Summer

It's been a while since the last update, and you won't believe how much this girl has grown! We had our scheduled visit with the cardiologist last Friday, and she is really happy with how well Ramona is doing. We started our visit with an echo, which Ramona got nervous about again. I held her on my lap like last time, Daisy scooched in beside us to watch cartoons, and then we breezed right through it that way. Daisy was VERY interested in the echo this time. She kept switching between watching TV and watching the technician very closely. And by "very closely," I mean her face was like two inches from his hand. 😂

In the waiting room. Future piano player?

After that, we headed down the hall to see the cardiologist. Ramona got to stand on the big kid scale to get weighed instead of lying on the baby scale, which was very exciting for her, and then they had a goldfish cracker snack while we waited to see the doctor. (Between the crackers and stickers, I think we might be getting spoiled! Daisy gets awfully excited when I tell her we're taking Ramona to the doctor now. 😊 We really appreciate how they can add bright spots to otherwise serious business!) We were happy to hear that everything is still stable with her heart and that there hasn't been any unusual activity on her loop recorder (YAY). That gnarly little heart is still doing its job! She continues to have a very low heart rate for her age (in the upper 60s, which would be normal for an adult), but, to quote her doctor, "It's working for her!" The doctor was not only happy with Ramona's heart staying stable, but also with her overall growth and development.

Sharing some cracker snacks.

😍

Reflecting.

She has the boots from her sister's Anna doll
on her fingers, and she was cracking herself up!

Ramona really has grown this summer! In addition to getting physically bigger, her coordination, vocabulary, imagination, and independence have all developed so much, too. (Side story - one of her favorite things to do is unload the dishwasher, and she puts all of the plastic dishes away by herself now!) When we were done with the appointment, we collected our stickers, had lunch and played at Chick-fil-a, and headed home. We go back for another echo and check-up (plus an EKG next time, too) the week after Thanksgiving. (As long as nothing happens in the meantime, of course.)

We've had a quiet summer as far as Ramona's heart is concerned, which is the best thing we could have hoped for. We've also had a very busy summer! I've adopted a bit of a "what-if-we-never-get-another-chance-to-do-this-with-her" mentality, so...we've been doing a lot of things. 😬 And, I've gotta say, even with all of the uncertainty and worry in our lives, this summer has still been one of the best times of my life. These girls bring the magic.

As always, we're basically just waiting for things to change. Which can be pretty tiring sometimes. We appreciate you and can't thank you enough for continuing to pray over and care for our precious girl, our family, and that fierce little heart.

PRAYER REQUESTS:
- So. Much. Thanks. For a smooth summer, a thriving girl, and a beating heart.
- That her heart continues to function well
- For her heart to be healed
- For less worry and more sleep

Want to know what we've been up to the last couple of months? Yes? Good. Because you KNOW Momma's got pictures. 😁

Sunday morning matchers.

Great grandparents and all of the cousins. 

We spent a few days in Michigan with my family. It took
Ramona about 4 days to get used to the sand.

Pouting with Papa. She's even cute when she's cranky. 😍

Hide and seek. 😂

Painting! Besides the fun we've had out and
about, we've also had good
times staying home.

Oh, and sister turned 3. WHAT.

Birthday unicorndog.

Helping with VBS. (They didn't ask her
to help, she just assumed she was needed.)

😍

Pony rides at the ice cream social!

 

We did have a run-in with hand-foot-mouth a
few weeks ago. Luckily it wasn't too serious.

Backyard fun! 

She likes to pretend to be my mom and take
care of me.

For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16