Are we "normal" yet?

This past week, I've almost felt normal. Our daily routines consist of mom and dad going to work, cleaning the house, dropping the girls off at Grandma and Grandpa's, reading bedtime stories, watching hours of Yo Gabba Gabba, blowing bubbles, taking baths and lots of sister play-time.

Ok, as I write this, I realize that "normal" does not also include morning and evening meds, OCD attitudes about germs, wondering if my baby is teething or going into heart failure, debating whether or not a heart rate of 137 justifies a text to the cardiologist, etc.... but, hey, beggars can't be choosers. As the days pass, normalcy creeps in. And I love it. Sometimes I catch myself and wonder if I shouldn't feel normal; maybe normal isn't good. Abnormal keeps you on your toes and reminds you to take nothing for granted.

Unfortunately, being a part of our ever-growing congenital heart defect (CHD) family does not allow you a chance to feel "normal" - at least not for more than a day or two at a time. There is always pain and suffering and reminders.

So, today, the Lihns will feel normal. Afterall, Zoe turned 10 months old today! Tomorrow, we will take Zoe out into the world for the first time in a long, long time.

We will continue to take life a day at a time and enjoy our days of normalcy, when and while we can.

Pictures of Normalcy...

(Zoe agrees...laundry is no fun!)

("Sassy like Mom" - and bossy too!)

(Emmy "getting Zoesie out" of her crib.)

(Sister love- Zoe is not impressed)

(Chillin' in the playroom)

(Play that funky music, white girl)