This Little Fishy is Turning One!

What a year.

As February drew closer and closer I increasingly became a big ball of squish. Getting pretty sentimental about how fast time has flown and how I can't remember life before our little love, but also a bit bittersweet as her entrance into this world was not the easiest, and how just making it here has been a triumph for all of us. If I had to say there was a silver lining of all of this, it would have to be that we were given the gift of perspective even before she was born and just knowing what a wonderful, precious being she was before we even met. I have logged more hours in our comfy nursery chair than anywhere else while her tummy troubles keep her up most of the night but I will never regret holding her as much as I could during her brief babyhood. While I may not be as smart, well dressed (this is a joke) or lively, some of my most precious memories will always be holding my sweet goose in the quiet house just to make sure she is comfortable. I can honestly say I have been able to enjoy the most of her baby days and continue to be thankful for every second with her - even the ones that come throughout the night. We could not be any more proud of her for her wonderful personality, silliness and constant reminder of how precious life is. 

We also have an even greater appreciation for our wonderful friends and family who have gone above and beyond to show love to our little girl.   Our 801 friends/family Tara, Allie and Katie drove down from LA and Becky (San Francisco), Stacy (San Jose), Ali (Idaho) and Lish with daughter Kaitlyn (Montana) and Lynsey (Seatlle) earlier that week, all flew south for winter and took time out of their busy lives and away from their families just to be here for our little celebration in the park. The Dads get a shout out here too for Daddy duty while the Momma's came to join us - thank you all! The Goose must have known it was a big weekend because she took her first three solo steps the day before the party in front of these loving aunties.

We had a very special, sunny day in the park just loving on this little Goose. And of course, my Mom and I indulged in some seriously neurotic fish crafting.

This little fishy is one!!



Wasn't so much as a 'smash' but a 'slam'

Would you like some?

The Family

Ali, Stacy, Becko, Me/Goose, Allie P., Katie, Tara/Gio and Lish/Kaitlyn in the front

Mark hanging the flying fish

'Go Fish' favors

 While we'd like to say our hardest days were behind us, we were smacked back to reality the Monday following the party. At another post-op appointment we got the official ruling that her three laser treatments have been deemed relatively 'unsuccessful.' They typically see a 50-75% improvement which means we were obviously expecting 80-100, but were left with somewhere closer to 20%, making it not worth continuing with the series. For obvious reasons, this news was incredibly hard to swallow and while we'd like to leave things as they are, the health risks with leaving them untreated are scary enough to make us continue to look for answers. The Doctor did say that 'we aren't done' and that he'd like to resume the treatments with a new, higher powered laser in 9 months to a year. The increased risk and her increased awareness are things I can't even begin to comprehend at this point so, as always, we will do our research, say our prayers and hope technology improves to alleviate some of these fears. 

What an adventure we have been on but it is more worth it than anything I can imagine. We love her so much and can't wait to see what amazing things she continues to do in her life. Happy first birthday Makenna Rose!