The Greatest Gift

We had Marlee's cardiology appointment on Thursday. I'm always nervous during these appointment with all of the nurses and blood pressures and of course the dreaded echocardiogram! We went back in the room for the Echo and of course Marlee no longer wants to cooperate. I usually can read the Echo Tech's face to tell how everything is going, but this time I couldn't. We went back to the room to wait on Dr Malpass and I have to admit that I was nervous. He comes in and listens to her heart. After he does, he touches Marlee's scar and says "If it were not for this scar, you would never know that she had open heart sugery!" WOW! He said that he can no longer even hear a murmur! He said that her repair looks great and has stayed open with no scar tissue! Our God keeps his promises! So this Christmas I am so thankful for my baby girl and the 2 doctors who have saved her life! Dr Malpass and Dr Bradley( who actually did the surgery) Dr Bradley is first and Dr Malpass second!

All over the place!

Marlee has been taking steps for awhile, but now prefers to walk rather than crawl! (although we still do love to crawl) Marlee has the funniest walk! When my friend Cortney's little girl started walking, she said that SA looked like Frankenstein! Well so does Marlee! We have 2 Frankensteins! MC always either has her arms up or out in front of her to keep her balance! I know as she gets more confident, she will bring her arms down, but it looks so funny! :) Our Christmas will officially start Wednesday with my dad's side of the family and run through Monday with Jason's family in Virginia! We are excited to see Marlee's reactions this year! On a different note. After talking to several other heart mommies today, we have decided that it is not appropriate for strangers to ask why our children are so small! The answer is.......they are HEART BABIES! You try going through what they went through and let's see how you do! I also have a friend who's baby is "healthy" and she had a stranger tell her "that there baby is obese!" Can people seriously mind their own business! Ok, I will get off of my platform for the day. I'm sorry, I just needed to vent! :)

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas.....

Miss Marlee has been thouroughly enjoying herself! She loves the Christmas tree and opening the presents, which she's not supposed to be doing! We hope everyone gets the right gift this year because Marlee is into playing the gift swap. She enjoys taking the tag off of one present and placing it on another!

Our baby girl walks!!

Marlee has been taking a couple steps here and there for awhile, but last week she decided that she wanted to walk down the hallway! Big girl! She still prefers to crawl, because she thinks its faster! :) Im sure that she will realize pretty soon that she can run! We are so proud of our toddler! Every milestone is big, but especially with a heart baby! 15 months ago, we didn't know if she would make it. Our God is seeing us through and I know that he will continue to watch over Marlee! Our biggest issue right now is eating. She just doesnt enjoy it, which is typical for heart babies. Please continue to be in prayer for her and us!! She has really started talking more ( even though sometimes I have no clue what shes saying!) and LOVES to smile and laugh!

A mouth full!

Marlee officially has a mouth full of TEETH! I happened to check her mouth this morning and Marlee is cutting 3 molars! That puts our total at 11 teeth!! If she decides that she likes food, she can have a T-bone steak! :)

Being a Heart Family

My heart was broken lastnight to hear that one of our heart family's lost their little girl. I didnt know this family personally but had been following their blog from the beginning. www.greenehappenings.blogspot.com I cant imagine the pain that they are going through right now and it makes me want to hold Marlee a little tighter. Sometimes I get stressed about Marlee being delayed and not doing things exactly on time, but then I have to stop and remember that my child has been through more than most children ever do. I love to see her scar from her surgery and it makes me so thankful that she is alive! She's my miracle. I came across this poem a couple weeks ago that I wanted to share with you. It truly explains how I feel about being a heart mom.

The day I became a heart mother

One day my world came crashing down,

I'll never be the same.

They told me that my child was sick,

I thought, "am i to blame?"

I dont think I can handle this

I am really not that strong.

It seemed my heart was breaking

I have loved her for so long.

I will not give up on this child.

I will listen to your advice.

I will give my child any chance.

No matter what the price.

I will learn all that I need to help my child thrive.

I'll even use the feeding tube.

My child must survive!

Will she need a lot of therapy?

Will she gain the needed weight?

Please God help me do this.

I will accept our fate.

When the monitors beep at night, it serves as my reminder.

How many parents would love that sound.

Tomorrow I will be kinder.

As another Angel earns his wings,

I run to my child's bed.

I watch her sleep for quite a while.

I bend down and kiss her head.

I cry for the parents whose hearts have been broken.

I look to you wondering why?

Oh Lord, I just can't know your ways, not matter how I try.

And yet, I trust you hold her life and guide us through each day.

My mind says savor each moment she's here

but my heart begs "PLEASE let her stay!"

From pacing the surgical waiting room,

to sitting by her bed.

From wishing for a good nights sleep, to learning every med.

From wondering, "will she be alright?"

to watching her reach out her hands.

With every smile my heart just melts,

despite life's harsh demands.

For all who see that faded line.

I look to them and smile.

You see my child is loved SO much,

I would face any trial.

That scar I trace with my finger ( It's the door to her beautiful heart)

God must have known how much I'd love her ( just as he loved her from the start)

A heart mom is always a heart mom.

Now wise beyond her years.

For those who have angels in heaven,

our hearts share in all of your tears.

Everyday i will try and remember,

I was chosen for her and no other.

I will always embrace that beautiful day......

When I became a heart mom!

Long Time with no post!

Our computer is still broken! I don't know how I'm making it through this tough time! We've done a lot lately including picking apples at SkyTop, pumpkin patch and Boo in the Zoo! We love fall! Jason is leaving for a week for business, so Marlee and I will stay with mom and dad some this week. I will try and steal mom's computer to put some new pics up. Also, on a different note, my sister-in-law Jill had a great idea of making a wishlist for Brooklynn for Christmas (and her 1st Birthday). Well we have decided to start one for MC but I'm not quite sure how to link it yet. Go to www.amazon.com and you can search for her wishlist under my name. You can buy straight from Amazon or most things can be found at Target or Toys R Us! If you do purchase something just let me know! We will add more soon just for other options!

Broken computer!

We're sorry that we haven't blogged lately, but our computer caught a virus! Ugh! We are in the process of getting it fixed! A little update in Miss Priss! She is 13 almost 14 months old and is a total mess! She has started to really test her limits and knows exactly what "no no" means and will even repeat it back to you! She pulls up on anything and everything and cruises with one hand all over the furniture and walls! She can stand alone and has taken several steps! She is now prefering to crawl bc she's soo fast! She LOVES to make a mess and pull all of her toys and books out of their baskets! Her favorite things to do are "read" books (she can turn every single page in order) and watch Disney Channel! She's growing up and we are so proud of the progress she's making! When you have a child with any delay, you appreciate these little accomplishments more and more! Marlee still isn't a big eater but is eating more table food! We have decided to get Marlee therapy for eating, just to make it a little more enjoyable! A lot of times kids that were on ventilators don't enjoy eating so this will help! We love our little toddler!! :)

Chase is home!!

This post is for my cousin Chase. He left for Iraq around February and returned to the US on September 10th! I was able to be there when he came home and was filled with overwhelming pride for him, my country and all the other marines! Thank you for serving and defending our country and striving to make us safe! Also, the song in this video is very special. The song is "He ain't the leavin kind" by Rascal Flatts. Chase and several other marines were asked to come on stage during this song at one of their concerts, and knowing me, I cried! Like a baby! This song fits him to a tee! We love you Chase!

Go Fetch!

I was on the computer yesterday and turned around to see that Marlee had crawled off! I found her in the foyer with Harley doing this! Bless her heart, she's playing fetch with herself! I know for a fact why she does this. When Marlee started getting therapy and we wanted her to crawl, we would put a toy out that she liked and when she got to it, we would throw it again to keep her going! Mean I know! So apparently she thinks that how you play! It's still cute! Sorry that I taped it upside down again!

Marlee's Walker

Marlee got a walker for her birthday and until just recently she was just intested in playing with the baby's headband! haha! As you can tell in the video, she still wasn't entirely interested in walking until she saw something bright and shiny come out of Aunt Kayla's pocket, her CELL PHONE! Wow! She began to high tail it to get to that phone! Can you hear all us Farr girls in the background??? haha! Enjoy!

Little Heart Walk

On Friday, Marlee and I released 1 red balloon in the air to thank our Jesus for bringing us through the scariest time in our life one year ago! Marlee is officially a one year heart survivor. I remember not knowing if Marlee was going to make it last August. It was truly the scariest time of our lives! God brought us to MUSC where the amazing doctors and nurses worked so hard on Marlee and brought her through her open heart surgery. We are so proud of our baby girl and all that she has accomplished! On September 26th, our family will be participating in the Little Heart Walk in Charleston, SC to raise money for research for children with Congenital Heart Defects. We set a goal to raise $500 as a team and we are almost there! We would love to go beyond that goal! If you feel led, you can donate on our team page at http://heartwalk.kintera.org/lowcountrysc/teammarlee. We are looking forward to seeing MC's "boyfriend" Hunter who was in the crib right beside Marlee in the PCICU! It's wonderful being with our heart friends and our strong and brave babies! :)

Time to drop the mattress

Well it's 9:00 and I have been sitting here watching Marlee on the monitor. I first saw her sit straight up from laying down, crawl over to grab some toys in her crib and then proceed to stand up over the side! Well needless to say, she will not be in her crib tonight because neither Jason or I feel like taking the bed apart at this point! My girl is getting to be a mess, but we love it! Better late than never! :)

"Walking"

Marlee LOVES to walk and would much rather walk than crawl! She pulls up on me and wants to walk wherever she goes! Her balance is getting much better and she can stand along for a couple of seconds! She just barely holds onto my index fingers and can walk like a big girl! Here she is walking outside in the grass! :)

A Day in the Life of Marlee

Marlee is now 12 months old, I can't believe that! She has so much personality and is very dramatic! We call her our drama queen because she is very over the top with her expressions, whether she's happy or mad! She is going to be a mess by this time next year! Marlee is now crawling, cruising, walking with help and pulling up to her knees and with a tee tiny bit of help pulling up all the way to standing! She can say mama, dada, ight (light), duck and nanana( no no no)! Just don't ask her to do it on demand! It has to be her idea! She's a lot of fun and we're looking forward to seeing what the next year holds!

Happy Birthday Marlee!

Our little miracle turned one yesterday! You know, I always thought my mom was crazy for starting my birthday off with saying " you know 25 years ago I was in the hospital with you and so excited!" She's told me this ever year of my birth! I now know what she means! I spent the day thinking about how nervous and excited I was on August 11th of last year! Seeing my baby girl for the first time! This week is also bringing hard feelings for me, because it reminds me of the feelings that came about on August 13th when we found out that Marlee's heart wasn't perfect like the rest of her. God brought us through this situation and I know that he will continue to bless us! Marlee's birthday party will be on Sunday and we can't wait to celebrate! More pictures to come!

I get around!

I hate that this video is upside down, but you still get the point! Marlee is getting around and is enjoying her newfound freedom! I finally pulled out the camera when she was getting tired and ready for bed! So here is a little piece of the action! We are soo proud of you Marlee Claire!! :)

Marlee Claire Crawls!

We are soo proud to announce that Marlee is crawling! For those of you that don't know, Marlee has some developmental delay because of her surgery when she was a week old. She is only about 2 months behind, so even though she is 11 months, she is on a 9 month level! That may seem like a lot right now, but we have been told that by 2 years old she will be completely caught up! Marlee is getting physical therapy once a week to help get her caught up! We want to thank Miss Joanna fand of course Gram for all their hard work! Here are some pics of Marlee crawling!

Please pray for Kate

God has placed this little girl on my heart! She needs our prayers! Our God does miracles, we know that first hand! You can read her story at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

*On another note, I know I've been extremely slack on updating our blog! There will be a first birthday blog coming soon! AUGUST 11th! How crazy!!!*

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today Daddy turned 33!! :) We are so lucky to have Jason in our lives! He is such a wonderful husband and daddy! He takes such good care of us! I love how he loves Marlee Claire, its the most amazing thing! She's had him wrapped around her finger since the day she was born! We love you Daddy!

Happy Birthday Gram!

Dear Gram,

I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday and to tell you how much I love you! Thank you for driving 40 minutes every morning to keep me and telling me that you just can't wait to get here every morning! Thank you for always playing with me and reading me my favorite books! Thanks for not getting mad that I can say "OOAW" for Poopa, but not Gram yet! I love you very much!

Love,

Marlee

Mommy,

Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for being an incredible mother to me over these past almost 26 years! You have truly given me a godly example of what a mother should be and I strive to be as good of a mother as you are! We love you so very much and are so blessed to have you watch MC every day! I dont know what we would do without you! We love you!

Love,

Katie ( and Jason of course)

Dirty Girlie!

Marlee has recently really started to love her food and is eating so much more than I ever thought possible! We went from this baby that I had to force to drink 3 ozs to a baby who drinks 8ozs about 4 times a day and eats about 3-4 jars of baby food! Who is this little girl? The only problem is that Marlee enjoys playing with her food, and of course me being the Occupational Therapist that I am, I encourage it! It's a great sensory activity!! After eating we almost always have to go take a bath, but tonight Marlee got a special treat! A bubble bath! Mom found some new bubble bath that is mild enough for little girls! She wasn't too sure about it at first, but warmed up to it! Enjoy the pics!

Pool Time!

Marlee got a new pool this weekend and it was so warm today, that we got to play in it! She loved it and loved splashing away! It has a great canopy to keep the sun off of Miss Marlee!

Happy Easter!

We had a wonderful Easter with our family and Marlee got 2 Easter baskets! She was very excited! We also had 3 babies under 8 months at mom's house this year! how crazy! We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!