And Wait

Today marks two weeks in Rochester. Baby has yet to make the debut. We are all in place but very anxious to get underway. Ruthie is increasingly uncomfortable and wonders is bewildered each morning when she wakes up and is still pregnant. The due date is still June 1 (marks Grandma Rose Merle's 75th bithday as well as Great Grandma Doyle's bithday (perhaps baby's holding out for this?)) though all signs has pointed to delivery prior to then. The perinatal group indicates that each added day in utero for a baby with a heart condition is beneficial to its well being. He/she is still moving like its in a Tae Bo class and aside from the obvious is healthy. We do take comfort in that we believe our course is written and we must take just one step at a time. But man alive we are living angst filled days.

Evie continues to be our rock, hero and inspiration. She's really pulling for a girl - recommending the name "Lil Aunt Roberta".

The Waiting Game

One of the 34 playgrounds visited since last week.





Grandma Doyle, Ruthie along with Dog walker Evie and Pongo





Red Wings baseball in Downtown Rochester with Gramps (prior to the downpour)



Its been a wild couple of weeks. I transported my ladies up to Rochester to prepare for the birth, and rolled back to Ithaca for a compressed workweek. Now we are all together living full-time with my sweet mother-in-law Rose. Its been a delightful weekend being back together, getting together for Grandpa's birthday, Grandma's retirement party, dinner with Nona, running around with the relatives, some minor league baseball, Museum trips and some serious playground time. With a little over a week till Ruth's due date we'll be heading back for an update appointment tomorrow. Evie is so sweet and insightful - and really ramping up to be a big sister (she's really pulling for a little sister) Ruthie and I are well and in good spirts as we ramp up for the new member of our family. Thanks again for all the great thoughts and kind words. We are rolling one step at a time.

How you can help

Evie taking it all in at the Ithaca Farmer's Market

After months of wishing away the difficult medical situation of our baby, we are accepting it as reality and taking it head on. Our sweet baby will be born with a heart condition - and we will do all in our power to help that baby thrive. The baby continues to grow well and has very similar heart development as Evie. With a little over a month out we are focusing on many more details, including our anticipated relocation in late May (due date is June 1)in order to deliver the baby at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. The ideal situation is that the baby is born and the heart can tolerate waiting until 4-6 months old for surgery. Of course knowing that Evie had surgery at 5 weeks - we know that many different situations can arise.

The idea of surgery scares the heck out of me, but I realize the very fortunate reality that we are have access to this type of life saving procedure. The sad case is that many families throughout the world do not. We want our experience to change that for a few of those families.



Proud Mama Photo taken by Photog Evie D.

Over the next year or so we will be organizing an effort to raise funds to sponsor surgeries overseas for families in our similar situation. Under 10% of the world's population has access to pediatric cardiac care. That's where an organization like the International Children's Heart Foundation (http://www.babyheart.org)comes in. They lead medical trips throughout the globe and work with local medical staff heart surgeries to help give many of these kids a chance. They perform surgeries such as the one Evie had for about $2,500 which is a very small fraction of what it costs stateside. We want to work with you to help "sponsor" as many kids for surgery as we can.

We anticipate a fun, formal fundraising event in Ithaca in the fall and also envision conducting a formal written request for support, though in the interim are calling on our great network of family and friends to think about supporting this effort through your own networks. Would your child consider an awareness and fundraising effort with their class? Would you host an event to support our effort? Would your business or organization be willing to rally behind this effort? Would you be willing to make a donation to this effort? I encourage you to check out the ICHF website and consider making a one-time or continual donation at - http://www.babyheart.org/donate/make-a-financial-donation/. Please denote in comment/memo section that this is for the "Doyle Family" as we will be tracking how how we are doing in this sponsorship effort.

Thanks again for all the tremendous support and words of encouragement as we ramp up for the delivery. As difficult as this is we are tremendously excited and hopeful.

In like a Lion

During the lioness start to March with the biggest snow in a decade we found ourselves kicking around Florida. Great reset trip for the Evie, Ruth and I. Got the opportunity to catch up with ourselves and family throughout the State. As the picture shows we even got a little Disneyworld time in. I never really thought I'd be into taking my children there, but it was a blast. Evie ate it up - especially the princess scene. Also got Evie's first trip on a plane, night time swim, beach trip (thanks Margy), ocean dip, multi-day hotel stay (thanks Ray) and kite experience in. Really good for what ails us. Evie was full of wonder and great quotes throughout.

Moving closer to acceptance that our next child will have the same heart defect that Evie did, but man it still stings. Pretty sure it always will. We are ramping up and preparing physically and mentally for late May and the many developing details to come. We've become inspired to use this as an opportunity to help others going through similar experiences. More information on that forthcoming.

The baby continues to grow well according to midwife analysis. We are still on track for a June 1 due date. Next big cardiology trip is March 26th when we will get some more information on how the little heart is developing. We are looking for a increasing size of the pulmonary system amoung other things. We hope to know more then about specifics of when we will need to transition up to Rochester for the more detailed medical care.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts. Everything is helpful and appreciated. Enjoy the day.

I must admit to a sense of relief for not "having to" regularly update this blog, because Evie's health has been so great, and I just haven't felt the need to do so. Well. That feeling has changed.

The beautiful news is Evie continues to do well and is a boisterous 3.5 year old. Days are sweet with her. Other great news is that Ruthie is about 6 months pregnant. A little over a week ago we had a medical appointment at Strong that rocked us to the core. An indepth ultrasound revealed the fact that our baby has the rare heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot. This is the same defect that Evie was born with which required open heart surgery at 5 weeks of age.

I really can't explain the range of emotion. Every cardiologist we consulted with indicated the very minute chance at this type of defect occuring in another child. It brings up a host of difficult memories of Evie's first few months in and out of hospitals - it is wickedly sad and scary.

The medical team stressed that this condition can range in its severity and at this point the pulmonary system is growing decently, but a lot can happen over the next few months. We won't know much more for a few months and prior to the baby's birth we can't do much except be based closer to a major medical facility. We certainly need positive thoughts for the growth of a robust pulmonary system.

I'll do my best to update this blog again at least monthly as a means of processing while also minimizing the amount that we have to reiterate these tales. Its rough, but Evie and Ruth are in great health and we are embracing the day. Though I do feel lost, and will be eternally saddened by this development - I am reminded of Mother Teresa's advice to folks in rough situations - Smile and accept. What we've got is what we've got and it is our life's work to care for these sweet kids with heart problems.

I am struck each day by Evie's unique, wonderful way and this inspires me for moving forward. I say to everynight "Evie you are beautiful and bound for greatness." Her response the night we found out this news - "I know - and Daddy you are beautiful and bound for greatness too."

Summer's here...get after it (for Rose)

Out fishing with Dad.

Evie is wild, summer is mild and all is looking good.

Treman

She's not scared of the canoe, just ticked she can't get in yet.

Reel it in baby!

Evie Over the Irish Sea

Little lady's been working on her singing...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GH4VfR66Mok

Positive Report

Another great report during our annual cardiology visit this morning. Still hearing the murmurs that are expected with the repair she had, but nothing else. Its anticipated that she will need valve surgery still in her late teens early twenties, though as we've said before that procedure will be done through drive-thru surgery by that time.

The trip to the cardiologist also accompanied a great trip back to Rochester for Easter. Good time with both the Merles and Doyles. This shot is with her cousins Hannah and Abbey after a bit of jumping on the bed. I didn't realize the girls weren't allowed to jump on the bed until after a good 15 minute supervision of the hysterical activity (Sorry Becky and Kevin).

I realize life is filled with precious, simple moments. Those moments are exemplified by Evie.

-Sweet blue eyes

-Questions on how I learned to ride a two wheeler

-A run that's quicker and steadier than it looks

-Thrist for the outdoors

-Shadow to her older cousins, teacher to the younger

-Singer of 80s and soul tunes

-The distinct laugh

-Every baby or animial named Sophia

-Sportsfan and Cinderella lover

-Questioner of everything

-A scar she wears so proudly

I love that girl for all the simple and wildly complex things she's shown, taught and asked of me.

Been Awhile

St. Patricks Day 2009

Its been awhile since any updates - but as you can see Evie girl is happier and wilder than ever. The spring has reignited her passion for the outdoors. She's been known to outlast the old man now on outdoor activities. What else she been up to? She's asking questions that I struggle to answer, wants to read every book in the house, is working on her bike riding skills in and outside, loves playing with her friends, and can't get enough of stories from Ruth/my youth (tied favorite is Ruth learning to ride her bike or antics of my childhood dog Muffin).

Syracuse St. Pats Parade with Aunt Beck and Cousin Tara

Playing with her Kitchen from Christmas

Wearing Dad's "Formal" Hat

Trip to Cayuga Lake

The winter has been good to us, with the exception of some late season household ailments and ear infections. Evie's health is overall great. We're in line for her annual cardiology appointment at Easter time, though she's not scheduled for any full blown tests this year.

Here's to a great spring in the Finger Lakes. The girl is wild...but really great, sweet, and lovely.

What's dis?

Sad Face - Happy Face

Its a real big girl. I think its official - she'll always be my little girl, though she is not a little baby. She's sure to remind me of that.

My Strolling Beauties

Aside from a little recent fever, she has been beautifully healthy this fall. Getting to be extrodinaire of the toilet and working very dilligently on please/thank you.

We're waxing up the skis and sleds for a big winter of recreation. I definitely think she can roll down the Blue Squares this year.

First Hot Cocoa @ Southview Tree Farm

2 Years for Evie D!

Big 2 for Evie today and we couldn't be more proud. Its clear she is not a baby or infant anymore - she's full on a little girl. She can carry on full conversations, count to twenty (pretty much) and dance like only she can.

When folks ask how she's doing I just smile and shake my head and try to paint the picture of the wild little woman and what she did that morning that made us laugh (oroccassionally cringe). A natural beauty - just like her Mama.

Ithaca Summertime

Well its summertime in Ithaca and looking its looking like a Countrytime Lemonade Ad. Fireflies, thunder and lightning, Evening streaking through the neighborhood. Its been really good times thus far - pretty much centering activity around swimming and eating ice cream. Things are looking pretty alright. Evening and the old man at the front year rain barrel (shoes and hat the choice of the lady).

Stopping and smelling the roses

Three generations of Merle-Doyle - Rose Merle, Evening Doyle, Ruth Merle-Doyle

Bluegrass Evening

Hey ohhh

Evening Report

Spring is hear in a big way and Evie is loving every minute of it. Extra active, real inquisitive and talking a ton. Favorite phrases range from - "Obama" to "Peace Out" to "Teetertotter". Good times and real sweet.

Also had a big echocardiogram in late April. She had to be sedated which was hard on the folks, but reports came back quite positive. Her heart continues to be strong and is handling the surgery well. She has no limitations as she is doing so well, and there is no way to control her.

Lovely lady - enjoying the spring.

1.5 YEARS!

1.5 years old for this sweet little girl and we couldn't be more proud. Its been a real rough month of February for the Doyle household health - some serious stomach bugs and other ailments have been kicking around - one of which I almost had to place a call for an exorcism to help pull the demon from Mrs. Evening. Despite that, we are all in great spirits. Evie is in an especially sharp, mobile, goofy stage which has been really enjoyable. At times the girl seems to have a better vocabulary than mine.

We've seen a few good upstate NY storms whip through, but agree across the board that spring will be welcome. Sledding, shoveling and winter hiking have been good times and all, but some warmth and dry sidewalks will be welcome.

Aside from her runny noses and upside down stomach, Evening is doing well health wise: sleeping like a champ, having a strong heart (already knew that one) and excelling in her growth. She continues to be so tall that I half expect the Doc to pull out a letter of intent for us to commit her to enrollment at a major D-I Women's Hoops school. We put some of those skills to work this weekend at the grocery store this weekend where Evie and her old man were all over a March Madness display - dribbling, dunking, knocking chips off the display. The staff at Wegmans loves us.

We will head up in early April to Strong for a sedated echo cardiogram which no one is looking forward to, though all signs are very positive.

Great New Year

2008 is looking pretty good for the Ithaca Doyles. In an ode to the late Sir Edmund Hillary is pulling off some pretty intense unassisted climbs. Got to keep an eye on her at all times. Only rest available is when she's sleeping - or when we're at work!

Happy Holidays

Holidays are here in a big way. Really looking forward to a bit more time chasing Evie around the house. She seems to have a larger vocabulary than me lately. Talking, running and laughing - and always mischevious. She continues to be quite healthy even despite her parents' ailments. Recent checkup had Evie busting up in the 100th percentile with her height.

Just kicking around Ithaca for Christmas and heading to Rochester around New Years. Our best to you and yours this holiday season! Peace be with you.

Evie, Ruth and Scott

Little Dynamo

Ithaca Farmers Market CSA

Grandma and Eve

Preparing for Cousin Tara's Baptism

Great fall in Ithaca. Leaves are falling, the Ducks are looking strong, Evening is sweet as ever. We met with her new cardiologist in Rochester last month and the report was very positive. Continuing grow like a weed and her heart is strong.







Just getting off a bit of an ailment, Halloween was a bit short for the bumblebee, but a very good time.

Crazy Bumblebee

Hope all is well with you and yours. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. GO DUCKS!