It is a bit difficult for me as a new mommy to just dive in with new info now that Annalise is 9 months old without rewinding a bit so I can catch some of you up (and show off pics of adorable moments leading up to now). I'll start by saying that she is the most beautiful, intelligent, curious, joyful baby ever to bless this planet with her presence (I'm positive no other mommies have ever felt this way :)). Annalise is an amazing little girl and in her short time on earth has been touched by God's hand and has proven to the masses that the Lord is so very present in our daily trials.
See, Annalise was born with two congenital heart defects - basically two holes in the middle of her heart. She was diagnosed at 2 weeks of age. One hole was fairly minor and would allow her to grow up and live a mostly normal life. The other hole was large and required open-heart surgery to repair. I had a total meltdown in the Cardiologist's office. We were told that there was a less than 1% chance that this sweet baby's heart could heal to where surgery wasn't necessary (because sometimes these defects will "heal themselves"). Because Annalise's heart was operating well enough that she was able to breathe and eat without too much difficulty, the doctor's decided to wait until she was 3 months of age to schedule her surgery. So home we went where I spent so many days angry, sad, worrying, optimistic....basically feeling every emotion out there. Finally I did what I should have done all along....given it to God. We had prayer groups literally all over the world praying for Annalise - from India (yes the country) to our own backyard. There were folks we had never met spending time with God asking for Him to heal her heart.
When Annalise was 3 months, we headed back to the Cardiologist for a status check. After listening to her heart, the doctor thought the holes "sounded smaller" (isn't it amazing that someone can hear a healing heart?!). We were told to return when she was 4 months old for a repeat ultrasound and her pre-op workup. Well, after hundreds of ultrasound pictures of her heart, the cardiologist could find no evidence of either hole and told us to go home and enjoy our baby!! Can you believe it! She's our little less than 1%. Thank God for healing her so that she would not have to endure that surgery.
She is a miracle in more ways than I can mention. Annalise is the happiest baby I have ever seen, even through the tougher spots in her first 3 months of life. She is so energetic (walking, yes walking, at 9 months), smart and loving - I never could have anticipated how great being her mommy would be.
Enjoy some of our memorable moments.....
Annalise's very 1st baby picture.....
Annalise with her big brother Trev, she loves him so much!
Annalise with big brother Zach. These boys make such a fuss over her and love on her like I never could have imagined......what a blessing!
Annalise indulging in a Mommy and Daddy sandwich kiss.
Annalise with Uncle Greg and Aunt Madonna at her first Air Force football game. The Falcons beat the Army. The flyovers and the National Anthem were amazing!
Annalise, Mommy and Daddy at Children's Hospital right after hearing the amazing news that Annalise's heart was healed!!!
Brian was so excited about the World Series that he went out and got everyone something Rockies to wear..........this is Annalise's outfit.
Annalise posing with her Papa on her 1st Halloween. Isn't she the cutest ladybug ever?!!!
Annalise and Daddy at the park in Crested Butte, Colorado.
The big family gathering for Nana and Papa Holderness' birthday celebrations.
This one is for the Ohio Ault's, here is your little Christmas Buckeye!
Annalise's 1st Christmas picture with Papa and Nana Holderness.
Annalise's 1st Christmas morning, she was much more interested than any of us expected.