Summer Fun

I just wanted to let everyone know that medically speaking, Ry has been doing great!  We had a heart check up a couple of weeks ago and things checked out great.  She had an echo which showed good function, her labs were all normal and no adjustments had to be made.  We will have her 9 month cath and biopsy in July and pray for more good results.  After so many heart check-ups it's weird that she was actually due for a visit to the pediatrician.  Our visit meant one vaccine (boo!), and an overall look at her growth and development.  I was thrilled that she is back on the chart and really making her way up it.  She was in the 55% for weight and 18% for height (which is amazing).  So it's great to know that if you didn't know about our past year of events, you may just look at her and think what a cute, happy little girl and nothing more dramatic than that.
So now that you have the medical report, here's what else we've been up to.

At our last appointment, we enjoyed seeing several of our heart friends.  They all were doing so well, but some have a long road ahead as they wait for a life-saving transplant.  It is encouraging to see their smiling faces though.  We also met a new friend.  A sweet blue-eyed boy who is being supported by the Berlin Heart while he waits for his heart.  Ry and he were able to play for a bit in the playroom together and I was able to meet his wonderful parents.  Even in the few minutes that we got to know them, you can tell how much they love their sweet boy.

Being at the hospital and seeing new friends and old friends alike, reminder me even more to continue to pray for all of them.

We also delivered some fun treats to our nurses for a late Happy Nurses Day.  I hope they liked them.

I had to make my first work trip down to Corpus early in May.  It was not easy on Ry, but she did great.  I was very proud of her for being away from me for so long.  She did have a set back after my trip as far as her separation anxiety.  It existed on a whole new level.  I'm hoping she will be ok when I leave again, this time I will not tell her where I'm going. Maybe if she doesn't know that I'm working, she won't have the fear of me being gone for long.  I hope it goes ok.

We had a very, very special visit to see a dear heart friend a couple of weeks ago.  Ry and I had a playdate with our friend Leah and her family.  We had a wonderful time!  We met Leah while both girls were waiting for transplant.  While their journeys were very, very different, they share an experience that few people can.  I hope they can continue to grow and know each other as time passes.  For now, I love having a mom that's close that has, and continues to go through similar things.  Here are a few pictures from our fun afternoon.

This past weekend we had a wonderfully normal family weekend.  We headed to Houston on Friday for an Astros game with Gilly's family!  We love that park and always have fun watching baseball together.  We were all excited that Junction Jack, the Astros mascot gave Ry a ball before the game!  I tried to take a picture, but was too close to actually get her and Jack in the picture.  You can see Gilly's hand and Ry's shoes if you look hard.
I think her absolute favorite part of the game was the ice cream in the pink helmet though.  She even got to put sprinkles on it!

Saturday we drove up to College Station.  It had been a year since Ry or I had been there.  We ate our favorite burgers and then headed up to campus to check out the rennovated MSC student center and just walk around a bit.  It was a great afternoon.

We then headed to a pool party for one of Ry's friends.  She had a great time and loved being in the pool with so many kids her age. 

We ended the weekend with a night spent at my parents' house.  Sunday was a quiet day here at the house.  Just the way I love it.  I unpacked bags and washed laundry while Gilly did yardwork and Ry napped.

My heart is filled with happiness beyond words right now.  Life is just perfect as I see it.  Next weekend we look forward to dinner with friends, a family reunion, an anniversary party and a movie with Ry that we're all looking forward to. :)