LillyBear Returns to Chincoteague

A few days after Christmas, my two youngest children, LillyBear, and I took a trip to Chincoteague island in Virginia.  We'd never been to Chincoteague during the winter so didn't know what it would be like, except that we wouldn't have to deal with the pesky mosquitoes!  My Dad and stepmom, and my siblings and their families, all came to Chincoteague too.  

If you've read my book, LillyBear Goes to Chincoteague, or my 2012 blog post, "LillyBear's Adventures in Chincoteague," you are familiar with the activities and things we like to do on Chincoteague and neighboring Assateague islands.  

We stayed in a cute little house called the Crepe Myrtle Cottage, which I believe was built in the 1930s.  One of my brother's and his family stayed with us.  My Dad and stepmom, other brother and his family, all stayed down the road at the Starbright Cottage.

LillyBear on the steps of the Crepe Myrtle Cottage

I left copies of my LillyBear Goes to Chincoteague book at both cottages.  I hope other vacationers might enjoy them.

LillyBear is sitting on a table in front of the window
with our book next to her

Because of the time of year we were there, not everything was open.  But it was still very nice because there were no crowds either.  Just being outside and walking in the fresh air was wonderful.

LillyBear climbing a large crepe myrtle tree

One day it was rainy so LillyBear decided to stay in the cottage.  (She prefers to be warm and dry!) Solomon and I explored a little part of the island that we had never seen before - the Chincoteague Waterman's Memorial.  We had to drive through the marina parking lot to get there, and then walk up a little hill.

It was so foggy we couldn't see very far around us.  The only sound was water  lapping on one side.  The quiet and fog made reading the plaques even more  sobering.  Yet there was such a beauty in the place.

Solomon and I followed a trail past the memorial for a while.  It was very interesting.  We're still not sure what this part, off the trail, was:

LillyBear was happily waiting for us, when we finally got back to the cottage:

For those of you that are Misty of Chincoteague fans, here is Miss Molly's Inn on Main Street where Marguerite Henry stayed at in 1947 while writing her book:

It doesn't seem that Blogger sends out emails to subscribers announcing my posts anymore, so I have no idea if anyone that used to read this blog will see this.  But if you are reading this, and for any new people who see this, I just want to say "hello" and that I hope you have a very blessed new year! 

MY NEW BOOK: LillyBear Goes to Chincoteague

LillyBear and I have an exiting announcement to make!  We now have a published book on Amazon.com:  LillyBear Goes to Chincoteague.  

Because the book is self-published through Amazon, it is a "print on demand" book.  That means it can be ordered and printed from any Amazon website in the world.  So if you live in another country and are interested in the book, you can get it without paying for overseas shipping.  😉

Here is a summary of the book:

When LillyBear travels with her family to Chincoteague and Assateague islands, she is amazed by everything she sees in the natural world around her and inside the many museums she visits. As much as she enjoys her days exploring, she starts to worry that she’ll never see the island’s wild ponies. Will LillyBear find all the historical links to the famous pony Misty? What will LillyBear learn about the lighthouse on Assateague island and why the mosquito was nicknamed  their official bird? Will LillyBear ever see those elusive wild ponies before her vacation is over?

A heartwarming and informative story about a little bear and her (human) family as they explore Chincoteague and Assateague islands. Learn alongside them as they visit museums, a lighthouse, and all things Misty of Chincoteague. Hear a recollection of Pony Penning Day and see famous spots on the islands through the eyes of a curious little bear.

Filled with photographs, this “living book” captures the spirit of the family’s adventure and the events and places described.

This book was written in memory of a special little girl, Lilly, who was born with Trisomy 18.

The front and back covers:

I hope that anyone who buys this book enjoys it.  Thank you!!!!  😊

 

"Newborns with trisomy 13 or 18 can benefit from heart surgery"

I just wanted to share an exciting medical journal article, which finally acknowledges that infants born with Trisomy 18 or 13 are more likely to survive if they undergo heart surgery.  

Note that this article was published in October 2017 - but I don't remember seeing it before now.  Since people are still doing searches and frequently ending up on this blog, I wanted to put this information here.

The article is here:  https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2017/10/newborns-with-trisomy-13-or-18-benefit-from-heart-surgery.html

Researchers at Stanford and the University of Arkansas analyzed data from the largest study of its kind and found that infants born with these two genetic disorders have a significantly better chance of survival if they have heart surgery.  (Heart defects are very common in T-13 and T-18 babies.)

For us parents of these precious children, this is a real "DUH!!!" moment. But to be getting the medical community on board?  That is HUGE!  Those of you that know my Lilly's story know that we had to go all the way to Florida to get her heart surgery because local doctors, here in N.C., would not treat her.  They believed it was "unethical" since she was just going to die anyway.

This belief was common.  From the article:  

 “The thought has been that it doesn’t make sense to undertake a major heart surgery if the patient’s death within a few months is a near certainty,” said Thomas Collins, MD, clinical associate professor of pediatric cardiology at Stanford."

Instead of death being so certain, the researchers found this:

"The researchers found that heart surgery increased survival and hospital discharge on average from 33 percent to approximately 67 percent for these patients, and that this benefit lasted through two years of follow-up. “When we analyzed the survival curves, the data spoke for themselves,” Collins said. “Especially for trisomy 18, the number of babies that survive more than doubles after surgery.”

As one of Lilly's heart doctor's said before her first heart surgery, it was her hope that Trisomy 18 (and 13) babies would one day be treated just as Down Syndrome children were.  (Note that years ago, Down Syndrome children were NOT medically treated well either.  But it finally changed for them.)

Lilly sleeping after her 2nd heart surgery (Nov. 2011)

Lilly waving - on the way home after surgery & recovery!

Lilly's Christmas and the Warrior MAMA IEP Binder

Hi everyone!  I know it's been SO LONG since I've posted.  I actually still think of all sorts of things I'd like to write about but we've been dealing with some intense life "roller coasters" within our family for the past few years and I've had to let some things go, even things I love, like blogging.

Since I like having things about Lilly recorded (for my own record), so I wanted to post what I got her for Christmas last year.  I always buy her an angel themed ornament for her tree.  This one is little vintage angel poodle:

:

Ever since Lilly died, I've put a little red-white-blue Christmas tree at her grave.  However, they just do not hold up well.  So this year I did something different.  I found this adorable deer statute online (from Design Toscano - which is a company that has good quality items) and I tied on a cute bow and some garland:

I think it's adorable!  Hunter pointed out that the deer came already named - "Darby."  He thinks that name is ridiculously silly but we decided to keep it.  I like it.  :)

What finally pushed me to take the time to post today is that I wanted to share about the "Warrior MAMA IEP Binder."

During Lilly's life, I kept a detailed medical binder with all her information.  (I did a short post here about it.)  This huge binder was incredibly helpful, time and time again.  I always had the info I needed right there while at doctor's appointments or at hospital visits.  Medication lists, all her doctors info, notes from her physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions, diet information, printed pertinent emails from case workers, etc.

I remember at a couple of Lilly's hospital stays, the nurses commented on just how helpful my binder was and they wished more parents would keep them.  At one emergency room visit I was just sort of frozen in horror and was having trouble processing.  I handed the doctor and nurse my binder and they quickly got all the info they needed from it and thanked me.

I can not emphasize enough how important it is to have a notebook like this when you have children with any kind of special needs.  

Now I LOVE making notebooks to organize papers in and felt I had everything I needed in mine.  But what if you aren't naturally organized and just aren't into that sort of thing?  What if you're unsure of what all to put in it?  Well you can now buy one that is already put together and full of helpful, guided pages.

NOTE:  I am not affiliated with this product in any way.  I just wanted to share about it because I know how helpful this type of binder is, when you have special needs children.

Lisa, of Organize365.com, is the mother of 2 adopted children with special needs and has dealt with everything that comes with that.  Doctors, special diets, different schools, therapies, etc.  She kept her own binders for her children.  Now she has created one that can be purchased.

If you go to https://organize365.com/WARRIOR-MAMA/  you will see links for information on the binder:

- a podcast

- a free online masterclass

- an unboxing video

- link to purchase the binder

Finally, just for fun, take a peek at the Organize 365's homepage - if you scroll down you'll see a picture of Tabby and I along with an email I sent Lisa.  :)

Dear Lilly ... Happy Belated Birthday

Lilly's Memorial Garden this month

Dearest Lilly,

Happy belated 8th birthday, my sweet girl!  Wow EIGHT!!!  I am so curious about you.  What are you like in heaven?  I can't wait to see you again one day.  I hope you will run to me and give me, what Solomon likes to call, "the biggest lion hug ever!"

By the way, your little brother is so looking forward to meeting you one day.  He loves looking at pictures of you and sometimes wishes he could be in some of them.

Let's see, this is your first birthday in 6 years that we did not have our traditional Lilly's Birthday aka July 4th Celebration.  But have no doubt, we all remembered you on your day.  Just as we do every day.

During your birthday week, Tabby and I were at a church camp in Virginia.  It was the first camp that either of us have ever been too.  Though I missed getting to come to your grave, I did share your picture with several people at camp and told them about your birthday.  They were very kind.  Tabby told some of the campers about you too.

The boys and your Dad were planning to carry on your celebration by attending the parade and fireworks however something else happened.  Hunter came down with the chicken pox!  He had a fever and was all spotty and itchy.  There was no way he felt like going out anywhere.  But the boys and Dad did set off some fireworks at home.  Did you see them?

About two weeks later Hunter was all better but then ... Solomon came down with the chicken pox!  So we put off going to the store to buy balloons for you once again.  However, Solomon did argue that even boys with chicken pox were still able to eat birthday cake!  So your siblings all voted on cupcakes for this year.  We imagined red-white-blue ones.  But when I went to the store, I realized oops!  With July 4th passed, there were no longer "Lilly colored" desserts out.  I know I could have made something at home, but there was too much going on.  So I bought these cupcakes and they were very yummy!

For your birthday present this year, I bought you a set of red/white/blue bottle brush trees.  I have a bit of an obsession with them.

bottle brush trees made by @oldvintagebits (Instagram)

I never did share a picture of your last year's Christmas present on your blog, so I will do that now.  I just love the work of Polish artist Amelia.  (Etsy shop: inameliart )  I have bought several prints from her over the past year.  Last year she had 2 that made me think of you!  One is a little girl that wears red-white-blue!  Amelia told me her husband said that she had painted an "American girl."  (They live in Poland.)  She sure did!  She painted my Lilly girl.  I told Amelia about you and your story touched her deeply.  She is such a sweet and talented artist.  The other print I bought is an angel girl holding a bunny.  So I feel I have my 4th of July Lilly girl and my angel Lilly girl.  They are so special to me!  

Last week we bought your birthday balloons at the dollar store.  But every time we thought about sending them up to you, someone wasn't feeling good, or it was raining, or something was wrong with the timing.  But finally!  This morning, in between rain showers, we hurried outside to let your balloons go.  This is the first time we did this at home, instead of at your grave.  But that's OK.  You know we love you anywhere we are.  At first we were going to release them by Solomon's big pumpkin patch.  But it got windy all the sudden.  So we went out by the road and let the balloons go over the cow pasture across the street.  They all went up up up!  No tangling in trees.  

I watched them until they disappeared.  I thought about you and how much your short life of 17 months blessed me and stretched me beyond what I thought I was capable of.  What a gift from God you were and I thanked Him all over again for you.

Lilly's 1st birthday

We all love you, Lilly-girl, forever and ever!!

XOXOXOXO 😘💗
Mama

Lilly's Pulse Ox is in ... Honduras!

"I can't say I'm very excited about the new pulse ox, Mama." - Lilly (Dec. 2011)

This morning I was reading through a newsletter from "Healthy Ninos Honduras," which is a new organization by MAMA Project.  Suddenly I noticed a picture of a baby hooked up to a blue & black colored pulse ox and thought "wow - Lilly used to have one just like that!"  Then I read that section:

"A family in the USA unfortunately suffered the loss of a child.  As they sorted their child's belongings, they decided to donate a few items to our work in Honduras.  Little did they know the difference it would make!

Donations were given to the maternity public clinic in Santa Cruz. Shortly after receiving the donation, the one nurse asked to be excused to use the oximeter on a baby they were monitoring that day.  The Staff told them they were using an oximeter designed for adults and we [are] extremely grateful for the gift!"

It hit me then - that WAS Lilly's pulse ox in the photo!  I had forgotten that I had donated it to them back in October 2015.  (My blogpost on that is here.) 

How awesome is that??!!  Lilly's pulse ox is being put to good use helping babies in Honduras.  I LOVE that.  It totally made my day.  :)

Link to newletter: http://www.healthyninos.org/uploads/1/1/1/5/111589139/christmas2017web.pdf

Good job Miss Lilly!  You're still blessing others!

Just for laughs, here is an old photo of Hunter (he was 3).  He was so enamored with Lilly's pulse ox that he had me help him make one for his dog Sam.

Lilly's 6th Angelversary

Dearest Lilly,

I was so glad to get to bring your Christmas tree Friday.  December 15th ... your Angelversary.  The events of that day in 2011 forever burned into my mind.

Your old Christmas tree had finally fallen apart.  Mom Jenny gave me this artificial tree branch and I picked out some ornaments at Walmart to put on it.  I think it turned out nice.  Red white and blue - for my July 4th baby!  I really liked how the red glittery bows sparkled in the sunshine.  Beautiful!  Though not as beautiful as you of course.  

Do you like your new cherub?  It was time to replace your original one.  It was cracked badly and parts were gone.  It is not easy picking out a new cherub!  I looked on Amazon and the choices were overwhelming!  I felt so frustrated because I wanted you to have the perfect one.  Just when I felt like giving up, I saw it!  I just knew that was THE ONE!

I did notice the cherub isn't quite as heavy as your original one though, so I hope it stays put OK.  I brought your old one home to put in your memorial garden.  (Which is colorful with pansies for the winter.)

As usual I'm anxious to hurry and get through December.  I'm looking forward to the new year and what always feels like a fresh start January 1st.  So many things in life have spiraled out of control since you died.  But we're picking up the pieces and healing.  It sure can be a slow, confusing journey.  But I am blessed to have HOPE.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" - Jeremiah 29:11

Love always,

Mama