Hemi-Anniversary

I cannot believe we are one year - surgery free.  Yes, one year ago, today, Zoe underwent her second open heart surgery.

This past year has flown by so fast.  I've cherished every moment of it, even when Zoe's driven me completely mad!

Tomorrow morning when I wake, I'll remember watching her sleep peacefully prior to surgery...

I'll remember handing her over (once again) to Dr. Nicolson, Zoe's surgical anesthesiologist...

I'll remember the two hours I sat waiting, barely breathing, on 'the bridge' for Zoe's post-op nurse, John, to come and tell us she's still alive and doing well...

I'll remember hugging the man who saved her life twice-over...

I'll remember seeing Zoe for the first time and feeling my heart break at the sight of a newly bandaged chest...

And the moments after surgery that tore my heart out as she suffered...

I'll remember that this girl is a warrior, in more ways than one. One of my favorite pictures of Zoe was taken at CHOP, four days post Hemi-fontan. As is usual, when I look into her eyes, I swear I can see her soul. In this picture, I captured that souful 'look' that she gives me so often.

Most importantly, today on Zoe's Hemi-Anniversary, I'll remember how amazing my daughter is.  She's come so far in a year's time.  She's an energetic, full of life 16 month old toddler that brings me so much joy. She's ignited a passion that I've never experienced before. And brought me into a new family whom I love and couldn't live without.

With all of the memories that flood my mind and heart today, I thank her with all of my heart for showing me what it means to live life and be in the present moment. I look forward to spending Zoe's Hemi-Anniversary with her and telling her how lucky and honored I am to be her mom.

Happy Anniversary, Zoe Madison!  

Emerson - We Will Never Forget...

Today, on September 11, 2011 - ten years after the horrific events of 9/11 - I thought I'd share with you how Emerson got her name.

Like most of us, I was glued to the television set for the days and weeks that followed September 11, 2001. I watched heart-wrenching stories with tears in my eyes. I had nightmares that I was trapped beneath steel and rubble, even though I was thousands of miles away in California. One of the stories I will never forget was that of Emerson Glick.

Emerson was 12 weeks old when her daddy became a national hero. Jeremy Glick, a name you may recall, was aboard United Flight 93 - the flight intended for the White House. Jeremy, with help from a few fellow passengers, managed to overpower the terrorists. Whether it be by force, or otherwise, we'll never really know. The story of the little girl who would never grow up to meet her daddy tore my heart out. From that moment on, I vowed to name my first daughter, Emerson - after Jeremy's little girl.

(Jeremy and his daughter, Emerson)

On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, please take some time out of your day and remember those who lost their lives, and their families who lost a loved one, on that fateful day.

My Emerson is a reminder to me every day; I will never forget.

I'll leave you with the following link to a special report, from Emerson Glick herself, writing about one of our nation's heroes - her daddy, Jeremy - and how she received her name, "Emerson."

http://myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=J_Glick2_LC_srds_US_2010

T-Shirt Time!

The Phoenix Congenital Heart Walk is November 6, 2011. If you plan on joining us, we'd love for you to walk in Team Zoe gear. This year, like last, we'll be selling Team Zoe shirts for $10. All proceeds will go towards Team Zoe's fundraising goals.

Please place your orders before it's too late! If you want to order a shirt, you can do so one of two ways:  1) email us at lihnsc@yahoo.com with quantities and sizes (Adult - S, M, L, XL, XXL or Youth - S, M, L) and make payment via check or cash or, 2) if you'd like to pay via Pay Pal, our Pay Pal account is lihnsc@yahoo.com.  In the comment box, please provide the quantity and requested shirt size(s) desired. 

Team Zoe - Congential Heart Walk 2011

If you are doing something special for Team Zoe fundraising, please share with us! We know of a few Team Zoe BBQs in the works and some special little girls who've been filling their piggy banks for some time.

Thanks, as always for supporting Team Zoe - you're not only helping us, but all other congenital heart defect families. And trust me when I say, it means the world to us!

Just Havin' Some Fun

With cold and flu season around the corner, we've been busy playing and getting out of the house as much as humanly possible (keeping in mind the 110+ degree weather in Arizona).

Zoe, who will be 16 months a week from today, is developing very well. Her physical therpaist is certain she will be walking soon. She's able to balance on her own, but when she realizes no one is holding on, she collapses. Her vocabulary is expanding as well. She's up to 15-20 words. This may not seem all that wonderful, but when you're told at 20 weeks pregnant that your child will likely have a lower IQ due to a lack of oxygen to the brain, you really celebrate developmental milestones.

With Zoe's development flourishing, she and Emmy are becoming great sisters - playing, laughing, fighting and biting. No hair pulling yet, so that's good. Emmy often tells me, "I love my sister." I'm almost certain she realizes just how special she really is.

As you know, Football is Back! The girls are ready for the season - as are mom and dad.

What we are not ready for is winter and all the germs that come with it. Emmy and Zoe got their flu shots late last week. Quite humorously, just prior to their shots, Emmy gave Zoe a hug - being a good big sister - and told her everything was gonna be okay.

But just after this picture was taken, the big sister went first. As soon as the needle went in, Emmy screamed and shed crocodile tears for a good 60 seconds. Next victim, Zoe. Zoe winced, no screams and not one tear. I guess Zoe will have to give her sister a big hug next time and say, "everything will be okay, little sister's here..."

And, for the next round of RSV shots that Zoe will receive from October through March/April, I bought Zoes the perfect shirt.

If you haven't donated or signed up for the Heart Walk with Team Zoe, there's still time! You can donate or sign up by clicking here.

Team Zoe T-Shirt design is 95% complete and we'd love to see Team Zoe come up big this year. Team Zoe is already getting some heat from Team Owen. We've been told to "Bring it!" Game on, Owen, game on!

What Time Is It?

Since you asked...

It's time to buck up, sign up and get ready to walk/run with Team Zoe!!!

The 2nd Annual Phoenix Congenital Heart Walk/Run is only a few months away. Team Zoe will again be participating with the goal of raising awareness and research funding for congenital heart defects. We're hoping that our little warrior, Zoe, will be able to join us this year for the walk. (I can't promise, but depending on flu/rsv season, she may make an appearance...)

So, are YOU ready? Take a peak and see some of Zoe's extended family that led to Zoe's success last year.



Please come out and join TEAM ZOE the morning of November 6, 2011 and support the Lihn family and hundreds of other CHD families in our state and throughout the country. You can join or donate to TEAM ZOE by clicking here. To join, click "Join Our Team" or to donate, click "General Team Donation". All donations are tax-deductible.

Team Zoe will have their own T-Shirt design again this year - and trust me when I say, they're awesome! A big thank you to Aunt Stephanie and Joel and Erin Proto in San Francisco for their hard work. Stay tuned for the Team Zoe t-shirt reveal! They won't disappoint.

We look forward to making Team Zoe bigger and better this year. She's so worth it!

Surprises at the Pediatrician

On Thursday, Zoe went to her 15-month well check at her pediatrician's office. We were greeting by the same sign that caught me off guard last time we entered. Again, it caught my eye and I snapped a photo to share with ya'll.

Since the sign confirmed that we were in a safe zone, we entered the office.

Zoe's check up revealed a few surprises. Apparently, Zoe has lost some ground on her weight gain. She's dropped from the 10th percentile to the 4th percentile. Her pediatrician's take, "she's still got the cheeks." Apparently, if she's got 'the cheeks' no one cares what percentile she's in. Emerson never made the growth chart in weight either, so it runs in the family.

Next, Zoe's pediatrician checked inside her ears and mouth. I figured his "has she been fussy" question pointed to an ear infection. Wrong. Instead, he shared (with the non-observant mommy) that Zoe was getting all FOUR of her molars at once. What? Emerson just got her fourth molar a month ago...

The final surprise of the appointment was my favorite. Dr. Magalnick placed his stethescope to Zoe's chest - listening to her heart and lungs. He turned to me, smiled and said, "I hear nothing but normal inside her little chest." This struck me as odd. I retorted and said, "Normal - as in her heartbeat sounds like a everyone else's?" For some reason, I assumed that if any trained ear listened to her heart they would be able to notice that it was different special. But no, he emphasized that her heart sounded completely normal. All I could do was smile. Yes, I know she has half a heart. Yes, I know she has a glaring scar down the middle of her chest. But, to hear the words "normal" in conjunction with her heart was music to my ears.

So, even though she's small, she's healthy - and fiesty!!! This little girl is keeping us on our toes. She's non-stop and full of energy. Whoever said that having half a heart would slow you down hasn't met Miss Zoe Madison Lihn!

Impromptu Weekend Getaway...

Last weekend, after Zoe's great cardiology appointment, we packed up the car and headed north to my parent's cabin.

As soon as we arrived, Emmy was out in the grass setting up her tent and playing with her golf clubs.

The girls loved the cooler weather and picking flowers in grandma's garden.

On Sunday, we headed further up north to Flagstaff for Cardinal's training camp. This was Emerson's second trip to camp, but Zoe's first. Zoe had little interest in sitting and watching practice and preferred to practice walking.

Just before we left, Papa found a baby horny toad in the driveway. Emmy refused to hold him. Zoe had no problem petting the toad. Sounds about right...

We all enjoyed our impromptu getaway and agree that we need to do so more often. Rest and relaxation agrees with us.