The great, fun, and silly pictures

Kamiah few days old

Did tell her to smile. *sign* gotta love crazy faces. She so LOVES her sister.

Kamiah's blessing day. Boy was that dress slippery.

Visiting Sam's Grandma and Grandpa Anderson. They are so sweet!

Now I was just playing with my camera and you all get to watch me not knowing what I'm doing. hehe

Happiest baby ever! I mean it. Shes a little morning person, every time she sees us all day she'll smile. Shes starting to giggle too now. Love her a ton!

Used to have hair.. now working on her ever growing bald spot.

sledding in the front yard. =) finally have snow.

Misky of so many colors.

Checking out the other kids snow people.

Merry Chirstmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you had a wonderful and safe holiday.

Mariska was pretty excited for Santa to come to our house this year. We got home really late Christmas eve so I told her I'd leave milk and cookies out so she could go to sleep. She woke up at 6:30am running into our room yelling "he came HE came!!" Her little face was priceless. She was delighted Santa left a note with the empty cookie plate. She loved her toy puppy and her Tangled dress, We hurried and opened all our gifts before heading out to church at 9!  Sam's big gift was an tablet, Mariska was her Udraw tablet for the Wii.  Mine *Melynda* was a sweet camera and Kamiah gave her little sing-a-ma-jig doll a ton of smiles. We all couldn't be happier.

Having little kids on Christmas morning is AWESOME!

We also got another huge Christmas gift. We Signed the counter offer on a house! Yet We'll be done with Apartment life by February!!! A yard for the girls to play and no more smoke coming into our bedroom windows.

 I was contacted a few months ago and asked if we would share Mariska's story in a book. Its been pretty neat to have a chance to do something like that for her to see. Its just a short 1000 words, I"ll post again when it comes out. =)  It was hard opening my self up and going back to all the days and months in the hospital, felt like it took Sam and I forever to really get it done. Every time I sat down to write I was hit by how much gratitude we have to our Heavenly Father for letting her stay with us.

We keep thinking about her donors family, We pray for them, to make the holidays a little less empty and to keep peace in their hearts.

Here's a few Pictures, We're going to turn the blog into a book soon. I've noticed the pages with tons and tons of pictures are my favorite so this one is going to be picture heavy. 

Christmas morning

missed a few, Mariska Christmas afternoon

Our Tree, don't think you can see it. We have a one red heart for Mariska's old and new heart

At my parents for a later Christmas

I can just see it... "she got what I wanted" ha good thing its just I'm hungry

Happy 4th Birthday Mariska!

Happy Birthday Our Sweet Mariska. 4 years ago we got to take you home for the very first time.  You have always shown us patience, joy, endurance, and love. We wondered when we first met you what you would make your life become. Little did we know a CHD road was already layed out before you. You take on all the challenges life has to give with a smile on your face. We never asked why you came to us because we know you picked us to be your parents.

You bring such a joy to our home, dancing, telling jokes, your little stories, your smile and love. We love you Mariska.

Welcome baby Kamiah!

Mariska is so proud to have a little sister. =) Here's some pictures.

Kamiah Mae Anderson

6 lbs 9 oz

19 inches

 Born at 8:20 am

September 28th 2011



Due date September 22nd. 6 days late planned to be induced at 7:15am on the 28. Told Kamiah it was her last chance to come into the world on her own. Very glad she came own her own. We weren't fully sure the due date was right but all the ulta sounds measured her dead on with the date we thought was right. So happy she came on her own with out drugs and force. She was trying to keep her head lifted off my chest and look around hours after birth and has amazing muscle tone very much so in her legs. Nursing is going well, It was a little rocky but we're working to get over it. We love you little Kamaih so happy to have you in our family.

Here's what 40 weeks looks like. 3 days over due.

Welcome to the world Kamiah.

Tiny feet

Contractions started at 12:30. Finally at 2:30 and 2mins apart we headed for the hospital. Taken at 9am.  Here's what a long night will do to ya. :o)  

Proud daddy and Grandpa.

smashed fresh from the birth canal face. hehe Stayed awake for 2 hours after birth looking around.

First time meeting.

Upset because the nurse took Kamiah from the room to the nursery before we moved to the recovery room. She did not like having her sister taken away.

Mariska loves being a sister.

Little sister shirt we brought her home in. First diaper change at home.

Checking things out.

10-1-2011. 3 days old.  She looks so much like Mariska.

Mariska age 1 day. Before we knew about her half a heart and going to the NICU

6lbs 11oz

Mariska a few days old. Before norwood. Taken at PCMC PICU.

Yesterday Mariska morning I layed down while Kamiah slept to take a nap. Woke up to Kamiah crying and to see Mariska was in the pack-in-play bassinet with a few toys working on laying down with her sister. So cute but a little naughty.

Went to the pediatrician yesterday *48 hours old* since we left the hospital a little early they wanted to see her again. Since she had a little jaundice that was a working its way up. She looks fine. Her oxygen levels are 97 and 99. She a healthy little girl.  Mariska again was so worried they would hurt her. We talked about what would happen to Kamiah when she was born that she would have to get pokes in her legs just like she did as a baby. Mariska said she will hold her sisters hand so she doesn't get scared. 

She blows us away with the amount of compassion she has for others. Always making sure others are happy. Sam Told her his shoulder hurt one day a few days later shes asking him if it feels better now. Most of us don't even remember little things like that, little alone check to make sure things are fine. She's such a sweet heart.