Siblings of Heart babes

I can't stop thinking of how my daughter has been affected by the birth of her brother.  Not only is there the 'normal' sibling jealously but the constant worry we have when his fingers and toes turn blue (low oxygen sats and active 2 year old = blue fingers and toes on occasion), and when he's huffing and puffing after playing on a playground for a short while.  Along with the worry of him catching a bug, not that we don't worry about her getting sick also, we talk so much more about his issues and I can't imagine how much it must bother her.

I've seen a facebook page that is making cards for heart baby siblings birthday's and I love it!  I think far too many of these kids are holding in an extreme amount of worry and confusion as to what is happening to their world as they once knew it.  I think a card for a heart sibling every time their brother or sister has a heart procedure would be a great idea too, give them a little something special for they are equally important and feeling the worry/jealousy same as us parents.

I our case, my daughter was an only child for 7 long years before any of this came into her life.  She had her parents all to herself, never with the thought of what a heart defect was or how it could change her life.  All she wanted was a real baby brother or sister to play with, not an radical life change to her mama.  I love my mini-nanny (as 1 of my best friend calls her), she makes me proud and I know one day she will do amazing things with her talents.  For now, hang in there big sis, be a kid and let laughter fill your days. 

Giving this a try

I am very new at this and hope that I can keep things interesting and informative.  I am not sure what I want to say except that since becoming a parent of a heart baby I have entered into a world I never knew existed.  It has opened my eyes to what goes on in hospitals, in homes and in the lives of families who are going through the same things as my family has.  We have learned a lot, cried a lot and become smarter and better people through all of the this.  I have become virtual friends with lots of very positive and supportive people and read many websites and blogs of others who are just entering into the 'heart baby' world.  That is the reason for the the name 'Growing hearts', my heart has grown and continues to grow with new families and friends.  My son has such a happy way about him everyday that I feel it's important to share our stories to give the newest members of the CHD world hope. 

I have the same worries as most mom's, just feels like a big secret to strangers I meet that my son is living with a half of heart.  My daughter is living with lots of worry (not all about her brother but I can be pretty sure it started when she knew his heart was not right, she was there the exact same time we heard the news for the first time).  My husband has his set of worries and he is a pretty good protector of our family, being a step-father to my daughter from age 4 and having his first biological son with a very complex heart defect, he has strength inside that he still doesn't recognize (someday he will see it), but I appreciate beyond words. 

This is how my blog will begin.  I'm freezing in our downstairs basement family room with air conditioning blasting on this warm fall day for us in the NW, so I'm going to get out in the sun before it goes away.  I'm flattered to have you reading, whoever you are and welcome to my world.  For those who already know me, well enjoy keeping updated on our lives. <3