2011

Hello 2012, Goodbye 2011!!!!

We are so happy to welcome in a new year! 2011 was not very kind to us.  About a year ago, January 10, 2011, our lives were turned upside down when we found out our baby was a girl (yay!), but also had major heart defects & Trisomy 13.  I will never, ever forget that moment in the Doctor's office.  I remember being so happy & very surprised we were having a girl, and moments before hearing the awful news, updating my facebook status to say Baby Wong is a Girl!!!!  Literally seconds later, our dr. came in and immediately told us that our baby was not healthy.  Heart defects & a 1 valve umbilical cord.  Told us our baby probably has a chromosomal abnormality, most likely Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).  We were devastated but made peace that our daughter would probably have Down's, and have to have multiple heart surgeries.  I remember being so upset that she would probably never be able to play sports, and never really be able to run & play with her big sister.  Then another shocker--the very worst--Trisomy 13.....what doctors say is "incompatible with life".  Ugh....what an awful, awful moment.  Knowing that the baby trying to grow inside you could pass away at any moment was a horrible feeling.  I felt like i had to walk on eggshells not to hurt her or do anything to put her in any more stress.  Every week, going to the doctor to hopefully find a heartbeat.  The only thing that kept me going was her constant kicking.  Loved those kicks :)  They were very reassuring.  And then it was May 2011, Mother's Day, I was a wreck.  Not only was lilly very sick, I knew something was wrong with Valerie.  I was emotional, crying, all day.  I just knew she was gone... The next day, the dreaded heartbeat check, there was no heartbeat.  The day i gave birth to Valerie was the most painful & also peaceful day I've ever experienced.  So many emotions, but after she was born....only peace.  Such an amazing feeling, I will never forget it!

Lilly in 2011:

• became a big sister!
• turned 3 years old
• started  preschool
• went on 2 vacations
• learned to swim
• got her first haircut

She loves:

• milk, cheese, noodles, bologna (she calls gobloney) :), fruit, yogurt smoothies, cucumbers (she calls pickles)
• her bitty baby and has named her Jesus :)
• playing outside
• Tangled & Snow White
• playing dress up
• wearing only dresses or skirts with leggings (will not put jeans or regular pants on)
• helping...anything i let her do, she is thrilled to help out!

Hoping & praying 2012 is much nicer than 2011 :)