Calm Christmas

Hello Ava followers! We had a wonderful Christmas! Ava is just thriving. She did have a small cold but got over it very quickly. She has been mastering words left and right. She was so grateful this at Christmas. She gave everyone a hug because she knew we were all so happy for her. She is really into Dora so I think all or almost all of her gifts centered around Dora. I asked that people get her toys and fun things this year as she CERTAINLY deserved them all. Lexis and Emeline are such great helpers and they too had a great Christmas. Santa gave them both small laptops. The pure joy and satisfation you get when you see the light in your children's eyes as they anticipate Christmas morning. How neat for me. This is Ava's fourth Christmas. Wow the years just go by SUPER fast! I'd like to share with you all four. We are so grateful for her wellness.

This was her first Christmas home....and to think Children's Hospital of Philadelphia thought Ava may have had to spend it with them. Nope we were home for Halloween!









This was her second Christmas. All was well with Ava. She was hospitalized in April of 2007 for pneumonia but got over that pretty good. She was such a happy baby.









Last year, her third Christmas was as you remember pretty rough. She was miserable and in this first picture you can see that clearly. Poor Ava...she is such a fighter!









THIS year was SO much fun. She loved every second of opening her gifts. She wanted more and more...not for the presents but for the pure joy of screading paper! We have been extremely blessed.









So here's to 2010. We pray that everyone stays healthy and happy. We certainly know all to well what is really important in life. Your love for God and your love and ability to care for family. Thanks for your continued support and your warm prayers. May God Bless you All!

~Terri

“HO HO HO it’s Santa!

Hello to all Ava’s fans. She is getting over a cold….well it is the lightest easiest cold I’ve ever seen. It started with Emeline then the next day she had it. The cold started with a runny nose…but not, then it went to a dry cough that was also not very bad. I did have to stop her nightly feeds for about 4 days due to night time coughing and gagging. She is still too little to know that you can just cough and not have to throw up to get the junk out of your lungs…;) This all happened the day after Thanksgiving. I was worried because I know with Ava her weight is a big concern. SO far no weight loss.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I just kept thanking God for all the Miracles He has sent our way. It is unbelievable when think where Ava was just 6 months ago. And now how well she is doing. Her brain is just blossoming. New words pour out of her mouth each day.

I have to share her recent “words”. If you ask her to please pick up her toys she replies with the saddest face, “I TIRED!” If only it was that easy, eh?

I’ve been especially careful not to take Ava out in public too much. BUT tonight we went to the Mall to see SANTA! We have been decorating the house and about talking about Christmas lately. If you point to Santa and ask who he is she says, “HO HO HO!” I laugh every time. We dropped Lexis and Emeline off at Tai Kwando then Ava and I headed to the Mall. When we got there he was on break so we walked around. I have sheltered this little girl SO much that I guess finally my eyes were open tonight. Normally she rides in the stroller. (Yes I get stares but I don’t even think twice about them!) She asked me if she could walk and I decided since we were only going to be there for a minute we would be okay. Oh I was wrong! Ava was touching everything. We went into Younkers and the trees were all decorated. Her eyes were HUGE. She touched SO many ornaments. I know this is just what kids do right? Well not my Ava….however tonight I put all fears aside so that she could enjoy being a three year old little girl. (AND I’m praying God protected every touch!) Plus we had antibacterial gel along…;)

SO finally Santa was in his chair. There was no one around so we got closer. (All my kids have been petrified of Santa.) Ava was almost drawn to him. It was the strangest thing. She was not scared…she did not smile but her eyes lit up. He was the most gentle person. His voice was captivating! He asked if he could read Ava a book. She politely shook her head yes. He started reading, “The Night Before Christmas.”

She got a little closer. Santa paused about halfway through the book and asked Ava if she would like to sit next to him in his big chair, without hesitation she climbed up all by her. I fought back happy tears….this was a Miracle.

“Precious, Precious, Precious!” I was so proud of her. My baby is not afraid of “Ho Ho Ho!” When we were leaving I told Santa about Ava and her many fights with life. He looked down and said these words, I will never forget, “God Bless this little one who is a Miracle.” How neat is that? He was the best Santa ever. He read the ENTIRE book to Ava…

Life is good. I can’t wait for Christmas. Ava is just going to LOVE this year. It started to snow this morning. (First snow fall of the year. It was huge “snow globe” flakes.) She was trying to catch each and every snow flake that fell. It was inspirational to see….kind of puts her life in perspective, things come at her and she doesn’t shy away she grabs for them. I am truly blessed. So much Joy is in my heart!

Thanks for the prayers and for your caring thoughts. We feel them daily.

~Terri