Miracles Really Do Happen!

This month has been a whirlwind for our little family. On December 22nd I got a phone call from my mom at about 11pm that changed our family's life. My dad had gotten the phone call he has been waiting for, and he was going to finally get his lung transplant. He had the surgery the next morning and Tobby and I drove up to Salt Lake to be with my mom while she waited. My brothers were in Las Vegas for the football game, so they didn't make it up until that afternoon. I was so excited to go see my dad! Even though Lily couldn't see my dad in the hospital, she faithfully came with me to the hospital practically every day that week to visit him.


Lily waiting with Grandma at the surgical ICU waiting room

Playing with Uncle Trevor


With Mommy on Christmas in her cute outfit

Dad is looking wonderful and has the rosieness back in his cheeks and twinkle back in his eye. Anyone that knows my dad knows that he just beems positivity and love, and it was so awesome to see him with so much energy, even though he was in a hospital bed. Dad was able to come home last week and he is adjusting to a life with so much oxygen :)


Eating breakfast with Daddy at the Harwards'

This holiday season has been a blast! On Christmas morning we went to Tobby's parents' house and had Scott's famous omelets followed by a trip to the hospital to visit my dad. That evening we headed back over the the Harward home to play some games and hang out. Lily got a play gym from her Grandma and Grandpa Harward and it is her favorite thing to play with everyday. The hilarious thing is that she loves it so much that everytime she plays with it, she poops her pants out of excitement.


Lily's new favorite toy

Lily had here first immunizations a couple weeks ago. She was so good the whole time, even though we were there so long that she skipped a meal and a nap. She bawled when she got her shots and it was so sad, but seemed fine after a nap. Later that night, she woke up and was screaming. She was in so much pain and it was hard to hear her cry like that. We tried everything to try to comfort her; a bath, holding and cuddling, but to no avail. She wasn't even comforted by nursing. Eventually she was able to fall back asleep and when she woke up in the morning she was her happy self again. It was so heartbreaking, but worth it. Because of my dad's transplant, anyone who has live culture shots or immunizations can't be around him for 6 weeks. The next serveral months will be interesting since babies get shots every 8 weeks. So, he will not be able to be around the baby for 6 weeks and then can see her for 2 weeks and then that pattern will repeat itself. The good thing is that she is so young that she won't remember not being able to see Grandpa. I can't wait to see them playing together again!

At the Dr.'s office, right before the dreaded shots

On New Year's Eve we visited the Aaron home and also went to my house since my dad was released from the hospital. On New Year's Day, we tried desperately to see a movie with Tob's family, but everything was sold out. Tobby and I were able to get into an evening show thanks to both sets of grandparents babysitting. It was the first date we have been on since having the baby, and it was much appreciated.

I am so excited to start the new year with an addition to our family and am so thankful for the love and joy that she has brought our lives so far. I am thankful for both my family and Tobby's family and for the support and help they are for us. We received an incredible miracle this holiday season and I will never forget how thankful I am for my dad and the lessons of patience, optimism, and faith that he has always exemplified in his life. Dad, since you can't see Lily for a while, these next pictures are for you. Love you!