Dear Andie

Dear Andie,
Tomorrow is the day that we will finally be able to fix your first broken heart. We tried to have surgery three weeks ago, but you were sick and they called it off. Andie, I am a believer that certain situations call for a perfect alignment of the stars, and that day sweetie, your stars weren't aligned. I am so happy and relieved that your daddy and I were able to bring you home and get you healthy so you can go into surgery with a fair fight.
Girl, you have been such a fighter since you were born. They told us you would have a hard time eating, gaining weight, and would be weak. You proved them wrong in all aspects. It's always been on your terms, and I am confident that you will continue to take control of your young little life as you go through an experience that majority of people in the world will not experience. You are exceptional.
It's hard to believe that one inch under your skin, my perfect little baby, has a huge issue. An issue that threatens your life, your health and your happiness, yet you choose to keep fighting. I've noticed that as you grow, it's hard for your body to keep up as it used to, but you just keep smiling and trucking along until you fall asleep.
Andie, you are strong and fearless. Please know that when the wonderful nurses and doctors take you back to fix you, it will be the hardest thing that your daddy and I will have done in our lives. You may be scared, because they are unfamiliar faces, but don't worry, sweet girl, it will all be ok. Try to be brave, and mommy and daddy will be waiting for you when it's all over.
When I was younger, I used to call the shots, and obviously God gave me you to take my need for control away because we have a new queen in town. I am certain that you and I were meant for each other, you are indeed a gift from above.
My sweet angel, you should be so proud of all the lives you have touched in the 6 months you have been here on this earth. You have a kindness about you that is genuine and soft. So many people care and worry about you and are rooting for you tomorrow. At such a young age I can tell that you are kindhearted like your dad and feisty like your mom.

Tomorrow the doctors will fix you, and in a week or two we can bring you home, where we can all be a family again. Andie, I look forward to taking you to the park where I won't worry if you get sick, or going an entire week without seeing or hearing from a doctor. I promise to not leave your side until I know you are safe and ok.

Baby girl, if you get scared think of happy thoughts and how much your daddy, mommy, brother and doggie love you.

Love you so very very much.
Mommy







Friends and family: please if you have a moment please say a prayer or a happy thought for Andie. Although we are confident, we are absolutely terrified. I can only speak for myself, and I know I'm so scared. She seems so healthy now, and that makes it difficult to hand her over considering the complications that could take place. Nevertheless, she needs the surgery and we need your love and support. Strangers, family and friends...Travis and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and words of comfort that you have provided. We love you all and love that you love our baby girl. I will keep you updated tomorrow via our caring bridge site and will post that tomorrow again on Facebook. Surgery stuff starts at 6 am and we are scheduled for 7 hours.



Goodnight and Go Colts!
Xo
Megs

Content

Today could not have been more perfect. I woke up at 6 am to find my husband downstairs in his recliner when he was supposed to be hunting. He had coffee going, and the fire place lit. For some strange reason, it felt like Christmas morning. Today was the last day that the four of us could hang out as our little family until seester comes home. We chose to wear our pajamas all day, eat candy corn and lay on the floor playing cars. No one yelled, no one cried, it was awesome.
Travis was exceptionally hilarious, helpful and loving today. He climbed into Camden's crib to read him stories, cleaned the dishwasher, made lunch, loved our kids, and made me laugh and feel like we were dating again.
As many of you know, T and I have been through a lot of things this past year. More than I would have expected to go through before I was 40. Selling our home, being apart, getting pregnant, finding out our baby had downs, finding out she didn't, raising a two year old, getting a masters degree, quitting jobs, leaving friends, moving, buying a house, jumping into the family business, having a baby, financial hardships, and preparing for surgery. Since we have been through so much, we have been hard pressed to find time to date or to have light hearted conversation. Today was the day! It just seemed to work again. It was amazing and needed.

Monday is the day that we've been worrying about since November 16, 2012 when our lives changed forever. It seems like a lifetime ago when that Doctor told me and convinced me that my daughter would have a very hard life ahead of her. I would have never thought that we would be fixing her just 27 days shy of a year. I'm not naive and know that we are not out of the woods yet, and that my friends, makes my heart uneasy.

But tonight, I'm going to remember how awesome today was, and how it felt to not have a care in the world for the first time in almost a year. Drink a glass of wine with my husband and not care about the toys thrown around the house, or if I remembered to give Andie her medicine (which I did), or what doctors appts we have this week, or if Trav has socks for work. Instead I am going to sit here and just breathe ....with my best friend beside me, feeling content in this moment.

Xo
Meaghan