Such good news!! You need a break too from all of this and getting into a work routine may be just the thing. I wonder how many calls to check up.... I would do the same. I am so happy for all of you.

As an aside, I would have probably been less appropriate and told the mom the following in the parking lot "could you shut your husband up, your daughter is trying to communicate with him."

Wonderful news, Becca. I am so happy things are going so well for you and your little bear.

That is great news! Sounds like the little bear is making more and more progress everyday! I am so happy for all of you.

Here's to making messes in the bathroom. She is really just trying to help you clean the floors.

So how was the first day back at work? You called home how many times? And did you end the day with another fun bathtime? Here's to many many more! Splish splash she was takin a bath....

It went well. I only called home once. I'm home today (part-time for the next 2 weeks per the doctor) and the bear is currently scribbling on the computer tower. She was trying to type a hello message to you all - but like her talking it was jibberish !
No fun bath (the tube is starting to leak again on her belly - so just a sponge bath will have to do).

I can't imagine how hard it was to go back to work but I'm sure grandma and grandpa were more than willing to watch your little one!! I would be, if my kids ever get around to having kids!!!! Hugs to all of you, you are truly blessed to have Natalie and each other.

My daughter sent me a message from my sweet grandbaby. She sat at the computer and pounded away. I could read it perfectly, it said "Hi Gammy, I love and miss you. Kaiden." Pretty cool. So let her pound away Becca. Each of us can interpret it how we want.

The Junebug sent her Nana a word document consisting mostly of js & ns - her Nana insisted that meant "Hello Nana how are you I am fine love Junebug." Works for me.

My nephews just sent a letter to me and the only word I could make out was Love...good enough for me! We'd love to hear from "the bear"

What a nice update on her website today. Sounds like you have a bundle of energy on your hands!

slkdhrnei89023&^%#&*! and much love and continued prayers too.

Hope the tube situation has resolved itself. Maybe Dawnie could send you some of her private stock pink duct tape!

Becca, sorry I can't come help put up the fence but it would be kind of a long commute. Hope you get a good turnout.

Guess what!!! We just found out that in June we'll be filming a commercial for the Illinois Secretary of State (they have REALLY cool organ donation awareness commercials)!!! I'm pretty excited!

Becca, that is great! I'll watch for the commercial, that's for sure.

Ask them if they can put a link to the commercial on their website for those of us who don't live in the area.

I will. They usually run the commercials every April (organ donor awareness month) around here, so I wonder if we're filming it for next year's organ donor campaign.


Oh, Deppfan, someone is wearing an adorable GNR jean jacket today !

How exciting! I look forward to seeing it.

That's great! SMILE, your on the Sec. of State camera.

How cool. The Bear is going to be a star. Hope she won't forget us little people.

No more PTC line (the bile tube in her tummy is now gone)!

I went in to wake Natalie up this morning and found her sitting in a pool of bile. I quickly assessed the situation and found her tube (which, before bedtime was inside of her) now next to her. I left Natalie in her bed, she’s not too happy about this decision, and call Jason. He calms me. I then scoop up Natalie, change her, and take her down to the kitchen. As I am getting her breakfast ready I page the GI fellow on call at Children’s. Natalie at this point is still not a happy camper – I am not getting her French toast ready as fast as she would like!!!

The on call doc. (an old friend) says that he will have our team call us, and advises us to just keep a gauze pad on her tummy to manage the bile flow. Grandpa (who was to be our babysitter for the day) arrives. A few minutes later, Jason also comes home. Jason and I change Natalie’s dressing, which, after 20 minutes, is already full of bile. Our transplant team guy from Children’s calls. I can tell that he is happy as he says, “I hear that you are blaming Natalie for taking out her tube ! (He's a bit on the sarcastic side.) Well congrats!!!” Phew!

Since we were already scheduled for a clinic appointment in Chicago tomorrow, they are just planning on seeing us then. They may need to put in a stitch on her tummy, but since her labs last week were fantastic, they think that this is OK. Double phew!

So Grandpa (bless his heart, I think he got more than he bargained for) is babysitting and Natalie is napping. What a morning!!!!

Oh my gosh! It sounds like you were calm cool and collected! I am so impressed with you, your husband and your sweet little girl. I am so excited that things are going well. I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.