A champion is born!

Six Month Anniversary

June 10th marked 6mos with Audrey in our family and our arms and it couldn't be any better.   She is thriving, growing and changing.  Last week we had her vocal chords looked at.  It required her being put under, but it was over in 5min.  Turns out there is no scar tissue from her heart surgery, but we still don't know why one side is paralyzed.  Good news though is, it shouldn't effect her development, however, we are still stuck on a lot of daaaa (which stands for dog, milk, water, swing, outside, inside, shower, the various brothers and sisters) and derrrrr (is either there or this, we usually judge the context, [aka, direction of pointing] when determining meaning).

When she is older and there is less risk involved we will probably have surgery to tighten the gap between the working vocal chord and the paralyzed chord.  The long-term risk of not doing is sound production (developing a raspy, breathy voice) and aspirating fluids into the lungs. They would take  fat from her body and  inject it into the paralyzed side to build it up and that should take care of it.  But that we don't need to worry about for awhile.

There isn't much more to report other than the close of the school year, the other kids are doing great and we look forward to...well, school starting up again! LOL!  Go Wings, thanks for a great year...the kids are totally hooked on hockey--thankfully replacing Star Wars for awhile.

Here are some pics:

Keeping up w/ Ubz

We've been busy here since my Baptism.  Hugh's 4th birthday, Owen's 6th birthday and Alena's First Holy Communion.  We also went to Naples, Fla. for Spring Break.  My first time to a beach and swimming.  It was also my first time on a putting green and of course my first time at a Ritz-Carlton resort!  My parents said don't get used to this, we got a good deal.  Next year DisneyWorld! 

My Dad posted some new videos on the blog on the video sidebar right.  It doesn't get any cuter than me!

Emma started Field Hockey up for the Spring season. She scored three goals in her first game continuing to lead her team in scoring since last fall.  Hugh started soccer and Owen started ice hockey--(so did my dad, but it's late at night so i don't get to see him).  I can't wait too skate, i am always trying to run out on the ice.  Alena is busy w/ dance and she and Emma start swim team soon.  Alena received an important award, Citizen of the Month for her class--for outstanding academics and attitude.

Okay, here's a bunch of pictures:  

Audrey's Baptism--2.24.2008

We had a fantastic day w Audrey and family. She made it through w/o tears as did the 6 other much younger babies. We, of course, were the only family of 7 there. Everyone else looked like rookies. Father had us stay in the pews and went around to apply the oil and fire portion of the ceremony. Audrey was called up first to the Baptismal Font, the picture captures water falling off her head if you look closely.

Audrey's Godmother is Julie St. George. Julie has a been a babysitter to our kids since she was 12, we lived across the street from her family in the green Ridgeway house, before we stormed the hill! Julie is from a wonderful family of 7 kids whom we have admired since we met them. Talk about doing it right, her parents are raising 7 wonderful children from ages 22 down to 5, and if our kids are half as loving, respectful and faith-focused as Julie and gang we would be very pleased. She is a junior at Bishop O'Connell, runs cross-country, works at a local kid's science and toy store here in Broadlands and is a lead organizer of the Right to Life campaign at the High School level. Accompanying Julie was her good friend and also part of our now babysitter duo, Meaghan Leon--who we have to thank for taking these fantastic pictures. I could barely get to class in HS, these kids got it together...which is good since they are both driving!

We were very pleased Julie accepted and we no doubt made the right choice--which Julie confirmed in her sentiments to Audrey.."i will always be there for you as you grow in your faith and love of Christ." We had a party at the house with friends and then it was back to healing the sick, as Hugh continues to fight an ear infection and Owen took on his first 103 fever and cold.

Moose Ride

My future's so bright...

Busy past week

We had Alena's first Sacrament of Reconciliation in preparation for First Holy Communion in April. Previous post of Owen receiving his Citizenship award. Emma is cranking out A's in Math and scoring on her Dad at will during Basement Hockey Tourney every weekend (Owen and Hugh play as does Alena, but their focus fades quickly).

And we had a busy little girl, getting into everything she could when are backs were turned. Hugh had Buddy the Bear from school for a week, he was sick part of the time but buddy was there for him through his ups and "downs and outs."