Faith's Mom's Blog

Faith loves to bake. And as she informed her respite care provider the other day, "I'm really good at mixing!" She likes to watch all of the ingredients go into the bowl, and then I help her stir it all together. She watches intently as I put the baked goods - usually muffins or cookies - into the oven. I turn on the timer and she knows our creation is ready when the bell goes, "DING!" I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not that I don't really bake all that much. Probably better for weight control but those baked goods sure are yummy with a cup of coffee. Faith still gets her baking time in though as all of her respite care providers have baked with her at one time or another. One of her providers even bought her the cutest little apron. Yesterday, while Kimberly was watching Faith, she informed Kimberly that she wanted to make something in the kitchen. So she and Kimberly searched in the pantry for something they could make. Aha! A little bo

Growing up, I really never thought about having children. The fact was, my cardiologists always told me I would never be able to have a baby. It never really bothered me. Instead of having children, I figured I would just have cats and dogs. Seriously, I loved animals and the pets I had while growing up gave me great comfort and lots of joy. Then one day, as a twenty-four year old, I went to visit a co-worker who had just had a baby. When I left after seeing my friend and her tiny little girl, I felt sad that I would never be able to have that experience. Fast forward two years. Due to the heart surgery I had when I was 25, I was doing very well, healthwise. I was also seeing different doctors - those from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester instead of those in Minneapolis. These cardiologists told me they had success with women who have had the fontan surgery having babies. So, after getting married in 2002, my husband and I decided to go for it. When I did find out I was pregnant. I w

We do not travel with Faith very often. Once had to take her to Minneapolis because Rob had an interview with the INS and his wife and child were required to be there. She was only about 10 months old at the time. We also flew to Toronto for Christmas when she was fourteen months old. Both of these trips took place pre -wheelchair and pre -feeding tube so it wasn't so bad. As she got older, however, she attained more equipment and it became more and more difficult to travel with her.   There was one trip where I had to go to Rochester for possible gallbladder surgery and we actually rented a jeep in which to fit all of our stuff. The only vehicle we had was a 2001 Hyundai Elantra . It was January and very cold. We took Faith to the Mall of America (where she is shown to the right getting a feeding) so we could try to warm our spirits on such a freezing cold trip. Two years ago, we flew once again to Toronto. It was a nightmare and we vowed never to do this again. Faith had her K

It's one of the most anticipated events of the summer. We wait and wait and try to be patient. We moms question each other why it hasn't happened yet. We begin to stalk the school, driving and walking by even when it's well out of our way.  Then, finally, it's there. We see it! The white paper with typed names posted on the school door. The class list is out! Moms, dads and kids alike rush to read the list. And then everyone walks away, some with smiles on their faces while others with tears in their eyes. I was one of those with tears in my eyes as I looked at the class list. Faith did not get the first grade teacher I was hoping she would get. She did not get into the same classroom as one of her best friends. And she will only know a few little girls in her class. BUMMER! I felt a little better after talking to one of my good friends. Her son had the teacher that Faith will have this fall. She said she believes Faith will do well with her. I had been hoping Fai