)))))))))))))))))

Her P.D surgery is on Monday around 2:30 - ish but she shouldn't be in the hospital for more than a day. I know everything will go well since YOU ALL are praying for our little angel.

Home sweet home!

We finally brought our baby girl home last night. It feels great to be able to hold her without all the tubes and monitors. It is amazing the difference in "energy" that she already has compare to before the surgery. Livi loves even more to sit-up now and also sleeping in mommy & daddy's big bed...not by our choice, it will be until she gets over her anxiety of doc & nurses... or anybody that gets close to her but us... temporary I know. Thanks again to everybody for your prayers, we couldn't have done it without you ALL.

Change of plans.

Not even minutes i posted the last post Livi's Dr. came and told me that she doesn't feel comfortable sending us home tomorrow due to her cardiomiopathy and some med. changes she likes to make due to that condition. ...Bummer... oh well whatever is best for our princess.
She did say though it might be Sunday or Monday so it's still close enough. Hopefully no more change of plans :( ...

On a mission.

Today Livi and I were on a mission. Around 7-ish in the morning the cardiologist came for the morning round and told me that in order for Olivia to be discharged she had to get certain tests done (EKG,Eco & chest X-ray). Once I heard the word "HOME" that was IT. All the tests were ordered for this weekend and Monday but after we talked with the Dr. she changed her mind & sended us downstairs to get EKG and ECO today around noon. Olivia did great even though not sedated she stayed still for the whole time...made me so proud. Once we got back in her room I couldn't stand the thought of another day here if we didn't have to. Here I grabbed Livi again (disconnected from monitors) and went right at the Dr's desk with a big smile in our face and asked when did we have to get the x-ray... The Dr. started laughing and replied " I ordered it for tomorrow but I see you already disconnected her and i know you're shooting for home tomorrow so we'll get it within the next hour...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED :-) .
We don't know what time tomorrow but so far Livi is still stable. Her labs are not the greatest but our office in GR will be able to get her back in shape. I'm so proud of my baby girl, to go through so much and still have that sweet big smile in her face as a testimony of our AWESOME GOD.

We sure miss dadda. .

I know you all got a taste of Peter's sense of humor with the last post. Livi and I couldn't have done it without Peter, his jokes, his optimism, his knowledge and above all his role as a father and husband which he does so great. Peter went back to work two days ago and we sure miss him a lot. Every time he calls I put my phone on speaker for Olivia and she goes crazy...her arms and legs go up and down followed by her blowing raspberries like he is there in front of her.
I have to say thing are getting better for Livi. As of last night she is finally off the oxygen & she has been tolerating that fine. She is still getting her 'fix" (adavan) but now is every 12 hrs through the IV and the oxycodone and Tylenol every 4-6 hrs. I just spoke to the night doctor and she thinks that we might go home early next week...YAY... "home sweet home" can't wait.

Still recovering.

We are so happy and feel so blessed with Olivia's recovery. She is currently trying to adjust to life outside the intensive care unit. It's been stressful not only for Olivia but for Dajana and I as well. There are two patients to each room and Olivia's roommate cried all night creating a chain reaction. We're trying to ween her off some of the pain meds but its proving to be a bit of a slower process than we originally thought. Our little "junky" seems to like the drugs a little too much :) They're giving her very little doses but after last night she needed a "fix" badly. Just a few minutes ago one of the nurses came to check on Livi and began talking to her in the usual "baby-voice" that most adults use. After a few minutes of blank stares from Olivia, the nurse retreated and said "Oh yeah, she's stoned." We all laughed. She's now closing her eyes to sleep, with no doubt the smooth melodies of Jimmy Hendrix swirling in her head. Anyway, Olivia's biggest challenge now is getting her lungs clear and dry so she can go home. She seems to be doing better each day so please continue to pray for us. We could not have made it this far without your prayers and support. We love you all.

Great news...

Things have gotten better..way better :-)))))) . Olivia is finally off the ventilator and all the tubes are out(beside the PD catheter and feeding tube). She was up for a couple of hours last evening which gave Peter & I the privilege of holding our little princess. We couldn't steel a lot of smiles from her since she is very congested and not feeling well from the vent-tube BUT she gave us a bunch of them today. By the way she is such a daddy's girl. She has been reaching for Peter the whole time and has been 'blowing raspberries" at him since they do that a lot at home together... ADORABLE...
Today they moved Livi out of the PICU to a general/moderate care room...healthy upgrade :p.
She is recovering very good and there is rumour that she might come home this coming weekend(as long as they get her lungs under control ). Thanks again for all the prayers... our GOD is an AWESOME GOD.

GOD is watching ...

Olivia had another good night. She has been pretty steady for the most part with saturations. This afternoon they took out the two chest tubes which is AWESOME ... less pain for her. Before they got the tubes out the nurse was changing her diaper out and she decided to hold her breath until she turned blue... just to show everybody who's the BOSS...it's sooo Olivia. It was scary to watch but didn't last long since the nurses came and suctioned her out pretty fast. Now she looks way more comfortable. Also today they started to do "sprints" on her which is allowing her under the ventilator to take "breaths" on her own for about one hour. She really did very good but they are going to repeat it a couple more times today and HOPEFULLY tomorrow they can get her off the ventilator. Can't wait to see her pretty face that is trying so hard to keep her eyes open and move her hands and legs in front of us so we can kiss them :))))) .
Thanks again for all the prayers because GOD IS WATCHING OVER US...

Progress...

Today I have to say has been a better day so far. Livi looked so much better. Her face isn't as swollen and nor is her belly. They took out one of the chest tubes (3 more to go), went down on the morphine drips and her chest X-ray looked so much better (they couldn't even see her lung yesterday). So far her blood pressure has been stable (one less med) and they are hoping by tonight to go a bit down on the ventilator. Livi is tolerating her feeding fine so she is getting almost 0.5 oz per hr.
She did open her eyes for the first time around 10:00 am ...YAY...and it was soooo precious. She looked at us back and forth and her little mouth start drooling because she wanted to talk so bad :-) . We had to stop talking no matter how much we wanted to play with her so she didn't start getting too much stimulation and had to get more sedatives.
I brought her favorite nite-nite book "On the night you were Born'' so i could read it to her but couldn't do it... tears covered my eyes as soon as I opened it so, Peter took it and read it to her as we both held each one of her little hands until she went back to sleep.
The day is still long but thanks to all your prayers we believe things will get better soon :-) .

OUR LITTLE SALSA DANCER!

Not many changes today beside her being more awake. When we got there in the morning, I don't know why but I was expecting things to look better ( a bit unrealistic). Her belly is still swollen quite a bit & her left lung is partially collapsed due to all the fluids which means she is still on the ventilator probably for another couple of days. She still has the 3 chest tubes and the dialysis catheter to drain her.Every time we called her name today she would start to move her legs and hip as much as she could so the nurses are calling her "Olivia the salsa dancer"... It fits her perfectly. Beside that she has been holding our hands all day and really squeezed them every time we tried to let it go. I know she is really sedated but I swear she knew we were there. It was just another hard day since we can't do much to help her & she squeezing our hands/fingers it made it harder... It was like she was calling for help and her mommy & daddy couldn't do ANYTHING. We don't know how much we can take seeing her like that,I hope GOD will heal her little body soon. We can't even look at her without falling over her and bursting in tears :((( .On the positive side we're hoping for a better day tomorrow. They just started feeding her so hopefully that would help...