Most people know that our third child, Maisy, had complications that led to her current special needs, but I sometimes get asked what those complications were and I often get asked about what happened in those first six months.

Maisy was born with Transposition of the Great Vessels (TOGV) and her vital organs were not receiving oxygenated blood. She had Open Heart Surgery (open, meaning that she is on bypass during surgery so that her heart is not functioning during the procedure) at nine days old.
Maisy then developed an array of complications following her initial surgery that led to many more trips to the OR and Cardiac Cath Lab, as well as other steps to save her life. Her lungs collapsed on multiple occasions, she developed infections in her blood stream as well as her heart, she had a pulmonary embolism and a clot in a major vein that carries blood from the upper portion of the body.
Long term ventilation required a tracheostomy, a need for IV access meant a trip to the OR for a special port that offered direct access to her heart (her veins were collapsing.) It was a long six months, with Maisy and I living about five hours from Evan, Sadie, and Ella for most of the time. Sadie and Ella would come to stay with me periodically and our Moms were a wonderful help to us.

We still have the occasional drama and Maisy has developmental delays, but things are progressing and changing. We no longer have six specialists that we visit almost monthly, we are down to yearly visits to two, sometimes three. Maisy had her trach removed just before her third birthday. She has a wheelchair, but gets around quite well by crawling and coaxing unsuspecting friends into carrying her. She signs and has a few "words" to let us know what she wants.

Maisy is a miracle and a blessing and reminds us everyday of the strength we have within us all.

The North Pole

Up in the mountains, above Manitou Springs, is a little amusement park called the North Pole. My kids can ride pretty much every ride, if not by themselves, then with an adult, so, kid heaven.

While we geared ourselves for the inevitable spinning, we decided to take the train around the park.

Aunt Jocelyn and Autumn happily waiting.
The girls on the train.
Maisy on the train.
Sadie need to ride a reindeer on the carousel, we were in the North Pole after all.
This is the highest ferris wheel in the US, not the tallest, but because of the altitude, the highest.

The little lady bugs wiped out most of the adults. Something about sitting backwards and going in circles agrees better with kids than parents.

Jack and Grandpa Christensen drove the car.
I thought this ride would do me in.
Turned out it was this one that did the trick.
I think Evan might have had a little more fun than he wanted us to believe.
Besides Santa (whom we missed seeing this year) this frozen pole gives the park its name.

Water Fun

While some of the adults went off on a day rafting trip, we decided to have a little water fun of our own.

A crazy sprinkler, a trampoline, and lots of kids. I'm surprised no one was hurt.
Ella and Audrey.
Ella making Maisy laugh.
Hula Hooping.
Until a storm rolled in over Pike's Peak and everyone scurried inside.

Garden of the Gods

Evan and I have been visiting Garden of the Gods since we met. In previous years we have climbed, but with four little ones, climbing gear doesn't seem to fit in the car. However, Garden of the Gods is a place where you can enjoy beauty even with a stroller or wheelchair in tow.

Ella looking mighty glamorous for a day hike.

Maisy giving kisses.
Amidst climbing on rocks something caught their attention...
looks like someone is setting a bad example.
And so Jack had to give it a try, luckily he can't get as far.
After climbing and exploring, we headed back to the cars,
with tired kids,
ready to sleep all the way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

We went to an amazing zoo called the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. I have been to hands on zoos before, but never one that offered so many opportunities to touch the animals. The weather was perfect for the animals to be out and about. Cousins were plentiful. Just a great day.

The first stop was to feed the giraffes.

So many giraffes, so few crackers.
They have long tongues.

Miss Maisy's favorite place to be, in daddy's arms.

A bird had just left Evan's shoulder.
Sadie was so excited to have one of the bird land on her feeding stick.

Maisy loved the fish.

An amazing view of Colorado Springs.
I love how the gorilla is totally ignoring everyone. Such a smart guy.
Jack's namesake.
Hiding from the camera.

Sadie is my biggest animal lover, so she was in heaven. Of the thirty-something thigs she wants to be when she grows up 75% deal with animals.

Two snuggle buddies.
All in all a great day at a fantastic zoo.

Photo Aversion

While most of my kids love the camera, Maisy hates having her picture taken. She loves looking at pictures of herself and she loves touching the camera, but when the camera is in front of her and out of reach, she usually crawls away as fast as she can. So unless she is distracted:

I end up with this:
Or this:
Or I sneak a picture when she doesn't know:
Or is busy, which results in blurry photos:
I can try holding her hands, which makes her laugh:

But then, once in great while, I get something like this:

And that is a great moment. So that is why, try as I may, most of the pictures I have are of my other kids. Not this little one who pulls just as many silly faces, makes just as many messes, and is just as loved.