8/22/20

 I am having fun decorating Annelise's casts.  I won't miss them at all when they are gone though!  Hopefully that will be in less than two weeks!

8/16/20 Happy Sunday!

 Here is a YouTube video and some photos of the last few days :)

Annelise video

Prunes, sweet potatoes, peaches, and formula for her gtube meal

8/8/20

 The blood draw for her multiple labs was a success!  Took two tries, but I am grateful for the calm and optimistic attitudes of the team of two phlebotomists who helped us.  Annelise is my hero baby, she was such a trooper.

Today, she napped in her room!  I think I've only walked her in there a few times since we have been home!  It has been a storage and catch-all room for the longest time.  Still not cleared out, but we are making progress! 

It had been a long while since I sat in the rocker in her room.... I used to sit in that chair and wonder what it would be like to be a foster parent to a baby.... then I sat in the chair and rocked our first and only foster son for 4 weeks before he went to live with his extended family...then I sat in the chair and thought about what it would be like to have this baby.... then later, I sat in the chair and wondered if Annelise would ever make it home to her crib.... to see her there sleeping while I sat in the chair in her room was a real big deal!  ❤

Our friend Suzanne Lefler made this amazing quilt for our amazing girl with a 3rd copy of her 18th chromosome.  From so many genetic counseling and specialist appointments,  we got countless photocopies of a black and white, scientific version of this picture of all our pairs of chromosomes.  It just fills my heart every time I look at this one of a kind blessing!  How can words describe what it is like to have our girl celebrated for who she is, down to every last chromosome❤

8/6/20

 We've got some big girl food in Annelise's belly starting today!  Basically, they are just premade pouches of blended food, kinda looks like a giant serving of baby food.  We are splitting that with formula for now, and the goal as she grows, is to transition her off of formula.  The big prayer is that this change would decrease the amount of tummy bubbles for Annelise's little gut!  We would seriously have more time for fun and therapies during the day without me chasing those bubbles that make her uncomfortable.  

Speaking of uncomfortable, we are going out to get blood drawn for labs tomorrow.  I dread it, because of Annelise's little tiny veins, they often can't get the blood on the first try.  So hard to watch them stick her!

We will be brave though, and I'm reminded from the posts of all our friends whose cute little kids are in vacation bible school-at-home right now.... Jesus will give us the power!

We are on our 3rd set of casts now!  Her doctor said so far, looks as he would expect!  4 more weeks to go!

8/1/20

A few photos from our weekend❤

7/29/20 New casts

Got new casts today!  Quite the mess to clean up still from soaking the casts off for the first time!  Next time should be lots easier.  Her doctor was pleased with this first round... whoohoo 1/6 of the way done!

7/26/20 1st Trachiversary

Happy 45th wedding anniversary to my amazing parents!❤❤

Happy 10th wedding anniversary to my amazing friends Laurel and Andy!❤❤

Happy 1st Trachiversary to our amazing Annelise! ❤❤

We are going through a sleep deprivation season here at the Buchanan home... so I don't know if I can put the words together to describe our past year with the trach... or what it means to us to have this lifesaving accessory for Annelise.  

This part of our medical journey has probably been the most stretching out of my comfort zone, challenging, and even a catalyst for my spiritual growth!  As I could not wrap my mind around how the God who made me and knows me better than I know myself.... would give me something beyond my ability to cope with!... God knew that with His help, turns out I was actually made to do this!  

Kevin jumped right in to caring for Annelise's trach much sooner than my fear would let me.

Also shout out to God for giving us amazingly gifted teachers to help us learn! 

There should be some sort of extra special award🏆that goes to the RT's that teach parents how to care for their child's new trach.  The patience and pretty much clinical counseling skills that go into the experience make them rock stars in my book!😎🥰🌟