I'm Your Angel

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This video was inspired by Liz and Shane. Their unborn daughter Nayeli also has Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. They put all her ultrasound pictures together in a very nice video. I cried watching and knowing how they were feeling right at this time in their journey. Nayeli is due in just a few short weeks. Please pray for them. "Liz and Shane, Nayeli couldn't have picked a better set of parents. She is a very lucky little girl."

So this video brings us from start of Ava's life until today. She amazes me. When I look back at all she endured. I know she was held by God's powerful arms. I ask myself how did we live through that tramua? The answer, God was holding us up as well. Wow what and incredible journey our lives have taken.

The end of the video says, "God on the Mountain is still God in the Valley. Keep Hoping and Praying. God hears us!"


~Terri

Ava and Airplanes.

We watched an airshow this last Saturday and Ava is in love with airplanes now. Her newest word is "WOW!" She is so precious. I can't help but smile everytime I hear her say it. Yesterday we were in Wal-Mart and she was pointing and saying it loudly. Everyone would smile from ear to ear when they heard her say it.

Without further ado here is a sample of the Burlington air show.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

In case you are wondering what magazine she was looking at the entire airshow it was a "Little People" catalog. Yes she still is in love with them as well! She was very upset when we had to leave to get her afternoon nap in. Can anyone say, "Screaming?"

Her speech lessons have been going great. She is trying to say what we say but sometimes a different sound comes out. We still give her lots of praise. We know in time we will be asking ourselves why we rushed the talking. I hope you all have a great day. It is gorgeous here, sunny and 80 degrees!

~Terri

Mommy's Portrait Studio

I decided to set up the photo studio in our house today and capture some of Ava's many expressions. She has so many funny ones. Lately she uses her tongue in everything she does. I really got some good ones. Her favorite stuffed animals had to be part of it as well. She loves Barney. Her favorite Barney song is the one with the elephant in it. Grandma Helmick got her an Elephant from Kohl's. She carries it with her where ever she goes! Here are some of the pictures.













Life is good! Enjoy it today.

~Terri

Ava knows things!

I videoed Ava last night showing off what she knows. She is getting so big. She was insistent yesterday on putting TWO outfits, on at the same time. Now that is style! You can't see it in the pictures but yes there are two outfits on. She is always on the GO. Nothing holds her back. She is getting adjusted to her new braces. Now for me they are such a pain to put on her. She is finally starting to run. It is nice to see!

That is my Ava. Always on the move!

~Terri

Dress up Day!

I love to dress Ava up and take pictures. Yesterday I decided it was once again that time! Here are some of my favorite pictures of her all dolled up! Hey we are practicing for Halloween, just a little early!









Okay see I am a little crazy when it comes to taking cute photos. Oh well they grow up so quick. I feel so blessed to have all my children, especially how Ava came into this world! She has many angels watching out for her and I love just knowing that!

~Terri

The Whole Family in the Homecoming Parade.

We had such a great night. We walked in the Burlington Homecoming Parade with Lexis and Emeline's Elementary School. They are the Grimes Bulldogs. Brian wore the bulldog costume. He was sweating badly. Poor guy couldn't see very well where he was going. I decided a few days ago that we were going to make a small float. So after about 10 hours of labor the float took flight. It really turned out spectacular. Lexis helped me the most although Emeline tried. Ava rode in it during the Parade. We go lots of compliments on how adorable it was. Everyone "Ohhed and Ahhed" at little Ava. She looked like a sweetheart sitting in that decked out float. One side of the float said, "Bulldogs" and the other said, "Grimes." On the back well I put the face of a Bulldog. I'll probably take it to the school and see if they want to hang it up for a little while. We plan on saving it all and doing it again next year.

Ava giving us her touchdown pose!
See Ava wasn't scared of Brian because we got the costume ahead of time and she saw that it was only her Daddy. It was so cute she waved to him the entire parade. He couldn't see her but it was sweet. I didn't dare push him holding her for a picture. Maybe next time. He was so hot. I could feel the sweat as I guided him along! He said he could see very little. The children loved him. I don't think he's ever had that many hugs in his life! I warned him each time they would get in front of him, or else he would have plowed into them! Gotta love a Bulldog, huh?

We really had a great night. I'm so glad we went. It was supposed to rain but I believe God knew this was exactly what I needed. Well what the whole family needed!

~Terri

First Speech lesson and New braces!

Ava had her first speech lesson this last Monday. Her teacher came to the house and Ava instantly liked her. She is an older lady and they just sat on the floor and played like long time friends. She noticed that Ava said all her vowels but not many real words. The last week she is becoming more and more interested in copying what we all say. On Saturday we were in the car and Emeline jokingly asked Ava what A T spelled. We were all shocked when Ava replied really loudly, "AT!" I wish I would have had a video camera. You had to be there to actually believe it. Emeline was amazed. Those are the things in life that stay in your memory



Well we finally got her braces. They are so cute. It had been a while since she wore any braces so she is not fond on putting them on. They stabalize her ankles and keep them in an upright position. Normally her ankles collapse when she walks. The shoes are size 6.5. Her foot size is 5. They look really big but that is what fit these new braces. I didn't think her feet grew that much but boy they did! She walks very stiff in them. The lady told me it would feel like you were walking in ski boots. She will grow accustomed to them in no time. Her orthopedic doctor said we should notice a difference right away if they are helping her or not. The bad thing is that they take so long to put on. I just hope they help her.



~Terri

Ava's Birthday Video.

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Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed the video. My Little Angel is growing before our eyes.

~Terri

"Happy 2nd Birthday, Ava!"

Ava had such a good day yesterday. She took an early nap before her party and this time her Daddy found her in her bed with poo, poo on her hands! That child of mine. I think she is trying to tell us she is all geared up for her "terrible two's!" I just couldn't believe that she was two. I think because of all we went through with her it seems it should be many more years that just two. I have to think back on her birth and not dwell on all the hard-ache and pain we felt on this day. I remember them opening the door so I could see her before they took her to the nicu. My heart just dropped when I saw her hooked up to all those wires and her tiny face was covered in tape. I was so scared. Here is a picture Brian snapped as soon as they let him see her. She was 45 minutes old.



She was so strong. She had her own little personality back then. It was an awesome thing to witness her courage and strength. Many times I would pray by her bedside and sing to her. I wanted her to know we were there for her, always.

This is her at her 1st birthday party. My little girl is growing up fast!

Emotionally I did great yesterday. There was only a few times I got a little bit sad thinking of "what she was going through two years ago." I also felt robbed again of her newborn days. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Many Moms take for granted that their babies are born healthy and they get to go home in two days. There are many emotions to this birth defect. Just when I think I have felt them all something new pops up.

We had her birthday party at Mazzio's. We invited only a few people. I created and ran a slideshow of her many pictures adding up to this special day. We ate pizza and then let her open her presents. She wasn't fond on the cake but loved the ice-cream. She was so happy to be able to get down and run around. I found the cutest birthday hat the other day. She looked adorable in it. I was surprised that she wanted to wear it. She would stop and pose for anyone that wanted to take her picture. This year she loved to unwrap her presents. Her biggest thrill was to open her cards. She is constantly making me laugh. There is never a dull moment with Ava. I am in the process of making a video but for now here is a few of my favorite birthday pictures.





Lexis and Emeline made the beautiful sign hanging over our heads. It was just perfect and added so much to the party! I was so proud of them for doing this for me. They did an amazing job!




The "Wonder" of being two! We are so blessed. Lexis and Emeline loved to be helpers at the party. Lexis is at the perfect age to help with decorations and with clean-up. Emeline was good at getting the presents and getting them to Ava. What a great day!

~Terri