"You'd better watch out!"

This was her reaction when I told her she had to wait until tomorrow to open her presents!


So can you believe it is Christmas Eve? Where has the year gone? The girls are all getting ready for Santa Claus. Lexis is questioning whether he is real or not and I'm not saying a word. I'm just so thrilled that we are all home. I can't help but thank God over and over for how well Ava has been doing. Yes she is still quite sick but she sure is a happy girl. I ended up letting Ava open one of her presents today and boy did she smile!





Okay so all you that want to see, I thought I would show you a little progress of Ava's open stomach. Kinda our Christmas Miracle, huh?

This first one was after her first surgery. (October 6th) They "glued" her shut but then she got a severe infection and an abcess so they had to open her incision.


This second one is from October 20th. This was when they first had to leave her tummy open. We were very shocked at what we saw.


This was taken on October 21st. Her third surgery and as you can see this is when she got the wound vac to help with healing.


This was the first dressing change after getting the wound vac. Her stomach drain is still in place. (October 23rd)


This one was taken on October 29th as you can see her opening is very large.

This was taken November 5th.


This is the wound vac over the opening on Novenber 8th.


This one was taken on November 14th.


November 21st. We changed this one at home.


This is December 1, 2008


I'm skipping ahead to December 14th. As you can see it is geting smaller.


December 22nd.


And so now here is today's picture.


So you can see the great progression. She is slowly but surely closing up. They will have to do surgery on her stomach to repair her intestines but we still are not sure of the date. The swallow study test showed inside progression as well but I know she has a parcial obstruction because of the fact that she is still throwing up dark green bile that smells like stool. I hate that she has to go through all of this. Poor baby! I can only pray that someday this will all be behind us.

I want to run down my list of thank you's if I could. So to all these wonderful people a HUGE THANK YOU! Kirsten from C.O.L.E's prayer team for the card and Ava stickers. They were precious and of course Ava's favorite! Nicole from Burlington for our family Christmas presents. We love all the gifts. It was so thoughtful of you to think about our family! Liz and Shane from California for the Christmas gifts for the girls. You guys well I tear up when I think of our wonderful friendship. We will meet one day! Amber and Sienna for the gifts of videos, stickers and books. They are already being put to good use! And to our friends George, Stacie, and Addie from Philadelphia. We miss you guy so much. When I spoke to you about our Christmas this year you guys came to our rescue. We truly love you guys like family!

Again to all these wonderful ~Angels~ in our life we love and appreciate all you did for us to make this Christmas extra special!

To all our followers and Ava Fans, WE LOVE YOU! Have a Blessed Christmas Holiday!

God has blessed us with many spectacular miracles this year and we love Him for it!

~The Helmick's