Day 122- Austin Labs

Early, early, early!
We left the house at 0630 for our labs in Austin.

Rowan didn't sleep on the way down, but she didn't cry either. Instead, I think she was just looking out the window at the traffic!




We didn't change out of pj's because it was just too early!




Morning!




Proof they remember- she's already having an attack and it's just the tourniquet. :(


2sticks...

And then it was all smiles.

Until I forced her to take her medicine...



I know it's blurry, but you can see her pouting.

She passed out in the car on the way home.

We went to the park that afternoon.







Rowan actually ate a good bit of food for dinner.




And then...


"mom- leave me alone and quit taking pictures of me!"

Day 121- "Has Addendum"

Maybe fussy monster was actually sleepy monster...

Since Rowan hasn't been sleeping well, Chance and I decided to take action.
Last night we put her to sleep and she protested (cried) only for about 20minutes before going to sleep. We went into her room in 5minute intervals and did not pick her up.

Seems like it really helped because little girl slept allllll night.

She was very cheerful today too!

Apparently Rowan has way more fun with dad, so less time is spent taking naps when I am the one at work.

Tonight the protesting only lasted 2minutes and she was out.

Maybe our sleeping woes are behind us for a few more days. The teeth didn't seem like a problem today either-


This is the link for Rowan's

LIVER WALK!!!

The 5k is THIS SATURDAY!!!
Team Rowan shirts should be arriving soon :)

We could not be more proud of our fabulous miracle! In the words of DJ Lance- she is awesome!!!!!

Day 120- unwelcome visitor

An unwelcome visitor- The fussy monster has come to visit us this past week.

I was certain Rowan's crabby disposition was due to teething- but how long is it going to last?!

Her top gums have been puffy for about 3-4 weeks now. I think we should buy stock in orajel. But still- No Teeth!

It's starting to frustrate this little family because our normally VERY happy child is well, just not as happy.

No fever.
No pulling at ears.

Oh yeah I forgot-
Not sleeping as well at night anymore...

But, on the upside we found that brushing Rowan's teeth is something she really likes.
Hooray for fabulous oral hygiene :)

Day 114- kidnapping, sickness, and kiddos

Our baby Rowan was kidnapped on Thursday. When we picked her up out of the crib on Friday morning she had been replaced with a little child.

The baby toys aren't even fun anymore. We need action: pop-up books!



















Ashley- your back yard is fabulous! It was great to see your family.


Sickness-
Saturday I got sick. Sunday, Chance came down with it. Rowan was sent to JuJu's and the cleaning began...

I was paranoid that our little immune suppressed baby(scratch that) little angel baby child would get sick too.

So, although we were practically still puking, we put on masks and cleaned our house like it has never been cleaned before!

Today is Tuesday- and so far, Ro has escaped! Miracle!

We went to our mommy/baby lunch- Rowan had a great time with all of the precious children!






Still a little aggressive...
We are working on that:)













These were hard photos to obtain...






Everyone was very wiggly.

Back to the sickness.
I am becoming a psychopath:
Today I have probably checked Rowan's temperature 6 times.
She's fine- it's been 97.9- practically every time. I keep imagining that she feels warm to me.
I'm going to relax, I'm going to relax...

Day 110- Houston Update!

Tuesday afternoon we made our now monthly trip to Houston.

As Ro is getting bigger, the scenery in the rear- facing car seat is becoming increasingly more boring.
We had to stop at a park.











We are SO ready for daddy to set up our swing!

Lab draw was a wee bit traumatic. 2sticks
Rowan then peed all over the scale when her diaper was off. She laughed and then cried...

A family was there for an initial liver transplant evaluation, and they were extremely upset. Our group whisked Rowan to their room to show them our amazing miracle. Maybe her smile and precious personality gave them a small bit of hope.

Our report was practically perfect!
We got rid of yet another medication- down to only 4 now- wahooo!!!







Smashburger- shout out to our friend Stephen! Visit him at the one on Main and Kirby. Yummy!

We had to make another park stop on the way back home-



St. Patricks Day:
Feeding the ducks.



It was HOT...
We had to ditch the pants.



And eat some yogurt.



And although this hat may look like a green Mexican sombrero, I believe it is a definite must! Her skin is so fair!


Also, the events manager for the Liver Walk contacted me personally to ask how Team Rowan raised so much money in such a short amount of time. I told her we had amazing family, friends, co-workers, and KKG supporters.
Tomorrow we are designing our team Rowan t-shirts:)
The 5k is on April 2 in Houston. If you are around- come join us!

So amazing to feel like we have a normal baby... Agh...
My crystal ball prediction is that she says her first word tomorrow!

Day 106- LIVEr Walk Thanks

I do not like fundraising. I could not be a salesman. When Rowan grows up, we will probably have 23gallons of cookie dough in the freezer, 1000 candles, and 4500 "world's finest" candy bars.... Only because I will just buy them, so I DO NOT have to go sell them- it just makes me feel uncomfortable.

That being said-
I am speechless.

I posted on Facebook a link to Rowan's page for the American Liver Foundation: LIVEr Walk.

The 5k event is in Houston on April 2, 2011.

Originally, I had just wanted anyone interested to come out and join us.

But the support from donations has blown me away.

Chance and I are so honored and humbled to present the American Liver Foundation with the donations you have given on behalf of Rowan.

She still continues to be our inspiration and miracle, never ceasing to amaze us.

Please know that each of you inspire us as well. As I have said before, the support of our family and friends, as well as our faith, is what got us through the tough times. I am continually in awe of how giving and supportive so many people have been.

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."
Luke 12:48

Chance and I know that we are the ones who have been blessed and given much.


Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.

Day 104- 5K: Hey, Hey!

Friday Rowan attended her first baseball game- and loved it!
Her favorite part was dancing to the music in between innings and the noise of the crowd cheering.












Talking here instead of smiling...


Saturday she participated in her first 5K. The St.Patricks 5K benefitting the Children's Miracle Network and the new children's hospital in Temple.

It was windy, but as the trail went into the woods, it got better. By the finish line, it was getting hot.







GiGi and Pops






Bundled up for the start!






Ready to roll!






Finished!













Doctoring her feet after all that running... Ha!

We had so much fun at the race and can't wait for the LIVEr Walk on April 2nd in Houston! If you live or will be in Houston that day, please come out and join TEAM ROWAN!

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

Day 102- Perfect.

On Tuesday Chance graduated from versant classes at the hospital- yay!

Rowan and I both attended the ceremony. It was so fun to have her there.
Chance only missed two classes during her entire transplant saga. He no doubt talked about her every time he was there at class. So we were so thrilled for everyone to finally meet her.














Rowan and I didn't actually get to stay in the auditorium for the ceremony--- someone wanted to talk and play. So we waited outside and then ate some cake afterwards.

We are so proud of Daddy! He has really worked hard and has had to be away from his girls a lot. We love him!

Next we went on a quest for the elusive Dr Pepper 10. We found them at the HEB in Austin.
And we ran into our good friend Robert and his baby Bella- she is adorable.


















Successful mission complete!

Wednesday we planted trees in our yard. Ro and I helped for 3, but Chance and Seth had to finish the last one on their own.






Doing a great job supervising.


I was a little worried about the sun scorching her porcelain white skin, so insert hat pictures...












Yeah, she may look happy. But the hat was not a success. She hated it. So it was soon on the ground.







Check out this sweet ride:)
Maybe JuJu (I think that is the name) can save it for me to drive.






Only about 15ish years...






Already looking like a pro!

This weekend we are going to be participating in a 5K with GiGi-
This week we have been training :)








A new trick that we have learned is spitting out our medicine... Only the really important one! :0

Sssssooooooo- mom and dad tried to be smarter. Aaaannnndddd- drinking the Prograf from a nipple is awesome! No mess.
Let's see how long this lasts...

We went to lunch yesterday. Rowan sat in the highchair with a brand new cover we bought to continue our ever constant germ killing.
Chance described the experience as "perfect" and I couldn't agree more. I just feel like... and they lived happily ever after. The End.

Day 98- Weekend Wrap-Up

On Thursday I received a phone call from our Houston team about Rowan's labs.
Her Prograf level and magnesium level were exactly where they needed to be.
However, her potassium level was elevated. Since these labs were drawn on Monday in Austin, they wondered if anyone had called us.... Of course not. Just when I decided to quit being a controlling, constantly wondering, psychopathic mom- it backfired.
We laid Chance's truck to rest last Saturday, and it was a good thing- because they had to take the car back to Austin for another lab draw.
Rowan did great and the potassium level was slightly lower.

Friday and Saturday we ran lots of errands and went out to eat several times. Rowan is such a social butterfly and loves all of the excitement.



She has found a new love in ranch dressing:)

Sunday she ate tons of GiGi's mashed potatoes...

The past few days she has really been working on her words- and making great progress. I think she is going to say "ma-ma" first.

Day 94- Cheese!

Today it was SO nice outside! We tried to stay away from the house as much as possible.

First we went out to lunch. Cheese!!!



Can you tell we are related?!




Maybe they are related too...





Our super fab kid is awesome!





Ran some errands and then went out to visit Norma Jean- AKA: Roy.... Turns out the calf was a girl. So we changed her name:)

Then we went to visit grandpa, and then papa.




In his boat.


We couldn't be happier. What an amazing life.
We didn't hear from the drs office about our lab results. I could have called and hounded someone, but I just didn't feel like the hassle.... I can practically push all of the number prompts to get to the answering machine I eventually will have to leave a message on, before the computer operator even says them. I figured, if they were bad- someone would let us know... and don't worry, they would.

Thank you Lord for our angel donor! Continue to wrap your arms of love and comfort around her family. Give them peace. We have two little girls living through our one baby Rowan.