The Bad News

We found out last week that TriWest denied our second appeal for a Blood Transplant for Olivia. I was so devistated last week that I just couldn't bring myself to share the bad news. We are in the process of appealing a final time. We will know something for sure in 60 days but we have also involved our Congressmen and Senators to encourage TRICARE to make a decision quickly. So we are hoping to know something sooner. This is such a difficult time for all of us. As parents, Mike and I are really struggling. We love Olivia so much and it's hard for us to see God's plan in all of this.

I also haven't mentioned it much but Mike is scheduled to leave for his third deployment very soon. This time he'll be going to Afganhistan and fortunately it's just a 12 month deployment (Mike's old unit from Colorado just returned from a 15 month deployment so we're very glad it's just a year long tour). We've been so focused on Olivia and the transplant that we haven't really prepared at all for the deployment. We had been hoping that the transplant would be approved and Mike could be transfered to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. At this point we're just running out of time.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Despite everything that has been going on we are still happy and so greatful to be together right now. I can tell that so many people have been praying for us because I know we would be a mess right now otherwise!

My Famous Husband :)

The latest issue of the Loyola University New Orleans Magazine has an article about alumni who have served and are serving in the military. There are a couple of paragraphs about Mike.



You can read the article by clicking here

What took so long?

While we were at Mass today Olivia went to the nursery. She had a great time playing with the other kids and Mike and I were able to really enjoy Mass together with Peter. I've been thinking about this for a while. Why did I wait so long? This same thing happened when I went into labor with Olivia. I didn't think I needed any painkillers, I thought that I could have a natural childbirth. I had prepared for a natural childbirth. Even though I had to be induced and was getting the maximum amount of labor inducing drugs I still thought that I didn't need any pain medication. Even though the doctor had to manually break my water I thought that I didn't need pain medication. I waited until I had been in labor for 9 hours before I finally decided that I was ready for pain medication. Immediately after I got the epidural my first thought was, why did I wait so long for this! I realize that I'm a stubborn person but I also think it makes me appreciate the outcome even more. That epidural was fantastic and Mass today was peaceful and fulfilling.

Six Month Check Up

Peter had his six month check up this morning. He won't actually be six months old until the 11th but I still can't believe that he's almost half a year old! He weighs 16 lbs, 15 ounces and he's 24 inches long which is right at the 50th percentile. Peter is a very happy, healthy little boy! Here's a little video clip of Peter practicing his newest skill, blowing rasberries.