Best. News. Ever.

For many of you who have been following the blog know that Whitney's MRI appointment was last week Tuesday. This was a source of extreme anxiety for me. This past month I have really been able to enjoy Whitney and watch her grow and develop right before our eyes. She has been progressing right on schedule and as the MRI neared I almost became less and less scared and more and more optimistic - she has been doing SO GREAT.
We received the wonderful news that Whitney's MRI had come back with no brain damage! The doctor was very pleased with how the scans looked and during his checking up on her he thought she looked great and that the cooling treatment was a success. While only time will tell on how she develops both physically and any possible speech delays, the MRI was clean.

What an emotional day that was for our family. As I stood by her while she was in the MRI tube, listening to the sounds and hums and moans of the machine, I could not help but cry. If you would have asked me 4 months ago before she was born, I never would have imagined that we would be doing such things. Words that have become part of our language "delays", "MRI", "brain damage" should not be part of any new parents vocabulary. And standing there, watching your daughter get an MRI, with the outcome unknown, with so many questions running through your head is almost too much. All I could do is let the tears stream down and pray.

The doctor said he wouldn't need to do anymore MRI's and basically wished us well and said he could see us back in another 6 months. The news was great and we are so thankful. We are very optimistic about Whitney's future. We know there could be speedbumps along the way, but with strength, all you can do is take one day at a time.

Wow, time flies

So the saying actually is true, time really does fly when you are having fun.
I was ever so gently reminded this past week from friends, family and coworkers that the blog needs some new posts. Yes, it's true, Whitney and I spent a week in Wisconsin and just returned home today. This would mark the second time flying for Whitney in the last month, two trips to Wisconsin in just under 3 weeks. She is turning into a jetsetter already!
This past month has been so busy. Andy and I typically lead fairly busy lives with work and fun, and now adding Whitney into our lives makes it even more busy, but one thing is for sure, life never slows down for anyone.
At the beginning of October we flew to WI for a long weekend and a little vacation. We were able to introduce Whitney to most of our friends since we were in town for Matt and Jackie's wedding celebration. My parents met us in Milwaukee and watched Whitney while Andy and I had a chance to reunite with many of our Wisconsin friends and stay the night in a hotel. Whitney was able to meet most of her cousins on the Hendricks side and we all got to spend time with family.
We also headed a bit more south to Beloit and spent some time with Andy's family. Whitney had a great "Welcoming Whitney" party and was able to meet many members of Andy's family and their friends. It was a great little vacation and went by entirely way to fast.

I then had work meetings in Wisconsin this Monday-Wednesday so decided to make a long trip out of it and fly back to WI on Friday afternoon. Since Whitney "proved" herself on her first flight that she could behave herself, I decided to brave it, and take her flying with just myself while Andy stayed back in MB. We were able to spend some quality time with my parents and Whitney got to meet more cousins, more friends and more family.

Having friends, family and co-workers meet Whitney has been such a blessing. I know so many of you have been thinking and praying for our family. It just brings tears to my eyes thinking of all the support we have had these past 4 months. It was such a joy to have people FINALLY meet this little miracle they have been sending prayers to. She is doing so wonderful and I'm so proud of her. Having the support we have had has been such a Godsend. Whitney has come such a long way and seeing her now is unbelievable.
THANK YOU again to everyone! We saw so many people this past week, and it felt great. Great knowing that our little one is so lucky to be blessed with all this love in her life. Thank you!