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.

Rejection Free!!

Mariska went into the cath lab Monday around 1 she was done and out by 2:10.  She had a hard time going in, they let me stay just until they put the mask on. Poor thing was trying to be brave but was scared out of her mind.     She didn't ever ask for food, water twice but I told her why she couldn't and she seemed ok with the reply. Grandma came with me, we both on the other hand we're starving! haha shes my hero!!   

The Cath lab showed the pressures in her heart are lower then the last two biopsy's shes had. Transplant came to see us when she was in the pacu. Said her BPM numbers we're 33 *around there I believe* in July they we're 140s last time in the 60s. This is just another way the body sometimes shows if its rejecting. They were very pleased with the number.

Her echo looks back to her normal again also.  Since her cath was so late we didn't find out about the biopsy until the next morning. I told the team to call me before 9 so I knew what to do on meds.   Shes not rejecting anymore! C1 D1 50 AMR 0.  Someday I'll under stand what that really means. They said its as perfect as it can be.

Talk about a huge weight taken off our shoulders! Didn't want to think about another month of rejection and a new baby with all the doctor visits. It about broke me to think about it. Prayers really are heard.

No baby news yet. Shes still cookin. Sam texts me once or twice a day asking if shes coming yet. Hes just a teeny tiny bit excited and is having a hard time waiting. My due date is the 22nd. I'm 39 weeks.  I keep thinking she'll come on Sunday, but only time will see.  My doctor asked how long I wanted to go and when I want to be induced. Told her lets see what next week brings, under 41 weeks sounds good to me

Biopsy at 12..

Asking for prayers for Mariska today. She goes into the cath lab for another biopsy. We're praying we finally have a handle on her rejection this time.   She is nothing but energy still. =) Its all fine and dandy but its wearing us out!  I started to call her the energizer bunnys' charging pad. Oh to have her energy. 


I'm 38 weeks pregnant  and due in 10 days. YAY for baby sisters. So want her to not be in rejection, I miss my non marshmallow little girly. She is very excited to be a big sister. She'll run up to my belly kiss her sister smile and run back and play.  Mariska is one of the money caring people I have ever met.

We went camping the first week of September at downata hot springs in Idaho. They have a huge volleyball sand pit all the kids from the camp ground go and play in. She noticed some of the kids didn't have toys, so she grabbed all of hers walked over to each kid in the 3 groups and let them use one of hers. Then she would walk around making sure everyone was happy and had a toy. Even telling the others who we're throwing sand at the other little kids to stop and play nice. This kid was a born leader. Shes 3 remind ya and everyone listens to her. The 10 year olds just smile look at their moms like am I really following a little kid?    She also since being on steroids is super gassy! We laugh about it, but its shocking she can give her uncles a run for their money hahaha at least hers don't stink.   We love her chipmunk laugh and her never ending smiles.

Oh and lets not forget shes put on nearly 8lbs over the summer. Amazing when we have fought for every sinkin ounce all of her life. Atleast some of it will go away.

We are praying for her little Heart friend Kylie. Shes had her fontan at the start of the summer and now needs a new heart. Her family could use the prayers and comfort.

Blogs? lost??! say it isnt so..

When we lost the domain name to Mariska's site.. * made it .com over the .blogspot.com* guess someone bought it? Weird. When I changed it back to blogspot so everyone could view the site again. All our blog buddies links are gone! Everyone! I'm sad. If you follow us mind dropping a comment with your site. Family, friends, heart buddies.

=) I'm gonna start over! if you think I should be following someone drop me a link to theirs too, It would be most helpful.

Thanks a Ton!