Spring in February

That is exactly what it has felt like the past week or to in NC & we are loving it. I can't tell you how many times this winter Emma has asked to go outside to swing or ride her trike & now we can. We are so ready for warm weather.

 I love her hair in this pic, it was very windy.

 sweet smile

She will sometimes slide by herself & this was one of those days.

 This is classic Emma, walking & talking (not real sure what she was saying).

 Her tiny soccer ball. We are prepping her to play next spring on a pee-wee team. 

She will be too young to play this fall.

This was last weekend. Emma decided she wanted to go for a walk (she actually ran) about a mile thru our neighborhood but she wanted to be carried back home. 

CHD Facts

February 7-14, 2011 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. Below you will find several interesting facts you may or may not already know about these life-threatening and life-altering defects. (I borrowed these from a fellow heart mom's blog.)

• Congenital heart defects (CHDs) occur when a baby's heart fails to form properly during early pregnancy. In most cases, the cause is unknown, although scientists feel both genetic and environmental factors play a role.Some environmental factors that increase the risk of CHDs include the mother’s use of cocaine, alcohol or certain medications while pregnant. Some maternal medical conditions – such as diabetes – may also increase risk.

• CHDs are the most common birth defect – and the leading cause of birth defect-related deaths.

• CHDs occur more often than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome or hearing loss – and kill twice as many children as childhood cancer.

• It is estimated that 40,000 babies with CHDs are born in the United States each year – that’s one in every 100 babies.

• Although some babies will be diagnosed at birth, newborns are not routinely screened for CHDs – and pregnant women are not routinely tested for CHDs.

• There are approximately 35 different types of congenital heart defects.

• Some CHDs may be treated with surgery, medicine and/or devices, such as artificial valves and pacemakers. In the last 25 years, advances in the treatment of heart defects have enabled half a million U.S. children with serious CHDs to survive into adulthood.

• Many cases of sudden cardiac death in young athletes are caused by undiagnosed CHDs and childhood-onset heart disease.

• Early detection is critical to the successful treatment of CHDs. Some heart defects can be detected by a routine ultrasound – but the most effective prenatal test is an echocardiogram performed by a Pediatric Cardiologist.

CHD Awareness Week

It starts tomorrow & wanted to remind everyone that Congetital Heart Defects are the #1 cause of death of babies (sad but true). Luckily Emma's was found in utero & many are but there are also many that go undected until its too late. Please keep all of those families you may know who have been affected by CHD in your thoughts & prayers this week.

Look at this precious picture I found on the internet. I love it & just had to share.