The Cowley Family

Baby 3.0

2011-01-05T19:25:00.001+11:00

Just in case people are still watchingn this site!!!
Baby 3.0 due July 2011!

Tulip festival 2010

2010-09-25T20:50:00.003+10:00

Off to the tulip festival with mothers group!

Pyjama Party!

2010-08-06T18:45:00.003+10:00

Mia had a ball at her Pyjama Party today with all her friends from Kindergarten and Mothers Group.

FIVE YEARS OLD!!

2010-08-04T20:58:00.002+10:00

We can't believe our little girl is 5 years old. Gladly she is not giving us the grief she was this time 2005! We thought we mightn't even get here at times, but just look at her! She is our little star! We love you princess!

Doing really well!

2010-05-08T11:56:00.002+10:00

Our little star Mia is doing so well. I will put on some photos later. Everyone keeps asking me how she is - Really great!!
Being stabilised on the warfarin (blood thinner)means regular finger pick tests, but she is getting used to it.
Her colour is great and is not needing much pain releif any more. A bit tired, but went to a full 3hr Kindy on Thursday.
Thanks for all your wishes and thoughts!
Lyndall

Sort of Discharged

2010-04-25T13:57:00.002+10:00

Hello All. Great news!! Mia has been discharged to Ronald Macdonald house with us for tonight, to keep an eye on her temperature and see how we go. If all okay, back to the ward tomorrow to have some stitches out (where her drain tubes were) and then off home!!

Thanks for all your love and support over the last 10 days, Rich and I would not have coped without everyones prayers and well wishes.

A very special thanks to our parents and siblings that have helped out so much with Theo!

Off the Ward

2010-04-23T21:09:00.002+10:00

Mia is such a star, that they let us off the ward today! First we went to have an Xray (which was great, no effusions), then to the starlight room where Mia made some badges, had her face painted and played the Wii with Cooper, then out to the courtyard for chocolate milk and chips with Chelsea and Cooper! Very tired after that, so back to the room for a 3 hour sleep... Zzzzzzzzzz

I do not like football!!

2010-04-22T17:17:00.003+10:00

Mia has just cried throughout her visit from Nathan Jones and Danny Hughes from the Melbourne Demons (Rich did too after last weekend's result). Lovely boys coming to see kids in the hospital and wish them well. I think they were looking for new members!

Out of High Dependency

2010-04-22T12:06:00.002+10:00

Mia was really sad to leave Emily in high dependency, but she is just doing so well!! How we got all her stuff into the other room I will never know, we couldn't see Mia on the bed through all the junk and balloons! Thismorning she walked to the bathroom and had a bath, got into her new PJ's (Thanks Cro) and is looking great!

2010-04-21T21:18:00.003+10:00

Wasit The Clown Doctors, The Fact My Drain Tubes Came Out, The Happy Gas or The Morphine. No one knows but we are all happy about this one.

2010-04-21T09:39:00.002+10:00

Mia Says
"Thankyou to everyone for leaving me messages on the website and all my beautiful balloons. And thankyou to Katy for reading me a bed time story. I have enjoyed alll my Skype talking. Do you like my hair??? Mum just did it."

Small Steps

2010-04-19T15:22:00.003+10:00

Mia is asleep at the minute and totally zonked out. Managed to take 4 steps out of bed and to the chair where she has remained all day. She seems comfortable when still but in alot of pain when moving.

A Message From Mia Herself

2010-04-18T21:01:00.005+10:00

Hello everyone out there. Daddy and i have just read all the beautiful messages that you have all been writing on here and facebook. It is now 9pm Sunday night and my operation was on Friday. I would like to also thank everone for the beautiful presents and things. The nurses here are very nice and i am a little bit sore.
Just got to have my first taste of "Warfarin" which helps to thin my blood. It tasted disgusting. Dad and i are now working out the best way of taking it moving forward considering it is a permanent part of my life now. We are thinking chocolate topping or something else yummy.
Here i am with my friend Tam, my beautiful teddy and balloon from Marg and Jane, and my beautiful handcrafted quilt.

2010-04-18T09:33:00.002+10:00

Mia had a hard night last night, issues with pain mainly and finding it very hard to cough. Today we will have the pain team and physiotherapists to help out. Still waiting for the Drs to come around thismorning. She is a little happier when awake but still thirsty. Nothing to eat yet except the nose up of a chocolate frog! She has just had a lovely leg massage from Mum and looks comfortable. Thanks for all the messages.

With the possibility of sounding rude, who is KB from ACT?? We are wracking our brains!

XXX

2010-04-17T11:43:00.003+10:00

Hey All,
Breahting tube out, nasogastric tube out, norad (for those interested) and midaz all gone - little bit of morphine. Still has central line. Still miserable and frustrated that she can't drink, only allowed 27ml per hour! Not happy Jan. Hopefully up to the ward later today!

Tube Out

2010-04-17T01:13:00.003+10:00

Mia's breathing tube came out at a quater past midnight, a lot later than we expected, but she is doing well. We have snuck back tot eh hotel to get some Zzzzz before she realises we have gone. She is very grumpy and all she wants is a drink - which of course is not allowed! Will update again in the morning

In ICU and all is going to plan. Long night ahead.

2010-04-16T17:42:00.003+10:00

FINISHED!

2010-04-16T13:55:00.000+10:00

We have had a call from the surgeon that Mia's operation is finished and he is very happy. Still to see her yet, but we wanted to let you all know that she is doing well. Thanks for all your messages and support.
XX

Here we go.......

2010-04-16T08:25:00.003+10:00

Mia is in Surgery. She was great this morning and quite relaxed, especially after her pre-med! Doctor 'Tigger' has gone in with her to keep an eye on everything and now we just wait..... for a long time....... update in 5-6 hours people
XXXX

PS ***Please remember to leave your name at the bottom of the comments if you have not signed in so we know who you are!!
i.e the first comment on this post
cheers

NEW SURGERY DATE

2010-04-08T14:15:00.001+10:00

Provisional new date for surgery, next Friday, 16th April. Once again fingers and toes crossed for no cancellations, onviously not everyone complied last time!!

SURGERY CANCELLED

2010-04-06T17:26:00.001+10:00

Hey all, just got news that Mia's surgery has been cancelled until sometime late next week - will keep you all informed!

Off to Hospital

2010-04-05T08:04:00.005+10:00

Mia went to pre-admission clinic last week and was not at all phased by anything she had to do or have done to her, she was a STAR! She had losts of tests and interviews with doctors etc.. and did a fantastic job.

Surgery is Wednesday 7th April unless cancelled due to emergencies.

We had a great time at Eildon on the weekend and the easter bunny came!

Heartkids Christmas Party

2008-11-29T21:34:00.002+11:00

We went to the Zoo today to celebrate Christmas with Heartkids Victoria. For all of us, Christmas is a time to remember what you have been blessed with in life. It makes me realise how lucky we are to have our precious little girl (and boy too!) and how special she is. We remember the heartache, the pain, the heart angels we got to know and have lost. We reconnected with friends who helped us and shared the pain, and joy of watching theirs and our child come through some pretty hard times.
Mia was thrilled to see Santa and he gave her a talking FIFI doll which she just loves!
The whole Zoo things was a bit lost on Theo, will have to take him back when he is a bit older!
Please keep Mia and all her heartkid friends in your thoughts and prayers!

2008-10-19T21:00:00.004+11:00

Mia went to Tesselarrs Tulip Festival with her friends Cooper and Chelsea. They had a great time tip-toing through the tulips and playing in the fairy garden. Mia thinks she saw a fairy in a flower!

Theo just loves his baths. He has two teeth and is crawling all over the place. Today he tipped out Molly's water onto the kitchen floor, and also worked out how to get the lid off his talc and puffed it in his face!

2008-09-23T19:35:00.002+10:00

Look at Theo, proud as punch to be sitting up playing with his toys! He loves this little telephone, and the spinning tops too!

Mia is desparate for the weather to get warm so she can wear some of the lovely summer clothes she got for her birthday! In the interim, leggings and long tops to be worn underneath!

ALREADY THREE!

2008-08-03T07:09:00.002+10:00

Can you believe our little girl is THREE tomorrow! And doesn't she look beautiful. She is growing up so fast and I don't know where the years have gone.

Heart Check

2008-07-15T17:20:00.003+10:00

Once again, Mia has passed her heart check with flying colours! Her cardiologist said her ultrasound pictures looked great. Still looking at 4 or 4.5 for the next op, the limiting factor being we need to beef her up.
Other than that, the terrible twos have appeared just before the third birthday and have come with avengence! Interesting time in our house right now.
Theo is georgous, developing beautifully. Never stops babbling, mum-mum dad-dad and nan-nan. Squeels with laughter when his sister giggles with him.

Does Dorothy like Sweet Potato?

2008-05-22T20:33:00.002+10:00

This is Mia, or is it Dorothy the Dinosaur? Who could tell. We had great fun at the Wiggles concert last week and it has given Mia a new love of the fab four, recently forgotten and replaced by Hi5 (much to my distress). Mia also loves ballerinas, dancing, dressing up as a fairy (or is it a ballerina?) and going to music and movement classes. She is very cute.

Theo has discovered the joys of smearing himself with food, which ENSURES a bath at the end of the meal, which he loves. Here, sweet potato and pumpkin, strategically aimed at the mouth (but not always successfully!!)

2008-04-11T08:39:00.002+10:00

Mia and Theo have a great time toghether playing on the floor now! Theo is rolling all over the place and gets annoyed if Mia is in his way!

Madam, next to the piano. I have bought a pre-reader piano lesson book which is really as much to teach me HOW to teach her to play, as it is to teach her to play!!!! (did that make sense?) We had our first music class yesterday and she loved it.

Easter

2008-03-24T21:03:00.001+11:00

A wonderful easter holiday at Lake Eildon. Both Mia and Theo had a ball. Mia shown above, was well serviced by the Easter Bunny. Theo, not so well taken care of in the way of chocolate, excelled in his bottle taking and is now having 4 bottles and 3 breast feeds a day. We are very relieved that he has moved on from his pathetic effort of 30mls per bottle, once a day.

Although we didn't get out on the water, Mia made sure she was prepared, and did lots of playing in the boat on dry land. Maybee next trip we will get to take her out.

Hope everyone had a really great easter!

New Bike Helmet

2008-03-12T12:44:00.003+11:00

Mia has a new bike helmet, the other one has gone missing. She picked a Dora one and is very proud. She has spent the morning zooming around the deck on her trike with Dora on her head. She weighs 10kg!!!!!!!!! Although Theo, at 6.2kg is catching up fast. We are taking bets as to at what age he will overtake her.

Theo is beautiful.... doing better sleeping overnight and accepting his bottle more too, although we are still only giving him one a day. Sometimes he has 20ml, others 80-100ml. He is SO allert, smiling, giggling, wanting to see and be a part of whatever is going on.

Will try to do better with blogging...

Christmas over for another year

2008-01-07T20:49:00.000+11:00

Christmas is over for another year and we are all exhausted! Please excuse the S..... quality of the nativity scene! Mia is an angel, Theo baby Jesus in the bassinette and you may recognise a few other faces is the crowded stable that night! Mary, not a family member, was quite obviously bored by the whole thing! Childrens service at Holy Trinity, Kew, Christmas Eve.

Mum, stop dressing me up like a doll! First Christmas suit proudly sponsered by Aunty Meaghan..... surprise surprise... but doesn't he look cute, even if he doesn't appreciate it!

Happy new year to everyone. Will try to keep going with the updates when I remember to take photos or if something exciting happens!
Cheers

My Little Brother Theo

2007-12-07T18:59:00.000+11:00

Sorry it has taken so long to update. However with Lyndall in hospital i have not been able to work with the technology. However, here goes.

Theo Charles Napier Cowley (Teddy Chucky Nip Cowley) was born at 2.08pm on Monday the 3rd of December. He was a healthy 8 pounds and 2 ounces. Lyndall and him are both doing well and apparently all things that need to be working are. Mia has been extremely loving and caring towards her little brother but we will see what happens tomorrow when we actually take him home with us. Below are a few pictures.

Mummy's Ouch

2007-11-12T22:42:00.000+11:00

Hi All, quick update on Bub,
Everything going very well with the baby, growing exceptionally well (I thought that was a nice was of saying I am huge!) and is obviously going to be some sort of athlete. Unfortunately I have not been so well, in hospital over the weekend with a broken rib from sneezing! Not usually neccessary of course, but because I cant take the usual suspects of analgesia, I had to have some harder stuff. Still sore and sorry, but coping with the pain and discomfort. We were on the maternity ward which gave us a chance to show Mia the little babies and for her to see what life may be like with Mum in hospital very soon. Staying at Mums for some help while Rich working in Perth this week.
NEW LOOK BLOG...... will it be pink or will it change to blue? Not long to go now.......

Daddy's Birthday Cake

2007-10-31T22:22:00.000+11:00

Today I cooked a yummy Chocolate Cake for Daddy's Birthday. I really like licking the bowl. Dad is getting really old. Mum sayes her baby kicks her non-stop and she is ready for it to come out now. I don't want the baby to have my cot. Or my bedroom. I get a bit grumpy when we have to talk about 'when the baby comes'!! I am more exited about this Santa guy that is going to bring me presents soon.

Birthday Girl

2007-08-10T08:11:00.000+10:00

Such a beautiful birthday girl, I'm sure you will all agree. We had a really busy weekend and are all exhausted! Mia had a ball, loved opening her presents. Gave us an indication of what is to come this Christmas, now she has a bit more of an idea of how things work and what they mean! She thinks all presents she sees are for hew now, but all perfectly normal i'm sure. She alternates each day between saying her new baby is a brother or sister, but the name is constant, Meow. Hmmmmmmm.

Mum's Baby

2007-07-23T21:04:00.000+10:00

This is the baby in Mummy's tummy. It is 19 weeks old now, half way there! (pretty much, anyway). The doctor who looked at the pictures was really happy that everything looked really good, aspecially the heart, so Mummy and Daddy are REALLY happy that things are going well.

BIG BED

2007-07-20T09:41:00.001+10:00

Mia has moved into her new bed, a big bed! She is good going to sleep mostly, but we are having a few problems since she was sick the other week adn became partial to Mum and Dad's bed again! She hasn't quite worked out how to stay down the business end of the bed, but was quite cute the morning I found her asleep, but nearly off the end!! She loves lying in bed reading books before sleep time.

Fashion Queen

2007-06-15T12:39:00.000+10:00

Can you tell Mia dressed herself? And very proud shi is too. She didn't stay like that for long mind you, I didn't cope very well. Mia is lovely at the moment.... talking non-stop, playing with puzzles, money box. Unfortunately not sleeping well at night again, the never ending cycle. She plays with her 'baby' doll and lloks after her most of the time. I have to explain however, that you don't carry babies by only one of their hands. She will get it eventually and we are expecting her to be a very helpfull big sister!

Cardiology went really well last week, they were happy with her heart and general condition. Don't need to go back for another 6 months!

Cheers

Mia has some news!

2007-06-05T08:49:00.000+10:00

Hi All,

Mia is looking so happy because she has some exciting news! She is very proud to announce that she is going to be a big sister in December. So far all is going well and she loves patting Mummy's tummy and kissing it too.

She has a cardiology visit on Friday and we will let you know how that goes.

Cheers,

Mum and Dad to be....

21 TODAY!!!

2007-05-04T15:14:00.000+10:00

Hello All, can you believe that our little angel is 21 months old today!!! My apologies for not having blogged for a while, things have been really crazy around here. As you can see, Mia is just adorable, if I do say so myself. She spends a lot of time drawing and explaining her pictures to us. More often than not, the moon. Lucky she tells us. She has also taken to drawing on the walls and anything else she can get her pencil or crayon onto. Hew speach is delightfull, naming the wiggles, talking about the mmon and the sun, only a few sentences as yet, but a manificent array of words and names for friends and family.
Sleeping is currently a nightmare, but we are working on that. Amazing what a few late nights of birthdays and other celebrations can do to a good sleep routine. Better go.... things ar awfully quiet out there! Will try to blog more regularly to let you all know how Mia is doing.
Cheers!

Easter Hats

2007-04-02T08:53:00.000+10:00

Mia and Austin made easter hats and don't they look great! Mia is also very proud of her Dorothy the Dinasaur skirt. On Palm Sunday she went to church with Grandma and Guppy and waved Palm branches around the donkey. She had a great time. She is a real little miss. Not eating much and asserting herself to the fullest!

Health wise, she is doing really well. Not putting on any weight, but she has had a nasty tummy bug for over a week. She is happy for most of the time, especially if she is getting her own way!

THE ZOO

2007-03-09T17:04:00.000+11:00

Hi All,

Mia has had her first trip to the Melbourne Zoo. She had such a lot of fun, she was really interested in all the animals. Mind you, the most excited response came from her when she noticed Dorothy the Dinosaur on some Kids backpack!! She only lasted a few hours and was pooped.

As you can see, she is doing really well. Walking all over the place, getting steadier every day. At 19 months she still hasn't managed to reach the 8kg mark (who would have thought, looking at her parents?!?!) but doesn't llok too different from her friends.

Will try to update more regularly than I have been!

Cheers

WALKING AT LAST

2007-02-07T11:23:00.000+11:00

Hey everyone, LOOK AT ME!! I can walk all on my own. So clever. I can do 8-10 steps, just a bit wobbly. I get lots of claps and cheers of hooray when I fall over, I am confused what it is I am supposed to be doing! It was my 18 month birthday on Sunday.
Bye!!!

Too tired to eat!

2007-01-19T21:35:00.000+11:00

Mia was so exhausted after playing with Cooper at mothers group that she couldn't eat her lunch. I turned to find her fast asleep in the high chair, her avocado sandwich untouched!!! She was weighed today at just under 7.8kg, a really good increase from only one month ago.

Yesterday she stood by herself for the first time and is now doing it regularly. Not looking like taking any steps just yet, but enjoying the sensation of being upstanding! She insisted on having this Dorothy the Dinasaur top yesterday at the shops and I couldn't refuses, her being so clever and all!

Cheers

Happy New Year

2007-01-06T21:48:00.000+11:00

Hi All, and a happy new year. Well, what a Christmas! The Holidays have flown by again. Christmas was so much fun this year. Mia was delighted on Christmas moring opening her stocking from Santa and opening her present from us, the door seen above. She plays with it for ages, it sings, counts, she loves it. We hope you all had a safe and happy Christmas and New Year also.

We spent New Year with Richards family at Eildon. Mia thinks sleep is over rated and just had too much fun playing with her cousins, who she calls the 'boys', or 'Jay' for James. It was hot but relaxing and I for one, didn't want to come back. But back we came to reality, work and this damn heat! Still 30 degrees and already 10pm!!!

Mia had her cardiology appointment on the first of December and they were really happy with her progress. She doesn't need to go back for another 6 motnhs. Her doctor said that in about a year, we will start to plan for her next operation, to be done about 3 and a half.

By the way, for those Poms out there, did anyone see who won the cricket?? I missed some of it (haha).

Cheers!

2006-11-06T17:02:00.000+11:00

On the weekend I went to my Aunty Melisa's wedding. She looked really pretty. Even though I wasn't in the wedding party, I got to sit with them for some photos during the ceremony. I had lots of fun and danced well into the evening (8pm!!!) before Grandma and Guppy took me home.

Congratulations Melissa and Daniel

Love Mia

My New Car

2006-10-24T20:11:00.000+10:00

This is my car. I look really cool in it! Mum and Dad push me up and down the street. I wear my shades to look extra cool!!

Home

2006-10-09T08:49:00.000+10:00

Home from Hospital! We got home on Saturday evening, unfortunately Mia bringing a nasty conjuctivitis with her and a green snotty nose (which I also have). She wakes through the night crying because she can't open her eyes, poor baby. I myself have woken with her Rotavirus today, no vomiting yet though. So the both of us have green heads and feel like crap. Need a few days in bed I think!
Cheers

Rotavirus

2006-10-06T17:53:00.000+10:00

Mia has rotavirus!! At least we know what is wrong now. She is still very sleepy all day and not taking enough in the way of fluids and food so is still on the drip. Maybee another feeding tube tomorrow, but only a few days, just for a bit of sustenance.

She is playing the part, loving all the attention. Thanks for the messages!

In Hospital

2006-10-04T14:22:00.000+10:00

Hey all, we have been in hospital with Mia since Monday, after she fell ill starting by throwing up scambled egg all over my car! Sudden onset and she has been very unwell. Very high temperatures although they don't really know what the source of infection is.

She is picking up today, starting to be interested in her surroundings and giving a few smiles if you are lucky! Hopefully home tomorrow though, if she starts eating and drinking again.

I wonder if she picked up something from thos orange undies?
Cheers!
Lyndall

2006-09-14T19:59:00.000+10:00

One for the 21st board!! Mia has taken to a pair of Richards undies, yes, orange undies. She screemed blue murder when I tried to retreive them. She finds them wherever they are!!! Pulling them on, and off, and on her head. Hmmmmm.

On a brighter note! We spent the weekend at Eildon and went on the old steem train at Alexandra. Mia loved it. She is doing really well, eating loads and crawling everywhere!
Cheers

Tube gone but not forgotton

2006-08-25T16:22:00.000+10:00

Mia's tube came out last Thursday and we have successfully kept it out for a week now. The outage was accidental, but we decided to give her a go. She isn't drinking really well, but she has never had to drink, so probably just doesn't understand. She gets most of her fluid from custard, yoghurt and jelly, and sips water from her sipper cup. Her appetite has definately improved without the force feeding, and she is doing really well. Weigh in at the end of next week will be the real test!

Otherwise she is doing really well and as you can see, is as cute as ever.
Cheers!
Lyndall

BIRTHDAY SUCCESS!!

2006-08-07T15:38:00.000+10:00

Mia is ONE!!! Can you beleive it? I suppose she has been through enough in one year to make it feel somewhat like a year! On Friday she had her first party with friends from Mothers group, followed by Dinner with her Grandparents. She danced, played the Piano and went to bed at 11pm!!!!!!!

She wore a beautiful party dress for her party on the weekend and was once again the belle of the ball. Thanks to all those who helped make her birthday special with wishes, cards or gifts.

2006-07-31T09:32:00.000+10:00

Hey all, can you beleive I am nearly one! Well, just look at my skills on the bike. Mum and Dad have nearly finished the back deck, it looks really cool. I can't wait until my birthday party!

Aunty Nic brought home chickens from Kinda and I thought they were cute.

My little angel

2006-07-18T10:01:00.000+10:00

Just wanted to impress everyone with my fantastic photography! And of course, my beautiful baby! New tooth up the top, with the other one almost through. Looks like 4 teeth for her birthday!

2006-07-04T20:32:00.000+10:00

Pretty cute huh? For the life of me I can't remember exactly what set the little miss off this time, except I do remember that it was something pathetic. She can turn on the waterworks in the blink of an eye! I did give her a cuddle by the way.

Playing with bubbles..... of course I don't think she had any idea of what was on her head!

Mia is 11 months old today!!!! Happy birthday to you my princess.

2006-06-22T14:19:00.000+10:00

Hey all, Lyndall here. Mia is continuing to improve, although she has a nasty cold at the moment. Coughs so much that she loses most of her food again! Before she got sick, the vomits were really good, only really once every two days. She hasn;t been weighed for a while, Monday being the big day.
SHe has had lots of excitement with family birthdays and a trip to Eildon for the long weekend, all of which she really enjoyed.
SHe has just spewed her tube out and is sleeping while I wait for assistance. Cheeky thing.
Can't believe she is nearly one! Can't wait.
Cheers,
Lyndall

TEN MONTHS OLD TODAY!!!!!

2006-06-04T20:50:00.000+10:00

Hi all, can you believe that Mia is ten months old today!?!?! We certainly can not. How time flies when you are having fun! So much has happened since last August, some things scary, some things exciting, some that we would rather not have experienced. But all in all, we wouldn't trade our little one for the world!

Mia is still not eating well, and is just starting to have a few sips from a sipper cup. As a result, tube is still there. Daddy Richard felt sorry for her one night after spag bol.......

We have noticed however, that she has a fondness for mint slice biscuits!

Mia is becoming stronger every day. She is rolling all over the house to get around. We do physio with her every day, trying to develop her arm and leg strength to get her moving in more conventional ways!

Will try to blog sometime before her 1st birthday!
Cheers,
Lyndall

2006-05-12T20:05:00.000+10:00

Hey! We had a fantastic time in Cairns. Mia was really good on both flights, and we had a seat between us for her which really helped. Dad's ceremony of becomming President of the Australasian College of Physicians went really well and now he has to wear that lovely medallion which Mia has taken a liking to.
She loved the beach as you can see. We also went on a cable car and went to Cairns Tropical Zoo, where Mia cuddled a koala!
Thanks for leaving comments, always appreciated,
Lyndall

2006-05-03T11:25:00.000+10:00

Hi there everyone, sorry it has taken so ling for me to update again, but nothing really interesting has happened, and I am so busy at home with the little one. She is doing so well. She has started physiotherapy and is coming along nicely, getting more strength in her legs. Should be able to sit by herself really soon.

Still not drinking, but loving her finger food and if, in fact, I sit down and am eating but don't give her anything, she cracks it! Quite cute really.

She has stopped her diuretcs and seems to be doing really well, although she has had a bit of a cold, so hard to know if her being a bit puffy is a cold or heart. SHe will be seen by the cardiologist when we get back from Cairns. (her first flight!!)

Final total raised at our Good Friday BBQ, $1892.00!!!! Thanks to everyone who supported the cause.
Cheers,
Lyndall

Good Friday Fundraising

2006-04-15T18:39:00.000+10:00

Mia held her first fundraising BBQ for HeartKids Victoria as part of the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Many friends and family came to support us and with easter egg hunts, guess the number of eggs in the jar, raffles and donations, Mia raised over $1600.00!!!!! We are really happy with how everything went.

Thanks so much to everyone who came and supported Mia and HeartKids.

2006-04-13T07:58:00.000+10:00

Don't get excited, inly temporary tube removal. It is actually 10pm at night, but we waited up for dad to help with the tube so we could do medications and evening feed!
Just a really cute picture though, felt I had to share it!
Mia is really looking forward to hosting her Good Friday Appeal BBQ tomorrow and looking forward to her first easter egg hunt! Will post pictures and news.
Cheers

2006-04-01T14:06:00.000+11:00

nothing much happening in our neck of the woods. Mia has finally reached 6kg, 6.135 to be precise. Still not eating much at all and still refluxing. Most importantly, still SO HAPPY as you can see above.

Cheers

2006-03-14T11:18:00.000+11:00

Hi all,
Mia is continuing to do really well. NEARLY 6 kg ay the health nurse today, 5.970 to be exact. She likes helping Mum making the bed and loves sleeping with her little tiger. She still isn't eating much and all fluids go down the tube. No end in sight for that just yet! She is being assesed for in home physio and speech path (for feeding) this week, so fingers crossed we can get some more help there.
She is rolling over from tummy to back though and is starting to put more weight through her legs so that is exciting.
See you soon!

2006-03-02T15:22:00.000+11:00

Mia just loves her Jolly Jumper (on loan from cousins James and Austin, THANKS) and loves kicking around in the spa with her little inflatable chair. Still very happy, hasn't been weighed for a while. Still refusing solids as well as liquids, still being force fed!!!!!

Loving those Rusks

2006-02-21T15:34:00.000+11:00

Mia is loving those rusks! She has worked out how to slide them along her tooth and gets covered in slushy rusk.

Richard took her in to the Kids first thing today after she pulled her tube out at 5:30 thismorning!!!! (only 5 days after last pulling it out!) Mummy is still not confident to do it herself.

She is otherwise doing really well, putting on weight and is still keeping down much more food than she used to. Today she drank 40ml from a cup which is really good for her.

Will keep blogging!
Lyndall

TEETH

2006-02-17T12:23:00.000+11:00

Mia is still travelling well. I have just been in at the Children's thismorning after she vomited her tube out after breakfast. Mia's favorite nrse Res stuck a new one down, not before Mia burst into tears as soon as she saw her!?!

Mia has been refusing her solids over the last week and yesterday we got a reason. A TOOTH!!!!!! Bottom left, erupted yesterday. What a clever girl.

Off to have lunch with Cooper and Maddison from mothers group!

Eating Well

2006-02-06T14:58:00.000+11:00

Mia is a little small for her highchair, so I actually feed her without the tray!

Likes: Pumpkin, rice cerial with apple or pair
HATES!!!!!!!! Broccoli and potato

Sucking on her first rusk as I type, and seems to be really enjoying it.

Happy Birthday Papa Peter!
Love Mia

Keeping Well

2006-01-29T21:17:00.000+11:00

We are all really well at home. Mia still has a little sniffle and wakes a bit blocked up, but is otherwise doing fantastically for someone who has had heart surgery less than 2 weeks ago. I am sure she is growing before our eyes, but have not had her weighed since leaving hospital. Since last Sunday, she had 2 vomits on the Monday and two vomits yesterday. Thats all!!!!! Keeping her food down MUST be good for her.

She is loving her solids, mainly rice cerial with stuff added like apple, pumpkin and banana (not all at once). She is very happy, laughing and playing when awake. She is coping with the heat very well and really doesn't complain much about anything.

Update with some new photos soon!

Home already

2006-01-23T12:54:00.000+11:00

Does this look like someone who has just had cardiac surgery?!?!? We don't think so. We bought Mia home yesterday and meant to let people know right away, but were without power from 8pm last night until midday!!!!

She is doing so well, especially coming home on a 42 degree day!!

Will keep you updated

2006-01-21T21:22:00.000+11:00

Today Mia had all the left over wires and tubes removed (except her feeding tube of course!!) She could then have her first bath since surgery. STINKY! Her wound is looking a bit bruised, but not too bad.

She had an ultrasound of her heart which the doctors were very happy with. She was able to go on ambulatory monitoring and we went to Maccas for lunch.

Her Thomson cousins came to visit, as did Great Papa Pole.

If all continues to go well, we may be out early next week!

Our little star!

2006-01-20T16:25:00.000+11:00

Mia is still doing really well. She is surprising everyone with her speedy recovery. Today she is off oxygen and off her blood pressure medication. She has spent a lot of the day sleeping, but it is really hot in the ward. She is much happier although not her usual self yet. Nanny Sandy got smiles this morning.

Thank you all for your good wishes.

Doing Well

2006-01-19T22:22:00.000+11:00

Mia is doing very well. We are so proud of her! We went up to the ward today, which we were supposed to do yesterday, but the bed was needed for a patient from Darwin. All the nurses on 7 West were very happy to see her and kept saying how big she had got! (5.038 kg last monday)

Things are going to plan. She is still needing a bit of oxygen and is VERRYYYRRRYYRYRY grumpy when awake. Today she sort of quarter smiled when I read her Hairy Maclarey.

Will take some more photos tomorrow

2006-01-17T23:29:00.000+11:00

It is now 11.30 and we are in ICU. Mia is doing really well, her blood pressure is a little high but other than that they are happy with her progress. She is almost breathing on her own with only a little ventilator support. She is starting to wake up and is looking very grumpy, but has every reason to be. She is not as swollen as last time and is looking great. Thanks for all your kind thoughts and wishes.

Surgery over

2006-01-17T14:03:00.000+11:00

Hi all,
received a call from Dr Brizzard (surgeon) at 1:15 to say all went well. The surgery took a bit longer than expected due to scar tissue from the previous operations making it hard to get back into her chest. We now have to wait for her to be sewn back together and stabilised in ICU, we expect to be able to see her about 3pm.
We have a long road ahead......will keep you all updated as much as possible.

2006-01-16T19:13:00.000+11:00

Twas the night before surgery, and Mia was watching her baby Einstein DVD, looking georgous in yellow and orange!!

Big day at the hospital today, 7 hours of ECGs, Xrays and blood tests. She was SOOOOOooooo good. Very tired girl, will sleep well tonight.

She is first on the list tomorrow and the surgeon hopes to finish by lunch.

Will keep you all informed as soon as we know how things have gone.
Lots of love,
XXXXXX

Fancy Dress

2006-01-13T21:38:00.000+11:00

Tonight we played dress-ups and i got to wear the bear outfit. Mummy and Daddy are acting really strange and won't stop cuddling me. They are weird!!!

2006-01-11T14:58:00.000+11:00

Mia loves her sunglasses, she can see much better outside. A very hot and stinky news years day at Eildon.
She also loves her Dad feeding her rice cerial!

Change of surgery

2006-01-09T16:03:00.000+11:00

Surprise, suprise.......
Mia's surgery has been delayed until next Tuesday, 17th January. Not sure why, although when the cardiology department rang me they said that surgery had told them Mia was unwell, and that is why surgery was cancelled. Who knows?!?!?
Mia seems to be comfortable breathing with her diuretics and is generally still very happy. She kept me upo most of last night, so we have had a very quite day today, lounging around in bed.
I am taking her into the Children's tomorrow to be checked out because of the diuretics she is on. Hopefully no more drastic changes to plans from now on but you never can tell.
Once again, thanks for all your support. Especially the very regular site visitors and commentors; Heather and Roger, Marg and Jane, and his majestic royal honorable judge and lady Nicki.
Love to all,

Back to Hospital

2006-01-04T21:44:00.000+11:00

Mia has been reviewed in hospital on Monday because we have noticed her becoming more short of breath and more tired. The doctors are concerned that the band they placed in September is not doing a good job any more and there is a steady rise in blood flow to the lungs. Mia's operation was originally planned for the 30th January, however, after being reviewed today by the cardiologists and discussed with the surgeons, they have decided to do her next week.

This operation is complicated. Follow the link to find out more.

http://www.rch.org.au/cardiology/health-info.cfm?doc_id=3530

We are going in to hospital on Tuesday for 'pre-admission' and home again, then in on Thursday for surgery.

Once again we will use the web site to keep people up to date as much as possible.

People interested in joining or donating to Heatkids Victoria,
http://www.heartkids.org.au
Cheers,
Lyndall, Richard and Mia

Tubeless!

2005-12-26T11:05:00.000+11:00

Mia thought it would be really funny to pull her tube out on Christmas Day! Of course, everyone ran for their cameras, as did Mummy. Uncle Ben and Mummy put it back in quick smart!

2005-12-25T12:16:00.000+11:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

Hello, and a merry christmas to all. Mia is already having a wonderful day, just look at that cheeky smile!

With not very merry news.... Mia's surgery is set for 30th January, will fill in details later.

Cheers!! Have a safe holiday.

Going Well

2005-12-01T14:36:00.000+11:00

Things went well with Mia's cardiac catheter yesterday. The cardiologist was very happy with the pressures in Mia's heart. He will discuss his findings and Mia's history with other cardiologists and the surgeons next monday and they will decide when she needs her next operation. It is likely to be early January or possibly even before CHristmas. The latter being a real bummer..... but if that is what they suggest, that is what we have to do!!

Thanks for all your comments of late, and thanks Cro for the beautiful mobile! A few casualties but can be mended.

Love to all,

Back to Hospital

2005-11-28T21:46:00.000+11:00

On Wednesday 30th, we are going in to the Children's so Mia can have a cardiac catheter. The main point of this procedure is so they can measure the pressures inside the different areas of the heart. The pressures matter for the next stage of operation still to be done hopefully in February. All going well, we should be home again on Thursday. They basically put a tube through a blood vessel in her groin and thred it up to inside the heart and measure from there!

Will let you know how things go, wish us luck!
Lyndall, Richard and Mia

Update

2005-11-11T18:07:00.000+11:00

HI All, Mia had her first Cardiology visit today after leaving hospital. The doctor was very happy with her progress. The band they put around her pulmonary artery is working well and her heart function looks good. She doesn't have to have her diuretics anymore and since I stopped her reflux medication (since it does JACK) she doesn't have any meds now!
They will organise a cardiac catheter for before Christmas which is when they put a tube into her heart through an artery in her groin to measure pressures in the heart and have a bit of a look see. It is usually only an overnight stay in hospital. Then depending on what they see and find, she will still probably be having her next operation at 6 months (February).
She is a very happy baby (except when she gets woken up and told to feed!) in between vomits which are still a plenty!
All our love, thanks for all the comments and support from afar,
XXXX

Photos as requested

2005-11-08T20:11:00.000+11:00

A few people have asked for some recent photos of Mia, so here they are. Out in the pram..... relaxing at home..... asleep in the very hot weather....and tonight when I was supposed to be asleep!!!!! Hope you enjoy. Sorry about some blurriness!!

2005-10-29T15:41:00.000+10:00

Hi All,
Sorry I havn't blogged for a while, just so busy around the house! I feel like I am hooked up to Mia and her feeding pump at least 7 hours a day and she is still vomiting most of her feeds, so then cleaning her and myself up after that!
It is really good to be at home though. Mia is such a happy baby and giving Richard and myself so much joy and love. It is a really hard road at the moment, but we wouldn't swap her for the world! We knew things were going to be hard. Still just trying to fatten her up for her next operation, likely in February. Last week she put on 110g, so still on the increase although slowly. We are hoping to push the big 4kg this week! (only 60g to go......)
Mia's favorite things are Daddy singing James Blunt's "Beautiful", staring at her purple elephant, and sticking her tounge out at anyone she can. I think she learnt that from a beautiful little girl at the hospital, Alyssa!!
Thanks for all the comments, it seems the Blog site is a hit with all, especially those interstate and overseas.
Lots of love

HOME AT LAST!

2005-10-15T14:49:00.000+10:00

Mia came home from hospital yesterday. She has been a bit unsettled overnight, but more because we bought her home with a cold which is making her very sniffly!

I is great to be back at home. She is still being fed through the tube, only taking a small amount from the bottle. All this really means is that I get no sleep!! It still takes her about an hour per feed, every three hours.

Will blogg later to let you all know how she goes!

2005-10-10T17:29:00.000+10:00

Hi all,
Still in hospital i'm afraid! Mia went a bit backward on the weekend, started vomiting again. They reduced her feeds and today we had a test to see if she had any problems with her stomach or intestines. Everything looked okay, just showed some reflux.

We will try to delay her feeds again tomorrow (she is currently on 2 hourly feeds) and try to get her sucking on a bottle again. I think the doctors are planning on starting some reflux medication also.

Sory I havn't blogged for a few days again, its hard to find the time. In general, no news would be good news.

Speak soon, too afraid to say when we might go home in case we don't again!!!

2005-10-05T13:05:00.000+10:00

Hi All,
Sorry I havn't blogger for a while, but have put on 3 photos to make up for it! The nurse holding Mia is Res, who has looked after her a fair bit on the ward. She is very ggod to turn up to work each day considering the hard time she is given by Richard! We love you Res!

Mia is doing well. She hasn't put on any weight today, but 50 grams over the last 2 days. We are here just for feeding now and the doctors have even taken Mia off her heart monitoring. It is great to be able to walk around the ward more freely with her now.

I am crossing my fingers to be home by the end of the week.

Cheers

2005-10-01T15:07:00.000+10:00

HI all,

Little Mia is once again moving in the right direction. Despite a temperature last night and bloods needing to be taken, she is less jaundiced and her blood results show improving liver function tests. Her poo has gone yellow again!!!!!! Yay!!! Which means she is on the mend.

Lots more beautiful smiles today and only the occasional vomit. They are changing her feeds back to normal breast milk or S26 without the extra calories added as she is putting on weight, and tomorrow hopefully off the continuous pump feeding on to hourly feeds.

Will blogg tomorrow and let all know how things are going.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATY! THANKS FOR HAVING BREAKFAST WITH US A MCDONALDS!

2005-09-29T15:02:00.000+10:00

Feeling a bit better today. She hasn't vomited since last evening and is on slow continuous feeding through her tube and on a drip for fluids. Her blood tests yesterday showed that she has some inflammation in her liver and we are not sure why yet but the gastro doctors are trying to sort all that out. It may well be due to some of the drugs she has been on. Either that, or perhaps she has been hitting the turps behind our backs!

She is looking great though, don't you think?!?

Cheers

One step forward......

2005-09-28T13:25:00.000+10:00

Mia has decided to dazzle us with her audition for the exorcist, hwe head does 3 time 360 degree turns before projectile vomiting at whoever she can reach!! SHe has unfortunately lost weight and is actually now only 76 grams more than her birth weight.

So she is giving us greif again, although her heart is good! The general surgeons have been looking at her agin today to see if we can work out the vomiting things which has been for a few days now. Obviously she needs to keep eating and keep it down to grow big and strong!

Will keep you posted,

Having a Bath

2005-09-26T17:14:00.000+10:00

HI All,
Mia Here, having a bath after I just chucked most of my hard earned breast milk and added formula. Mummy is annoyed because the formula room just rang to say they had ran out of her expressed milk and she can't keep up!!

I thought people would like to see my zipper which I think is really quite stunning. As you can see, I am starting to smile at Mummy and Daddy again which makes them very happy.

See you all soon (although I don't know exactly when!!)

On the Ward! - a word from MIA

2005-09-23T18:05:00.000+10:00

Hi All

Don't I look just georgous up on the ward? They kicked me out of ICU yesterday and last night I made Mum sit up all night with me. I slept a little while between 4 and 6 am, but only if she held me (which she loved of course!). Then I had a great cuddle with Dad also.

David (the cute Cardiologist who is unfortunately WAY too old for me) did an ultrasound and said my heart was looking really good.

I am SORT of interested in trying to feed from Mum, but it is much easier to just get my food from the tube in my nose. I don't have to do any work!! I am just tasting and maybee will try from Mum again later tonight.

Mum and Dad send their love to everyone,
Mia XXXX

EXTUBATED!!!!!

2005-09-21T16:24:00.000+10:00

Hi All,
Look at my beautiful girl minus tube! Very peacefull this afternoon although hungry when she wakes, and they wont feed her until later this afternoon.

Blog tomorrow,

Breathing well

2005-09-21T09:47:00.000+10:00

Hi All,
thismorning Mia is once again a star. SHe had a very good night and they have woken her up and turned the ventilator down to minimum support (5 breaths per minute) so she is breathing on her own again. She was wide awake when we arrived in ICU and screwed up her face to cry (which she cant do yet) which made us teary.

She looks so cute and more importantly, comfortable.

On her Xray this morning she had what we call consolidation which may mean she has a bit of a chest infection. So they gave her lungs a bit of a wash out.

Plan for today is to extubate to CPAP again and she how she goes. Fingers and toes crossed!

On the mend

2005-09-20T10:22:00.000+10:00

Mia is doing well thismorning. SHe came through yesterdays surgery very well and all her 'numbers' were good yesterday afternoon and evening. Her blood pressure is much better which had been one of the main problems. She is quite puffy again, but that is normal after bypass surgery. We just had her looking almost back to her usual self again!!! She is still beautiful though!

The plan for today is to reduce her blood pressure medication, wake her up a bit and try to reduce her dependence on the ventilator so hopefully she can be breathing by herself tomorrow. Of course we are now very weary of plans and will just be taking things VERY slowly.

For medical brains, we are also doing renal ultrasounds to make sure her kidneys are not the cause of her systemic hypertension,

Lots and lots of love, once again thatnks for all the prayers and comments on the site too!! Dont forget you can email us at any stage also,
Cheers

More surgery

2005-09-19T10:46:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone....
Back into surgery today. Yesterday Mia was still struggling with her breathing a little bit. She was 'upgraded' from being intubated to CPAP on Saturday which was great. So she is breathing on her own with a little support to help keep her lungs open propperly. They took her off that and she was totally on her own yesterday morning, but about lunch time she was a bit more distressed with her breathing so they put the CPAP back on again.

The doctors think that the reason her lungs are struggling a bit is because of the pressure the small hole in the heart is putting on the lungs. All of the blood returning to the heart goes through this hole, so it is important that it is big enough.

So... back off to surgery thismorning to make the hole bigger. The operation in itself is really quite quick and easy... the hard part is that she has to go on a heart bypass maching for them to get to the problem. They will divert the blood away from her heart for a short period and make the heart still so they can cut in the right place.

Thanks for all you support and we know that Mia is in so many of your prayers. We may have to buy everyone knee pads when this is all over. Thanks for the comments on the site, it is really good to hear from you all.

Lots of love