The O'Neil Updater: January 2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

An Attempt

I should really be doing something productive with all this time I have stuck inside my house (snow :/). I should be organizing, or cleaning, or de-cluttering, or actually writing an entire blog post. But...I am not!!

I know I need to update the ol' blog but my motivation is nowhere to be found.

But I have a video!

Oh, and some pictures I took at Presley's cardiologist appointment the other day!

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Three Hundred and Thirty-Four Days

Today, this little girl has been among us for 334 days...that is 11 months, people! That means that next month will be 12 months...that is a year, folks! And you better believe my wheels are a turnin' to plan the big bash!!

So, this morning our lil' darling has been quite the fussy one. She cried while I fed her breakfast and is just a little irritable. I was curious...I am tellin' ya she just doesn't fuss much. So, I started investigating. She wasn't pulling at her ears, she didn't have a fever, BUT she did finally cut a tooth!! That sounds weird for me to say...I should have said erupted. And, in case you wondered, it is tooth #P (I know P is not a number but primary teeth are identified by letters and permanent teeth by numbers). I digress.

We have taken another big step in my baby's life. She will start an organized daycare next week. She is only going part time but this will be very different (and somewhat exciting) for both of us. You can go ahead and start the prayers for me the morning I drop her off!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Friend Will Not Say Never, Cause The Welcome Will Not End

There are times in my life when nothing goes well. Then there are times, few and far between, that everything is just right. Sometimes I dwell on all the bad. Other times I float with the clouds and soak up all the good. No matter which between that I am in between one thing is certain...I have the best friends a girl could ask for. We, as a family, have the best friends anyone could ask for.

And it hit me like a ton of bricks Sunday night at a dinner we had at church. It was a kick off to our small group meetings for the year. Our small group has been nothing short of a miracle from God above. We have been blessed beyond words through this outreach.

But at this dinner each small group at our church was presented and each leader spoke about the basics of the group and the itinerary when the groups meet. So, our leader stood up to speak and her words rang ever so true. She explained that we are a group formed mostly of parents of small children. Each term we decide on a study to do and we have a time of fellowship and food at each meeting.

Then she elaborated on the relationships that have developed in our group. She announced us as
friends. I nodded in agreement. She continued with the things we have done together...play cards and games, keep each others kids, even sit in hospital rooms with each other.

My heart sank. These people took time away from their kids, their lives, their homes and came to be with us when we were at our lowest. These friends cared for us when we barely had the strength to care for us. Friends, yes. Brothers and sisters, even more so!

I did not tell you all about this so that you would feel sorry for us for having gone through all that we have gone through. No, I wanted to brag on some good friends! I wanted to share how it warms my heart to hear these friends ask about our week. I wanted to bring a smile to their faces just like they have done ours so many times.

So, there may be nothing else in my life right, but my friends are always there. They complete a part of me that I cannot explain. Thank you, my friends, for being my friend. I hope that the closeness we share never fades. I pray you know that the bond we have is sometimes all that keeps me going.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Let's Compare

She started out small. Only 6 pounds.

She was operated on 6 months later and, only, 4 pounds heavier.

She recovered and is now a healthy, growing girl.

Four months ago, today, Presley had open heart surgery. I was giving her a bath tonight and was in awe of how healthy she is looking. Her color looks better. Her legs are so much fatter. She is more than just skin and bones! The difference is incredible.

I am so proud to say that my daughter is a surviver of congenital heart defect. She is a very special little girl and God must have big plans for her!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Hello, Goodbye

My thoughts on the year 2009 coming to end, up to this point, have been nothing less than happiness, excitement, joy, etc. But...

I read this today and my attitude towards the year ending and a the next one beginning changed. I, shamefully, admit that I was humbly put in my place. I have continually looked at all the bad of 2009 and cursed it (at times, cursed at it). But Monica brought me to realize that there was good of 2009. Our friendship is one of the "goods" of 2009. Childbirth, not just the result of childbirth, was a "good". Successful surgery was far beyond a "good".

See, I was focusing so much on all the bad. All the work I missed having a child and having a child that needed open heart surgery. All the sickness that had struck my husband, which led to more work missed. Not to mention the financial stress that missing all that work led us to. But I have resolved to change my perspective of the year 2009. God led me to all the events of 2009, the good and the bad. So, His purpose for bringing those things my way is much more important than my whining and complaining that 2009 sucked (for lack of a better word).

Let these pictures stand for the fact that 2009 was good and 2010 will be even better!

*In no particular order*

Anxiously Awaiting