February is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Month!!!

This video was created by a fellow "heart mom" and contains pictures of several of the "heart" kiddos that we have met through our journey with Auriana's congenital heart defects.

Please watch this video and help us spread awareness!!

Facts about CHD - It's My Heart

• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 birth defect. Source: March of Dimes
• Congenital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. Source: March of Dimes
• About 1 out of every 100 babies are born each year with some type of Congenital Heart Defect. (approx. 40,000/year) Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• Nearly twice as many children die from Congenital Heart Defects in the United States each year as from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for pediatric cancer research is five times higher than funding for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• The American Heart Association directs only $0.30 of every dollar donated toward research. The remainder goes toward administration, education and fundraising efforts. Of the $0.30 that goes toward research only $0.01 goes toward pediatric cardiology for CHD. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• This year approximately 4,000 babies will not live to see their first birthday because of Congenital Heart Defects. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• The cost for inpatient surgery to repair Congenital Heart Defects exceeds $2.2 billion a year. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• Of every dollar the government spends on medical funding only a fraction of a penny is directed toward Congenital Heart Defect research. Source: Children’s Heart Foundation
• Though research is ongoing, at least 35 defects have now been identified.
• 4-8% born with CHD have Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
• 4-10% born with CHD have Atrioventricular Septal Defects
• 8-11% born with CHD have Coarctation of the Aorta
• 9-14% born with CHD have Tetralogy of Fallot
• 10-11% born with CHD have Transposition of the Great Arteries
• 14-16% born with CHD have Ventricular Septal Defects
• Although some babies will be diagnosed during gestation or at birth, sometimes the diagnosis is not made until days, weeks, months, or even years after. In some cases, CHD is not detected until adolescence or adulthood. Source: March of Dimes
• It is a proven fact that the earlier CHD is detected and treated, it is more likely the affected child will survive and have less long term health complications. Source: March of Dimes

My babies are growing up fast!!

I can not believe that Auriana is already over a year old and in 2 days Kylee will be 4!!!! Time flies!! Kids grow up so fast!

I became a special needs mom a year ago!

I am a "special needs" mommy...
something I never thought I'd be.
The true meaning of this, I never knew
until you came to me.
Your sweet little toes,
your little button nose,
and your amazingly beautiful smile.
The doctors told me you are a little different,
with a broken heart,
and an extra chromosome,
but all I see is perfection.
I think you are a lot like me though,
we like to go our own direction.
You do things your own way,
and at your own pace,
Some things may be a little slower,
but slow and steady will win the race.
You may not hear or eat just right,
But when I think of all you've accomplished,
I know you are very bright.
Appointment after appointment,
therapy after therapy,
I know you hate to go to them,
but I want you to be all you can be.
You stole my heart before I met you,
when the doctors told me you wouldn't survive,
I prayed and prayed to God that you would be born alive,
and I thank God he answered my prayers!
Now you have been with us a year,
and it's just so hard to imagine
what my life would be like without you here.
Your sister, Kylee, loves you so much
and I know you love her too.
It amazes me to watch you
try to do everything you see her do.
Now it is your first birthday,
a happy day it's true!
I can't wait to watch you grow more and see all you will do!
Happy 1st Birthday Auriana!!

Auriana Faith Reyes
Born September 17, 2008 at 4:37AM
Weight: 3lbs. 10oz.
Length: 16in.

Join us for Boddy Walk

We are going to BUDDY WALK FOR DOWN SYNDROME!! Please visit our sponsorship

page !!! Buddy Walk will be at Duluth Town Green on October 18!
You can join our team and walk with us, or you can sponsor our team and help us raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome!!

sitting, school, and friends

Auriana is sitting up so good now! I am so proud of her!!

We visited with some new friends on Saturday. Callie also has Down Syndrome like Auriana, so it was nice for the 2 of them to get together. And nice for me to meet another mom who is dealing with some of the same things as me. Kylee was spending the night with Grandma so she didn't get to meet the new friends yet. We'll have to get together with them again.
Sunday, we went to little Hayden's first birthday party. He is another of our little friends with Down Syndrome.
Monday, I took the girls to Chick-fil-A to play and have lunch.
Today, Kylee started back to preschool! She loved it!! She loves seeing all her friends.

Auriana's Wishlist!!

Sisters...

I never had a sister growing up, and always wanted one. I am so glad to have had 2 daughters who get to experience that sister bond.... and I just love to see them doing things together and how connected they are! Kylee's already teaching her little sister to color!!! And little Auri just wants to do whatever her big sis does!!!