Random Photos

This was the last Sunday in our duplex.

Every night Cora takes off some article of clothing. One night managed to get all tangled up in her shirt and was pretty stuck, I almost had to cut the shirt off.

 Some intense riding, and yes, we finally found a bike for him.

 Here's my happy girl! Unfortunately, the smiles didn't last very long.

I love this boy!

 Enjoying a picnic outside with my boy.

 Kimball actually took this picture.

 Playing with friends.

Our puppy.

 

Cora's First Day of College

If I had one word to sum up this experience, it would be AWESOME!!! Cora’s PT, Ginette, asked if we’d like to participate in a class she was teaching at EWU and of course I said yes. Before we got into the class she had already briefed the students about Cora’s history – the heart defects, brain abnormalities, stomach surgery, her specific delays, etc. etc. so when we walked in there they had a really good idea of what she was and was not capable of.

The class had about 40 students, plus Ginette, plus the PT professor. About 5-6 students were actually on the floor working with Cora and Ginette for hands-on experience. It was like a mini PT session and CORA WAS ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE!!! She wasn’t shy and didn’t hold back, it was amazing (especially given the pain/discomforts/sickness she’s been in lately). It was even awesome to see Cora playing with each student individually and then out of nowhere she took this one girl’s hand, she was the only one who hadn’t played with Cora. It was cool to see Cora pick up on that. With each activity and movement the professor would point out different bones and muscles that the students needed to be watching and explained why she did something a certain way or how she was able to do something.

They did a 45 minute session and when they were done it was opened up for questions for me as the mother. I was surprised at how few questions there were but I think it’s because they didn’t want to offend me and were extra cautious about that, even though I’m a total open book.

I was so disappointed when it was over! I had the best time and just laughed and smiled the whole time, I really wish Lance could have been there to see it. And I’ll admit, I had a bit of a proud mommy moment. It was awesome to see the students so engaged and smile and laugh with her and for others to witness what a miracle she really is!

Sweet Relief!

This girl is a climbing machine – Kimball was and has never been a climber so it’s very new for me. She may be a slow crawler and doesn’t walk yet but she knows what she wants and will get it eventually. 

This doctor appointment was one to remember. Usually, cardio appointments end up being a long four hours. Not only was this one under two hours but we received fantastic news! Cora doesn’t have to have heart surgery!!!!!! The ASD and pulmonic stenosis are correcting themselves, much to the doctor’s surprise!

As soon as I got in the car I lost all composure, I was so overcome with gratitude and humility and I knew it was all because of our Heavenly Father. Cora is truly a miracle baby and continues to prove to us the opposite of what doctors tell us. She’s incredible and I’m completely elated!

The Plague

Wow, what a tough couple of weeks it has been! We have all been sick, sick, sick. I've missed a month of church (although I went last week and regretted it, I was out in the hall with a cranky Cora for all three hours and was in tears by hour 2.5), we've missed three weeks of therapy, missed everything outdoors; it's been pretty miserable. One night I had the stomach flu which recurred a few days later (luckily nobody else got that!), all of us have had colds at one point, Kimball had viral pneumonia (I have no clue how he even got it), and I still have no idea what's going on with Cora. I spent one day deep cleaning the whole house to sanitize and get rid of the awful germs, I feel like we've been hit with the plague.

While I took Kimball to the doctor I managed to get him to do the Pettingill eyebrow. And I'm so proud.  :)

Catch Up

I feel like it has been forever since I posted last. In short, after we moved into the new house everybody has been sick, especially Cora. Kimball had viral pneumonia (I have no idea where he would have picked that up from) and I have no clue what's going with Cora. I've taken to her to several doctors and even a 1:00am trip to the ER and I have zero answers. We've had a lot of changes in the past month and finally some spring weather, hallelujah!! I'll post more as time allows and hopefully soon.