About Me

United States
My fiance (Joe) and I (Caytie) just delivered our third child. We have a son named Dustin, age 4, a daughter named Aryanna, age 1, and our new little bundle's name is Mira, and she has been diagnosed with spina bifida. She has a myelomeningocele, a chiari malformation, hydrocephalus, and a club foot. She had surgery the day after she was born on her myelomeningocele, and surgery when she was 6 days old to place a shunt in her brain. She is facing more surgeries, a lifetime of recovery and monitoring, and we will all be facing the journey of spina bifida. Prayers and kind thoughts are always welcome, and if our story can help others, that would mean the world to us. Spina bifida is a fairly common birth defect, but there's nothing normal about facing potential danger with your child. So this is our story, the journey of spina bifida, as we live it.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Ready To Go!

I think Joe and I got everything done that I wanted to have done before we leave for the hospital. We rearranged the house to make things more functional for bringing a newborn home to. We deep cleaned many areas of the house where Mira will be at a lot. Our bedroom is baby set-up and friendly. And our bags are packed!
It was really hard letting Dustin and Aryanna go with Joe's Mom today, though. That made everything very real for me, and it was emotional not knowing exactly when I'm going to see all of my children again. They drive me crazy when they're home, but I did not want to let them leave today! I miss them so much already! I said "I love you" to them probably a hundred times before they left, and Joe's Mom was crying a little bit too as she hugged Joe and I goodbye. I didn't cry until after they left... then I sat on my porch wishing they were still home, but also trying to tell myself that maybe we can arrange a family member to bring them down to visit within this next week. I'll be so happy when all three of my children can be together, right in front of me! It will be the most beautiful sight I've ever seen, I'm certain!
I'm holding off the emotions right now by focusing on all the things that need done. I'm excited for sure, but also a bit nervous, and driven, and all kinds of things! Joe and I have to be at the hospital in almost exactly 12 hours from now, so I am going to get some sleep now! I'll be sure to update my blog as much as possible! The moment of truth is on it's way, so thank you to everyone for the prayers, good lucks, and birthday wishes! I love you all, and I'll update as much as I can!

Mira's sign for her incubator!