Remembering. #MySundayPhoto #CHDAwareness

Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is coming to an end and I thought I would share this picture....It was taken 7 years ago yesterday just after Ellie came out of surgery after having her fingers set back in place after jamming them in a door. 

It was the day we found out that there was a problem with Ellie's heart.....

In the six months that followed we found out Becky had a heart defect too. We had lots of appointments, tears, scans, tests, worry and finally both of my girls had open heart surgery in the August of 2009!

You can read our story.....Part One and Part Two.

My girls hearts will never be normal but at the moment they are fit and healthy and that's all I can ask for.....

A photo everyday for a year! Project 366 - Week 6

We've had a pretty good week. Of course pancake day was the best day of the week and yesterday the kids broke up for half term....Hooray!

37/366 6th February.

Ellie had a day of sleeping....She had been fighting off a cold and on Saturday it hit her....She's much better now.

38/366 7th February.

Homework time for Becky....She had to make a poster and straight away thought of using the laptop. Kids have it so easy these days...I would have had to actually write and draw the poster myself with pens or pencils....lol

39/366 8th February.

Monday morning brunch.

40/366 9th February.

Pancakes!!

41/366 10th February.

A happy girl after an epic tantrum.

42/366 11th February.

Ellie and her exercises.

43/366 12th February.

A valentines day for Becky off her boyfriend and a necklace with their initials in...So cute!

Hearts and Love - #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

It's all been about hearts this week and a little bit of love....

It's CHD Awareness week I have shared a few posts around that subject....I did my bit supporting the wonderful Tiny Tickers charity who improve the detection, care and treatment of serious heart conditions in babies....

If you want to know more about Congenital Heart Defects do go and have a read of the lovely Louise's blog Little Hearts Big Love....She has been sharing posts too....

We got a letter through this week about the genetic testing that our heart doctor put us forward for at the girls last appointment....You can read our full story about what has gone on with our hearts....Part One and Part Two.

They offered us one in December but I really didn't fancy traveling to central Newcastle two days before Christmas....So now we have an appointment for April.

We are hopefully going to find out whether I passed the girls heart defects on to them which is highly likely as we all have nearly identical hearts. Surely it can't just be bad luck?.....We will also find out whether the girls will pass their heart defects on to their children....I know they are years off having children but it will be nice to know. Well not exactly nice but we will be prepared....This appointment is going to shape their future. I'm very nervous but interested to know too....

In Other News:

Stu and I said we weren't doing Valentines day presents this year....He only went and bought me something and ruined the whole plan so I had to get him something too.....Men are so hard to buy for Valentines day.....Well my man is. He's not into lovey dovey teddies and pretty things so I went down the Star Wars theme and bought him some things I know he would love.....

It's the first time I've used the Truffle Shuffle website and I am really impressed. I ordered lunchtime on Wednesday and everything arrived Thursday morning....I will be using them again. They have everything Stu loves....hehehe

Today Becky is taking her Valentines day card into school for her boyfriend....hehehe They have such a sweet relationship....They are the best of friends and have now being a couple for well over a year now. Ahh! Young love. They still haven't kissed yet though. Phew!

For Ellie this week has all been about gymnastics....She had two practices after school and the big competition yesterday....Her school didn't win but she had a lot of fun.

Somewhere...someplace...today. #CHD

Somewhere...someplace...today... 

A family is waiting to hear... 

Is something wrong with their baby? 

The answers aren't quite clear... 

This family has entered an unwanted world... 

And they just don't know what to expect... 

Somewhere...someplace... today 

They first heard the words: heart defect. 

And how they hoped this was not true... 

And thought... this cannot be... 

I too... know just how this feels... 

For one day...this was me.

Somewhere...someplace...today... 

A man and a woman embrace... 

Their baby is in surgery... 

They long to see her face... 

They haven't got to hold her yet... 

Without...a cord or line... 

They pace the room awaiting news... 

And hope she'll be just fine. 

Prayers fill this busy waiting room... 

And mum and dad are scared... 

Somewhere...someplace..today... 

The tiniest hearts are repaired.

Somewhere...someplace...today... 

A child's growing fast... 

Smiling,laughing,thriving... 

His mum thinks...can this last? 

It's almost easy...to forget... 

That anything is wrong... 

Somewhere...someplace..today... 

Her child seems so strong.

Somewhere...someplace...today... 

A little boy fights...just to live 

A father holds his tiny hand... 

His love...all he can give... 

The doctor's are all baffled... 

They fear that he might die... 

Somewhere...someplace...today... 

A family says goodbye...

Somewhere...someplace...each year.. 

More than 40,000 families will see... 

What it means...when something's wrong... 

They'll face a CHD. 

Today...for just a moment... 

Stop...remember...reflect... 

Make time to tell someone you know... 

"I've been changed by a heart defect".

Author - Stephanie Husted