Meet Maggie Jane….is she adorable or what?

This precious girl is several months older than Evie and also has a complex little porcelain heart. Maggie’s mom Faith and I connected months ago through our blogs and have become kindred spirits tho we’ve never met. We’ve prayed eachothers babies through surgeries and proceedures. We’ve shared triumphs and laughs at our daughters antics. We’ve confided our deepest fears and found a camaraderie through another heart-mom who “gets it” when it comes to our complicated little girls.

Maggie Jane will become a big sister to a new little baby girl in a few short months. Imagine my surprise when Faith shared with me that they will be naming their newest daughter Evangeline Kait in honor of our Evie. I get teary even now thinking of it.

To think that our girl who, by medical standards, should not have survived, will have a little namesake and legacy. I am deeply touched and so excited for them to welcome this precious little girl (who has a strong, whole, healthy heart – praise the Lord!) into their beautiful family!

Funny thing. These sweet-heart families have become extensions of my own! The intensity of companionship we have shared with others who have walked the “heart road” has had deep significance that transcends distance. Its a club you would never sign up for. A joining of ranks you would never enlist in voluntarily. No one asks for a child with a broken heart. No mother can fathom watching her baby endure open heart surgery.

Im amazed by the connectivity Ive found with other mom’s through our blogs. There are times C has (lovingly) recommended I take a sabbatical from reading other heart babies blogs because I was crying myself to sleep every night. I cant imagine walking the road we have without the Grace of God, the shoulder of my husband, the prayers of thousands and the support and friendship of other precious heart families! What a privilege it is to share this journey with you and pray for and love your little ones!…..you know who you are!!

Pop into Faith’s lovely blog and tell her to prop her feet up in this last trimester! And add Miss Maggie to your prayers for little ones with special hearts!

First things first. Zachary continues to take great strides in the right direction. Another procedure under anesthesia today to re-dress the wounds and secure another wound vac on a second site. There was no more infected tissue that had to be removed which is a huge praise! He is coping better with the pain and has been more coherent the last couple days. He has been told that he is still at least a week and a half from being able to leave……but they are talking about him going HOME!! What a day of thanksgiving that will be!! Keep praying full and complete healing for his tired body!

I promised pictures from our wonderful weekend. Entirely too many for our sweet friends and family who read. However, since I dont have time to keep a baby book and my scrapbooking is about five years behind, THIS is the only organization of photos my children will ever have to look back on. So….humor me!

We celebrated with an outdoor

“Soup & Salad Supper and S’mores”(say that 10 times fast:-) gathering.

It was all about pink and green and everything bling! A cupcake tower sporting 72 tiny cakes. Tea light illuminated stemware lamps. Sparkle, rhinestones and candlelight! And one nearly out-of-control bonfire!

Some very special people….nurse Joy cared for Evie during her month at MUSC and holds a very special place in our hearts!

Laura and I had babies with identical heart defects in side-by-side beds in PCICU. Now that was emotional to see our Graysen and Evie playing together.

Grandmoni, Grandenny and all three of my sisters made the treck from Atlanta to shower our girl with love and help me pull off a party.

Evie was thoroughly aware that it was all about her. She was gleeful and giddy. What a delight to see this child who has overcome so much just abounding with life and energy! She truly is our little miracle!

Unlike last year, she knew exactly what to do with wrapped packages!

Gobs of goodies for Annabelle Baskets. Thank you all!

It was the year for books. And this favorite of hers is perfectly appropriate:-)

The good news is: his white blood count is lower today indicating the infection level may be improving.

The bad news is: kidney function has not improved any. Still a major point of prayer!

Zachary underwent another dressing change and surgery this morning where doctors had to cut out more tissue that the infection continues to eat away at. He has begun wound vac therapy (which we are familiar with from when Evie’s surgical site became infected).

Zachary’s pain has intensified after this procedure. Please pray that drugs will keep that under control so that his tired body can get the rest that it needs to promote the healing process!

So grateful for the friends (and strangers) who have written that Zachary is on their hearts and that they are praying! If only he could see the rippling effect. The friends of friends who have heard and are lifting him to the Father. What a blessing!