Matters of Abby's Heart:: 6 Week Post-Op

August 26th Abby had her 6 week post-op appointment with Dr B. She had the normal tests-an EKG & an Echo. Then Dr B. came in to talk about the test results. It was all great news! The fluid around her heart was gone! The patch looked amazing! She was cleared of all her restrictions! And she has almost gained a full pound since surgery (24.4 lbs)! The pulmonary valve is still showing some narrowing but Dr B is confident she will out grow it. He also said her scare looked amazing! We have been working to make her very proud of her "boo-boo". We tell her constantly that she is a heart warrior and that that boo-boo is something she should be very proud of. Whenever people ask her how her boo-boo is doing she immediately lift up her shirt to show them her scar! Abby doesn't have to go back to see Dr B for 3 months!

Ben The Kindergartner

I really don't know how its possible that we have a kindergartner in our house. It feels like just the other day we were dropping him off for his first day at MDO and how he off to kindergarten! A few days before school started Ben got to go in for a sneak-peek and meet his teacher, check out his classroom and drop off his school supplies. He was so excited! The visit finished with popsicles in the cafeteria! Which might have been his favorite part!

And then the day was upon us...Ben was off to Leawood Elementary to start kindergarten! He woke up ready to go! We got the Overbrook Road crew together for some pictures before we headed up to school. Ben was practically running down the sidewalk to get into school. I'm not going to lie I got a little chocked up as he ran through the front doors of his new school. It really hit me. We have a kindergartner. No more special days with GG or Grandma since he will be in school all day. No more sleeping in and having lazy days in our jammies playing cars. No more Ben accompanying me to Target or Costco. But instead he would be going to school everyday feeding that little brain of his with more info than I could every imagine. He would be learning how to read. How to add & subtract. How to speak Spanish. While I am so very excited for this new chapter for him it made me fully aware just how fast the years go by. Ben made his way to his classroom and hung his backpack up and promptly went to his seat. He was so excited! We said our goodbyes and I turned around as we walked out the door and he shot me a huge smile and gave me a big wave and that was it he was officially a kindergartner! I couldn't wait until pickup so I could hear how his first day was-he came out of school so happy! He said he had the best day and couldn't go back to school tomorrow!

1st Trip to The Dentist

It was time for Abby & Will to take their first trip to the dentist before school started. So we added them appointments to Ben's appointment. Ben rocked his visit as usual! He's doing a great job keeping his pearly whites clean and was cavity free! Will was so excited to go next! He jumped right up into the seat and put his sun glasses on! Will's teeth checked out great too! When it came time for Abby's turn she was less than thrilled. She was pretty much in tears the whole exam. But the good news is that her teeth look perfect too. Hoping that our next visit goes a bit smoother! 

Ben The Ring-Bear

Ben had the great honor of being asked to be the ring-bear in Vince's cousin Monica's wedding in early August in Vail. We had the highest hopes that all 5 of us would be going to the wedding and making a family vacation out of it before school started. But after our little scare with Abby we decided it wold be best is I stayed back in KC with Abby & Will and Vince & Ben went to Vail. To say I was completely bummed was an understatement. I so wanted to be there as Monica & Jimmy tied the knot and started their happily ever after! Luckily our family knew how bummed I was and sent me a ton of pictures from the wedding & the trip! Despite some rather gloomy weather the boys had a great trip and Ben was so excited to hang out with his cousins for a few days! He was so proud and rocked his ring-bear responsibilities.

Ben The Bike Rider

Just a few days before school started we were outside playing on the driveway. Ben looked at us at said "Daddy...I'm ready for you to take my training wheels off". And so Vince took them off! And Ben got on his bike and rode down the driveway! Just like that he was off-no turning back! I remember my Dad teaching me to ride my bike and I certainly didn't just get on and go like Ben did! Vince & I were so proud! Abby & Will loved cheering him on! The look of joy and accomplishment on his face is one I will ever forget! Go Benny Go!