Happily Ever After...

We got the go ahead to start Gianna back into her normal routine slowly over the next few weeks. She has hit the ground running and so we take lots of walks in the stroller to keep her from over-doing it. We went to the lake to feed the ducks on Saturday. I don't know if you can see in the picture, but there were a few baby ducklings swimming with their mommies. I kept try to feed the babies but it was hard because all the other ducks would snatch it away. I told Aria totry to feed the babies, and she said, " Okay Mommy, but firstI need to make sure I feed the Mommy Ducks." So apparently we have our roles right.... I care for the babies and she's concerned for the mommies! Gianna gets the hang of it and grabs a piece of bread. Oops! I spoke too soon- I guess she thought she needed a snack more than the ducks!

Gianna LOVES the ball bath. She flops in, rolls around, and then hurls herself over the edge and onto the floor to repeat the fun. For obvious reasons, that is not something we will want her to do for a looonnnngg time to come, so with sad regret, we bagged up the balls, and put them away. Which left a big empty space in the playroom. Which, ofcourse needed to be filled with something. Hmmm, what could we do that would be just as fun as the ball bath? Fortunately for Daddy, Mommy is never short of good ideas:) So, THIS is what Princess Aria and Princess Gianna woke up to this morning: First close your eyes.... Okay, open them! Every Princess needs a castle- Right? Princess Gianna is pretty excited about the view from the floor, and can't wait to get up and get in there with her sister!

If Gianna can't get to the ball bath, then let the ball bath come to her!

For Parents of the Year. I'm sure of it, and here's why: Gianna is a full. time. job. She really is. Each day, as she feels better, her favorite game is to watch to see your head turn for a nano second, and she tries to roll out of the wagon. She is bored with all of the toys and gets frustrated in the playrooms, because she can't run around and play like she's used to. So this morning while Greg showered for church, I was oh -so- proud of myself that I successfully kept her in the Moses basket while dressing Aria. She had matching socks, shoes, and even a hairbow... Sounds easy, but you try it with an 18 mo old houdini trying to sit up, or roll out, at the suggestion of my head turning away from her. So Greg heads off to church, and is almost there when Aria begins crying, " Daddy I am so hungry..." Yup that's right. We FORGOT TO FEED our daughter!!!!! SO, He turned around, headed for the store to get her something. Can you believe us????

After 72 hours only on her tummy, we thought it might be ambitious to roll her over, put her in a wagon, stroll around the hospital, get off codeine, and then go home all in the same day.... BUT, she is AMAZING, and tolerated it all well.... So we got home at 9PM to one very excited sister and brother! Thank you for your prayers for us, keeping the pain under control and her comfortable on her tummy at times seemed like a full time job, but the staff at CHOA is amazing (we LOVE you Amy !!!) Now, if you could pray we could keep her down until next Thursday's Dr. appt. She has to remain almost entirely flat on her back until then..... The hospital used a wagon, and Daddy bought one on the way to pick us up- Thank you Jesus for wagons!!! Before surgery snuggles with Daddy Do I see a future nurse in the making?? Big sister LOVES to help! She is taking calls....Albeit on a banana phone.

Please pray for the little boy that is next door to us in the hospital. His mom is a single mom with other children at home to care for, and he is alone. She works and she comes when she can, but he is not doing well. I don't know what his condition is, just that he looks very grave, and unresponsive. No one should have to die alone, especially not a child. Please join me in praying for him, his mom(who must be in agony trying to pay the bills, care for her other children and then come visit him) and his siblings. *P.S. Gianna is improving every day and although she is still not allowed off her tummy, we think in the next day she will be and may be home by the weekend. THANK YOU for your prayers.

Please PRAY for Sweet Gianna Monday as she undergoes spinal cord surgery..... Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.