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.
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!!
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!!! =]
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!!
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?
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. 
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. 
