First day of CHD Awareness Week

Today is the first day of CHD Awareness week.  Alyssa's big sister, Addison went to school wearing a red heart necklace that we wrote Alyssa's name on and also wrote CHD Awareness on the other side.  She was decked out in heart (shirt, headband, and necklace) and sported her Alyssa bracelet on a clevice hook since it's to big for her wrist.  So glad that she likes talking about Alyssa as much as I do and she likes to share her story with others.  We have something up our sleeve that we are hoping to get started this week as our little way of spreading awareness for congenital heart defects and honoring our sweet Alyssa.  More to come on that later....................:)

In the meantime, I'll share with you a little story about another little girl named Addison and a special stuffed zebra.

 This is a sweet little girl named Addie. She is pretty special, her and her family are part of the support group I joined when I was pregnant with Alyssa. It's called Help-A-Heart. Let me tell you a little story.....the zebra in the picture is pretty special too. Santa didn't forget Alyssa in 2012 and he left us this zebra with a note to Addison and Connor that said even though Alyssa can't be with us on Christmas, he didn't want them to think that he forgot her, so he brought her this zebra. He asked that we give this zebra in memory of Alyssa to another heart baby that needed something to cuddle with during their heart journey. At that time, we thought we'd just donate the zebra to the hospital and ask them to give it to heart baby. But we haven't gotten back to the hospital just yet, and now I know why. This zebra wasn't meant for any baby, it was meant for Addie. I've met Addie several times at our support group and she is always full of smiles. Addie went in for heart surgery at U of I Childrens Hospital on Jan 9. They got shocked with a new diagnosis once there and her heart condition was changed to atrioventricular canal defect and tetralogy of fallot. While I was staying updated on Addie's progress through her CaringBridge blog, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Alyssa's zebra wasn't meant for any baby, it was meant for Addie. I messaged her mom and got her address and sent them a little care package with a letter explaining the meaning of the zebra. When Emily (Addison's mom) received the package this is what she wrote me "Got Addie's package today, we love it! Before I had even read the letter you sent I told Addie that the zebra was from a very special angel and that we should name it Alyssa after her. Then I read your letter and cried reading how special the gift is. Your love and kindness through the loss of your beautiful heart warrior is inspiring to me. Thank you for such a treasured gift! And I love your Addison's note! So sweet. You have done a great job with your children". Tears of happiness right there. After some scary situations and some rough patches, Addie finally made it home after about a month long stay in the hospital. Her mommy was kind enough to share some pictures of her loving up on her special zebra. Fight on Addie, you are one special little girl!

Thank you to Addie's mommy for allowing me to share this story and pictures of your sweet heart warrior on my blog.