We are HOME!

I really have to start by apologizing for not keeping everyone better informed on what's been going on, but it's just been so crazy(even for us).

We left to NY on Sunday, and flew all night. The kids did great, probobly because we've instilled in them that the only appropriate thing to do on a plane is sleep, no matter what time it is. We drove to our apartment we were renting, and were greeted by a disshevled looking women with a six pack in her hands. IT'S 8 AM!! The place was a dump,there were shady people hanging out and smelled like cigarette smoke. We tried to tell her we just couldn't stay there, but she just wouldn't take a hint. We had about 10 suit cases between us all, it was freezing, and our appointment was in about an hour. This women drank 3 beers in the time she was talking to us, and got progressivly pushier about the whole thing. We finally said NO, and basically walked away, and had to search our another hotel witin walking distance, because it was either that or take 3 cabs around NYC searching for vacancy. The double tree was on the corner and happened to have what we needed for the week at a whopping $650 A NIGHT! At that price I think the least they could do is put out some muffins and coffee in the morning, or throw in some internet use in our room, but no, apparently nothing is inclusive in NYC.


It was a hectic start, but once we got settled in, things went very smoothly. On Monday night before Savannahs surgery we went to the giant ToysRus, and had a blast.


Savannahs surgery was 6 hours long without any complications. I read, and read, and read, to keep myself from thinking about anything really. (Those Stephanie Meyer books are really good time passers.)
Mark and the kids went to see the Empire State Building.

When she was finally done with surgery I was too squimish to hold her, so Mark held her while she came to. As I watched her wake up I couldn't help but think of all she's been through in her short life, and to think it's only the beginning, it just made me cry. Everyone kept asking "what's the matter, don't you think she looks good?" Even Dr. Cutting asked, and i kind of felt bad, because he did an awsome job. It's just hard to be excited, or even happy when you see your baby come out of something so painful.


I knew i should of kept up my blog even in NY, because now it's all a blur in my head, but the first five days or so were the hardest, she didn't sleep more than 30 minutes at a time, and she did have those uncontrollable crying spells a lot, but having Mark and my parents around made it bearable.

We did get to have some fun while we were there. We took the kids out to Central Park, and made a whole day of it. There's a carousel, an ice skating rink, and even a zoo there.


We saw the statue of Libery, and ground zero. We rode a taxi, the subway and a ferry. I learned how to properly tie a scarf, and now understand what it means to really be cold.


All in all our trip was everything we could of hoped for it to be, and are happy just to be home. Savannah's still wearing arm restraints, has to have saline put in her nose about every hour, and we have to tape the incision. but in about 4 weeks from now, we'll have none of that, and we can focus on just trying to "normal" for now. Her next surgery date is MAY 6Th (which also happens to be her birthday)and that's when she'll be having her palate closed.



Thank you to all those friends,family, doctors and staff who have prayed, fasted and been such a help to us. We know this was a group effort, and can't express the gratitude we feel in our hearts twords you. I hope you can look at Savannah and know that you have trully made a difference in her life and ours.

The rumors are true!

Yes, we did move last Saturday to Brea CA. It wa kind of weird because didn't think it would happen at all let alone so quickly, so we really didn't tell any one. We found out Wednesday we could rent the house, and packed and moved on Saturday. We had a few people go to our house and look through the window only to find out we were gone.
It was a bitter sweet moment because we've looked forward to moving since we moved into our Comstock house, but as we were packing and it started becoming a reality, we realized how much we're going to miss the Pickering Ward. They've truley been our extended family through it all with us. Brea's not THAT far, so it's not good-bye, just, we'll see you later. We've worked really hard to get unpacked and settled before we leave for NYC. Savannahs big day is on Tuesday. to be continued.......

16 days and counting!

Wow time has flown. I hope to do better at this whole blog thing. In exactly 2 weeks from today we will be flying to NYC for Savannahs Surgery. We were fortunate to have found an apartment for rent for about $250 a night, which is a steal compared to hotel prices. Savannah's doing well, she's been seeing her doctor about 2 times a week now but we still have about 5mm to move on her left side. Impossible according to the doctors, but we're praying.

We met the surgeon

On Tuesday night Savannah and I flew out to the big apple to meet her surgeon. We flew all night, and she was a doll and slept the Entire trip there. Me on the other hand....something about flying to New York on September 11 just didn't feel right, then you go and throw in one muslum sitting right across from me, and that was enough for me. I tried smiling at him when we first got on the plane, but all I got was a stone cold look of death. My mother-in-law said it was because they don't like women. I was sure it was because we were his ticket to his paradise with 72 virgins. BUT we made it. Poor man was probobly just as uncomfortable flying that day, because I'm sure I wasn't the only one thinking that.

We took a nice hour and a half ride through Queens (i took a ride share van) and finally made to the doctors. We met Dr. Cutting, and I was as impressed as I hoped I would be. He explained the entire process in detail, and that made me feel a whole lot better about our decision. Her surgery is scheduled for November 13th, and we're hoping and praying her gums will touch before then.

While we were waiting in the lobby for the nurse to see her, we met another little girl with a bilateral cleft. Her name was Niomi, she was 8 and had the sweetest little voice i've heard. She was playing with Savannah and said "I hope the kids don't make fun of HER at school." I said do the kids make fun of you at school? and her eyes welled up and she said "yeah" My heart felt like it had burst. I wanted so badly to hug her and tell her it was not true. Whatever the kids said was not true. But instead I was speechless. I managed to tell her she was an awsome little girl, but who wants to hear they're awsome when others are making fun of you? I think the reality of what these poor children go through dumbfounded me.

The world can be such a cruel place.

We have a winner!

It seems that after much research and prayer we have decided upon a surgeon. We will be having Dr. Court Cutting of NYU do her surgery our in New York. I spoke with them out there last week and they gave me a tentative surgery date of November 12th. It's alot later than I had thought or would want it to be, but we'll take it. I just can't wait untill i could cuddle her against me without fear of hurting her. That's been one of the harder things about this whole retainer thing. I'll probobly fly out to NYU this coming week to meet with the surgeon, but that's still not planned out yet. I'm actually a little nervous about flying to New York by myself. San Antonio I had down,I knew my streets, and the airport pretty well, but New York is a whole nother matter. We'll see.
Mason and Kiera are doing well, reeking havoc and chaos throughout the house. They love Savannah(sometimes a little too much) and enjoy "playing" with her. On Friday Mason was busy "playing" with her on her bouncer and fell on top of her. Usually not a big deal, except this time he smacked the retainer right out of her nose. Poor Savannah, she was hysterical, and I couldn't get the retainer off, so I eventually had to take the scissors to it and just cut it off. It was a rough morning after that. This pictures actually from about 3 weeks ago, but i thought it was nice.

Kiera's calling in life

So I think most of you know Kiera's been in ballet this past year, and finished this summer. I thought i'd let her try Hula dancing this next year, but she's just not having it. Most days I'm lucky if she only changes into her ballet outfits once. Today during "NAP TIME" I heard lots of talking and jumping, and this is what i walked into. She's convinced that that's what she wants to be....."a beautiful ballarina"

Nam appt. #14

Savannah had her second "adjustment" here in L.A yesterday, and I've got to say it's probobly been the worst yet. We're moving on to the next phase of the NAM which is suppose to stretch her columella (the narrow strip under the nose) and to do this they've added nasal stents to the retainer. They had me hold her in a dentist chair for about 2 hours while they measured and marked where everything was suppose to go. I did really well at holding it together up untill about the 25th time they shoved the retainer in and out of her mouth, at which point they made her bleed. The rubbing from the retainer made the inside of her nose and the roof of her mouth bleed. I know you've heard me say it before, and you'll probobly hear me say it several more times before this whole ordeal is over but......I just couldn't hold back the tears. Poor Savannah. She fought those doctors off tooth and nail the whole time. They were quite impresses at what a fighter she was. After a few more "tries" they had the retainer where they wanted it, and sent us off on our merry little way. If we thought she hated the retainer before, she loathes this one. She swats at her face trying to get it off, but so far with no luck. Hopefully it stays that way.