Videos of Analise playing

Here are a couple of videos Brother Kyle and Sister Kaley made while playing with Analise.  

Analise LOVES her brother and sisters...and they LOVE her!!!

Kaley making Analise laugh

Kyle play dancing with Analise and 

Analise enjoying the little time she spends out of her orthopedic shoes  ;-)

Merry Christmas and Thanks!!

Next year we have to find a Santa that smiles  ;-)

From Erik and Dawn:
It has been quite a journey for our family in 2011!!   Analise has brought so much joy into all of our lives since her arrival in August.  The outpouring of love, support, and prayers from all of you has been such a blessing and has sustained us far beyond what you can imagine.  We wanted to close the year by sending you some new photos of our happy Sweet Analise, the best gift we can have for Christmas this year!!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
With our love,
Erik, Dawn, Kaley, Kyle, Kassandra, and Analise

PS: We are still hopeful to be able to schedule her hamstring surgery at the Philadelphia Shriners sometime in the next couple of months.

A message of miracles...

The message at church this past Sunday was very timely,
especially during this season of miracles...

and WHO DOESN'T NEED A MIRACLE ?!?!

One quote from the message was:
"You face your greatest opposition
when you're closest to your biggest miracle."

We continue to pray for a healing miracle for Analise,

and ask for your continued prayers...
because we want the "biggest miracle"!!

The Matriarch of our family, Abuela Marta, Analise's 88 year old great grandmother, has asked us to share this message about miracles through the blog and... and how could we say no?!?!  =]

You may watch or listen to the message on your computer or smart phone through the link below.
Just click on the third icon on the right that says "watch".

It is not very long, but if you are pressed for time, you can start at the 10:00 minute mark...
(once the video has loaded)
AND if you have even less time, you can jump to 23:10 minute mark,
AND if you have just about 10 minutes, you can jump to the 27:45 minute mark.
Although, we are sure that as soon as you get a taste, you will want to listen to the whole message!!

http://www.friendschurchyl.com/media/articletype/articleview/articleid/142/its-not-too-late 

On a side note, on the way to church that Sunday, Abuela was even more enthusiastic than usual, telling us about an 11 year old girl she had seen on television the night before.  She said that this girl sang like an "angel" and wanted all of us to hear her...little did we know that a video of this little girl, Jackie Evancho, a contestant on last year's America's Got Talent Show, would be featured as part of Pastor Phil's message...coincidence?!?!
The song she sang was coincidentally titled "Angel".
Wow, so many coincidences!!!   =]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The Russell/Persek/Fernandes/Cosgrove/LaCombe Family Christmas Card

We have been sharing our family Christmas cards
every year for the past 24 years.  

We thought we would share this year's Christmas card with all of you as well because we are so appreciative of how all of you have "joined hands" with our family during this year...
THANK YOU!!

Left to right:

Erik, Dawn, Kaley, Kassandra, Analise, & Kyle- Monika & Isabela- Katrina- Marti & Rich- Amanda, Chris, Ava & Evan- J.B., Ashley, Tyler, Shayne, & Carson

... we find that …

“…In His presence there is a fullness of joy…”

                                                  Psalm 16:11             

Thank you for joining hands with our family

during a year filled with many challenges…

OHHH…BUT SO MUCH MORE JOY!!!
 

We wish you much JOY during this Christmas Season…

…and throughout the New Year!!

Back row:  Kaley, Kyle, Ava, Tyler, Carson, Analise

Front row:  Kassandra, Isabela, Evan, Shayne

Video of Analise kicking her feet with Daddy and Mommy

FINALLY, Analise starts physical therapy!!!

Message from Erik:

WOW!!  Super busy last couple of weeks.  Sorry the posts aren't coming as often lately.  For some reason this Christmas season is busier and more stressful than ever, and we're getting less done.  Christmas cards are coming soon too!  I will post them on the blog also.  

As for Analise, her bronchiolitis seems to be getting better.  She has less congestion and is not coughing through the night any more.  We have reduced the albuterol treatments, for right now.  She is sleeping a little more each night.  For some reason, she loves to cry around 3 am every morning for her 4 ounces of formula.  

Analise still continues to throw up a little bit each feeding.  We were a little concerned so we took her to get an upper GI X-ray on Tuesday to make sure there were no problems.  Analise had to drink 2.5 ounces of liquid barium that allows the X-rays to see how the food goes through the system.  Her bowel movements after the barium were white and painful.  Then she was constipated until today when she was finally able to go.  At her doctor’s appointment today, they said her intestinal tract looked normal, which is great considering her 2 surgeries on her intestines shortly after she was born (removing her ascending colon/colostomy and reuniting her colon).  

Analise's new gym equipment-Anything to encourage her to move her arms!!

Analise also had her FIRST physical therapy appointment on Wednesday through CCS (California Children’s Services).  Jerry, the physical therapist, walked Dawn through some new exercises and took several measurements.  It was a relief!!   Usually what we hear is to continue what we are doing, but the only problem is, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.  Jerry will see Analise 1-2 times every week along with OT appointments as well.  

Although Analise still cannot move her arms, she usually has a smile on her face.  She looks at you as if she understands everything you are saying.  

Analise still doesn't like being stretched and will never miss a feeding, but she is a happy girl.  She definitely has an uphill battle, but with the incredible family and friends she has already, she will succeed.  

Analise looking at her Auntie Monika-Thank you Auntie!!!

Also, my sister Monika and Dawn's mom, Annette, have agreed to watch Analise during the week when Dawn goes back to work.  Yeah!! 
We were a little stressed trying to figure out who would be watching her when Dawn returned to work, but we now feel relieved that Analise will be surrounded by family who will provide all the love, attention, and care that she needs.  Thank you!!!

Analise trying to entice her Auntie Monika to pick her up ;-)

Analise met her beautiful new cousin, Chloe (Dawn's sister Victoria had her on December 1).  Chloe's hands and feet at one week were already bigger than Analise's at 4 months, and she was born with a full head of hair.  Analise is jealous. ;-) They were already having competitions too.  Chloe would cry, then when she would stop, Analise would start, and it went back and forth for a while until they both ate and fell asleep.  Congratulations Andrew, Victoria, and Hailey.!! 

Hey!! That's MY Daddy and Mommy!!

Analise's brother and sisters are busy too.  Kyle started lacrosse again.  What a fun game to watch!  Kassandra is busy again with soccer and will hopefully win some games this season.  And Kaley is starting to learn how to drive.  Although on our first experience she didn't really enjoy it and said she didn't want to ever drive again, but hopefully with some practice she will build the confidence that we all want her to have on the road, for all our sakes. ;-)

Dawn returns to work on January 3, and needless to say, she is not very happy about it.  It will be a big adjustment for Dawn and for all of us, but both Analise and Dawn will do great.  I don't go back to work until January 9, so I get a week alone with my baby. Do you think she will let me sleep in every day?

Only 10 more days from today until Christmas, are you ready?  

Good night!
(tomorrow we will add another video)

Video of Analise splashing during her bath

We were finally able to load the video of Analise splashing during her bath.  Enjoy!!

Thanksgiving pictures and update on Analise

First of all, here are some of the pictures we promised from Erik and Dawn's Thanksgiving celebrations (we told you they have big families!!)  ;-)

The week before Thanksgiving: Thanksgiving celebration with Annette, Dawn's mom's side of the family: Great Grandma Thelma, Grandma Annette, Auntie Victoria, and Analise

Analise had her ears pierced last week!!  How about a bottle to help her forget the pain!!

Hailey hugging her cousin Analise to make her feel better after her ears were pierced, awwww!!

Thursday: Thanksgiving celebration with Bill, Dawn's father's side of the family.  Dawn's Aunt Cindy holding Analise while Erik and Dawn ate their Thanksgiving meal.  Erik didn't get a chance to take too many pictures because he spent a lot of time playing with the kids and talking to Analise's Great Grandpa Jim, who was spending his first Thanksgiving in over 60 years without his wife Margrette.

Friday: Thanksgiving celebration with Ed, Erik's Dad's side of the family: Uncle Steve and Auntie Jen, Grandpa Ed, Grandma Sandy, cousin Tyler, Auntie Monika and cousin Isabela, Kassandra, Dawn, Analise, Erik, Kyle, and Kaley

 Auntie Jen (Erik's stepsister) is recovering from surgery.
We all wish her a speedy recovery!!

Saturday: At our Araoz Family Thanksgiving (Erik's Mom's (me ) side of the family):  Here is Abuela with 20 of her 24 great-grandchildren (and there are 2 more on the way!!) (Big sister Kaley is holding Analise)  Abuela loves these big family get-togethers.  All of Abuela's children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren who were in town were part of this celebration... more than 50 of us!!

Analise and Dawn during the Araoz Thanksgiving...Analise was pretending she was eating the all the yummy Cuban food her great-aunts and uncles prepared for this Thanksgiving celebration, that is why she is smiling!!

Dawn and Analise visit with friends Jana, Georgie, and Vlandita.  Vlandita is also doing a great job being Dawn's long-term sub for her class this year. 

Jana

Georgie

Vlandita

We know the posts don't come as often as they used to, but as Erik said, " it sometimes feels like the movie Groundhog Day" and the same things happen every day and we don't want to lose any blog followers.     Just to give you an idea of what typical day in Erik and Dawn's life nowadays consists of:  Analise wakes up around 6:30 or 7am.  Dawn feeds her then gives her her breathing treatment for the bronchiolitis.  Then "usually" she goes back to sleep for a couple more hours (Analise that is, not Dawn ).  Then the routine rotates around: exercises, tummy time, feeding, napping, changing diapers, and wiping her up for the rest of the day.  She usually gets pretty fussy around dinner time, probably because she doesn't eat the same food as the rest of family and probably the most stressful part of their day.  Then she eats around 8pm and falls asleep for a few hours, wakes up around 10 or 11pm and 3 am (Erik and Dawn love that time) and it starts all over again the next day!! 

Analise continues to struggle with congestion and vomiting.  Everyone's prayers are needed to help her overcome this latest challenge and to help her doctors determine the cause of these issues and prescribe the best treatment.  Weight gain has been minimal due to the vomiting, and she is so tiny as it is, we don't want this to continue.  Erik and Dawn are trying a new feeding schedule, feeding her one ounce less of the formula with each feeding, with the same frequency, and the vomiting seems to have decreased. Let's just pray that she was eating too much!!  Analise has an appointment with the gastroenterologist on Friday. 

Despite challenges that would slow most of us down, Analise is thoroughly enjoying not having her casts any longer and is LOVING her baths.  She loves kicking her feet and legs!!  Dawn only gives her a bath every other day, but if Analise is crying before her bath, she relaxes as soon as her feet touch the warm water!!   

Although we have not had the pleasure of seeing this yet, Erik and Dawn have told us that Analise has started to laugh sporadically...we will work on making her laugh more often!!   She is also imitating her 5 month old cousin Shayne's way of complaining by blowing bubbles and "raspberries"!!  Analise, and all of us will miss her cousins, Shayne, Carson, and Tyler, and her Auntie Ashley and Uncle J.B., who just moved to San Antonio, Texas...Thank you God for Skype!!!

Analise will be having a new cousin, probably tonight or tomorrow!!  Dawn's sister Victoria is in the hospital tonight and she and her husband Andrew will soon welcome their second daughter, Chloe.

Big thanks to Erik and Dawn's friend Donny.  Donny's father owns an electrical company called US Electric Co. out of Murietta and they donated their time, expertise, and materials installing the electrical wiring and light switches in Analise's bedroom, as well as the ceiling fan that Erik never had a chance to install after Analise was born.  THANK YOU!!!

Suzie,Thelma, Dawn, Analise, Debbie, Jack and Erik

Also, one more thank you to Debbie and Jack Freeman, Thelma Jenkins (Analise's great grandma) and Suzie Titus from Prudential in Cerritos.  They stopped by Erik and Dawn's house last week and delivered an amazing check with the proceeds from their fundraiser.  Analise now has a generous emergency account that is waiting to be used towards the expenses that Erik and Dawn will continue to have, associated with Analise's medical condition, medical treatment,  and travel to the Philadelphia Shriners.



 On a sad note, Analise's roommate in the Kaiser Sunset NICU passed away a few days ago.  Erik and Dawn had befriended little Courtney's parents after their long days and nights together with their children in the NICU.  Courtney sadly passed away from congestive heart failure this past Sunday.

The difficulties Erik and Dawn have been enduring, in no way compare to the loss that their friends, Jenna and Joe, have suffered.  Erik and Dawn, and all of us, send our heartfelt love and prayers to Courtney's parents, Jenna and Joe, and her big brother Dylan.

Erik and Dawn are heartbroken for their friends and are holding Analise just a little bit closer, knowing how blessed they are to have her!!

Happy Thanksgiving and our thanks go out to all of you!!

From Erik and Dawn:
"Today is Thanksgiving and we have so much for which to be thankful.  The past few months we have been reminded daily of what extraordinary family and friends we have.  EVERYONE has gathered around us with so much love and support for Analise and for our family in more ways than we could have ever imagined!!

The generosity of friends, family, and total strangers (with your prayers, your support, your kindness,  your time, your gifts, your thoughtfulness, etc.) has been overwhelming and has been just what we needed to get us through some tough times.

On this Thanksgiving Day, 
please know how thankful we are for 
EVERYTHING

ALL OF YOU
are doing for our family.  

Both Dawn and I  have large families and today we have started our family Thanksgiving celebrations, which will extend into Saturday.  We will gather pictures from all the events and post them on Sunday.

Analise is still getting over the bronchiolitis, and has slightly less congestion, but she is throwing up more than she should.  We will see the doctor again on Monday and we will not be able to schedule surgery in Philly for her hamstrings until Analise is no longer sick. "

Analise will be 100 days old tomorrow!!!

                                           
                    Analise at the gym again. . .those arms are moving!!

From Erik:

It's hard to believe it, but Analise is 100 days old tomorrow.  She has only been here for a little time, but she has affected so many people.  She is such a special little girl and we are so glad she is in our lives!!!

 

Everytime Erik says "I love you" to Analise she gets the biggest smile!!

After weeks of going back and forth about the surgery on her hamstrings, we decided to do it.  We made all of the arrangements, flight, hotel and car reservations for next week, one of the busiest times of the year to travel.  

But we forgot to ask Analise, and so we think she got sick on purpose to give herself a break.  She got really congested, and when we took her in to the doctor, we found out she had/has bronchiolitis.  It is an inflammation or infection in her bronchioles.  She now has a machine that makes the medicine (albuterol) into a fine mist that she has to breathe in every 4 hours to open up the airways. Analise used to like the mask, but now screams every time.  She coughs and sneezes a lot due to the congestion and she hates that "nasal mucus sucker" that we have to use after her treatment.  

Due to this infection, the anesthesiologist in Philadelphia said we need to cancel the upcoming surgery and wait until her chest is clear for at least a month.  Luckily, at the last minute, we added insurance to our flight plans, so we are in the process of getting our money back for the flights.  So with all of that, we are now waiting… again.

"Getting my breathing treatment"

Analise finally got her casts off and she got fitted for her new "fancy" shoes.  Bill Kearney, of Johnson's Orthopedic, fit Analise for a new pair of shoes with a hinged bar between her feet so her knees have more mobility.  She does not like them because we have to make them very tight to stretch out her achilles tendons.  The hinged bar allows her to move her knees, but it keeps the feet out so they will not turn back in.  Club feet in arthrogrypodic children have a tendency to turn back to their original positions.  She has to wear these braces all of the time except during bath time.  She will wear them until she is walking, and once she's walking she only has to wear them at night.  

Bill Kearney, Dawn, and Analise with her new braces/shoes. . ."I'm not too sure about these!"

"Are you sure these are on the right way?!?!"

Thelma (Dawn's grandma) and her friend Debbie held an incredible fundraiser/open house (a party really).  

We had never met Debbie Freeman (the owner/manager of the Prudential California Real Estate office in Cerritos) before Saturday, but this amazing woman did so much for our little girl, whom she had never met.  

We know it takes a lot of people to put on an event like this and we would like to also extend our thanks to all those who volunteered to help, especially the local real estate community and their partners, for their unselfish support of Analise and their generosity.


It was an AMAZING success because of all their hard work and commitment to Analise.  Everything was beautifully organized and lovingly presented.  The weather was out of their control, but they improvised beautifully!!  Every detail of the event, from the silent auction to the 50/50 raffle, was not only fun but designed selflessly for the benefit of our family.

Four Generations: Annette (Dawn's Mom), Thelma (Dawn's Grandmother), Dawn, and Analise

Fundraiser at Debbie Freeman's home

Thelma, Debbie, and Annette

We continue to be astonished at everyone's generosity... 
with their time, talent, energy, gifts, love, and prayers!!  

We know Analise will succeed in life and exceed the doctors' expectations because of all this love and support!! 

 Debbie, thank you for sharing your lovely home with all of us for this event...you were a gracious hostess and we felt very welcomed in your home!!  Our "family" is definitely growing!!

So, as we wait for Analise to get better, we will actually be able to spend Thanksgiving with our families.  

We have so much to be thankful for and we are so lucky to have such great people in our lives.  
Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

No more casts. . . at least for a little while!!

 "Ready for bed . . . Good Night!!  
Thank you ALL for EVERYTHING you ALL do for me and my family!!!"

Analise is 3 months old and her casts are finally off!!

From Erik:

"Analise is 3 months old today, but when Analise was 30 days old, we started the process of casting her each week to try and correct her severe club feet.  We had to go in each week after the initial casts, and have the casts cut off and put back on with a different position in her feet (Ponseti method).

After 9 weeks of casts, Analise is finally out of them.  Yeah!!!  They look so good and are such an improvement from before the casting.  She keeps kicking her legs, moving her toes and extending her knees in and out.  We can finally rub her legs and she can take a bath (for the third time in her life).  It's actually a little bit harder to hold her and change her now because we were so used to the casts, but we will manage.

Unfortunately, when Analise goes to Philadelphia and has the hamstring tenotomy on November 23 with Dr. van Bosse, she will be back in casts (probably the big, clunky plaster ones) for about 4 weeks until our next visit out there.

Now that she is "technically" out of casts, she will need to wear braces on her legs for many years so her feet will not turn back in.  She was fitted for them today and we should get them by Friday.  They will be specially made for her and have a hinged bar in the middle so she can move and bend her knees.  She will also be measured for another brace in Philadelphia for after the surgery on her hamstrings.  

Analise has many things going on in the next two weeks.  She has 5 doctor appointments and a fundraiser open house to attend on Saturday (thank you great grandma Thelma and her friend Debbie Freeman).  She is finally getting her 2 month shots since she doesn't have casts.  She also has a little cough and is congested so she might have a small cold/flu.  It's not fun seeing your little baby sneezing and coughing so much.  We hope she gets better soon.  

Analise's 16 year old sister, Kaley, passed her permit driving test with 100%.  Good job Kaley!  You'll know it's Kaley driving because you'll see a very scared dad screaming in the passenger seat.

Analise's 11 year old sister, Kassandra, is finally off for a month from school after receiving honor roll.  You did awesome in school and we are very proud of you.  And she is all finished with soccer for the fall season.  Great season Kassandra and keep working hard so you're even better for next season.

Analise's 13 year old brother, Kyle, is just finishing up soccer and is finally hitting a growth spurt.  Hopefully he's taller than his old man.

Dawn is doing so much every day for Analise.  She is trying new stretches and exercises and Analise is actually enjoying some of them.  I just have to remind her to take time for herself every once in a while, but she doesn't really listen.

As for me, I'm doing fine.  I get a little stressed from time to time, and I'm probably not as easy-going as I used to be, but I will hopefully find that happy medium soon.  

We want to again say thanks for everything everyone is doing for us day in and day out.  We might not say it enough, but we are truly grateful for everything everyone is doing.  Our friends and family have been so generous and we hope you know we would do the same for you.  Have a great Veterans Day weekend."

Analise at 1 month

Analise at 1 month

Analise at 3 months

Analise at 3 months

 Analise at 1 month

I am sooo happy to get my casts off. . . but back to my exercises!!

Don't my feet look great!!