Thursday, July 31, 2008

Argh

Well, Emma is back in the hospital today. She continued to have trouble breathing at home and had some apnea episodes last night. When she went in for her follow-up appointment today, the doctor insisted we admit her. Luckily she is back at CHOC at Mission where they know her. Shortly after arriving, Emma appeared to have possibly had a seizure. She began to desat and went from playing to staring and unresponsive. She quickly was back to herself, but the 2 nurses in the room showed concern by the episode. We don't know for sure that it was a seizure, but we will be hopefully run some tests to confirm.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Emma is still having trouble keeping her oxygen saturation up to an acceptable level but seeing as she was active and feeling better, we were able be discharged and monitor her at home. We will be going to see her pediatrician for a follow up appointment tomorrow to make sure she is still stable. Emma is still requiring oxygen around the clock and has a pretty loud cough now, but she is doing well. When we got home, Emma was so excited to be there that she crawled around the floor- oxygen tubing in tow-saying hello to all her favorite toys and stuffed animals. We are thankful that she is improving and home again with us tonight. It is great to be home. Were looking forward to a full night's sleep and more Doctor's appointments tomorrow.


Pre-Surgery...Emma was all smiles
Emma had a hard time waking up from her anesthesia;
but she was in good spirits as she listened to Caillou.

Daddy and Emma Spending Some Time in the PICU at CHOC


Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Oh the Saga Continues

Yesterday's Bronch and Eye-duct surgeries went well, or so we thought. As Emma was in recovery we were informed that a shorter-non-custom trach had been placed in Emma as a trial for weaning her off the trach. This was incredibly good news. The scar tissue that she was needing to be removed was not as bad as expected, so the Doctor didn't remove any. The eye-ducts had been successfully flushed. All GOOD news. Then her Doctor said that he had found a Submuceous Cleft in her pallate and he was refering her to the cranial facial team for follow up. What next?
Well Emma seemed to not be tolerating the shorter trach while in recovery as she couldn't keep her oxygen saturation level up. We switched back to her custom trach and that didn't help either. After about 5 hours in the recovery room, it was finally decided that Emma should move up to the new PICU. She slept a lot yesterday and woke up a little happier today. She is looking a little better and is about to start her feeding again. We have no idea how long she will stay, but don't expect for it to be too long. **As we are writing this, the earthquake hit. Being on the 6th floor of a building on rollers was quite exciting for Emma. **

Saturday, July 26, 2008

A Quick Update & Prayer Request


Emma is doing very well. She makes us smile and laugh at the constant comedy of her ever changing personality. The has been working very hard with Mommy and her OT to eat baby food by mouth. This has been a constant challenge from the beginning and over the last 4 weeks Emma has started to make progress. These are huge baby steps and we're very proud but cautiously optimistic. She is steadily gaining weight and currently weighs about 24 lbs. but that's not very official as we have not been to the Doctor in recent weeks. Speaking of Doctors, Emma is scheduled for a bronchoscopy, to remove scar tissue and to check on her trachea strength and eye duct irrigation surgery for Monday morning. Please pray the surgeries goes well and that the results are encouraging. We will post any news as soon as we are able.

Thank you all for your love and support.

Being Silly makes Mommy Laugh...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Emma's 3rd Birthday Party

Happiness is celebrating Emma's 3rd Birthday with family and friends. On Saturday we had a small party for Emma. It was such a joy watching Emma having a good time seeing her friends and her Birthday Train Cake. She enjoyed soaring through the sky on the swings and popping giant bubbles.
All in all it was a great day to celebrate Emma..

Emma with Mommy & Daddy


Chance & his Mommy Popping Bubbles

What Glee she shows while opening presents

Giving Pooh Bear Great Big Hugs

Emma opened a Woody Doll and giggled with excitement

Enjoying Lunch

Push Me Higher Uncle Braden


Emma's Winnie the Pooh Birthday Train Cake


Woo Woo All Aboard


Thursday, July 17, 2008

A Special Day For A Special Girl

Our Sweet Miracle you have come so far. We are so proud of you and who you are. You inspire everyone you meet and even those you've not yet met but know about you. You are truly a blessing in our lives and we could not ask for a better daughter. We are honored to be your parents and love you SO much! Happy 3rd Birthday Emma...
Safe in Daddy's arms only 9 days old
Emma at 1 year old
Sitting with assistance, what a happy girl.
Emma at 2 years old
Silly and always happy, such a blessing...

Emma at 3 years old and still smiling...

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma!
Yesterday was a very special day for Emma and Mommy. Not only was it Emma's 3rd Birthday but Daddy was coming home from his business trip. We woke up in the morning and went to meet our dear friends at the Spectrum for a morning filled with fun. Later, after our nap, we drove to Long Beach to pick up Daddy at the Airport. Emma had a great day filled with friends & fun, water play, train riding, shopping, singing, lots of picture taking and Daddy. Happy Birthday Sweet Girl, We love you SO much. We thank God for you everyday, but today we celebrate you! This weekend we will be having a celebration, so stay tuned for more pictures.

Emma and Mommy getting ready to have some fun




I got my penny and I'm ready to make a birthday wish...



There is goes; wonder what she wished for?


Playing with toys at the Carters store while Mommy Shopped



Being Silly with Jen and Riley

Getting Ready To EAT at Johnny Rockets, oh what fun.

The Birthday Girl



Riley & his Mommy, Jen

Getting Ready for Daddy to come home,

Making Daddy a Welcome Home Daddy sign...

We are SO glad to have Daddy Home; the BEST Birthday gift EVER!

Happy 4th of July 2008

Well its been a while since we updated about the happenings of the Ford Family so here is a quick update. Before Mark went on his Training Business Trip, we went to Dee's house to celebrate the independance of our great country. Emma went swimming in the pool and we watched fireworks from the comfort of our own home. We had a great day hope your day was happy too...



Happy 4th of July 2008 (Better Late than Never)
Swimming with Mommy and Daddy


Fireworks from our patio


Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

Well, the 9 days of intensive training in PA was worth it. I passed my fourth and final exam today to become a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. It was a long trip with studying each night until midnight, but it was well worth it. I cannot wait to get home tomorrow. I am spending the night in New York tonight and so far it has not been what I hoped for. I arrived around 7:00 so I was going to take the subway to Ground Zero, but I took the wrong train. I ended up riding for a half hour in the wrong direction. I then decided I would just go to Time Square. I finally arrived there around 9:00. I was hoping to find a good restaurant, but ended up at TGIFridays as I just needed to eat. After dinner I walked around a little bit and took some photos. I took the wrong train again and finally made it back to my hotel around 10:30. Hopefully tomorrow I will get to do something before my shuttle picks me up just after noon. Here are a couple photos from Time Square.


Broadway


Time Square

Monday, July 14, 2008

Training Camp Part 3

I am heading into the final two days of Training Camp. It has been a long week, but very good. I passed my third certification exam on Saturday and have my final exam tomorrow afternoon. After I pass my final certification tomorrow, I will be a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator. The last test is going to be the most difficult as it takes us from be a Microsoft Professional to being certified. I have made some goods friends here and it has been helpful to study in groups. I am looking forward to being home on Wednesday. Thankfully, I will have a couple hours with Emma on her 3rd birthday before she goes to bed.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Training Camp Part 2

Yesterday I passed my second of four certification exams. I scored the highest in my class of 8. You need to get 700 out of 1000 points and I received a 921. Class begins each morning at 9:00 am and goes until around 6:00 with an hour for lunch. After class, a few of us usually grab dinner and then head back to the training center and study until midnight. It is working well. I miss Alissa and Emma a lot. Thankfully, I have been able to focus on this class all day long though. Here are some more photos.


Lounge Area in the Training Center


Training Center Building Where We Spend 15 Hours a Day


Typical Scenerary Here in the Poconos

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Mark at Training Camp

I am currently in Bushkill, PA at Microsoft Training Camp. I am working on get my Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certificates. It is 9 days of intensive all day training. I arrived Sunday, began class on Monday, and passed my first certification on Tuesday. I have 3 more tests while I am here. It is very humid here in the Poconos, but we are inside almost all day. Here are a couple pictures of the resort I am at.


Picture of my living room from the upstairs landing
Picture of a typical Villa