Happy New Year


Goodness. Being a parent during the holiday season is no joke. Even with two full-time nurses giving us extra help throughout the week, it still feels like we have a million tabs open in the brain & things slipping through the cracks. 

Sunny had a wonderful (first one on the outside of the hospital) Christmas! 
We were able to pack all of ourselves up, drive a little over two hours in Sunny's new(to us) minivan, and enjoy some much needed family time. 

We saw lots of cousins - some of them in it the first time in person(!), and took a lot of naps on couches. Sunny got some new toys and new outfits for Christmas, and a cushion to help position her more comfortably. 
We were anxious about sickness as it seems to be rampant right now, but I always struggle with wanting to keep her in a bubble of safety or having her experience these things. Even when she was a tiny bean in the CICU - there was one nurse that would make subtle remarks about the visitors we had. But because we didn't know how long she'd be with us, we wanted people to meet & experience Sunny. 
We're always trying to be as cautious as we can, but I'd hate for her whole life to be inside the walls of our house.
So far, she seems to have evaded anything going around, and for that we are THANKFUL. 


During our Christmas Break, Sunny was completing her December round of antibiotics to treat her (apparently monthly) UTI. Even with her prophylactic antibiotics, we still can't seem to kick these UTIs. She had some UTIs while inpatient, and she is more prone to get them because of her kidney issues, and all her tubes going in & out of her make more opportunity for bacteria to make it's way in. BUT, she had never been hit with monthly UTIs like she seems to be battling. 
We're hoping to explore some other possible ways to help deter Sunny's UTI hobby, but we're doing everything we know to do in the meantime. 

Her doctors appointments had slowed down during the holidays, but have already picked back up and we've got some three weeks in a row this month. We're starting off by seeing a Neurosurgeon today, in hopes of getting Sunny another helmet. Between all her pukey days and sicknesses while inpatient, she outgrew her first helmet but still has her wonky-shaped head:)


Prayer Requests:
- For Sunny to stay healthy from UTIs for longer than a few weeks.
- For helmet things to go smoothly! Prayers she doesn't absolutely hate it, and she'll wear it and that it'll help her body be more comfortable for her. 
- Safety for Sunny in this season of respiratory sicknesses floating around. 

Thank you!! We hope you had a very Merry Christmas, and a safe & slowwww start to the cozy winter season! 

Love,

Chris, Alyssa & Sunny




Sunny got a visit from Elaine, one of our favorite Nurse Practitioners from Sunny's long 2B stay:)


Looking at the Christmas tree lights for the first time


We hadn't gotten out to get a tree, but we snagged one on Christmas Eve!
Sunny was ready for the cozy vibes.


Sunny's Aunt Nell came to bring us some Christmas cheer on Christmas Eve - one of Sunny's fave nap buddies.

Finally conked out at the end of our 2 hour journey.


Brumby enjoying the minivan life


Sunny's Uncle Tony became a fast snuggle buddy.


Cousin pic #1


Cousin Pic #2


Night shift crew at Appa & Yaya's house


On the way home....once again, fell asleep within the last 20 minutes of the 2 hour drive.
 

hi.


Sunny in her pun-y Pjs


I love when she sleeps with her lil tongue out - it means she's very comfy & resting deeply.


Lancaster warmed up this week, so we went out for a short stroll!









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