Our Miracle Girl Turns Three!!

Our miracle granddaughter is three years old today! It seems like such a short time ago, yet like a lifetime as well.

Kallie came into the world on April 4, 2006 in the operating room. She was a stubborn girl even then and they were prepping her mom for an emergency c-section when Kallie decided to turn at the last minute and make her appearance. We are so glad she did!

Abbie's last picture as an only child....

Introducing Kallie Grace

7 pounds 1 ounce of pure beauty

Kallie was brought home and life went on as normal with a newborn. She went to the dr. at 3 days old and was given a clean bill of health.

Then over the following two days, she became lethargic and didn't eat as well as she had been. Later in the day, she began to turn gray and was laboring to breath, so her parents took her to the emergency room near their house and our lives were forever changed.

Kallie wasn't breathing well when they got there, they immediately intubated her and put her on a ventilator. She was severely dehydrated and they had to try TEN times to get an i.v. established in her tiny body! The drs and nurses worked very hard to save Kallie and once they had her stabilized, they transported her to the NICU in Boise. Kallie was a very sick little girl and no one knew the reason why.

During the long sleepless night they determined Kallie had what is called Severe Long-Segment Coarctation of the Aorta. This means her aorta was kinked and was not allowing blood flow to her lower body. Kallie needed heart surgery to repair her little aorta and save her life! Kallie was kept in the NICU in Boise sedated and on a ventilator until she could gain enough strength and get stabilized enough for them to transfer her.

After several days, Kallie was strong enough to be flown via life flight airplane to Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake ("Where angels walk the halls"). Thankfully her mommy was able to be on the flight with her and stayed with her every step of the way. Daddy followed soon after in the car with Uncle Travis and Aunt Robin right behind. Papa and Aunt Weezie were able to change their flight at the last minute and land in Salt Lake and Grandma got the house closed up and brought Abbie the following day.

These are some of the drugs and machines that kept Kallie alive and comfortable.

Kallie was in Primary Children's for two days while they stabilized her and prepared her for extensive open heart surgery to repair her aorta. After her surgery, she had a little vest that protected her chest cavity because they left her chest open for several days "just in case". We called it her 'bull riding vest'. Uncle Marty would be proud!

Nothing to do now, but wait for healing and recovery!

Kallie stayed in Primary Childrens for several weeks. Healing and learning to do the things a healthy newborn does (like eat). It was during this time we learned that Kallie has a chromosomal abnormality called Turner Syndrome. It would take a whole nother blog to tell you about Turners so please visit http://www.turnersyndrome.org/ to learn more about Kallie.

Finally back in mommy's arms!

After several weeks, Kallie was finally well enough to go home! HAPPY DAY!!

Since then, life with Kallie has been a whirlwind of activities and various hospitalizations! She has had angioplasty twice (stretching her aorta), she has had her ovaries removed, her appendix taken out, and tubes put in her ears. Not to mention all the 'normal' childhood emergencies and illnesses. But through it all.....she smiles!

Kallie always brings a smile to our faces!

In June of 2008, Kallie, Mommy and Grandma went to Raleigh, North Carolina to the National Turner Syndrome Conference. Kallie didn't adjust to the time change the whole time we were there! Here she is with mommy and the president of the TSSUS who happens to be a geneticist.

Kallie still has many obstacles to overcome. She has daily injections of growth hormone, and has regular visits with her cardiologists, endocrinologist, ENT, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, etc. Let's just say she has her own 'staff'!

Such a sweet princess!

Kallie's favorite thing to do is play dress up!!

and be a cowgirl!



She is learning to WINK!!

We are so thankful to have Kallie in our family. She is such a blessing and we marvel at the miracle she is every day!

We love you, Sugar bean!! Happy Third Birthday!!