September 29, 2012

It sure has been a long time since I wrote you a letter.  The day after my last letter you got really sick and scared everyone, but you ended up O.K.  You took another plane ride to Corpus Cristi, But no surgery.  The Drs. there just added a new medicine to help make your heart work better.  You got home on April 25.
While you were in the hospital we had Easter.  You got dressed up and they let us put you in your chair.  Mommy dressed like the Easter Bunny and took candy and treats to all of the kids on your floor.  You even got a few other baskets from other sick kids.
In May you celebrated your 2nd Birthday.  You had neighbor kids and other friends like Nixia's kids.  You had a BIG pinata and cake and presents and everyone had a great time.
In June you got permission to go off of the ventilator (you had been on it for 12 hours a day).  It only took you 2 days before you didn't need it at all.  In July you needed it for a few days because you got sick and had to go to the hospital for a week.  You also needed it for a few days earlier this month when you got sick and had to go to the hospital.  Now you are doing just fine and don't need the ventilator or oxygen.  We want to get your trach removed because that is what keeps making you sick.  That decision is up to the Drs. though.  Otherwise you are doing everything you need for you heart surgery.
You are doing great in therapy and even roll over for daddy in the bed sometimes without fighting.  You smile and reach for people and things.  You open your hands more and hold some of your toys.  You even try to talk, you don't care if you have a trach or not, you just do things your way, and that's one of the reasons I love you so much.
Now, let's just stay healthy for the flu season and stay happy.
I Love You Anita Rose.  It's alright, Daddy's here.

It's been a whole week.

Well Baby Girl Anita, we've been in the hospital for 8 days now.  It turns out that you had several infections so it's good that you had to come here.  The Drs. all think that you are getting better and I do too.  Mommy has been getting better and has stopped by a few times in the last few days.  She may even be well enough to stay with you in a day or 2 so daddy can get some rest.  Otherwise you are getting better and everyone here loves you and treats you so well.
Just get better soon baby girl.  I Love You Anita Rose.  Always remember,  Daddy's here, everything is going to be alright.

March 2012

It's been a very long time since I wrote to you, but that is because I have been spending so much time with you. You made it through your first holiday season at home!  You were home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. At Christmas you got alot of presents, but your favorite was the wrapping paper.  You even ate some of daddy's polenta, and loved it.
You were able to stay out of the hospital all winter long.  You have had a few coughs and colds, but we have been able to treat them at home.  We really like your new lung Dr.  You stayed on your vent for 12 hours a day, but did great even without it.  Then at the end of February the Dr. said we could start taking you off of the vent a little at a time.  You only needed it for 8 hours a day the first 5 days, then you got sick.  You had to use the vent for 12 hours a day, then almost all day, then we even had to add some oxygen.  That's when we knew it was time to go back to the hospital.  You were nice enough to wait until the day after my birthday.  Now you are in your favorite hospital close to home, and daddy gets to stay in the room with you.  Mommy has a really bad cold too, so she is staying at home until she gets better.  The Drs. and nurses here know you real well and haven't seen you in so long.  They like that you are getting so big.  I hope that you get better quick so I can play with you some more.  I don't like when you have to go to the hospital, but you got too sick and this is the best place to get you better.
I Love You Anita.