Rainbows!!

It dawned on me this afternoon as I was holding a cranky baby that I have not blogged in forever!!  Where has time gone?  What has been happening in the Crazy Life of the Cunninghams?  Well, to start, there is a new member to the family hence the cranky baby! 

Elizabeth Ruth Cunningham was born in normal Cunningham fashion...super speedy entrance once my body decided that labor was necessary.  I was 3 weeks early...my blood pressure decided to creep up and delivery was the best option. 

The Cunningham 5--Chris, Sara, Mackenzie (age 8), Carson (age 5), and my necklace representing our angel, William.

Elizabeth Ruth Cunningham

4/8/2015    5:17pm

6lbs. 8oz.  19 1/2inches long

Poor Elizabeth went from womb to land in a record 2 minute time frame--active labor was really only about 40 minutes (even though my water had been broken for hours, not the normal Cunningham way).  But, then I went from 4 to 10 in no time.  And, well 10cm to baby took less than 2 minutes.  Hence, the bruising.  Poor Lizzie and Will both had battle wounds from Day 1.

Anybody who has followed our Crazy Life knows the impact Congenital Heart Disease has had on our family.  William was 1 in 100 babies born with a congenital heart defect.  In 2012, when he was born, screening was just taking place.  Guidelines in many states were beginning to change.  But, not our state.  Kansas is behind the times on so many things--not a political conversation though!  Anyways, Ransom Memorial Hospital tests for congenital heart defects on all babies.  After William passed away, I proposed testing all babies.  And, the hospital changed their policy.  So, here are the pics of Lizzie completing her CCHD screening.  Her brother was shining down on us all as she passed with flying colors.  It makes this momma weap just thinking of how much impact one little baby has each and every day despite leaving Earth much too soon.

 

Elizabeth had an appointment at Children's Mercy with Dr. Wagner (who was a Fellow) when Will was hospitalized in 2012.  Her echo showed all 4 pulmonary veins!  Yahoo!!  A small PFO--no worries at all.  But, Dr. Wagner did hear a slight murmur.  This was almost more than I could take but then reality set in.  Lots of babies have innocent murmurs.  Get a grip, Sara!  Anyways, we will see Dr. Wagner again in November.

Sunbathing beauty--Lizzie had an extended stay at Hotel Ransom.  She was a little orange.  The bili lights were her friend as was this window.  We spent 5 days under the lights.  She just wanted a head start on her summer tan.  Given that she is my pale skinned baby and all!

Homeward bound--this carseat literally saved her life at 2 weeks old.  William had this carseat when he was an infant.  Love it..well, we were in a bad accident in Chris's truck when Elizabeth was 2 weeks old. I am thoroughly convinced that it saved her.  We have an angel on our side watching over his baby sister.  Needless to say, I don't use it anymore.  Replaced with the new Britax version.  But, there was no way that we could dispose of the one brand new thing that was purchased for William.  So, in storage, it will go!  But, I am a true believer in Britax carseats.  Lizzie was the only one of us without some sort of injury.  Chris was bruised and sore.  Seatbelt mark across my chest and hips.  Concussion and cut for Mackenzie. Carson was not with us!!

Getting Old!!

I have never been one to think of myself as old.  I am nearly 35--and don't really care about the number.  I feel good about myself and how I am taking care of my body.  Are there things that I could do better?  Of course--give up Dr. Pepper (not gonna happen), exercise more (not in my current pregnant state), sleep more (working on this one with my constant need to sleep), and the list goes on.  But, age is just a number.  Right?


The other night my daughter put things in perspective for me.  I listened and kind of chuckled in the fact that it must be the same for those of older generations than me.  There are third graders with cell phones--gasp!  Makes me kind of cringe in one way but not in another.  We are mobile people and need to be able to communicate with our children.  But, what happened to landlines?  They cost too much for many families.  We have gone to a Verizon version of a home phone to save $$$$.  But, we still have a home phone.  So many families don't have home phones anymore. 


Kenz was asking me when I got my first cell phone.  And, my response of 17 years old was astonishing to her.  Then, telling her that it was not my phone but one for my mom and I to share the whole 40 minutes a month was almost out of this world.  Mackenzie couldn't grasp the concept that 40 minutes included any calls to me and from me.  In other words, YOU DIDN'T DARE USE THE PHONE unless you were dying or had been in a car wreck.  And, the car better not be drivable!  Mackenzie then proceeded to say, "If you couldn't talk on the phone, did you just text your friends?"  Uh, no such thing as texting unless that meant some funky message left in numerals via pager.  She looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language--PAGER?  I told her that we would have to call a number and enter a phone number for my friends to call me back.  But, they would then have to wait until they got home or saw a pay phone to call me back--and one always kept a quarter in their pocket!  What a concept!  Her next question was in regards to the pager, "Why didn't you just email them with your message?  Then, they could have gotten the email on their phone."  Makes sense, huh?  Oh yeah, no such thing as email!  AOL was just beginning to hit it big time when I was in high school and college--Prodigy and AOL were SLOW because we had to dial up.  And, one could not take up the home phone line online while chatting with their friends. 


When did I get this old?  Having kids definitely puts things in perspective.  As for my kiddos--NO CELL PHONES anytime soon.  I am your mother, and I will know where you are at most times.  And, you can talk on our home phone whenever you want!!


Any of you had the experience of feeling OLD in the matter of minutes?  And, my 34 1/2 year old self feels young at heart!  Old cell phone stories and all!

WEAR RED, 2015 version!





HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN

AND THE NUMBER THREE KILLER OF MEN!!!

CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS AFFECT 1 in 100 babies born.  1 in 100 babies affected make it the NUMBER 1 birth defect for babies!!!  Congenital Heart Disease Awareness week is February 7th thru 14th.  So, in honor of William, I wanted to share a little about the impact of heart disease on everyone.  And, I wanted you all to be encouraged to WEAR RED!!!

William Howard Cunningham was that 1 in 100.  During his short little life, we have learned so much about congenital heart defects and the impact that they have on these babies (who grow into big kids and adults).  The impact of congenital heart defects is huge.  1 in 100 babies are affected and so are their families (immediate and extended), communities, healthcare providers, hospitals and their staffs.  The list could go on and on detailing who is affected by Congenital Heart Defects.

After having a baby with a CHD, I have a slightly higher risk of having another baby with a CHD.  2% instead of everyone's 1% chance.  So, we have taken every precaution with this pregnancy to check Baby C#4 (BABY BEAN)'s Heart.  2 fetal echos done, 2  meetings with the cardiologist.  AND, GREAT RESULTS.  We are truly blessed with a healthy heart that has 4 pulmonary veins in the right place, 4 chambers, all major vessels in the right place.  William Howard Cunningham has protected his baby brother/sister.  Thank God for our amazing Red-Headed Angel!!

 

2 days after his second open heart surgery.

William's story has reached so many people, but he was just one baby with a broken heart.  Chris and I met so many others with the same story just a different defect and different outcome.  Each baby's story is different yet the same.  Babies born with heart defects endure numerous exams, many hospital stays, many surgeries or procedures.  And, so did our precious Will.

In the past, heart disease awareness was something that I thought about at work but never much at home.  However, 2012 changed our lives forever.  HEART DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH is A HUGE FOCUS in our home.  We are WEARING RED and telling our boy's story. 

We are also thinking about our family members who have been affected by heart disease from Chris's Grandpa Miller (or Great Papa Miller to Mackenzie and Carson) to Grandma Miller (because a Stroke is a form of heart disease) to my Grandma PeeWee.  She was the picture of a time bomb waiting to go off (high blood pressure, high stress, 1 1/2 pack a day cigarette habit) when it did last February.  At the age of 84, she went from uncontrolled high blood pressure (not really uncontrolled if you ask her) to QUADRUPLE BYPASS.  And, then came cardiac rehab (that EXERCISE word) and she came out of it all shining brighter than ever and CIGARETTE free (mostly).

When Chris and I started talking about heart defects after William's diagnosis last May, I began to think about how many other babies I know or knew have had heart defects.  I thought of my friend Brooke who had a PDA closure as an infant and now is a mother of two little boys.  I thought of Kinlee, my friend Tera's daughter, who had a septal defect and is now a beautiful, sassy 15 year old.  I thought of Kennison, my friend Jamie's daughter, who has an arrythmia, but struggles daily to bring it to other's attention.  I think of the sweet girl whose heart races and no one knows most of the time.  I think of the procedure that she will likely need for the arrythmia to go away! I thought of the first baby I detected a murmur on in the ER who went have open heart surgery a week later and is now a wild 9 year old boy.  I thought of Jacob, my friend Stephanie's son, who also had TAPVR and is a growing 12 year old now.

And, I think of Harlie, a baby who I met in the PICU, whose defect is so very different from Will's but whose story of detection is eerily the same.  I think of Audrey, my cousin.  She and William were the two babies born in the Pierce family this year...and, they both had/have heart defects.  Audrey has a bicupsid aortic valve and a small septal defect.  My cousin, Sally (Audrey's mom) and I never dreamed to know or learn as much about pediatric cardiology as we have this year.  You see, we are both nurses, and have learned a few things about heart disease in adults but not pediatrics.  Pediatric Cardiology is new game for us.  But, we both embraced this time to learn to know what is best for our HEART KIDDOS!!!  I think of Kayden whose mom we met at Ronnie's House.  Kayden and Will were quite the pair for the PICU nurses.  Those boys were HIGH maintenance at times.  I think of Ella and her family.  I think of the Dwyers who I have now gotten to meet in person who have had 2 kiddos have heart surgery.  I think of Ryder, whose parents we never officially met, and his long stay in the PICU.  And, now, we also think of the Congenital Heart Defect Families.  This is an amazing group of families who have the same story as us but with all different endings.  Check out their Facebook page Congenital Heart Defect Families or their website: www.chdfamilies.org

My boy tube free---only lasted a few minutes, but this is a reminder that Congenital Heart Defects aren't seen on the outside.  Unless, you get to catch a view of the cool scar on his chest!!  This picture makes this momma tear up.  It was the one on his funeral program...and, I just found this onesie when going through baby clothes.  Man, I miss this little boy!!!

Another tube free pic!  Looks like a healthy baby, huh??  Perfection, if you ask us.  He is so calm.

Please think of William this month.  But, also think of the other babies like him who are no longer with us on Earth.  Think of the babies here on Earth who are fighting the fight of their life each and everyday.  But, also think of how your life has been touched by heart disease.  And, WEAR RED this month to honor those affected by heart disease.

WEARING RED IN FEBRUARY---"THAT WAS EASY!"

Once again, our family will be participating in the HeartWalk in May.  What an amazing thing to see people of all ages come together to support Heart Disease.  It is a year long fight.  Be ready for the soliciting of money--all of the monies Will's Strong-Willed Warriors raises goes to Congenital Heart Defect Research in the Midwest!

 

The American Heart Association has so many facts that tell everyone why they should care about heart disease.  www.heart.org  Check it out---so much info in one place.

Welcome back, Sara!!

I have been absent from the blogging world for FAR too long!  And, I'm back!  So much has happened since almost a year ago when I blogged last. 

THE CUNNINGHAM HAPPENINGS!

1. We have horses....and sheep.  I am NO farm girl nor have I ever been one.  But, these animals are making me experience a whole new realm.  From burning the lot to building fence to purchasing electric fence to hauling water to breaking ice.  The list goes on and on.  But, the bond our family has developed over chores is beyond measure.  I, even, like one of the big, scary beasts (oh, I mean horses).  Oscar even knows that I have a soft spot for him--it usually involves a little neck rub or peppermint candy!  Tornado is learning how to be a good boy at Erin's house right now.  I can't wait for my girl to be able to enjoy this black and white beauty in a way other than just a lead rope.  Mackenzie has been smitten with Tornado from the first time she saw his picture.  But, as many may know, HORSES AREN'T CHEAP!  So, we got into the sheep business.  Last year at the fair, Kenzie showed her two lambs, Sugar and Spice.  And, after the fair, she and her dad purchased 2 more ewe lambs, now named Evie (Everything) and Nice.  Sheep are crazy creatures.  They truly follow their shepherd (Chris and Mackenzie) wherever they may go.  They also get into some crazy escaping shenanigans.  We shall see how they do at the fair this year--and Mackenzie is going to learn some economics when she has to buy and then sell her market lamb.




2. JUDD--all I can say is his name.  We have taken to animals in this house.  In May, Mackenzie, Carson, and I surprised Chris with a new bird dog puppy.  Judd is a German Shorthaired Pointer.  What a cutie he was!  And, he may have earned the title of the Best Puppy Ever.  Sometimes, this title gets suspended for puppy behaviors.  But, he has been a great addition to our family.  He loves to run, play, and after some work this summer at the lake, swim.  The kids have so much fun with Judd.  And, I kind of think Chris likes him when he goes bird hunting.  Our other bird dogs are 13 years old now--they just can't keep up anymore.  But, don't tell Nina that as she escaped from her padlocked chain again today.  HOUDINA!!






3. BULL SHOALS LAKE.  What a place.  We decided that last year instead of a big family vacation we were going to use our camper on multiple occasions.  What a treat.  We did take one whole week at the lake, but we also took many weekend trips.  It was indeed just what we all needed.  A little getaway without being too far.  A place to call our own--even if the camper has a tiny little kitchen.  We enjoyed countless days on the water--some with friends and family and some with just us (and Judd!).  We made the trip to Branson to Silver Dollar City.  If you have a family, this is the best family park.  Always clean, always friendly.  And, a step back in time.






4. SCHOOL.  Preschool graduation.  Where did his time at Apple Garden go?  For those that don't know, Apple Garden is amazing.  We have been blessed by wonderful in-home settings for Mackenzie and Carson when they were little.  Apple Garden was like home for Carson--and the rest of the Cunninghams with preschool in a daycare center setting.  KINDERGARTEN--what?  Yep, our boy ventured off to "real" school this year.  And, Mackenzie is now in 3rd grade.  She has grown so much physically but academically as well.  Her daddy likes to call her a NERD.  But, the apple didn't fall from this tree.  She might be her momma in so many ways.  Watch out, world!  Just ask Mackenzie for her not impressed face!




5. WORLD SERIES!!  I know it doesn't seem to be a big deal.  But, to our family, it was so much fun.  We got to go to GAME 6.  What a cool experience.  Let's hope that we don't wait another 29 years to go back to a BLUE OCTOBER.  We love our Royals!




CUNNINGHAM FIVE BECOMES CUNNINGHAM FIVE PLUS ONE:
BABY BEAN!  I saved the best happening for now.  Baby Bean is due to arrive April 29th if not a few days before.  This pregnancy was a bit of a shock to the Cunningham Family.  After losing William, we never expected our family to grow again.  We are ever so excited.  Losing a child is a pain like no other.  We all still ache for William each and every day.  This ache will never go away.  There are days that it is faded a little and other days when the ache is all too consuming.  But, as I have stated before, HOPE and FEAR are 2 totally separate things that cannot co exist.  We are choosing HOPE.  This baby brings a new HOPE--not a replacement one to our family.  For all of you who want to know, it is a baby!  We have never found out what we are having before delivery.  The pure joy of hearing the doctor announce "It's a Girl." "Mackenzie has a Baby Brother" "Mackenzie and Carson have a new Baby Brother" is like no other joy.  So, you all have to wait until we hear the fantabulous Dr. John announce to us and then to Mackenzie and Carson what our family has been blessed with in April.  So, stay tuned.  All bets are a go.  Many of you know that pregnancy and Sara do not always get along.  But, I truly feel pretty good.  I still throw up daily but have only been in the hospital 24 hours with this pregnancy.  And, this is an amazing gift from God.  I feel great--can't seem to gain much weight.  But, the baby is so healthy.  And.....drumroll, HAS A HEALTHY HEART.  Hearing that the echo pictures were perfect was like an ultimate breath of fresh air.  Baby Bean is growing like crazy and his/her big brother, William, has helped to make sure that his/her heart is PERFECT!  What a great angel we have on our side.


I can't get any pictures to load....keep checking!  Hopefully, I can get them to add.  Grrr!!

Sick Day at home...lots of work done for the mom!

Last week, I was struck with a 20 hour bug.  It included a fever, abdominal pain, fatigue.  But, it went away as soon as it arrived.  Thank goodness!  And, then it hit my husband in the form of a fever, body aches, and blah-feeling tummy.  (Not my best medical terminology, I know)  And, last night it hit our girl.  One minute Mackenzie was fine and the next, not so much.  Fever, headache, body aches, and blah-feeling tummy.   So, SICK DAY at home.

Yes...they stayed in their jammies all day!

My workspace....lots done here today.

I have been uber-productive!!  Taxes all but done....gotta do the business portion in order to finish our personal ones.  But, February 20th is way better than my last 2 years of April 13th to begin the process.  Laundry...check!   Dishes...check (well, not quite, but the thought has hit me)  Nurse...check (Mackenzie is feeling pretty blah.  And, she continues to run a fever.  But, her 20 hours hasn't hit quite yet.)  Laugh...check (Carson has been home with us today.  And, there isn't a day that goes by without something he says or does to make me laugh)  Business drama...CHECK!  Employees stealing from you is never a thought that comes to mind when you begin a business....oh well, such is life!!

A lot has been on my mind lately....I got to meet my new niece this week.  Madilynn Aubrey joins her two big brothers, Milam and Malachi.  And, she is beautiful.  Her momma had to work all day on Monday to bring her into this world.  I am convinced that Madilynn Aubrey wanted to incubate just a little longer.  After all, Andrea might grow the biggest babies in her oven.  She is an incubator for sure.  Me, not so much!!

Holding my new niece and seeing the joy in all in the room was a little tough for this heartbroken momma.  But, it also reinforced the reassurance that clouds fade in families.  The clouds have faded in the Cunningham family as Madilynn was born...she has a BIG responsibility.  We were all searching for JOY--and it came in her 10# 9oz. package.  I can hardly wait to snuggle her some more.  Does it remind me of my boy and the Hope that each baby brings?  Of course, it does.  Every time I see a new baby, it takes me back to 2012.  Will this ever fade?  I doubt it.  Does the heartbreak of losing one's child ever go away?  NO--I will not let it go away.  My baby boy, William, had a purpose and touched so many in 4 1/2 months.  He still moves many--CHD week was last week.  I love seeing our friends and family proudly wearing their red in memory of our boy.  Each time someone asks about congenital heart defects, I know many of you think of our William.  And, for this, I am forever grateful. 

Does holding a new baby make us long for babies in our home?  Yes, it does.  I have seen one of my dearest friends bring her 3rd baby into this world and now my niece arrived--making the third baby in her family.  Seeing those close to you have what you dreamed of is never easy.  I thank God everyday for my children and all of the children in this world.  I might have taken my ability to get pregnant for granted, my wonderful husband for granted, my family support for granted, the friends (old and new) for granted.  But, I don't anymore.  So, seeing these new babies--Brikan and Madilynn makes me relish each moment a little more.  The sounds of family joy can be heard in million different ways--including the cartoons in my background, the dishwasher running, the heater kicking on, etc......

For those that remember, pregnancy for this blond-haired momma is 9 months of nausea and puking.  But, the end result is pure joy!  Yet, there are no guarantees.  We have 2 beautiful, healthy children here on Earth and one beautifully healed boy in Heaven.  Do you play the odds?  Do you hold your hand closely and walk away from the gamble?  Do you seek other methods to add to your family?  Do you?????  Can't you all see that there are no easy answers in life.  We were content with our 3 children because 1 of them was going to require a lot of extras---but now we can't snuggle him anymore.  He is present in all of our snuggles....but it is a different feeling to not feel him, smell him, taste him (come on, all parents I know have nibbled on toes and gotten sloppy kisses with remnants of lunch/dinner with those kisses), see him, or hear his giggles when his brother tells funny jokes (Carson would have had Will in stitches...we can only imagine the TROUBLE those two would have been into).  I have talked with other grief-stricken parents out there--and they seem to struggle with some of the same thoughts and emotions.  I hope me writing them down helps them as much as it helps me.

I am not asking any reader to give me the answers.  I just want to put my thoughts on paper (so to speak).  It seems like we all are so busy...and stating some things isn't easy in the oral form but on paper, they just flow.  I write for my therapy--so, thanks to all of you, therapists!  There is no check in the mail for your services.  So, in essence, please pray for God to guide our plans.  His guidance hasn't and will not fail us.  And, as we have experienced, prayer works.

New Year...

New Year's has come and gone.  Groundhog's Day has come and gone.  And, here I sit blogging about my resolutions for 2014.  I used to sit and blog from the hospital when there was NOTHING else to do.  I am not a Daytime TV fan.  After our days in the hospital were done, I would blog from my bed.  But, since then my personal laptop has taken a dive down a 7 year old's lane.  In other words, she hijacked it a time or two and it has gotten SLOW!  So, I sent it with my favorite 18 year old computer nerd.  Jacob goes to our church...and he is brilliant when it comes to computers.

Today, I decided to steal Chris's office laptop.  Well, actually I was working on some office stuff from inside our warm abode.  And, then I got bored with that so I here I am blogging.  Our lives have been steady Eddy which is a true blessing.

My resolutions for this year are pretty simple but oh so important.

1.  Drink More Water.  No one can argue of the importance.  I am really working on 48-64oz minimum a day.  I have found that this is easy to do while at work.  I stare at my water bottle all day...and I talk with patients.  So, after each patient encounter, I drink water.  I am finding 64oz easy peezy on the weekdays.  But, the weekends not so much.  Out of sight, out of mind.

2. Spend Time with my Husband.  Easier said than done.  Work in progress.  Chris and I have been married for 10 years last August.  And, honestly, I love him more today than yesterday.  Marriage isn't roses all day or most days.  However, as long as there is a ROSE moment each day, we can continue on for another 10 years ++++++.

3. Get OUTSIDE!  I love being in the outdoors.  I love the sun hitting my face, the breeze blowing my hair, the smell of fresh cut grass (even if my allergies don't like it), the birds singing or squirrels barking (seems mre prevalent around here), and the list goes on.  Today, the outdoors is not my friend.  10+ inches of snow and bitter cold temperatures.  Can we say stir crazy, mommy and kiddos?  Luckily, we were able to play outdoors yesterday---well, Mackenzie and Carson played while Chris and I shoveled.  And, sad to say, our driveway was shoveled and then 2 more inches fell.  Oh well!

4. Practice What I Preach.  I am really striving hard to be the best Christian wife and mother.  This is not an easy task.  I am really working hard to be more patient, kind, compassionate, less judgmental, etc.  I am working to be more open to others and their point of views.  I am trying hard to be a good example for Mackenzie and Carson.  Grace Community Fellowship has been our church home for 5 years.  The members are our family.  They inspire me.  They have held us up on our darkest days and hold us daily as we walk this Earth.

5. BLOG MORE.  Easier said than done.  My goal was to do a monthly blog update.  So, here is January's a few days late.  I also am reading some amazingly inspiring bloggers.  They are making me think of a weekly blog.  Just a quick note so that my readers can see what THE CRAZY LIFE OF THE CUNNINGHAMS is like.  As a side note, this crazy life involves a husband plowing snow in a loader right now, a mom trying to escape the kids who have gone stir crazy, and Mackenzie (imagine this) running through the house like a horse and her brother, Carson, chasing the crazy filly as her wrangler.  And, William, our precious angel, is Up Above basking in the Glorious Sunlight toddling around as an almost 21 month old in Heaven.  Where has time gone?

HALLOWEEN.

I am that CORNY mom who does themes for Halloween...and, I even make my kids dress alike for Christmas and Easter.  I am not too picky about most things--and, you know it, if you have seen some hair dos or outfits that Mackenzie and Carson choose.  But, I love them to GO TOGETHER for Halloween.   Here are some pics of their previous costumes.

A Frog Prince and His Princess

The year of the JAYHAWK and KU CHEERLEADER

HOUSE ON FIRE--Good thing, there is a FIREMAN close!!!

SHARK ATTACK!!!  Watch out, Scuba Diver!!!